About A Risky Game: The sequel to the USA Today bestseller! The Inheritance Games and One of Us is Lying for middle grade — beloved author Alyson Gerber’s new series is an unforgettable mystery featuring a secret society, a mysterious island, and dangerous family secrets.

I grew up in the shadow of the most influential New England boarding school. For most of my childhood, I believed that just beyond the entrance to the ivy towers everything was magic. Later, I had the chance to attend boarding school. While I didn’t always fit into this intriguing world with my undiagnosed ADHD and penchant for questioning the rules, the opportunity to attend and the experiences I had were life changing. I wanted to capture the fantastical aspects of a small New England private school in a relatable mystery-adventure for kids. And I was in a unique position to write both the insider and outsider perspective.

The Liars Society and the sequel—The Liars Society: A Risky Game—which will be in stores April 1, features a group of five kids at the prestigious Boston School. They are invited to play a high-stakes game. If they win, they’ll be selected to join the oldest, most powerful secret society in the world―and they’ll be Boston royalty forever. If they lose . . . well, they better not lose, because they all have life-ruining secrets that they will do anything to protect. 

While you wait for April 1 and the official launch of The Liars Society: A Risky Game, here is a list of iconic preppy reads to hold you over!

The Catcher in the Rye by J. D. Salinger

A few years after the Westing Game made me a reader—I was an angsty prep school teenager assigned to read the Catcher in the Rye. At the very first mention of phonies by Holden Caulfield, I was hooked. So much so that my daughter’s middle name is an ode to this book. To soak in all aspects of the boarding school experience, this story is a must.

The Secret History by Donna Tartt

I’ve never been more excited, than when I first heard one of my publishers call The Liars Society—The Secret History for middle grade. I am still honored by the comparison. While the clever misfits in The Secret History are attending a New England college, and it’s an inverted detective story, this is the book that put modern, dark academia on the map in a big way. It’s a layered, psychological thriller that will leave you wanting to wear tweed and read the classics.

We Were Liars by E. Lockhart

E. Lockhart’s smart, twisty writing will pull you in and you’ll never want to leave Beechwood Island, just off the coast of Martha’s Vineyard. Luckily, We Were Liars, which centers around the Sinclair family and the summers spent on their private island, also has an incredible prequel—Family of Liars. And the TV show is coming soon. This clever, cunning story will make you even more curious about what these prep school kids are like the rest of the year.

The Cousins by Karen M. McManus

The Cousins is one of my all-time favorite dark family mysteries. Told from the perspective of three cousins, who barely know each other, this is a smart thriller about family, inheritance, deception, and lies. Gull Cove Island is the perfect New England summer getaway and the Story family’s legacy is as iconic as it gets.

A Separate Peace by John Knowles

There is nothing more iconic than the setting of A Separate Peace. Devon is a traditional, all boys boarding school, based on Phillips Academy Exeter during WWII. Phineas and Gene will do whatever it takes to be the best in both academics and athletics, and the internal hierarchies of the elite world are on full display.

The post Bestselling Author Alyson Gerber Rounds Up Iconic Preppy Reads  appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

Your TBR better watch out because there are so many spectacular YA books hitting shelves over the next few months! With new releases from Amie Kaufman, Lexi Ryan, Karen M. McManus, Maureen Johnson, Sarah Henning, Lynn Painter, Danielle Paige, Kalyn Josephson, and Courtney Gould, along with a few debut novels, there’s something for every reader to pick up and enjoy between July and December!

Read on to discover just a few of our picks and also be sure to check out our Most Anticipated and Swoonworthy Romance lists for more releases!

JULY 2024

The Heart of the World by Amie Kaufman

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Magic and sacrifice will collide as lovers and gods, enemies and allies vie for the fate of the world in this heart-pounding sequel to THE ISLES OF THE GODS, which Stephanie Garber called “deliciously diabolical and full of heart.” (Now publishes in September 2024)

Our Wicked Histories by Amy Goldsmith

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A teen girl’s attempt to make amends with her former friend group takes a sinister turn during a weekend getaway at an ancestral Irish estate in this atmospheric, literary horror from the author of Those We Drown.

Cursed Boys and Broken Hearts by Adam Sass

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A swoony contemporary romance from Adam Sass following a boy who is cursed to doom any romantic relationship—and the summer that changes everything.

A Darker Mischief by Derek Milman

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The Honeys meets The Secret History in a work of dark academia like no other — a boarding school thriller about a queer teen from Mississippi who finds himself swept into a world of old money, privilege, and the secret society at the heart of it all.

A Magic Fierce and Bright by Hemant Nayak

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A young technomancer teams up with a handsome thief to save her sister in this propulsive, magic-filled young adult fantasy that is perfect for fans of Gearbreakers and Iron Widow.

The Blonde Dies First by Joelle Wellington

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A group of friends fight to choose their own fates in this trope-savvy, self-referential young adult thriller from the acclaimed author of Their Vicious Games, about a demonic force that acts according to horror movie rules in the spirit of the Scream movies.

Beneath These Cursed Stars by Lexi Ryan

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From #1 New York Times bestselling author Lexi Ryan comes a romantic fantasy in which a human princess armed with death’s kiss and a fae shifter on the run become unlikely allies when a mission to assassinate an evil king collides with a fatal prophecy.

Ready or Not by Andi Porretta

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An anxious teen hopes that a summer of adventure and offbeat dares will keep her friend group together after graduation in this luminous coming-of-age graphic novel with the feel-good vibes of Booksmart and Morgan Matson’s Since You’ve Been Gone.

Such Charming Liars by Karen M. McManus

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The newest mystery from the author One of Us Is Lying, the Queen of thrillers, Karen M. McManus! When mother-daughter grifters set out on their final job, the heist gets deadly and dangerously personal.

Break to You by Neal Shusterman, Debra Young and Michelle Knowlden

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Bestselling author of Scythe and Challenger Deep Neal Shusterman, here with coauthors Debra Young and Michelle Knowlden, tells an intense yet tender story of two teens, trapped in impossible circumstances and unjust systems, willing to risk everything for love—no matter the consequences.

So Witches We Became by Jill Baguchinsky

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A queer, feminist spin on Stephen King’s The Mist, this ode to female-rage is a perfect pick for fans of She Is a Haunting, and a reminder that if “boys will be boys”, girls will fight back.

Hearts Overboard by Becky Dean

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Set sail with this banter-filled rivals-to-lovers romance between a STEM-loving girl and a jock guy that will fill you with wanderlust…and have you rooting for love in the great outdoors!

AUGUST 2024

Ami by S. Jae-Jones

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Filled with adventure, romance and a race against time, Guardians of Dawn: Ami is the next book in the richly imagined Guardians of Dawn series.

The Dark We Know by Wen-yi Lee

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From Gillian Flynn Books, a lyrical young adult horror by debut author Wen-yi Lee that’s perfect for fans of She Is a Haunting, Stephen King’s IT, and The Haunting of Hill House.

