Genre deep dive- gothic mystery
We are heading into Autumn, one of my favourite seasons, particularly as a reader. Cosying up on the sofa with a hot drink and a good book, Gilmore Girls playing in the background, is one of my favourite things to do! I am often drawn to fantasy or mystery books during this time of year, so I have chosen to take a deep dive into the gothic mystery genre this time. I hope you find a recommendation from me, and feel free to share any suggestions that you think are perfect to read in the autumn season. Let’s get started!
I feel like gothic mysteries are meant to be read in the autumn. When the days get shorter and the weather becomes more stormy, rainy and cold, cosying up with a book that transports you right to the setting, engulfing you in the spooky atmosphere, feels like the perfect way to spend a dark and gloomy evening to me. I am drawn to gothic mysteries for many reasons, one of which is the ability that they have to take you from where you are and put you right into the pages of the book, with the characters, trying to work out what is happening. I often forget that I am reading fiction and am still in 2025! I have been lucky enough to read some really good Gothic mysteries over the past few years and would love to share them with you.
First up, The Ghost Woods by C.J.Cooke. This was the first book of this genre that I have read, and it felt like such a unique experience at the time. It follows Pearl Gorham, who arrives at Lichen Hall in 1965 to give birth, like many other women have before her. Lichen Hall is situated deep in the woods, surrounded by folklore, secrets, stories, ghosts and witches. I was completely engrossed in the story from start to finish and felt like I was there at Lichen Hall with Pearl. It was so atmospheric, spooky and kept me guessing until the very end.
My second recommendation is The Book of Witching, also by C J Cooke. This one is written in a dual timeline, following one woman who is being accused of witchcraft and murder, the other working out what has happened to her daughter, who is unconscious in the hospital. They are separated by four centuries but are somehow connected. C J Cooke’s writing is so engaging and has the ability to transport you to the setting of the novel. I really enjoyed this one too and will definitely be picking up more of her work.
Thirdly, this one is quite well known, but I think for good reason. One Dark Window by Rachel Gillig is more of a gothic fantasy, but I wanted to include it here anyway as it definitely gives similar feelings to the other two I have mentioned. It follows Elspeth and the spirit that is living inside her head… super spooky, mysterious and really addictive. Perfect for this time of year!
My current read is The Way of All Flesh by Ambrose Parry. This is a gothic mystery set in Victorian Edinburgh, following a medical student and a housemaid. We follow their journey to uncover the mystery behind the deaths of young women across the Old Town. I am really enjoying this so far and can’t wait to see them working together to reveal all of the secrets!
I have a little list of gothic mysteries that I am hoping to pick up over the next few months. If you have read any of them, please let me know what you think or share any other recommendations that you think I will enjoy.
First up, I have Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë. This is described as the original Gothic mystery, so I feel like it is a must! I also recently bought Misery by Stephen King, which is set in a cabin in the snowy mountains, following an obsessive fan and her idol author. I feel like this setting will be really eerie and will fit the gothic theme really well. I also have Anatomy by Dana Schwartz on my list, which follows an aspiring surgeon and a ‘resurrection man.’ I have no idea what to expect, but am certainly intrigued. I have talked a fair bit about C J Cooke in this blog and will once more! Her new release, The Last Witch, comes out in October, so I will definitely be looking to pick this up, too.
I hope you enjoyed this genre deep dive! See you next time!
