I Think I Was Murdered by Colleen Coble

 

 Great premise, dull execution.

Deadly Animals by Marie Tierney

 

Some of the characterization was really well done, but ultimately the theory of criminality left me disappointed.

Review copy provided by publisher.

Pony Confidential by Christina Lynch

 

Wow, this was stunning. I can't describe it in a way that won't sound stupid, but this is the best thing I've read in a long time.

A Talent for Murder by Peter Swanson

 

 Good until the very end, when there was one twist too many.

The Woman Who Lied by Claire Douglas

 

Clever.

Husbands and Lovers by Beatriz Williams

 

 Good.

Has Anyone Seen Charlotte Salter? by Nicci French

 

Solid.

The Benevolent Society of Ill-Mannered Ladies by Alison Goodman

 

 Fun.

Everyone This Christmas Has a Secret by Benjamin Stevenson

 

 Fun.

The Lost Ticket by Freya Sampson

 

 Lame.

Family Man by Elinor Lipman

 

 Fun.

Good in Bed by Jennifer Weiner

 

This did not age particularly well.

Blood Test by Charles Baxter

 

meh

We Solve Murders by Richard Osman

 

So, so good.

Secret Bridesmaid by Katy Birchall

 

Fun.

What Does It Feel Like by Sophie Kinsella

 

 Not sad itself, but sad given how autobiographical it is.

Camino Ghosts by John Grishman

 

Solid.

The Love Elixir of Augusta Stern by Lynda Cohen Loigman

 

Things I don't like: magical realism, anachronistic feminists, sappy love stories, the trend of elderly protagonists, historical fiction, narratives split between past and present.

This book had all of the above -- and I loved it.

Review copy provided by publisher.

Last One at the Wedding by Jason Rekulak

 

I'm kind of surprised to see all of the positive buzz about this one -- the plot was a bit too far, and the characterization seemed unnuanced.

Review copy provided by publisher.

Death at the Sanatorium by Ragnar Jonasson

 

Very solid -- sometimes these northern European works are a bit too dark for me, but this was very enjoyable.

Review copy provided by publisher.