Christmas is on the way. Even the self-service tills at Tesco’s supermarket jingle their bells and laugh ‘Ho Ho Ho’ as I pay. (What irony! and amazingly annoying for the poor checkout girl standing nearby and hearing the seasonal sounds hundreds of times every day.)
As well as all the fun of seeing family, and giving and receiving presents, most of us have a few days’ holiday at Christmas and a chance to reflect. With that in mind, here are my suggestions for 12 Books of Christmas. There’s sure to be one you’ll enjoy, so grab it for your Kindle. Even better, you could buy it as a gift for your nearest and dearest, and squirrel it away on Christmas Day to read yourself.
#1. Blood Libel by Chuck Loyola. This noirish political thriller (very Blade Runner in feel, although set in 1990s Britain) was my Thriller of the Month in October. Check out my review on Goodreads.
#2. The Bride’s Trail by AA Abbott. It’s my best crime thriller yet! Away with false modesty! Predecessors After The Interview and Up In Smoke are great reads too.
#3. The Cost of Living by David Moody. His publisher, Infected Books, reckons 2016 is the Year of the Zombie. Fans of the undead can’t go wrong with this suspense-filled novella.
#4. Park Life by Katharine D’Souza is a sophisticated, page-turning novel and the book every woman over the age of 40 should read. Two unlikely neighbours find common ground and an answer to their problems.
#5. The Siege of Wrenstock Gardens by Suzanna Stanbury. Wildly over the top South Bristol slapstick comedy. If you know any Bristolians, buy them this! Alreet, my luvverrr.
#6. Shades of Green by Andy Lake. The Green Earth Movement sounds kind, caring and cuddly, doesn’t it? Turns out it has a very sinister agenda indeed in Mr Lake’s compelling political thriller. Andy Lake has worked for the Cabinet Office and understands political machinations perfectly.
#7. Clovenhoof by Heide Goody and Iain Grant. The first in a series of books about saints and devils marauding across the modern world. Terry Pratchett fans should love them. Simon Fairbanks reviews the latest, Hellzapoppin, here.
#8. A Letter From Oggi edited by Richard Jaffa. Olga Franklin was a woman in a man’s world, working as a journalist in the mid-20th century. Her letters to her sister are witty, warm, dark, sweet and the most entertaining slice of history you could possibly read.
#9. No Other Darkness by Sarah Hilary. I had the pleasure of sharing the stage with this talented British writer at an event at Foyles this year. Her latest crime thriller is tense and addictive.
#10. The Adulterer’s Daughter by Deenagh Miller. The true story of an appalling childhood. Painter Deenagh Miller clearly survived the agony. Her art, dark and emotional, may draw on the shadows of the past, though.
AND NOW FOR THE LITTLE ONES…
#11. The Wolf from the Ridge by Suzanna Stanbury. The tinies in my family can’t get enough of Suzanna’s children’s books.
#12. The Other Christmas Carol by David Wake. When they’re at that awkward age of just realising Santa doesn’t exist.
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I write full-length crime thrillers for adults and the occasional commissioned children’s story. Check out my crime thrillers tasters, short stories and more here.
