In no particular order here are my choices for outstanding reads this year. Clicking on the links will take you to my reviews.
The Huntress ~ Kate Quinn
The Huntress is up there with the other books I’ve listened to by Kate Quinn. Historical fiction set during and after WWII, based on fact with an excellent plot. Told from three perspectives – Jordan, Ian and Tony and Nina – and from past to present. All of them compelling timelines that keep up the pace and suspense, and even though The Huntress’ identity is known fairly early on it doesn’t detract from the story in any way.
Kate Quinn showcases strong, independent and brave women, and those men who made it their mission to bring war criminals to justice. They all made a difference. The Huntress is a multi layered story with well defined and developing characters along with wonderfully atmospheric and descriptive prose, plus a very satisfying ending.
Secrets of the Shell Sisters ~ Adrienne Vaughan
This is a compelling, character driven and multi layered family drama with wonderful characterisations and long buried secrets rising to the surface, which encompasses a wider circle than just the sisters themselves. I loved returning to gorgeous Rosshaven and following the sisters’ stories as they unfolded with more than a little tension, suspense, excitement and with an added sprinkling of romance and mythology.
Adrienne Vaughan peoples her novels with characters who aren’t perfect and have their quirks, but are engaging and easy to like. Secrets of the Shell Sisters is well crafted with surprise twists, a wonderfully vivid sense of place and an emotional impact.
The Last Lifeboat ~ Hazel Gaynor
The story is told from the perspectives of Lily at home, desperately waiting for news of her children while trying to stay alive during the blitz, and Alice and the survivors in the lifeboat. The alternating points of view keep up the pace and the tension high.
The Last Lifeboat is a beautifully crafted and powerful reminder of a tragic historical event. Hazel Gaynor has captured the emotions and atmosphere vividly. I can’t even imagine being adrift for eight days in a small boat with limited provisions on a very unpredictable ocean. Or have to make the decision to send my children to another country. An incredible, heartbreaking but ultimately uplifting story that highlights not only the futility of war but also courage and strength of character.
Frank & Red ~ Matt Coyne
Frank and Red is a compellingly delightful debut laced with humour and emotions, and Matt Coyne deals empathetically with the issues of bereavement and the impact of divorce on a child. Red is a fabulous character and he is soon a fixture in Frank’s life whether he likes it or not. A sensitive and creative soul, he realises how much Frank is struggling and does his best to try and cheer him up. When that doesn’t seem to be working to Red’s satisfaction, he hatches a plan.
The characters are beautifully crafted, totally believable, easy to relate to and the relationship between Frank and Red is lovely and warms the cockles. This is an excellent fiction debut.
The Hunter ~ Tana French
I loved The Searcher, the book that first introduced Cal Hooper, a retired detective from Chicago who relocated to rural Ireland to find peace and quiet. He’d been a serving officer for twenty five years, had been through an emotional divorce and just wanted to build a new life in a spot where nothing much happened. He has developed a deepening relationship with local lady, Lena and thought he was doing a reasonable job providing motivation and support for Trey Reddy, the wild youngster he met soon after he moved to his cottage.
Like The Searcher, The Hunter is a compelling multi layered, slow burn, character driven mystery, full of atmosphere, intrigue and well devised, developing characters who are brought to life sympathetically, with subtlety, depth and authentic dialogue. The area is easily visualised by the descriptions of the farmland, the village and the mountain with its trails, pathways and dangers for the unwary.
The Women ~ Kristin Hannah
The Women is the powerful and heart rending story of war and its aftermath, following the fortunes of Frankie McGrath. It was 1966 and the war in Vietnam was escalating. Frankie and her brother Finley had had a sheltered upbringing and were as close as a brother and sister could be, but now Finley was going off to war and Frankie was bereft.
The Women is an incredibly moving, perceptive and well told story, not least because it reflects the futility of war, but also the realities of the women who chose to go to war, served their country and went above and beyond to make a difference, which they undoubtedly did. Many men went home alive who probably wouldn’t have done otherwise. Not only that, the America the women returned to wanted to forget about the war, and instead of a welcome home the veterans were insulted and condemned by the protesters.
