What were my favorite (new-to-me) books of the year?

The top rated were Mortal Follies & Confounding Oaths by Alexis Hall, Shady Hollow by Juneau Black, The Masquerades of Spring by Ben Aaronovitch, and Lady Ambition’s Dilemma (2024) by Jane Steen

All of the books belong to series–only two stand-alone books had a rating 8 or higher, but then only 10% of the books I read this year were not part of a series.

Of those books, Vintage topped the publishers, with self-published coming in a respectable second.

• Vintage: 7
• Self-Published: 4
• Berkley: 3
• Del Rey: 2

Book Covers

My favorite covers:

Mortal Follies series by Alexis Hall

I love how these covers are both beautiful and openly queer. But mostly I love how pretty they are.

A Grave Robbery (2024) by Deanna Raybourn

I have loved every single Leo Nickolls cover in this series. They are clearly part of this specific series, but most importantly, they are gorgeous.

 

The Masquerades of Spring (2024) by Ben Aaronovitch

This series (excluding the early American releases) has covers that are clearly part of this specific series (even when they are not set in London and don’t feature London rivers) while still being different, and usually with Easter eggs for that book.

 

The Benevolent Society of Ill-Mannered Ladies (2023) by Alison Goodman

I noticed this cover and decided to give the story a chance because of it. There are so many little bits of the story present, but gives nothing away.

 

 

Self-published books dominated my favorite covers, which really should put the professional publishers still putting out terrible covers to shame.

• Self-Published: 10
• Vintage: 7
• Berkley: 5
• Del Rey: 2

I want to note the artists who had more than one cover I loved this year–especially those who created covers for more than one author.

• Perry De La Vega: 7 (Shady Hollow series)
• Nicole Lecht: 4 (Lily Adler series)
• David Baldeosingh Rotstein: 3 (The Nightingale Mysteries series)
• Leni Kauffman: 2
• Regina Flath: 2
• Rita Frangie: 2 (Mortal Follies series)
• Stephen Walter: 2 (Rivers of London)
• Radiante Mozzarelle: 2 (Mortal Follies series)
• Patrick Knowles: 2 (Rivers of London)
• Kim Killion: 2 (Kat Holloway)
• Jenny Zemanek: 2 (Uncanny Romance)
• Larry Rostant: 2

The Statistics

This was a slow reading year for me–2015 was the last time I read so few books in a year.

I don’t feel bad about it–the ridiculous streak had to end some time. And to keep myself from worrying about it, as always, I set my reading goal to something I knew I’d easily meet.

For many reasons, there was a lot of rereading this year. (Go ahead, ask me about TIAA. Just get comfy because we’ll be here awhile. And I will use a lot of profanity.)

66% rereads in fact.

This was due in large part to the fact I listened to 56 audiobooks–a full third of this year’s books were audiobooks.

I don’t speed up my audiobooks like a lot of people do, because I’m not trying to get through them to read more. I’m just trying to distract myself while doing other tasks. Audiobooks allow me to read when I can’t focus, and allow me to remain on my feet and moving when I can’t settle down.

Since I can (and have) easily finish two books in a day, needing a week or two to finish an audiobook slows things down significantly.

But, as I said, audiobooks allow me to enjoy reading when I am unable to sit down and focus, and keep me from just lying on the sofa playing solitaire games on the computer.

I did read new-to-me books this year, however, I realized that most of the new books I read were part of a series.

If I read a new (or new-to-me) book, it was likely to be part of a series.

This is because the same factors that lead me to reread also come into play with an ongoing series: I already know the characters, I already know the authors style and writing, and I generally know the feel and flow of the book (is it cozy? is there a HEA?)

Although I read more mysteries than anything else, when you add in secondary genres (romantasy, fantasy mysteries) things evened out.

Am I frustrated my TBR pile continues to grow and is overwhelmingly huge? Yes. But if I’m lucky, this year will be less complicated (and less miserable than the past five years) and I’ll be able to read all the new books that interested me, but I couldn’t bring myself to start.

So this year I read 173 books. I listened to more audiobooks than ever, and if I had more reareads than ever, at least I enjoyed most of the books I read. My lowest rated book was a 3 (that was for a comic I was expecting not to like but read primarily for completion) and my average rating was 8, which meant it was quite enjoyable.

And that’s 2024.

Book Covers

• Romance Covers
• Mystery Covers
• Fantasy Covers

The Books

• Audio
• Romance
• Mystery
• Fantasy

Nightingale Mysteries by Katharine Schellman

Historical, Queer

In NYC during prohibition, a young woman who works as a seamstress and spends her nights at a speakeasy comes across the body of a murdered man.

If they had been out on the street, Vivian knew that Bea would have never spoken to the distinguished white man at all, and he would never have glanced at the Black waitress or her Irish friend, no matter how pretty they were or polite he was. But the rules could be different behind back-alley doors with no addresses.

This series is much darker than her Lily Adler series.

(W)orking at a dressmaker’s shop meant they both had to be fashionable at work, though not too fashionable or customers would think they were getting above themselves. Miss Ethel, the shop’s owner, preferred her seamstresses and shopgirls to look a little conservative—to counteract what she clearly believed were the loose morals of any girl without a family supporting her in the city.

Both series have characters of color and queer characters, but Lily Adler is a comfortably settled widow while Vivian and her friends live always on the edge of poverty and disaster.

Rating: 7.5/10 to 8.5/10

Published by Minotaur

Last Call at the Nightingale (2022) 8.5/10, The Last Drop of Hemlock (2023) 8/10, The Last Note of Warning (2024) 7.5/10

The Benevolent Society of Ill-Mannered Ladies (2023) by Alison Goodman

Historical, Queer

Gus and her twin sister are spinsters who, while they have a comfortable existence, still have to follow the demands of society and are dictated to by their younger brother.

It was also true that after I learned about coverture from my reading, I became less and less inclined to hand over my half of our inherited fortune and all my legal and property rights—including the rights of my own body—to a husband. It would have to be a grand love, indeed, for me to willingly merge so completely with a man that I was all but legally obliterated. Most women did not have the choice to say no, but I did.

When they inadvertently become involved in intrigue, Gus discovers she enjoys the adventure and becomes involved in several other adventures.

Be sure to check the trigger warnings for this book–there are quite a few mostly related to the times in which they lived.

Rating: 8/10

Published by Berkley Prime Crime

(The Ill-Mannered Ladies)

Kat Holloway / Below Stairs Mysteries by Jennifer Ashley

Mrs.Holloway’s Christmas Pudding* (2023),  Speculations in Sin (2024), A Measure of Menace* (2024)

Historical, Novella*

This year I read two novellas and one novel in this series. All three were very good, although I’m not certain you could jump into the series at this point.

Rating: 8/10 to 8.5/10

Self-Published / Published by Berkley

Kat Holloway: A Soupçon of Poison (2015), Death Below Stairs (2018), Scandal Above Stairs (2018), Death in Kew Gardens (2019), Murder in the East End (2020), Death at the Crystal Palace (2021), The Secret of Bow Lane (2022), The Price of Lemon Cake (2023), Mrs. Holloway’s Christmas Pudding (2023), Speculations in Sin (2024), A Measure of Menace (2024)

A Scandal in Mayfair (2024) Katharine Schellman

Historical

I’ve been listening to this series and am enjoying spending more time in this world.

I like best the mysteries and the dialog.

As Lily made her way down the stairs, she heard Amelia asking, “Can you teach me to pick locks too?”

“Certainly, miss,” Jem replied, at the same time as Jack declared,

“Absolutely not.”

