My favourite reads of 2023
I have many weird bookish habits. One of them is to note down every novel I’ve read, and every audiobook I’ve listened to over the course of the year. I give each of them a star rating in my little yellow notebook so I can keep track of my reading, and look back at the list the end of the year to see what I’ve enjoyed most.
So if you’re still looking for gifts for loved ones this week, or an extra Christmas book for yourself, here is a small selection of my five-star crime/thriller recommendations…
My favourite reads of 2023
Some are from 2023 and others have been out for a little while, but I really enjoyed them all. In no particular order:
The Only Suspect by Louise Candlish - past and present collide in this dual timeline thriller, complete with a great sucker-punch twist.
Beartown by Fredrik Backman - a teenage crime sends shockwaves through a small Swedish town where ice hockey is the local religion, tearing friends, team-mates and families apart.
The Fifth Guest by Jenny Knight - five old university friends gather for a reunion on the eve of their flatmate’s memorial. But each of them is hiding a dark secret – and one might be guilty of murder.
The Long and Faraway Gone by Lou Berney - two terrible unsolved crimes in Oklahoma City resonate through the years as the survivors struggle to find justice.
None of this is True by Lisa Jewell - a podcaster meets her ‘birthday twin’ and sets out to tell the story of her life, but truth and lies become dangerously intertwined in this compelling bestseller.
Kill for Me, Kill for You by Steve Cavanagh - inspired by the classic Strangers on a Train, two women come up with a plan to get away with murder, but nothing is as it seems in this twisty thriller.
These authors and books are such inspirations to me. Seeing such great titles on the shelves challenges me to up my game with every book and I know The Dream Home will be in fantastic company when it comes out in February 2024.
If you’re looking for some other recommendations for 2024, here are a few advance proofs that I’ve really enjoyed, coming out over the next few months.
The Dead Mile by Jo Furniss – a very entertaining murder mystery set on a gridlocked motorway in a great new slant on the ‘locked room’ thriller.
Five Bad Deeds by Caz Frear – a woman’s perfect suburban life starts to unravel as all of her past misdeeds come back to haunt her.
Day One by Abigail Dean – a small town in the Lake District reckons with the aftermath of a shocking tragedy as conspiracy theories multiply about what really happened that day.
City on Fire by Graham Bartlett – gritty British crime as police fight to hold back a tide of drugs on the streets of Brighton, written with brilliant authenticity by a former senior police officer.
Every Move You Make by CL Taylor - A group of stalking victims turn the tables on their pursuers as they realise the only way to stop a stalker is to become one yourself.
Enjoy!