Hard to Forgive ~ Georgia Rose
Beginning with that short but grim prologue the story moves to the present. Sixty nine year old Dora Smith is the main protagonist. Living alone in the village of Melton, the story unfolds from Dora’s perspective. Since retiring from her job as a school secretary, she keeps binoculars close to hand. People watching is a pastime she indulges in, especially keeping an eye on the house across the road. And she’s careful to keep her standards and her secrets
We follow Dora’s life via a dual timeline as the reader is privy to her introspective thoughts which drive the story. Her life in the present as a resident of Melton, through which we gain knowledge through her thoughts about her neighbours, and also a sense of the villagers’ views.
At the Stroke of Midnight ~ Jenni Keer
Pearl Glenham is at the beck and call of her widowed father who insists on a strict household routine, with Pearl taking on the duties which would normally be assigned to servants. Noticing the unsettled demeanour of her father she wondered what had caused it. It seemed they had been invited to a place called Highcliffe House in Dorset by a Mr Badgerwood for a dinner party.
Set in 1923, At the Stroke of Midnight is a compelling and intriguing tale with a touch of the supernatural and an eventual budding romance. Characters are realistic and well drawn and the historical aspect was obviously well researched and very atmospheric. I had no idea of the outcome but I sense a possible theme with Jenni Keer’s books…expect the unexpected.
Pride & Pestilence ~ Carol Hedges
When a body is discovered in an alley showing symptoms reminiscent of the plague, and despite the best efforts of the police to avoid a city wide panic, the story somehow finds its way to Richard Dandy, chief reporter on The Inquirer and the scourge of Scotland Yard.
The characters, as always, are well defined and individual, and I enjoyed very much the way the intricate storylines are woven together, leading to a pleasing conclusion with a great twist. I love this series. Carol Hedges is adept at transporting the reader into the world of Victorian London with vivid descriptions of people and life in the worst and best of places.
Life and Otter Miracles ~ Hazel Prior
Nineteen year old Phoebe Featherstone and her father, Al have relocated to the Devon countryside. Al has a job delivering parcels for online companies which he enjoys. It’s a great way to earn money and he enjoys meeting the locals. Phoebe is struggling massively with unspecified and debilitating health issues which she tries to hide as much as she can so as not to worry her father. She’s mostly housebound and enjoys playing amateur detective with relation to the lives of the people on her father’s rounds, dependant on her guesses regarding the items they order. She’s extremely intelligent but her plans to follow her older siblings to university was a non starter when she became ill.
One morning Al persuades Phoebe to take a little walk to the nearby river. What they find there is a baby otter, something Phoebe could never have imagined and the little creature brings about the slow start of a massive change for Phoebe as she finds a purpose to focus on.
Safe Zone ~ Terry Tyler
Although Safe Zone links back to the SFV-1 series with some of the cast, this can definitely stand as an independent story. Key points are included so the reader doesn’t feel lost as to who’s who, past events and what they’ve been through up to this point.
Ten years on and the Safe Zone, implemented by those who are only concerned with their own welfare and having enough people to keep everything running smoothly, is perhaps not quite as safe as they believe…despite their manipulations and brutal rules for those requesting entry. While the area is protected by perimeter patrols and high walls, some of the residents are unhappy with their lot and the rules they have to follow. More dangerous are those living with the unimaginable hurt and pain of the previous years, and in some cases more recent events, which is slowly festering. There are also those who have been rounded up from their independent existence and forced into the Safe Zone.
The Dark Wives ~ Ann Cleeves
DI Vera Stanhope is called out to the scene of a murder at Rosebank, a privately run home for troubled teens. A volunteer worker, Josh Woodburn, was found in the early morning by a dog walker. Another of the residents, fourteen year old Chloe Spence, has gone missing. After reading Chloe’s diary for any leads or clues, Vera doesn’t want to believe the teenager could commit such a crime, but it’s something she has to consider, despite her reluctance. Was she the killer … or another victim?
Although Vera’s TV persona, in the guise of the fabulous Brenda Blethyn, is coming to end, I hope this isn’t the last we see of her in print. Vera is her inimitable self, treading carefully with Rosie, determined not to make the same mistakes as she did with Holly, but still finding that getting emotionally involved is outside her comfort zone. Having said that, Chloe did crack the barrier somewhat as Vera can empathise in a way with her situation.
An atmospheric and well plotted tale, full of drama and suspense, which incorporates relevant societal issues.
Image by Wilfried Pohnke from Pixabay