Death at Morning House by Maureen Johnson

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From the bestselling author of the Truly Devious books, Maureen Johnson, comes a new stand-alone YA about a teen who uncovers a mystery while working as a tour guide on an island and must solve it before history repeats itself.

This Ravenous Fate by Hayley Dennings

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The first book in a decadent fantasy duology set in Jazz Age Harlem, where at night the dance halls come to life―and death waits in the dark.

A Banh Mi for Two by Trinity Nguyen

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In this sweet sapphic romance about two foodies in love, Vivi meets Lan while studying abroad in Vietnam and they spend the semester unraveling their families’ histories―and eating all the street food in Sài Gòn.

Everything We Never Had by Randy Ribay

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From the author of the National Book Award finalist Patron Saints of Nothing comes an emotionally charged, moving novel about four generations of Filipino American boys grappling with identity, masculinity, and their fraught father-son relationships.

The Empire Wars by Akana Phenix

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The Empire Wars is a powerful new YA fantasy in which magic may be a young woman’s only hope for survival.

Wisteria by Adalyn Grace

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#1 New York Times bestselling author Adalyn Grace delivers a sensational conclusion to the deathly and decadent Belladonna trilogy, with dramatic twists and a seductive new romance that will set readers’ hearts ablaze.

Come Out, Come Out by Natalie C. Parker

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A spine-tingling LGBTQIA+ YA horror about queer teens who accidentally invoke a twisted spirit who promises help but delivers something sinister.

Silent Sister by Megan Davidhizar

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The must-read suspense novel of the summer about a mysterious sister’s disappearance, her biggest betrayal and a deadly truth screaming to come out.  

Practical Rules for Cursed Witches by Kayla Cottingham

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From the New York Times bestselling author of My Dearest Darkest comes a sapphic fantasy adventure about a teen witch who must complete her magical training by breaking a powerful family’s curse. But her own affliction—to never find true love—gets in the way when she falls for the girl she’s trying to save.

Under The Surface by Diana Urban

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An epic survival-thriller about four teens who get lost in the Paris catacombs for days—a gripping and propulsive story of love, danger, betrayal, and hope… even when all seems lost.

SEPTEMBER 2024

Payal Mehta’s Romance Revenge Plot by Preeti Chhibber

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This laugh-out-loud debut romance introduces perfectly imperfect Payal Mehta, whose plan to get her long-time crush to finally notice her is destined for success, but only if she ignores her budding feelings for her archnemesis…

Compound Fracture by Andrew Joseph White

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A queer Appalachian thriller that pulls no punches—following a trans autistic teen who’s drawn into the generational struggle between the rural poor and those who exploit them.

The Lies We Conjure by Sarah Henning

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Knives Out meets The Inheritance Games with magic in this standalone supernatural thriller by Sarah Henning: thirteen witches, a locked-room murder, and two non-magical sisters trapped in a deadly whodunit.

The Thirteenth Child by Erin A. Craig

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From the astonishing mind of Erin A. Craig comes the breathtaking fairy tale retelling readers have been waiting for— what does a life well-lived mean, and how do we justify the impossible choices we make for the ones we love?

Everything Glittered by Robin Talley

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In this queer historical thriller from a New York Times bestselling author, society girls try to find a murderer in a city filled with secrets and stunted by shame. Perfect for fans of Last Night at the Telegraph Club.

When Haru Was Here by Dustin Thao

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From the New York Times bestselling author Dustin Thao, We Are Okay meets Wandavision in this novel about loss, and learning to let go.

The Monstrous Kind by Lydia Gregovic

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An atmospheric, haunting, romantasy inspired by Jane Austen’s Sense and Sensibility, set in a Regency England about two sisters fighting to hold on to their manor while deadly monsters prowl along its perimeters—perfect for fans of House of Salt and Sorrows and Anatomy: A Love Story.

The Hysterical Girls of St. Bernadette’s by Hanna Alkaf

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An all-girls school is struck with mysterious cases of screaming hysteria in this chilling dark academia thriller haunted by a deeply buried history clawing to the light.

Nothing Like the Movies by Lynn Painter

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In this highly anticipated sequel to the New York Times bestselling Better than the Movies, Wes and Liz struggle to balance their feelings for each other with the growing pains of being a college student.

To The Bone by Alena Bruzas

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This moving and tragic love story is also a starkly honest look at Colonial America, set during the “Starving Time” in Jamestown.

Spells To Forget Us by Aislinn Brophy

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A witch and a non-magical girl get stuck in an endless cycle of meet-cutes and breakups in this heart-stopping romantic young adult fantasy.

Faeries Never Lie, Edited by Zoraida Córdova and Natalie C. Parker

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Faeries Never Lie, the next young adult collection in the Untold Legends series edited by Zoraida Córdova and Natalie C. Parker, is filled with fourteen short stories to revel in, that center faeries of varying genders and cultures!

OCTOBER 2024

Tangleroot by Kalela Williams

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In this debut novel, chosen by booksellers as an Indies Introduce selection, a girl must face hard truths about blood and family, history and mystery.

Inheritance of Scars by Crystal Seitz

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House of Roots and Ruin meets The Darkest Part of the Forest in this gorgeous dark fantasy debut steeped in Norse mythology that follows a teen who accidentally awakens an imprisoned draugr and must follow him into a deadly magical forest to rescue her grandmother.

Spell of the Sinister by Danielle Paige

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In New York Times bestselling author Danielle Paige’s wickedly fresh take on beloved tales, the fairy godmothers make the rules. Be careful what you wish for . . .

Make My Wish Come True by Rachael Lippincott and Alyson Derrick

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‘Tis the season for holiday hijinks in the newest sapphic rom-com about a rising star and a small town girl going on twelve fake holidates from the New York Times bestselling authors of She Gets the Girl, Rachael Lippincott and Alyson Derrick!

The Wild Huntress by Emily Lloyd-Jones

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Dive into a lush, standalone fantasy, set in the same world as The Drowned Woods and The Bone Houses, about a deadly competition—perfect for fans of Holly Black and Erin A. Craig.

Twenty-Four Seconds from Now by Jason Reynolds

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#1 New York Times bestselling author Jason Reynolds tackles it—you know…it—from the guy’s perspective in this unfiltered and undeniably sweet stream of consciousness story of a teen boy about to experience a huge first.

Eleven Houses by Colleen Oakes

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Midnight Mass meets The Vampire Diaries in this epic romantic tale of a mysterious island and the houses who have stood for centuries to guard against the dreaded nightmare of beings waiting to strike from the ocean’s depths.

For She Is Wrath by Emily Varga

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A sweeping, Pakistani romantic fantasy retelling of The Count of Monte Cristo, where one girl seeks revenge against those who betrayed her—including the boy she used to love.

The Dividing Sky by Jill Tew

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Serpent & Dove meets Arcane in this dystopian romance debut that follows a cunning memory merchant who deals a little extra happiness on the side and the handsome rookie officer on her tail!

