I like to host the Favorites of 2024 posts. We get to see what our online friends are reading from all over the world. Today, it’s Lindy Gomm’s turn to talk about her favorite books of 2024. Thank you, Lindy!

THE NIGHT IN QUESTION by Susan Fletcher

– An absolutely wonderful, feel-good, wise book about late-in-life second chances in love and life, peopled with engaging characters, centered around an ‘accident’ that Florrie and Stanhope investigate.

THE SECRET KEEPER by Genevieve Graham

– A marvellously well-written WWII novel highlighting the exploits of Canadian women during the war. Full of heart, suspense, love, tears, and joy. Cannot recommend this one highly enough.

THE SECOND LIFE OF MIRIELLE WEST by Amanda Skenandore

– A story of a young socialite wife and mother who is discovered to have leprosy and is quarantined at a leper colony called Carville (which was a real place); her life of privilege, social status, etc. is completely taken away – even her real name. This leads to the ‘second life’ of the title, which is the one she lives in the colony. This is a fabulous historical fiction novel; eye-opening, affecting, and thoroughly immersive. Easily one of the best books I read in 2024.

THE EXCITEMENTS by C.J. Wray

– Two very elderly women, Penny and Josephine, WWII veterans hiding official secrets and double lives, journey to Paris to receive a special award. They have discovered information about a former adversary and decide to pull off ‘one last heist’ while they’re there. Accompanying them is their poor unsuspecting grand-nephew, Archie. This book is so much fun. Humour, adventure, drama, and yes – excitements. I recommend this one completely.

THE BRIAR CLUB by Kate Quinn

– A novel about women living in a rundown boardinghouse in the U.S. during the McCarthy era. We learn the stories of each of the women living there, and each one is fascinating. The landlady is fearsome. Even the house itself has a voice. Friendships are formed, and secrets are kept. It all builds bit by tantalizing bit to a terrible act of violence. But who is responsible for it? Until I read this book I didn’t realize how dangerous it was to show even a hint of sympathy for anything or anyone connected with Communism.

THE DJINN WAITS A HUNDRED YEARS by Shubnum Khan

– The story is about a dilapidated 100-year-old mansion haunted by a djinn, and currently occupied by an odd assortment of tenants, and one curious young girl. As she wanders through the house she comes upon a locked door. What happened behind this door a hundred years ago is the reason the djinn haunts. A mystery, a love story, and one of trying to belong. This wasn’t a quick read, partly because of the lyrical writing and partly because it felt like a book that should be savoured.

THE DEAD GUY NEXT DOOR by Lucy Score

– A highly entertaining humorous mystery/romance. Riley just wants a normal life, but she’s divorced, hasn’t got enough money, and sometimes has visions. Then a handsome private investigator named Nick shows up at her building looking for one of her neighbours, who turns out to be dead. Murdered. The police have Riley as their #1 suspect. Handsome Nick offers to help Riley clear her name. And what’s with the stranger who claims he was sent to help Riley with her ‘psychic gifts’? Can the three of them solve the case before Riley gets murdered too?

The pages fly by. First in a series.

HOW TO AGE DISGRACEFULLY by Clare Pooley

– A fun, yet wise, story about a group of people at vastly different ages and stages of life, each with their own issues – and how they find common ground, friendship, and new leases on life. An engaging read.

THE WAY OF ALL FLESH by Ambrose Parry

– A wonderfully absorbing historical fiction/mystery/crime novel set in 1847 Edinburgh. Will, a medical student, begins his apprenticeship with the famous Dr. Simpson. Dead women are being found in the Old Town, clearly having died similar gruesome deaths. Will and Dr.Simpson’s very intelligent housemaid Sarah work together to try to discover why these women died. The book takes place at the very beginnings of the study of anaesthesia. Absolutely fascinating to read about the experimenting that went on at the time. The book is riveting and suspenseful.

EARLS TRIP by Jenny Holiday

– Set in the Regency era, three friends (two earls and a viscount) head out on their annual two-week holiday together. The trip gets complicated by a situation involving two sisters who end up tagging along, although they’ve been ordered to stay out of the way and out of sight. Doesn’t happen of course. A historical rom-com, with more rom-com than history. Very entertaining, with great dialogue, and surprisingly thoughtful conversations between the male characters. Heaps of fun.