Top Ten Tuesday – Books on my Winter 2024 To-Be-Read (TBR) List

On June 5, 2024 By The Unseen LibraryIn List4 Comments

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme that currently resides at The Artsy Reader Girl and features bloggers sharing lists on various book topics. The official Top Ten Tuesday topic for this week requires participants to talk about books that they had very strong emotions about. While this is an interesting topic, and one that I may come back to in the future, I am instead going to look at some upcoming books. That is because today is the first Tuesday of June, and I thought this would be a good opportunity to do my quarterly post about the best upcoming books to read in Winter (Summer for folks in the Northern Hemisphere). This is a regular post I do at the start of each season, and I always love to highlight some of the most impressive sounding novels coming out in the next three months.

For this list, I have come up with ten books coming out between 1 June 2024 and 31 August 2024 that I am most excited for. There are quite a few amazing novels set for release in the next few months, so it took me a while to finalise my final top ten list, including my usual honourable mentions section. I have primarily used the Australian publication dates to reflect when I will be able to get these awesome novels, and these might be somewhat different to the rest of the world. I have previously discussed a number of these books before in prior Waiting on Wednesday articles and I think all of them will turn out to be incredible reads. I am extremely excited for these next three months and I feel that quite a few of these upcoming reads have the potential to be some of my favourite books of 2024.

Honourable Mentions:

Eruption by Michael Crichton and James Patterson – 3 June 2024

Eruption Cover

An explosive thriller from two of the world’s most recognisable authors, I’m sure this is going to be awesome.

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Assassins Anonymous by Rob Hart – 11 June 2024

Assassins Anonymous Cover

Assassins trying to quit the killing game getting into all manner of trouble, what’s not to love?

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Saturation Point by Adrian Tchaikovsky – 30 July 2024

Saturation Point Cover

An intriguing and exciting science fiction read from a particularly talented author.

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The First Murder on Mars by Sam Wilson – 13 August 2024

The First Murder on Mars Cover

The title says it all, with readers in for a fun science fiction murder mystery.

Top Ten List:

Service Model by Adrian Tchaikovsky – 4 June 2024

Service Model Cover

After wowing me last year with books like City of Last Chances and House of Open Wounds, acclaimed author Adrian Tchaikovsky is on a real roll, delivering several intriguing novels in 2024. The one I’m most excited for in the next three months is Service Model, which sees a robot gain murderous sentience and escape into a world were humans are dying out after relying on the robot underclass for too-long. This book sounds both funny and clever and I cannot wait to check it out.

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Sentinel by Mark Greaney – 25 June 2024

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Thriller author Mark Greaney follows up his action-packed thriller Armored with the intriguing read Sentinel. This time the bodyguard protagonist finds himself, his wife and his protectees caught up in a deadly coup and must escape a warring country and the Chinese hit squad instigating events.

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The Wrong Man by Tim Ayliffe – 3 July 2024

The Wrong Man Cover

One of my favourite Australian crime fiction series continues this year with The Wrong Man by Tim Ayliffe. Following on from previous John Bailey novels, The Greater Good, State of Fear, The Enemy Within and Killer Traitor Spy, The Wrong Man sees the journalist protagonist investigate two murders separated by 10 years, which might point to the innocence of a convicted serial killer. I have a lot of love for this series, and I cannot wait to see how Ayliffe continues it.

The Sky on Fire by Jenn Lyons – 9 July 2024

The Sky on Fire Cover

An intriguing fantasy novel that sees a girl and her dragon recruited into a heist gang that looks to loot a dangerous dragon city. This should be a pretty epic read and I love the concept behind it.

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Deep Black by Miles Cameron – 1 August 2024

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A complex and intense science fiction novel that will serve as a sequel to Cameron’s previous novel, Artifact Space, one of my favourite books of 2021. This sequel will see the massive Greatship attempt to escape a plot to destroy humanity’s trade with a mysterious alien species.

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The Mercy of Gods by James S. A. Corey – 6 August 2024

The Mercy of Gods Cover

From the exceptional team that brought you The Expanse series comes a complex new novel in The Mercy of Gods. This compelling new novel will see the best of humanity kidnapped by an ancient alien species to participate in a deadly game of intrigue and manipulation against an array of other captive races. The Mercy of Gods sounds so damn epic and I have no doubt it is going to be one of the very best science fiction novels of 2024.

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Witness 8 by Steve Cavanagh – 13 August 2024

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Steve Cavanagh continues his deeply entertaining Eddie Flynn legal thriller series with Witness 8. I really enjoyed the last few entries in this series, including The Devil’s Advocate and The Accomplice, and this upcoming book will see the former con-man protagonist attempt to save an innocent man from a deranged witness with a murderous plan.

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The Last Shield by Cameron Johnston – 13 August 2024

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A female led, Die Hard inspired dark fantasy series from the author who brought me The Traitor God, God of Broken Things and The Maleficent Seven, this is a must read for me and I know it is going to be one of the most exciting fantasy books of the year.

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The Dragon in Winter by Jonathan Maberry – 20 August 2024

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One of my favourite authors returns with the third and final book in his Kagen the Damned series, The Dragon in Winter. Following on from his dark and brutal novels, Kagen the Damned (one of my favourite books and audiobooks of 2022) and Son of the Poison Rose (one of my favourite books and audiobooks of 2023). The Dragon in Winter will see the damaged protagonist finally face of against the deranged Witch-King who destroyed everything he loved. I cannot wait to see how this series comes to an end.

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A Darkness Returns by Raymond E. Feist – 20 August 2024

A Darkness Returns Cover

The final upcoming book that I want to highlight is A Darkness Returns by Raymond E. Feist. A book that brings together Feist’s iconic Riftwar Saga with his more recent Firemane books (King of Ashes, Queen of Storms and Master of Furies). I look forward to seeing this new series from one of my favourite fantasy authors and I know I’m going to love it.

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Well, that is the end of my Top Ten list. I think it turned out pretty well and it does a good job of capturing all my most anticipated books for the next three months. Each of the above should be extremely epic, and I cannot wait to read each of them soon. Let me know which of the above you are most excited for and stay tuned for reviews of them in the next few months. In the meantime, it looks like I have quite a few books to get through soon and they should all be awesome.

White Ash Ridge by S. R. White

On June 2, 2024 By The Unseen LibraryIn Australian, Murder Mystery8 Comments

White Ash Ridge Cover

Publisher: Headline (Trade Paperback – 12 March 2024)

Series: Detective Dana Russo – Book Four

Length: 343 pages

My Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

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One of Australian’s most distinctive new crime fiction authors returns with a complex murder mystery the blends compelling characters with unique methods, White Ash Ridge by S. R. White.

Over the last few years, I have really been enjoying the works of new author S. R. White. White, a former UK Police officer who emigrated to Australia, has been producing some amazing pieces of Australian outback crime fiction. His work has so far been part of his Detective Dana Russo series, which follows the titular detective as she investigates complex cases out in the Australian bush. This series has so far featured three impressive reads, Hermit, Prisoner and Red Dirt Road and these amazing books have been very fun to read, especially as White comes up with some unique crimes which require the protagonist’s more unusual methods to solve. I have really enjoyed White’s previous books, and I jumped on his new novel, White Ash Ridge, the moment I got my hands on it.

