Welcome to Future Fiction, my reimagining of the Waiting on Wednesday meme! There are so many amazing new books coming out, that I can no longer pick just one. My goal with Future Fiction is to share at least three new books each week, a combination of recent cover reveals and books that I’ve recently added to my TBR pile. I’m still going to be linking up with Wishful Endings/Can’t Wait Wednesday, and I also want to give a shout out to Jill at Breaking the Spine for starting the original Waiting on Wednesday meme. I hope you’ll find some new books to add to your TBR piles, and as always, I look forward to hearing what YOU’RE looking forward to:-D
Three new covers revealed, and all of the books sound great! Take a look:
Be gay, solve crimes! The Killing of a Chestnut Tree introduces Havelock Harper, an all-new queer gentleman detective in the tradition of Sherlock Holmes, with a cozy, fantastical mystery.
“I loved this book! Havelock and Sebastian are such great company, brilliant, approachable, fascinating, their relationship is real and touching and relatable. And the mystery is riveting.” —#1 New York Times bestselling author LOUISE PENNYEveryone in England knows Havelock Harper, the celebrated consulting detective, from the cases published in the papers. If any of them read his secret files, they would discover a very different man. His most fantastical cases must never reach the public eye, and nor must the love he shares with his stalwart companion, the formidable Major Sebastian Wright.
The Duke of Farleigh has been killed, and Havelock Harper summoned to the secluded Farleigh Forest to solve his murder. When he and Sebastian arrive, they discover a greater mystery. The trees of Farleigh have begun to speak, writing words into their leaves and bark. The victim is one of those an ancient chestnut, cruelly chopped down.
Why has the forest begun to speak? Why would anyone cut down the Duke? And how can Farleigh’s gentle, quiet paradise survive this crime?
The Killing of a Chestnut Tree by Oliver K. Langmead. Releases in October 2026 from Tordotcom. Let us rejoice, it’s a new Oliver K. Langmead book! This sounds completely different from his other books, and I’m so excited to see how he handles cozy fantasy. I’m in love with this cover too:-)
In the small mountain town of Amorea, it’s stretching toward autumn of 1954. The memories of a world at war are fading in the face of a prosperous future. Doors are left unlocked at night, and neighbors are always there to give each other a helping hand.
The people here know certain things as fact:
Amorea is the best little town there is.
The only good Commie is a dead Commie.
The Women’s Club of Amorea runs the town with an immaculately gloved fist.
And bookstore owner Mike Frazier loves that boy down at the diner, Sean Mellgard. Why they haven’t gotten their acts together is anybody’s guess. It may be the world’s longest courtship, but no one can deny the way they look at each other.
Slow and steady wins the race, or so they say.
But something’s wrong with Mike. He hears voices in his house late at night. There are shadows crawling along the walls, and great clouds of birds overhead that only he can see.
Something’s happening in Amorea. And Mike will do whatever he can to keep the man he loves.
Murmuration by T.J. Klune. Releases in October 2026 from Tor Books. This is a reprint of an older Klune book, and it was just announced last week. I love the cover and this story about the “best little town there is” with something dark in the shadows.
The forest doesn’t just take what it’s owed—it takes whatever it wants.
Dominic was born in Aplin Shade, a remote Canadian town built on the bones of another that vanished without a trace. Bookish and quiet, he never asked to lead his family, but after a carriage crash kills his father and leaves his sister forever changed, he has no choice.
The only person who truly sees him is Lex, a logger in the camp near town and the love Dominic must keep secret. Together they dream of escaping Aplin Shade, a place where isolation breeds judgment and every kindness hides a cost.
But the forest is no refuge. The Fanteur dwell there—shadowed beings who come at night to drain the dead of their blood and return them for burial by dawn.
They’ve never touched the living.
Until now.
As winter descends and the Fanteur strike back against the logging camp, Dominic and Lex must fight for their lives, their love, and a way out of the woods’ tightening grasp.
Because the forest doesn’t forgive, and it never forgets.
As the Snow Gathers by Mere Joyce. Releases in September 2026 from Poisoned Pen Press. Canadian horror with snow and creepy forests? I think this sounds perfect for me:-)
Okay, I’m looking forward to all of these!
Me too, can’t wait!
All of these books sound good. A lot of mysteries and secrets.
Those are the best books: mysteries and secrets:-)
Klune is really kicking out the reprints and new releases. I’m really happy he is getting attention as I think it is much deserved. And winter horror – bring it on. Although I am more than done experiencing winter, I will never tire of a good winter horror setting.
He definitely deserves more attention!
I love the look of The Killing of Chestnut Tree – fabulous cover and I’m a sucker for a Holmes and Watson retelling:)). Thank you for sharing, Tammy.
Doesn’t it sound great??
Ah, I’d been seeing promos for Murmuration, but didn’t realize it was a reissue! Not that it matters… Klune books are auto-buy for me! These all look great!
Sometimes reissues are the best!
Ohhh The Killing of a Chestnut Tree sounds like exactly my thing. I can’t even add it to my wishlist yet but I definitely want it, I hope I don’t forget about it.
It sounds really good, right? And the author is amazing:-)
As the Snow Gathers is definitely calling to me! TJ Klune is always a little hit or miss for me, so I’ll definitely be curious to check this one out, I like the premise. And. love anything with trees, so that first one has me intrigued, too. Great picks, as always!
Thanks Jordan! I’m most excited about the first one, simply because I love the author:-)
Ooooh As the Snow Gathers sounds dark and atmospheric. I like the sound of it!
Me too, and I love the cover:-)
Hope you enjoy those! 🙂
Thanks Stormi!
MURMURATION sounds interesting! Wonder if it involves starlings given the title and all the birds on the cover.
I hope so!
Interesting picks.
Thanks Anne.
Im curious about the first one, I need more fantasy mysteries after falling for The Tainted Cup and the talking trees sound intriguing. I wondered how I missed the second one (I literally looked the author up earlier this week when someone mentioned their upcoming dog title) but if its a reprint I guess thats why. Definitely an intriguing sounding tale.
I’m loving fantasy mysteries too. This one sounds and looks very cozy:-)
Murmuration sounds very intriguing indeed.
Lynn 😀
Agreed, I’m very curious about it.
As the Snow Gathers sounds interesting. Any horror that takes place in a remote location always catches my attention.
I agree, it’s hard for a remote location story NOT to be scary:-)
Oooh, these all sound great, though very different! I hadn’t heard of any of them; thanks for the tips!
I hope you enjoy any that you might read:-)
OOH I need Murmuration!
Right?? I can’t wait.
I really need to get on board the Poisoned Pen Press train. As the Snow Gathers looks great!