Hooked on H: Books Beginning with the Letter H
- Alis Page
- Mar 19
- 13 min read
Updated: Apr 5
Have you ever noticed how many fantastic books beginning with the letter H? When I looked back at my recent reads, I realised just how many incredible stories fall into this category! From fantasy to heart-pounding thrillers, these books have kept me hooked from start to finish. So, if you're hunting for your next read, let me take you through some of my favourite books beginning with H—you might just find a new must-read!
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 4 **** 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: House of Dreams
Author: Mark Stibbe
Genre: Romance Historical
Date Published: 2023
Book Length: 436
Format: Paperback supplied by Love Books Tours in return for an honest review
Star Rating: 5***** I loved it and highly recommend
About Book: Tony Lawson is a world-famous dream therapist, but he hasn’t dreamed in years, and he needs more therapy than he can give. On the day his divorce is finalised, he is driving past a village when he sees a large old house for sale. Walking through the gates, he is captivated by its history and mystery. That night, he starts dreaming again. Drawn by its magic, Tony buys the property and discovers it once belonged to Queen Catherine Parr. As the house tells more and more of its story in Tony’s dreams, Tony is led by both the living and the dead to a startling and seismic discovery – one that will transform both the house of his soul and the soul of his house. House of Dreams is a magical tale about a 500-year-old Tudor house - its ghosts, its traumas, its treasures, and its secrets. It may only have two storeys, but it tells many tales. After reading House of Dreams, you will never see houses in the same way again.
My Thoughts: The House of Dreams by Mark Stibbe starts of in a glorious manner by introducing people slowly. I loved Rakesh the neighbour in Chelsea who seemed so calm you almost felt it oozing of off the page.
The descriptive verse is exquisite the way Stibbe bounces words around makes them sing on the pages and draws you in.
The main protagonist Tony Lawson is a well thought out character, while reading you can almost feel his pain, angst, and insecurities a testament to Stibbes writing prowess.
The House of Dreams has everything, humour that tickles your funny bone, love that tugs at your heart strings, sadness that will make you want to weep and drama that keeps you on the edge of your seat and characters that leap of the page and into your heart. I loved the switches between past and present woven seamlessly through dreams it added a captivating layer of depth and intrigue to the narrative. I laughed and cried throughout; it was an emotional roller coaster that I wanted to rush through to the end but I also wanted to savour every page.
In conclusion a 5***** star book that has it all and I highly recommend.
Title: Hindsight
Author: Mary Turner Thomson
Genre: Dual Destinies
Publisher: The Book Whisperers
Date Published: 2023
Book Length: 244
Format: Paperback supplied by Love Books Tours in return for an honest review
Star Rating: 4**** I loved it and highly recommend
About Book: In a fusion of past and present, Catherine’s world spirals into chaos when a mysterious childhood memory unveils haunting recollections of a life she never lived. The mesmerising saga of Merwynn, a defiant 9th-century Saxon ensnared in Viking intrigue, beckons from deep within her psyche. Every revelation from Merwynn’s era sends ripples through Catherine’s existence as she grapples with the weight of their entwined destinies. Forcing her to confront stark parallels in their quests for love and liberation in worlds that seem determined to chain them. With each layer of Merwynn’s history, Catherine’s own life frays, driving her to a precipice: will she succumb or muster the strength to redefine her destiny? Dive deep into a poignant narrative that examines the essence of identity, the scars of generational trauma, and the transformative effects of empowerment. HINDSIGHT doesn’t merely invite readers to witness a journey - it challenges them to question the very fabric of freedom. Catherine’s desperate search for clarity between illusion and reality is a testament to human resilience and the eternal hope that binds souls across ages.
My Thoughts: Hindsight by Mary Turner Thomson is a book that fuses past with present and as soon as I saw the book cover, I knew I had to read it. Then I read the blurb and I was doubly hooked. I found the book quite calming which is surprising given some of the areas discussed. It did give me time to reflect and think about the different time lines and how Catherines life impacted her form one time line to another. Hindsight is a very thought provoking read, sensitively written. Catherine, the main protagonist, did irritate me at times with her sense of unworthiness, but that became clear by the time the book finished. I did feel the book was slow to start, but it did pick up the pace when the time periods seemed to collide and by then I didn’t want to put the book down. The characters at the beginning felt clear but Mary Turner Thomson disguised the realities really well which leaves you guessing and wanting more.
In conclusion, a through provoking book about how a past life can impact a current life, written well with well thought out characters a must for those of you readers who love a dual time line.