Murder, deceit and controversy are all that are on the limited menu of the White Ash Ridge hotel, especially when tragedy strikes its guests. An isolated and decaying hotel, hidden away in the Australian wilderness, White Ash Ridge has been booked out by the inner circle of a high-profile charity organisation for urgent discussions about its future. As the relentless heat raises tensions, the body of one of the charity’s founders is found dead on the track outside, his death caused by a blow to the head.

Called to the scene, Detective Dana Russo anticipates another complex murder case. With no one else spotted in the area and tensions running high amongst the charity’s founders, it seems likely that one of the four remaining guests at the White Ash Ridge is the murderer. However, as she begins to investigate, Dana is unprepared for the chaos that is about to descend upon her small command. The charity the victim work for was founded by two parents whose son was killed after intervening in a violent assault. The subsequent failed police investigation sparked public outrage and launched the boy’s mother into Australia’s political orbit.

Now thrust into the centre of a controversial family familiar with the police, Dana must quickly solve the case before events get out of hand. With a lack of physical evidence, Dana and her small team are forced to pull the truth from the four suspects to determine their history with the victim and why anyone would want to kill him. However, they only have limited time before the overwhelming public interest forces her to let the suspects go, likely at the cost of her career and reputation. Can Dana convince her suspects, none of whom have any love of the police, to cooperate before it’s too late, or will the killer walk free thanks to the will of the people?

S. R. White delivers another complex, impressive, and highly distinctive piece of Australian crime fiction with White Ash Ridge. Blending White’s unique murder mystery style with great characters and a compelling situation, White Ash Ridge was an amazing read that I could not get enough of.

I have always really enjoyed White’s take on the Australian murder mystery, as his focus is always on finding out all the details of the victims and the suspects to solve the case, often through the medium of interrogation. This was once again the case in White Ash Ridge, as the protagonists, under pressure to solve the case quickly, need to find out which of the four suspects committed the crime. As such, the story develops in a very interesting way, as the detectives both investigate in the traditional way, including finding witnesses and evidence, while also diving into the lives of everyone involved in the case. Much of this revolves around the eight main interviews of the investigation as the protagonists talk to each of the suspects twice to gain the relevant insights into themselves and the murder victim. White, through his main protagonist, Detective Dana Russo, has a very person-centric take on the interrogation progress, and the resulting character-driven focuses become a key part of the plot.

This proves to be a very clever way to set out this excellent mystery and subsequent investigation, and thanks to White’s expert writing ability White Ash Ridge ended up being an extremely clever and captivating book. The focus around the charity and its anti-police sentiments added some great intrigue to the narrative, and I liked the ticking clock aspect of the plot it brought in. All eight of the main interviews were very intense and compelling in their own ways, and you soon get a great idea of the various people drawn into the case. White combines this expertly with the personal dramas of the protagonists, including some ongoing storylines from the prior books, although the overarching threat of Dana’s new supervisor is getting a little stale at this point. At the same time, the reader gets the full blast of the Australian wilderness from the unnamed part of the country that White sets his novels in, which adds a lot of character to the story in its iconic and beautiful ways. The central mystery of White Ash Ridge comes together extremely well, and the eventual solution is smart, intriguing, and very well set up. The entire story comes together in a powerful way, and I loved this unique mystery which was another strong story from White.

As with all of White’s books in the series, White Ash Ridge is a hugely character-driven read, not only because of the compelling and damaged protagonists, but because his style of writing relies on diving into the lives of the various suspects and victims of the case to solve the crime. This all results in some exceptional character development and focuses, and I loved how complex and powerful the various stories that emerged were. Most of the protagonists focused development occurred around returning main character Detective Dana Russo, who serves as the solid and empathetic centre of the investigation. Dana once again showcases her unique investigation style that focuses on character interactions, history and mindsets to solve the case, which proves to be quite effective at diving into the minds of her targets. This time Dana is backed up by new detective, Mila Jelovic, who serves as a great support for the main character. While the development around Dana is a little light in White Ash Ridge, you do get an intriguing and powerful examination of Mila, whose previous undercover work has cost her severely in more than one way.

Aside from the police characters, the reader also gets an intense look at five specific figures who become the focus on the investigation, with the murder victim and the subsequent four suspects. All five of these people are members of a high-profile charity formed in the aftermath of a botched police investigation, with goals of stopping teen violence and keeping the police accountable. Due to the way the mystery is set out, there is a lot of focus on these characters and the events that brought them together, which provides the reader with an intriguing backstory to get familiar with. All five of these characters are interesting and complex in their own way, with various interactions, lies, manipulations and plans bringing them all together. Probably the most interesting of these is the charity’s figurehead, Keena Flynn, a major public figure following the death of her child. Due to her previous interactions with the police and politicians, Keena proves to be a tough nut to crack, and her pain, anger and distrust become a major obstacle to overcome. White does a wonderful job exploring these five characters, and indeed you often get more about them than the police protagonists. There is such a dark and compelling web of relationships surrounding these characters, and the subsequent reasons for why one of them was killed and by who was pretty impressive and helped to produce an incredible mystery.

S. R. White continues to flourish with another awesome entry in his compelling murder mystery series that is setting him up as one of Australia’s most distinctive crime fiction authors. Expertly combining his ability for complex murder scenarios and character-focused investigation methods to produce an outstanding story, White did an amazing job with White Ash Ridge, and I had an incredible time reading it. One of the cleverest mysteries of 2024 so far, this book comes highly recommended.

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The Girl in Question by Tess Sharpe

On June 2, 2024 By The Unseen LibraryIn Five-Star Books, Thriller, Young Adult6 Comments

Publisher: Hodder Children’s Books (Trade Paperback – 9 April 2024)

Series: The Girls I’ve Been – Book Two

Length: 442 pages

My Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

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In the mood for a clever, emotionally charged young adult thriller with some real heart behind it? Look no further than one of the best books of 2024 so far, The Girl in Question by Tess Sharpe.

Back in early 2021 I had the very great pleasure of reading an outstanding young adult thriller that had caught my eye thanks to its intriguing narrative and the promise it was being turned into a Netflix series. That book was The Girls I’ve Been by Tess Sharpe, which proved to be an extremely impressive read I had a wonderful time getting through. The Girls I’ve Been followed Nora O’Malley, a young teenager with a dark past as a con artist, who had managed to escape her abusive mother and gangster stepfather and find happiness with her older sister in a small town. Caught up in a bank robbery, Nora was forced to bring back her old tricks to save her friends, only for her actions to reveal her location to those hunting her. The Girls I’ve Been was such a great read, and I had such an amazing time getting through it. As such, I was very excited when I heard that Sharpe was releasing a sequel this year with The Girl in Question, one of my most anticipated books of 2024, which continued the story from the first novel in a big way.

Former con artist Nora O’Malley is enjoying life while she can. Having recently finished high school, Nora is excited for the careers and futures that her girlfriend Iris and her best friend Wes are planning for. However, Nora knows that her own future is bleak and unlikely to be long. Her secret past has been exposed, and with her murderous stepfather Raymond now free from prison, it’s only a matter of time before he comes to kill her.

