From the chilling supernatural to gripping personal journeys, get ready to immerse yourself in acaptivating blend of genres and narratives that will keep you turning the pages.
This month’s line-up of books promise an eclectic mix of stories that will transport you to haunted Victorian houses, enchanting orchards and dark mysteries.
Here’s a look at eight book releases this month including a small town transformed by dark magic after eating strange apples, a former cult member who returns home, and a soldier who journeys across the lawless post-Civil War frontier for revenge.
THE SEPTEMBER HOUSE BY CARISSA ORLANDO
Married couple Margaret and Hal have just bought a stunning Victorian house at a bargain.
The only problem is that it’s haunted, especially every September when blood drips down the walls and the spirits of the former residents appear, terrified of what lurks in the basement.
For the most part, Margaret has it under control and follows a set of rules to put up with the ghosts. She accepts the house as it is and insists on staying.
But her husband has had enough and when he disappears, their daughter Katherine comes to visit in the worst month of the year.
BLACK RIVER ORCHARD BY CHUCK WENDIG
In the town of Harrow is an orchard with seven peculiar trees, bearing magical apples so red they are almost black. Not only are they delicious and addictive, the apples grant strength and vitality to whoever takes a bite.
Upon making this miraculous discovery, the people of Harrow quickly become obsessed with the apples, and their personalities begin to change for the worse. The ones who aren’t swayed by the apples are forced to figure out how to stop this strange phenomenon.
HOLLY BY STEPHEN KING
Detective Holly is approached by Penelope Dahl to find her missing daughter. With her partner unwell and herself meant to be on leave in the midst of coming to terms with her own mother’s death, Holly is initially reluctant to accept the case but eventually relents.
As she digs deeper into her investigation, Holly discovers the case is linked to a pair of serial killers with a gruesome motive.
BLACK SHEEP BY RACHEL HARRISON
Growing up, Vesper Wright was taught not to question anything around her. At the age of 18, Vesper left her dysfunctional family and has never looked back, having been told that the community would not accept her return once she left.
Now in her mid-20s, Vesper receives a wedding invitation from her cousin. Despite the possibility of it being a trap, Vesper takes the risk and makes the decision to return home where she learns a terrifying secret behind her family and herself.
WELLNESS BY NATHAN HILL
Jack and Elizabeth have been together even since they hit it off in college, and are now husband and wife struggling with parenthood. As an adjunct art professor, Jack finds his work unfulfilling and his financial situation leaves much to be desired. Meanwhile, Elizabeth’s work revolves around placebo effects marketed as treatment despite the questionable ethics.
Unlike their idealistic younger selves, the two are forced to face reality including their broken dreams and bitter childhood memories while doing their best to mend their simmering relationship.
THE RIVER WE REMEMBER BY WILLIAM KENT KRUEGER
As the townspeople gather to celebrate Memorial Day in honour of its fallen heroes, a wealthy landowner is found floating in a river with a gunshot wound.
Sheriff Brody Dern who is also a war veteran, is tasked to investigate the case. But rumours quickly spread and Noah Bluestone, a war veteran who has just returned home with his wife, is accused to be the killer despite the lack of evidence.
ROUGE BY MONA AWAD
As a child, Belle often received harsh comments from her mother about her skin.
This leads to Belle’s obsession with skincare, and she now follows a strict routine day and night without fail.
When her estranged mother passes away, Belle returns to California for the funeral and discovers her mother has left behind an overwhelming amount of debt.
A woman in red claims to have answers to her mother’s death, and Belle finds herself drawn to a mysterious lavish spa that her mother used to frequent, unveiling secrets behind her mother’s obsession with beauty.
CHENNEVILLE BY PAULETTE JILES
After recovering from a severe injury, union soldier John Chenneville returns home to find his sister and her family have been murdered. In pursuit of revenge, John journeys deep into Texas amidst the violent and lawless post-Civil War era.
Along the way, John encounters people who treat him with kindness, and another who threatens to arrest him if he successfully executes his revenge. – Aqilah Rahman
