Books Beginning with 'I': My A to Z Reading Challenge
- Alis Page
- Apr 16
- 10 min read
Some letters are easy to find books for, but others can be surprisingly tricky! As part of my A to Z Reading Challenge, I’ve been gathering books I’ve read under each letter of the alphabet. This time, I’m tackling books that start with the letter “I.” From gripping thrillers to intriguing mysteries and heartfelt stories, here are five books I’ve read that fit the bill.
📖 Imagine Living – A thought-provoking novel that explores the complexities of human relationships and the choices that define us.
Title: Imagine Living
Author: Deborah Morgan
Genre: History, mystery, suspense, thriller
Series: Disappearing Home series book 2 of 2
Publisher: Summer Seat Press
Date Published: 2023
Book Length: 218
Format: Paperback provided to me by the author in return for an honest review
Star Rating: 5***** I loved it and highly recommend
About Book: It's 1980, Liverpool, Robyn is happy living with May, her nan. She is safe and well cared for. When her nan dies, sixteen-year-old Robyn finds herself homeless. She dreams of finding her father and finding a home. But she has no idea where to begin her search. Imagine Living opens as Robyn is working in her first job, in Waterford's Bakery. It is here she meets an array of characters who befriend her, but some of the characters are dangerous, searching for the most vulnerable in society to exploit. Robyn must find ways to escape them, as she is forced into navigating her own way in the world, doing her utmost to stay alive. Throughout Imagine Living, readers are jolted with unexpected surprises, through the kindness of strangers and heart warming moments of joy. How can Robyn be both living on the streets, where violence and poverty prevail, and own a Dior dress? And how will she handle being blackmailed and bullied? Robyn is in possession of an unstoppable sense optimism and loyalty to those she loves. Her kindness is seen by some as a weakness. But don't cross her, as she's formidable at protecting herself, described by many who meet her as a survivor.
My Thoughts: Imagine Living by Deborah Morgan is book 2 in the Disappearing Home series but can be read as a stand-alone book. It is based in 1980 and I really enjoyed reading about the people in this period and felt Deborah Morgan captured the vibrant essence of the 1980’s seamlessly weaving a narrative that immersed me in the cultural tapestry of the era. With meticulous attention to detail, bringing the streets, people and period to life evoking a sense of nostalgia and authenticity that transported me back to the atmosphere of the 1980’s. The book had humour and wit, but periods of fear and hope all of which made me love the main protagonist Robyn more and more. The relationship between Robyn and her Nan was heart warming and testament to the enduring power and love of family portrayed with authenticity, in the period enriching the narrative.
I laughed at the wit and humour of the time and cried at the loss and despair as if I were taking every step with Robyn. She was resilient and vulnerable all at the same time.
In conclusion, the book is about love, loss and trying to find your way along with family, friends, and foes. A great read that had lost of emotion and a cultural tapestry of the 1980’s that I recommend if you love books about family, friends, and the past.
📖 Istanbul Crossing – A tense, fast-paced thriller set against the backdrop of a city where East meets West, packed with espionage and danger.
Title: Istanbul Crossing
Author: Timothy Jay Smith
Genre: Literary Thriller
Publisher: Leapfrog Press
Date Published: 2024
Book Length: 247
Format: Paperback supplied by Love Books Tours in return for an honest review
Star Rating: 5***** I loved it and highly recommend
About Book: In this coming-of-age literary thriller, Ahdaf, a gay Syrian refugee, after watching his cousin executed by ISIS for being homosexual, flees to Istanbul for safety. Ahdaf's reputation as a people smuggler has put him in danger once more. A Syrian refugee himself, Ahdaf earns a meagre living in Istanbul helping others make the crossing to Greece - a perilous line of work, but no less so than what he would face if of his sexuality were discovered by ISIS.
Yet when the CIA and ISIS approach him about transporting high-profile individuals and serving as a double agent for their causes, Ahdaf 's life is thrown into turmoil. And when his feelings for one of his clients come to light and as another possible relationship grows, the decision is taken out of his hands. Now a new choice lays before him, between two men and two different futures - if Ahdaf will live to see either of them. Istanbul Crossing is a story of adversity, love, and the courage of an ordinary man who must brave impossible situations in order to survive.
