Category: Monthly update

Welcome to my wrap-up of the books I read in January. I read eight books, one of which was a re-read for my book club. Here are my top five. (Links from each title will take you to my full review or the book description on Goodreads.)

Check out all the books I’ve read so far in 2025 here. If we’re not already friends on Goodreads, send me a friend request or follow my reviews.

My thanks to Harvill Secker, Sceptre, Head of Zeus and Allison & Busby for the digital review copies via NetGalley.

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The House with Nine Locks by Philip Gray (Harvill Secker) – an enthralling historical mystery set in post-WW2 Flanders with a skilfully crafted plot

Homeseeking by Karissa Chen (Sceptre) – a compelling, beautifully written story that explores many interesting issues even if the narrative structure and changes of timeline left me a little confused at times

The Bookseller by Tim Sullivan (Head of Zeus) – the seventh book in the DS George Cross series is another entertaining and skilfully crafted crime novel that’s also full of warmth and some moving moments

The Endeavour of Elsie Mackay by Flora Johnston (Allison & Busby) – a compelling story of overcoming obstacles to achieve your dream

The Secret History by Donna Tartt (Penguin) – obsession leads to murder in an elite American college

What were the best books you read last month? Have you read any of my picks?

Welcome to my wrap-up of the books I read in December. It was a slow reading month and I only managed to finish six books. Picking my top five is therefore rather irrelevant but anyway here they are. (Links from each title will take you to my review or the book description on Goodreads.)

Check out the list of all the books I read in 2024. If we’re not already friends on Goodreads, send me a friend request or follow my reviews.

My thanks to Bloomsbury, Head of Zeus and Verve Books for review copies of Time of the Child, Shadows of the Slain and The War Widow respectively.

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The Draughtsman by Robert Lautner (The Borough Press) – a chilling story about complicity and the ‘banality of evil’

Time of the Child by Niall Williams (Bloomsbury) – the perfect Christmas story, showing the best of human nature: generosity of spirit, a sense of community and being true to your values

Shadows of the Slain by Matthew Harffy (Head of Zeus) – a thrilling story that will appeal to those who like their historical fiction full of authentic detail, and the cut and thrust of battle

The Second Sleep by Robert Harris (Arrow) – starts off like a historical mystery but before long there’s a ‘wow’ moment and you realise it’s going to be something entirely different

The War Widow by Tara Moss (Verve Books) – an absorbing story with twists and turns aplenty, and a feisty heroine

What were the best books you read last month? Have you read any of my picks?