Top Ten Tuesday – Most Anticipated Thrillers, Crime Fiction, Historical Fiction and Comics releasing in the First Half of 2025

On January 8, 2025 By The Unseen LibraryIn Comics/Manga, Historical Fiction, List, Murder Mystery, Thriller13 Comments

Welcome to my second Top Ten Tuesday list of the week, were I look at my most anticipated thrillers, crime fiction and historical fiction novels coming out in the first half of 2025. Traditionally I usually only do one list to represent the top upcoming books for the year, however, I was inspired to separate out the fantasy and science fiction novels into my previous list, while this list will feature epic reads from the other major genres that I am interested in.

Despite only just starting, 2025 is already shaping up to be an epic and exciting year for books with a huge range of impressive and highly anticipated novels due for release in the next 12 months. This includes exciting debuts, anticipated sequels and the latest entries in beloved bestselling series. The first half of the year is looking particularly awesome, with a substantial number of incredible upcoming releases that I am deeply looking forward to.

Even though I excluded fantasy and science fiction books, this ended up being a rather difficult list to pull together due to all the awesome releases coming out in Australia or on Netgalley between 1 January 2025 and 30 June 2025. There were way too many extraordinary upcoming books that I could have included, and I ended up having to make some very tough calls and cutting several novels that have an immense amount of potential. Despite this, I am rather happy with the eventual choices that I made, and I think that this list reflects the upcoming novels and comics I am going to have the most fun reading. However, there are also some interesting new books that I am discussing for the first time here, so that should give this list a bit of variety. So let us get to my selections and find out which upcoming novels are my most anticipated releases for the first half of 2025.

Honourable Mentions:

Open Season by Jonathan Kellerman – 6 February 2025

An interesting and entertaining new murder mystery from one of my yearly must-read authors, Open Season continues the awesome Alex Delaware series and pits the detective protagonists against a killer determined to take out Hollywood hopefuls.

Pacific Heights by S. R. White – 25 March 2025

One of the more interesting authors of Australian crime fiction, S. R. White (see my reviews for Prisoner, Red Dirt Road and White Ash Ridge) is set to release a standalone whodunnit with Pacific Heights. Featuring a cool plot about detectives trying to unwind different stories about who killed someone from five separate witnesses, Pacific Heights sounds really awesome, and I cannot wait to check it out.

The Pilgrim’s Revenge by Scott Mariani by 24 April 2025

An exciting and intense revenge thriller set in the time of King Richard the Lionheart; The Pilgrim’s Revenge should be a very epic read.

Vanish by Shelley Burr – 30 April 2025

Rising Australian author Shelley Burr follows up her excellent first two crime fiction novels, Wake and Ripper with the intriguing third entry Vanish. Once again set in a small Australian community, Vanish will see the series’ damaged protagonist investigate a problematic commune as he attempts to find out the truth behind a long-lost missing girl. Sure to be one of the top Australian releases of 2025.

Top Ten Tuesday:

Grave Danger by James Grippando – 14 January 2025

Back in 2024 I had the pleasure of reading my first book from impressive James Grippando, Goodbye Girl, a fantastic entry in the author’s Jack Swyteck series. A compelling and twisty legal thriller, Goodbye Girl was really fun to read, and I am now quite keen to continue the series. As such, I am planning to grab the upcoming book, Grave Danger, as soon as it comes out. Featuring an intriguing case about international child custody and murder, Grave Danger has some real potential, and I know I am going to have a great time with this awesome book.

Usagi Yojimbo: Volume 40: The Crow by Stan Sakai – 4 February 2025

A very easy inclusion to this list was the next entry in one of my favourite comic book series with volume 40 of the Usagi Yojimbo series, The Crow. I only just published a review of the previous volume, Ice and Snow, a few days ago, so I am quite excited to see that a new entry is coming out very soon. Set to continue some of the author’s excellent ongoing storylines about the titular rabbit ronin, The Crow should be another awesome volume in the series, and I cannot wait to get my hands on it the first chance I get.

Nemesis by Gregg Hurwitz – 11 February 2025

Early 2025 is filled with a ton of great spy thrillers from some of my favourite authors, and that includes the new Orphan X book from Gregg Hurwitz, Nemesis. Set after the events of the 2024 book, Lone Wolf, Nemesis will see the former government assassin turned vigilante protagonist square off against his best friend over secrets that were kept from him. However, other shadowy players soon reveal themselves, and Orphan X will need to fight deadly enemies and a former friend to survive. This looks set to be a particularly compelling and emotionally charged addition to the series and I cannot wait to check it out.

The Medici Return by Steve Berry – 11 February 2025

Each year I have a ton of fun with the entertaining and elaborate Cotton Malone books by Steve Berry that combine modern thriller storylines with hidden historical secrets and elaborate historical settings. Books like The Malta Exchange, The Warsaw Protocol, The Kaiser’s Web, The Last Kingdom and The Atlas Maneuver, have all really impressed me, and the Cotton Malone books are now a must-read for me each year. This includes the early 2025 release, The Medici Return, which will see a dark conspiracy emerge in Italy when an ancient debt owed by the church threatens to destabilise everything. This sounds like another awesome thriller, and I cannot wait to dive into the history of the famous Medici family with this new fantastic book.

Midnight Black by Mark Greaney – 18 February 2025

A spy thriller book I am particularly keen to get my hands on this year is Midnight Black by Mark Greaney. The 14^th book in Greaney’s Gray Man series, Midnight Black follows on after the cliffhanger ending of The Chaos Agent and sees the titular assassin protagonist burn through Russia and Siberia to free his imprisoned love interest. This latest Gray Man book has the potential to be one of the most intense and impressive novels of 2025, and I cannot wait to see how Greaney continues his elaborate and always action-packed series.

Burn to Shine by Jonathan Maberry – 4 March 2025

Readers of this blog will know I am a huge fan of Jonathan Maberry, so the inclusion of his next big thriller, Burn to Shine, on this list should come as no surprise, especially after I just published reviews of his 2024 books NecroTek and The Dragon in Winter. Once again focussing on the author’s iconic protagonist, Joe Ledger, Burn to Shine will be the fourth book in the Rogue Team International series, which has previously featured such awesome books as Rage (one of my favourite books and audiobooks of 2019), Relentless (one of my favourite books and audiobooks of 2021), and Cave 13 (one of my favourite books and audiobooks of 2023). This new entry in the series will see Ledger and his team deal with a new world-ending threat, with old enemies returning, seeking revenge. I really love the sound of this new book, and I already know it’s going to get a five-star rating from me.

