Fair Play by Louise Hegarty

Abigail is hosting her annual New Year's Eve murder mystery party in combination with celebrating her brother Benjamin's birthday. Six of their friends are attending. However, during this year’s festivities, Benjamin will actually be murdered. Which of the guests is the killer? Fair Play plays with mystery conventions by having a famous fictional detective work on the case after the authorities deem Benjamin's death a suicide. Additionally, author Hegarty plays with places and times to turn the locked room mystery novel on its head. Perfect for fans of Janice Hallett's novels.

The Award by Matthew Pearl

Writer David Trent is thrilled when he and his partner, Bonnie, move into an apartment above the famous author Silas Hale in Cambridge, Massachusetts. However, Silas is not a nice person and takes great glee in putting other people down. When David's first novel wins a literary prize, Silas's attitude toward David changes. However, David finds that being the recipient of the award has its downside... A page turning satire in the style of Peter Swanson.

Nightshade by Michael Connelly

Detective Sergeant Stilwell is now in charge of the small police department on Catalina Island after clashing with a fellow homicide officer in Los Angeles. He is trying to put his past behind him and make Catalina home. When a woman with ties to the mainland is found dead in the harbor, Stilwell finds it hard not to get involved. In addition to that case, the beheading of a protected buffalo on the island has put Stilwell in the crosshairs of some locals. In this series opener, Connelly writes a story that will be pleasing to his fans.

My Favorite Books of 2025

Here are the five books I enjoyed most this year.

In alphabetical order, by author:

Love Forms by Claire Adam

The unusual setting and sympathetic main character make this novel a standout.

The Killer Question by Janice Hallett

A fantastic puzzle that keep you guessing until the end.

Don't Let Him In by Lisa Jewell

A novel of psychological suspense that's hard to put down.

I'll Come to You by Rebecca Kauffman

Kauffman shines in this novel of family relationships.

The Witch's Orchard by Archer Sullivan

An outstanding debut mystery.

The Tree of Light and Flowers by Thomas Perry

In this final book of the long-running Jane Whitefield series, Jane and her husband, Carey, have recently become parents, but there are still people out there who want Jane dead because of all the individuals she has helped disappear safely over the years. Russian Magda Kaprovna, who featured in The Left-Handed Twin is back, ready to kill Jane if she can find her. Will Jane be able to keep Carey and her baby, May safe? A fitting end to the series, yet sad knowing that this is Perry's last book. It will be published in March.

Delphine Jones Takes a Chance by Beth Morrey

Delphine Jones lives with her father and her eleven-year-old daughter Emily. Money is a constant worry, as there never seems to be enough for everything the family needs. Delphine's dream of a college education was put on hold when she got pregnant in high school. Lately, however, there are signs of hope. A new job and friends for Delphine are giving her the confidence to consider taking the A level exams. She also begins spending time with a widow named Letty so she can practice the French that her mother spoke to her while growing up. There is even a possible love interest in Dylan, who is part of the band Delphine joins. Yet her past disappointments and mistakes at times threaten her confidence. Will Delphine put herself out there to try and change her life for the better? A great read-alike for the novels of Jojo Moyes.

Some Bright Nowhere by Ann Packer

Claire and Eliot have been married for almost forty years. Claire was diagnosed with breast cancer about eight years ago. Through chemo, radiation, and everything else that goes along with her illness, Eliot has been at her side. He is stunned when Claire, who has recently begun hospice care, tells him that she wants her final days to be spent with her two best friends, Holly and Michelle--not him. The novel explores Eliot's feelings about the news, looks back and Eliot's and Claire's marriage and parenting their two now-grown children, Abby and Josh, in addition to detailing Claire's last months. A perfect choice for book clubs.