As the leaves turn golden and a crisp chill fills the air, there’s no better time to indulge in some captivating new reads. Fall is a season that invites us to curl up with a good book, wrapped in a blanket with a steaming mug of cider by our side. The literary world is embracing the season’s cozy vibes with a plethora of exciting books that promise to entertain, inspire, and transport you to enchanting (or horrific) worlds. Whether you’re drawn to gripping thrillers, magical fantasies, or thought-provoking dramas, this fall’s book lineup has something for every reader to enjoy.

In this blog, we’ll explore some of the most anticipated books on the Sunbury Press shelves this fall. From spellbinding fantasies to poignant biographies, these titles are perfect for adding a touch of literary magic to your autumnal reading list. So, grab your favorite sweater, light a pumpkin-scented candle, and get ready to discover your next great read. Let’s dive into the autumnal books that are sure to make your fall reading experience unforgettable. 

1. In the Day of Trouble by Taj Magruder: On the night of March 17, 1934, in a small town in rural Pennsylvania, a man crept to a window and shot a woman through her heart. Her name was Susan Mummey, but she was better known as the Witch of Ringtown Valley. The shocking true story of her life and murder has never been told, until now. The cold-blooded shooting of a woman in her home would have been news on its own. But the victim who lay on her sitting room floor wasn’t just any woman. For years, the people of Schuylkill County whispered about how Susan Mummey practiced magic from her isolated farmhouse. She fought with her family, her neighbors, and the law. Death, it seemed, followed in her wake. Then, death claimed her. In the Day of Trouble is an unforgettable look into a misunderstood woman, a disturbed man, and perhaps even ourselves. Pulled from historical records and insights from survivors of those involved in the case, it takes you beyond the headlines to relive one of the strangest chapters of American history.
2. Jack’s Lantern by Michael Hawley: Fear grips Boston as an evil serial killer 'hell-bent' on accomplishing his brutal agenda unleashes his venom on the citizens of the city. Boston's leaders are not prepared for this breed of killer; ruthless, methodical, and with a taste for the ancient ways. As they flounder, the Watchmaker, a sleuth with an unmatched record for routing out serial killers, is forced upon them. Dr. Edward Dunham, FBI's chief scientist, slowly grasps this elusive adversary is different; quite possibly out of his reach. The killer's brutality and intelligence are unbelievable, almost otherworldly. The Watchmaker, a man guided by naturalistic methodology, realizes he must stretch these boundaries in order to end his terror. 
3. Dead of Autumn by Sherry Knowlton: Alexa Williams is a successful lawyer, volunteers weekly at a women’s clinic, and has a perfect weekend boyfriend—not to mention an endearing best friend in her giant English mastiff, Scout. But one autumn day, when Scout takes off into the Pennsylvania woods, Alexa discovers a nightmare she’d never imagined. From that fateful day, Alexa becomes entangled in a murder mystery—one that she tries to unravel by linking it to experiences and symbols in her own life. DEAD of AUTUMN ties together the struggles faced by females, young and old, past and present, and the degrees of power they embrace to combat their situations. 
4. Arcane Assassin by R.A. Fischer: Book 1 of The Raven Naelo Saga introduces you to its fantasy world full of creatures both righteous and corrupt. Raven Naelo, a half-elf rogue, dreams of following in her father’s footsteps and becoming a realm guardian. Her dreams move closer to reality when she proves herself against half-orcs in a local tavern. Impressed by her skills yet wary, her father, the King of Omlett, agrees to send her to the Mortal Realm Guardian’s camp, where she’ll join four other trainees: Avalann, a short-tempered elf archer; Jarz, an attractive human sword mage; Izarra, a flirtatious water half-nymph discovering her inner strengths; and Shorte, a loveable dwarf cleric. Together, they will be cast into a world of advanced magic by Gideon and learn the importance of teamwork as they face off against bugbears, kobolds, and other dangerous foes.
5. American Roulette: An eclectic group of authors (Pat LaMarche, Sherry Knowlton, J.M West, Matthew Best, Phyllis Orenyo, Robert Bradshaw, Andrew Carey, James Dodds, Cheryl Woodruff Brooks, and Cheryl Dunn Bychek) spent six months collaborating on American Roulette, a blockbuster novel full of tension, dread, and anguish. Each author created one of the eight key characters—complete with a supporting cast—who find themselves sharing a common destiny. Readers have but a single day to get to know each of the protagonists before time and circumstances seal their fate.
