As the chill of fall sets in and the allure of the spooky season takes hold, many readers are drawn to snugly autumn reads. While some may opt for a traditional murder mystery or tales of vampires, one mystical figure often takes the spotlight: the witch. Witches, often portrayed as women, are a ubiquitous presence in popular culture, from Hermione Granger in the Harry Potter series to the triad of witches in Macbeth. They are a popular choice for Halloween costumes, but more importantly, they are at the heart of countless captivating stories. Here, we present a selection of the best witch-themed books to enjoy this fall season.
“Her Majesty’s Royal Coven: A Novel (The HMRC Trilogy)” is an innovative and feminist novel by Juno Dawson that kick-starts a trilogy. It envisages a world where witches are part of the British government, and four former childhood friends must navigate a new threat.
The “Practical Magic” series, the inspiration for the film starring Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman, is as enchanting as its cinematic counterpart and is a must-add to your reading list this fall.
In “A Discovery of Witches”, Diana Bishop, unaware of her witch lineage, stumbles upon an enchanted manuscript in Oxford’s library. This discovery triggers an epic fantasy involving vampire Matthew Clairmont as she scrambles to unravel the mysteries within the book’s pages.
The three witches in William Shakespeare’s “Macbeth” are as classic as sorceresses can get. If you haven’t read Macbeth yet, this is your chance to discover the origin of the phrase “Double, double toil and trouble; Fire burn and cauldron bubble.”
In Madeline Miller’s novel “Circe”, the sorceress from Homer’s “The Odyssey” is given a full story of her own. This epic read reimagines Circe’s life on the island of Aeaea.
“Witchlight” tells the story of witch Emma Harlow, who returns to her home in Thistle Grove after years of absence, causing her magical powers to wane. Her return coincides with a spell-casting tournament that forces her to question why she left in the first place.
“Everyone Knows Your Mother Is a Witch” by Rivka Galchen is a remarkable work of historical fiction that dramatizes the real witchcraft trial of Katharina Kepler, mother of the scientist Johannes Kepler.
In “Witches”, Zoe is a journalist assigned to cover the murder of a healer named Gaspar, who taught her cousin Feliciana the secrets of Mazatec curanderos before her death.
“The Once and Future Witches” is set in 1893 when witches are believed to be a thing of the past. However, when the Eastwood sisters join the suffragist movement in New Salem, they begin to revive the old magic tradition.
In “Mr. & Mrs. Witch”, Savannah, a powerful witch, unknowingly marries a witch hunter, Griffin. When chaos ensues at their wedding, they are given the task of killing each other.
“The Witches of New York: A Novel” is set in the Gilded Age, where three witches run a tea shop, telling fortunes and providing secret cures to women who seek them out.
In “The Witching Hour”, Anne Rice, renowned for her Vampire Chronicles series, explores the world of witches through the centuries-long tale of the Mayfair family.
This selection of cozy murder mystery books featuring witches as key characters offers a diverse range of stories, from amateur sleuths solving mysteries to female detective titles with a supernatural twist. Whether you’re looking for murder thriller books for sale or simply want to indulge in some cozy mystery this fall season, these books will not disappoint.