Title: The Heiress
Author: Rachel Hawkins
Genre: Suspense Thriller
Publisher: Headline
Date Published: 2024
Book Length: 305
Star Rating: 4**** I liked it a lot and recommend
About Book: With the death of his adopted mother, Camden McTavish hopes that he can finally be free of his scandalous family. Ruby McTavish was North Carolina's richest woman, and its most notorious: the victim of a famous childhood kidnapping and a widow four times over. Camden settles into a normal life and marries Jules, a woman eager to escape her own messy past. It seems like history might just stay buried...But ten years later, his uncle's death pulls Cam and Jules back into the family fold as sinister questions about the infamous heiress begin to come to light. What truth lies behind Ruby's disappearance as a child? What really happened to those four husbands, all dead in mysterious circumstances? Why did Ruby adopt Cam in the first place? Soon, Jules and Cam will realise that the bonds of family stretch far beyond the grave...
My Thoughts: The Heiress by Rachel Hawkins starts by setting the scene, the book is about a rich woman who leaves her adopted son everything and leaves nothing to anyone else. The book is told from three points of view with snippets from the paper intertwined. I did find the book slow to start with and even wondered where it was going but his was just a minor flaw for me as the book did have me on the edge of seat.
The book does pick up and the two main protagonists, Cam and Jules look deeper into the mysteries that surround Cam’s mother and Hawkins kept me guessing until the very end with twists and turns that were surprising.
The characters are well developed with buried secrets on both sides that kept me guessing again which created a sense of atmosphere and intrigue.
In conclusion The Heiress was a goof read and perfect for those of you that love a good suspense and mystery book that will keep you guessing right up until the very end.
Title: Hold Me
Author: Helen C Kelly
Genre: Romance
Series: Greengrove Series book 3
Publisher: Softwood Books
Date Published: 2024
Book Length: 288
Star Rating: 3*** I liked it, It’s OK
About Book: Dawn had lived in Greengrove all her life. Love had never been a priority in her mind. She had plenty of time for that, especially after watching her twin sister Debbie fall in love and have her heart shattered. Why would you put yourself through that? For the past few years, Dawn had been suffering from ill health. Being given a diagnosis was a double-edged sword. Yes, they now knew what was wrong with her, but now she felt useless. All those things that she had put on hold may now not happen. Falling in love, having children is no longer a possibility who would want to stick around with her now. A chance meeting with one boy she went to school with proved her wrong. Could she believe he could love her and her broken body?
My Thoughts: Hold Me by Helen C Kelly is a modern day romance and is the third book in the Greengrove series and is the first I have read.
The book follows Dawn who suffers with a debilitating illness and thinks she won’t find love because of it.
For me the story feels a little stilted and predictable even with the cast of players the story also feels one dimensional.
However, the description of small village life is funny and charming and the setting that Kelly describes allowed me to get to know the area and its inhabitants.
In conclusion, Hold me does have the potential for a heartfelt romance but it just wasn’t for me, but I think if you love a good old fashioned romance then this book is one for you.
Title: A Haunting in Venice
Author: Agatha Christie
Genre: Mystery
Series: Hercule Poirot Series
Publisher: Harper Collins
Date Published: 2023
Book Length: 266
Format: Paperback I purchased myself
Star Rating: 4**** I liked it a lot and recommend
About Book: When a Hallowe’en party turns deadly, it falls to Hercule Poirot to unmask a murderer…
During a night of party games, Joyce Reynolds boasts that she once witnessed a murder. No one believes her, but then she is found drowned, face down in an apple-bobbing tub.
Set against a night of trickery and the occult, Hercule Poirot and Ariadne Oliver must race to uncover the real evil responsible for this ghastly murder.
My Thoughts Inspired by the film A Haunting in Venice, this special edition of The Halloween Party comes with an introduction by screenwriter Michael Green. As a lifelong fan of Agatha Christie, I found this the perfect book to read for October.
As always, Christie's signature style shines through in this story, with the beloved Hercule Poirot at the helm, quirks and all. His methodical approach to solving crime feels like revisiting an old friend. The prose is comforting, much like being wrapped in a warm blanket—evoking both the charm of a bygone era and the satisfaction of knowing Poirot so well.
While I thoroughly enjoyed the book, there was one small element that detracted from the experience for me. The mention of computers, which appeared more than once, felt out of place for a story set in the late 1960s. Computers wouldn’t have been part of everyday conversation during that time, which made these references feel anachronistic. Because of this, I decided to rate the book 4 stars instead of 5.
Despite this minor issue, the book remained thoroughly enjoyable. Christie's writing, as always, is methodical and genteel, with the investigation unfolding in her trademark meticulous manner. It’s the kind of story that hugs you like a good book should.
In A Haunting in Venice, Agatha Christie continues to captivate with her timeless storytelling, delivering a comforting and engrossing mystery that feels both familiar and fresh. Hercule Poirot remains as endearing as ever, and while the anachronisms slightly mar the immersion, the overall charm of the narrative more than makes up for it. A perfect read for fans of classic mysteries, especially during the spooky season.