Fledgling: The Keeper’s Records of Revolution by S. K. Ali

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The first book in a gripping duology from acclaimed author S.K. Ali introduces a fractured world on the brink of either enlightenment or war.

Inferno’s Heir by Tiffany Wang

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Fearing for her life, an outcast princess joins the rebellion against her own kingdom and family. . . but when playing with fire, someone always gets burned. 

The Debutantes by Olivia Worley

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Jessica Goodman meets The Agathas in this taut, twisty YA thriller set in the glittering world of Mardi Gras in New Orleans, where secrets–and bodies–never stay buried.

NOVEMBER 2024

Heist Royale by Kayvion Lewis

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The new Gambit takes Ross and her crew into the intoxicating casinos of Monte Carlo and across treacherous snow-covered slopes in Antarctica as Ross competes against Devroe in a fight for her life. Loyalties will be tested, backs stabbed, hearts broken. May the best thief win.

Darkly by Marisha Pessl

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A seemingly ordinary high school student. A mysterious summer internship. And a legendary game designer, now dead, leaving a dark legacy. The New York Times bestselling author of Night Film spins a twisted web in this masterful YA psychological thriller.

I Am the Dark That Answers When You Call by Jamison Shea

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Jamison Shea’s sharp and unflinching voice will bring readers to terrifying new heights in this vicious sequel to the “relentlessly gory and almost euphoric in its embrace of the horrific” (NPR) I Feed Her to the Beast and the Beast is Me.

The Whispering Night by Susan Dennard

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The forest is more dangerous than ever in this highly-anticipated, pulse-pounding, and swoon-worthy conclusion to the bestselling Luminaries trilogy.

Rani Choudhury Must Die by Adiba Jaigirdar

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In this sapphic dual POV Young Adult romance by Adiba Jaigirdar, Meghna and Rani (ex-best-friends-turned-rivals) realize they’re dating the same guy, so they team up to beat and expose him at a big science competition!

When Mimi Went Missing by Suja Sukumar

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The splintered relationship between two Indian American cousins is at the center of this dark, twisty YA mystery—perfect for fans of Tiffany D. Jackson, Karen McManus, and Angeline Boulley.

Midnights With You by Clare Osongco

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Fans of Susan Lee and Dustin Thao will be enchanted by this soulful YA romance about how we love, how we heal, and how we find the strength to go on.

Our Deadly Designs by Kalyn Josephson

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The Shadows Between Us meets The Scorpio Races in the epic conclusion to NYT bestselling Kalyn Josephson’s This Dark Descent, called “a fierce and darkly magical thrill ride” by acclaimed author Ava Reid.

Perfect Girl by Tracy Banghart

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Jessa has been raised to be the “perfect girl”, but things go south. A killer looking for the perfect girl has targeted Jessa, and she’ll have to reject everything she’s been taught if she wants to keep herself―and her friends―alive until sunrise.

If You Can Hear This by Faith Gardner

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The twisty, intricate mystery of I Killed Zoe Spanos meets the whip-smart sleuthing of A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder in the newest novel from acclaimed author Faith Gardner, in which a club of misfits must come together to solve a dangerous mystery—and learn to lean on each other all the while.

Dead Girls Don’t Dream by Nino Cipri

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There are rules for Voynich Woods: Always carry a whistle. Never go alone. Always come home before dark. And if anyone calls your name, don’t answer. Because everyone who wanders from the path is never seen again.

Flopping in a Winter Wonderland by Jason June

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Sparks are flying in Winter Wonderland this Christmas in this LGBTQ+ young adult rom-com from Jason June, New York Times bestselling author of Out of the Blue, Jay’s Gay Agenda, and Riley Weaver Needs a Date to the Gaybutante Ball!

DECEMBER 2024

A Cruel Thirst by Angela Montoya

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A fledgling vampire and a headstrong vampire huntress must work together–against their better judgment–to rid the world of monsters in this irresistible romantic fantasy.

Dust by Alison Stine

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In this haunting, speculative coming-of-age novel about finding your place in an unforgiving environment, a partially deaf teen questions everything she knows about family, love, and her future.

Keep It in the Dark by Justin Arnold

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In this unashamedly queer, supernatural romance, Justin Arnold, author of Wicked Little Things, challenges the institutions that have sidelined queer love to the shadows, and brings it into the light.

We Are the Beasts by Gigi Griffis

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Deaths and disappearances pile up as a mysterious beast stalks the French countryside and two girls seize an unlikely opportunity that just might save them all—or serve them up on a platter.

What the Woods Took by Courtney Gould

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Yellowjackets meets Girl, Interrupted when a group of troubled teens in a wilderness therapy program find themselves stranded in a forest full of monsters eager to take their place.

You’re Dead to Me by Amy Christine Parker

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Gossip Girl meets Happy Death Day in this YA horror novel following high school outcast and anonymous social media gossip Ruby, who comes face-to-face with her own ghost dressed in a blood-splattered prom dress. With less than a week until the dance, Ruby must unmask her killer—or die trying.

What YA books are you looking forward to hitting shelves between July and December? Tell us in the comments below!

The post 66 YA Books Hitting Bookshelves Between July and December 2024 appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

Instead of braving the winter weather that awaits you outdoors, we highly recommended pressing play on The Tortured Poets Department and indulging in some cosy reading time with an escapist YA novel. Grab your fluffiest blanket, light a candle and put the kettle on. Reading time is about to begin.

But wait – there’s one thing you need to sort out first. The book, of course. If you’re not sure what to read, fear not. We’ve compiled this handy list matching YA new releases to Taylor Swift songs, to guarantee you end up with a book you love.

What To Read Based On Your Favourite Taylor Swift Song

‘Who’s Afraid of Little Old Me’

If you love ‘Who’s Afraid of Little Old Me’ from The Tortured Poets Department, then you should 100% read Of Jade and Dragons (out 18 June in the US and 25 June in Australia) by Amber Chen. The book follows the protagonist Aihui Ying, whose world is torn apart after her father is killed by a masked assassin.

Her father had been a member of the prestigious Engineers Guild, a group she dreams of joining. Unfortunately for Ying, though, women aren’t allowed (what are those engineers afraid of?).

Thoroughly tired of being overlooked, Ying disguises herself as a boy to infiltrate the Engineer’s Guild, where she can get revenge for her father’s death.

‘Who’s Afraid of Little Old Me’ is a song about sending a message – and about the fear of power that someone might hold. The song is a commentary on the treatment of women in society, which also appears in the book, in the Guild’s fear of allowing women to join. (Really, why would they be afraid of Ying?)

The investigation of her father’s death even falls on Ying because no one believes her when she insists something more – and far darker – is going on. It all sounds suspicious, right? And, yes, there is obviously something more to his death than a mere ‘accident’. It’s fast-paced, fun and features a protagonist as strong as Taylor Swift herself.

