With only two days of 2024 remaining, I think it’s safe to post my books of the year list now. I’ve enjoyed putting this post together, going back over the last twelve months and picking out some favourites. I did something slightly different this year – I looked at the books I gave five stars to on Goodreads and chose six published in 2024 and six older ones. Let me know if you enjoyed any of these too.
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BOOKS PUBLISHED IN 2024
A Case of Mice and Murder by Sally Smith (2024)
From my review: “After finishing Sally Smith’s A Case of Mice and Murder I was delighted to find that it’s the start of a new historical mystery series, which is great news as this first book is excellent. I hope we don’t have to wait too long for a second…When writing a novel set in the past, creating a sense of time and place is incredibly important and Sally Smith does that extremely well here.”
The King’s Messenger by Susanna Kearsley (2024)
From my review: “Susanna Kearsley’s author’s note is almost as interesting as the book itself…she describes the history of the Royal Messengers which led to the creation of her fictional hero Andrew Logan and explains which of the other people in the book were historical figures who really existed…Whether real or fictional, all of the characters in the novel come to life; I loved both Andrew and Sir David and although it took me longer to warm to Phoebe, she did win me over in the end!”
The Examiner by Janice Hallett (2024)
From my review: “the epistolary format she uses…is something you either love and connect with immediately or you don’t. If you didn’t enjoy her other books this one probably won’t change your mind. Personally, I find them unusual and imaginative – and very gripping, as the short length of the emails and chats makes it difficult to stop reading!”
The Trouble with Mrs Montgomery Hurst by Katie Lumsden (2024)
From my review: “It has the feel of a Regency novel and there’s an obvious Jane Austen influence in both the writing style and the plot. The worldbuilding is strengthened by the inclusion of a map at the beginning and a list of characters giving their age, address and occupation. It was all so immersive that I really didn’t want to have to leave Wickenshire behind when I reached the end of the book!”
The Warm Hands of Ghosts by Katherine Arden (2024)
From my review: “I loved Katherine Arden’s Winternight Trilogy, set in medieval Russia…Taking us to the battlefields of the First World War, this is very different in terms of setting, atmosphere and scope, but I’m pleased to say that it’s another great book.”
The Burial Plot by Elizabeth Macneal (2024)
From my review: “I was expecting good things from this one and I wasn’t disappointed at all…Although I correctly predicted some of the twists and turns of the plot, there were others I didn’t see coming at all. The relationship between Bonnie and Crawford is the driving force behind the novel and is what kept me turning the pages, anxious to see what plan Crawford would come up with next and whether Bonnie would ever escape his grip.”
OLDER BOOKS
The Reckoning by Sharon Penman (1991)
From my review: “A wonderful, thorough account of the final years of an independent Wales…A book of this size – around 600 pages – takes a long time to read when the story is so detailed and needs a lot of concentration, but I thought it was worth every minute…the story held my interest from beginning to end – and the ending, when it came, was heartbreaking, but that was to be expected!”
Silence by Shūsaku Endō (1966)
From my review: “Silence is both beautifully written and beautifully translated. From beginning to end, I was completely immersed in another time and place; there’s no jarringly modern language to pull the reader out of the story and everything feels authentic and real.”
Thomasina by Paul Gallico (1957)
From my review: “Although I was already familiar with the plot, I found that this novel had far more depth than the Disney version…I’m sure younger readers will enjoy the chapters written from Thomasina’s own perspective, where she gives amusing descriptions of life in the MacDhui household, but I never really felt that I was reading a ‘children’s book’ and I think there’s enough here for readers of all ages to enjoy.”
God is an Englishman by RF Delderfield (1970)
From my review: “Once I became absorbed in the story, the pages went by a lot more quickly than I’d expected and I was sorry to reach the end. I think some readers will probably enjoy this book more for the Swann family storylines and others for the insights into the building of a business empire. I found both interesting and felt that Delderfield got the balance between the two just about right. I will be continuing with the second book, Theirs Was the Kingdom!”
The Undetective by Bruce Graeme (1962)
From my review: “I found this an entertaining read from beginning to end…Graeme appears to have been very prolific, particularly during the 1930s and 40s, but this is a later novel from 1962. It’s a real gem and I highly recommend it to classic crime fans!”
Don’t Go to Sleep in the Dark by Celia Fremlin (1970)
From my review: “Although the thirteen stories are all different and memorable in their own way, they could all be described as psychological suspense, taking us deep inside the characters’ minds. At the same time, they have perfectly crafted plots, often with a surprise twist in the final paragraph that changes the way we think about everything that came before.”
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What are the best books you’ve read in 2024?
She Reads Novels 
Here are some of the books I really enjoyed this year:The Keeper of Lost Things by Ruth HoganAtlantic Fury by Hammond Innes….a real oldie but I enjoyed it again!The Keeper of Happy Endings by Barbara DavisThe Mistress of Mellyn by Victoria Holt
I haven’t read any of those, although I did read some of Victoria Holt’s other books years ago and enjoyed them.
These are the rest of my favourites:
In the Shadow of the Lynx by Victoria Holt
I am still reading the last book, Give Us This Day ,in the Adam Swann trilogy by RF Delderfield. I found the series enjoyable overall but a bit slow in places. They are also long books….I feel like I have been reading them forever!
