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October was a thriller month around here. I usually sit on my couch, curled up in a blanket, the fireplace on, with a hot cup of peppermint tea. Here's what was on my shelf this month, what I thought, and which one I'd hand to a friend first.
Quick Picks
Favorite of the month: None of This Is True
Best for a spooky night in: The Witch
Most twisty: The Perfect Marriage
Best for a book club: Anatomy of an Alibi
My October Reads
1. Anatomy of an Alibi by Ashley Elston
What it's about: Two women trade places for twelve hours so one of them can spy on her secretive husband. When he turns up dead, only one of them has an airtight alibi.
My take: I loved this one. It held my attention and was so hard to put down—the kind of book that makes you want to clear your schedule and keep reading. If you're looking for an absorbing thriller for your next reading night, add this to your list.
My rating: ★★★★★ 5/5
Read it if you like: Complicated secrets, identity swaps, and thrillers that keep you guessing.
2. Dear Debbie by Freida McFadden
What it's about: A New England advice columnist whose own life is unraveling decides the people who wronged her are finally going to get what's coming.
My take: Debbie served her revenge cold—as she should! I loved watching her decide she was done putting up with everyone's nonsense. If you enjoy a revenge story that has you cheering on some questionable decisions, this one belongs on your reading list.
My rating: ★★★★☆ 4/5
Read it if you like: Revenge thrillers, dark humor, and women who are officially done being the bigger person.
3. The Witch by Freida McFadden
What it's about: A standalone thriller that alternates between a present-day haunted house and a 17th-century witch trial.
My take: I enjoyed the story, but this felt different from the Freida McFadden books I'm used to. Part of me had a hard time getting past those expectations and appreciating it on its own terms. A good read, though it wasn't my favorite of hers.
My rating: ★★★½☆ 3.5/5
Read it if you like: Creepy old houses, buried family secrets, and suspense with a historical mystery.
4. The Perfect Marriage by Jeneva Rose
What it's about: A top defense attorney takes on her most personal case yet: defending her husband, who is accused of murdering his mistress.
My take: I had a suspicion about where the ending was headed, but that didn't stop me from loving this book. It held my attention, and I couldn't put it down. Even with a theory in mind, I needed to see how everything would unfold.
My rating: ★★★★★ 5/5
Read it if you like: Marriage secrets, courtroom drama, and domestic thrillers where trust is in short supply.
5. None of This Is True by Lisa Jewell
What it's about: A podcaster meets a stranger who shares her birthday and agrees to make her the subject of a new podcast, until the stranger's story takes a dark turn.
My take: My favorite of the month! I loved the way the book was structured, with the podcast and Netflix documentary elements woven into the story. I questioned everything while reading—and honestly, I still don't know what to believe.
My rating: ★★★★★ 5/5
Read it if you like: True-crime podcasts, documentary-style storytelling, and unreliable characters who leave you questioning everything.
The Wrap-Up
None of This Is True takes my top spot this month. Between the podcast, the documentary elements, and the constant uncertainty about what was real, it gave me so much to think about—even after I finished reading.
Your turn: What was the best book you read in October? Tell me in the comments. I'm always looking for my next read!