Rating: 8.5/10

Published by Crooked Lane Books

Lily Adler: The Body in the Garden (2020), Silence in the Library (2021), Death at the Manor (2022), Murder at Midnight (2023)

Lady Ambition’s Dilemma (2024) Jane Steen

Historical

This series has a new book every couple years, and I wish she were able to write faster.

Lady Helena has a large family, and despite the spread in their ages (she has nieces and nephews her own age) they are close and regularly involved in each others lives (whether Helena wants them or not).

The third book finds one of Helena’s nephews embroiled in scandal and murder, but more than that we learn more about her friends and the world in which she lives.

This series doesn’t have witty dialog, but it has characters who care about each other and are interesting in their own rights.

“It hasn’t helped to have Jonathan here, reminding us all he can fight and ride and stride around in that ridiculous uniform while I play children’s games. I’m angry—not at him, but at this.” He put his good hand under the elbow of his withered arm, lifting it into view.

“This doesn’t make you less of a man.” I caught his twisted right hand in mine, caressing it.

Rating: 9/10

Published by Aspidistra Press

Lady Helena Investigates: Lady Helena Investigates (2018), Lady Odelia’s Secret (2022), Lady Ambition’s Dilemma (2024)

The Books of 2024

I listened to a LOT of audiobooks this year: 33% of this year’s books, in fact. That’s more audiobooks in number and percent of books read than any year previously. Half of this year’s fantasies and 30% of this year’s mysteries were audiobooks.  (But no romance audiobooks. It’s hard to skip the boinking bits on audio.)

Mostly it was because I have been struggling to focus, and audiobooks allow me to do something else while listening (walking, cleaning, baking). So I still get to enjoy stories even when I can’t focus to read.

Winter’s Gifts, Audio Book by Ben Aaronovitch narrated by Penelope Rawlins

Fantasy, Mystery

The audio version, although good, got dinged because the narrator kinda failed the midwest accents. Aside from that, I always pick up things when listening to a Rivers of London book that missed when reading.

Rating: 8/10

Published by Tantor Audio

Rivers of London: Midnight Riot (2011), Moon Over Soho (2011), Whispers Under Ground (2012), Broken Homes (2014), Foxglove Summer (2014), The Hanging Tree (2017), The Furthest Station (2017), Lies Sleeping (2018), The October Man (2019),  False Value (2020), Tales from the Folly: A Rivers of London Short Story Collection (2020), What Abigail Did That Summer (2021), Amongst Our Weapons (2022), Winter’s Gifts (2023), The Masquerades of Spring (2024)

A Wizard’s Guide To Defensive Baking, Audiobook (2021) T. Kingfisher narrated by Patricia Santomasso

Fantasy, YA

This story is just delightful, and the narration–especially for a self-published book.

Rating: 8.5/10

Published by Tantor Audio

The Saint of Steel by T. Kingfisher narrated by Joel Richards

Fantasy, Romance

Paladin’s Grace, Audiobook (2021) 9/10,  Paladin’s Strength, Audiobook (2021) 8.5/10, Paladin’s Hope, Audiobook (2022) 8/10, Paladin’s Faith, Audiobook (2024) 8/10

This series was slightly problematic to listen to, since the stories are romances with boinking. But I mostly managed to skip forward so I didn’t have to listen.

Published by Tantor Audio

Lily Adler Mysteries by Katharine Schellman narrated by Henrietta Meire

Mystery, Historical

The Body in the Garden, Audiobook (2020) 8/10, Silence in the Library, Audiobook (2020) 8.5/10, Death at the Manor, Audiobook (2022) 8.5/10, Murder at Midnight, Audiobook (2023) 8.5/10, A Scandal in Mayfair, Audiobook (2024) 9/10

Although I initially found the narrators voice a bit to soft and weak at the start of the first book, I soon came to enjoy the narration.

Published by Dreamscape Media

The Books of 2024

Two Wrongs Make a Right (2022) Chloe Liese

Queer, Neurodiversity, Boinking

Although she writes other kinds of characters, my favorite Chloe Liese books are the ones with neurodiversity and characters who live with mental health issues.

Rules serve the people who fit readily within their boundaries and gain an advantage in their being enforced.

“I have anxiety, compulsions. I take medication and go to therapy.”

Of course they’re more than that–they are romances–but they have characters who live in the real world and have real issues, so you might want to check the trigger warnings here.

Rating: 9/10

Published by Berkley

(The Wilmot Sisters #1)

The Mistletoe Motive (2021) Chloe Liese

Queer, Neurodiversity, Boinking

This book is less angsty, what with being a holiday novella, but the main character does deal with things that can be hard.

Jonathan glances up and meets my eyes, his gaze speaking some cryptic language that I don’t.

I hate that feeling. It’s old and familiar, and it never fails to scrape open the scab of my social struggles. I’m a neurodivergent girl in a neurotypical world, and my autistic brain doesn’t read people the way Jonathan Tactical-Mastermind Frost’s does. It’s one of the very first things that made me dislike him: I can feel his cunning, his cold, calculating mind. He has what I don’t, he sees what I can’t, and he wields those weapons ruthlessly. It’s exactly why the Baileys hired him.

Because he’s everything I’m not.

And in my worst moments, that makes me feel like I’m not enough.

Rating: 8/10

Published by Kobo Originals

Waiting for the Flood (2015/2024) Alexis Hall

Queer, Boinking *

Alexis Hall has been reissuing his Spires series, and as this is one of my favorites, I wanted to see the changes as well as the second story about Edwin’s ex.

I still love Edwin;s story, and it’s still one of my favorites.

This is the story of my life: standing on the edges of things and worrying, when I’m supposed to just walk through them.

Marius, however, I still struggled to like. And I love how Alexis Hall noted how he struggled with the story.

Alexis: Slightly concerned that opening Marius’s book with him being a dick to Edwin is sort of like DS9 opening with Sisko being a dick to Picard. Like, it’s a lot. But it also felt right.

However, Marius is no Sisko.

Rating: 9/10

Published by Sourcebooks Casablanca

Spires: Glitterland (2018), Waiting for the Flood (2018), For Real (2018)

Do Me a Favor (2024) Cathy Yardley

Boinking

Like Role Playing, this book has older protagonists, people who have lived.

There’s nothing wrong with fresh-faced young characters, but there’s something more about characters who have already lived and know what they like and don’t like.

“I can take care of it,” she countered. “I don’t . . .”

“I can’t tell you how many times I had to do this for the kids,” he said, sidetracking her argument and shepherding her against the counter. “I’m a pro, basically.”

She looked a cross between confused and amused. “Practically a doctor.”

It’s sweet and lovely and I very much enjoy books where there is not a Big Misunderstanding in the third act.

Rating: 8/10

Published by Montlake

Role Playing (2023), Do Me a Favor (2024)

The Siren of Sussex  (2022) Mimi Matthews

Historical

This is the story of a young woman who has a single season to find a husband and (hopefully) change the futures of her younger sisters.

“Because his riding costumes are beautiful. And because they make the ladies who wear them beautiful, too. It’s a sort of magic, I believe. To create clothing that can do that for a person. That can transform them into something extraordinary.”

And it’s the story of a young man who came to London with his young cousin and is trying to make his way in a world that doesn’t accept him.

“The British soldiers often take native women to wife. They have children. Entire families. Nowadays, the soldiers are encouraged to make such marriages legal, but in decades past, the arrangements were nothing more than unlawful conveniences, contrived for the man’s comfort.”

And it’s about horses and dressmaking and falling in love with the wrong person.

Rating: 8/10

Published by Jove

(Belles of London #1)

The Books of 2024

Murder on Hunter’s Eve (2024) Morgan Stang

Steampunk, Queer

Honestly, I had completely forgotten the bit at the end of the previous book that would have kept events in this book from being so surprising.