A Death in Berlin by Simon Scarrow – 13 March 2025

After wowing me last year with Revenge of Rome, one of my favourite historical fiction authors, Simon Scarrow looks set to continue one of his other cool series with the third Berlin Wartime thriller, A Death in Berlin. Following on from Blackout and Dead of Night, A Death in Berlin will once again place Scarrow’s complex protagonist, the last honest detective in Berlin, as he tries to investigate dark crimes in the shadow of World War II and the crimes of the Nazi regime. I have deeply enjoyed the previous Berlin Wartime thrillers, and I cannot wait to see what elaborate story Scarrow has for us this time.

The White Fortress by Boyd and Beth Morrison – 15 April 2025

The awesome team of thriller author Boyd Morrison and historian Beth Morrison return with the third book in their Tales of the Lawless Land series, The White Fortress. Continuing the story started in The Lawless Land and its sequel The Last True Templar, The White Fortress will once again follow the author’s excommunicated knight protagonist and his adventurous wife as they become embroiled in dangerous quests across 14^th century Europe. This time, the pair end up in Croatia, where they become involved in a deadly plot involving a prophecy and a lost codex written by Marco Polo. I have had an amazing time with the first two books in the series and I cannot wait to see how this wonderful pair of authors continue their ambitious and thrilling historical series.

Nightshade by Michael Connelly – 20 May 2025

One of my most anticipated upcoming murder mysteries is the new Michael Connelly novel, Nightshade. While the cover for Nightshade has yet to be released, the plot synopsis sounds really cool as Connelly introduces a new police protagonist assigned to the idyllic Catalina Island off the coast of Los Angeles who is forced to investigate a sinister murder when a body washes up on the shore of the island. I love the idea of exploring a new Connelly character, especially one based around a cool setting, and this should end up being an excellent and strong murder mystery from this always compelling author.

Never Flinch by Stephen King – 27 May 2025

The final book I want to highlight on this list is probably the one I am most excited for this year with the new Stephen King novel, Never Flinch. I have been having such a great time getting into Stephen King’s incredible books these last few years, and some of his most recent releases, such as Later, Fairy Tale, Billy Summers and You Like It Darker, have completely enthralled me. However, my favourite Stephen King books have so far been his compelling dives into crime fiction. Starting with the dark and powerful Mr Mercedes and featuring the three outstanding Bill Hodges books, King has expanded his crime fiction works by focussing on the unique protagonist of Holly Gibney. The subsequent Holly Gibney focused books, The Outsider (one of my favourite horror novels) and Holly (one of my favourite books and audiobooks of 2023), were extremely exceptional, and I have loved the brilliant, yet shocking, narratives they contained. As such, I am very, very keen to read the upcoming Holly Gibney book, Never Flinch. Set to follow this great protagonist as she deals with two dangerous opponents, a serial killer and a stalker, Never Flinch sounds incredible, and I have no doubt this will be one of the best things I read in 2025.

That is the end of this list. I am extremely happy with how my latest Top Ten Tuesday article turned out and this list contains an intriguing collection of upcoming books that should prove to be incredible reads. I think that nearly every one of these books has the potential to get a full five-star rating from me and I cannot wait to see what amazing and exciting stories they contain. While I am waiting to get my hands on these books, why not let me know if any of the above interest you, as well as what your most anticipated releases for the next six months are in the comments below. Also, make sure to check out my other Top Ten List with the top upcoming fantasy and science fiction books of 2025.

Top Ten Tuesday – Books on my Summer 2024/25 To-Be-Read (TBR) List

On November 26, 2024 By The Unseen LibraryIn List7 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 get a Thanksgiving Freebie to focus on whatever topic they want. As such, I am going to take this opportunity to look ahead for the next three months. That is because today is the last Tuesday before December 2024, and I thought this would be a good opportunity to do my quarterly post about the best upcoming books to read in Summer (Winter 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 December 2024 and 28 February 2025 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 my most anticipated books for the second half of 2024 lists (fantasy and science fiction and other genres), 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 and 2025.

Honourable Mentions:

Gunnawah by Ronni Salt – 1 January 2025

An intriguing Australian crime fiction debut from an awesome new author. Gunnawah will probably be one of the first books I read in 2025.

The Reunion by Bronwyn Rivers – 11 February 2025

Another awesome sounding Australian crime fiction debut that will feature the beautiful and iconic Blue Mountains as a background setting.

Battle Mountain by C. J. Box – 25 February 2025

I had a lot of fun with the latest book in C. J. Box’s entertaining Joe Pickett thriller series, Three-Inch Teeth, and I’m curious to see how the series continues next year.

Shroud by Adrian Tchaikovsky – 27 February 2025

A complex and compelling upcoming science fiction novel from the always impressive Adrian Tchaikovsky.

Top Ten Tuesday:

Warhammer 40,000: Interceptor City by Dan Abnett – December 2024

First on this list I had to include the upcoming Warhammer 40,000 novel, Interceptor City by Dan Abnett. The long-awaited sequel to Abnett’s classic novel, Double Eagle, Interceptor City will present readers with even more aerial combat awesomeness as he brings back one of his complex protagonists for another massive war. Set in his large inter-connected Sabbat Worlds Crusade series, Interceptor City sounds extremely epic, and if its anywhere as good as Double Eagle, this will end up being one of my top books of the years. I’m not 100 per cent sure when Interceptor City is out in Australia, but I should be able to get a copy of it in December so I’m happy including it on this list.

Days of Shattered Faith by Adrian Tchaikovsky – 5 December 2024

Another exceptional book to end 2024 with is the new Adrian Tchaikovsky book, Days of Shattered Faith. The third book in the author’s Tyrant Philosophers series, Days of Shattered Faith returns to his chaotic fantasy world, where a tyrannical nation attempts to bring perfection and correctness by any means necessary. This latest book will see two diplomats attempt to navigate a complex city filled with gods, necromancy and intrigue, while also trying to work around the constrictions of their own inflexible government. The previous two books in this series, City of Last Chances (one of my favourite audiobooks of 2023) and House of Open Wounds (one of my favourite books of 2023) have been unbelievably exceptional, and I cannot wait to see what hilarious insanity occurs in this next amazing novel.