Determined not to live in despair while waiting to die, Nora agrees to accompany Iris and Wes on a summer hiking trip. The long trek through the woods is everything Nora could want to relax, even with Wes’s new girlfriend, Amanda, tagging along, and she is able to put the thoughts of imminent death out of her head. That is, until Amanda is taken hostage in the night and their camp comes under attack from Raymond’s vengeful goons.

Split up in the woods without backup, help or leverage, Nora, Iris and Wes’s chances seem dire. But these are no ordinary teenagers. All three have gone through hell in their lives and none are willing to give up on each other. Working together to fight back, the three friends seek to survive together. However, there are unknown players in the woods, and Nora will need to use all her skills at manipulation to keep herself and her friends alive. But nothing is as it seems, and deep secrets amongst the trio could break them apart well before they are hunted down.

The Girl in Question was another excellent young adult thriller from Tess Sharpe that expertly built on the story from the first book, while taking the characters in some interesting directions. Sharp, clever, and highly intense, The Girl in Question is guaranteed to keep you on your toes as you get drawn into the action.

Sharpe comes up with a great story for The Girl in Question, taking the protagonists through hell and back as they attempt to survive the dangerous forces coming for them. Set a couple of years after the events of The Girls I’ve Been, The Girl in Question starts with an intriguing prelude that hints at events to come, before diving into the main story, with Nora and her friends planning a trip into the forest. Sharpe does a good job of exploring the aftermath of the first book, the strong relationships between the main characters, and the general apprehension felt by the protagonist about her potential upcoming doom. There are also several hints that the protagonists know far more than they should, and they have secrets they are keeping from everyone. Soon the characters find themselves stuck in the woods, which quickly results in chaos as the bad guys find them and prepare to kill them.

This first third of the plot is really intriguing and fun, but the action really kicks in for the last two thirds of the book. Sharpe does a great job of utilising the dark situation the protagonists are stuck in, and I loved the feeling of isolation and desperation that they feel. There is also a good use of flashbacks throughout this early part of the book to explore more of Nora’s past with the antagonist, especially as it introduces a couple of the goons running around the woods. All three of the main protagonists react in some great ways, and I loved seeing them take charge and fight back, while also dealing with their own personal issues. This works until around halfway through, whereupon Sharpe reveals a pretty massive twist that changes the entire direction of the story and makes you realise nothing was what you thought. There is a great extended flashback that sets up some very interesting character development, before the action returns to present and results in some intriguing interactions. Sharpe throws in some great moments and reveals leading towards the conclusion, and I for one was very hooked as the elaborate and thrilling story continued. The final confrontation was everything you would hope it to be as Sharpe ensures that everyone gets what they deserve, one way or another. Throw in a few fun and often dark final twists and turns, including some well-deserved revenge, and this proves to be quite a fantastic read that I really could not get enough of.

Unlike a lot of other sequels that I read, I felt that The Girl in Question didn’t massively work as a standalone novel; people really need to check out the previous novel first. While Sharpe does do a decent recap of The Girls I’ve Been for new readers, so many story elements from the first book are referenced in the sequel that you’d be much better off getting through that previous novel in advance. However, no matter what, you are in for a treat with The Girl in Question, as Sharpe produces a powerful thriller that expertly utilises all the best elements from the first book. The great changes in perspective, especially between the two main characters, the short, sharp, action-packed chapters, as well as the excellent flashbacks and fun little lists thrown in between chapters work together well to tell a great story. You really get a great sense of the action, and the slow build towards the various twists works well, especially with the occasional hint of what is to come. I loved how Sharpe maintained a very quick story pace, and there is honestly not a quiet moment where something thrilling or emotionally charged is taking place.

Like the previous novel in the series, The Girl in Question proves to be an excellent piece of young adult fiction that will appeal to a wide teenage audience and beyond. While most of the story focus is on the characters or the over-the-top crime thriller elements, Sharpe does take the time to discuss issues relevant to teenagers, like the uncertainty of the future, complicated friendships, and abusive parents, the latter of which is a recurring theme amongst the main characters. I really appreciated how Sharpe doesn’t talk down to her teenage audience when it comes to these elements, or the dark crime fiction inclusions, and these readers will no doubt love this gritty novel and its fantastic story.

At its heart, The Girl in Question is driven by its compelling central cast, as Sharpe continues to explore the lives of three damaged teenagers as they attempt to overcome their respective pasts, and the dark threats of the future coming for them. As with the first book, a large amount of the character focus revolves around protagonist Nora O’Malley, the daughter of a notorious con artist who was used as a tool in her mother’s ploys before breaking free in dramatic fashion. Ever since the events of the last book, Nora has been living in fear as her location has been leaked and her vengeful stepfather is likely coming for her. This ensures a healthy dose of fatalism in Nora, and she is forced to choose between her instinct to run and her current connections and relationships. Nora proves to be a real firecracker of a protagonist, and I like how dark she can get as she tries to protect those closest to her. Determined, manipulative and deadly, Nora walks a thin line between the criminal she was raised to be and the caring person her friends turned her into and must come to terms with what her natural inclination to deceive costs those around her. I really enjoyed following Nora as a central protagonist and Sharpe takes her storyline in some interesting directions.

In addition to Nora, the other two main characters are Nora’s girlfriend Iris, and their best friend Wes. Both these characters have grown a lot closer to Nora since the last book, as the trauma of their pasts and the bank robbery they find themselves stuck in have ensured they have become a tight unit. Of the two, Iris gets most of the focus, and she ends up narrating nearly half the book. Iris is an interesting counterpoint to Nora, especially as she is a little more innocent and unused to the dangers of Nora’s life and worries about being helpless. Despite that, she proves to be quite formidable as the book progresses, and indeed she might be the most dangerous member of the group. Wes, on the other hand, is a solid and compelling addition to the group, serving as the man of action who is desperately trying to keep his friends safe from the dangers around him. While he is not focused on as heavily as Nora and Iris, Wes is a major figure, and it was interesting to see how his friendship with the two girls has changed him, as well the trauma surrounding him from his abusive father. The bond between these three characters is a major part of The Girl in Question’s strength, and it was great to see them work together as the novel progressed. This bond is tested in places, especially as they are forced to lie to each other, but this was an overall nice character dynamic that produced an epic read. Other characters of note include Wes’s girlfriend, Amanda, whose own secrets plays in an interesting role in the plot, one very good dog, an ambitious FBI agent who takes a stroll in the woods for her own ends, and a bevy of great antagonists, including the big-bad Raymond. These characters all add so much to the book, and I loved the powerful story arcs around them all.

Tess Sharpe has produced another outstanding young adult thriller with The Girl in Question. Perfectly following on from the previous novel, The Girl in Question was a powerful, clever and compelling read that had me hooked the entire way through. This was such an amazing book and I look forward to seeing what unique and powerful young adult adventures Sharpe comes up with in the future.

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WWW Wednesday – 29 May 2024

On May 30, 2024 By The Unseen LibraryIn WWW WednesdayLeave a comment

WWW Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Taking on a World of Words, where bloggers share the books that they’ve recently finished, what they are currently reading and what books they are planning to read next. Essentially you have to answer three questions (the Three Ws):

What are you currently reading?
What did you recently finish reading?
What do you think you’ll read next?

So, let’s get to it.