(A)n old, blind woman sat nearby the entrance, holding up a bowl filled with money.

“Hmm, complimentary currency,” said Mr Homes, rubbing at his chin. “Seems rather fishy.”

Self-Published

Rating: 8/10

Lamplight Murder Mysteries: Murder at Spindle Manor (2022), Murder on the Lamplight Express (2023), Murder on Hunter’s Eve (2024)

Shady Hollow Mysteries by Juneau Black

Mystery, Cozy

I debated whether to categorize this series primarily as fantasy or mystery, and went back and forth several times. It’s a mystery series, and there aren’t any magical elements–except for the fact all the characters are animals.

If you changed the characters to humans you wouldn’t have to change about the story, aside from a few bits I found delightful.

Orville and Meade examined the tree. “Look like teeth marks,” Meade said. “Could be muskrat or beaver.”

The beavers standing nearby huffed with offended pride. “We would never!” one declared.

“And, anyway, we’ve got tools for that!” another added, lifting a long saw the team had brought along.

A third beaver said, “Yeah, we’re not barbarians.”

But many passages could stand as they are.

“Ah, but now you have the important phrase on the advice of counsel. That helps a lot. I’ll write up a letter, too, for you to shove in Stone’s face when he gets overeager.”

“And what if he gets so mad that he fires me?”

“He’d be a fool to do that,” Mr. Fallow said promptly. “Everyone knows you’re one of his best reporters. But just in case, I’ll add a paragraph explaining that it would be actionable if you were to lose your job as a result of your ethical stance. No one wants to be on the receiving end of actionable.”

Regardless, I picked up the first book and had to fight not to binge the rest of the series.

Ratings: 8/10 to 9/10

Published by Vintage Crime/Black Lizard

Shady Hollow (2015), Cold Clay (2017), Mirror Lake (2020), Evergreen Chase (2021), Phantom Pond (2023), Twilight Falls (2023), Summers End (2024)

Mortal Follies series by Alexis Hall

Historical, Romance, Queer

This is Alexis Hall at his most snarky and delightful. The guardrails completely fall away when he’s writing in a fantasy world, so be fully prepared for a romp.

A loud bang echoed through the house.

“Ah.” The Duke of Annadale rose. “We should go. It appears one of your friends has found my pistol.”

…

“There was a shot.”

“Oh, yes.” Casually, Miss Bickle indicated the baize-inlaid box that lay open just behind her. It still contained one unfired pistol. “I found those under the bed and wondered whether they were loaded. It seems they were.”

Which is not to say there isn’t plenty of social commentary for our world.

“I am—you must surely realise—in a most compromising position and should any gentleman happen upon me in this state, I would be quite ruined.”

“Then you should have had the foresight to be born richer or more male.”

I mean.

And whereas in the enlightened twenty-first century the marriage of a British aristocrat to a Person of Colour is a wholly unremarkable thing that results in no hostility whatsoever, in the bad old days of the 1800s it caused quite a scandal.

Ratings: 9/10

Published by Del Rey

Mortal Follies (2023), Confounding Oaths (2024)

Uncanny Romance series by Lish McBride

Supernatural, Romance, Boinking

This is a supernatural romance, but like all of Lish McBride’s books, the world-building is the best part.

Well, ok, also the dialog.

He cocked his head to the side. “What does evening goth smell like?”

“Coffee, clove, and ennui.” I picked up my bag. “The ennui is there in the morning, but it takes all day for the smell to really set in.”

These are not, however, cozy stories (aside from the boinking), as several of the characters have to deal with toxic families / relationships and other

It was one of those moments where I was just so exhausted with myself.

Unfortunately, I couldn’t take turns being anyone else.

Rating: 9/10

Self-Published

A Little Too Familiar (2022) 8/10, Rough Around the Hedges (2023)

The Masquerades of Spring (2024) Ben Aaronovitch

Mystery, Historical, Queer, Novella

This Rivers of London novella takes Nightingale across the ocean, and is written from the POV of the school mate with whom he is staying.

Nightingale danced just the way I’d expected him to, with grace and precision but with no sense that he was letting go or losing himself in the music.

It’s Prohibition NYC. It’s the 1920s jazz scene. And it’s an historical delve into queer culture of the time.

Also, for the first time Nightingale is explicitly ace.

“I’ve never really understood what you might call physical love,” said Nightingale. “But I do understand the bonds of friendship and family.”

Rating: 9/10

Published by Subterranean Press

Rivers of London: Midnight Riot (2011), Moon Over Soho (2011), Whispers Under Ground (2012), Broken Homes (2014), Foxglove Summer (2014), The Hanging Tree (2017), The Furthest Station (2017), Lies Sleeping (2018), The October Man (2019),  False Value (2020), Tales from the Folly: A Rivers of London Short Story Collection (2020), What Abigail Did That Summer (2021), Amongst Our Weapons (2022), Winter’s Gifts (2023), The Masquerades of Spring (2024)

The Books of 2024

Below Stairs Mysteries by Jennifer Ashley

Cover design by Kim Killion. Self-Published.

Cover design by Larry Rostant. Published by Berkley (Penguin).

The main books in this series are published by Berkley, however, she has self-published several novellas in this series.

The novellas all feature a kitchen or dining table setting, and the fonts match those of the traditionally published books.

The novels all feature a woman on a staircase (to match the Below Stairs series name).

One nit is that the yellow of the woman’s dress stands out too much from the background–it doesn’t quite look like it belongs.

Kat Holloway: A Soupçon of Poison (2015), Death Below Stairs (2018), Scandal Above Stairs (2018), Death in Kew Gardens (2019), Murder in the East End (2020), Death at the Crystal Palace (2021), The Secret of Bow Lane (2022), The Price of Lemon Cake (2023),
Mrs. Holloway’s Christmas Pudding (2023), Speculations in Sin (2024), A Measure of Menace (2024)

A Deceptive Composition (2024) by Anna Lee Huber

Cover art by Larry Rostant. Published by Berkley (Penguin).

This series has the same cover artist as above, but I don’t think it’s obvious they are the same.

Lady Darby is a painter and the covers of these books often feel a bit like paintings, and though the color schemes and settings are different for every book, they still have a similar feel.

Lady Darby: The Anatomist’s Wife (2012), Mortal Arts (2013), A Grave Matter (2014), A Study in Death (2015), A Pressing Engagement (2016), As Death Draws Near (2016), A Brush with Shadows (2018), An Artless Demise (2019), A Stroke of Malice (2020), A Wicked Conceit (2021), A Perilous Perspective (2022), A Fatal Illusion (2023)

Lady Ambition’s Dilemma (2024) by Jane Steen

Cover design by Rachel Lawston & Alexandra Allden. Published by Aspidistra Press.

This book was (to me at least) quite clearly part of of the Lady Helena series, with the black silhouette, the house, and the botanical borders.

I love all the covers of this series. They are very clearly historicals, but the elements and how they are put together feel timeless.

Lady Helena Investigates: Lady Helena Investigates (2018), Lady Odelia’s Secret (2022), Lady Ambition’s Dilemma (2024)

A Scandal in Mayfair (2024) by Katharine Schellman

Cover design by Nicole Lecht. Published by Crooked Lane Books (Quick Brown Fox & Company).

This is yet another series where I love all the covers.

I only just saw that the elements of this cover are similar to that of the Lady Helena series (Silhouette, house element, botanical border) but they are also clearly different series.

Again, these covers look timeless, and are lovely.

Lily Adler Mysteries: The Body in the Garden (2020), Silence in the Library (2021), Death at the Manor (2022), Murder at Midnight (2023)

Nightingale Mysteries by Katharine Schellman

Last Call at the Nightingale (2022) The Last Drop of Hemlock (2023), The Last Note of Warning (2024)Cover design by David Baldeosingh Rotstein. Published by Minotaur (Macmillan).

