January 2025 - ones I'm hoping to read & review

 

I'm always on the look-out for exciting new reads to recommend for  you. Netgalley is my go-to site to find these books and January is looking particularly good. Here are some of the books I've got lined up to review, so you can make your book shopping list ready to spend those Christmas gift vouchers which I've asked Santa to get you!

A couple of well-known names to start us off:

Simon Mayo has been a household name on the radio for years now (my favourite on my journey home from work every day). Perhaps lesser known, but only slightly, for his written accomplishments with several books available in both the adult fiction and younger reader sections. I am delighted that the team at Bantam have allowed me an early copy of his new book Black Tag which is due to be released at the end of January. 

The description tells of a fire at a West End gallery which houses some important works of art. The fire service holds a list of items which get priority treatment in emergencies such as this, known as a "grab list", but it soon becomes clear that this list has been tampered with and  not everything that should be grabbed has made it onto the altered list. Priorities quickly change though when a body is found in the ashes of the gallery. Who is the deceased person? And why were they on the premises at the time of the fire?

One of my go-to authors Luca Veste publishes his next novel on 16th January. The thriller writer, who co-hosts a podcast entitled "Two crime writers and a microphone" alongside Steve Cavanagh, brings us a story which is every teen parent's nightmare: Alison's son Ben has been killed in what appears to be a random attack in a dark street. Ben's girlfriend Mia is (in Alison's eyes) the main suspect - 3 people close to her have now died, and Alison's gut is telling her that Mia has something to hide. How far will Mia go to stop Alison calling her a killer?

Also out on 16th January is Mary Watson's The Cleaner. From the description, it's giving me similar vibes to Steve Cavanagh's Witness 8. Esmie is employed as a cleaner by the owners of properties in a gated community. But it's not the salary she's wanting. It's revenge. One of the residents has upset Esmie in the worst possible way and she's going to make them pay far more than minimum wage for what they've done.

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And now for something a bit different: A Serial Killer's Guide to Marriage. It's a tale of a couple who used to be serial killers - as a couple. But once Hazel fell pregnant they decided to do the decent thing and give up their life of crime and live a respectable life in the suburbs. After all, getting rid of a body gets a bit more complicated with a baby in tow! But then, Hazel gets the irrepressible urge to do it just one more time but this time going solo, ending up with the police knocking at their door. I've yet to read this one but I've heard that the ending is an absolute triumph! I can't wait to dive in ready for publication day on 14th January. I do love a bit of dark humour!

Now I realise that the offerings I've given so far are all a bit dark and murdery, so if you're looking for something much lighter but still guaranteed to be a good read then you can't go wrong with Jill Mansell's writing. If ever I get myself into a bit of a slump then I know Jill will rescue me. A host of 5-star ratings ahead of publication mean I can't be too far wrong in the assumption that An Almost Perfect Summer will be as reliable as all its predecessors. 

Nella has sworn off people - particularly men - for some time now. So when she encounters Nick and finds him to be the kind of guy she could actually fall for she starts considering whether she would consider a relationship. Then she loses her job, and the only attractive employment opportunity means that he would be her boss, so the possibility of romance disappears in an instant. But this is Jill Mansell-land, so there's gotta be a chance somehow hasn't there? Jill's novels are filled with warmth, happiness, and always leave you feeling like you've been wrapped in a big hug, so maybe all is not lost after all. 

Lucy Diamond is another author guaranteed to take you away to better places - this time it's Kefalonia.

Jet off to the Greek island and mix with celebrity chef Frank Neale and his wife, disgraced TV star Miranda Vallance and 82-year old Evelyn Chambers, who have all chosen the destination for very different reasons. The chance to enjoy a nice bit of winter sun, away from the British hibernation season.

Reverting to type, my last two offerings are released at the end of January and I'm as keen as you guys to get my hands on a copy of both of these as sadly I've not had the chance to get early copies, which I am gutted about.

If you've been reading my blog this year, you'll have heard me mention Gillian McAllister's book Wrong Place Wrong Time which is my absolute favourite book in ages. Her new one Famous Last Words looks absolutely amazing and is about a lady who returns to work after maternity leave, her daughter's first day in nursery. She tries to contact her husband Luke - to no avail - then hears about a hostage situation in London. But it turns out that Luke is not a hostage. He's the gunman!!

Then there's Alice Feeney's next book, a thriller entitled Beautiful Ugly, also released on 30th January. I am so excited to read this. It sounds so intriguing.

Grady Green is an author, on the phone to his wife to share some very welcome good news. As he talks, he hears his wife slam on the brakes of the car, get out then... silence. The car is found, door open, headlights on, at a cliff edge. No sign of his wife anywhere. Then year later, on a remote Scottish island Grady sees the impossible. A woman who looks just like his missing wife...

These last two books share top spot on my most-wanted list for 2025 so far. Do you have any titles you're keen to get your hands on in January that have missed my radar? If so, please leave me a note in the comments and share the book love.