Four Ruined Realms by Mai Corland – 7 January 2025

One of the first books out in 2025 that I am excited for is the cool fantasy novel, Four Ruined Realms. The sequel to Corland’s brilliant 2024 fantasy debut, Five Broken Blades, Four Ruined Realms will see the author’s murderous and duplicitous protagonists try to pull off another impossible heist with everything they care about on the line. However, after all the lies in the previous book, none of the protagonists trust each other, especially with even more betrayals on the horizon. This should be an outstanding read, and I am hoping to grab Four Ruined Realms on audiobook, especially as it features several talented narrators.

Grave Danger by James Grippando – 14 January 2025

I’m looking forward to some fantastic legal thriller excitement in January with the next book from acclaimed author James Grippando, Grave Danger. The next book in the author’s Jack Swyteck series, Grave Danger features a new intriguing case that sees the protagonist become involved in a contentious international custody case. However, things become even more complicated when Jack’s FBI agent wife is dragged into events, and the protagonist finds himself navigating a massive international conspiracy. I really love the sound of this awesome book, and after having so much fun with Grippando’s previous novel, Goodbye Girl, I know I am going to love Grave Danger.

Open Season by Jonathan Kellerman – 6 February 2025

It isn’t the start of my reading year if I don’t have the new Alex Delaware novel (see my reviews for The Wedding Guest, The Museum of Desire, Serpentine, City of the Dead, Unnatural History and The Ghost Orchid). The next entry in the series, Open Season, will see Kellerman’s iconic protagonists return for a particularly complex case, when a spree killer starts taking out Hollywood hopefuls. Open Season sounds extremely awesome, and I cannot wait to check it out.

Nemesis by Gregg Hurwitz – 11 February 2025

I always love how the start of the new year brings fresh thrillers from some of my favourite authors, and that includes Gregg Hurwitz. A talented author with a flair for action, Hurwitz has really impressed me in recent years with his Orphan X series (Out of the Dark, Into the Fire, Prodigal Son, Dark Horse, The Last Orphan and Lone Wolf). The next book in the series will see Hurwitz’s elite, but damaged, spy protagonist go to war with his only friend, with even more dangerous forces lurking on the horizon. This should be another exciting and addictive addition to the Orphan X series, and I cannot wait to see what amazing action Hurwitz features in his new book.

The Medici Return by Steve Berry – 11 February 2025

Another great thriller series I enjoy reading early each year are the Cotton Malone books by Steve Berry. A distinctive series that combines modern day thriller storylines with historical conspiracies and secrets, the Cotton Malone books are always a ton of fun, and I love some of the compelling topics that Berry cleverly explores. The next book in the series, The Medici Return, has an outstanding sounding narrative behind it that involves an ancient, massive debt owed by the Vatican, that could change the future of both Italy and the Catholic church. This is one of the more intriguing plots that Berry has come up with and I cannot wait to unwrap the many mysteries in this cool upcoming thriller.

Warrior by Simon Turney – 13 February 2025

Following on from his outstanding 2024 novel, Invader, Turney looks set to continue his great Agricola series in the new year with Warrior. Following the early life of famous Roman general Agricola, Warrior will see the young officer attempt to survive the deadly politics of the realm in the dying days of Nero’s rule. Warrior will no doubt be an exciting and captivating historical fiction novel, and I cannot wait to see how this fantastic series continues.

Midnight Black by Mark Greaney – 18 February 2025

In recent years I have become a massive fan of Mark Greaney’s Gray Man series, which is probably my favourite spy thriller series now (check out my reviews for The Gray Man, Mission Critical, One Minute Out, Relentless, Sierra Six, Burner and The Chaos Agent). Following the titular Gray Man, a legendary killer attempting to survive in a complicated world, the Gray Man series is so damn good, and I love the complex scenarios that Greaney envisions. The next book in the series, Midnight Black, will see the Gray Man go to war with Russia after the woman he loves is captured and held in a prison camp. Likely to be a particularly intense and bloody addition to the series, I am so excited for Midnight Black, and it is one of my most anticipated thrillers of 2025.

Star Wars: Reign of the Empire: The Mask of Fear by Alexander Freed – 25 February 2025

The final book I want to highlight in this post is the epic upcoming Star Wars novel, The Mask of Fear. The first entry in the planned Reign of the Empire trilogy, The Mask of Fear will follow several key characters from the Star Wars franchise, including Mon Mothma, Saw Gerrera and Bail Organa, during the first year of the Emperor’s rule. I love this period of Star Wars history and there is so much potential here to show the early days of the Rebel Alliance and the tyranny they seek to overthrow. It helps that Alexander Freed is a particularly impactful Star Wars writer, and after enjoying his Alphabet Squadron trilogy (Alphabet Squadron, Shadow Fall and Victory’s Price), I know that this is going to be an exceptional book. I cannot wait for this epic Star Wars novel, and it is a very worthy final entry on this list.

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.

Top Ten Tuesday – Oldest (aka Earliest Published) Books on my TBR

On November 19, 2024 By The Unseen LibraryIn List9 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 latest Top Ten Tuesday, participants are tasked with listing the books with the earliest publication date that is currently sitting on their to-be-read (TBR) pile.

Like most book lovers, I have a huge backlog of novels out there that I want to read but I haven’t been able to fit into my schedule due to lack of time or other books I needed to get through first. As such, this is a rather interesting list to pull together, and I hope that it inspires me a little to go back and read some books on my TBR pile. I also love the shoutout to the older TBR books I have, especially as I am easily distracted by new and shiny things.

I must admit I struggled a little to pull together some really old titles, so my list is most made up of books from the 80s and 90s. Still, this ended up being a rather interesting, if slightly predictable list if you know who some of my favourite authors are, although I made sure to limit myself to one inclusion from each author. Despite these limitations, I really like how it came together, so let us see who made the cut.

Honourable Mentions:

When the Bough Breaks by Jonathan Kellerman – 1985

A classic crime fiction book from an author still going strong.

Space Marine by Ian Watson – 1993

An old-school Warhammer 40,000 novel I currently have on my shelf. While not the first Warhammer 40,000 novel ever written, it sounds bonkers, and I’m curious to see original universe from before they established the current canon.

Killing Floor by Lee Child – 1997

The first book in the epic Jack Reacher series. I loved the television adaptation of this book and I’m curious to read the series from start to finish.

Excavation by James Rollins – 2000

A fantastic older thriller I have sitting on my shelf.

Top Ten List:

Carrie by Stephen King – 1974

After some awesome recent experiences with Stephen King’s writing, I’ve been meaning to read more of his amazing books and there is no better place to start than his first novel, Carrie. A classic piece of horror fiction, Carrie is a bloody and complex read that I hope to check out one day.

