by Kate Summerscale — Meticulously researched and highly readable account of the infamous mid-20th century murderer, Reginald Christie.
Author: Fi
The Glassmaker
by Tracy Chevalier — A multiple-timeline novel about the history of Murano glassmaking, following Orsola Rosso from 1486 to now.
Top 10 novels of 2024
Looking for a really great read among novels published in 2024? Here (in no particular order) are my top 10 favourites. Covering a range of fiction genres — literary, speculative, historical, crime and fantasy — they are all guaranteed great
The Wonder Drug
by Susanna Beard — An absolutely gripping, unputdownable thriller. Michelle races to implicate a pharmaceutical lab before it’s too late.
How the Victorians Lived
by Shona Parker — A very readable social history. Money, food, fashion, science, communication and travel, medicine, crime, etc.
The House of the Witch
Immersive story, set in the 17th century and the present, about female defiance of patriarchal control.
Blue Hawk
by Chloe Turner — Immersive story about a textile worker, set in 17th century Gloucestershire. Blue Hawk celebrates female tenacity and ingenuity.
The Busy Body
by Kemper Donovan — A homage to Agatha Christie, recommended for fans of well-written modern crime fiction in the classic tradition.
A Good Place to Hide a Body
by Laura Marshall — When you get a call about a dead body, how far will you go to protect your elderly parents?
Key Lime Sky
by Al Hess — A fun, quirky cozy alien invasion romp that also addresses themes of isolation, queer identity and “logical” family.
What A Way To Go
by Bella Mackie — Fun social satire featuring obnoxious rich people, murder, financial crime and true crime podcasting.
The Women Behind the Door
by Roddy Doyle — An ex-alcoholic mother and a traumatised daughter during lockdown. Superb, understated writing.
The Red House Mystery
by A.A. Milne — The Red House Mystery has it all; the country house, the witty dialogue, the tight plotting, superb writing, … Oh it’s a proper treat!
The Light and Shade of Ellen Swithin
by DG Coutinho — Another in the latest slew of books about women truly killing it. Entertaining.
Versions of a Girl
by Catherine Gray — A superb novel. Beautifully written, highly insightful. Do we become who we are because of our past or in spite of it?
Sipsworth
by Simon Van Booy — Sipsworth is a gentle, beautifully written meditation on love, aging and connection. And a mouse. For anyone who has ever loved an animal.
Una, Unwanted
by Elin F. Styve — A moving story of family dysfunction, hypocrisy and a woman seeking the connection of family.
The Revenge of Rita Marsh
by Nilesha Chauvet — Rita Marsh is not in a good place. The last paedophile she exposed committed suicide soon after. Now her friend Leila needs help…
The Silence Factory
by Bridget Collins — Gothic, historical fantasy. The Silence Factory is an imaginative, immersive and spellbinding story. I was thoroughly captivated!
How to Kill a Guy in Ten Ways
by Eve Kellman — Another female serial killer novel with gallows humour and deplorable men getting their comeuppance in myriad painful ways.