Although this is the same author it’s different series and different publisher and very clearly a different time period.

I think the covers of the other series are prettier, but these are still good. They give you not just a feel for the time period (the Roaring 20s) but also place–a speakeasy in NYC.

And the art deco font and design elements also contribute to the sense of time and place.

A Grave Robbery (2024) by Deanna Raybourn

Cover design & art by Leo Nickolls. Published by Berkley (Penguin).

Yet another excellent cover in this series. I love how all the elements combine to make this clearly a Veronica Speedwell book.

Veronica Speedwell: A Curious Beginning (2015), A Perilous Undertaking (2017), A Treacherous Curse (2018), A Dangerous Collaboration (2019), A Murderous Relation (2020), An Unexpected Peril (2021), An Impossible Impostor (2022)

Who Cries for the Lost, Audiobook (2023) by C.S. Harris

Cover design by Adam Auerbach. Published by Berkley (Penguin).

I did a lot of catching up on this series this year, although I am still not fully caught up.

The mysterious element is always stronger in this series, with the feeling of fog and things lurking.

This series is one that led me to discover that I don’t like seeing photographed faces of the main characters–the model they chose at one point looked nothing like the mental image I have of Sebastian and was jarring every time I looked at it.

This is much preferable.

Sebastian St. Cyr: What Angels Fear (2005), When Gods Die (2006), Why Mermaids Sing (2007), Where Serpents Sleep (2008), What Remains of Heaven (2009), Where Shadows Dance (2011), When Maidens Mourn (2012), What Darkness Brings (2013), Why Kings Confess (2014), Who Buries the Dead (2015), When Falcons Fall (2016), Where the Dead Lie (2017), Why Kill the Innocent (2018), Who Slays the Wicked (2019), Who Speaks for the Damned (2020), What the Devil Knows (2021), When Blood Lies (2022), Who Cries for the Lost (2023)

The Benevolent Society of Ill-Mannered Ladies (2023) by Alison Goodman

Cover design by Rita Frangie & cover illustration by Sveta Dorosheva. Published by Berkley Prime Crime (Penguin).

This is a new series and the cover is what caught my eye and drew me to look further.

The colors are gorgeous and I love the mirror image women (the main character is one of a set of twins) and the very subtle weapons.

(The Ill-Mannered Ladies)

Corpse at Captain’s Seat (2024) by Josh Lanyon

Cover design by K.B. Smith. Self-Published.

This isn’t one of my favorite covers, but it matches the series and the story, and it is well-done, especially for a self-published story.

Secrets & Scrabble: Murder at Pirate’s Cove (2020), Secret at Skull House (2020), Mystery at the Masquerade (2021), Scandal at the Salty Dog (2021), Lament at Loon Landing (2023), Body at Buccaneer’s Bay (2021), Corpse at Captain’s Seat (2024)

The Murder of Mr. Ma (2024) by John Shen Yen Nee & S.J. Rozan

I didn’t find a cover artist listed. Published by Soho Crime.

Yet another mystery set in the 1920s, with some art deco elements, but as it isn’t set in London, you don’t get the feel of crime and other things just below the surface you get with Prohibition in the US.

You also get the kung-fu elements in the cover.

(A Dee and Lao Mystery #1)

An Art Lover’s Guide to Paris and Murder (2024) by Dianne Freeman

I don’t know why Kensington won’t list the cover artist. It’s annoying.

This is probably my least favorite cover of this series, but it does accurately depict scenes from the story, as well as the time period.

Published by Kensington.

A Countess of Harleigh Mystery: A Lady’s Guide to Etiquette and Murder (2018), A Lady’s Guide to Gossip and Murder (2019), A Lady’s Guide to Mischief and Murder (2020), A Fiancée’s Guide to First Wives and Murder (2021), A Bride’s Guide to Marriage and Murder (2022), A Newlywed’s Guide to Fortune and Murder (2023)

Berkley again dominates the good covers for mysteries category, but I’m delighted they have plenty of competition.

Berkley: 5
Minotaur: 3
Self-published: 3
Aspidistra Press: 1
Kensington: 1
Crooked Lane Books: 1
Soho: 1

The Books of 2024

The Mistletoe Motive (2021) by Chloe Liese

Cover illustration by Leni Kauffman, cover design by Monika Roe. Published by Kobo (Rakuten).

Nit: She is falling off that ladder.

Aside from that, I love the deep red and the stars and the snowflakes that make it a winter holiday book.

And the ridiculously tall wall of books.

Ex Appeal (2022) by Cathy Yardley

Cover design & illustration by Philip Pascuzzo. Published by Montlake (Amazon).

This matches the other book in this series I’ve read.

It’s simple, but has the important elements, such as reptiles, fish, and even computer code, and I love that the snake is making half the heart.

Ponto Beach Reunion: Gouda Friends (2022), Ex Appeal (2022)

Do Me a Favor (2024) by Cathy Yardley

Cover design by Molly von Borstel & cover illustration by Leni Kauffman. Published by Montlake (Amazon).

This is a pinch more professional looking than the previous cover, which is to be expected I think since this was published after the other series.

More interestingly (to me) although it is not part of a series, this book and Role Playing both have a similar feel, which is nice since they both feature older protagonists. Both covers have more of a cuddling feel than a hot and heavy spicy feel, which I also liked.

Hen Fever: A Sapphic Victorian Romance (2022) by Olivia Waite

Self-published.

I love this entirely because of the chicken.

Curio (2024) by C.S. Poe

Cover Art by Reese Dante. Self-published.

I’m a sucker for old photographs.

It’s a relatively simple and plain cover, but the pictures are eye catching and what drew my attention to the book.

The Siren of Sussex  (2022) by Mimi Matthews

Cover design by Farjana Yasmin. Published by Jove (Berkley).

I admit I’m slightly concerned about the size of the horse as compared to the size of the woman, I do love how competent she looks on horseback. And the swath of green fabric is eye catching and also perfect for the story.

(Belles of London #1)

Although Berkley has excellent mystery covers, as usual, they don’t even have a showing in the romance category.

Self-published: 2
Montlake: 2
Jove: 1
Kobo: 1

(Leni Kauffman: 2)

The Books of 2024

Mortal Follies series by Alexis Hall

Cover design by Regina Flath & cover illustration by Radiante Mozzerell. Published by Del Rey (Penguin).

These covers are so pretty!

I like the font face a little better on Confounding Oaths, as well as the white text on the black background, but I prefer how much cleaner the author name is on Mortal Follies, and the addition of the tag line.

But those are truly nits, since overall these are stunning covers.

Mortal Follies (2023),  Confounding Oaths (2024)

Shady Hollow Mysteries by Juneau Black

Cover design & illustrations by Perry De La Vega. Published by Vintage (Penguin).

Yes, I did discover and then tear through this entire series this year, and there is not a single thing I don’t adore about these covers. They’re cute, they’re consistent, and they show the characters without giving anything away.

LOVE!

Shady Hollow (2015), Cold Clay (2017), Mirror Lake (2020), Evergreen Chase (2021), Phantom Pond (2023), Twilight Falls (2023), Summers End (2024)

Uncanny Romance series by Lish McBride

Cover design & illustration by Jenny Zemanek. Self-published.

Another set of covers I love. I might not be a fan of faceless characters, but they work for me here, especially since the figures are smaller, and allow the other design elements to stand out.

Like the above two series, these are clearly related books, yet also clearly about two different sets of characters.

A Little Too Familiar (2022) 8/10, Rough Around the Hedges (2023)

Socially Orcward (2021) by Lisa Henry and Sarah Honey

Cover by Steph Westerik. Self-published.

