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.
Tag: The Ghost Orchid
Top Ten Tuesday – Book with Plant/Nature Themed Titles
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.
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
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 39th 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
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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
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
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
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)
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)
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)
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)
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
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
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
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
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
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 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
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
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
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
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
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
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.
Top Ten Tuesday – Most Anticipated Thrillers, Crime Fiction and Historical Fiction releasing in the First Half of 2024
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 2024. 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, 2024 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 2024 and 30 June 2024. 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 2024.
Honourable Mentions:
Goodbye Girl by James Grippando – 9 January 2024
A compelling legal thriller with a ton of potential.
The Murder Inn by James Patterson and Candice Fox – 13 February 2024
A great crime fiction read about killers heading towards an unusual inn, introduced in a prior novel by Patterson and Fox.
Nobody’s Hero by M. W. Craven – 1 June 2024
The exciting sequel to Craven’s 2023 novel, Fearless, I can’t wait to get my hands on it.
Sentinel by Mark Greaney – 25 June 2024
The fantastic sounding sequel to Greaney’s amazing action-packed Armored, Sentinel sounds very exciting and I look forward to checking it out.
Top Ten List:
The Ghost Orchid by Jonathan Kellerman – 6 February 2024
First on this list is the exciting new murder mystery from Jonathan Kellerman. I have become a real fan of Kellerman’s long-running Alex Delaware series, especially after reading such excellent books as The Wedding Guest, The Museum of Desire, Serpentine, City of the Dead and Unnatural History, and I am very excited to get my hands on The Ghost Orchid. Set to follow the series’ great protagonists as they investigate a sensational double-homicide, The Ghost Orchid should prove to be very twisty, especially as both victims have secrets that could have made them the intended target of the attack. I have a lot of love for this series, and reading the new Alex Delaware book has become a fun start-of-year tradition for me.
Lone Wolf by Gregg Hurwitz – 13 February 2024
An excellent spy thriller to start of 2024 is Lone Wolf by Gregg Hurwitz. Part of Hurwitz’s fantastic Orphan X series (Out of the Dark, Into the Fire, Prodigal Son, Dark Horse and The Last Orphan), this book follows a former government assassin turned vigilante of last resort, who specialises in helping people with no-one else to turn to. This new book will set the protagonist against his deadliest enemies yet, a visionary tech billionaire and a skilled serial killer who may prove to be just as lethal as the legendary Orphan X. I look forward to diving into this awesome book and it should prove to be a great addition to a particularly cool series.
The Chaos Agent by Mark Greaney – 20 February 2024
Probably the book I’m most looking forward to in early 2024 is the new Gray Man novel by Mark Greaney, The Chaos Agent. The Gray Man books are one of my favourite series at the moment, especially as all the books in the series, including The Gray Man, Mission Critical, One Minute Out (one of my favourite books and audiobooks of 2020), Relentless (one of my favourite books and audiobooks of 2021), Sierra Six (one of my favourite books and audiobooks of 2022) and Burner (one of my favourite books and audiobooks of 2023), have been so very strong. This latest entry will pit the titular Gray Man against a massive conspiracy surrounding AI and force him to face off against one of his oldest friends. Sure to be one of the best books I read this year, I am so very excited to dive into The Chaos Agent.
The Atlas Maneuver by Steve Berry – 20 February 2024
Another awesome spy thriller that I am particularly excited to read in 2024 is The Atlas Maneuver by Steve Berry. Part of Berry’s awesome long-running Cotton Malone series, The Atlas Maneuver will force the series titular protagonist to unravel another world-shattering conspiracy with its origins hidden in historical secrets, including lost World War II gold, and the world’s oldest bank. I have had such a brilliant time with this series in recent years, including with books like The Malta Exchange, The Warsaw Protocol, The Kaiser’s Web and The Last Kingdom, and I cannot wait to dive into this new elaborate and captivating read.
War Cry by Ian Ross – 12 March 2024
In 2023 I was lucky enough to receive a copy of the awesome historical fiction novel, Battle Song by Ian Ross, which followed a brutal knight and his naïve squire as they get caught up in one of England’s many civil wars. A fantastic and powerful historical adventure, Battle Song was a particularly impressive read that made me a huge fan of Ross. As such, I am very eager to grab a copy of the upcoming sequel, War Cry, when it comes out here in Australia. Set to provide a follow-up to the brutal and character-forming events of Battle Song, War Cry should be another exceptional read and I cannot wait to see how Ross follows-up his previous epic novel.
