January, not always seen as the greatest month of the year but I knuckled down and you can see the literary adventures of January have unfolded, and my bookish comrades, you're in for a treat, I read 7 books in January and all of them were 5*****! So let us look at the treasure trove of genres that captivated my mind and soul throughout the first month of the year. From heart-pounding Mysteries to the allure of Futuristic landscapes, each page turned was a step into a world waiting to be explored.
I don’t think I have ready as many 5 ***** books in one month as I have in January so please join me on this thrilling journey through the realms of Mystery, Suspense, Thriller, Futuristic wonders, History's echoes, Murder Crime enigmas, Fantasy realms along with the timeless allure of Young Adult tales.
In this curated list of Books I Recommend from the reads of January, expect the unexpected, and embrace the exhilarating rollercoaster of emotions each novel has to offer. These aren't just books; they're keys to different universes, waiting for you to unlock their mysteries.
From spine-tingling suspense to fast action thrillers to the magic of fantastical realms, this January has been a journey like no other. So, buckle up, dear readers, as we embark on a literary escapade that will leave you yearning for more.
Stay tuned for the unveiling of my top picks and let the pages of January's reads inspire your next adventure.
As ever please let me know your thoughts on the books.
Love Alis x
Title: There Should Have Been Eight
Author: Nalini Singh
Genre: Mystery Suspense
Publisher: Golancz
Date Published: 2023
Book Length: 408
Star Rating: 5 ***** I loved it, and highly recommend
About Book: Seven friends. One last weekend. A mansion half in ruins. No room for lies. Someone is going to confess. Because there should have been eight...They met when they were teenagers. Now they're adults, and time has been kind to some and unkind to others. None more so than Bea-the one they lost nine long years ago. They've gathered to reminisce at Bea's family's estate, a once glorious mansion straight out of a gothic novel. Best friends, old flames, secret enemies, and new lovers are all under one roof. But when the weather turns and they're snowed in at the edge of eternity, there's nowhere left to hide from their shared history. As the walls close in, the pretence of normality gives way to long-buried grief, bitterness, and rage. Underneath it all, there's the nagging feeling that Bea's shocking death wasn't what it was claimed to be. And before the weekend is through, the truth will be unleashed. No matter the cost....
My Thoughts: It should have been Eight by Nalini Singh sets the scene at the beginning, bringing all the characters together and I was able to understand the relationships and dynamics as they began to emerge.
The attention to detail in describing details is second to none and enriches the storytelling. Along with the descriptions of feelings made me feel I was there with the person. A testament to Singh’s ability to draw you into the lives of the people showing their vulnerabilities and miscomprehensions. My favourite character was Aaron as he seemed to be the most kind overall.
The books key moments unfolds like a carefully orchestrated symphony, each note revealing a crucial element in the story, each one of the seven participants playing a distinctive instrument. A great unfolding of mysteries one by one that keeps you enthralled, with lots of twists and turns, a book I had difficulty putting down. There is a little repetitiveness on mentioning Lung going blind but that did not detract from the book overall.
Title: Artificial Wisdom
Author: Thomas R. Weaver
Genre: Crime, Thriller, Mystery
Publisher: Chainmaker Press
Date Published: 5th October 2023
Book Length: 386
Format: Hardback supplied to me by Love Books Tours in return for an honest review
Star Rating: 5***** I loved it and highly recommend
About Book: SALVATION HAS A PRICE.
An enthralling murder mystery with a vividly realised future world, forcing readers to grapple hard hitting questions about the climate crisis, our relationship with Artificial Intelligence and the price we would be willing to pay, as a species, to be saved. Perfect for fans of Blake Crouch, Neal Stephenson, Philip K Dick, Kim Stanley Robinson and RR Haywood.
It's 2050, a decade after a heatwave that killed four hundred million across the Persian Gulf, including journalist Marcus Tully's wife. Now he must uncover the truth: was the disaster natural? Or is the weather now a weapon of genocide?
A whistle blower pulls Tully into a murder investigation at the centre of an election battle for a global dictator, with a mandate to prevent a climate apocalypse. A former US President campaigns against the first AI politician of the position, but someone is trying to sway the outcome.
Tully must convince the world to face the truth and make hard choices about the future of the species. But will humanity ultimately choose salvation over freedom, whatever the cost?
My Thoughts: Artificial Wisdom by Thomas R. Weaver has a gritty start and draws you in. Some of the words and descriptions felt like they could have belonged to our real future and is testament to Weavers writing and thinking making the story all the more authentic.
Some of the chapters are fairly short which I feel builds on the intensity of the drama enabling the story to grow one chapter at time.
