The October Must-Reads: Bookseller Top Picks

The October Must-Reads: Bookseller Top Picks

As the leaves turn and the evenings draw in, there’s nothing quite like settling down with a brilliant new book to escape into. 

With so many incredible titles being released this October, we asked our booksellers to choose which ones they’re most excited to dive into this Autumn. 

So without further ado, here are our standout October releases that we think you’ll enjoy, 


Top Must-Read October Releases   

The American No -  Rupert Everett

Released: October 3rd

Eight captivating stories of love, loss, and wit from Rupert Everett, exploring lives shaped by glamour, grief, and unexpected turns, with his signature charm and sharp humour.

From a chaotic funeral in Paris to Oscar Wilde’s final days, a Russian-American countess in a Wiltshire teashop to the ruthless world of an L.A. talent agency, each tale is rich in vivid detail and emotional depth. With themes of emigration, creativity, and the passage of time, Everett’s collection is a brilliant and unexpected reflection on life. 

Pick up a signed copy here


The Unfinished Harauld Hughes - Richard Ayoade

Released: October 3rd

Richard Ayoade's The Unfinished Harauld Hughes is a witty and irreverent exploration of his obsession with the forgotten mid-century playwright. After stumbling upon Hughes’s works in a second-hand bookshop, Ayoade embarks on a quirky quest to uncover the truth behind the mysterious collapse of Hughes’s final film. Blending sharp humour with a deep dive into British literary history, Ayoade’s fictional documentary brings to life the enigmatic writer with all the eccentricity and charm you'd expect from the filmmaker himself.

Order your signed copy here. 


The Kiss of the Nightingale - Abi Denner

Released: October 3rd

Set in a spellbinding alternate Paris, The Kiss of the Nightingale follows Cleodora, an orphaned tailor with fading dreams, who is offered a rare chance to save her family. When the mysterious Lady Dahlia gifts her a Singing Talent, Cleodora is thrust into Lutèce’s glittering world of opera and aristocracy. But to keep the magic, she must steal a coveted Talent from the charming Vicomte Lenoir, who begins to win her heart. With loyalties torn and her future at stake, Cleodora must decide if love or magic will truly set her free.

Get a signed copy here


Night & Day - John Connolly

Released: October 3rd 

In Night & Day, the master of eerie tales returns with a collection that chills and captivates. From a haunted library filled with fictional characters to a bunker where scientists plot revenge, these stories transport you into unsettling, atmospheric worlds. An English marsh harbours a restless mother and son, while a grieving widower finds solace in the most unexpected way. The collection concludes with a deeply personal reflection on how an obscure horror film helped the author reconnect with his father. This is a book that will haunt your thoughts long after you turn the last page.

Pick up a signed copy here.

 

The Map Of Bones - Kate Mosse 

Released: October 10th

Kate Mosse delivers a sweeping conclusion to The Joubert Family Chronicles, filled with adventure, hardship, and buried secrets. Suzanne Joubert, a Huguenot refugee, embarks on a perilous journey to the Cape of Good Hope in search of her mysterious pirate ancestor, Louise Reydon-Joubert. Nearly two centuries later, Isabelle Lepard, a determined journalist, uncovers dark family truths. As past and present collide, Isabelle must race to uncover the truth and survive the dangers that lie ahead. A thrilling and epic tale of courage and legacy.

Order your signed copy here


Midnight and Blue -  By Ian Rankin

Released: October 10th

In Ian Rankin’s latest thriller, John Rebus, Edinburgh’s legendary detective, finds himself on the other side of the law. After years of putting the city’s most dangerous criminals behind bars, Rebus now faces a case that pulls him into a deadly game of cat and mouse. Tense, gripping, and utterly unmissable, this new chapter in the Rebus saga is a must-read for fans of crime fiction. 

Purchase your signed copy here. 


Star Wars: Mace Windu: The Glass Abyss -  Steven Barnes

Released: October 15th

In this gripping new Star Wars novel, Jedi Master Mace Windu embarks on a dangerous mission to the remote planet of Metagos, honouring the final request of his fallen friend, Qui-Gon Jinn. As Mace grapples with the loss of Qui-Gon and their complex relationship, he is drawn into a conflict between the planet’s rival factions, where survival depends on the mysterious dream-weaving art of the Sa’ad clan. Facing powerful enemies and questioning his own beliefs, Mace must navigate a perilous path to fulfil Qui-Gon’s last promise and defend the Sa’ad way of life.

Order a signed copy here.

 

Until We Shatter - Kate Dylan

Released: October 17th

In a world where magic can be a death sentence, Cemmy is a desperate thief on a treacherous path to save her ailing mother. With the Church hunting her for her powers and the Council of Shades wanting her dead for her lack of them, she seizes an impossible opportunity: to steal a powerful relic hidden within a perilous realm of shadows. Teaming up with the enigmatic and dangerous Chase, Cemmy must navigate betrayal and secrets to survive the heist. Success means safety, but failure could unleash chaos, threatening the city and everyone she loves.

Purchase your signed copy here.


The Waiting - Michael Connelly

Released: 22nd October 

In The Waiting, LAPD Detective Renée Ballard stumbles upon a chilling breakthrough in a cold case that has haunted the city for two decades: a DNA hit connects a recently arrested man to a notorious serial rapist. But the revelation of the suspect’s identity forces Ballard into a web of doubt and danger, as the evidence must be undeniable. Joining her in this high-stakes investigation is Maddie Bosch, the determined daughter of Harry Bosch, whose personal motives blur the lines of justice. As the clock ticks, this electrifying thriller explores the haunting shadows of unresolved crimes and the relentless pursuit of truth from one of the greatest crime writers of our time.

Get your signed copy here.


Karla's Choice: A John Le Carré Novel - Nick Harkaway

Released: 22nd October 

Acclaimed novelist Nick Harkaway revisits the world of John le Carré's legendary spy, George Smiley. It’s spring 1963, and after leaving the Circus, Smiley is rumoured to be enjoying a rare moment of happiness with his marriage secure. However, a Russian defector’s arrival pulls him back into the shadows when he’s tasked with interviewing Szusanna, a Hungarian émigré connected to a missing target. What begins as a simple assignment quickly spirals into a perilous journey through East Berlin, where Smiley confronts the ghosts of his past and the complexities of loyalty in a treacherous game of espionage. This extraordinary novel fills in the gaps of Smiley’s storied life, delivering a thrilling homage to the master of spy fiction.

Buy a signed copy here.


GLIFF - Ali Smith

Released: 31st October

Gliff is a haunting dystopian tale set in a near-future world where two children return home to find a mysterious red line encircling their house. As society fractures into insiders and outsiders, the next generation is left to confront the mess of a toxic world. With echoes of Kafka and classic dystopian fiction, this novel explores the struggle to find meaning amidst chaos, questioning what from the past can sustain us and how resistance might take shape. 

Order your signed copy here.

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