I’m glad to say that November was a better reading month than October. I read a couple of great books that can potentially make it to my favourite books of the year list. We shall see, since there is still a whole month left to go before the year ends. For now, these are my November 2024 book reviews.
The Unlucky Ones by Hannah Morrissey
Thank you to Netgalley, Minotaur Books, but especially to Hannah Morissey for my advanced readers’ copy. This is one of my most anticipated books of the year, but it is only publishing in March 2025.
This is the fourth Black Harbor installment, and I find the author gets better and better with each book. And, you can imagine my delight when I found out that Hazel, the police transcriber from the original book, made a comeback. When she heard her ex-husband Tommy was found dead, she came back to Black Harbor. She and Kole team up and try to solve his murder, but not after a few challenges.
If you’re not familiar with the series, I urge you to pick it up! Hannah writes atmospheric, Midwest Noir thrillers that remind me of the Scandinavian narrating style I love. One of my favorite books of the month,which will most likely make my top ten books of the year list.
The Rom-Commers by Katherine Center
I started this book on audio at the end of October, because I wanted something lighter to listen to before I dove into some darker reads. And the book came through on that count. I now see why so many fellow Bookstagrammers love the author. She delivers a solid contemporary romance book that will help you evade your daily grind and entertain you. I enjoyed the storyline and the writing style, so I will definitely read something by the author in the future.
The Wife Stalker by Liv Constantine
I had this book on my shelves for so long, that is the only reason I finished it. About a third in I was ready to give up, but something made me power through and finish it. I must say, I’m glad I did, because I did not see that twist at the end coming! I’m not going to tell you what it is, because it will spoil the book for you, but I will simply say that it redeemed the book. If you can make it past the first half, you might as well see it to the end. Otherwise, it’s not a great book that you must read.
21 Lessons for the 21st Century by Yuval Noah Harari
21 Lessons for the 21st Century
What an eye-opening book! From the bestselling author of sapiens comes this instalment in the study of the human species. Check out my Nonfiction November post, where i mention the author’s previous works as well:
In this book, the author focuses on our current issues, and makes statements based on his years of experience as a historian who studied humankind. I liked how he detaches himself from his own ingrained values and cultural traditions.
If you enjoy nonfiction, this is one the must-read books to add to your list.
The Final Nail by Stefan Ahnhem
This book concludes the Fabian Risk series. I’m so glad I finally read it yet I’m also sad, since this concludes one of my favorite Nordic Noir series. The book ends on an open-ended note, which allows the reader to come up with their own conclusions.
If you read the previous installments, then you know that Fabian was struggling in his personal life this time. And Dunja, his Danish vis-a-vis is trying her hardest to bring down her former corrupt Chief of police. The author writes a propulsive, action-packed thriller that is like his previous four books. His style of writing is right up my alley: it flows, yet jumps from one storyline to the next. Written in the typical Scandinavian style, it is one of my favorite reads this month!
The Night Guest by Hildur Knutsdottir
I read this Nordic Noir novella in just over a weekend as part of my Nordic Noir November read-along. It reads super fast thanks to its short chapters. While that was a plus for me, the open-ended conclusion left me wondering what exactly happened. My group had similar thoughts to mine, which is that we aren’t sure what the author meant by it. It makes for a great discussion, but I can’t say that I loved the book. It was certainly different, but I’m sure I’ll forget I read it before the end of the year.
In the Blink Of An Eye by Jo Callahan
This is a surprising find, and I’d like to thank Tracy from Compulsive Readers for including me in this blog tour and offering me a chance to read and review this book. Of course, I also want to thank the author, Jo Callahan, for sending me a copy of this book.
I was expecting a decent read, but not such a great one!! I enjoyed this police procedural, the first instalment in the Kat and Lock series. It is a refreshing mystery that shows us how AI can be used in police investigations. The author did a great job navigating how two different entities worked together to solve the crimes. And all that while incorporating each party’s strengths, equally their weaknesses. While skeptical at first, both Kat and Lock made it work and succeeded in solving the crimes committed.
Will definitely continue with book two, Leave No Trace, shortly. But first, I want to entice you to give this book a try.
This is the synopsis, as seen on Goodreads:
‘In the UK, someone is reported missing every 90 seconds.
Just gone. Vanished. In the blink of an eye.
DCS Kat Frank knows all about loss. A widowed single mother, Kat is a cop who trusts her instincts. Picked to lead a pilot programme that has her paired with AIDE (Artificially Intelligent Detective Entity) Lock, Kat’s instincts come up against Lock’s logic. But when the two missing person’s cold cases they are reviewing suddenly become active, Lock is the only one who can help Kat when the case gets personal.
AI versus human experience.
Logic versus instinct.
With lives on the line can the pair work together before someone else becomes another statistic?’
Doesn’t it sound great? Take my word for it, it is worth adding it to your tbr!
Concluding Words
This concludes my November 2024 book reviews. I read a couple of great books, and I’m very happy with how November went. I hope your reading was great, as well as your preparations for the holiday season.
Until next month, keep reading fellow bookworms!
