Goodreads Users Recommend 6 New Historical Mystery Books for Fall: ‘The Perfect Seasonal Cozy Mystery’
From post-WWII Paris to a royal coronation, these new releases span eras and continents
Key Takeaways
- ‘Queen of Lombard Street’ marks Lisa Kleypas’ first new release in five years.
- 'To Crown It All' is the 20th in Rhys Bowen’s ‘Royal Spyness Mysteries’ series.
- Bethany Joy Lenz follows her bestselling memoir with her first novel.
There’s something special about curling up on your couch with a good book in the fall. And one of the best genres to dive into is historical mystery. Thankfully, there are many new releases this season. From gripping whodunits to twisty tales set in centuries past, these books are guaranteed to keep you turning the pages into the night. To discover our favorites, keep scrolling!
‘The Foreign Correspondent’s Wife’ by Jenna Helwig
Readers are transported to post-WWII Paris in Jenna Helwig’s latest novel. Five years after the end of the war, former reporter Kat Kelly and her husband, a foreign correspondent, arrive in Paris, where Kat immediately throws herself into culinary school to study French cuisine. But her fresh start takes a sinister turn when she stumbles upon the body of her American classmate Toby. Soon, another body turns up, and despite what Kat has told them, the police refuse to do a deep dive into the investigation. Can Kat figure out what happened on her own? (Out October 20, 2026)
What early Goodreads users are saying: “I was lucky to read an early copy of The Foreign Correspondent’s Wife, and I’ve got my fingers crossed there will be another in this series! It was a fast-reading, suspenseful book, and I especially loved the razor sharp protagonist. I really felt transported to Paris after the War. I also loved that food was a central theme in this book–a fun extra layer of texture!”
‘Murder on 34th Street’ by Mariah Fredericks
Set in 1932 New York City, this novel follows Grace Verlander, the “assistant to the assistant to the someone who’s in charge” at the popular department store Macy’s, which is getting ready for their annual Thanksgiving Day Parade. Three days before the parade, Grace gets a letter from Santa Claus, claiming someone sent everyone’s favorite jolly old man a death threat. Desperate to protect him, Grace reaches out to the store’s secret team, who claims they have set up protections to keep everyone safe. Days later, a body is found on one of the parade floats, and Grace sets off to catch the killer before they strike again.
What Goodreads users are saying: “Everything is exceptionally well balanced, making for the PERFECT seasonal cozy mystery. I’m one of those people who rages when they see Halloween decorations in July, yet this book had me wanting to bust out my Christmas tree. It brings all the nostalgia of the beloved classic that so many of us love, and once it grabs your attention, it doesn’t let go. Definitely a fun read worth checking out.”
‘Queen of Lombard Street’ by Lisa Kleypas
Bestselling author Lisa Kleypas is back with a tale set in Victorian England, during a time when no woman is allowed to open her own bank account. But Rena Martin knows better. Born out of wedlock, she has spent her entire life working to provide for herself, and she’s determined to start the first all-women’s bank with banker William Farrow. Little does she know that Farrow has been accused of a major financial crime, and Rena’s butler, John Pembroke, is actually an undercover police officer investigating him. Now Rena must decide: protect her friend and risk ruining her dream, or stay silent. (Out October 20, 2026)
What early Goodreads users are saying: “After five long years, Lisa Kleypas is back with a historical fiction novel that is in the running to be my favorite read of 2026. This book is a masterclass in character-driven plot work. There is a massive divide in the romance genre as a whole right now between cozy books that are devoid of any plot and books with primarily external conflict, where there is a heist, competition, or some external threat driving the plot forward.”
‘The Betrayal of Cora Wexford’ by Bethany Joy Lenz
In 2024, One Tree Hill star Bethany Joy Lenz became an instant New York Times bestseller for her memoir Dinner for Vampires: Life on a Cult TV Show (While Also in an Actual Cult!), and now, two years later, she’s back with her first novel. In 1880s London, Cora Wexford is introduced to a man named Miles Vale on the evening of her 38th birthday. They hit it off instantly, and soon Miles is helping Cora with her career, which includes creating a series of portraits of women who died as a result of the system’s ignorance. Soon after, people begin dying in the way that Cora painted them. As she works to honor her victims, Cora begins to wonder what’s really going on and how people will respond once they learn who she really is and what she really does. (Out October 20, 2026)
What early Goodreads users are saying: “Wow, the way Bethany Joy Lenz writes her characters is so interesting. The intellectual nature of her story telling really conveys her ability to transport the reader. The creativity Lenz showcased in her wheelhouse of storytelling as well as showing us what true forgiveness can look like was brilliant. I have been hoping to read this book for a while, and I am so glad I got the opportunity to read such a fascinating story. I look forward to reading more from this author!”
‘To Crown it All’ by Rhys Bowen
The 20th book in Rhys Bowen’s Royal Spyness Mysteries series follows Lady Georgiana Rannoch—who is 34th in line to the British throne—after she is invited to King George VI’s coronation in the early 1930s, only to discover that a murder has taken place in her own home. Now Georgiana and her husband, Honorable William Darcy O’Mara, must figure out what happened before the killer strikes again. A fun-filled tale that is perfect for fans of royal historical fiction. (Out November 17, 2026)
What early Goodreads users are saying: “To Crown It All by Rhys Bowen is the latest in Georgiana and Darcy’s life. This is a good depiction of what the coronation was like with the addition of a mystery for her to solve. As usual, this is a fun book with lots of detail and the usual characters.”
‘There Used to Be People Here’ by Kennedy Cole
In 1970s Mississippi, Samuel Barkley made history by becoming the town’s only Black detective. He plans to keep his head down and do his work, but when he’s assigned to work with Harvey, a distant man who might hate him, things get complicated. Soon, the two are called to investigate a plane crash cover-up, only to learn that it wasn’t a plane crash at all and that there are strange people in town and only Samuel can make them leave. A thrilling tale that science fiction readers will love. (Out November 3, 2026)
What early Goodreads users are saying: “This is one of THE BEST scifi and horror novels I’ve ever read! Kennedy is a master of balancing a tense, high-stakes atmosphere with beautiful and fully realized character moments. I cannot express how genuinely fantastic this book is!!! I CANNOT WAIT for it to hit the shelves!”
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