The pictures and design are seemingly simple, yet they give you an accurate feel of Dave the Orc, and that this book definitely does not take itself seriously.

I love it when self-published books nail the cover.

(Adventures in Aguillon)

Breeze Spells and Bridegrooms (2024) by Sarah Wallace, S.O. Callahan

Cover art by Caras Alexandra. Self-published.

Another excellent self-published cover.

It’s an accurate portrayal of the two characters and their dynamic. Although the title is a little twisty, it’s not illegible, and the background elements give a finished look to the whole thing rather working as a distraction.

I was actually surprised to discover this was self-published and not professionally published.

(Fae & Human Relations)

Murder on Hunter’s Eve (2024) by Morgan Stang

Cover design by Etheric Designs. Self-published.

Although the color changed from blue and gold to red and black, the design matches the second book and ties all three books together. It’s not a complicated cover but it’s still elegant and very well executed very eye-catching.

Lamplight Murder Mysteries: Murder at Spindle Manor (2022), Murder on the Lamplight Express (2023)

Somewhere Beyond the Sea (2024) by T.J. Klune

Cover by Chris Sickles. Published by Tor (Macmillan)

This is clearly related to the cover of the first book, with the same house seemingly teetering on the edge of a cliff, which reflects the insecure nature of the lives of the characters.

Cerulean Chronicles: The House in the Cerulean Sea (2020)

The Masquerades of Spring (2024) by Ben Aaronovitch

Cover map image by Stephen Walter, title lettering by Patrick Knowles & interior art by Giles Meakin. Published by Subterranean Press

I think I love every cover of every book in this series, and how you immediately know you’re looking at a Rivers of London story.

Rivers of London: Midnight Riot (2011), Moon Over Soho (2011), Whispers Under Ground (2012), Broken Homes (2014), Foxglove Summer (2014), The Hanging Tree (2017), The Furthest Station (2017), Lies Sleeping (2018), The October Man (2019),  False Value (2020), Tales from the Folly: A Rivers of London Short Story Collection (2020), What Abigail Did That Summer (2021), Amongst Our Weapons (2022), Winter’s Gifts (2023)

If I hadn’t discovered and read the entire Shady Hollow series, self-published books would have dominated the fantasy category.

Vintage: 5
Self-published: 5
Del Rey: 2
Tor: 1
Subterranean Press: 1

The Books of 2024

It’s been another rough year, and a lot of things have fallen by the wayside, but as I enjoy looking back at what I read through the year, I’m going to make sure I get this round-up done.

The crappy year does mean, however, that I have done a LOT of rereading. Additionally, I’ve been unable to focus, so I’ve listened to a lot of audiobooks, which makes the number of rereads even higher (since I almost never listen to a book I’ve not read before).

As of right now, I’ve read 23 books published this year and 15 books published in 2023.  67% of the books this year were rereads, which is a record for me (last year was 65%).

But I was reading, so I shan’t berate myself for my obscenely large TBR pile.

As a reminder, my ratings are based on my personal feelings about a book. It could be this was the wrong time for me to read a book, or it could be a book that is subjectively good but is really NOT for me (hello dystopias).

The round-up will start (of course) with book covers, and end with my love of statistics.

Book Covers

• Romance Covers
• Mystery Covers
• Fantasy Covers

The Books

• Audio
• Romance
• Mystery
• Fantasy
• Final Roundup

The links on this post will be updated as the posts are published.

Previous Years

• The Books of 2023
• The Books of 2022
• The Books of 2021
• The Books of 2020
• The Books of 2019
• The Books of 2018
• The Books of 2017
• The Books of 2016
• The Books of 2015
• The Books of 2014
• The Books of 2013
• The Books of 2012
• The Books of 2011
• The Books of 2010
• The Books of 2009
• The Books of 2008

Somewhat anti-climatic after my end-of-the-year roundup, but here it is anyway: the books I read in December.

Multiple new reads here–including two audio-first books. (I almost never listen to audio books I haven’t already read.) It most likely worked because I had a lot of organization and cleaning and sorting I needed to do.

So yay for T. Kingfisher! But it was weird hearing Khristine Hvam narrate something that wasn’t by Faith Hunter. Clocktaur War series by T. Kingfisher

Great entries into Richard Osman‘s Thursday Murder Club series and Stephen Spotswood‘s Pentecost & Parker series.

I was expecting to love The Last Devil to Die , but I’d put off reading Secrets Typed in Blood because I wasn’t certain I was in the mood for it.

There were also great continuations of fantasy series I’ve been reading. Morgan Stang’s books aren’t going to be for everyone, but I quite enjoyed them. And of course I read the latest Saint of Steel book as soon as it came out.

Mystery

• The Last Devil to Die (2023) Richard Osman (Thursday Murder Club) 9/10
• Secrets Typed in Blood (2022) Stephen Spotswood (Pentecost & Parker) 8/10
• So Shall You Reap (2023) Donna Leon (Commissario Brunetti) 7/10
• Board to Death (2023) Cj Connor (A Board Game Shop Mystery) 5/10

Romance

• Muscle Cub (2023) Slade James (Bear Camp) 7/10

Fantasy

• Murder on the Lamplight Express (2023) Morgan Stang (The Lamplight Murder Mysteries) 8.5/10
• Paladin’s Faith (2023) T. Kingfisher (The Saint of Steel) 8/10

Audio Books

• Rivers of London by Ben Aaronovitch narrated by Kobna Holdbrook-Smith: Midnight Riot, Audio Book (2012) 9.5/10, Moon Over Soho, Audio Book (2012) 8.5/10, Broken Homes, Audio Book (2014) 9.5/10
• Clocktaur War by T. Kingfisher narrated by Khristine Hvam: Clockwork Boys, Audio Book (2017/2019) 8.5/10, The Wonder Engine, Audio Book (2018/2019) 8.5/10
• Swordheart, Audio Book (2018/2021) T. Kingfisher narrated by Jesse Vilinsky 8/10

 

Now for all the bits and pieces and data!

2023 Covers

I do so love a pretty book cover.

As has happened every year since I started reading the series, the cover from the latest Veronica Speedwell book was a favorite (The first book in the series initially had a different style cover–the designs they’re using now started with the second book). This one, like the rest, are utterly gorgeous.

A Sinister Revenge (2023) Deanna Raybourn

Cover design & illustration by Leo Nickolls. Published by Berkley (Penguin)

Veronica Speedwell: A Curious Beginning (2015), A Perilous Undertaking (2017), A Treacherous Curse (2018), A Dangerous Collaboration (2019), A Murderous Relation (2020), An Unexpected Peril (2021), An Impossible Impostor (2022)

Also making another appearance is Allie Therin‘s Magic in Manhattan series.

I really deeply love the monochrome covers and the art deco elements. They are clean and eye catching, and I find them very pretty.

Once a Rogue (2023) Allie Therin Published by Carina Press. Unfortunately, Carina Press doesn’t credit their cover artists which, as I have repeatedly noted, is a shame.

Magic in Manhattan: Spellbound (2019), Starcrossed (2020), Wonderstruck (2021)
Roaring Twenties Magic: Proper Scoundrels (2021), Once a Rogue (2023)

To the best of my memory, this is the first year Berkley hasn’t had the highest number of great covers. But pretty sure that’s because I only read four books published by Berkley this year.

Publishers with multiple covers I loved:

• Self-Published: 6
• Crooked Lane Books: 6
• Blue Octopus Press: 4
• Berkley: 3
• Viking: 4
• Tor: 3

We’ve come a long way in self-published covers; I adore that authors of self-published books are giving us so many gorgeous covers.

