First Books of 2024
It has been a while since I have done one of these posts, but I would like to get back into the habit as I quite enjoy them. My 2024 hasn't gotten off on a great start as the family was horribly sick for the first week. We never tested positive for Covid, but it sure felt like the Covid I had last year. Thankfully we are all better now. Other than that, I haven't been up to much, just working and keeping the kids on schedule as schools are back in session. I don't know if any of you guys saw the Doctor Who specials, but I quite enjoyed them and I thought the new Doctor did a great job! And the trailer looks awesome for the new season:
I have been in a mystery mood, so all of these are variations of that: 1 contemporary mystery, 2 historical mysteries, and 1 historical thriller.
The Man Who Died Twice by Richard Osman
Elizabeth has received a letter from an old colleague, a man with whom she has a long history. He's made a big mistake, and he needs her help. His story involves stolen diamonds, a violent mobster, and a very real threat to his life.
As bodies start piling up, Elizabeth enlists Joyce, Ibrahim and Ron in the hunt for a ruthless murderer. And if they find the diamonds too? Well, wouldn't that be a bonus? ~Goodreads Description
TBH after reading the first in this series I wasn't sure I was going to continue, as I did not have a lot of fun reading that one. But then one of my favorite Booktubers who also had a lukewarm feeling about the first book continued and she ended up loving the rest of the series. So, I took a chance, and I ended up really loving it. I enjoyed the plot and mystery much more this time around. I thought the mystery was really interesting and how it tied back into Elizabeth's past was really well done. There is a lot of heart in these books thanks to some really well-written characters and how they interact with each other. I love the sense of family you get while reading. All in all, a great book and I will be continuing.
They Came to Baghdad by Agatha Christie
The charm of this book for me lies in the main character and the setting. I found Victoria delightful in her confidence and her ability to lie convincingly at the drop of a hat. Christie wrote the setting of Baghdad very well probably because she had visited the area so often. This isn't one of Christie's mysteries it is a spy thriller, which is not my favorite genre from her. I thought the plot to be actually very convoluted and too farfetched. Even with that I still thought the book to be very readable. I quickly made my way through it and enjoyed myself a fair bit.
The Lost Man of Bombay by Vaseem Khan
Bombay, 1950
When the body of a white man is found frozen in the Himalayan foothills near Dehra Dun, he is christened the Ice Man by the national media. Who is he? How long has he been there? Why was he killed?
As Inspector Persis Wadia and Metropolitan Police criminalist Archie Blackfinch investigate the case in Bombay, they uncover a trail left behind by the enigmatic Ice Man - a trail leading directly into the dark heart of conspiracy. ~Goodreads Description
I have been greatly enjoying this series as I love Persis and Khan is a good mystery writer. Persis is such a great character. I love how driven she is and how much she loves her job even if she is given a hard time about by pretty much everyone around her. I liked the mystery in this one, how so much of it was due to the sins of the past. I could've done without all of the personal drama though mainly because it takes up so much of the book but other than that I quite enjoyed this the third book in a really good series.
Murder at the Races by Carmen Radtke
I quite enjoyed the second book in the Jack & Frances series. This series takes place in 1930's Adelaide, Australia, and I love getting a new historical setting to experience. I like how this felt like a heist book but instead of the gang stealing something they were all working together to prove Frances' brother's innocence. It was a lot of fun. Loved the ending between Frances and Jack. Can't wait to read the next one!
Reading Challenges 2024:
Mount TBR: Murder at the Races, The Lost Man of Bombay, They Came to Baghdad
Cloak & Dagger Challenge, The Man Who Died Twice, They Came to Baghdad, Murder at the Races, and The Lost Man of Bombay
Let's Tour the United States: N/A
How has the beginning of 2024 been treating you guys?
Click to viewI have been in a mystery mood, so all of these are variations of that: 1 contemporary mystery, 2 historical mysteries, and 1 historical thriller.
The Man Who Died Twice by Richard Osman
Elizabeth has received a letter from an old colleague, a man with whom she has a long history. He's made a big mistake, and he needs her help. His story involves stolen diamonds, a violent mobster, and a very real threat to his life.
As bodies start piling up, Elizabeth enlists Joyce, Ibrahim and Ron in the hunt for a ruthless murderer. And if they find the diamonds too? Well, wouldn't that be a bonus? ~Goodreads Description
TBH after reading the first in this series I wasn't sure I was going to continue, as I did not have a lot of fun reading that one. But then one of my favorite Booktubers who also had a lukewarm feeling about the first book continued and she ended up loving the rest of the series. So, I took a chance, and I ended up really loving it. I enjoyed the plot and mystery much more this time around. I thought the mystery was really interesting and how it tied back into Elizabeth's past was really well done. There is a lot of heart in these books thanks to some really well-written characters and how they interact with each other. I love the sense of family you get while reading. All in all, a great book and I will be continuing.
They Came to Baghdad by Agatha Christie
The charm of this book for me lies in the main character and the setting. I found Victoria delightful in her confidence and her ability to lie convincingly at the drop of a hat. Christie wrote the setting of Baghdad very well probably because she had visited the area so often. This isn't one of Christie's mysteries it is a spy thriller, which is not my favorite genre from her. I thought the plot to be actually very convoluted and too farfetched. Even with that I still thought the book to be very readable. I quickly made my way through it and enjoyed myself a fair bit.
The Lost Man of Bombay by Vaseem Khan
Bombay, 1950
When the body of a white man is found frozen in the Himalayan foothills near Dehra Dun, he is christened the Ice Man by the national media. Who is he? How long has he been there? Why was he killed?
As Inspector Persis Wadia and Metropolitan Police criminalist Archie Blackfinch investigate the case in Bombay, they uncover a trail left behind by the enigmatic Ice Man - a trail leading directly into the dark heart of conspiracy. ~Goodreads Description
I have been greatly enjoying this series as I love Persis and Khan is a good mystery writer. Persis is such a great character. I love how driven she is and how much she loves her job even if she is given a hard time about by pretty much everyone around her. I liked the mystery in this one, how so much of it was due to the sins of the past. I could've done without all of the personal drama though mainly because it takes up so much of the book but other than that I quite enjoyed this the third book in a really good series.
Murder at the Races by Carmen Radtke
I quite enjoyed the second book in the Jack & Frances series. This series takes place in 1930's Adelaide, Australia, and I love getting a new historical setting to experience. I like how this felt like a heist book but instead of the gang stealing something they were all working together to prove Frances' brother's innocence. It was a lot of fun. Loved the ending between Frances and Jack. Can't wait to read the next one!
Reading Challenges 2024:
Mount TBR: Murder at the Races, The Lost Man of Bombay, They Came to Baghdad
Cloak & Dagger Challenge, The Man Who Died Twice, They Came to Baghdad, Murder at the Races, and The Lost Man of Bombay
Let's Tour the United States: N/A
How has the beginning of 2024 been treating you guys?