22 Southern-Set Books to Curl up With on the Porch This Spring

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When a book is described as Fried Green Tomatoes and Steel Magnolias meets Dracula, with a little 1990s flair and a string of book club intrigue, it becomes an absolute must-read. After giving up her career as a nurse to be a stay-at-home mother, Patricia is longing for an outlet, which she finds in her book club comprised of a group of Charleston mothers united by their love of true crime. When an intriguing stranger moves into their neighborhood, the women can't quit talking about him—until they believe he's behind a string of mysterious disappearances in town. Determined to crack the case, Patricia and her book club decide to investigate and learn that something more terrifying than they imagined is afoot.

Why it matters

This article highlights a new Southern-set book that blends elements of supernatural suspense, small-town intrigue, and a tight-knit book club, providing readers with an engaging and thrilling escape set in the charming backdrop of Charleston, South Carolina.

The details

The book follows Patricia, a former nurse who has given up her career to be a stay-at-home mother. Longing for an outlet, she finds it in her book club, which is comprised of a group of Charleston mothers united by their love of true crime. When a mysterious stranger moves into their neighborhood, the women become obsessed with him, until they believe he's behind a string of disappearances in town. Determined to crack the case, Patricia and her book club decide to investigate, only to uncover something more terrifying than they imagined.

• The book is recommended as an excellent spring read, though it can be enjoyed year-round.