What are you currently reading:

Hill 112 by Adrian Goldsworthy (ebook)

Hill 112 Cover

I have been having an amazing time reading the epic historical novel Hill 112 by Adrian Goldsworthy this week. A powerful and brutal World War II novel, Hill 112 follows three young soldiers fighting in one of the bloodiest battles of the Normandy campaign. I am deeply enjoying this epic book and I only have a little bit left of it, so I should finish it off soon.

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Warhammer 40,000: Cain’s Last Stand by Sandy Mitchell (Audiobook)

Cain's Last Stand Cover

I was in the mood for some fun listening this week, so I dove into a couple of the fantastic Ciaphas Cain audiobooks. Following a complex character as he navigates the dark Warhammer 40,000 universe with humour and justifiable fear, the Ciaphas Cain books are very entertaining, and I have been deeply enjoying this series lately. Cain’s Last Stand is a particularly interesting inclusion and I look forward to seeing how it comes together. I am absolutely flying through Cain’s Last Stand at the moment, and I should finish it off this weekend.

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What did you recently finish reading?

Think Twice by Harlan Coben (Trade Paperback)

Think Twice Cover

I powered through Think Twice by Harlan Coben last week, knocking off the final 200 pages in a single day. This was an outstanding and entertaining read that proved to be one of the most exciting thrillers of 2024 so far. Make sure to check out my review for it here.

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Crucible of Chaos by Sebastien De Castell (Audiobook)

Crucible of Chaos Cover

After having so much fun with the epic novel, Play of Shadows, earlier this year, I decided to also read Sebastien De Castell’s 2023 release, Crucible of Chaos. Serving as a loosely connected prelude to Play of Shadows, Crucible of Chaos was a unique mystery novel that saw wandering magistrate enter a conflicted abbey where the monks have initiated a holy civil war. This proved to be an exceptional listen that I could not stop listening to. A very highly recommended piece of fantasy fiction, I am hoping to get a review up for it very soon.

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Warhammer 40,000: Duty Calls by Sandy Mitchell (Audiobook)

Duty Calls Cover

Another Ciaphas Cain audiobook I checked out this week was the very fun Duty Calls. Duty Calls was an epic read, and I loved the entertaining and thrilling plot that forced the protagonist into some dark adventures.

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What do you think you’ll read next?

Nero by Conn Iggulden

Nero Cover

The next book I am planning to check out is the epic historical fiction novel Nero by Conn Iggulden. An intriguing read from one of the top authors of historical fiction, Nero will follow the early days of the titular tyrant and show the events that led to him becoming Emperor. I am very curious to see how Nero turns out, and I have high hopes this will be one of the best historical books of 2024.

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That’s it for this week, check back in next Wednesday to see what progress I’ve made on my reading and what books I’ll be looking at next.

Think Twice by Harlan Coben

On May 30, 2024 By The Unseen LibraryIn Thriller4 Comments

Think Twice Cover

Publisher: Century (Trade Paperback – 14 May 2024)

Series: Myron Bolitar – Book 12

Length: 419 pages

My Rating: 4.75 out of 5 stars

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Legendary thriller author Harlan Coben returns with another outstanding and twisty read that forces his longest running protagonist into a dark and deadly adventure with Think Twice.

Harlan Coben is an amazing writer who has been setting the world on fire for years with his exceptional thrillers that contain impressive twists and unbelievable turns, all set around distinctive and clever story ideas. Many of his best books have been turned into fantastic television series, and his work has a habit of transforming into excellent dark content. I personally have come into the Harlan Coben fandom a bit late, beginning with I Will Find You last year. I loved the excellent story it contained, and it ensured that I would continue to check out Coben’s work in the future. I’m very glad that I did, as his latest novel, Think Twice, proved to be a particularly epic read. The latest entry in Coben’s long-running Myron Bolitar series, Think Twice reintroduces his iconic protagonist Myron Bolitar and sets him loose for his 12^th novel.

After many ups and downs, former basketball player and incorrigible troublemaker Myron Bolitar is back in the sports agent game, once again situated in his New York office, surrounded by his unusual friends. Working hard to bring his business back to its old glory, Myron is unprepared for a ghost from his past to literally come back and haunt him in the strangest way when two FBI agents visit his office, seeking his help to find a suspect in a recent double murder.

The investigation into the murder has revealed DNA evidence that points towards Myron’s former client and rival, Greg Downing. The only problem is that Greg Downing died three years ago, and Myron was the one who gave the eulogy. With the FBI convinced that he is lying and knows something about Greg’s whereabouts, Myron is intrigued, especially as his complicated history with Greg has given them an unbreakable connection.

Determined to find out whether Greg could be alive, Myron teams up with his partner in crime, the dangerous billionaire Win, to seek the truth. Their investigation leads them from New York to Las Vegas to Montana and back again as they attempt to find any hint about what happened to their old client. But the further they dig, the more it becomes apparent that there is a dangerous killer on the loose who likes to hide their misdeeds in the most sinister of ways. But is Greg alive and perpetrating these crimes, or is someone else setting him up for the fall? And does that someone now have Myron in their sights?

Wow, now this was such a good thriller. Coben really pulled out another wild and clever story with Think Twice and I got so drawn into this fantastic read. Making full use of his interesting story premise, existing character arcs, and habit for outrageous twists, Coben had me hooked the entire way through, and I had so much fun with Think Twice.

I really loved the compelling story that Coben came up with for Think Twice, and frankly I got addicted to it in the opening pages as the reader is swiftly introduced to multiple awesome aspects of the plot. The initial scenes with main point-of-view character, Myron Bolitar, reveal that a recurring character believed dead is still alive and is the main suspect in a murder case, while separate sequences told from an unknown person’s perspective, reveal intimate details of a unique serial killer stalking the country. The story quickly develops into a hunt for the presumed dead client, as Myron and Win seek to find and help him before the FBI can. This turns into a great missing persons investigation for the first third of the novel, as the protagonists hunt across America, digging up clues and coming into conflict with other interested parties in the case, including a sinister mob boss with a fun nickname.

This first third of the book, while a tad slower than the rest of the narrative, proves to be a great introduction to the story, and Coben does an excellent job of setting up some key plot elements and character introductions that pay off well in the rest of the book. The author keeps the narrative going strong, and you are soon introduced to more mysteries, secrets and threats as the protagonist tries to discover what is happening and who is truly responsible. There is a great deal of tension and mystery the entire way throughout the story, and I really got caught up in this book, powering through the second half of Think Twice in less than a day. Coben brings the entire mystery together extremely well, and I think that this book had a very strong conclusion. There are some great twists in the lead up to the big confrontation, and events get very frenetic and deadly in all the most exciting ways. After some massive moments, Coben loads up additional twists to really strike the reader hard, and you will come away feeling bruised from the resulting whiplash. I really enjoyed how these twists came about, and I think that Coben did an outstanding job setting them up and subsequently unleashing them. This was honestly a brilliant story that had me hooked the entire way through.

