It’s time of
my annual wrap-up of the best books I read in 2012. Although mysteries (all
sub-genres) dominate, I did read several enticing novels from other genres that
captivated me.
I fell short
of my goal of reading at least 100 novels last year but did manage to read 78
novels, novellas and short stories.
I began the
year with Janet Evanovich’s Fearless
Fourteen and ended it with her Finger
Lickin’ Fifteen . I also read two books by another favorite author Carl
Hiaasen and both made my favorites list: Striptease
and Star Island. It’s pure joy when I
pick up one of their books. Sue Grafton’s V
is for Vengeance was not only one of my favorites this year but my favorite
from her alphabet series. The ending was perfect.
I have tried
to divide the rest of my favorites into categories:
Thrillers
and Detective Procedurals:
Secret Prey
by John Sandford. The murderer was a surprise although the clues were there but
I love being surprised.
First Family
by David Baldacci. Not wanting to give anything away, I will say there was
exceptional suspense and climax.
Trial
Junkies by Robert Gregory Browne. Excellent twists and turns from an author new
to me. I look forward to more of his books.
Two
outstanding novels by Iain Edward Henn: Disappear and The Delta Chain. This is
another author new to me this year. Disappear is one of the best page turners I’ve
read in years. In The Delta Chain, an array of characters, good and evil, lead to
one of the longest, most harrowing climactic scenes I’ve ever read. Both are
fantastic reads.
Solo by Jack
Higgins. This author is one of my all-time favorites but beautiful scenes from
the Greek Isles make this novel a stand-out. It is a cat and mouse hunt from
England to Greece and back again.
Thicker Than
Water by G.M. Ford. This is the first novel I’ve read by this author and it is
a great rollicking but brutal adventure.
The Chalk
Girl by Carol O’Connell. A psychological
thriller in which I can only say, wow! It is part of a series but the first I’ve
read by this author. Superior plotting and writing.
The Matarese
Countdown by Robert Ludlum. This is the sequel to The Matarese Circle, which I
read years and years ago. I love Ludlum’s books and this one didn’t disappoint
with an exciting convoluted plot.
Secrets to
Die For by LJ Sellers. A violent story of rape and murder with twists and turns
and an unbelievable traumatic climax. A real page turner.
Fire and Ice
by Dana Stabenow. This is the first Liam Campbell mystery. The action goes from
spotting herring in a plane to stumbling over bodies in a small Alaskan settlement.
An excellent, thrilling read.
Cozy
Mysteries:
Where
There’s a Will by Mary Roberts Rinehart. This was an old-fashioned, hilarious
romp, very different from many of her mysteries.
Chile Death
by SusanWittig Albert. There are lots of suspects, red herrings, an unexpected
villain and a rip-roaring climax. Lots of chile folklore also.
Giving Up
the Ghost by Marilyn Levinson. This is a ghost story with a rousing ending to a
well-plotted mystery.
Bogey’s Ace
in the Hole by Marja McGraw. A thoroughly engaging cozy mystery with a climax
that left me laughing out loud.
Divine
Inspiration by Jane Langton. A Homer Kelly mystery that had a slow start but
when the pieces finally came together, it reached a clamorous climax.
Romance:
A Stolen
Chance by Linda LaRoque—romantic suspense. Outstanding storyline and one of my
favorite settings: the American Southwest.
The Marriage
List by Jean Joachim. I read many wonderful romances by Jean Joachim in 2012 but
this one was my favorite. I truly loved it. It is a very sensual love story
with plenty of yummy food to add to the spiciness of the romance.
Valentine’s
Gift by Marie-Nicole Ryan. This is a sequel to See You in My Dreams, which
takes place ten years later. It is a lovely follow-up of the main characters
and how their lives changed but their love remained despite suspicions and
unexpected illness.
Paranormal:
The Cheetah
Princess by Joan Conning Afman is a beautifully written novel of love and suspense
in another world setting.
Rereading:
I reread My
Brother Michael by Mary Stewart. I first read it when I was a senior in college
and at that time I was blown away by it. It influenced me, not only in my
reading habits but also to become a world traveler. Rereading it I realized how
far romantic suspense has come since then because although there was suspense,
the romance was very understated. But it still remains at the top of my list of
all time favorite novels.