White Ash Ridge by S. R. White – 14 March 2024
One of the most promising authors of Australian crime fiction, S. R. White, returns with another enticing outback mystery, White Ash Ridge. White has really impressed me in recent years with his prior novels, Prisoner and Red Dirt Road, and I am looking forward to seeing another one of his unique mysteries. His new book, White Ash Ridge, will see his unconventional detective try to solve a complex murder in an isolated hotel, where only a handful of guests of a charity dedicated to police reform were present. This will probably be one of the best Australian mysteries of 2024 and I look forward to unwinding White’s elaborate mystery.
The Mystery Writer by Sulari Gentill – 19 March 2024
Another great novel from an Australian author I am looking forward to in the next few months is The Mystery Writer by Sulari Gentill. An elaborate and personal murder mystery about a complex family and the death of a famous author, The Mystery Writer sounds so damn awesome and I cannot wait to dive into this excellent novel.
The Girl in Question by Tess Sharpe – 9 April 2024
Tess Sharpe follows up her outstanding young adult thriller, The Girls I’ve Been, with a new awesome adventure in The Girl in Question. Once again following her intriguing teenage con-women protagonist as she attempts to outwit a deadly group of criminals, The Girl in Question sounds extremely awesome, and I am really excited to read this book. The Girls I’ve Been was extremely impressive and I have been waiting for a sequel for ages.
Behind a Closed Door by J. D. Barker – 13 May 2024
A gritty and dark psychological thriller that sees a couple get caught up in an elaborate online game where the stakes keep getting higher and higher. This is one of the most intriguing books that has caught me eye in early 2024 and I am very keen to unravel the entire sordid tale.
Devil’s Kitchen by Candice Fox – 4 June 2024
The final book I want to highlight on this list is the awesome thriller from one of Australia’s best crime fiction authors, Devil’s Kitchen by Candice Fox. Set to follow an elite unit of firefighters who moonlight as a dangerous heist gang, Devil’s Kitchen sounds that an extremely cool read with a great plot behind it. I have had a lot of fun with Fox’s last few books, and this should prove to be another amazing novel.
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 2024.
Top Ten Tuesday – Books on my Summer 2023-24 To-Be-Read (TBR) List
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 looked at books set in specific location or period of the blogger’s choice. However, as I’m mucking around with my Top Ten List schedule, I actually did this list last week when I covered my favourite books set in the Roman Empire. As a result, I have a topic free this week and as we are just about to enter Summer (Winter for those up in the Norther Hemisphere) I decided to move up my quarterly post about the best upcoming books to-be-read (TBR) for the following three months. This is a regular post I do at the start of each season, and I honestly should have pulled this together a couple of weeks ago.
For this list, I have come up with 10 of the most anticipated novels that are coming out between 1 December 2023 and 29 February 2024. There are quite a few very cool novels set for release in the next few months that I am extremely excited for, including some of the top books from each respective year. Due to how impressive some of these upcoming books are, it took me a little while to finalise my list but I was eventually able to whittle it down into a Top Ten list (with a few honourable mentions). 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 Top Ten Tuesdays and Waiting on Wednesday articles and I think all of them will turn out to be pretty incredible reads. I have extremely excited for the next three months as quite a few up these upcoming reads are easily going to be amongst the best reads of their respective years.
Honourable Mentions:
Midnight by Amy McCulloch – 2 January 2024
A cool science fiction mystery that I’m keen to sink my teeth into.
The Burning Land by David Hair – 1 February 2024
The compelling start to a new fantasy series.
The Holy Terrors by Simon R. Green – 6 February 2024
A fun sounding horror book that parodies reality television.