Artificial Wisdom is a book about truth and moral dilemma and is a very sombre, thought provoking read.
For me the book held authenticity to what could happen in the future added to the enjoyment of the book.
As I read through there were many twists and turns and Weaver skilfully weaves together a murder mystery with a political thriller challenging us as readers with profound questions about the climate crisis and AI and the sacrifices we might make for the greater good. I’m not even sure I could have done what Tully did and invite someone else into your egospace, I nearly cried when he did it. It was for the greater good and something you don’t really know which way you will jump until you are in that situation.
The book shows an intricate plot full of suspense, with added emotion. It is a must read for those of you who love futuristic fiction that challenges your thinking. Thomas R Weaver will definitely leave you pondering the delicate balance between salvation and freedom long after you turn the final pages. A definite 5***** read for me and a book I highly recommend.
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.
Title: Munich Wolf
Author: Rory Clements
Genre: Historical, Murder Mystery
Publisher: Zaffre
Date Published: 2024
Book Length: 400
Format: Paperback supplied by Love Books Tours in return for an honest review
Star Rating: 5*****A great book I cant recommend highly enough
About Book: Munich, 1935 - The Bavarian capital is a magnet for young, aristocratic Britons who come to learn German, swim in the lakes and drink beer in the cellars. What they don't see - or choose to ignore - is the brutal underbelly of the Nazi movement which considers Munich its spiritual home. When a high-born English girl is murdered, Detective Sebastian Wolff is ordered to solve the crime. Wolff is already walking a tight line between doing his job and falling foul of the political party he abhors. Now Hitler is taking a personal interest in the case. Followed by the secret police and threatened by his own son, a fervent member of the Hitler Youth, the stakes have never been higher. And when Wolff begins to suspect that the killer might be linked to the highest reaches of the Nazi hierarchy, he fears his task is simply impossible - and that he might become the next victim.
My Thoughts: Munich Wolf by Rory Clements is based in Germany 1935. It is a book full of emotion with the disparate opinions between families during this historical time along with the love and fear of a parent and grandparent.
The attention to detail in the period made the book more riveting and Clements masterfully weaves a tale of intrigue and danger centring around the main protagonist, Wolfs quest to solve the extremely high-profile murder. The narrative skilfully explores the difficult complexities of navigating the investigation with Wolf facing both personal and political threats. As the plot moved on at pace the stakes got higher keeping me fully engrossed. It evoked fear, for the time and I wondered whether morality could be lost against saving one’s own skin. The book gave me a strong sense of the atmosphere, tension and fear that gripped the people in this tumultuous time, enabling me to immerse myself in the unsettling experience of living in historical uncertainties as the book had a deep sense of foreboding most of the way through.
In conclusion Munich Wolf is a riveting thriller that captivated me right from the start, right through to the very end and I recommend this book to lovers of mystery and history.
Title: Blood Sapphire’s Revenge
Author: Dr Bruce Farmer
Genre: Thriller
Publisher: Epigraph
Date Published: 2022
Book Length: 398
Format: Paperback supplied by Love Books Tours in return for an honest review
Star Rating: 5***** I loved it and highly recommend
About Book: An arresting story that follows Haddy Abrams, a dauntless female warrior full of determination and boldness as she resolutely battles both personal demons and a heinous villain out to destroy the world. And yet, secretly, in her dreams, there is a man. A mysterious man she only met eyes with so many years ago – and who seems more a ghost than anything else, now.After shooting a notorious Islamic extremist in the Hadhramaut Mountains of Yemen with a record-setting sniper shot, Israel Defence Force Staff Sergeant Abrams finds herself in the crosshairs of a diabolical Eastern European oligarch known only as “X”. Haddy narrowly survives a targeted assassination attempt, but this only fuels her determination. Still traumatized by the attempt on her life, Haddy sets off to settle the score, even as she is plagued by inner demons set on destroying her before she gets there.Across the globe, the dreams of New York City police detective Wolf James are haunted by visions of a mysterious, dark-eyed woman he once encountered while summiting Mount Rainier in Washington state. Assigned to a covert training operation in the Ukraine and on the eve of his wedding day, Detective James suddenly finds himself face-to-face with the mysterious female warrior, who has captivated his dreams for months. He soon finds himself working with her – with no hesitation.
My Thoughts: Blood Sapphire’s Revenge by Dr Bruce Farmer starts as it means to go on a hard hitting, no nonsense and straight talking. The book has a strong female lead, Haddy who pulls no punches and shoots directly at her target literally. This book is a fast paced, suspense thriller.
Haddy the main protagonist is flawed but is also a fearless female, wonder woman this creates a character teeming with tension and angst. Dr Bruce Farmers attention to detail from meticulous research aids authenticity enhancing this globe spanning tale. The plot is filled with twists and secrets that kept me on the edge of my seat as the book unfolded one chapter at a time.
