As the weather starts to shift, the sweaters and coats are brought out from hibernation and the smell of woodsmoke fills the afternoon air. What better way to spend your time than with an autumn book?
Whether you’re in a cosy mood, looking for a dark moody read, or want to cling on to the last of the Summer sunshine, here is the perfect autumn reads to add to your seasonal TBR:
Table of Contents
Tiger Autumn by Jan Pearson
Tiger Autumn (Celestial Symbols) by Jan Pearson takes readers to the turbulent world of 1960s Hong Kong, where Pearl Green is on the cusp of her twentieth birthday.
As China prepares to make its mark in the global arms race, the city buzzes with tension. The plot thickens when Dr Lin Dei, a nuclear scientist, murders his supervisor and goes on the run with his stolen research papers, sparking a dangerous chase.
Read Tiger Autumn by Jan Pearson.
Autumn Duchess by Lucinda Brant
AHistorical Romance by Lucinda Brant transports readers to 1770s England, where the tragic Dowager Duchess of Roxton, Antonia, has spent three years in mourning after the loss of her husband.
Consumed by grief and burdened by her diminished status, her world is turned upside down when the bold and captivating Jonathon Strang enters her life. A successful East India merchant with a reputation for charm and ambition, Jonathon is immediately drawn to Antonia’s beauty and vulnerability. Despite her initial disdain for his arrogance, Jonathon’s persistence soon begins to chip away at her resolve.
Fall in love with Autumn Duchess by Lucinda Brant. Check out the whole series by Lucinda Brant, including Midnight Marriage Book 1 in the Roxton Family Saga.
Matters of the Heart by Fiona Palmer
For those still reminiscing about the summer sun, and ignoring the falling leaves and chiller nights, this sunny read will be right up your alley.
Matters of the Heart by Fiona Palmer is a delightful modern retelling of Jane Austen’s beloved Pride and Prejudice, set in the heart of Western Australia. Lizzy Bennet, a strong-willed and independent young woman, is determined to save her family’s struggling farm, uninterested in her mother’s matchmaking schemes for her five daughters.
When the charming Charles Bingley buys the neighbouring property, the town is abuzz with speculation, especially when he forms an instant connection with Lizzy’s sister Jane. However, it is Charles’s friend, the enigmatic Will Darcy, who stirs Lizzy’s emotions, though not in a good way.
See the classic revived in Matters of the Heart by Fiona Palmer, perfect for the Austen fans.
An Isolated Incident by Emily Maguire
The perfect darker moody story for autumn reads and would be paired with a thick blanket and hot cup of tea (or something stronger).
This gripping mystery that delves into the aftermath of a brutal murder in the small, tight-knit town of Strathdee. When 25-year-old Bella Michaels is killed, the community is thrown into turmoil, and a media frenzy ensues.
Bella’s older sister, Chris, a barmaid at the local pub, is reluctantly thrust into the spotlight. While Chris’s laid-back exterior masks a life shaped by hard-earned wisdom and street smarts, she must navigate the emotional and social turmoil surrounding the crime.
Read An Isolated Incident by Emily Maguire.
As Darkness Falls by Bronwyn Parry
As Darkness Falls by Bronwyn Parry is a thrilling and tense crime novel that follows Detective Sergeant Isabelle O’Connell as she is called back to duty to investigate the abduction of a young girl in her hometown.
The case quickly becomes a high-stakes game of cat and mouse, with Isabelle and DCI Alec Goddard racing against time to find the girl before it’s too late. With a town full of potential suspects and a vast wilderness to search, the investigation brings personal demons to the surface for both Isabelle and Alec.
Take a look at As Darkness Falls by Bronwyn Parry for the moody mystery, thriller, and suspense vibes.
Bodies of Men by Nigel Featherstone
This historical novel is set in Egypt in 1941, where love, courage, and identity collide in the midst of war. William Marsh, a young Australian lieutenant, is thrust into a deadly confrontation with the Italian enemy shortly after arriving in Alexandria.
Miraculously saved by his childhood friend, James Kelly, William is sent to oversee an army depot in the vast Western Desert, with the secret mission of locating the AWOL James. When the two are reunited, they find themselves entangled in the mysteries surrounding a secretive family and a dangerous mission that could cost them everything.
Read Bodies of Men by Nigel Featherstone.
Check out More Seasonal Reads to Add to Your TBR
From haunting stories filled with gloomy scenes and the iconic autumn vibes to the books that transport us far away from reality, this is your sign to get your seasonal reading list in order.
As the days grow shorter and the nights get colder, be glad of the good stories and get ready to spend your every spare moment hidden away in great books! Create the perfect cosy setting with a candle or two, or if it’s cold enough a crackling fire, grab a hot cuppa and get ready for some autumn books by Aussie authors!
Check out more Reading Book Guides for more recommendations, including our other seasonal reading guides!