As I’ve said before I read alot more than I review so I’ve tried to keep track of everything I’ve read this year. I’m sure I’ve probably missed some, and I haven’t included anything I started and didn’t finish (there are too many great books out there to read ones you are not enjoying) but hopefully this is most of them.
January
A lavish reception ends in a terrorist siege which lays open all sorts of secrets. Intriguing read.
A creepy and unsettling tale that will have you double checking the locks when you go to bed.
A chance sighting leads to unravelling of a host of lies. A great twisty thriller that’ll keep you hooked.
February
A riveting tale of sisterly rivalary at the extreme. A great read that kept me hooked.
March
Heartbreaking yet inspiring true story. Read during a trip to Krakow including a tour of Auschwitz so was especially poignant.
A slow burn about a woman who invites a stranger into her house but soon find out that the stranger is now who she says she is.
During lockdown a mother and daughter move in together and it starts a downward spiral. A claustrophobic read.
April
Another great Alex Delaware case with the characteristic humour and pace you’d expect. This is a great series.
Two friends disagree over a man but who should you believe. This was a good read despite a predictable premise.
A short read for World Book Night. Who doesn’t love an Agatha Christie tale?
May
Alone on a cruise ship, what would you do? Another standout book from one of my favourite authors. A strong contender for my book of the year!
An unsolved murder becomes the subject of a true crime podcast. Great story and I love the way its told through varying mediums.
June
True story of 14 year old Dita Kraus who looks after the 8 books within Auschwitz. A fascinating yet heartbreaking story.
Really enjoyed this fun read about a woman whose date’s end up dead. A great read.
I loved the audio book of this that I bought and read a hard copy. A modern day Bridget Jones.
One that had been on my tbr pile for a while this was an interesting story that showed how far reaching the effects of crime can be.
July
Beginning to see a theme here! Loved this book, deliciously dark and very funny. Highly recommend.
A new PI is on the block. This was an intriguing read with a hint of locked room mystery.
Another contender for book of the year, I absolutely loved this story of a woman challenging societal norms. Thought provoking and hilarious, a must read!
August
The latest instalment of the Tom Thorne series and another gripping tale. One of my favourite writers.
A twisty story that reads more like it’s set in Hollywood than Cambridge!
Sometimes you just need an emotional read that makes you cry and laugh and this definitely fitted the bill.
Two friends reconnect but jealously is a harsh emotion. This story of friendship and betrayal had me hooked.
September
I loved this story of murder and intrigue set on a Greek Island.
Full review coming next year. The free food we got at Harrogate was nice too.
A great psychological thriller with two flawed characters. It’ll keep you guessing who you can trust as secrets gradually reveal themselves.
This was a clever tale of 3 brothers with the same story told from their three different viewpoints. Really enjoyed this original novel.
Fun quick read about a group of women and the power of open water swimming. Set in the stunning backdrop of the Lake District.
October
Luckily for me my sister managed to get her hands on a proof copy of my favourite author’s latest and kindly gave it to me. This was Scarpetta at her absolute best! A great mystery that kept me gripped.
Another creepy read from an author that combines thriller with horror to a deliciously dark degree.
A post apocolyptic style will keep you up at night when you read this.
I absolutely love a WIll Carver novel. Another unique story that I couldn’t put down. Read before my stop on the blog tour for his follow up.
This was a cracking little story that had a great twist at the end. The step daughter from hell isn’t all that she seems.
November
A thought provoking read that combines social commentary with domestic thriller. This was the first of Kia Abdullah’s novels I’ve read and I’ll be searching out her others.
I loved this story of 5 girls overcoming adversity in their slum town of Heaven. It was a really heartwarming tale that stayed with me long after I’d finished reading.
A must read for anyone who is affected by dementia. A frank and honest account from someone living with this disease.
This felt like a mix between gangsters and domestic thriller. An unusual take on the theme of lies and family secrets.
December
A gift from The Sister this was a fascinating account of the life of a remarkable woman. From her childhood in Yorkshire to her rise to the Supreme Court.
A twisty thriller from another author that was new to me. Very much enjoyed this story of a woman who will do anything to defend her secrets and keep her life intact.
For fans of The Durrells, Margot is running a guest house with all the comedy and characters you’d expect both human and animal!
AUDIO BOOKS LISTENED TO IN 2023
A crime readers blog 