After recently reviewing some thrift store books, I wondered where else I could find some hidden treasures. As someone who became consumed by Twitter earlier this year, and who’s now involved with the writing community there, I realized the answer was staring me right in the face: indie/self-published books were the next place to look. Don’t be too quick to count out indie authors when looking for your next read, because I can guarantee you’re missing out on some gold. The indie books I read this month were so well written that I’m surprised they aren’t traditionally published works. Here are the fantastic books I read this month:

The Drifter by Jeremy Gernhaelder

The first novella in the Small Town Slashers series, The Drifter focuses on the small hunting town of Traders’ Point and the locals that live there. Although hunting season brings many strangers to town, the townsfolk become wary of a large and intimidating drifter who doesn’t appear to be there to hunt at all. Jenny Maysure, a journalist in the small town, becomes suspicious of the drifter and sets her sights on figuring out his motives for sticking around. Then, when murders start occurring in town, it becomes ever more urgent for Jenny to cover the story. Who is this drifter fellow? And with the sheriff brushing off the murders as nothing more than unrelated incidents, Jenny might just have to take a few risks to get the scoop.

This gripping and effortlessly written murder mystery is a strong start to what I’m sure will be a great series. I felt like I got to know all the major characters on a personal level, and the mystery was unraveled bit by savory bit until its ultimate conclusion. Some twists I was able to see coming, but this did not distract much from a well-written story. My main critique is that I was sometimes frustrated with the foolish decisions and over-the-top reactions of some of the characters. The sheriff in particular often took actions that made little sense to me. Overall though, this was a wonderful book. I never found myself bored, and the flaws in the characters made them feel real. I bet the next book will be even better. This is an author to watch.

Pleasantwick by M.L. Stoughton

When her father begins restoring a large and mysterious old house in California, Melinda finds herself drawn to the property and the surrounding woods. There she meets Luke, an attractive boy who comes from a long line of witches who each possess unique powers. One day, Melinda stumbles upon a secret passageway to Pleasantwick, the hidden society of which Luke is a part. And while Melinda seems curious about the house and the magical mysteries it contains, Luke must keep Melinda at a distance and even erase her memories of magic to protect her. Unfortunately, the evil witches of Pleasantwick seem to have targeted Melinda, and so Luke must do everything he can to protect her.

I found this book to be quite charming, and while it was slow paced for most of the book, there was an impeccable understanding on how teenagers interact with each other. I especially enjoyed Melinda’s relationship with her best friend Kelly, to the point where it reminded me of my own relationships with best friends in my youth. Luke was a nice character as well, though much of Melinda and Luke’s relationship did feel like it was built on lust rather than love. But what teenager isn’t horny? Perhaps it’s fitting. And when compared to Melinda’s relationship with Jason, Luke is a refreshing change. Ultimately, Pleasantwick felt like a book that would be enjoyed by those who also enjoyed Twilight. It’s a teenage romance with elements of magic, and if that’s what you’re into then you’ll love this book. Plus, there’s a book two!

Have you read any good indie books? Have you written one? Because after this amazing experience reading these two books, I’m definitely open to more suggestions.