6. Family DeClassified by Katherine Fennelly: It took several years of reviewing previously unexamined government records and conducting personal interviews and genealogical searches to piece together the life of a man who hid his Jewish identity, the nature of his work as a spy, and the murder of his sister and nephew by Hungarian Nazis. The result is a manuscript that examines the nature of family myths and presents the gripping story of a man whose life was shaped by some of the most extraordinary events of the 20th century. In Family Declassified, Katherine Fennelly applies her expertise as a social science researcher to answer this question regarding her maternal grandfather, a Jewish Hungarian immigrant who arrived in the US one hundred years ago.
7. Skadi by Steven Grier Williams: Enter a magic filled fantasy world book 1 in the “Prose Edda” book series. In Midgard, towns are meant to be sanctuaries for humans, and the outskirts are roaming grounds for powerful Norse creatures. But in Fensalir, a centuries-old jötunn has been killing children—a parade of death that has lasted for years. That is—until a witch named Frija steps forward. She knows even with seidr magic, she cannot do it alone, so she recruits a newcomer named Skadi Hervor to go on a quest. With a rich cast of characters whose struggles are rooted in real-world issues, intense action, and page-turning adventure, Skadi plunges the reader into a world of Norse Mythology to tell a story of overcoming extreme challenges while dealing with loss.
8. Picturing the Dark by Linda Cotton Jefferies: When the man who had kidnapped and nearly killed Audrey Markum was arrested and bound for trial, she thought the worst was behind her. Throughout the summer Audrey has pushed back against the fear, enjoying her work as a wedding photographer and the growing relationship she has with Detective “Rod” Rodriguez. As August finds Audrey steeling herself to face her attacker in court, the panic returns in the form of a terror. Already battling anxiety and fear, Audrey is suddenly blindsided by the news that one of her friend’s twin daughters has been kidnapped from her daycare center. With every hour, the chances of recovering the infant Rosey seem to drop. Detective Rodriguez and his partner are heading up the manhunt and find a possible lead when they discover that a daycare worker from the same center has also disappeared. However, when a body washes up on the river’s shore, that slim hope plummets. As the trial begins, Audrey is fighting with time itself. She finds herself urging the hours in court to move as quickly as possible while simultaneously wishing she could lengthen the time she has to spend helping the detectives in the search for Rosey. Something tells her she can’t have it both ways.
9. The Cup in the Shadows by R Kane Maurer: Book 1 in ‘The Forbidden Powers’ fantasy series. As summer ends, young Jonny reluctantly agrees to explore a local cave, expecting to find nothing more than bugs and dirt. But his quiet life is changed forever when he is inexplicably transported to a strange world filled with trolls, dragons, and powerful magic. While scrambling to discern friend from foe, he learns that dark forces threaten to spill beyond the limits of the magical realm into his own world. Alongside a group of legendary heroes, Jonny must race to save the realm from a growing horde of enemies as he uncovers more about an ancient villain who will stop at nothing for the power of a god. 
10. Malformed Realities Volume 1 by Thomas Malafarina: A collection of short stories meant to make the reader think twice about what they know to be reality. This author might also manage to disturb or frighten you along the way. To date, this author has published multiple horror novels: What Waits Beneath, Burner, From The Dark, Circle Of Blood,  Dead Kill Book 1: The Ridge of Death, Dead Kill Book 2: The Ridge Of Change, Dead Kill Book 3: The Ridge Of War and Death Bringer Jones, Zombie Slayer Volume 1. He has published twelve collections of horror short stories: Thirteen Deadly Endings, Ghost Shadows, Horror Classics, Undead Living, Malaformed Realities Vol. 1, Vol. 2, Vol. 3, Vol. 4, Vol. 5, Vol. 6, Vol. 7, and Vol. 8.

As the days grow shorter and the nights become longer, there’s something incredibly comforting about losing yourself in a good book. This fall’s lineup offers an array of new releases that perfectly complement the season’s serene, reflective, and terrifying mood. From enchanting fantasies to heart- stopping stories, these books promise to be the perfect companions for cozy evenings by the fire or crisp walks through the local cemetery.

So, as you prepare for the fall season, let these captivating reads be your guide. Each page turned is a step deeper into a world of imagination and emotion, providing the perfect escape from everyday life. Embrace the season’s charm with a fresh stack of books that will warm your heart and scare your soul. Happy reading, and may your autumn be filled with the joy of discovering new literary treasures.

Thank you for checking out our list of "Must Read Books This Fall" Stay tuned for more blog posts like this one coming soon!

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