#10: "The Given Day" By Dennis Lehane - From Tulsa, OK to Boston, MA; The Boston Police Strike and striking the future president. Lehane's straight forward story telling serves this story well. The historical detail is exquisite and the characters are all engrossing.
#9: "Us Against You" By Fredrik Backman - The sequel to Backman's Beartown is as upsetting, heartbreaking, moving and hopeful as it's predecessor. Backman's ability to suck the reader into the world of these people and their lives is exceptional!
#8: The Bog Book of Female Detectives Ed: Otto Penzler
This mammoth tome was so enjoyable and educational. Detective fiction form the 1800s to now. Great introductory bios on the authors, historical context for each story and then over 1100 glories pages of smart, insightful, witty, tough and brilliant women! Really-what more could one want?!
#7: Murder in an English Village By: Jessica Ellicott (Jessie Crockett)
We all know I LOVES me some British mysteries, and I fell in Love with this mystery (and the series). As I was reading this smart, witty, droll mystery I kept envisioning my favorite female detective pairings. It's very reminiscent of Miss Fisher's Mysteries or Rosemary & Thyme. Lovely small English village in the 20's, a pair of female sleuths-one, English and proper, the other, American and not so proper. Besides it being extremely well plotted and populated with well drawn characters, it's just a delightful read.
#6 The Murder List By: Hank Phillippi Ryan
I Love all of Hank's work, but I have to say, this particular story is my favorite! A thriller that sucks you in from the first word and wends it's way into your every nerve ending until the conclusion which will have your jaw on the floor.
#5 The Unkind Hours By: Dwayne Alexander Smith
What would you do if your child were kidnapped and the police could do nothing to find her? What would you do if a stranger offered you the opportunity for revenge? Welcome to The Unkind Hours! Horrific circumstances, horrific choices, real emotions, superbly drawn characters and writing that will have your heart racing. A superb book!
#4.5 Honorable Mentions:
Sealed Off By Barbara Ross
This is book #8 in the Clambake Mystery Series, due out on 12/31/19. This series is delicious and this book brings back one of my favorite characters from an earlier offering in this series. Pick it Up when it's released!
What would you do if your child were kidnapped and the police could do nothing to find her? What would you do if a stranger offered you the opportunity for revenge? Welcome to The Unkind Hours! Horrific circumstances, horrific choices, real emotions, superbly drawn characters and writing that will have your heart racing. A superb book!
#4.5 Honorable Mentions:
Sealed Off By Barbara Ross
This is book #8 in the Clambake Mystery Series, due out on 12/31/19. This series is delicious and this book brings back one of my favorite characters from an earlier offering in this series. Pick it Up when it's released!
Tilling the Truth & Pruning the Dead By: Julia Henry (Julie Hennrikus
The first two books in the new Gardening Squad Series, have a widely diverse set of characters that are just so wonderfully compatible, you can't help but smile while listening to their discussions, with tightly plotted mysteries, wonderful gardening tips, a fantastic locale and a little history thrown in. This series has everything for everyone!
#4 The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus By: L. Frank Baum
I describe this a pagan look at the origins of Santa Claus, that is so gorgeously written and surprisingly moving. If you want to know the true spirit of the season give this gem a try!
#3 An Elderly Lady is Up to No Good By: Helen Tursten Translation By: Marlaine Delargy
I took perverse pleasure in reading these short stories all starring an elderly woman, who deals with the annoyances in her life, by killing them. That's literally what each story is about. It's an absolute delight, and beware, you may see way too much of yourself in our heroine, Maud.
#2 Defending Jacob By: William Landay
This was a harrowing read that did not go where I thought it was going, and by the time I figured it out it was too late...I was in for the whole ride! This devastating family tale is not for the faint of heart, but it is totally worth it!
The first two books in the new Gardening Squad Series, have a widely diverse set of characters that are just so wonderfully compatible, you can't help but smile while listening to their discussions, with tightly plotted mysteries, wonderful gardening tips, a fantastic locale and a little history thrown in. This series has everything for everyone!
#4 The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus By: L. Frank Baum
I describe this a pagan look at the origins of Santa Claus, that is so gorgeously written and surprisingly moving. If you want to know the true spirit of the season give this gem a try!
#3 An Elderly Lady is Up to No Good By: Helen Tursten Translation By: Marlaine Delargy
I took perverse pleasure in reading these short stories all starring an elderly woman, who deals with the annoyances in her life, by killing them. That's literally what each story is about. It's an absolute delight, and beware, you may see way too much of yourself in our heroine, Maud.
#2 Defending Jacob By: William Landay
This was a harrowing read that did not go where I thought it was going, and by the time I figured it out it was too late...I was in for the whole ride! This devastating family tale is not for the faint of heart, but it is totally worth it!
#1 The Curious Charms of Arthur Pepper By: Phaedra Patrick
An absolutely lovely, charming, and heartfelt ode to love and devotion, told using one of the most creative plot devices ever. A widower finds a charm bracelet in his late wife belongings...and he didn't give it to her. By investigating each charm, Arthur is sent on a journey of self discovery and re-discovery of his wife. Quirky characters, quirky situations, gorgeous writing: a TRUE feel-good read!
An absolutely lovely, charming, and heartfelt ode to love and devotion, told using one of the most creative plot devices ever. A widower finds a charm bracelet in his late wife belongings...and he didn't give it to her. By investigating each charm, Arthur is sent on a journey of self discovery and re-discovery of his wife. Quirky characters, quirky situations, gorgeous writing: a TRUE feel-good read!
What a great Countdown, and I'm so happy I read some of them! ;-)
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