What’s Your Favorite Season For Suspense

 

August has a way of making me dream about cooler days. After weeks of heat and humidity, I find myself looking forward to crisp autumn mornings, colorful leaves, and that first cup of coffee that actually stays hot for more than five minutes.

It got me thinking about something else—does the season in which a story is set change your reading experience?

As a reader, I’m partial to fall and Christmas stories, but I do enjoy ones set in every season They each bring something different to the page.

Spring is full of possibility. New beginnings make it the perfect backdrop for mysteries that uncover long-buried secrets. My novel Unsolved Amish Abduction begins in the spring, when life is starting anew, yet danger is lurking just beneath the surface.

Summer can be deceptive. Bright sunshine, family vacations, festivals, and picnics don't seem like the setting for a suspense novel, but that's exactly what makes summer mysteries so effective. The contrast between idyllic days and dark secrets can make the danger feel even more unsettling. Among the Innocent unfolds during the summer, when appearances can be wonderfully misleading.

Autumn has always felt like mystery season to me. Maybe it's the shorter days, falling leaves, or the hint of winter in the air. There's something about October that practically begs for a good suspense novel and a cozy blanket. Grave Peril is set during the fall, a season that naturally lends itself to suspense.

Then there's winter. Snow can isolate people, icy roads can delay help, and long nights create the perfect atmosphere for tension. Add Christmas to the mix, and the contrast between holiday celebrations and hidden danger makes for a compelling story. Shattered Amish Identity takes place during the Christmas season, where hope and heartache often walk hand in hand.

As a writer, I don't consciously choose a season because I think readers will like it more. Instead, I let the story tell me where it belongs. Sometimes the weather becomes almost another character, shaping the mood, creating obstacles, or even offering clues.

As a reader, though, I do notice that my choices often match the calendar. I tend to reach for lighter reads in the spring, beach reads and page-turners in the summer, mysteries and thrillers in the fall, and cozy or atmospheric suspense during the winter. Of course, there are always exceptions—a great story is a great story, no matter what the thermometer says.

How about you?

Do you have a favorite season to read about? Do you enjoy snowy mysteries, spooky autumn thrillers, sunny summer suspense, or stories filled with the promise of spring? Or does the season make no difference as long as the story keeps you turning the pages?

Comment for a chance to win an eBook of the winner’s choice from one of these seasonal suspense novels:

• Spring: Unsolved Amish Abduction
• Summer: Among the Innocent
• Fall: Grave Peril
• Winter: Shattered Amish Identity

To enter, tell me which season you most enjoy reading about—and why. Be sure to include your email along with your comments!