The Decent Proposal by Kemper Donovan

Not a great story, but I liked the rich setting in LA.

The Ghost by Robert Harris

 

I'm becoming a huge Robert Harris fan.

Loose Lips by Kemper Donovan

 

Because I read a lot of mysteries, I'm a tough audience -- many characters and plots can seem trite and overdone to me.

But Kemper Donovan consistently knocks it out of the park with a perfect blend of plot, characters, and social commentary.

Review copy provided by publisher.

Days at the Morisaki Bookshop by Satoshi Yagisawa

 

Meh

Hello, Stranger by Katherine Center

 

meh

Miss Graham's Cold War Cookbook by Celia Rees

 

Meh

The Matchmaker's Gift by Linda Cohen Loigman

 

I normally have no patience for split-tine novels, but I really liked this 

The Paradise Problem by Christina Lauren

 

The was objectively ridiculous, but I still kind of liked it.

Queen of Fives by Alex Hay

 

Great until the end, when it jumped the shark.

The Rom-Commers by Katherine Center

Solid. 

I Might Be in Trouble by Daniel Aleman

 

Decent 

Now Is Not the Time to Panic by Kevin Wilson

I loved this because it was quirky.

 

The Last by Hannah Jameson

 

Meh

Penitence by Kristin Koval

 

It's hard to talk about this one without spoilers -- but there were several very clever moves here. Recommended.

Review copy provided by publisher.

A Dangerous Collaboration by Deanna Raybourn

 

Solid.

A Treacherous Curse by Deanna Raybourn

 

I do love this series.

Women's Hotel by Daniel Laverty

 

meh

Death of the Author by Nnedi Okorafor

 

Everyone is raving about this, but I didn't love it.

Watch Your Back by Terri Parlato

 

I'm not sure why so many thriller/mystery books have plot points that are just so outlandish.

Review copy provided by publisher.

Vantage Point by Sara Sligar

 

On the one hand, there were some interesting issues raised here. On the other hand, the characters were very stereotypical.

Review copy provied by publisher.

Precipice by Robert Harris

 

I loved this so, so much.

A Death in Diamonds by S. J. Bennett

 

This is one of my absolute favorite mystery series, not just because I am a big fan of Queen Elizabeth but also because the writing sparkles and the plots are clever. And this title did not disappoint.

Review copy provided by publisher.

To Kingdom Come by Will Thomas

 

I like this series.

Rental House by Weike Wang

 

Not good. Why the critical acclaim?

How to Sleep at Night by Elizabeth Harris

 

Fun, but I'm not sure the ending was satisfying.

Beautiful Ugly by Alice Feeney

 

 This title was basically engaging, but by the end, the plot felt too convoluted.

Review copy provided by publisher.

Old Man's War by John Scalzi

 

Solid.

Knife Skills for Beginners by Orlando Murrin

 

I'm the target audience for this as an Anglophile, mystery lover, and fan of the Great British Baking Show. But I'm so tired of plot twists that are just too, too much.

Review copy provided by publisher.

Bee Season by Myla Goldberg

 

Meh.

Lovely One by Ketanji Brown Jackson

 

So interesting.

Sylvia's Second Act by Hillary Yablon

 

Solid.

A Perilous Undertaking by Deanna Raybourn

 

So fun.

Nuclear War: A Scenario by Annie Jacobsen

 

Stunningly good.

The Hunting Wives Club by May Cobb

 

Meh

How Can I Help You by Laura Sims

 Solid.

Choice by Neel Mukherjee

 

Meh

A Time for Mercy by John Grisham

 

Solid.

The Three Dahlias by Katy Watson

 

Meh

Life's Too Short by Abby Jimenez

 Meh

The Magicians by Lev Grossman

 

I mostly liked this 

Codex by Lev Grossman

 

 I liked this.

The Neighbor's Secret by L. Alison Heller

 

 meh

Just for the Summer by Abby Jimenez

 

Fun.

Hide by Tracy Clark

 

 meh

The Winner by Teddy Wayne

 

 I read this because it was on so many best of 2024 lists, but it wasn't very good.

Margo's Got Money Troubles by Rufi Thorpe

 Decent.

A Curious Beginning by Deanna Raybourn

Thoroughly enjoyable, and I'm so glad there are eight more in this series!

Borrowed Life of Frederick Fife by Anna Johnston

 

Decent.

Havoc by Christopher Bollen

 

This was unusual and compelling. I usually either anticipate twists or think they are dumb, but this one really worked.

Assume Nothing by Joshua Corin

 

Decent, but some of the characterization did not ring true.

Review copy provided by publisher.