My favorite covers of 2023:

Fantasy       Mystery       Romance       Science Fiction

 

2023 Books

Aside from the audio book of Blitz (I read Blitz last December, so it didn’t seem quite fair to point it out as a ten for this year),  I didn’t have any 9.5 or 10 reads that were new-to-me this year, but I did have several new (to me at least) books that had a 9/10 rating.

• Silence in the Library by Katharine Schellman
• The Bookshop and the Barbarian by Morgan Stang
• The Thursday Murder Club series by Richard Osman: The Thursday Murder Club, The Man Who Died Twice, The Bullet That Missed, The Last Devil to Die

However.

I’m pretty sure that upon a reread, there are multiple books that will get a higher rating. They just weren’t what I needed to help get out of my brain when I read them, or I didn’t have enough spare processing power to really get everything. So take that into consideration if you peruse my reviews.

Publishers with multiple books I loved.

• Berkley (Penguin): 2
• Subterranean Press (Independent): 2
• Tor (Macmillan): 3
• Crooked Lane Books (Independent):4
• Viking (Penguin): 4
• Self-Published: 10

Obviously not enough numbers to be more than anecdata, but here are the publishers whose books I read most frequently this year (the number of books by that publisher) and the average rating for that publisher..

• Self-Published (31) Average Rating: 7.58
• Tor (13) Average Rating: 9.15
• Carina (10) Average Rating: 8.50
• Crooked Lane Books (8) Average Rating: 7.44
• William Morrow (8) Average Rating: 7.19
• Riptide Publishing (8) Average Rating: 7.88
• Audible Studios (5) Average Rating: 7.90
• Blue Octopus Press (4) Average Rating: 6.63

My favorite books of 2023:

Fantasy       Mystery       Romance       Science Fiction       Audio Books      

 

Genres

I use two different tracking spreadsheets–one I created in 2003 and yearly spreadsheet from Book Riot. The Book Riot tracker only allows a single genre for a book. Mine allows books to have multiple genres, which is a bit more accurate, especially for my reading preferences (I do love a supernatural detective).

In both logs, mysteries were the genre I read most this year, however, the second chart makes it clear that romance was my second most-read genre–because many of the fantasies and mysteries were also romances, or had romance as a secondary element.

You can see how my reading mood shifts over time.

I don’t have fiction, or straight non-fiction on here, because I don’t read enough of either to do anything but make the chart even more confusing than it already is.

There should have been more comics on there, but I’ve been reading some web comics, and haven’t read the physical books I got myself. (I read Cursed Princess Club and The Doctors are Out weekly as they come out. Lore Olympus is constant cliffhangers, so I’m waiting for it to finish. I also have a pile of graphic novels to read, and am hoping to get to them over the holiday break.)

Here are this years favorite books by genre:

Fantasy       Mystery       Romance       Science Fiction       Audio Books      

 

Authors

Ages and ages ago (back when I was reading mostly fantasy and mystery) I started to make an effort to read more female authors. Back then, an author publishing under their initials and last name was usually a woman who wrote in a male dominated market (sword & sorcery or police procedurals FREX). There were a few men who wrote under initials because their market or segment of the market was female dominated, but mostly not in genres I read.

You can see that shift, as well as the bigger jump when I read more romance.

I’ve continued to try and broaden my reading, looking for POC and Queer characters. It is harder to categorize authors here, because until someone’s bio states they are queer (ie, ” the author and her wife”) it’s not up to me or anyone else to say if someone is queer or not. Nor do I want to judge if someone is a POC just from looking at their picture (see: Tobias Buckell). So I mostly focus on the characters.

Secondary characters need to pass a version of the Bechdel Test to qualify as such.

While on the subject, I’d like to highlight something I’ve started seeing more frequently and really love.

a hefty-looking white woman with sharp blue eyes

He was a white man, looked to be in his fifties, with thinning brown hair cut short, regular features, pale gray eyes

Phillip was a young-looking forty-year-old white man with black hair and light brown eyes.

She was a tall, hippy white woman

It turned out to be a white woman in late middle age

typical London office jockeys, mostly white, mostly from affluent suburbs

The nervous young white man with floppy hair who served as receptionist

a small white woman in a gray zip-up hoody.

a teenaged white girl dressed incongruously in a blue knit twinset and pearls and a blond pageboy wig.

“Hallo, darling,” said a white person with an androgynous face, blue-black hair, and a raven perched on their shoulder.

Above are all descriptions from Ben Aarnonvitch‘s Amongst Our Weapons, but he does that throughout the Rivers of London series.

If a book is set in a metropolis or urban area–especially in the US or UK–white shouldn’t be the “default setting”. As I live in a rural, predominantly white, American state, I love regular reminders that the rest of the world doesn’t look like where I live, and love reading about people whose life experiences are not my own.

 

Format

Once I got an eReader, paper books quickly became a thing of the past. Although I prefer paper for cookbooks and graphic novels, in almost every other category I prefer digital format.

And although I’ve listened to audio books since the late 1990s, having books on my phone instead of having to carry a walkman (cassette or CD type) makes audio books so much easier.

I’ll go back and forth between listening to podcasts and audio books, but it’s been audio books over podcasts for the past couple years.

Additionally, audio books and rereads are tied together, since I almost never listen to a fiction audio book I have not previously read.

You can also tell from a glance at that chart what years have been difficult, by the percent of rereads.

Why, yes, 2023 has been a particularly horrible year, how’d you guess?

I’ve mentioned elsewhere that one of the reasons I only listen to audio books I’ve previously read is because I only allow myself to listen to audio books while I am on my feet; exercising, cleaning, cooking: I have to be moving around.

That huge spike in November is when I was going through the boxes we brought from my parent’s house.

It was a very large and very difficult task, and the audio books allowed me to get through it, since they distracted my brain from why I was doing what I was doing so I could figure out what to do with the stuff and clear out the stacks of boxes crowding my basement.

 

Re-Reads

As I already noted, I did a lot of re-reading this year.

Most of my mental processing power went to dealing with my mother’s death, being her executor, and selling my parent’s house. There were a lot of books I considered but didn’t even try to read, regardless of how much I wanted to.

So I thought it would be interesting to look at what I’ve read the most.

Because of the way my book log is set up, I don’t have the titles of the books I read prior to 2020 in a spreadsheet. I can get the read times for an individual title easily, but there is no way to dump that information into a spreadsheet. But starting 2020 when I began using the Book Riot Reading Log, I do have that information, so I compiled it and pulled out the following information.

Most read authors, 2020-2023

• C.S. Poe: 34
• K.J. Charles: 33
• Agatha Christie: 32
• Martha Wells: 29
• Ben Aaronovitch: 25
• Faith Hunter: 23
• R. Cooper: 23
• Dahlia Donovan: 23
• Charlie Cochrane: 23
• N.R. Walker: 22
• Terry Pratchett: 22
• Cat Sebastian: 22

Every author on that list has at least one book I’ve re-read.

I also figured out the books I’ve re-read the most since 2020–the books I reached for when I couldn’t focus and was miserable & desperate for a distraction.

• Jericho Candelario’s Gay Debut by R. Cooper: 6
• Joy by C.S. Poe: 6
• And Everything Nice by Ada Maria Soto: 6
• Hottie Scotty and Mr. Porter by R. Cooper: 5
• Kneading You by C.S. Poe: 5
• Color of You by C.S. Poe: 5
• All Systems Red by Martha Wells: 5
• Rogue Protocol by Martha Wells: 5
• Artificial Condition by Martha Wells: 5
• Exit Strategy by Martha Wells: 5

Romance, romance, romance, Murderbot.

I think that pretty much sums up my 2023 in reading.

