Looking Forward To . . . Books
In an effort to get 2024 off to a great start, this month we’re going to talk about what we’re looking forward to this year. According to the Cambridge dictionary, looking forward means “to feel pleased and excited about something that is going to happen.”
Wickeds, we have so many talented friends, and are also fans. What books are you looking forward to this year?
Edith/Maddie: I can’t wait to read Edwin Hill’s newest, Who to Believe, which will be out in three weeks (and catch him here on the blog on January 18). Keep Your Family Close, Annette Dashofy’s second Detective Honeywell mystery is out in ebook, with paperback coming along soon. I love Rhys Bowen’s historical Molly Murphy series, and In Sunshine or Shadow drops in March. Leslie Karst debuts a new series in April with Molten Death, and Ellen Byron does the same with A Very Woodsy Murder in July. But today I am having cataract surgery, so my reading for the next couple of weeks will be via audiobook, starting with Victoria Thompson’s latest Counterfeit Lady historical, City of Betrayal.
Sherry: Of course I’m looking forward to all of the books by the Wickeds coming out this year. I’m really excited to read Missing White Woman by Kellye Garrett. I’ve loved her other books and have been hearing about this one since she had the original idea. I’m also looking forward to Everyone On This Train is a Suspect by Benjamin Stevenson. It’s the follow up to Everyone In My Family Has Killed Someone. The first one was very quirky so I’m interested to see what happens on the train. And it’s about murder mystery writers.
Liz: All of the above! There’s a new Tana French book coming out in 2024, which I’m super excited about – The Hunter. I am a huge fan of hers and it’s been a while since she’s had a new one. There’s also a new Finlay Donovan book coming out – Finlay Donovan Rolls the Dice. I love this series!
Julie: All of the above as well. My list is getting longer and longer. Delia Pitts has a new series debut this July, Trouble in Queenstown. She’ll be on the blog later this month to give away an ARC. I’m looking forward to the sequel to Kimberly Giarratano’s Death of a Dancing Queen, Devil in Profile, coming out in September. Amina Ahktar’s Almost Surely Dead comes out February 1, and is a Kindle first read this month. I became a rabid Mary Russell fan this past fall, having listened to all of the books. I can’t wait for Laurie R. King’s next installment, The Lantern’s Dance, due out mid-February. And Deanna Raybourn is giving us another Veronica Speedwell this March, A Grave Robbery.
Barb: In 2024 I want to read more and read more out of my genres. I’m feeling pretty good about that goal, because I started doing it in the latter part of 2023, so I come into the year with some momentum. Part of reading more widely has meant following up on recommendations from friends and family. Right now I’m reading a book for a blurb, but I’m looking forward to Brother of the More Famous Jack, recommended by my sister-in-law and Hello Beautiful, recommended by my daughter. Like Liz, I have the new Tana French book on preorder. That’s a good example of following up on recommendations from friends. Liz raved about her books for years, and I always thought, “Those sound good. I’ll read them someday.” Then I did, and they were fantastic!
Jessie: I loved reading your lists, ladies! I am looking forward to a novel that released at the end of November that I just haven’t read yet. I loved The Maid by Nita Prose and I am itching to get to her latest, The Mystery Guest. The protagonist is simply delightful, and I am eager to catch up on all her news!
Readers, what books are you looking forward to this year? Writers, let us know about your 2024 releases in the comments.