‘Don’t Blame Me’

Love ‘Don’t Blame Me’ from reputation? If so, your next read should be The Girl with No Reflection (Out 6 August) by Keshe Chow.

Like Of Jade and Dragons, this book also coincidentally follows a protagonist named Ying.

In The Girl with No Reflection, Ying Yue is selected to be the crown prince’s bride. A believer in true love, she hopes that her future with the prince will be one of romance and passion. Yet upon her arrival at the palace, she quickly realises that her husband is cold and mean.

Left alone in her room, Ying soon discovers a secret, parallel world, accessible through the palace mirrors. In the mirror universe, everything is better. It becomes a place to escape to, and soon she falls in love with the Mirror Prince (this world’s version of her husband-to-be). But not everything is as it seems . . . darkness lurks in this world too. Ying was chosen as the prince’s bride for a reason, but it’s not the reason she thinks.

Eerily wicked, horror-like and delightfully twisty – these words perfectly summarise the book, but also explain ‘Don’t Blame Me’, which literally includes the lyrics, ‘Love made me crazy’. Falling in love with the Mirror Prince will be the downfall of Ying’s world, but she can’t help it!  

‘Cold as You’

If you have a soft spot for Taylor’s first, self-titled album, Taylor Swift, then your next read should be The Bad Ones (out 2 July) by Melissa Albert. The song comparison for this one is ‘Cold as You’, which is an anthem for everyone who has ever felt left out before.

In The Bad Ones, the book’s protagonist, Nora, constantly feels left out, in the dark and downright sad as she tries to piece together what has happened to her missing best friend.

One night, four people go missing – and Nora’s bestie, Becca, is one of them. As Nora starts to learn about what’s happened, she discovers dark events in her high school’s history. With a string of coded messages that Becca left for her, Nora uncovers the story of another missing girl thirty years previously.

The clues also bring light to a sinister urban legend: a goddess figure, who played an eerie role in Nora and Becca’s own childhood games.  

‘Death by a Thousand Cuts’

There’s no denying that ‘Death by a Thousand Cuts’ has heartbreaking lyrics. If that kind of sadness speaks to you artistically, odds are you’ll enjoy reading Everything We Never Said (out 11 June) by Sloan Harlow.

Greif and guilt – a powerful combo! This book is chock-full of both, as readers follow Ella, whose best friend Hayley died in a car crash that Ella herself was responsible for. Of course, Ella feels awful about the role she played in her friend’s death. Seeking comfort, she turns to Hayley’s boyfriend Sawyer (bad news!), and Hayley’s journal.

Reading through the journal, Ella discovers that she knows nothing about who Hayley and Sawyer really are. BETRAYAL!

‘Death by a Thousand Cuts’ is a painful song about betrayal and dying from small, repeated wounds. In the book, Ella ends up confused about what happened in the car and how Sawyer might have been involved in Hayley’s death – talk about a nightmare! It really would feel like a slow death to realise that everything you thought you knew about your best friend turned out to be a lie.

‘no body, no crime’

If ‘no body, no crime’ is your Swiftie tune of choice, then don’t go past Eleanor Jones Can’t Keep a Secret (out 2 July). Following the events of the previous book in this series, Eleanor Jones is back with another murder mystery to solve.

Only, there are a few problems. The mystery is forty years old, and the only person with details is Eleanor’s elderly buddy, Nance. Unfortunately for everyone, though, Nance has severe dementia and is unable to provide any further details about the murder she witnessed.

It’s truly a ‘no body, no crime’ experience as Eleanor tries to prove that a murder did occur, but current forces want to keep things buried . . . buried! Soon enough, Eleanor finds herself in grave danger. Yikes!

‘Better Than Revenge’

Calling all Speak Now fans, if ‘Better Than Revenge’ is your song of choice, you should add Two Sides to Every Murder (out 9 July) to your TBR.

A birth immortalised in a police report, a woman on the run . . . you can just tell that this story involves revenge in some way.

Olivia was born during the infamous Camp Lost Lake Murders, in which three people were killed by a masked, bow-wielding assassin. But when she starts questioning the events surrounding her birth, things don’t add up.

Soon she meets Reagan, whose fugitive mother was convicted of the murders. Tired of a life spent running, Reagan revisits the camp to clear her name. But someone wants the past to remain buried and will kill again to stop the truth from surfacing.

‘Better Than Revenge’ really aligns with the motives of the killer, but also speaks to Reagan’s desire to get revenge on the people who allowed her mum to take the fall for something she didn’t do.

‘I Knew You Were Trouble.’

‘I Knew You Were Trouble’ when you read Hearts That Cut by Kika Hatzopoulou (out 18 June). Following the events of Threads That Bind, the book is a dark, edgy romantasy inspired by Greek mythology.

Io is a descendant of the Fates, giving her the power to read the lines of prophecy and fate. Soon, she finds herself on an investigation with a mystery to solve. Not to mention, she can feel a pull towards someone she is fated to be with. But that ‘someone’ is kind of bad news.

The connection between the book’s plot and this song is self-explanatory: ‘I Knew You Were Trouble.’!

‘mad woman’

The End Crowns All (out 23 July) by Bea Fitzgerald is highly recommended for anyone who likes the song ‘mad woman’ from the folklore album.

The book tells the story of Princess Cassandra of Troy, who is granted the power of prophecy by Apollo. But when she fails to uphold her end of the agreement, he curses her. Now, nobody believes her visions. Worse yet, they think she has gone mad.

Cassandra knows that a war is coming that will destroy Troy, and she knows that Helen of Sparta will cause it . . . but will anyone believe her?

‘mad woman’ is all about the public discourse that arises when someone is deemed ‘mad’. ‘No one likes a mad woman, what a shame she went mad . . . you made her life that.’ Poor Cassandra tries to make people believe her, but it only makes things worse!

‘Vigilante Shit’

‘Don’t get sad, get even.’: It’s not only a lyric from Taylor Swift’s song, ‘Vigilante Shit’ from the album Midnights, but it’s also a theme in Such Charming Liars (out 30 July) by Karen M. McManus.

The book is a heist mystery that brings together two characters on a collision course to disaster. All Kat’s life, it’s just been her and her mother – except for the two days twelve years ago when her mum was married, and Kat had a stepbrother named Liam.

After a swift divorce, Kat and Liam never spoke again. Before giving up crime for good, Kat’s mum has one last job at billionaire Ross Sutherland’s 80th birthday party. As luck would have it, Liam and his scammer father are at the celebration too, with their own motives.

‘Vigilante Shit’ is a cool, heist-vibed song, which talks about the power of banding together with an unlikely ally. Kat and Liam are in their own kind of vigilante mode – and though they’re both incredible liars, survival might mean telling the truth and trusting each other once and for all.

‘Bad Blood’

If ‘Bad Blood’ from 1989 is the first Taylor Swift song that comes to mind for you, then you absolutely must read The Grandest Game (out 6 August).

