I'd hoped to share my books of 2024 post a little earlier this year but I have a new role at work which is taking up all my time and attention. However, after another year which saw me enjoy some wonderful books, I couldn't pass up the opportunity to look back at some of the titles that particularly resonated with me. As always, this blog is my place to recommend books and I don't have the time or energy to finish or to write about the books I haven't enjoyed. If a review appears on Hair Past A Freckle it is a true endorsement. Reading is so subjective and I know I'm often affected by my mood when it comes to the books which really struck a chord with me, so if I reviewed your book this year and it doesn't appear here, please know I enjoyed it, recommend it and am grateful to have spent time with your words.
Due to work commitments I read fewer books in 2024 but many were still absolute gems. Here, then are my brilliant 2024 Hall of Fame books, listed in reading order.
January - March
The Shadow Network by Tony Kent
Death Flight by Sarah Sultoon
Crow Moon by Suzy Aspley
City on Fire by Graham Bartlett
The Collapsing Wave by Doug Johnstone
April - June
The Midnight Man by Julie Anderson
The Kitchen by Simone Buchholz (tr. by Rachel Ward)
The Estate by Denzil Meyrick
Long Time Dead by T.M. Payne
Boys Who Hurt by Eva Björg Ægisdóttir (tr. by Victoria Cribb)
The Chamber by Will Dean
July - September
Rewind by Joy Kluver
Prey by Vanda Symon
Living is a Problem by Doug Johnstone
The Torments by Michael J. Malone
October - December
Something More to Say by Tony J. Forder
The Burning Stones by Antti Tuomainen (tr. by David Hackston)
Dark as Night by Lilja Sigurdardóttir (tr. by Lorenza Garcia)
The Christmas Stocking Murders by Denzil Meyrick
My Top Books of 2024
Now for my top eleven(!) books of the year; the first ten are listed in the order I read them, with my Book of 2024 at Number One! Click on the title to be taken to my full review of each book.
With its first-rate sense of place, Seven Days is a brilliantly engaging, compulsive and fast-paced thriller. It is also a perceptive, compassionate look at disappointment, forgiveness and the importance of family, even those which may not be typical. Twisty, tense and superbly characterised, this global race against time and across the world is a top read. Very highly recommended!
While obviously a work of fiction, the convincing portrayal of a puzzling, sensitive case is mesmerising. Although a decision is eventually reached, the thought-provoking exploration of justice juxtaposed against questions of guilt and culpability is fascinating. Compulsively twisty, beautifully empathetic and an achingly raw mystery; reading Finding Sophie means being put through an emotional wringer but it is absolutely worth it – what an exceptional book this is!
Hold Back the Night is a powerful, affecting novel; it is heartrending and angry, and yet ultimately a hopeful story of love and redemption. I loved every word and very highly recommend it.
M.W. Craven weaves a complex tale exploring themes such as religious beliefs and intolerance, mental health and sexuality with a compassionate examination of fear and the need to belong, but while it may be heartrending, the storyline is irresistibly exciting and utterly compulsive throughout. The Mercy Chair is exceptional and M.W. Craven is the consummate master of intense, dexterously plotted thrillers – I cannot wait to read what comes next!
Set in 1938, the narrative vividly evokes that brief period between the wars, and the atmospheric country house setting, with its dark history and layers of intrigue allows for the suspenseful drama to unfold amidst a captivating portrayal of society at that time. Cabaret Macabre is a hugely entertaining, ingeniously crafted Golden Age mystery, and one of my favourite reads this year. I very highly recommend it.
.jpg)
By the very nature of its extraordinary subject, A Woman of Opinion was always going to be riveting but Sean Lusk also captures the authentic tone of the period effortlessly and it's easy to believe that Mary guided his hand throughout. Truly exceptional, a book to savour – I loved it!
.jpg)
A Violent Heart is a nuanced, addictive thriller; David Fennell complements his nerve-shredding, serpentine plot with warmth, compassion and humour, always ensuring the victims are infused with their humanity. A stellar read and most definitely one of my favourite books this year, I whole-heartedly recommend it.
Persis must confront corruption, conspiracies, crime and sexual chemistry, and as her investigation takes her on a dramatic visit to Delhi before returning to Bombay, the transportive sense of place which is such a trademark of this series is as vibrant as ever. City of Destruction is one of those beautifully written, intelligent and gripping books which makes me grateful to be a reader; it's an outstanding read and I cannot recommend it highly enough.
Hunted is a superlative read; this multifaceted, suspense thriller marries the nail-biting, manipulative world of geopolitics and counterterrorism with the universal desire to protect our families and to find a sense of belonging. Penetrating, powerful and emotional – I cannot recommend it highly enough.
Now for my Book of the Year 2024...
This is the book I was most excited to read this year and it more than lived up to all my expectations; I've been shouting about it since I read it first time and loved it at least as much the second time I read it and it is undoubtedly going to be one of my favourite books of all time. My book of the year is of course...
The Betrayal of Thomas True by A.J. West
.jpg)
In his author's notes, A.J. West reminds us that this is a work of fiction, and certainly there are some almost fantastical elements woven into the intricately plotted storyline. However, Thomas True, Gabriel Griffin and the other mollies represent the real-life homosexual men of Georgian London whose bravery as they revelled in their authentic, often outrageous selves, in spite of the deathly penalties they risked, should be remembered and celebrated. I think they would be enormously proud to be brought back to life so vividly in The Betrayal of Thomas True. I couldn't have loved this exceptional book any more; I laughed, I couldn't breathe and I wept. Exciting, evocative, witty, heartbreaking and so, so beautiful; Thomas and Gabriel will be in my heart forever.
Read my full review of this exceptional novel here.
All that remains is to thank all the authors (and translators) whose books have featured on Hair Past A Freckle in 2024; I say it every year because it's true - without your words, this blog wouldn't exist. Huge thanks also to the publishers, publicists and blog tour organisers who continue to invite me to read such fantastic books and of course, thank you to my fellow bloggers, as always your support and friendship means a great deal to me. Finally, thanks to everybody who has taken the time to read, comment on and share my blog posts or has listened to any of my radio reviews; I truly appreciate it.
I wish you all a safe, happy and healthy year and look forward to sharing more book love with you all in 2025.
Comments
Post a Comment