Title: Holmes and Moriarty
Author: Gareth Rubin
Genre: Mystery Thriller Historical Crime
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Published Date: 2024
Book Length: 352
Format Read: Hardback
Star Rating: 3*** I liked it, it’s OK
About Book: Two adversaries. One deadly alliance. Together, can they unlock the truth? Sherlock Holmes and his faithful friend, Dr John Watson, have been hired by actor George Reynolds to help him solve a puzzle. George wants them to find out why the audience who comes to see him perform every night are the same people, only wearing disguises. Is something sinister going on and, if so, what? Meanwhile, Holmes’ archenemy, Professor James Moriarty is having problems of his own. Implicated in the murder of a gang leader, Moriarty and his second, Moran, must go on the run from the police in order to find out who is behind the set-up. But their investigation puts them in the way of Holmes and Watson and it’s not long before all four realise that they are being targeted by the same person. With lives on the line, not just their own, they must form an uneasy alliance in order to unmask the true villain. With clues leading them to a hotel in Switzerland and a conspiracy far greater than any of them expected, who can be trusted – and will anyone of them survive?
My Thoughts: Holmes and Moriarty by Gareth Rubin is a historical crime thriller that immediately caught my attention, not only because of its intriguing title but also its classical and elegant cover design. As a fan of all things Sherlock Holmes, I was excited to read this book.
Rubin’s writing aims to capture the style of the original Holmes stories, and while it evokes some of that classic charm, I found myself unconsciously comparing it to Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s work. Unfortunately, it didn’t quite reach the same standard.
One of the challenges I faced while reading was following the narrative. I often felt confused about the events and the narrator's identity, even with the pictures at the beginning of each chapter. While these illustrations were a nice touch, they didn’t always provide the clarity I needed to navigate the story.
That said, as the plot unfolded, I became increasingly intrigued. Rubin introduces a good mix of characters, blending familiar faces with new additions. The interplay between them adds richness to the story, even if the overall experience didn’t fully resonate with me.
Holmes and Moriarty offers an interesting take on the world of Sherlock Holmes, with a historical crime twist and a solid cast of characters. While I appreciated the effort to emulate Doyle’s style, I found it didn’t quite match the original stories’ magic. For die-hard Holmes fans, it’s worth a read, but for me, I think I’ll stick to Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s timeless works.
Title: Hollow Ground
Author: Freya Wallace
Genre: Crime Mystery Thriller
Series: Detective Jacob Knox book 1
Publisher: Hamya Press
Published Date: 2025
Book Length: 244
Format Read: E Book supplied by Zooloos Book Tours in return for an honest review
Star Rating: 5***** I loved it and highly recommend
About Book: In the rugged wilderness of Dartmoor, school teacher Sophie Parsons vanishes without a trace during a weekend trek. For Detective Inspector Jacob Knox, Sophie’s disappearance stirs unsettling echoes of a previous case involving another woman who vanished in the same desolate moorland six months earlier.
As Knox delves deeper, he uncovers the complexities of Sophie’s personal life, including a secret affair with a charismatic colleague and a tense relationship with her long-term boyfriend, Peter. But Sophie’s tangled love life is just the beginning of Knox’s troubles. A local legend about a beast stalking the moors resurfaces, fuelling public fear and media speculation. Is it just a myth, or could something more sinister be at play?
With time running out and the possibility that two women have been claimed by the moor, Knox faces his toughest case yet—one that will test him professionally and personally. As the case unfolds, Knox realizes the dark truths buried beneath the surface of Sophie’s life may be the key to unlocking the mystery.
My Thoughts: Hollow Ground by Freya Wallace is a crime fiction book that immediately grabbed my attention. As someone who lives near Dartmoor, I couldn’t resist picking it up after reading the synopsis.
The story kicks off with a crime that pulled me in right away. The descriptions of Dartmoor are spot on, and while this is a crime novel, it also beautifully captures the essence of the area I know and love. It’s rare to find a book that balances the grit of a crime story with such vivid and heartfelt descriptions of its setting.
I really enjoyed the police procedural elements and absolutely loved Detective Jacob Knox. The characters felt so real as they evolved throughout the book, and I particularly enjoyed the interactions between Jacob and Caleb. Their conversations added a touch of warmth and even made me smile at times.
The book kept me on the edge of my seat. It was intense, with a pace that barely let up—only pausing occasionally to give me a chance to catch my breath. Wallace’s writing is clear, concise, and flows beautifully, making me feel as if I were right there, watching the events unfold.
If you’re a fan of crime fiction with a well-crafted plot, relatable characters, and a strong sense of place, I’d highly recommend Hollow Ground. It’s an engaging and immersive read that stayed with me long after I turned the last page.
And there you have it—some of the best books beginning with H that I’ve read and loved! Whether you’re in the mood for a heartfelt drama, a historical adventure, or a high-stakes thriller, there’s something here for everyone. Have you read any of these? Or do you have a favourite H-titled book I should add to my list? Let me know in the comments—I love hearing your recommendations! Happy reading! 📚✨
Love Alis x
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