The author set a great tone for Think Twice that ensured the reader was constantly engaged and forced to keep reading. The entire story is very fast-paced, and the outrageous characters featured within are fun and exciting, allowing you to connect both with their unique investigation methods as well as the myriad personal dramas that result from their interactions. While most of the story is told through the eyes of main character Myron, several key parts of the book are shown from alternative perspectives. This helped to create a much more intense read, especially the scenes that show the unknown antagonist’s thoughts and kills. Not only does this help set up some great twists but it also ensures that the reader gets drawn into the resulting game of cat and mouse. Other perspectives, especially towards the end and helpfully distinguished by changes in font, are also well done and herald some massive events. Coben did a great job of blending the story’s sports-themed mystery with the more intense, character-driven elements of the plot, and I ended really impressed with how this entire book came together, especially with the clever and compelling twists.

Unlike some of the other Coben books that I have read, Think Twice is part of a series and follows on from the previous mysteries contained in the Myron Bolitar books. Indeed, the storyline in this 12^th entry is strongly related to previous books in the series, especially the third novel, Fade Away, with many of the characters introduced there coming back in a big way. While there are many references to this previous book, Think Twice still works well as a standalone novel, and Coben ensures that all the key plot elements from Fade Away and other Myron Bolitar books are explained quickly and effectively as the story continues. As someone who has not read any of the books in the series, I was easily able to follow the plot of Think Twice while still getting drawn into the key character arcs and storylines. However, I feel that established fans of the series will probably get a little more out of Think Twice, especially when it comes to the continuation of some intense character interactions. As such, Think Twice is going to appeal to a lot of readers, and someone a little newer to Coben’s work can easily jump into this long-running series with barely any issues.

The final thing I want to highlight about Think Twice are the intriguing and fun characters that Coben features throughout his book. Coben clearly likes big personalities with complicated feelings, and I had a lot of fun getting to know the cast of this series, especially as there are some distinctive oddballs here. The most prominent character is series protagonist Myron Bolitar, a former star basketball player turned sports agent, lawyer and occasional investigator. Myron proves to be a fun protagonist to follow, and I liked his morality and sense of right and wrong, which contrasts well with other key characters. Coben did a good job of drawing the reader into Myron’s personal issues, of which there are many, especially when it comes to the side characters in this book. Thanks to the renewed focus on his old rival, Greg Downing, several figures from previous books are reintroduced, including his old flame and his biological son that was raised by Greg. This leads to substantial drama, especially as the various relationships are strained from previous betrayals and lies. Myron’s complicated relationships with these returning side characters proves to be a key part of the book, and it was interesting to see him finally get some closure with some characters, while renewing old issues with others.

Aside from Myron and the returning characters from Fade Away, the cast of Think Twice are entertainingly unusual, and it proved interesting to see the fun range of figures the protagonist surrounds himself with. The former women’s tag-team professional wrestlers who have become Myron’s colleagues was an interesting touch from Coben that I certainly had fun with, and Myron’s entertaining family who interact with him in the background were also entertaining. The main supporting character you have to talk about is Myron’s best friend and confidant, Win. Windsor Horne Lockwood III is ultra-rich, ultra-eccentric and just a little bit crazy. A deadly figure with no moral compass, Win backs his friend up in many ways, and has no problem getting lethal when the situation calls for it. Win honestly steals most scenes he is in, and he plays off Myron really well, ensuring that they come away as an amusing and effective team. Throw in a great antagonist with clever methods who remains hidden for much of the book, and Think Twice has some great characters whom Coben uses to their full extent to tell an interesting story.

Thanks to its outrageous story, cool plot concepts and excellent twists, Think Twice proved to be an amazing read that I could not get enough of. Slick, clever, and highly addictive, Think Twice really showcased Harlan Coben’s ability to pull together a brilliant thriller. I had such a great time reading Think Twice, and I cannot wait to see what unique story Coben pulls together next. Highly recommended to both established Coben fans and new readers looking for a distinctive thriller.

Think Twice Cover 2

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Quick Review – Body of Lies by Sarah Bailey

On May 30, 2024 By The Unseen LibraryIn Australian, Murder Mystery, Quick Review, Thriller1 Comment

Body of Lies Cover

Publisher: Allen & Unwin Australia (Trade Paperback – 27 February 2024)

Series: Gemma Woodstock – Book Four

Length: 470 pages

My Rating: 4.5 out of 5 Stars

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One of Australia’s best authors of crime fiction brings to life another complex and intense murder mystery with Body of Lies by Sarah Bailey.

Plot Synopsis:

A car crash victim clings to life and is rushed to hospital but can’t be saved. Hours later, her corpse is stolen from the morgue. No one knows who the dead woman was or why her body was taken.

Detective Sergeant Gemma Woodstock is back in her hometown of Smithson on maternity leave when the bizarre incident occurs. She is intrigued by the case but reluctant to get involved, despite the urging of her journalist friend Candy Fyfe. But in the days after the body goes missing, the town is rocked by another shocking crime and Gemma can’t resist joining the investigation.

Candy and Gemma follow the clues the dead woman left behind. As they attempt to discover the identity of the missing woman, Gemma uncovers devastating secrets about the people she thought she knew best. The closer Gemma gets to the truth, the more danger she is in. She desperately needs to confide in someone—but is there anyone she can trust?

This was another interesting and compelling read from Bailey, who really impressed me back in 2021 with her standalone novel, The Housemate, which ended up being one of my favourite books and Australian novels of that year. Body of Lies is another outstanding book from Bailey, which serves as the fourth entry in her Gemma Woodstock series and provides the reader with an amazing and dramatic mystery.

I had a lot of fun getting through Body of Lies as Bailey comes up with an elaborate story that really draws you in. Whilst it is part of a larger series, Body of Lies is easily read as a standalone novel, with Bailey doing a good job of reintroducing key elements from the previous novels where necessary. Thanks to this, Body of Lies has a quick start which reconnects readers with the protagonist while also providing key information about the initial death, as well as the unusual circumstances surrounding the missing body. Despite still being on maternity leave, protagonist and main point-of-view character Gemma Woodstock begins investigating, and soon finds herself drawn into a series of additional crimes in the Smithson area that may or may not be related to the stolen body.

This resolves into quite an awesome story, as you really get drawn into Body of Lies’s intense and intricate mystery. Bailey keeps making the case even more complex thanks to additional deaths and other unusual events, and the constant raising of stakes ensures the reader’s attention stays on the story. At the same time, the protagonist’s personal life also takes centre stage in the plot as Gemma deals with a new baby, a traumatised older child, a lying family, a pushy friend, and multiple work conflicts as she attempts to reintegrate back into her own job.

While I got really invested in the story, I think that the final third of Body of Lies got a little off the rails. Not only are there a huge number of emotional and family dramas surrounding the protagonist, many of which seem a little unnecessary, but there proves to be a huge number of personal connections to the case that drive the protagonist on. While I liked the increased motivations for the protagonist, these connections seemed way too coincidental, and honestly it stole a lot of realism from the plot. I also did get a little tired of the many personal dramas that seemed to surround the protagonist. While I realise that Bailey was trying to showcase the complex life of her protagonist, much of which is driven by the tragic events of the prior books, as well as the side effects of single-minded determination to finding the truth, it honestly got a bit frustrating to follow her at times. Still, Gemma’s struggles out of her own obsessed mind added some excellent drama and substance to the narrative and Bailey certainly kept her story arc interesting.