Sharpe’s Eagle by Bernard Cornwell – 1981

I’m a massive fan of Bernard Cornwell, who is one of the biggest names in historical fiction. While I have read a couple of books in his iconic Richard Sharpe series, I need to read more, including the first book he published, Sharpe’s Eagle. A compelling historical adventure, Sharpe’s Eagle was the book that introduced the world to Richard Sharpe and Cornwell’s vision of the Napoleonic War. Thanks to Cornwell releasing his books out of chronological order, Sharpe’s Eagle is now the eighth book in the series, but it remains a key entry. I look forward to reading Sharpe’s Eagle one day and it sounds like a lot of fun.

Magician by Raymond E. Feist – 1982

I am slightly cheating by including Magician here, as I have read it a couple of times before. However, I really want to do a big re-read of Feist’s entire Riftwar Cycle and Magician is the best place to start this series. A particularly iconic fantasy novel, Magician sees a young boy discover his destiny as a mighty mage after the kingdom he lives in is invaded by soldiers from another world. This is a really, really good book and I cannot wait to read it again at some point.

The Black Company by Glen Cook – 1984

I have long wanted to read the epic The Black Company fantasy series by Glen Cook, which started back in 1984 with this book of the same name. Generally considered to be one of the best dark fantasy novels/series of all time, The Black Company follows a band of dangerous mercenaries as they find themselves drawn into a bloody and all-consuming war. I already know that I am going to love this book, and I will hopefully be able to make time for it at some point in the future.

The King Beyond the Gate by David Gemmell – 1985

A few years ago, I had the great pleasure of reading David Gemmell’s classic fantasy debut, Legend, which is honestly one of the best books I have every read. Gemmell was a very skilled author, and I have been meaning to check out more examples of his work. The obvious next step would be to read The King Beyond the Gate, which is the second novel in the series that started with Legend. Another compelling read that follows a small band of aging heroes as they face a seemingly unbeatable foe, The King Beyond the Gate sounds awesome, and I need to dedicate some time to getting through the rest of Gemmell’s books.

The Silver Pigs by Lindsey Davis – 1989

Long-term readers of this blog will know that I am a huge fan of historical fiction author Lindsey Davis, who has greatly impressed me over the years with her Flavia Albia series, which follows some deeply unique murder investigations in ancient Rome. However, the Flavia Albia books are only the latest series from Davis, who originally started back in the 1980s with her Falco novels. Following the father of Flavia Albia as he solves his own crimes, the Falco books have been on my radar for a while, and I fully intend to read them at some point. The obvious starting point for this would be The Silver Pigs, which introduced the world to Falco and Davis’s distinctive style. I have a copy of The Silver Pigs sitting on my bookshelf, and I look forward to the day when I get around to reading it.

Star Wars: Heir to the Empire by Timothy Zahn – 1991

Some of my very favourite Star Wars novels were the recent Thrawn trilogies written by legendary author Timothy Zahn. A complex and compelling collection of books, the Thrawn and Thrawn Ascendancy trilogies follow Zahn’s best original character, Grand Admiral Thrawn and help to reintroduce him into the new Disney canon. However, Thrawn first appeared back in 1991 when Zahn released the iconic Star Wars novel, Heir to the Empire. A sequel to Return of the Jedi, Heir to the Empire was one of the very first proper Star Wars tie-in novels, and it set the stage for the massive Star Wars Extended Universe that followed. As a massive Star Wars fan, I have been remiss in not going back to check out this important novel, although I hope to change that in the future. From all accounts this book is extremely epic, and I am very curious to see the novel that first introduced Grand Admiral Thrawn to the galaxy.

The Black Echo by Michael Connelly – 1992

The next entry on this list is The Black Echo by Michael Connelly. The very first book from Connelly to feature his famous detective character Harry Bosch, The Black Echo set up the author’s shared universe which would later expand to feature so many memorable protagonists. I have had an exceptional time reading all of Connelly’s most recent works and I have been meaning to go back and explore his universe from the beginning, starting with The Black Echo. Like The Silver Pigs, I have a copy of The Black Echo sitting on my bookshelf, and when my reading schedule opens up, I hope to grab it and power through it. I have no doubt that I will love The Black Echo, and I am curious to see what Connelly’s writing style was like in this first book.

The Demon Awakens by R. A. Salvatore – 1997

I am a huge fan of R. A. Salvatore various additions to the expanded Forgotten Realms universe, having read nearly all of them over the years. However, I am also keen to read more books in Salvatore’s original Corona universe. I had a ton of fun reading the latest trilogy set in this world (The Coven books made up of Child of a Mad God, Reckoning of Fallen Gods and Song of the Risen God), and I felt that this was an excellent fantasy universe that I’d like to see more of. As such, I will try to explore this series from the beginning, which means starting with The Demon Awakens. An exciting adventure novel with some great characters, The Demon Awakens should be a ton of fun and I am keen to read it in the future.

A Clash of Kings by George R. R. Martin – 1998

The final book on this list is A Clash of Kings by George R. R. Martin. The second book in Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire series, A Clash of Kings doesn’t need a massive introduction. I have been meaning to continuing this series after reading A Game of Thrones a few years ago, which means going through A Clash of Kings next. I am sure I will deeply enjoy this major book, and I am curious to see how it differs from the television show.

And with that, my list concluded. I felt that this latest Top Ten Tuesday post came together well, and I like the intriguing collection of books I listed above. It turns out there are a ton of older novels on my to-be-read list, and I hope I get the opportunity to get through them soon. In the meantime, let me know what older books are on your TBR lists in the comments below.

Waiting on Wednesday – Open Season by Jonathan Kellerman

On July 17, 2024 By The Unseen LibraryIn Murder Mystery, Waiting on Wednesday5 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 week’s Waiting on Wednesday feature, I look at a cool upcoming murder mystery from the first half of 2025 with Open Season by Jonathan Kellerman.

Open Season Cover

Over the last several years, I have really grown to love the works of acclaimed bestselling author Jonathan Kellerman. Kellerman is a very well-established author who has been writing intriguing and compelling reads for decades, primarily through his iconic Alex Delaware series. Focusing on a psychologist and his cop best friend as they solve some of the most complex murder cases in Los Angeles, the Alex Delaware books are a staple read for any murder mystery fan, especially as Kellerman produces some very unique storylines.