The first book in a new spin-off series of The Inheritance Games, the book follows seven contestants who have entered an annual competition hosted by billionaire Avery Grambs and the four infamous Hawthorne brothers.

The competition promises fame and fortune for the winner, but every player has their reason for entering. Some want power, some want money and all have secrets.

Just like Avery had to overcome bad blood with the Hawthorne brothers, the competition promises even more bad blood that will need to be settled by the players – physically, mentally and emotionally.

Do you have any other recommendations? Tell us in the comments below!

The post YA Books To Read This Winter Based On Your Favourite Taylor Swift Song appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

Hi, Karen! Can you tell our readers a bit about yourself?

Hi! I write twisty young adult mysteries, including the One of Us Is Lying series and the stand-alone novels Two Can Keep a Secret, The Cousins, You’ll Be the Death of Me, and Nothing More to Tell.

When did you first discover your love for writing and stories?

When I was eight years old, my second grade teacher had us write a story in class one day. I was a big reader, but it had never occurred to me that I could actually write something on my own. I loved it, and my teacher noticed and encouraged me to keep going.

Quick lightning round! Tell us the first book you ever remember reading, the one that made you want to become an author, and one that you can’t stop thinking about!

First book: a picture book called Crosspatch, about a grumpy little lion in a zoo.

The one that made me become an author: The Hunger Games, which I bought in an airport in 2014. I hadn’t written anything creative in years, but that inspired me to start again.

The one I can’t stop thinking about: The Secret History by Donna Tartt. I reread that book every year, and I always find something new.

One of Us Is Back is the final installment in your bestselling One of Us Is Lying trilogy! If you could describe it in five words, what would they be?

Secrets aren’t safe in Bayview.

What can readers expect?

All their favorite characters back together for the summer, just as another mystery starts to unfold that brings everything that started with Simon’s death full circle.

Were there any moments or characters you really enjoyed writing or exploring one last time?

I’ve always wanted to write from Simon’s point of view, and One of Us Is Back gave me that opportunity with a few flashback entries. Also, Addy’s arc is very special to me, and I loved being able to continue her story.

How did it feel to wrap up the trilogy?

Emotional! I cried after I finished the first draft, which I’ve never done before. These characters mean so much to me, and I know they mean a lot to my readers too. But it’s a good kind of emotion—I’m so happy with how the book wrapped up their story, and I hope readers are as well.

This trilogy kicked off your journey as a published author. How do you think you have grown as an author over the past seven years?

I’ve been fortunate to work with some of the best minds in the business, including my agent and my editor, and to work with them consistently across eight books. They’ve helped me become a much better writer, particularly when it comes to turning the kernel of an idea into a complete, satisfying, character-driven story. My second book was challenging because I hadn’t developed those skills yet, and I floundered when it wasn’t as easy to write as One of Us Is Lying. But now I’m much better at identifying and fixing issues in the early stages.

What’s next for you?

I’m putting the finishing touches on my eighth book, which is another stand-alone novel that will be published in summer 2024. After that, I’m not sure! I’m taking a little breather to figure it out.

Lastly, do you have any book recommendations for our readers?

Always! Recent mysteries that I’ve loved include The Legacies by Jessica Goodman, The It Girl by Ruth Ware, and Invisible Son by Kim Johnson. For fantasy, I recently enjoyed Beasts of Prey by Ayana Gray and the upcoming House of Marionne by J. Elle. And if you want something with a foot in both worlds, I can’t recommend House of Hollow by Krystal Sutherland enough.

Will you be picking up One of Us Is Back? Tell us in the comments below!

The post Q&A: Karen M. McManus, Author of ‘One of Us Is Back’ appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

Jane Anonymous by Laurie Faria Stolarz
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Bestselling author Laurie Faria Stolarz returns with Jane Anonymous, a gripping tale of a seventeen-year-old girl’s kidnapping and her struggle to fit back into her life after she escapes.

Then, “Jane” was just your typical 17-year-old in a typical New England suburb getting ready to start her senior year. She had a part-time job she enjoyed, an awesome best friend, overbearing but loving parents, and a crush on a boy who was taking her to see her favorite band. She never would’ve imagined that in her town where nothing ever happens, a series of small coincidences would lead to a devastating turn of events that would forever change her life.

Now, it’s been three months since “Jane” escaped captivity and returned home. Three months of being that girl who was kidnapped, the girl who was held by a “monster.” Three months of writing down everything she remembered from those seven months locked up in that stark white room. But, what if everything you thought you knew―everything you thought you experienced―turned out to be a lie?

The Hand on the Wall by Maureen Johnson
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New York Times bestselling author Maureen Johnson delivers the witty and pulse-pounding conclusion to the Truly Devious series as Stevie Bell solves the mystery that has haunted Ellingham Academy for over 75 years.

Ellingham Academy must be cursed. Three people are now dead. One, a victim of either a prank gone wrong or a murder. Another, dead by misadventure. And now, an accident in Burlington has claimed another life. All three in the wrong place at the wrong time. All at the exact moment of Stevie’s greatest triumph . . .

She knows who Truly Devious is. She’s solved it. The greatest case of the century.

At least, she thinks she has. With this latest tragedy, it’s hard to concentrate on the past. Not only has someone died in town, but David disappeared of his own free will and is up to something. Stevie is sure that somehow—somehow—all these things connect. The three deaths in the present. The deaths in the past. The missing Alice Ellingham and the missing David Eastman. Somewhere in this place of riddles and puzzles there must be answers.

Then another accident occurs as a massive storm heads toward Vermont. This is too much for the parents and administrators. Ellingham Academy is evacuated. Obviously, it’s time for Stevie to do something stupid. It’s time to stay on the mountain and face the storm—and a murderer.

In the tantalizing finale to the Truly Devious trilogy, New York Times bestselling author Maureen Johnson expertly tangles her dual narrative threads and ignites an explosive end for all who’ve walked through Ellingham Academy.

One of Us Is Next by Karen M. McManus
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The highly anticipated sequel to the New York Times bestselling thriller everyone is talking about, One of Us Is Lying! There’s a new mystery to solve at Bayview High, and there’s a whole new set of rules.

Come on, Bayview, you know you’ve missed this.

A ton of copycat gossip apps have popped up since Simon died, but in the year since the Bayview four were cleared of his shocking death, no one’s been able to fill the gossip void quite like he could. The problem is no one has the facts.

Until now. This time it’s not an app, though—it’s a game. Truth or Dare. Phoebe’s the first target. If you choose not to play, it’s a truth. And hers is dark. Then comes Maeve and she should know better—always choose the dare.

But by the time Knox is about to be tagged, things have gotten dangerous. The dares have become deadly, and if Maeve learned anything from Bronwyn last year, it’s that they can’t count on the police for help. Or protection.

Simon’s gone, but someone’s determined to keep his legacy at Bayview High alive. And this time, there’s a whole new set of rules.

Scammed by Kristen Simmons
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This book is the sequel to The Deceivers.