The solution to the big mystery turns out to be pretty darn bonkers, and I guarantee most people won’t see the full extent of it coming. While Bailey did do a good job of setting this reveal up and laying down some hints, it ended up being a very surprising and over-the-top solution that might not work for everyone. Still, readers are left with an excellent final confrontation and the mystery ends up wrapping up in a satisfying and intriguing way. There is also a really good twist around a hidden antagonist, which is guaranteed to shock readers and keep them on their toes. As such, this was a pretty awesome story, and I had a wonderful time getting through it.

In the end, Body of Lies proved to be an outstanding and highly exciting novel that drew me in with its elaborate mystery. While I didn’t love everything about Sarah Bailey’s new narrative, Body of Lies was still an amazing piece of Australian crime fiction, and well worth a read for anyone looking for a complex and impressive mystery with compelling character elements behind it.

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Waiting on Wednesday – The Devils by Joe Abercrombie

On May 29, 2024 By The Unseen LibraryIn Fantasy, Waiting on Wednesday7 Comments

Welcome to my weekly segment, Waiting on Wednesday, where I look at upcoming books that I am planning to order and review in the next few months and which I think I will really enjoy. I run this segment in conjunction with the Can’t-Wait Wednesday meme that is currently running at Wishful Endings. Stay tuned to see reviews of these books when I get a copy of them. For this week’s Waiting on Wednesday, I am jumping ahead to 2025 to highlight a book I am particularly excited for with The Devils by Joe Abercrombie.

The Devils Cover 2

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There are few modern authors more influential in the field of fantasy fiction than the exceptional Joe Abercrombie. Known for his outstanding dark fantasy novel, Abercrombie has been one of the top authors in the genre for years, especially when wowing readers with his iconic The First Law series. Currently sitting at nine books, including his original First Law trilogy, his three standalone novels (Best Served Cold, The Heroes and Red Country), and his latest Age of Madness trilogy. The last of these, the Age of Madness books, are particularly well represented on this blog as they proved to be exceptional books for each of the years they were released. All three of them, A Little Hatred (one of my favourite books of 2019), The Trouble With Peace (one of my favourite books and audiobooks of 2020) and The Wisdom of Crowds (one of my favourite books and audiobooks of 2021), were very highly rated by me and I could not get enough of this series.

Due to how much I have enjoyed Abercrombie’s work in the past I have been eagerly awaiting some new book for him for years. As such, I was very excited when I found out that he had a novel coming out early next year with The Devils. Set for release in May 2025, The Devils will take readers to an alternate version of medieval Europe where all manner of dark creatures roam and even darker deeds are committed. While it isn’t part of the First Law universe, this new book sounds extremely cool, and it really has a lot of potential.

Plot Synopsises:

A brand-new epic fantasy from New York Times bestselling author Joe Abercrombie, featuring a notorious band of anti-heroes on a delightfully bloody and raucous journey.

Holy work sometimes requires unholy deeds.

Brother Diaz has been summoned to the Sacred City, where he is certain a commendation and grand holy assignment awaits him. But his new flock is made up of unrepentant murderers, practitioners of ghastly magic, and outright monsters, and the mission he is tasked with will require bloody measures from them all in order to achieve its righteous ends.

Elves lurk at our borders and hunger for our flesh, while greedy princes care for nothing but their own ambitions and comfort. With a hellish journey before him, it’s a good thing Brother Diaz has the devils on his side.

Europe stares into the abyss.

Plague and famine stalk the land, monsters lurk in every shadow and greedy princes care for nothing but their own ambitions. Only one thing is certain: the elves will come again, and they will eat everyone.

Sometimes, the darkest paths lead towards the light. Paths on which the righteous will not dare to tread…

And so, buried beneath the sacred splendour of the Celestial Palace, is the secret Chapel of the Holy Expediency. For its congregation of convicted monsters there are no sins that have not been committed, no lines that will not be crossed, and no mission that cannot be turned into a disastrous bloodbath.

Now the hapless Brother Diaz must somehow bind the worst of the worst to a higher cause: to put a thief on the throne of Troy, and unite the sundered church against the coming apocalypse.

When you’re headed through hell, you need the devils on your side.

Well now, this sounds pretty damn awesome. I honestly never knew that I needed a Joe Abercrombie dark alternate history book where a priest must lead a band of literal monsters to save the world from elves, but now that I know that it exists and is on its way, I cannot wait to read it. The Devils sounds like such an outrageous novel, and I am getting some very fun The Dirty Dozen vibes from it, which is always great. I also cannot wait to see Abercrombie’s take on a riven, dark alternate Europe, and I am curious what horrors and unique occurrences his imagine can envision for this landscape. This setup, combined with an amazing setting and Abercrombie’s brilliant take on human nature and dark fantasy, easily ensures this is going to be an incredible novel.

Look, if I was purely seeing the plot synopsis for The Devils on its own, I would be very interested and would make it a priority to read this awesome upcoming book. But the fact that it is written by Joe Abercrombie, who is easily one of my favourite authors, there is no way in hell that I am missing out on this book next year. I have no doubt what-so-ever that The Devils is going to be an exceptional book and I will probably end up loving every single second that I spend reading it. As far as I’m concerned, the number one contender for best fantasy book of 2025 has just been announced, and if I could walk through time to get a copy of The Devils sooner I would.

The Devils Cover 1

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WWW Wednesday – 22 May 2024

On May 22, 2024 By The Unseen LibraryIn WWW Wednesday3 Comments

What are you currently reading?
What did you recently finish reading?
What do you think you’ll read next?

So, let’s get to it.

What are you currently reading:

Think Twice by Harlan Coben (Trade Paperback)

Think Twice Cover

I just started reading the intriguing thriller Think Twice by Harlan Coben. A compelling novel that sees one of Coben’s recurring protagonists investigate recent murders apparently committed by his long-dead friend, Think Twice has an intriguing plot behind it that I am really starting to get into. I have made a bit of progress already and I am hoping to knock off Think Twice over the weekend. I look forward to finding out how it comes together, and I am hoping for a really elaborate narrative.

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Crucible of Chaos by Sebastien De Castell (Audiobook)

Crucible of Chaos Cover

After having so much fun with the epic novel, Play of Shadows, earlier this year, I have been meaning to read more stuff from impressive author Sebastien De Castell. As such, when I was in the mood for a good fantasy book, I decided to grab the late 2023 release, Crucible of Chaos by De Castell. Serving as a loosely connected prelude to Play of Shadows, Crucible of Chaos is a unique mystery novel that sees a wandering magistrate enter a conflicted abbey where the monks have initiated a holy civil war. I am loving this outrageous and awesome novel, and I am absolutely flying through the audiobook version of it. I am nearly halfway through Crucible of Chaos at this point, and I am very, very intrigued, to see how De Castell will bring this elaborate story together.

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What did you recently finish reading?

The Girl in Question by Tess Sharpe (Trade Paperback)

The Girl in Question Cover

I managed to finish off the fantastic young adult thriller The Girl in Question by Tess Sharpe this week. The sequel to the impressive novel, The Girls I’ve Been, The Girl in Question was an amazing and very clever book that really grabbed my attention. A particularly impressive read, review to follow soon.