I started reading Jonathan Kellerman’s books a few years ago when I by chance grabbed a copy of the 34^th Alex Delaware novel, The Wedding Guest. The Wedding Guest proved to be an outstanding read, and I loved the intriguing mystery that Kellerman came up with, as well as the impressive police procedural storyline that followed. As such, the Alex Delaware books entered my annual reading schedule and I have started to go out of my way to read every new entry in the series. I have had a wonderful time reading and reviewing some of the amazing recent books from Kellerman, including The Museum of Desire, Serpentine, City of the Dead, Unnatural History and The Ghost Orchid. Each of these books has been extremely epic in their own way, and I love the fun array of intriguing cases that emerged. Due to how much fun I have reading these books, I always keep an eye out for details about the next Alex Delaware novel, and I finally have an idea about what is in stall for me in early 2025.

The next book in the Alex Delaware series will be the awesome upcoming novel, Open Season, which is set for release in February 2025. The 40^th book in the Alex Delaware series, Open Season, will see the fantastic protagonists investigate a series of random murders that will test even their well-honed investigate skills. This upcoming book has another impressive plot synopsis behind it, and I am already quite excited to read Open Season as a result. Based on how outstanding the last several Alex Delaware books have been Open Season will likely be one of the best crime fiction books coming out in the first half of next year, and I have no doubt whatsoever that I am going to love it.

Plot Synopsis:

The most beloved and enduring duo in American crime fiction is back.

Psychologist Alex Delaware and Homicide Detective Milo Sturgis race against time to find a twisted killer in this riveting thriller from the #1 New York Times bestselling “master of suspense” (Los Angeles Times).

People come to Los Angeles to chase their dreams. Sometimes they find themselves cast into a nightmare. And sometimes, the most ardent dreamers turn out to be the most vicious monsters.

The body of an aspiring actress is found dumped near a hospital emergency room. She’s been drugged and murdered and the motive for the callous crime remains maddeningly out of reach. Until, a prime suspect materializes. Another Hollywood hopeful. Only to be shot dead by a sniper using a weapon that turns out to have been catalogued in a previous murder. And another, before that. It’s not long before more bodies begin piling up.

What makes the murderous spree baffling is the apparent lack of connection among the victims. Is this the work of a random thrill killer, the toughest of all cases to unravel?

But as Alex and Milo dig deeper they’re faced with an even knottier scenario: a highly complex killer with deep-seated motivation that will require all of their highly honed skills to decipher.

The latest page-turner from #1 New York Times bestseller Jonathan Kellerman, is a tale of psychological complexity, dark suspense, and shocking surprises. A wild ride through L.A.’s surreal underbelly climaxed by an edge-of-the chair conclusion.

Canberra Weekly Column – Thrillers – 7 March 2024

On April 27, 2024 By The Unseen LibraryIn Canberra Weekly Column, ThrillerLeave a comment

Canberra Weekly Column - Crime Fiction - 7 March 2024

Originally published in the Canberra Weekly on 7 March 2024.

A copy of this column also appeared on the Canberra Weekly website.

Make sure to check out my extended reviews for Lone Wolf, Everyone Who Can Forgive Me is Dead and The Ghost Orchid.

Top Ten Tuesday – Book with Plant/Nature Themed Titles

On February 27, 2024 By The Unseen LibraryIn List7 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. In this week’s Top Ten Tuesday, participants are tasked with listing their favourite books that have either covers or titles with things found in nature, be that plant, trees, animals, woodland features, or bodies of water. Since I’ve done a few lists with similar topics in the past, I decided to place a bit of a handicap on myself and focus this list entirely on books with plant themed titles. This resulted in an interesting list filled with some great books that I had an awesome time reading.

To qualify for this list, the book had to have some form of plant related word or theme in its title, such as trees, flowers, or other plant terms. I made sure to especially focus on those titles where the plant reference had some relevance to the plot of the book, as that made their inclusion even more important. This proved to be a bit of a hard list to come up with as I apparently have not read as many books that featured plants in the title as I had hoped. However, I was eventually able to come up with ten excellent books to include on this list, including a few releases from some of my favourite authors. So let us see what has made the cut.

Top Ten Tuesday:

Silverthorn by Raymond E. Feist

Let’s start this list off with a true classic, Silverthorn by Raymond E. Feist. The sequel to Feist’s iconic debut novel, Magician, Silverthorn is a complex and powerful read that masterfully continues the great story started in the first book. The title, Silverthorn, refers to a magical plant which the protagonists need to find to save a princess from dying. An amazing read and a great first entry to this list.

The Lion: Son of the Forest by Mike Brooks

An outstanding piece of Warhammer 40,000 fiction that saw a legendary figure return when humanity needs him most. The forest featured in the title has some interesting and symbolic implications on the plot, and I was glad I got to feature this book on this list.

Desert Star by Michael Connelly

One of the latest books from legendary crime fiction author Michael Connelly, Desert Star is an outstanding later addition to his Ballard and Bosch combo series, that followed two of his best detective characters as they investigate several cold cases. Desert Star refers to the flower of the same name, which appears near the desert graves of the book’s victims, which makes it a pretty killer title.

Son of the Poison Rose by Jonathan Maberry

One of the first books I thought of when I came up with this list was Son of the Poison Rose by Jonathan Maberry. The sequel to the epic dark fantasy novel Kagen the Damned, Son of the Poison Rose was an outstanding book, loaded with action, revenge and some truly dark moments. A highly recommended read with a compelling title behind it.

The Grove of the Caesars by Lindsey Davis

I just had to include The Grove of the Caesars by Lindsey Davis on this list. An outstanding part of the Flavia Albia historical murder mystery series, The Grove of the Caesars had a gripping plot about a series of murders taking place in the titular grove. This was one of Davis’ best mysteries, and I loved how well she explored the historical grove and featured it within the novel.

Usagi Yojimbo: Grasscutter by Stan Sakai

A particularly impressive entry in the always amazing Usagi Yojimbo comic series. Grasscutter is a major volume, that sees various figures from the Usagi Yojimbo world fight over the legendary lost royal sword, Grasscutter. I’m slightly cheating here by including the name of a sword rather than a specific plant, however, I feel that it should count, especially considering how the sword got its iconic name.

The Priory of the Orange Tree by Samantha Shannon

A classic and powerful fantasy novel with a unique title. I am sure that many fantasy fans are featuring The Priory of the Orange Tree on their lists this week.

The Ghost Orchid by Jonathan Kellerman

One of the latest books I’ve read that was eligible for this list. The Ghost Orchid was the most recent Alex Delaware novel by Jonathan Kellerman and featured a brilliant and complex murder mystery plot. The ghost orchid referenced in the title had some interesting and symbolic implications on the plot, and it proved to be a great inclusion for this list.

