So here we go again into another year of reading. And here are ten of my favourite books of 2026 Part One, excluding audiobooks, of which there are loads so far. As usual a disparate selection, with a fair bit of superstition thrown in, but only one Gothic this time. It was a difficult decision as I had to leave out about three more that could have been on this list.

Sleep No More by Guy Hale

This is Act IV in The Shakespeare Murders series and it really is the last in the series. And what a conclusion! It was certainly dark – very dark indeed as Oliver descends into madness in true Shakespearean fashion. But the humour is always present. My favourite is the ridiculous conversation between Toby and the owner of the boat moored next to Felix.

‘Can you remember the name of his boat?’
‘Yes.’
‘Feel like sharing?’
‘Something about twigs.’
Toby’s heart gave a lurch. ‘How about Styx?’
‘That’s what I said.’
Toby wrote it down on his notepad and held it up to him.
‘That’s it. I told him that’s not how you spell sticks.’
‘….that’s the boat we’re looking for.’
‘Why, are you the spelling police?’

I don’t know why but it just tickled me. There’s more but I won’t carry on.

For my full review click here

Estella’s Fury by Barbara Havelocke

I absolutely loved the first book in the series – Estella’s Revenge – I say series because I’m sure there will be a third book out soon. I loved Estella’s Fury even more. I got it on Audible – fantastic narration – so I could listen while walking the dog, but in the end I just kept listening, while cooking, doing my hair etc. Everything else went on hold.

It is 1835. Estella’s adoptive mother Miss Havisham has died and she is still grieving for her. Her husband Bentley Drummel has disappeared from society – what has Estella done with him? He almost killed her on their honeymoon in Paris, believing it was his right as her husband to do whatever he wanted with her. But he underestimated Estella, something he will forever regret.

For my full review click here

The Hanging Tree

A couple of years ago, when I first thought about writing a novel, my husband came up with the idea of a story about an ancient tree and all the myths, legends and curses that surrounded it. I never got anywhere and then I was asked to review The Hanging Tree. I could never have done it as well as Jessica Huntley.

I just loved this book. I read it in two sittings. I almost took my Kindle to the pub so I could hide it under the table and keep reading. Graham Williams and Stephen Mallow are kindred spirits, both alone and drawn to each other through investigating mysterious happenings. They have worked together before, somewhere called Cherry Hollow, but we never really discover what happened there. So when retired police officer Graham finds a creepy scarecrow hanging in the cursed tree known as The Hanging Tree, he calls on writer Stephen for his help. But the truth behind it all is more disturbing than I could ever have envisioned.

For my full review click here

Lie Quietly

First of all let me just say that there is no way I would have gone to stay in a run down old house that no-one has lived in for decades, on my own, eight months pregnant, no car, and with no phone signal. And my husband would not have been happy to leave me there either.

But let’s move on. The house itself appears to have been ransacked since Hannah and her husband visited, but who would have done such a thing? The tap water is running like sludge, and there is no heating. The locals are not exactly friendly – hostile even – they just tell her she should leave. And not to ever have a baby in that house.

For my full review click here

Liar Thief

There is so much I could say about this brilliant novel, but spoilers prevent me. I would have enjoyed it as a ‘buddy’ read so I could discuss it with others. It was so different, so unique, and I loved it although there were times I was almost too afraid to turn the page. Some of Ginnie’s actions are unimaginable. As the book progresses, they just get worse. But are they real?

My first thought was why ex-DI Tom O’Brien remained friends with Ginnie, especially after he married his childhood sweetheart and they had a child, Joe. Ginnie is supposedly a narcissist and a sociopath, and she is dangerous. She claims that anyone who dies that she was close to, died because of her. She alleges that she played a part in all their deaths, even though in some cases it wasn’t physically possible. And no-one believes her. Would you?

For my full review click here

The Death Watcher by Chris Carter

Number 13 – unlucky for some, but not for me. This is absolutely my favourite without a doubt. The horror of the murders have been toned down somewhat (they are still gruesome), but the message behind them is what really matters. Yes there’s torture, and killing, but it goes much deeper than that.

Our first victim was found by the side of the road, having been hit by a truck. His injuries fit that scenario. But LA Chief Medical Examiner, Dr Carolyn Hove, has found some strange inconsistencies that point to the victim having been tortured first. He died well before the hit-and-run. So she brings in Detective Robert Hunter of the LAPD Ultra Violent Crimes Unit and his partner Carlos Garcia.

For my full review click here

Assassins Are Our Greatest Assets by Shesh

Sometimes I wonder at myself, but I found book two even more hilarious than book one. But then I am writing a ‘comedy’ about a serial killer, so maybe I just have a warped (and dark) sense of humour.

In book one, retired CEO-turned-assassin Ishmael Dollah dispatched his first two victims and is getting pretty good at it. It’s all in the planning you see. It must be meticulous. Leave no stone unturned, though I think he needs to improve his disposal methods. Not of the bodies, but of his clothing and murder tools ie the evidence.

We now have a potential third target – the man who spread the false rumours about his son’s wife having an affair and almost destroyed their marriage. The man is a trouble maker and needs to go. Deserves to go in fact. So Ishmael decides to set him up online. It’s called catfishing apparently – I learned a lot if I ever decide to assassinate anyone (I’m joking).

For my full review click here

The Magdalene Stones Murders

Not having read the first book in the series, I was a bit overwhelmed initially by the number of important characters. In fact I wasn’t sure who was our main protagonist – Fire Chief Joe Ripley or DS Scott Hansen. Then there’s Jack whose wife Fee has recently died leaving a daughter, 17-year-old Bonnie, and Doctor Ruth who went to school with Joe.

The book opens with the murder of Gina Murray, locked in her house while someone has set the place on fire and she is killed. Her three beloved dogs though have been shut outside. Joe is devastated – they were good friends – and takes the dogs. He doesn’t understand why they were shut out of the house while Gina died. The killer is obviously a dog lover and I totally get that.

For my full review click here

The K by Dawn Merriman

This is such a creepy book. One of the best books I have read this year so far. It’s dark and unsettling, with a main character in Jeremiah White who sinks to unspeakable depths of depravity. I’ve read reviews that say you can’t help being drawn to him. I, for one, am not. And not just because of the frog hunting (which is bad enough).

After his father dies and his mother falls into a deep depression, 13-year-old Jeremiah is pretty much left to his own devices. And then he finds a body in the swamp behind his house. His reaction is not normal.

He is sent to live with his Uncle Stanley, where he seems to be getting on pretty well. He goes to the local school – Uncle Stanley gets him a bike and a dog. He also happens to be a taxidermist, which suits Jeremiah down to the ground. So far so good.

For my full review click here

The Ravine by Maia Chance

‘If I hadn’t found that dead girl’s head in the ravine, what would’ve happened to us?’ How many books can claim an opening line as good as that one! And this book was good, great in fact. Such brilliant characters and setting.

Harlow wants a baby, but it’s just not happening for her and new husband Gregor. She has a great job, but it’s pressurised and Gregor (and his dreadful mother) think that taking a six month sabbatical from work will help her conceive. They suggest spending the time at Gregor’s childhood home on a remote island with his young son Sam, and his family. Gregor is in a band and it will give him the opportunity to rehearse and lay down an album. And one of the band members happens to live next door with his beautiful, earth-mother wife Kirsten and their almost too beautiful children.

For my full review click here