Top Ten List (by release date):
House of Open Wounds by Adrian Tchaikovsky – 7 December 2023
Let us start this list off with a book I actually started reading today, House of Open Wounds by Adrian Tchaikovsky. A dark and complex fantasy novel that follows the deranged inhabitants of an experimental magical healing unit in a hostile army, House of Open Wounds is the sequel to Tchaikovsky’s City of Last Chances, which is one of the best books and audiobooks I enjoyed in the first half of 2023. I’m currently around 150 pages into House of Open Wounds and I am loving the complex, multi-character narrative that sees a huge cast of distinctive and troubled figures attempt to survive in a cruel world. Featuring a brilliant story and Tchaikovsky’s trademark inventive setting, House of Open Wounds is an amazing read and one I look forward to reviewing in the coming weeks.
The Ascent by Adam Plantinga – 2 January 2024
A fun and action-packed debut thriller that will see a former cop attempt to survive a rioting prison filled with deadly convicts. The Ascent is going to be a very entertaining book and I am sure I will have a blast getting through it.
Dark Arena by Jack Beaumont – 3 January 2024
An awesome book coming out very early in 2024 is Dark Arena by Jack Beaumont. The sequel to one of my favourite debuts from 2021, The Frenchman, Dark Arena looks set to continue Beaumont’s compelling and detailed depiction of French espionage, this time hunting down a mysterious group of operators seeking to destabilise Europe.
Goodbye Girl by James Grippando – 9 January 2024
A fun upcoming legal thriller from a new-to-me author that will see a lawyer get dragged into a contentious case involving internet piracy, music contracts and bad romances. However, the case gets even more complicated when both the protagonist’s client, and the ex-husband suing her, are charged with the same murder. I love the sound of the amazing plot for the next upcoming book by James Grippando and Goodbye Girl should prove to be an excellent read.
The Ghost Orchid by Jonathan Kellerman – 6 February 2024
A series I have really grown to love reading at the start of each year is the amazing long-running Alex Delaware murder mystery series by Jonathan Kellerman. Following a psychiatrist and a detective who team up to solve unusual murders in L.A., the Alex Delaware books are really impressive pieces of crime fiction and I always get drawn into Kellerman’s amazing narratives such as those of The Wedding Guest, The Museum of Desire, Serpentine, City of the Dead and Unnatural History. The next book in the series, The Ghost Orchid, will see the protagonists investigate a double homicide of two wealthy lovers with troubled pasts. Sure to be a complicated mystery with loads of compelling suspects, I cannot wait to dive into The Ghost Orchid and it should be something special.
Lone Wolf by Gregg Hurwitz – 13 February 2024
Gregg Hurwitz look set to continue his outstanding Orphan X series in early 2024 with the excellent sounding Lone Wolf. This series, which has featured awesome books like Out of the Dark, Into the Fire, Prodigal Son, Dark Horse and The Last Orphan, follows a fugitive government assassin codenamed Orphan X, who attempts to save people as a secretive vigilante. This latest book will see an emotionally compromised Orphan X go up against a mysterious billionaire and a deadly serial killer, which is sure to result in an outstanding story. I am very excited for this novel and it should turn out to be pretty awesome.
The Murder Inn by James Patterson and Candice Fox – 13 February 2024
An intriguing new thriller from the winning team of the legendary James Patterson and Australian author Candice Fox. The sequel to one of their previous collaborations, The Murder Inn looks set to be an intense and quick paced book, loaded with intrigue and murder.
The Tainted Cup by Robert Jackson Bennett – 13 February 2024
I had to feature the awesome upcoming fantasy novel The Tainted Cup by the always impressive Robert Jackson Bennett. The start of an intriguing new series from Bennett, The Tainted Cup will see an intriguing duo investigate a mysterious magical death, one that could change everything and doom their entire nation. The Tainted Cup sounds like a wonderful character driven fantasy book with a great murder mystery element to it, and Bennett has proven to be an exceptional author in the past. As such, I am very keen for The Tainted Cup, and I feel it has the potential to be one of the top fantasy books of 2024.
The Chaos Agent by Mark Greaney – 20 February 2024
Perhaps the book I’m most excited for at the start of 2024 is The Chaos Agent by Mark Greaney, which will serve as the 13th novel in his epic Gray Man series. I have had a blast with this series over the years, and previous novels like The Gray Man, Mission Critical, One Minute Out, Relentless, Sierra Six and Burner have all been exceptional reads, loaded with action, clever narratives and damaged characters. The Chaos Agent looks set to continue this trend with an intriguing new adventure which will force the protagonist to go up against old friends and new enemies as he tries to stop a plot involving artificial intelligence.