Bloody Rose by Nicholas Eames

An awesome fantasy novel I had the pleasure of reading a few years ago, Bloody Rose is a pretty damn epic book about a group of celebrity mercenaries.

The Lion and the Rose by Kate Quinn

The final book on this list is the compelling historical fiction novel, The Lion and the Rose by Kate Quinn. Another book that features the rose in its title, The Lion and the Rose was a gripping read that followed members of the infamous Borgia family, and the people who got caught up in their schemes. An exceptional read and a fantastic inclusion for this list.

Well, that’s the end of this list. As you can see, I have read some pretty amazing books that feature plants or plant references in their titles. All the above books come highly recommended, and I really appreciate how well their plant themed titles perfectly reflect key elements of the books. Make sure to let me know what your favourite book with a plant title is in the comments below.

The Ghost Orchid by Jonathan Kellerman

On February 9, 2024 By The Unseen LibraryIn Murder Mystery7 Comments

The Ghost Orchid Cover (2)

Publisher: Century (Trade Paperback – 13 February 2024)

Series: Alex Delaware – Book 39

Length: 293 pages

My Rating: 4.5 out of 5

Legendary crime fiction author Jonathan Kellerman returns with another outstanding read in his long-running Alex Delaware series with The Ghost Orchid, which presents the reader with another gripping murder mystery.

Over the last few years, I have developed an awesome and highly enjoyable habit of starting the new year off by reading the new Jonathan Kellerman book as soon as I can. An excellent and well-established crime fiction author, Kellerman has been producing amazing reads for decades, with his best-known works being the Alex Delaware novels, following that follow a plucky psychologist and his cop best friend as they solve the most unusual or mysterious murders in Los Angeles. While I got into Kellerman’s work late, I have had an outstanding time with some of his more recent books, including The Wedding Guest, The Museum of Desire, Serpentine, City of the Dead and Unnatural History. All of these novels have been amazing and filled with great mysteries, and I am always very excited to check out a new Kellerman book. That is why I made sure to grab a copy of the new Alex Delaware novel, The Ghost Orchid, as soon as I could, and boy did it prove to be another outstanding read.

Love, revenge and deceit are all in the air when two bodies are found beside the pool in an upscale Bel Air mansion. The two victims have been mercilessly shot down in what appears to be a targeted hit. But who was the intended victim? Was it the rich playboy heir who lived in the mansion or was it his wealthier neighbour with whom he had been having an illicit affair?

Noting the apparent anger behind the case, LAPD homicide detective lieutenant Milo Sturgis calls in his old friend and colleague psychologist Alex Delaware to help unwind the twisted threads of both victims’ lives. Only recently recovered from a dangerous encounter on their last investigation, Alex is keen to get back into the saddle, even for what appears to be a simple case of revenge from a spurned husband. However, it soon becomes clear that this murder is anything but simple.

As Alex and Milo dig deeper into the case, they discover that both dead lovers had troubled pasts and dark secrets that they were running from. To discover who was behind the deadly murders, the two friends will need to uncover everything about their victims’ lives, including any dark connections that could identify the killer or their motives. But neither Alex nor Milo are prepared for just how convoluted the lives of these two Los Angeles elites truly were or just how far they went to escape their pasts.

This was another brilliant read from Jonathan Kellerman that I instantly fell in love with. The 39^th entry in the Alex Delaware series, The Ghost Orchid featured Kellerman’s trademark investigative style and iconic character as they dive into another excellent mystery.

The Ghost Orchid’s story proved to be extremely interesting and addictive as it once again followed the protagonists as they embark on another fascinating investigation. Mostly shown through the eyes of main character Alex Delaware, Kellerman paints a fantastic picture at the start of The Ghost Orchid, as he sets up the crime scene and then introduces the reader to the two murder victims. From there, the plot advances at a steady pace, as the protagonists begin to dive into the lives of their victims and learn about their past, their secrets, and their deeper motivations. Much of this investigation involves methodical interviews of the victim’s various friends, acquaintances, and relatives, and the running down of any leads that come their way.

Kellerman effectively moves this story along, and you are soon given some great clues regarding the case, as well as some potential additional crimes. I loved how well the author kept up a level of suspense and uncertainty regarding which victim is the most likely intended target, and the expert blending of their backstories worked extremely well. At the same time, Kellerman also adds in some more personal elements for the main character, including examining the fallout of the last book and his own work as a psychologist. The entire mystery comes together extremely well at the end of the novel, and I loved the compelling story that resulted, especially as one character’s past holds the secrets for the solution of the case. I did think that Kellerman wrapped everything up a little suddenly and with less involvement from the protagonists than you would expect, although there is a certain amount of realism in the final confrontation. However, this proved to be an overall extremely epic story that you can’t help but get drawn into.

I really love how Kellerman structures his outstanding mysteries in the Alex Delaware series, and The Ghost Orchid is a great example of this. Kellerman’s methodical and more realistic style of investigation always stands out to me, and I deeply appreciate how the protagonist’s attempts to solve the crime usually requires talking to multiple intriguing suspects or people with any sort of connection to the case. While some of the dialogue between these witnesses and the protagonists occasionally feels a little off, for the most part Kellerman succeeds in building a powerful and massive picture of events that fills the reader’s mind’s eye and really draws them into the mystery. The entire mystery in The Ghost Orchid was extremely well structured, and the slow move towards answers really drew me in and made for some great reading. Like most of the books in the Alex Delaware series, The Ghost Orchid can be easily read as a standalone novel. While parts of the main character arc do discuss events from the prior book and there are some callbacks to earlier novels in the series, you honestly don’t need any pre-knowledge of these books to completely appreciate The Ghost Orchid. Due to how insular the main mystery is, as well as how well Kellerman effectively covers any relevant prior events, anyone can dive into the series here without any issue, and The Ghost Orchid proves to be an excellent addition to the Alex Delaware books.