My Thoughts: Istanbul Crossing by Timothy Jay Smith is an exceptional thriller that gripped me from the very first page. The novel's structure, with chapters labelled as days, heightened the sense of urgency and drew me into the unfolding events, making each moment feel crucial.
Smith's writing is vividly descriptive, painting a powerful and immersive picture of Istanbul and the complex lives of its inhabitants, especially Ahdaf. The portrayal of the characters' struggles is intense and moving, bringing their plight to life with fierce clarity. The author does an excellent job of capturing the human spirit's resilience, even in the face of overwhelming adversity.
I loved the main protagonist, he stood out as a compelling figure—strong, resourceful, and compassionate. His ability to navigate through the chaos around him, showing empathy while confronting danger, made him both relatable and admirable. The depth of his character added a layer of emotional richness to the narrative, keeping me invested in his journey and wanting happiness for him.
What sets Istanbul Crossing apart is its unique perspective on the conflicts depicted. The novel sheds light on the troubles from various angles, illustrating how they converge and impact different lives. It offers a nuanced view of survival in difficult times, revealing the different challenges people face and the ways in which they cope.
Overall, Istanbul Crossing is a powerful and thought-provoking read that leaves a lasting impression. Timothy Jay Smith has crafted a story that is not only thrilling but also deeply human, making it a must-read for fans of literary fiction and thrillers alike.
📖 Idaho Fall – A deeply moving drama that delves into love, loss, and the secrets that shape our lives
Title: Idaho Fall
Author: DJ Maughan
Genre: Thriller Mystery
Publisher: Hulyeseg
Published Date:2024
Book Length: 293
Format: E book provided by the author in return for an honest review
Star Rating: 4**** I liked it a lot and recommend
About Book: An entrepreneur with a start up valued at one billion falls from a balcony on the eve of the company going public. Was it an accident? Or was she pushed? Rita Burch is a rising star. The founder of a huge clothing brand, she is on the brink of financial nirvana. Her company is set to go public with a valuation of over one billion dollars when her body is found broken and unconscious, a victim of an apparent accident. Comatose, and fighting for her life, determined to wake, she learns she can leave her body. Following the detectives as they investigate her accident, probing for clues, Rita learns disturbing details about herself and others. Shocked by her life, she faces a dilemma. Even if she could, would she want to live?
My Thoughts: Idaho Fall by D.J. Maughan is a gripping mystery thriller centred on the dramatic fall of Rita Burch, a dynamic entrepreneur whose company is about to go public with a billion-dollar valuation. On the eve of this financial triumph, Rita falls from a balcony, leaving her body broken and unconscious. Was it an accident? Or was she pushed?
Rita, now comatose and fighting for her life, discovers an extraordinary ability—she can leave her body. As she follows the detectives, Joyce Powers and Hank Gardener, investigating her case, she uncovers shocking details about her own life and those around her. The deeper the investigation goes, the more unsettling the revelations. Even if she wakes, Rita must face a painful question: does she even want to live?
Told from multiple points of view, including that of Rita herself while she's in a coma, the novel adds an intriguing layer to the classic mystery format. I really enjoyed the dynamic between the two detectives, Joyce and Hank. They're opposites in many ways, but their partnership is full of subtle wit and humour that lightens the heavy tone of the investigation, showcasing Maughan’s skill as a writer.
Emotion runs high throughout the book—I felt like I was on a rollercoaster, experiencing everything from tension to heartbreak. While the mystery surrounding Rita’s fall is intriguing, the process of narrowing down the suspects also makes the attacker less surprising. However, that didn’t take away from the experience, as Maughan delivers a satisfying twist at the end.
In conclusion, Idaho Fall is a solid, steady-paced mystery with emotional depth and a unique perspective. It’s a quick, easy read perfect for fans of suspenseful
📖 I Know Who You Were – A gripping psychological thriller filled with twists, secrets, and a protagonist haunted by the past.
Title: I Know Who You were
Author: Nick Curran
Genre: Crime Mystery Thriller
Publisher: Constable
Date Published: 2023
Book Length: 295
Format: Paperback I purchased myself
Star Rating: 5 ***** I loved it and highly recommend
About Book: EVERYONE HAS A PAST. . . YOURS IS COMING TO KILL YOU Alex and Morven have a pretty perfect marriage. Still madly in love after ten years, they have no secrets from each other and their life in London with daughter Poppy is . . . happy. Until one day it changes. Morven disappears, her car found abandoned. The police come around to Alex's house to tell him things about his wife he never knew: her real name, her past life, the secrets she kept from him. And Alex realises he's been loving a lie. He needs answers . . . and on the shore of a dark and remote lake in Wales he learns that the tragic events which shaped the past now threaten to rip apart the present.