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Warhammer 40,000: Deathworlder by Victoria Hayward (Audiobook)

Warhammer 40,000 - Deathworlder Cover

I also finished off the awesome Warhammer 40,000 novel, Deathworlder this week. A particularly dark and epic piece of Warhammer 40,000 fiction, Deathworlder was an outstanding debut novel from Victoria Hayward and I will try to get a review up for it quickly as well.

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What do you think you’ll read next?

Death on the Tiber by Lindsey Davis

Death on the Tiber Cover

While I have a few potential books to read next, I think I will probably dive into the new Lindsey Davis novel, Death on the Tiber. The latest book in Davis’ long-running Flavia Albia historical murder mystery series, Death on the Tiber will see the series’ protagonist investigate another complex murder in ancient Rome, this time while dealing with demons from her past. I really love this amazing series and I have no doubt I will have a wonderful time reading Death on the Tiber.

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That’s it for this week, check back in next Wednesday to see what progress I’ve made on my reading and what books I’ll be looking at next.

Waiting on Wednesday – Darkside by Michael Mammay

On May 22, 2024 By The Unseen LibraryIn Science Fiction, Thriller, Waiting on Wednesday6 Comments

Welcome to my weekly segment, Waiting on Wednesday, where I look at upcoming books that I am planning to order and review in the next few months and which I think I will really enjoy. I run this segment in conjunction with the Can’t-Wait Wednesday meme that is currently running at Wishful Endings. Stay tuned to see reviews of these books when I get a copy of them. In this latest Waiting on Wednesday post, I highlight a particularly awesome science fiction thriller coming out later this year that I am very excited for, Darkside by Michael Mammay.

Darkside Cover

Amazon

The second half of 2024 is looking particularly awesome, as there are a ton of outstanding books coming out before December. While I have my eye on quite a few fantasy and science fiction novels in this period, one that has especially caught my eye is the outstanding sounding novel, Darkside by Michael Mammay, which will bring me back to the author’s epic and impressive Planetside series.

The Planetside series is an excellent science fiction series that features high-stakes military thriller storylines in the far future. I have been a big fan of this series since the beginning, when, by chance, I chose to listen to the first book in the series, Planetside. Mammay’s debut novel, Planetside was an outstanding book that saw a retired military colonel, Carl Butler, sent to an alien planet to find a missing officer. However, he soon finds himself involved in an elaborate conspiracy as alien forces and members of his own side try to stop him. I had an awesome time with Planetside and it ended up being one of my favourite books of 2018, especially as Mammay ended everything with a pretty epic final twist.

Mammay followed up Planetside the next year with the fantastic thriller Spaceside, that saw the protagonist deal with the many consequences of his previous adventure, and which also ended on a bang. This was another amazing read and Spaceside ended up being one of my favourite books of 2019. The exciting series continued in 2021 with Colonyside as Butler was once again dragged into a dangerous conspiracy on a planet, this time involving a corrupt company and dangerous alien fauna. An outstanding novel that had me on edge the entire time, Colonyside was a pretty awesome book, and unsurprisingly was one of my favourite novels and audiobooks of 2021.

While I haven’t been able to make time to check out some of Mammay’s other intriguing science fiction novels, the Planetside series is something that I will not be able to ignore, so I was very excited when I found out that Mammay was releasing a fourth book, Darkside, later this year. Set for release in September, Darkside will see the return of the Butler as he is forced into another elaborate adventure, this time on a moon where everyone wants to kill him.

Plot Synopsis:

In this thrilling, action-packed fourth installment in the Planetside series from acclaimed science fiction author Michael Mammay, retired Colonel Carl Butler gears up for another military investigation, full of danger, corporate intrigue, and tech people would kill for—perfect for fans of John Scalzi and Craig Alanson.

Colonel Butler has paid his dues and just wants to enjoy his retirement on a remote planet. But the galaxy has had other plans. He has been roped into searching for a politician’s missing son and an industry magnate’s missing daughter. He has been kidnapped, violated numerous laws, and caused the destruction of colonial facilities. He’s famous—or infamous, depending on who you ask—praised and reviled in equal measure across the galaxy for his exploits.

And he is determined to never let the government drag him into another investigation.

But when a runaway twelve-year-old girl whose father has gone missing asks him for help, well…it’s a lot harder to say no.

The girl’s father, Jorge Ramiro, was supposed to have been on Taug, a moon orbiting the gas giant Ridia 5, working on a dig with a famous archaeologist. But now there’s no sign of him and no record of him being there. Mining operations on the moon are run by two different consortiums, Caliber and Omicron—both of which have tried to kill Butler in the past. Butler doesn’t believe in coincidence.

Landing on Taug with his right-hand man Mac, computer genius Ganos, and an elite security squad, Butler soon finds that they’ve charged back into the crosshairs—because Ramiro is not the only who has disappeared, and the perpetual darkside of this moon is hiding more than the truth about a missing archaeologist…

Now this is going to be good. Mammay has built up quite an interesting narrative around Butler during the first three books in the series, and this fourth entry, Darkside, will make great use of them. While forcing Butler, who by this point is one of the most infamous and controversial figures in the galaxy, into yet another sinister investigation is par for the course in this series, I am very much looking forward to seeing how this plays out. Not only will we have a cool new environment, a mysterious moon with alien archaeology, but we will see Butler have to contend with multiple old enemies in the form of two companies he has crossed paths with before.

As such, I see Darkside playing out as a very elaborate mystery thriller as Butler tries to figure out which of his enemies are behind this new plot, while both companies try to kill them. Watching the direct old soldier go up against intrigue, politics and dangerous schemes is going to be a ton of fun, and I cannot wait to see what elaborate story emerges, especially as these conspiracies are never simple. I am also intrigued to see how Butler has evolved since his last adventure, especially as every time he’s in action, he seems to do something utterly destructive. This reputation is a bit of a double-edged sword for the protagonist, and I am sure it will come into play in some interesting ways, especially if his opponents seek to exploit it again. There are so many other cool elements that could come into play here, and I have no doubt this is going to be epic.

Honestly, there is no way that I am missing Darkside later this year when it comes out. I am way too invested in the Planetside series by Michael Mammay and I am very intrigued to see how it continues, especially as the protagonist is still dealing with the fallout of his previous adventures. I have no doubt whatsoever that Darkside is going to be an impressive and outstanding read, and it will probably end up being one of my top books of the year. I am already in love with the cover and I cannot wait to see how this novel unfolds. At this point I am planning to check out Darkside on audiobook, mainly because it will likely feature the narration of the always epic R. C. Bray, and I know that will make this amazing novel that much better.

Top Ten Tuesday – Authors I’d Love a New Book From

On May 22, 2024 By The Unseen LibraryIn List2 Comments

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme that currently resides at The Artsy Reader Girl and features bloggers sharing lists on various book topics. For this week’s Top Ten Tuesday, participants are tasked with listing the top authors that they’d love a new book from. This could be because the author hasn’t written anything for a while, has passed away, or because the blogger has loved the author’s work so much that they have outpaced their writing.

This proved to be a rather interesting topic to pull together and I was eventually able to come up with a good ten entries, including my typical honourable mention section. I ended up with a good mixture of authors, many of whom haven’t released a book quick enough for my liking for various reasons. I have cheated a little bit in places when it comes to some writers, but I did try to avoid authors who had a new book out in the last year, even if said book wasn’t part of a series that I was interested in. I think my final list turned out rather well and there are several awesome authors I wish I could get a new book from.