 

Some Final Numbers

• Total: 221
• Average: 18.4
• Min: 9
• Max: 27
• MidYear: 117

The 221 is the correct number; I believe the Goodreads total has at least one DNF. But my spreadsheets work out (there are two DNFs in the Book Riot Spreadsheet, that I don’t count in my other spreadsheet) so it’s all fine.

Midyear was the same as last year, but I had a LOT going on this summer and fall, so it’s hardly a surprise I read fewer books in the second half of 2023.

Type of book and rereads. I’ve mentioned before that I almost never listen to a fiction book I haven’t previous read, so you can see how when I listen to a lot of audio books I have more rereads.

And finally, the spaghetti chart.

Previous Roundups

If you’d like to browse previous yearly roundups, here is the full list.

• The Books of 2022
• The Books of 2021
• The Books of 2020
• The Books of 2019
• The Books of 2018
• The Books of 2017
• The Books of 2016
• The Books of 2015
• The Books of 2014
• The Books of 2013
• The Books of 2012
• The Books of 2011
• The Books of 2010
• The Books of 2009
• The Books of 2008

I backed off reading straight-up fantasy more than a decade ago; I got tired of series that never ended and chose more series with self-contained plots. Sure, there is continuity from book to book, and you should read them in order, but you don’t have  to do a complete reread to remember what happened in the previous book, which came out two to five years earlier.

So mostly I’ve read urban and supernatural fantasy–and I do love a good paranormal mystery. But I do come across the occasional stand-alone fantasy, or one that is part of a series where each book has a complete story arc.

But these are stories that stand on their own–even when part of a series.

 

Once a Rogue (2023) by Allie Therin

Queer, Historical, Supernatural, Romance, Boinking

Technically, by my own rules, this shouldn’t have made the list. But I think the slightly lower rating had far more to do with my state of mind than with the book itself.

The Proper Scoundrels series follows the Magic in Manhattan series an continues to build upon that world, but switching the main characters.

Wesley & Sebastian are far more broken than Rory & Arthur, so their stories are in some ways harder to read.

Men like Wesley and Langford wore their scars on the outside, where everyone could see and know to keep their distance. Sebastian kept his inside, where they couldn’t hurt anyone else.

But the fact I really want more stories with these characters and in this world is something in and of itself.

Published by Carina Press

Rating: 7/10

Magic in Manhattan: Spellbound (2019), Starcrossed (2020), Wonderstruck (2021)
Roaring Twenties Magic: Proper Scoundrels (2021), Once a Rogue (2023)

Winter’s Gifts (2023) by Ben Aaronovitch

Supernatural, Mystery

This is a Rivers of London story, but instead of Peter Grant we’re in America with Kimberly of the FBI.

“There’s no mesocyclone!” shouted Bill. “That had better be down to magic, or otherwise we can kiss goodbye to the laws of thermodynamics.”

“They’ll have to rewrite all the textbooks,” I said, marveling at how calm I was given the circumstances.

“Nah,” said Bill. “The science has to be obsolete for at least twenty years before they do that. Forty years, if we’re talking about Texas.”

I read this story too quickly when I was distracted, so I really need to reread it, which might bump the rating up a hair.

Published by Subterranean Press

Rating: 8/10

Rivers of London: Midnight Riot (2011), Moon Over Soho (2011), Whispers Under Ground (2012), Broken Homes (2014), Foxglove Summer (2014), The Hanging Tree (2017), The Furthest Station (2017), Lies Sleeping (2018), The October Man (2019), False Value (2020), Tales from the Folly: A Rivers of London Short Story Collection (2020), What Abigail Did That Summer (2021), Amongst Our Weapons (2022), Winter’s Gifts (2023)

The Gorgon Agenda (2023) by Lisa Shearin

Mystery, Supernatural

I do love a good supernatural mystery, and this series has been delightful.

Thick glass walls along both sides of the hall provided an unobstructed view into the labs. That way, if an experiment or subject got out of control, those windows let the folks across the hall know that all hell had broken loose and to please, when they had a minute, call for help.

A couple books back she switched to self-published, so I’m wondering if this is the last book in the series. A police procedural or private detective series is always easier to keep going than a cozy–at least if you want to keep the mysteries at least somewhat realistic, but I’ll be ok if this is the end.

Self-Published

Rating: 8/10

SPI Files: The Grendel Affair (2013), The Dragon Conspiracy (2015), The Brimstone Deception (2016), The Ghoul Vendetta (2017), The Myth Manifestation (2018), The Phoenix Illusion (2018), The Solstice Countdown (2021), The Gorgon Agenda (2023)

Paladin’s Faith (2023) T. Kingfisher

“Shane,” she said, turning to look at the paladin, “when a woman is lamenting that she doesn’t feel attractive, you’re supposed to tell her she’s beautiful. Not that you’re honored to kill people with her.”

He looked at her blankly, then said, “Oh.”

Published by Red Wombat Studio

Rating: 8/10

The Saint of Steel: Paladin’s Grace (2020), Paladin’s Strength (2021), Paladin’s Hope (2021), Paladin’s Faith (2023)

Legends & Lattes (2022) by Travis Baldree

Queer, Romance

This story was completely unexpected and completely delightful.

After twenty-two years of adventuring, Viv had reached her limit of blood and mud and bullshit. An orc’s life was strength and violence and a sudden, sharp end— but she’d be damned if she’d let hers finish that way.

It’s a cozy low-stakes fantasy, and I could reread it right now and remain delighted.

Published by Tor

Rating: 8/10

Lamplight Murder Mysteries by Morgan Stang

Queer, Mystery, Steampunk/Gaslamp

This was another unexpected series. It’s steampunk/gaslamp mystery.

“You must notice what’s not present in addition to what is, Evie. What have we not found in this bedroom so far?”

Evie looked about and shrugged. “Happiness of any kind?”

Parts of the first mystery might have been a bit weak, but it was fun and a lovely escape, and the second book actually addressed my problem with the first book.

Self-Published

Lamplight Murder Mysteries: Murder at Spindle Manor (2022) 8/10, Murder on the Lamplight Express (2023) 8.5/10

The Eidolon (2023) by K.D. Edwards

Queer, Supernatural

This occurs during the events of The Hourglass Throne but gives us what happened to the teens during that time. Quinn is the main focus of the story, but we get to see all the teens coming into their own.

Self-Published

Rating: 8.5/10

The Tarot Sequence: The Last Sun (2018), The Hanged Man (2019), The Hourglass Throne (2022)
Magnus Academy: The Eidolon (2023)

A Power Unbound (2023) by Freya Marske

Queer, Historical, Romance, Boinking

The conclusion to The Last Binding series.

Published by Tordotcom

Rating: 8.5/10

The Last Binding: A Marvellous Light (2021), A Restless Truth (2022), A Power Unbound (2023)

The Bookshop and the Barbarian (2023) by Morgan Stang

Queer, Mystery

This is another cozy low-stakes fantasy, and like Legends & Lattes was the perfect escape from reality.

Self-Published

Rating: 9/10

The Books of 2023: Yearly Reading Roundup

I love mysteries–this is one of the years where I read more mysteries than anything else (the last time was 2016). I’d say more than half of those were historical mysteries, however, you’ll want to note that my rereads of both Agatha Christie and Robert B Parker are categorized as historicals.

Why do I consider the Spenser books historicals? Because the world was a very different place in the 70s and 80s, as unrecognizable to today’s kids as the post WWII stories of Agatha Christie were to me as a kid.

 

The Price of Lemon Cake (2023) by Jennifer Ashley

Queer, Historical novella

This is a short story in which Kat Holloway makes an appearance; it features Bobby, a secondary character in the series.

“You’d be astounded how much people see only what they wish to see. And anyway, I look so much like a bloke, no one has ever tumbled to me no matter where I go.”