Brynn Hilder is living a life she never dreamed possible: She lives in a mansion, getting a top-rate education at Vale Hall. She has friends and an almost-boyfriend. Anything she wants, she can have.

The only catch? To stay in this life, she has to help the director of Vale Hall take down the bad guys of Sikawa City by collecting secrets and running cons.

Getting everything she wants and fighting evil doesn’t seem like such a bad deal. The thing is, she’s not so convinced anymore that Dr. Odin is really going after bad people after all. And the friends and almost-boyfriend that have made her life so different are all liars and con artists—so can she trust that any of it is real?

The stakes are higher. The cons are riskier. And nothing is what you think it is.

Solstice by Lorence Alison
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A music fest goes wrong in this comic YA thriller as selfie-mad concert-goers wake up to realize their tropical island fantasy is a deadly nightmare.

When Adri is offered an all-expenses-paid trip to the exclusive Solstice Festival, she throws caution, her prestigious summer internship, and her parents goodwill to the wind. She just wants to live a little before the first day of the rest of her life, planned and scheduled in accordance to her parents’ law school dreams.

But when she and a horde of affluent, entitled teen partiers arrive at the island paradise, it looks nothing like the luxury vacation they were promised. There’s barely any food, nowhere to stay, and not nearly enough porta-potties. Pretty soon, the festival’s trending on social media for all the wrong reasons, and the music acts are cancelling left and right.

And then the first dead body washes up on the beach.

Adri has a front-row seat as everything devolves into chaos—and she’s in a prime position to put together the clues to who—or what—is killing off the helpless attendees. But even if she finds the killer, how can she hope to stop them?

Check your privilege at the door—before it gets you killed. This is one vacation you can’t escape.

Havenfall by Sara Holland
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A safe haven between four realms. The girl sworn to protect it — at any cost.

Hidden deep in the mountains of Colorado lies the Inn at Havenfall, a sanctuary that connects ancient worlds — each with their own magic — together. For generations, the inn has protected all who seek refuge within its walls, and any who disrupt the peace can never return.

For Maddie Morrow, summers at the inn are more than a chance to experience this magic first-hand. Havenfall is an escape from reality, where her mother sits on death row accused of murdering Maddie’s brother. It’s where Maddie fell in love with handsome Fiorden soldier Brekken. And it’s where one day she hopes to inherit the role of Innkeeper from her beloved uncle.

But this summer, the impossible happens–a dead body is found, shattering everything the inn stands for. With Brekken missing, her uncle gravely injured, and a dangerous creature on the loose, Maddie suddenly finds herself responsible for the safety of everyone in Havenfall. She’ll do anything to uncover the truth, even if it means working together with an alluring new staffer Taya, who seems to know more than she’s letting on. As dark secrets are revealed about the inn itself, one thing becomes clear to Maddie–no one can be trusted, and no one is safe…

All Your Twisted Secrets by Diana Urban
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This thrilling debut, reminiscent of new fan favorites like One of Us Is Lying and the beloved classics by Agatha Christie, will leave readers guessing until the explosive ending.

Welcome to dinner, and again, congratulations on being selected. Now you must do the selecting.

What do the queen bee, star athlete, valedictorian, stoner, loner, and music geek all have in common? They were all invited to a scholarship dinner, only to discover it’s a trap. Someone has locked them into a room with a bomb, a syringe filled with poison, and a note saying they have an hour to pick someone to kill … or else everyone dies.

Amber Prescott is determined to get her classmates and herself out of the room alive, but that might be easier said than done. No one knows how they’re all connected or who would want them dead. As they retrace the events over the past year that might have triggered their captor’s ultimatum, it becomes clear that everyone is hiding something. And with the clock ticking down, confusion turns into fear, and fear morphs into panic as they race to answer the biggest question: Who will they choose to die?

The June Boys by Courtney C. Stevens
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The Gemini Thief could be anyone. Your father, your mother, your best friend’s crazy uncle. Some country music star’s deranged sister. Anyone.

The Gemini Thief is a serial kidnapper, who takes three boys and holds them captive from June 1st to June 30th of the following year. The June Boys endure thirteen months of being stolen, hidden, observed, and fed before they are released, unharmed, by their masked captor. The Thief is a pro, having eluded authorities for nearly a decade and taken at least twelve boys.

Now Thea Delacroix has reason to believe the Gemini Thief took a thirteenth victim: her cousin, Aulus McClaghen.

But the game changes when one of the kidnapped boys turns up dead. Together with her boyfriend Nick and her best friends, Thea is determined to find the Gemini Thief and the remaining boys before it’s too late. Only she’s beginning to wonder something sinister, something repulsive, something unbelievable, and yet, not impossible:

What if her father is the Gemini Thief?

The Silence of Bones by June Hur
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June Hur’s elegant and haunting debut The Silence of Bones is a bloody tale perfect for fans of Kerri Maniscalco and Renée Ahdieh.

I have a mouth, but I mustn’t speak; Ears, but I mustn’t hear; Eyes, but I mustn’t see.

1800, Joseon (Korea). Homesick and orphaned sixteen-year-old Seol is living out the ancient curse: “May you live in interesting times.” Indentured to the police bureau, she’s been tasked with assisting a well-respected young inspector with the investigation into the politically charged murder of a noblewoman.

As they delve deeper into the dead woman’s secrets, Seol forms an unlikely bond of friendship with the inspector. But her loyalty is tested when he becomes the prime suspect, and Seol may be the only one capable of discovering what truly happened on the night of the murder.

But in a land where silence and obedience are valued above all else, curiosity can be deadly.

Redemption Prep by Samuel Miller
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Everyone knows Emma. Neesha’s her best friend, Aiden’s her basketball star boyfriend, and Evan’s her shadow, following Emma’s every move. She stands out, which is hard to do at Redemption Prep, a school where every student has been handpicked to attend its remote campus in the forest of Utah. So when she goes missing in plain sight, everyone notices. And everyone becomes a suspect, especially at a school with strict rules: Don’t skip mass. Don’t break curfew. Don’t go into the woods.

Emma’s disappearance ignites an investigation, and Neesha, Aiden, and Evan all want to find her—for different reasons. But they each have their own secrets to hide, and not everyone wants Emma to be found.

As the search continues, the students realize that they’re not the only ones trying to hide something. Redemption Prep has secrets, too—secrets bigger than any of the students could have imagined, and Emma could be the key to finding out the truth… if anyone can find her.

Do you have any other recommendations? Tell us in the comments below!

The post Read These 2020 YA Mystery Books For The Ultimate Thrill Ride appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

Die For Me by Amy Plum (2011)
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After her parents died in a car accident, Kate and her sister move in with their grandparents. Not only do they have to settle in into their new home, but also in a new country, from the USA to Paris. Making herself at home, Kate explores the city and one day crosses paths with Vincent. Their friendship blooms to be something more and the closer she gets to him, the more of a mystery he and his family are to her.

