5 mysterious Books I read recently in October 2023

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases

October I was bent on reading mostly spooky stories, because hey it was Halloween! And I did manage a good mix, with some classic reads, some underrated gems, and some hugely popular mysteries. But in terms of a number of books I am not happy, because towards the end of the month, I was down with an infection and then my entire family was under the weather. Also, my elder daughter has her mid-terms so we were all about studying and revising. So I could not do more justice to my reading!

 
But I look forward to November when I have a week of holidays lined up! and some fantastic non-fiction posts! Until then keep reading!

Many of these books are also available on Kindle Unlimited. Try Kindle Unlimited Free for 30 days!

Recent Reads October 2023

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time by Mark Haddon

Christopher Boone, the narrator and protagonist finds their neighbor's dog killed one day with a garden fork. Christopher wants to find out who killed the dog and why. But in this investigative journey, his organized mind discovers truths that shake the very foundations of his existence. This murder mystery takes Christopher on a journey he never planned for. 

The perspective of a person with Asperger's or Autism and the daily struggles they go through are very well put in the book. But otherwise, there is nothing more that stands out. The plot is too simple and other than Christopher no other character's emotions have been dealt with in any depth. Also, all the chapters on maths details were according to me skipworthy. Nothing about the story moves forward there. But otherwise a likeable book. 

We Have Always Lived in the Castle by Shirley Jackson

The 1961 book has two female leads nthat represent the "yin and yang of Shirley's inner self": an adventurer, a challenger, and a comfortable, domestic homebody named Mary Katherine Merricat and her older sister Constance. The only living members of the illustrious old family are Uncle Julian, who is frequently mentally and physically ill, and the Blackwood girls, Mary Katherine Merricat and Constance. Arsenic was placed in the sugar bowl and sprinkled on dessert, wiping out the rest of the meal and leaving the family shaken and uneasy.

The story becomes more captivating and unnerving as the tension between the Blackwoods and the locals increases, building like pressure before ill omen.

Readers unfamiliar with Shirley Jackson's work may be amazed by her skillful writing and the existence of literary works of her caliber.

The plot feels like there is a hint of the otherworldly, even though there isn't. It's possibly a tale of the violence and emotion that eventually leave its marks on the homes where we live, which is why Shirley Jackson adored haunted houses so much.

The Couple Next Door by Shari Lapena

The Couple Next Door is a domestic suspense novel. The Plot - a 6-month-old baby is left to sleep alone at home while the parents attend a party next door. And then the mother's worst nightmare comes true - when she checks on her baby, she finds her missing. The perfect couple, living the perfect life, and yet, looks could be deceiving.

 
The suspense builds gradually, but not for long. Once you know what's happening it gets tedious. Wealthy grandparents, the husband cheating on the wife with a sexy neighbor, the wife has postpartum depression, pretty typical and pretty average. But the theme needs a thumbs up. Who knew that the people we trust and love are unworthy of that truth and love? In the context of our everyday lives with everyday people and events, this kind of a novel is unsettling. 

Dear Amy by Helen Callaghan

The story has two POVs - one is Margot, a column writer for a local newspaper and teacher, and the other is Katie, a kidnapped girl. Katie's abduction sparks up a 20-year-old abduction of Bethan Avery and the similarities are striking for Margot. Margot is also contacted through her column by Bethan to help come and save her. Will Margot be able to save not one but two lives?

 
IMHO, for a debut novel, Dear Amy is stunning. The unique plot twist left me disoriented for a while. The setup of the letters and even the main character's divorce proceedings added mystery and intrigue to the whole plot. I think I enjoyed a good mystery after a long that was gripping.

The Mars Room by Rachel Kushner

The Mars Room is where our protagonist, Romy Hall, gives her clients lap dances. But Hall is now also the woman facing two life sentences in county prison. She may have murdered someone. The whole intrigue throughout the book is around the mystery of what Romy did to get the punishment. She also has a five-year-old son, Jackson. 

The writing was very confusing. A few single-page chapters in the book are through the POV of a seriously unhinged person living near the jail who is bent on violence. I did not get who they were about and why they were there. Also, a few characters like Doc (Rich) were added, and I did not get why they were added either. Their stories were unrelated. Many character backstories were according to me unnecessary. No plot as such. Overall, I think it would have been safe to say that even if I had not read this book I don't think I would've missed much. 

Currently Reading...

Yellowface by R.F.Kuang