The Atlas Maneuver by Steve Berry – 20 February 2024
The final entry I want to highlight on this list is the fantastic upcoming thriller The Atlas Maneuver by Steve Berry. The latest book in Berry’s long-running Cotton Malone series (make sure to check out my reviews for previous entries like The Malta Exchange, The Warsaw Protocol, The Kaiser’s Web and The Last Kingdom), The Atlas Maneuver will see the protagonist become involved in an insidious financial attack linked to looted Japanese war gold and a long-simmering war between the CIA and the world’s oldest bank. Sure to feature Berry’s trademark blend of an exciting and suspenseful modern thriller and fascinating historical secrets, I already know I am going to love The Atlas Maneuver and it is going to be so much fun.
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 pretty awesome.
Waiting on Wednesday – The Ghost Orchid by Jonathan Kellerman
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 look at the next upcoming entry in one of my favourite crime fiction series with The Ghost Orchid by Jonathan Kellerman.
Over the last few years I have found myself getting attached to several great long-running crime fiction or thriller series, most of which have spoken to me in their own specific ways. One of the most surprising for me has to be the iconic Alex Delaware series from acclaimed author Jonathan Kellerman, which has been going for nearly 40 years, but is still going strong.
The Alex Delaware books follows the team of psychologist Alex Delaware and his police friend, Detective Milo Sturgis, as they investigate a series of unique murders through LA. The Alex Delaware novels turned out to be a pretty inclusive series that you can start reading at any point, and all of them have featured some outstanding and clever mysteries. I have so far had the pleasure of reading The Wedding Guest, The Museum of Desire, Serpentine, City of the Dead and Unnatural History. Each of these books has been fun and compelling in their own fantastic way, and I have really got drawn into each of their distinctive cases.
Due to have intriguing and entertaining each of the previous Alex Delaware novels have been, this series is now a permanent and anticipated entry in my yearly reading schedule, and I always have a ball of fun reading the latest Alex Delaware novel. As such, I was pretty excited when I recently found out the details about the next book in this impressive series, with The Ghost Orchid.
The Ghost Orchid will be the 39th entry in this excellent series and is currently set for release in February 2024. This new book will set the compelling protagonists on another intriguing investigation, this time involving the double murder of two people with complicated pasts.
Plot Synopsis:
Psychologist Alex Delaware and Detective Milo Sturgis confront a baffling, vicious double homicide that leads them to long-buried secrets worth killing for in the riveting thriller from the #1 New York Times bestselling “master of suspense” (Los Angeles Times).
LAPD homicide lieutenant Milo Sturgis sees it all the time: Reinvention’s a way of life in a city fueled by fantasy. But try as you might to erase the person you once were, there are those who will never forget the past. . . and who can still find you.
A pool boy enters a secluded Bel Air property and discovers two bodies floating in the bright blue water: Gio Aggiunta, the playboy heir to an Italian shoe empire, and a gorgeous, even wealthier neighbor named Meagin March. A married neighbor.
An illicit affair stoking rage is a perfect motive. But a “double” in this neighborhood of gated estates isn’t something you see every day, The house is untouched. No forced entry, no forensic evidence. The case has “that feeling,” and when that happens, Milo turns to his friend, the brilliant psychologist Alex Delaware.
As Milo and Alex investigate both victims, they discover two troubled pasts. And as they dig deeper, Meagin March’s very identity begins to blur. Who was this glamorous but conflicted woman? Did her past catch up to her? Or did Gio’s family connections create a threat spanning two continents?
Chasing down the answers leads Alex and Milo on an exploration of L.A.’s darkest side as they contend with one of the most shocking cases of their careers and learn that that some secrets are best left buried in the past.
Ooh, now this a very cool sounding mystery and I am already quite curious about what sort of case this is going to turn out to be. A complex double homicide with all manner of secrets, motives and hidden pasts is just what I am in the mood for and I know that Kellerman’s distinctive and captivating style will help to turn The Ghost Orchid into a powerful and addictive read. I already know that I will have a wonderful time with The Ghost Orchid next year and I cannot wait to get my hands on the next epic murder mystery from Jonathan Kellerman.
The Unseen Library 