Like all the Alex Delaware novels, the heart of The Ghost Orchid lies in the fantastic and heartfelt partnership and friendship of main characters Alex Delaware and Milo Sturgis. Due to their long association together, the two have become best friends whose insights into the way the other thinks result in them being quite an effective investigative team. These two have a great patter as they investigate their cases, and it always so much fun to see them bounce ideas, suggestions and insights off each other. This friendship is always a great part of the series, and it was interesting to see it changed to a degree in The Ghost Orchid. Due to the closing events of the previous novel, Unnatural History, Alex was badly injured while investigating a case and has been out of action for a while. This led to quite a bit of guilt from Milo, who blamed himself for Alex getting hurt. This changed the dynamic between the two for much of the book, especially as Milo was reluctant to bring Alex into another investigation. It was moving and a little heartbreaking to see this guilt induced damage in their relationship, especially as Milo was a lot more protective as a result. As such, this was a great addition to the series, and I enjoyed seeing Kellerman try to stretch the bounds of this well-established partnership in some new ways.

Aside from Alex and Milo, the two character who impact the plot of The Ghost Orchid the most are the murder victims, Giovanni Aggiunta and Meagin Lea March. While dead for the entirety of the plot, their lives and legacies cast a shadow over the whole book, and the protagonists, as well as the reader, need to dive into the past to find out who the killer is. Kellerman does an excellent job of featuring these two dead characters in The Ghost Orchid, and the slow-burn examination of their lives becomes a key part of the story, as the protagonists talk to family, contacts and more, while also doing copious research. As such, you really get to know both dead characters as the book continues, which proves to be quite intriguing and powerful. Both victims are revealed to have complicated pasts, and the disentanglement of these secrets and the examination of all their interactions, relationships and motivations raises the tension of the plot while simultaneously increasing the reader’s attachment to solving the case. Kellerman ensures that there is a balanced focus on both victim’s pasts for much of the narrative to disguise who the intended target was for. This really enhances the mystery of the story, and you are constantly wondering what new secret or hidden truth will be uncovered to finally allow the reader to pinpoint why they were killed. As such, these dead characters prove just as important to The Ghost Orchid as the protagonist, and I was once again impressed at Kellerman’s ability to make me care about character we never actually see alive.

Even after decades of writing, Jonathan Kellerman continues to produce fascinating and complex mysteries that readers can get so easily lost in. The Ghost Orchid was an outstanding novel, that saw Kellerman’s fantastic protagonists dive into another elaborate mystery. Powerful, loaded with great characters, and making full use of Kellerman’s distinctive style, The Ghost Orchid was an excellent novel from start to finish, and I cannot recommend this latest Alex Delaware novel enough.

WWW Wednesday – 31 January 2024

On January 31, 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:

Three-Inch Teeth by C. J. Box (ebook)

Three-Inch Teeth Cover

I have started reading an early copy of the new novel from C. J. Box, Three-Inch Teeth, this week. Three-Inch Teeth is the latest novel in Box’s long-running Joe Pickett thriller series, and this new entry sees the series’ game warden protagonist go up against a killer bear and old-enemies from the past bent on revenge. This is my first time reading one of Box’s books, and I am really enjoying its intense and exciting story. I should finish Three-Inch Teeth off in the next day or so and I cannot wait to see how Box brings his awesome scenario together.

Warhammer 40,000: Brutal Kunnin by Mike Brooks (Audiobook)

Brutal Kunnin Cover

I just started listening to another Warhammer 40,000 audiobook with Brutal Kunnin. Written by Mike Brooks, whose Warhammer 40,000 novels Warboss and The Lion: Son the Forest, were pretty damn fun, Brutal Kunnin is an entertaining novel about rival ork warbands invading a planet. I haven’t made a lot of progress on Brutal Kunnin yet, but it is so far proving to be a funny and compelling read, as the fractious orks start their hilarious and brutal invasion.

What did you recently finish reading?

The Murder Inn by James Patterson and Candice Fox (Trade Paperback)

The Murder Inn Cover

I absolutely powered through the excellent crime fiction book, The Murder Inn by the team of James Patterson and Candice Fox this week. An outstanding novel with a wildly exciting plot, The Murder Inn was a great read that I cannot recommend enough.

Warhammer 40,000: Witchbringer by Steven B. Fischer (Audiobook)

Warhammer 40,000 - Witchbringer Cover

I finally managed to finish off the fantastic Warhammer 40,000 audiobook Witchbringer by Steven B. Fischer this week. An elaborate and wonderful addition to this cool franchise, Witchbringer was a pretty epic read that comes highly recommended.

The Ghost Orchid by Jonathan Kellerman (Trade Paperback)

The Ghost Orchid Cover (2)

I managed to also quickly read the new Jonathan Kellerman book, The Ghost Orchid over the weekend. Following Kellerman’s long-running protagonists as they investigate another complex murder, The Ghost Orchid was very awesome and proved to be an excellent addition to an already great series.

The Holy Terrors by Simon R. Green (ebook)

The Holy Terrors Cover

A fantastic and quick horror-tinged thriller book about reality tv stars being killed off in a haunted town hall.

What do you think you’ll read next?

The Tainted Cup by Robert Jackson Bennett

The Tainted Cup Cover

Once I get through my current books, I am going to jump onto one of my most anticipated fantasy novels of 2024, The Tainted Cup by Robert Jackson Bennett. Featuring two unique investigators as they dive into a unique magical crime, The Tainted Cup sounds pretty damn exceptional and it sets up a great new series from one of fantasy’s most compelling authors.

Warhammer: The Old World: Lords of the Lance by Graham McNeill

Lords of the Lance Cover

I am still in a major Warhammer mood, so once I get through Brutal Kunnin, I am hoping to start listening to Lords of the Lance by Graham McNeill. The first book set back in the Old World in years, Lords of the Lance will be a great fantasy novel that focuses on the chivalrous knights of Bretonnia. I love the Old World setting, and I am so happy to see the Warhammer franchise return there again. Lords of the Lance sounds particularly cool, and I cannot wait to see what great story McNeill, who has previously impressed me with novels like Storm of Iron, will come up with.

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.

WWW Wednesday – 24 January 2024

On January 25, 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:

The Murder Inn by James Patterson and Candice Fox (Trade Paperback)

The Murder Inn Cover

I just started reading the excellent crime fiction book, The Murder Inn by the team of James Patterson and Candice Fox. An outstanding novel, The Murder Inn follows the inhabitants of an unusual sea-side inn, filled with misfits and outcasts, who are forced to deal with two dangerous killers. I haven’t made a lot of progress on The Murder Inn yet, but I am already having a lot of fun with it.