Starcrossed by Josephine Angelini (2011)
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Josephine Angelini’s first novel in the Starcrossed series follows 16-year-old Helen who lives on a small Island in Nantucket. Dreaming of the same nightmare every night, Helen starts to hallucinate. When she meets Lucas she has no idea that fate will take their lives in their hands and to stop the pre-programmed disaster is impossible. A retelling of the Helen of Troy will bring you closer to Greek Mythology in the most adventurous way.

The Archived by Victoria Schwab (2013)
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This book is amazing! Victoria Schwab could write about a bee sitting on a flower and it would be one of the best stories ever. The dead are called Histories, and the vast realm in which they rest is the Archive. After her Granddad died, Mackenzie is taking his place as Keeper, a person who stops Histories from breaking free. Living in an old building, which was once a hotel, unfortunately does not leave a lot of time for school and first love.

Solitaire by Alice Oseman (2014)
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Alice Oseman’s debut novel from 2014 follows Tori who feels insecure around people and the world in general. Everything is much easier through the internet, so why meet people in real life when your best friend can be there for you 24/7 via social media and be halfway around the world? But, can you know someone truly? And is really everyone happy or are they all just trying to hold up a front that is not real? This book will change your perspective about the internet and real life.

My Kind of Crazy by Robin Reul (2016)
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This is an example of “title = story”. In the eyes of others, someone might seem to be crazy, while they think of themselves as normal. Your normal can be someone else’s normal as well. Congratulations, you are my kind of crazy! Robin Reul’s book will show you that being yourself is the only way to live.

Warcross by Marie Lu (2017)
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For those who loved Ready Player One, the first book in the Warcross series by Marie Lu is definitely worth a read. Emika is one of the best hackers in the world and lives most of her time in Warcross. It is not just a game; it is a way of life. If you make it there, you have made it! But, you cannot escape your past.

One Of Us Is Lying by Karen M. McManus (2017)
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Bronwyn, the brain, is Yale-bound and never breaks a rule. Addy, the beauty, is the picture-perfect homecoming princess. Nate, the criminal, is already on probation for dealing. Cooper, the athlete, is the all-star baseball pitcher. And Simon, the outcast, is the creator of Bayview High’s notorious gossip app. Breakfast Club meets Pretty Little Liars, Karen M. McManus’s amazing story follows five students going into detention, but only four come out of it alive. Who killed one of them? Why? Let’s have a look at everyone’s dirty little secrets.

Bonfire by Krysten Ritter (2017)
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The debut thriller written by actress Krysten Ritter will remind you of Season 3 of Riverdale. Abby left her hometown and all its mystery behind her. Now, as an environmental lawyer, years after she left everything behind, she is forced to come and finds herself in a crime which goes beyond the case she originally came to investigate.

Love, Hate and Other Filters by Samira Ahmed (2018)
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Maya is sitting between two futures. While her parents wish for her to marry a Muslim boy, Maya wants to dream big and move to NYC to become a filmmaker. But what happens thousands of miles away from her starts to affect her live, and now, people are judging her for crimes, she did not commit. Samira Ahmed’s books not only show a brave female protagonist, but shows how important it is to not judge people before you did not get to know them.

Any other 2010-2018 YA books you would recommend? Tell us in the comments below!

The post Reading Challenge Recommendations: YA Books appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

Set in the small town of Riverdale, we find there’s secrets, mysteries and murder lying beneath the town’s quiet exterior. The series is based on the popular Archie comics, which began in 1939 and spanned almost 80 years of comics along with the creation of films, toys and video games. However, The CW’s version takes the comics down a much darker path, which is a current trend in film and television adaptions as seen in recent live-action versions of Disney stories for example.

Ultimately, the series is often well-written to make it fun and addictive, but with it currently on a hiatus, we’ve found some great books to fill the coming weeks before its return!

Read on to discover these great books and tell us in the comments below if you have more suggestions!

The Thousandth Floor by Katharine McGee

Synopsis | Goodreads

A hundred years in the future, New York is a city of innovation and dreams. Everyone there wants something…and everyone has something to lose. Leda’s flawless exterior belies a secret addiction—to a drug and a boy. Eris’ carefree life falls to pieces when a heartbreaking betrayal tears her family apart. Rylin’s job sweeps her into a world and a romance she never imagined. Watt is a tech genius with a secret: he knows everything about everyone and finds himself caught up in a complicated web of lies. Then there’s Avery, the girl genetically designed to be perfect. Amid breathtaking advancement and high-tech luxury, five teenagers struggle to find their place at the top of the world. But when you’re this high up, there’s nowhere to go but down….

If you love any of the family and friendship drama or the glamour of Riverdale, then The Thousandth Floor by Katharine McGee is a definite must read for you. Riverdale thrives on drama between family members and friends, and this book does it wonderfully. Both have been compared to Gossip Girl and both are perfect counterparts for each other.

One of Us is Lying by Karen M. McManus

Synopsis | Goodreads 

Five strangers walk into detention and only four walk out alive. Everyone’s a suspect, and everyone has something to hide. Bronwyn, the brain, is Yale-bound and never breaks a rule. Addy, the beauty, is the picture-perfect homecoming princess. Nate, the criminal, is already on probation for dealing. Cooper, the athlete, is the all-star baseball pitcher. And Simon, the outcast, is the creator of Bayview High’s notorious gossip app. Simon’s death wasn’t an accident as he planned to post juicy information, which makes all four of them suspects in his murder.

Season one of Riverdale focused on the murder of Jason Blossom and trying to find out who killed him. One of Us is Lying has the same mystery and thriller elements and keeps you wondering until the end to find out who killed Simon, just like we kept asking, “who killed Jason Blossom?”

The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern

Synopsis | Goodreads

The circus arrives without warning. Within the black-and-white striped canvas tents is an utterly unique experience and it is only open at night.

But behind the scenes, a fierce competition is underway – a duel between two young magicians, Celia and Marco, who have been trained since childhood expressly for this purpose by their mercurial instructors. Unbeknownst to them, this is a game in which only one can be left standing, and the circus is but the stage for a remarkable battle of imagination and will. However, Celia and Marco tumble headfirst into love – a deep, magical love that makes the lights flicker and the room grow warm whenever they so much as brush hands. True love or not, the game must play out, and the fates of everyone involved, from the cast of extraordinary circus performers to the patrons, hang in the balance, suspended as precariously as the daring acrobats overhead.

The creepy atmosphere of Riverdale really helps set the mood for every episode that airs. The Night Circus, contains a similar atmospheric setting with its combined twists and turns that leaves you without your grip on reality.

Pretty Little Liars by Sara Shepard

Synopsis | Goodreads

Three years ago, Alison disappeared after a slumber party, not to be seen since. Her friends at the elite Pennsylvania school mourned her, but they also breathed secret sighs of relief. Each of them guarded a secret that only Alison had known. Now they have other dirty little secrets, secrets that could sink them in their gossip-hungry world. When each of them begins receiving anonymous emails and text messages, panic sets in. Are they being betrayed by someone in their circle? Worse yet: Is Alison back? A strong launch for a suspenseful series.