My Thoughts: What a ride! I Know Who You Are by Nick Curran is one of those books that grabs you from the first page and keeps you glued to it until the very end. Alex and Morven seem to have it all—a happy marriage, a sweet daughter, and a picture-perfect life. But when Morven disappears, the cracks begin to show, and everything Alex thought he knew gets turned on its head.
Curran masterfully weaves suspense and emotion, that kept me guessing at every turn. The pacing was spot on, with just the right mix of heart-pounding action and quieter moments that made me reflect on the characters’ lives. And the setting? Deliciously atmospheric, adding an extra layer of tension to an already gripping story.
This is a book that had me turning pages well past bedtime, and honestly, I didn’t want it to end. If you love thrillers that keep you on edge, with twists and turns you’ll never see coming, I Know Who You Are deserves a spot on your shelf. A brilliantly crafted, five-star must-read that will stay with you long after you’ve turned the final page!
If They Knew by Arti Manini is a psychological thriller and my very first Audible book! I have to say, the story is packed with suspense and plenty of questions that kept me hooked and listening. However, I do feel that experiencing it as an audiobook rather than reading it on the page dampened the tension a bit for me. The narration didn’t quite live up to the intensity of the storyline, which was a bit disappointing.
I wasn’t a huge fan of the main protagonist, but surprisingly, that didn’t take away from my enjoyment of the plot. I found myself eager to know how it would all end, and the twists and turns along the way kept me intrigued.
Overall, If They Knew is a solid thriller with an engaging plot and plenty of surprises. While the audiobook didn’t quite do it justice for me, I think fans of the genre might enjoy it more in print. If you’re looking for a suspenseful story with unexpected twists, it’s worth giving it a try!
📖 The Istanbul Puzzle – A thrilling mystery filled with history, conspiracy, and a puzzle that could change everything.
Title: The Istanbul Puzzle
Author: Laurence O’Bryan
Genre: Thriller Mystery
Series: Puzzle series book 1 of 3
Publisher: Avon
Published Date: 2012
Book Length: 418
Format Read: E book purchased myself
Star Rating: 5***** I loved it and highly recommend
About Book: Buried deep under Istanbul, a secret is about to resurface with explosive consequences…
Alex Zegliwski has been savagely beheaded. His body found in an underground archaeological dig, hidden beneath the holy temple of Hagia Sophia in Istanbul.
When Sean arrives in the ancient city to identify his colleague’s body, he is handed an envelope of photographs belonging to Alek and soon finds himself in grave danger. Someone wants him dead but why?
Aided by British diplomat Isabel Sharp, Sean begins to unravel the mystery of the mosaics in the photographs and inch closer to snaring Alek’s assassin. Evil is at work and when a lethal virus is unleashed on the city, panic spreads fast. Time is running out for Sean and Isabel. They must catch the killer before it’s too late.
My Thoughts: The Istanbul Puzzle by Laurence O’Bryan is a gripping thriller and the first in the Puzzle series of three books. Right from the start, it’s hard-hitting and had me hooked instantly. The story is packed with history, intrigue, and so much more—seriously, why haven’t I read this sooner?
O’Bryan’s writing is absolutely mesmerizing. The historical elements are not only fascinating but woven so seamlessly into the story that I couldn’t bring myself to put the book down. His descriptions are vivid and compelling, making the settings and characters leap off the page. At the same time, he never loses sight of the mystery and danger that keep you turning those pages. It’s a real testament to his skill as a writer.
In short, this book has everything I love in a thriller: a gripping plot, richly detailed settings, and just the right amount of twists and turns to keep me guessing. If you’re a fan of mysteries with a historical twist, I can’t recommend The Istanbul Puzzle enough. I’ll definitely be reading the next books in the series soon!
Whether you’re looking for an emotional journey, a suspenseful thriller, or a story rich in history, these books beginning with “I” have something to offer. Have you read any of these, or do you have a favourite book that starts with the letter “I”? Let me know in the comments! And don’t forget to check out my full reviews over on the blog!
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