Hey, I’m Francesca, your go-to thriller girly AKA @pavisfrancesca. I’m a full time content creator and reader who lives and breathes everything books and coffee, with a particular interest in thriller books. Who doesn’t love a good plot twist?
As a thriller lover, I am so excited for the upcoming autumn season of reading, but with so many new releases it can be hard to know where to start. So, here are my top five most anticipated reads from The Works.
Author: Freida McFadden
Genre: Thriller
Firstly, the queen of thriller books herself, Freida McFadden, has a brand new psychological thriller releasing in October titled The Intruder. In this book we’re following Boston based teacher Casey who retreats to her isolated, weather worn cabin only to spot a girl peering in through the kitchen window. When Casey goes to investigate she finds the girl alone, covered in blood and clutching a knife she refuses to let go of. Will they both survive until the morning?
As a huge fan of Freida McFadden, this book went straight on my TBR before even reading the synopsis as her books are always fast paced, twisty and full of suspense. But I’m excited for this one specifically as I love a remote setting thriller especially in the colder months.
Read this if: you love a plot twist you would never see coming.
Author: Layne Fargo
Genre: Contemporary
Layne Fargo’s bestseller The Favourites has just been released in paperback and follows a pair of childhood sweetheart ice dancers who have spent their whole lives training for the Olympics. The story unfolds in a dual timeline of their experiences throughout training and at The Games, as well as a documentary style look back after 10 years.
If you have no knowledge of ice dancing, never fear, neither did I… and I absolutely loved this book when I read it in hardback and will be picking up the paperback version too for those sprayed edges! This author has previously written thriller books, so it’s unsurprising that this contemporary story was fast paced and full of twists and turns. Think Magnolia Parks crossed with Daisy Jones and the Six.
Read this if: you love a fast paced story with a side of dramatics.
Author: Jo Spain
Genre: Thriller
Now we’re firmly in dark academia autumn, I am so excited to pick up The Trial by Jo Spain. Not only is this in the 3 for £7.50 deal but it’s also a dark academia thriller written by one of my favourite authors. This follows Dani at St Edmunds college in Dublin in 20214 where her boyfriend has disappeared in the night, as well as Dani in 2024 going back to the same college as a lecturer to find out what happened once and for all.
This feels like a layered thriller with several plot points throughout and I know it will be a perfect read for autumn, especially for anyone going back to university. Jo Spain also never fails to deliver on a plot twist.
Read this if: you love an academic thriller with a side of office politics.
Author: Bill Wood
Genre: Thriller
Be Right Back by Bill Wood is the second installment of the fast paced young adult thriller series Let’s Split Up. These books follow Buffy and friends who this time are back for the inaugural Hallowed Fall Fest where with each death a cryptic clue is left to lead the gang to the killer.
It doesn’t get more timely than a Halloween festival teamed with a scooby-doo esque gang trying to solve crime. I’m so excited for this one as Bill Wood is one of the few young adult thriller authors that strikes a perfect balance of being age appropriate while still keeping the narrative twisty. You cannot miss this sequel during spooky season.
Read this if: you’re a 90s kid who would do anything to watch Scream again for the first time.
Author: Laurie Gilmore
Genre: Romance
And finally, as the fifth and most highly anticipated book in Laurie Gilmore’s Dream Harbor series, The Ginger Bread Bakery is the perfect book to pick up in the colder months for something cosy and festive. This time we’re following previous supporting characters Annie and Mac in this enemies to lovers story where the pair have to put aside their differences to deliver a wedding cake for the celebration of the year.
I am a huge fan of this series and when I heard Annie and Mac were getting their own story I was squealing in delight. This can be read as a standalone but I would recommend reading this series in order for the full experience. Bonus points for this being a Christmas romance book too.
Read this if: you love love almost as much as you love Christmas.
So that is my autumn reading list! I hope discovering my most anticipated reads has given you some inspiration for your own TBR this autumn. If you decide to give any of them a read too, I’d love to know your thoughts; tag me on Instagram @pavisfrancesca.
Discover the best new book releases for winter 2025, including exclusive editions and must-read titles perfect for the cosy season.
Find out what books Bookstagrammer Marty (@consistentlyreads) recommends, featuring a mix of genres you'll love!
If you've ever found yourself swooning over an "enemies to lovers" romance or cheering for a reluctant hero on a quest, you've been delightfully swept up by book tropes.