Pretty Little Liars is a series about the queen bee of a group of friends who disappeared several years ago and no one knows what happened to her. This series tries to answer, what happened to Alison? And who is A? Riverdale has similar mysteries in its’ seasons which captivate the viewers just like the readers with the Pretty Little Liars series.

The Amateurs by Sara Shepard

Synopsis | Goodreads

Five years ago, high school senior Helena Kelly disappeared from her backyard. Her family was left without any answers—without any idea who killed Helena, or why. So when eighteen-year-old Seneca Frazier sees a desperate post on the Case Not Closed message board, she knows it’s time to change that. Helena’s high-profile disappearance is the one that originally got Seneca addicted to true crime. It’s the reason she’s a member of the site in the first place. Determined to get to the bottom of the mystery, she agrees to spend spring break in Connecticut working on the case with Maddy Wright, her best friend from Case Not Closed. However, the moment she steps off the train, things start to go wrong. Maddy’s nothing like she expected, and Helena’s sister, Aerin, doesn’t seem to want any help after all. Plus, Seneca has a secret of her own, one that could derail the investigation if she’s not careful. Alongside Brett, another super-user from the site, they slowly begin to unravel the secrets Helena kept in the weeks before her disappearance. But the killer is watching…and determined to make sure the case stays cold.

This other book by Sara Shepard is also filled with murder, mystery and small towns with chilling secrets has to be on this list. The Amateurs fits all those criteria, as it’s about Seneca trying to find out what happened to her sister Helena when she disappeared four years ago.

Have you read any of these books or want to read these?  Do you know any other books similar to Riverdale? Tell us in the comments down below!

The post 5 Books To Read If You Love Riverdale appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

Stalking Jack the Ripper by Kerri Maniscalco

Plot (from Goodreads): “Seventeen-year-old Audrey Rose Wadsworth was born a lord’s daughter, with a life of wealth and privilege stretched out before her. But between the social teas and silk dress fittings, she leads a forbidden secret life. Against her stern father’s wishes and society’s expectations, Audrey often slips away to her uncle’s laboratory to study the gruesome practice of forensic medicine. When her work on a string of savagely killed corpses drags Audrey into the investigation of a serial murderer, her search for answers brings her close to her own sheltered world.”

Victorian London? Murder? Jack the Ripper? Stalking Jack the Ripper by Kerri Maniscalco is a book to enjoy during the crisp Autumn months while you are sitting by the fire. The descriptions are horrifyingly graphic and the mystery so tangible, which makes you feel as if you are right alongside Audrey as she attempts to figure out the ripper’s true identity.

Lockwood & Co. The Screaming Staircase by Jonathan Stroud

Plot (from Goodreads): “When the dead come back to haunt the living, Lockwood & Co. step in. For more than fifty years, the country has been affected by a horrifying epidemic of ghosts. A number of Psychic Investigations Agencies have sprung up to destroy the dangerous apparitions. Lucy Carlyle, a talented young agent, arrives in London hoping for a notable career. Instead she finds herself joining the smallest, most ramshackle agency in the city, run by the charismatic Anthony Lockwood. When one of their cases goes horribly wrong, Lockwood & Co. have one last chance of redemption. Unfortunately this involves spending the night in one of the most haunted houses in England, and trying to escape alive.”

Though this series is geared more towards younger audiences as it is categorised as a Middle Grade, it can still be enjoyed by everyone (I for one am not in the younger audiences category). It is a perfect Halloween read for those looking for a creepy ghost story with elements of humour to lighten the mood.

One of Us is Lying by Karen M. McManus

Plot (from Goodreads): “One of Us Is Lying is the story of what happens when five strangers walk into detention and only four walk out alive. Everyone’s a suspect, and everyone has something to hide. Pay close attention and you might solve this. On Monday afternoon, five students at Bayview High walk into detention.  Bronwyn, the brain, is Yale-bound and never breaks a rule. Addy, the beauty, is the picture-perfect homecoming princess. Nate, the criminal, is already on probation for dealing. Cooper, the athlete, is the all-star baseball pitcher. And Simon, the outcast, is the creator of Bayview High’s notorious gossip app. Only, Simon never makes it out of that classroom. Before the end of detention Simon’s dead. And according to investigators, his death wasn’t an accident. On Monday, he died. But on Tuesday, he’d planned to post juicy reveals about all four of his high-profile classmates, which makes all four of them suspects in his murder. Or are they the perfect patsies for a killer who’s still on the loose? Everyone has secrets, right? What really matters is how far you would go to protect them.”

A recent release, One of Us is Lying is more of a mystery than a thriller. This is a book that is made for you to race through in order for you to figure out who the culprit is and why they did it. It will leave you wondering until the very end, “Who killed Simon?”

Ten by Gretchen McNeil

Plot (from Goodreads): “Shhhh! Don’t spread the word! Three-day weekend. Party at White Rock House on Henry Island. You do not want to miss it. It was supposed to be the weekend of their lives—an exclusive house party on Henry Island. Best friends Meg and Minnie each have their reasons for being there (which involve T.J., the school’s most eligible bachelor) and look forward to three glorious days of boys, booze and fun-filled luxury. But what they expect is definitely not what they get, and what starts out as fun turns dark and twisted after the discovery of a DVD with a sinister message: Vengeance is mine. Suddenly people are dying, and with a storm raging, the teens are cut off from the outside world. No electricity, no phones, no internet, and a ferry that isn’t scheduled to return for two days. As the deaths become more violent and the teens turn on each other, can Meg find the killer before more people die? Or is the killer closer to her than she could ever imagine?”

Ten teenagers are invited to a lake house party where they are supposed to have the weekend of their lives. But what they get instead is a storm cutting them off from the outside world and teens getting killed, one-by-one. Filled with suspense and intrigue, this book is a perfect read for the Halloween season.

A Drop of Night by Stefan Bachman

Plot (from Goodreads): “Seventeen-year-old Anouk has finally caught the break she’s been looking for—she’s been selected out of hundreds of other candidates to fly to France and help with the excavation of a vast, underground palace buried a hundred feet below the suburbs of Paris. Built in the 1780’s to hide an aristocratic family and a mad duke during the French Revolution, the palace has lain hidden and forgotten ever since. Anouk, along with several other gifted teenagers, will be the first to set foot in it in over two centuries.  Or so she thought. But nothing is as it seems, and the teens soon find themselves embroiled in a game far more sinister, and dangerous, than they could possibly have imagined. An evil spanning centuries is waiting for them in the depths.”

This is another thriller that left me breathless and desperately wanting more. Set in modern-day, a group of teenagers are chosen to help with the excavation of an underground palace, but the mission turns out to be a lot different from they thought. Twists and turns make up this creepy thriller that will leave you gasping for breath.

Which one of these have you read or want to read this Halloween season? Tell us in the comments below!

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