Since its debut, David Lynch and Mark Frost's Twin Peaks has enjoyed a dedicated cult following. The show's influences are many and storied, and in turn it's inspired and influenced countless others. It's a fantastic example of the power of a compelling mystery hook and features a rich setting, complex and unforgettable characters, and an original blend of other genre elements. If you're curious about the selection process for this list visit "About." Or, you can click "The List" button above to dive right in.--
For this Reader's Advisory, I was tasked to focus on Mystery genre stories, but you'll also find a significant amount of horror, fantasy, and a even sci-fi here too. Each book revolves around a core mystery, and my own tags as well as tags from TheStoryGraph are available to help you decide if a book is for you. Many books on this list are tagged "slow-paced," which some readers read as a negative. For me, I appreciate a leisurely pace in a novel - especially a series-starter, as it gives time for the reader to become engrossed in the setting.Dale Cooper (played by Kyle Maclachlan) is by far the most recognizable actor on the show, with Sheryl Lee locked into a series-wide continuing spiral of death and suffering, I've chosen to include more women and authors from diverse backgrounds in the hopes that fans can enjoy a broad variety of stories. As time goes on and with reader suggestions, I'll likely continue to update this regularly with new choices. In particular, I hope to find more Romantic Thrillers to provide representation for the show's many enduring love stories.This is a labor of love for a series I'm a huge fan of. I don't receive anything from doing this (other than class credit), but if you do have an interest in one of these stories, I ask that you purchase them through a local independent bookshop or from Bookshop.org. Better yet, borrow them from (and please support) your local library. You can install LibraryExtension in a variety of browsers in order to get a quick automatic catalog search telling you if something is available at a library near you.Now, please enjoy. Thank you for reading.

The Secret History of Twin Peaks

Mark Frost

It may be an obvious choice, but this epistolary novel by series co-creator Mark Frost is a veritable treasure trove of lore about the small town. It also features several all-original mysteries within its pages.Click the button below for more in-universe stories and Twin Peaks specific books.

Experimental Film

Gemma Files

Lois Cairns is a barely-employed freelance film critic struggling to care for her son. However, after seeing clips from a previously lost experimental film, she begins a complex obsession with learning more.For fans who loved Coop's endless obsession with finding out who killed Laura Palmer and understanding the greater mysteries of the town itself.

The 7½ Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle

Stuart Turton

Evelyn Hardcastle will die. Each day at 11:00 PM, Evelyn Hardcastle will die unless Aiden Bishop can figure out the killer and stop it. Each day, he wakes up in the body of a different suspect and gets a fresh chance to solve the murder.For fans who love an unusual mystery, and are fascinated with the perspective of a unique investigator.

Hex

Thomas Olde Heuvelt with Nancy Forest-Flier (Translator)

Black Spring is a cozy little town with a dark secret. No one can ever leave. Residents use high-tech surveillance and a quiet system of authoritarian control - not to keep the residents in, but to keep outsiders out. Anyone who sees the spirit of the witch who haunts the town is cursed to remain or be driven to suicide.For fans of Twin Peaks' small-town feel, secrets kept beneath the surface, and darkly comedic sensibilities.

The Dark Half

Stephen King

Thad Beaumont is a murderer. He didn't have a choice really, after 13 years on the bestseller list he was ready to come clean and kill his alter-ego "George Stark." Now however, there's been a series of murders in cozy Castle Rock, all signed by the fictional George in blood and carrying Thad's fingerprints. How do you hunt a killer who may only exist in your mind?For fans of show's recurring "Dark Halves," from Laura Palmer's double life to Leland Palmer's horrific secret.