You should be able to read this if you have not read the rest of the series.

Self-Published

Rating: 7.5/10

Kat Holloway: A Soupçon of Poison (2015), Death Below Stairs (2018), Scandal Above Stairs (2018), Death in Kew Gardens (2019), Murder in the East End (2020), Death at the Crystal Palace (2021), The Secret of Bow Lane (2022), The Price of Lemon Cake (2023)

A Newlywed’s Guide to Fortune and Murder (2023) by Dianne Freeman

Historical

This is a fun series set at the end of the 1800s that is fun and generally cozy, with marvelous characters, and a heroine who does not purposefully do stupid / dangerous things.

This is one of the weaker entries in the series, but it was still enjoyable.

Published by Kensington Books

Rating: 7.5/10

Countess of Harleigh: A Lady’s Guide to Etiquette and Murder (2018), A Lady’s Guide to Gossip and Murder (2019), A Lady’s Guide to Mischief and Murder (2020), A Fiancée’s Guide to First Wives and Murder (2021), A Bride’s Guide to Marriage and Murder (2022), A Newlywed’s Guide to Fortune and Murder (2023)

The Rise: A Short Story (2023) by Ian Rankin

I keep meaning to reread the Rebus series, but I don’t necessarily want to start with the first book, so while decided where I’d like to jump in, I keep reading something else.

This is NOT a Rebus story, in fact it doesn’t have a single character I recognize, so it is truly a stand-alone story.

It was extremely well done and I highly recommend it, although I expected as much from Ian Rankin.

Published by Amazon Original Stories

Rating: 8/10

A Fatal Illusion (2023) by Anna Lee Huber

Historical, Queer

This is another long-running historical mystery series.

This book immediately follows the events of the previous book, although you don’t need to have read that to follow and enjoy the mystery. I very much appreciate that although Kira and Sebastian are both happy in their marriage, it is clear that things aren’t always simple or easy, even in a happy marriage. It’s always growth and change.

“Just because you’re willing to forgive someone doesn’t mean you also have to give them leave to continue hurting you,”

The difficult parent-adult child relationship was somewhat difficult for me to read, but I appreciate that things haven’t been magically fixed between Sebastian and his father.

Published by Berkley

Rating: 8/10

Lady Darby: The Anatomist’s Wife (2012), Mortal Arts (2013), A Grave Matter (2014), A Study in Death (2015), A Pressing Engagement (2016), As Death Draws Near (2016), A Brush with Shadows (2018), An Artless Demise (2019), A Stroke of Malice (2020), A Wicked Conceit (2021), A Perilous Perspective (2022), A Fatal Illusion (2023)

Hide and Seek (2022) by Josh Lanyon

Queer, Romance, Boinking

This is a returning home to a small town and finding the love you left behind story, only with multiple twists and murder.

Self-Published

Rating: 8/10

Secrets Typed in Blood (2022) Stephen Spotswood

Historical, Queer

This is another book that I think will have a higher rating on a reread–I love the historical elements of this story set in post WWII NYC, and the characters.

Publisher: Vintage Crime/Black Lizard

Pentecost & Parker: Fortune Favors the Dead (2020), Murder Under Her Skin (2021), Secrets Typed in Blood (2022)

Mystery on the Menu: A Three-Course Collection of Cozy Mysteries (2023) by Nicole Kimberling

Queer, Romance, Boinking

Nicole Kimberling’s books have all been several related shorter stories, and this follows that trend.

There are three intertwined novellas with a murder at the center of each story, plus a romance between the main character and the local law.

And some amazing secondary characters.

“What a perfect place to hold a wedding,” Julie remarked. Then, to Evelyn, “Darling! We should renew our vows.”

“As far as I know they haven’t expired,” was all Evelyn had to say on that subject.

There is something about Nicole Kimberling’s mysteries that really works for me, but I’m not sure precisely what it is.

Published by One Block Empire

Rating: 8.5/10

Lily Adler Mysteries by Katharine Schellman

The Body in the Garden (2020) 8/10
Silence in the Library (2021) 9/10
Death at the Manor (2022) 8/10
Murder at Midnight (2023) 8.5/10

Historical, Queer

This is one of the most inclusive historical mystery series I’ve ever read. There are children of men who served in India and married while there, injured war veterans, neurodiversity, and queer characters, all presented in as historically accurate a manner as the author could make it.

“Plenty of Lascars in the navy, but precious few of them made post captain, eh!” The admiral chuckled. “And what was it the Indian fellows began calling you in response?”

“Captain English.” Jack grinned, though Lily noticed the lines of strain around his mouth. “Forever betwixt and between, I am.”

The mysteries are interesting, the characters are all strong and interesting, and I love that each story tries to fit a different mystery trope (locked room, trapped with a murderer, etc)

The only bad thing is I’ve already read all the books available.

Published by Crooked Lane Books

Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman

The Thursday Murder Club (2020) 9/10
The Man Who Died Twice (2021) 9/10
The Bullet That Missed (2022) 9/10
The Last Devil to Die (2023) 9/10

These stories are delightful. Truly. They are fun romps that don’t hesitate to go right over the top but aren’t ridiculous.

“Would you like the detailed answer, or the simple answer?” asks Ibrahim.

“The simple answer, please, Ibrahim,” says Elizabeth, without hesitation.

Ibrahim pauses. Perhaps he had phrased his question poorly? “But I have prepared a detailed answer, Elizabeth.”

Delightful.

Published by Viking

The Books of 2023: Yearly Reading Roundup

Especially since 2020 I’ve been turning to romance because I know it’s going to end with an HEA–that’s built into every story.

My preferences are for historical and queer romance, although my favorites for 2023 are all contemporaries, that’s mostly because I only read twelve new-to me romances; the other 70-some romances were rereads.

 

Donut Fall in Love (2021) Jackie Lau

Boinking | TW: Grief, Post-partum depression

This story made my list for a couple of reasons. First, the character who obsessed about calories and body image was the male characters.

Second, grief is an important part of the story and is presented as complicated and something that is unique to each individual who experiences it.

Third, a secondary character has post-partum depression which I thought was thoughtful and kindly dealt with.

And finally: baking!

Published by Jove Books

Rating: 7.5/10

Bergman Brothers by Chloe Liese

Only When It’s Us (2020) 8/10
Ever After Always (2021) 8.5/10

Boinking | TW: Death, Grief, Anxiety

Last year I picked up Always Only You because the female lead had ASD. I very much enjoyed it (despite a lot of boinking) and so picked up more of the books to read.

The first book does go to some dark places, including familial death and a struggle with grief, as well as hearing loss from illness and the struggle with adapting to that major change.

The third book has a marriage in trouble, and one character dealing with a serious mental health crisis.

All those difficult subjects with addressed with compassion and–more importantly–realistically. None of the things the characters go through have easy solutions, nor are those things seen as “fixes” but rather as part of the journey of life.

Self-Published

Bergman Brothers: Only When It’s Us (2020), Always Only You (2020), Ever After Always (2021)

The Holiday Trap (2022) by Roan Parrish

Queer, Boinking

This story is a house swap double romance, where the characters need to just get away from their situations to start to deal with them.

Published by Sourcebooks Casablanca

Rating: 8/10

Role Playing (2023) by Cathy Yardley

Queer, Boinking

Not only does this story have a demi/ace character, both characters are middle aged and dealing with age appropriate issues, from an empty nest to parents with failing health.

When I saw the kind of relationship Aiden had with his mother I thought I was going to struggle with the story. Instead, I found it reaffirming, especially when there was no magic solution that made the relationship better.

Published by Montlake

Rating: 8/10

The Books of 2023: Yearly Reading Roundup