Page Six editors have released their picks for the best thrillers to read this fall, offering a mix of classic mysteries, contemporary psychological novels and fast-paced page-turners suited for the cooler months. The selections, compiled by Page Six staffers and published on the outlet’s site, range from mid-century noir to young-adult mysteries and modern true-crime fiction.
Editors framed the list as seasonal reading for the “ber” months, when many readers reach for darker, more atmospheric books. Contributors recommended titles they said are ideal for sweater-weather reading, singling out works that deliver chills, twists and cinematic momentum.
Among the contemporary thrillers highlighted was Adrian McKinty’s The Island, praised by Nicole Mazza, Page Six deputy photo editor, who called it “action-packed with a great tropical vacation atmosphere” and said it “reads like a movie in your mind.” Clémence Michallon’s The Quiet Tenant earned attention for its disturbing portrait of a serial killer narrated in part by women close to him; Nicki Gostin, a Page Six reporter, said the novel lingered with her after reading it.
Several editors pointed to established authors whose books have become seasonal staples. Lindsey Kupfer, Page Six deputy editor, recommended Blake Crouch’s Pines (part of the Wayward Pines trilogy), noting its nonstop action and surprise turns. Gillian Flynn’s Dark Places was cited by Kupfer as another fall-ready choice; she described its interweaving of past and present as both creepy and twist-filled.
Classic mysteries and gothic tales also featured prominently. Vanessa Serna, a Page Six reporter, recommended Agatha Christie’s And Then There Were None as a perfect classic crime novel that invites readers to play detective. Audrey Rock suggested Daphne du Maurier’s Rebecca for its gothic atmosphere and its exploration of marriage and memory at the estate of Manderley. Kyle Schnitzer of the New York Post pointed to Dorothy B. Hughes’ 1947 noir In a Lonely Place, describing its chilling look inside the mind of a serial killer.
Other recommendations leaned toward modern genre twists and popular fiction. Grady Hendrix’s Final Girl Support Group was picked by Jacquelyn Kozak, Page Six senior photo editor, who said the novel’s slasher-movie callbacks and twisty plot make it particularly enjoyable for horror fans. Dean Koontz’s 2006 thriller The Husband was named by Audrey Rock for its taut, white-knuckle premise involving an abduction ransom. Freida McFadden’s The Surrogate Mother was offered as a choice for readers seeking “popcorn thrillers” that are difficult to put down.
Younger-audience and crossover titles were not overlooked. Antoinette Bueno recommended Joelle Wellington’s Girls Who Play Dead, a YA thriller about two siblings investigating a small-town murder. Jacquelyn Kozak also flagged E. Lockhart’s We Were Liars, noting its effective use of an unreliable narrator and the recent Amazon Prime adaptation, urging readers to read the book first. Megan Goldin’s The Night Swim, which follows a true-crime podcaster drawn into a small town’s troubled past, was recommended by Nicki Gostin as another compulsively readable option.
The list reflects a range of reading tastes: some picks emphasize psychological depth and moral ambiguity, others highlight action and twist-driven plots, and still others revisit classic structures of mystery and noir. Editors noted that the selections work individually or as part of a marathon of reading through October and into winter.
Page Six published the recommendations to help readers build fall reading lists across subgenres of thrillers, from gothic suspense to serialized television-friendly adaptations and quick, twisty paperbacks. The roundup appears as part of the outlet’s seasonal coverage aimed at readers seeking mood-appropriate books to accompany autumn rituals and Halloween-adjacent reading.
Those interested in the full list and longer takes from each editor can find the compilation on the Page Six site, where the recommendations are presented with brief personal notes explaining why each title fits the season.