But the book comes together like cymbals crashing together in an orchestra, like a thunderous crescendo near the end and it is all worth wating for.
In conclusion this book is a hard hitting, fast paced action-packed thriller. Haddy is a memorable strong female you will love and Wolf, well you will fall for him as much as Haddy does.
Title: A Hanging Moon
Author: Phill Featherstone
Genre: Fantasy, Young Adult
Series: Leopards Bane book 3 of 3
Publisher: Opitus Books
Date Published: 2023
Book Length: 256
Format. E Book supplied by Love Books Tours in return for an honest review
Star Rating: 5 **** I liked it a lot and recommend
About Book: In the thrilling third instalment of the mesmerising fantasy series, “Leopard’s Bane," the star-crossed lovers Yalka and Peglar face their most dire test yet. With their fates intertwined, but cruelly separated, Yalka finds herself imprisoned, caught in a dangerous game orchestrated by Vancia, Peglar’s stepmother, and his vengeful half-brother, Ragul. As Yalka faces the darkness of her captivity, her loyal friend Eylese learns of her plight and sets out on a daring mission to rescue her. However, just as Yalka manages to escape disaster strikes when Peglar is captured and brought before Ragul, now the despotic ruler of the city. He is condemned to die by hanging at the next full moon. Peglar's fate appears sealed and despair grips the hearts of the lovers as they face the looming spectre of their separation, possibly forever. Night falls on the eve of the full moon and a crowd gathers to witness the horror. The ritual begins and Peglar mounts the scaffold. All seems lost but then as the moon rises an unexpected twist of fate sets off a startling and unexpected chain of events. In this exciting tale, treachery and undying love collide, loyalties are tested, sacrifices made, and the power of the human spirit shines bright against the backdrop of a corrupt society. Will Yalka and Peglar find a way to reunite and rewrite their destiny? The answer lies under the hanging moon.
My Thoughts: In A Hanging Moon by Phill Featherstone, the third instalment of the Leopard Bane series, but a book that can be read as a standalone. The protagonists face their most challenging trial. The narrative weaves a tale of suspense, love and treachery with the web of deceit adding a level of depth to the story. The storyline also adds in a sense of urgency at events with palpable tension and an unexpected twist that kept me wanting to read on.
The exploration of loyalty, sacrifice, and the resilience of the human spirit against a corrupt society is skilfully woven into the narrative. The resolution under A Hanging Moon delivers a poignant and satisfying conclusion to this tale with its well crafted plot and engaging characters.
Title: Fog of Silence
Author: S J Richards
Genre: Thriller
Series: Luke Sackville Crime Thrillers Book 3
Publisher: Apple Loft Press
Date Published: 2024
Format: E Book supplied to me by Love Books Tours in return for an honest review
Star Rating: 5***** I loved it and highly recommend
About Book: x-DCI Luke Sackville is asked to investigate celebrity parties by a whistle blower at GNE, a global news and entertainment company. Two of his Ethics Team go undercover and piece together a frightening picture of depravity and wickedness.
Luke is shocked to discover that celebrities are using their fame to exploit and abuse fans. He takes the evidence to GNE’s executive management but they refuse to take action.
Little does he know that what they have uncovered is only the tip of the iceberg. A serial killer is taking advantage of the culture of secrecy and no one is safe.
My Thoughts: Get ready for a rollercoaster ride through the seedy underbelly of fame and power in SJ Richards' latest masterpiece, "Fog of Silence." This gripping crime novel marks the third instalment in the Luke Sackville series, and it's a page-turner from start to finish. Although this book is the third in the series it can be read as a standalone
Richards skilfully weaves a tale of suspense, intrigue, and moral reckoning. The characters, especially the Ethics Team, add relatability to the narrative. Sackville's determination to expose the truth, despite facing powerful adversaries, makes him a protagonist worth rooting for.
The writing style is engaging and is also laced with a sense of humour, making the journey through the dark alleys of crime more enjoyable. Richards excels in building tension, and the pacing is spot-on, keeping readers on the edge of their seats throughout. I did not want to put the book down.
"Fog of Silence" stands out in the crowded crime fiction genre with its unique exploration of the abuse of fame and the consequences of turning a blind eye to the powerful. It's a thought-provoking and exhilarating read that captivates from the first page to the last.
For fans of crime and suspense, "Fog of Silence" is a must-read. SJ Richards delivers a knockout punch with this instalment, solidifying the Luke Sackville series as a powerhouse in contemporary crime fiction. A definite 5-star read—I loved it