I’ve still only read the first Adam Swann book but am hoping to read at least the second one in 2025. The length does make them a big commitment!
I have read zero of these, but like the sound of the Fremlin most.
I’ve loved everything I’ve read by Celia Fremlin so far!
It’s always fun to look back and see what books you rated 5 stars at the end of the year! I haven’t read any of these ,but several are going on my TBR list for next year. 😀
Yes, I had almost forgotten about some of the books I gave 5 stars to at the beginning of the year, so it was good to remind myself of why I loved them.
I loved Of Mice and Murder and really hope that there will be another book in the series soon. It’s nice to see older books like the Sharon Penman and R F Delderfield on your list too as I enjoyed both of these. I have the God is an Englishman trilogy upstairs in my wardrobe and they are definitely due for a reread
There’s a second book in the Mice and Murder series coming in July, called A Case of Life and Limb. Something to look forward to!
Definitely!
I’ve read all of the 2024 ones except the Susannah Kearsley, which is currently on my much depleted TBR pile (there’s been a dearth of good new books in the last couple of months). Of those, I enjoyed The Trouble With Mrs Montgomery Hurst the most, and I’m really looking forward to seeing what Katie Lumsden writes next. A close second was The Warm Hands of Ghosts – I loved Katherine Arden’s Russian folktale fantasy, and this was almost as good. I liked the others as well. I haven’t read any of the earlier ones except for the Sharon Penman, which didn’t grab me like Edith Pargeter’s Heaven Tree trilogy did, back in the day – they cover the same ground, but Pargeter really brought home the awful tragedy of those events.
My best book of 2024 was The Night In Question, by Susan Fletcher, who’s an author I love – she never writes the same book twice, with a variety of time periods and settings. This one looks superficially like an imitation of a Richard Osman novel – sparky pensioner solves murder – but it’s so very much more than that, and beautifully written. Some might find it slow – no car chases or dramatic shoot-outs here – but the words I’d use are ‘thoughtful’, ‘inspirational’ and ‘full of insight’.
Yes, I’ve enjoyed some of Susan Fletcher’s books as well, but haven’t read The Night in Question yet. It does sound good and I’ll try to get to it in 2025. I also have the first book in the Heaven Tree trilogy on my shelf, which I’m looking forward to.
I’m glad you liked the Katie Lumsden book – I did enjoy her first book, The Secrets of Hartwood Hall, but not quite as much. I’m hoping for news of a third one soon!
Whew! I was going to have to admit to having read none of these, but Celia Fremlin saved me! An interesting selection – the Delderfield is the one that most appeals, I think.
I’m glad you’ve read one of them, at least! I’m hoping to read more Celia Fremlin in 2025.
I love God is an Englishman.
I’m looking forward to reading the second one!
I’ve only read Silence. I need to get back into gear after I finish my Century of Books project (maybe in January or February!) and read a few more books from 2024. I didn’t read many this year because of that project.
The Century of Books project always looks tempting, but I think I would need at least two years to do it rather than one.
I think I’m going to take about 1 1/4 years.
Of Mice and Murder looks especially appealing to me!
I loved it! The historical setting and characters felt so authentic.
Happy New Year – or at least the Eve. I read R.F. Delderfield so many years ago that I’ve forgotten most of the plot and details, which makes re-reading more appealing to me these days.
I’m still thinking about my “best books” list.
Happy New Year, Lisa! I loved the Delderfield and am looking forward to the second one. I have a long list of books I want to re-read and am determined to find time for some of them in 2025!
Many of these sound fun, especially The Examiner. One of my favorite novels from this past year was epistolary.
I’ve loved everything I’ve read by Janice Hallett. Her books are all written in the epistolary style and she does it really well.
Hi Helen, as you know, I also read and loved The King’s Messenger, this year. I haven’t read any of your other choices, but like the sound of many of them, especially Thomasina. 😊
Blessings, Jessica 💌
Thomasina is a lovely book – I think you might like it.
What a great reading year! I reread the Swann books in 2024 and had so much fun with them – Delderfield was so good at big, absorbing books. I’m terribly jealous about the new Susanna Kearsley as it’s not out here for a few more months but my pre-order is placed and I’m very excited!
I loved Delderfield’s A Horseman Riding By trilogy and so far the Swann trilogy looks like being just as good. I’m looking forward to reading the second book. Sorry you haven’t been able to read the new Susanna Kearsley yet, but I think it will be worth the wait!
I’ve added The Trouble with Mrs Montgomery Hurst by Katie Lumsden and God is an English Man by Rf Delderfield to my Goodreads as they sound like great books!
I’ve read some great books this year and a few of my new found favourites are, The Remains of the Day by Kazuo Ishiguro, Persuasion by Jane Austen, The Enchanted April by Elizabeth von Arnim and The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer. 😊 I had a great reading year this year!
I have read and loved all four of your new favourites, particularly Persuasion, which I would like to read again. I hope 2025 is another great reading year for you!
Thank you! Happy reading 😊📚
Great list! The first two go on my TBR 😀 it was quite difficult tot decide on my favourites this year, but the post will be online somewhere in January.
I’ll look forward to seeing your post! Yes, it’s difficult to pick favourites. My list could have been longer!
So many temptations here, Helen! Great choices.
I’m glad you’re tempted by some of these – they are all great books!