Warhammer 40,000: Witchbringer by Steven B. Fischer (Audiobook)

Warhammer 40,000 - Witchbringer Cover

I am currently in the middle of the fantastic Warhammer 40,000 audiobook Witchbringer by Steven B. Fischer next. Following a psyker, one of the most reviled beings in the Warhammer 40,000 setting, who is forced to return to assist the regiment she used to lead, Witchbringer is an awesome piece of Warhammer fiction, that I am really enjoying. I am hoping to knock off Witchbringer in the next couple of days and I cannot wait to see how it ends.

What did you recently finish reading?

Hollywood Hustle by Jon Lindstrom (ebook)

Hollywood Hustle Cover

I managed to finish off the debut thriller from actor Jon Lindstrom, Hollywood Hustle. Following a washed-up actor as he tries to recover his kidnapped daughter, Hollywood Hustle was a great book with an exciting plot. Review to follow soon.

Cold Days by Jim Butcher (Audiobook)

Cold Days Cover

I managed to also finish off the outstanding Dresden Files novel Cold Days by Jim Butcher. Cold Days was another excellent addition this fantastic series and comes highly recommended.

What do you think you’ll read next?

The Ghost Orchid by Jonathan Kellerman

The Ghost Orchid Cover (2)

I have several amazing books to read at the moment, but I think I’ll try the new Jonathan Kellerman book, The Ghost Orchid next. Following Kellerman’s long-running protagonists as they investigate another complex murder, The Ghost Orchid sounds really awesome and I always have a ton of fun with this great series.

Warhammer 40,000: Brutal Kunnin by Mike Brooks

Brutal Kunnin Cover

If I manage to finish off Witchbringer this week I’m hoping to dive into another Warhammer 40,000 novel from a few years ago with Brutal Kunnin. Written by Mike Brooks, whose Warhammer 40,000 novels Warboss and The Lion: Son the Forest, were pretty damn fun, Brutal Kunnin is an entertaining sounding novel about rival ork warbands. I am quite keen to knock off Brutal Kunnin, especially as Brooks has a sequel novel for it coming out later this year.

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.

Book Haul – 22 January 2024

On January 22, 2024 By The Unseen LibraryIn Book Haul1 Comment

As we have been getting into 2024, I have been having an excellent couple of weeks for book, and I was lucky enough to receive several incredible and amazing new novels from some of my local publishers and Netgalley. These novels include some truly awesome new releases, including several of my most anticipated novels of 2024. I truly believe that some of these books have to potential to be some of my top reads of the year and I cannot wait to dive into them.

The Ghost Orchid by Jonathan Kellerman

The Ghost Orchid Cover (2)

Let us start this Book Haul post off strong with the fantastic murder mystery, The Ghost Orchid by Jonathan Kellerman. The latest book in Kellerman’s long-running Alex Delaware series, The Ghost Orchid will see the author’s entertaining protagonists investigate a chilling double homicide with many potential suspects. I am a major fan of Kellerman’s at the moment, especially after amazing recent reads like The Wedding Guest, The Museum of Desire, Serpentine, City of the Dead and Unnatural History, and I have no doubt that The Ghost Orchid will be just as awesome.

Lone Wolf by Gregg Hurwitz

Lone Wolf Cover 2

Another amazing book I was very happy to get a copy of was Lone Wolf by Gregg Hurwitz. The latest book in Hurwitz’s excellent Orphan X series, Lone Wolf will see the author’s rogue spy/vigilante protagonist go up against his most dangerous opponents yet. This series is another favourite of mine (see my reviews for Out of the Dark, Into the Fire, Prodigal Son, Dark Horse and The Last Orphan), and I am extremely keen to see what happens to the complex protagonist next.

The Murder Inn by James Patterson and Candice Fox

The Murder Inn Cover

The outstanding team of James Patterson and Candice Fox return with the intriguing crime fiction novel, The Murder Inn, which serves as a sequel to their previous novel, The Inn. The Murder Inn will see two murderers head towards the titular troubled inn, but which one of them is there for help, and which one is looking to kill again? I love the sound of this book and I am hoping to read The Murder Inn very soon.

Devil’s Kitchen by Candice Fox

Devil's Kitchen Cover

Australian thriller author Candice Fox is on a roll in 2024 as in addition to her above joint book with James Patterson, she is also releasing the epic standalone thriller, Devil’s Kitchen. Set around an elite group of firefighters who are also secretly a notorious crew of bank robbers, Devil’s Kitchen has an incredible story behind it, and I cannot wait to dive into this awesome novel. Likely to be one of the best books by an Australian author in 2024.

The Silverblood Promise by James Logan

The Silverblood Promise Cover

I was particularly happy to receive an early copy of The Silverblood Promise by James Logan. Logan’s debut novel The Silverblood Promise is an outstanding sounding fantasy book, that will force the disgraced heir of a noble house to go up against a city of criminals after his father is murdered. I really love the sound of this epic novel and it is one of my most anticipated fantasy releases of 2024.

Past Crimes by Jason Pinter

Past Crimes Cover

A cool and unique sounding science fiction novel, Past Crimes by Jason Pinter was one of the more interesting novels that I came across in recent days and I am hoping to check it out soon.

Hollywood Hustle by Jon Lindstrom

Hollywood Hustle Cover

One of the more compelling novels I recently received was Hollywood Hustle, an excellent debut crime fiction read from actor Jon Lindstrom. Hollywood Hustle tells the story of a washed-up actor who finds himself caught up in a dangerous situation when his daughter is kidnapped. I’m actually reading Hollywood Hustle right now, and it is proving to be a fantastic book.

Rebellion by Simon Scarrow

Rebellion Cover

The last two books on this list are some fantastic historical fiction novels I bought in the wake of Christmas. The first of these is Rebellion, the latest book in Simon Scarrow’s Eagles of the Empire series, which is one of my favourite historical fiction series. Rebellion was a pretty epic book, and I actually just reviewed it last night here. Highly recommended, especially if you are the mood for some historical action.

Wolves of Winter by Dan Jones

Wolves of Winter Cover

The other historical fiction book I bought was the intriguing Wolves of Winter by Dan Jones. The sequel to Jones’ excellent debut, Essex Dogs, Wolves of Winter will continue to follow the author’s damaged group of mercenaries as they continue to fight the French in the Hundred Years War. This cool sequel will see them caught them caught up in the siege of Calais, while their own dark demons from the past threaten to consume them. I love the sound of this book and if it’s as good as Essex Dogs, I’m going to really love reading it.

Well, that’s the end of this latest Book Haul post. As you can see I have quite a bit of reading to do at the moment thanks to all these awesome books that have come in. Let me know which of the above you are most interested in and make sure to check back in a few weeks to see my reviews of them.