Honourable Mentions:

Brian McClellan

In the Shadow of Lightning Cover

I really enjoyed McClellan’s last book, In the Shadow of Lightning, and I am desperate for a sequel. However, I should also read his Powder Mage series properly to get some epic fantasy adventures.

Andrew Shvarts

It Ends in Fire Cover 2

Shvarts is an excellent young adult fantasy author who had been really growing on me thanks to his Royal Bastards trilogy (Royal Bastards, City of Bastards and War of the Bastards) and his standalone novel, It Ends in Fire. Unfortunately, we haven’t had anything from Shvarts for a couple of years, which is a real shame.

Chris Wooding

The Shadow Casket Cover

Chris Wooding probably shouldn’t be on this list, considering he did have a book out last year. However, I am extremely keen to get a copy of his next novel in his Darkwater Legacy series, especially after how good his first two books, The Ember Blade and The Shadow Casket, were. I’m mostly including Wooding here because I know it will be a while until we get a third Darkwater Legacy novel, and I am very impatient.

Suzanne Collins

The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes Cover

I’m of the firm belief that there is even more that can be pulled from The Hunger Games universe, and I really hope Collins develops some additional awesome books.

Top Ten Tuesday:

Terry Pratchett

Guards! Guards! Cover

Let’s start this list off very strong with the late, great Terry Pratchett. I have made it no secret that Terry Pratchett is one of my absolute favourite authors, and his books have been a big part of my literary journey, including inspiring the name of this blog. I have had the great pleasure of reading all his books over the years many times, and if we could get at least one more, I would be very happy. I would especially love another entry in the Discworld universe, mainly because there are still a few questions that need to be answered, but alas that is not to be. As such, Pratchett was the easiest choice I made for this entire list, and I am sure many other readers out there would agree with my desire for another Pratchett novel.

Jim Butcher

Battle Ground Cover

The second entry on this list is another pretty obvious one for me, as I have been absolutely powering through Jim Butcher’s iconic Dresden Files series the last couple of years. All 17 books in this series, such as Storm Front, Dead Beat, Changes and Skin Game have been so damn epic, and I have loved every second I spent reading it. However, we haven’t had a new Dresden Files book since 2020, when the last two books, Peace Talks and Battle Ground came out. Now that I have read through the entire series, I am desperate for a new book, and the 18^th entry in the series cannot come soon enough.

Patrick Rothfuss

The Name of the Wind Cover

An author who will no doubt appear on many participants lists is Patrick Rothfuss. An excellent writer of epic fantasy fiction, Rothfuss deeply impressed readers with his first two novels, The Name of the Wind and The Wise Man’s Fear, both of which are part of his iconic Kingkiller Chronicles. Unfortunately, we have not had a new book in the series since The Wise Man’s Fear came out in 2011, and people are very, very keen for a third entry. While Rothfuss did recently release the novella, The Narrow Road Between Desires, I would give anything to finally get my hands on the long promised third book, The Doors of Stone.

Sam Hawke

Hollow Empire Cover 2

One series I have been particularly upset not to see anything from recently is the Poison War series by Sam Hawke. Hawke really impressed me with her first two novels, City of Lies and Hollow Empire, and I have been eagerly awaiting a third entry in the series, or even a new book from Hawke, for a while. Unfortunately, we haven’t had anything from Hawke since 2020, and I hope that changes at some point in the future.

Max Brooks

Devolution Cover

Max Brooks is another great author who hasn’t written a new novel for a while. Brooks, who shot to fame with the exceptional World War Z, has only really written another full novel, Devolution, which was another amazing book. Devolution came out in 2020 and that was the last book we’ve seen from Brooks, excluding his Minecraft novels (I might be a snob by leaving them out, but oh well). I would absolutely love another clever horror novel or unique thriller from Brooks, and hopefully that will happen sooner rather than later. Brooks does have a cool sounding novella coming out later this year, so that might hold me over for a while.

Joe Abercrombie

The Wisdom of Crowds Cover

I am a huge fan of Joe Abercrombie, and his awesome and addictive dark fantasy novels are so damn good, especially those that are part of his First Law universe. His last trilogy, the Age of Madness books (A Little Hatred, The Trouble With Peace and The Wisdom of Crowds), were particularly epic, and Abercrombie left The Wisdom of Crowds on an intriguing note. However, it has now been three years since we’ve seen a new book from Abercrombie, and I am really eager to see more from him. Abercrombie does have a new book, The Devils, coming out next year, and while it’s not part of the First Law series, I cannot wait to check it out.

Scott Lynch

The Lies of Locke Lamora Cover

Another major author who many people would include on this list is Scott Lynch, whose Gentleman Bastards series has inspired many fantasy fans. Made up of The Lies of Locke Lamora, Red Seas Under Red Skies and The Republic of Thieves, the Gentleman Bastards novels are so damn good, and I had an amazing time reading them. Unfortunately, it has been over 10 years since we got a new entry, and the fourth book, The Thorn of Emberlain, still has no firm release date. Many fantasy fans, including myself, are still hopeful that we will get The Thorn of Emberlain at some point, and I know I am going to love it when it finally comes out.

Timothy Zahn

Thrawn Cover

After falling in love with his epic Star Wars novels, including Thrawn, Alliances, Treason, Chaos Rising, Greater Good, Lesser Evil and Scoundrels, I would love another book from Zahn, especially if he returns to the Star Wars universe again. I think there is a need for Zahn’s talents in the Star Wars extended fiction space, especially as his most iconic character, Grand Admiral Thrawn, recently had his live action debut in the Ahsoka television series.

Nick Martell

The Voyage of the Forgotten Cover

Nick Martell is an author who greatly impressed me over the last few years. His debut trilogy, the Legacy of the Mercenary Kings series, was exceptional, and I loved the elaborate story he told. All three books, including The Kingdom of Liars (one of my favourite books, debuts and audiobooks of 2020), The Two-Faced Queen (one of my favourite books and audiobooks of 2021) and The Voyage of the Forgotten (one of my favourite books of 2022), were exceedingly good, and I had an outstanding time reading them. However, it has been nearly two years since Martell’s last book, and we have yet to have any details about his future works. While I don’t want to rush Martell, I sure would love another book from him, especially if it continues the elaborate narrative he set up in his initial trilogy.

Andy Weir

Project Hail Mary Cover

The last entry on this list is acclaimed science fiction author Andy Weir. Weir deeply impressed me with his 2021 novel, Project Hail Mary, which featured an exceptional and highly clever story, and I am also a big fan of his iconic book The Martian. Due to these, Weir is on my instant-read list, and anything new that comes from him will be grabbed and enjoyed on sight. However, we haven’ seen anything from him for a while, and I hope that he pulls something together soon. Still Weir is known for having a big gap between books, so I’m sure something will turn up at some point.

That’s the end of my list. As you can see, there are several great authors I would love another book from, and hopefully I won’t have to wait too long for some of them. I think this list turned out great, and I look forward to seeing which of these authors will provide me my desired book first. Let me know which authors you would love another book from in the comments below.