NOTE: This is not a Best Of 2024 List. I just didn’t read enough books published in 2024 to give a fair assessment of the stand-out works. Rather, this list reflects upon what I did read in 2024, regardless of the year originally published, and what I rated Five Stars - my highest rating reserved for the few books that leave an impression and are always worth multiple readings. For your information, this is a personal list and entirely subjective. My hope is that you may find it useful in making your own choices. Good books are meant to be shared.
I read 132 books (including graphic novels) in 2024, and I gave the Five-Star Rating to 17 print novels. Catching up on some works that were released in 2023, that year has the highest number of books (7) included on this list.
These are the books (published in 2024) that I rated FIVE STARS:
ANGEL OF INDIAN LAKE by Stephen Graham Jones - the last of a trilogy that began as a homage to classic slasher horror flicks of the '80's and evolved into the development/maturity of the main character - - but a slasher threat each volume.
CITY IN RUINS by Don Winslow - - also the last of a trilogy - crime fiction/drama following the leader of a New England crime gang who has to change and evolve, ending up as a Las Vegas casino owner in this final volume, also the last book Winslow is going to write (sigh, makes me sad).
TOXIC PREY by John Sanford - the prolific Sanford keeps making new storylines with familiar characters - - this may be the best crime/thriller from him yet.
THE WAITING by Michael Connelly - - another crime novel featuring very familiar characters - Renee Ballard and Harry Bosch - two independent minded crime solvers.
There were eight books in the HORROR category that I rated Five Stars, including Angel Of Indian Lake. The others are:
BLACK RIVER ORCHARD by Chuck Wendig (2023). Apples have never been more dangerous. What a concept, perfectly explored and executed.
CHILDREN OF THE DARK by Jonathan Janz (2016) A serial killer plus monsters. Scary good, surely one of his best works that I’ve read. And, I need to read more by Janz.
PET SEMETARY by Stephen King (1983) - - A long overdue read. Sometimes when I see the movie first, I never bother with the book. This is so much better, and especially frightening if you’ve ever been a parent.
MISERY by Stephen King (1987). - - - Another book that was adapted for film, so I put off reading this until now. A masterpiece. Mostly just two characters - - but what characters! Brilliant.
DUMA KEY by Stephen King (2008) - - - Speaking of amazing character development. I fell in love with three characters in this long novel. One of King’s unrecognized works, but this one made the biggest impression on me. I wish I could write like this. Amazing.
THE REFORMATORY by Tananarive Due (2023) Due takes historical fiction to new levels, expanding on the numerous “reform schools” that populated the Deep South and other areas pre-Civil Rights, when they were also utilized for racist abuse. Build on that, and add a compelling ghost story and this makes for a fascinating read.
CUNNING FOLK by Adam Nevill (2021) British folk horror pulling from woodland gods of ancient mythology. You’re going to worry for this family that moves in next door to demon worshippers.
The other genre that earned the most Five-Star recognition from me was CRIME, with four books total, including the three from 2024 mentioned above:
RESURRECTION WALK by Michael Connelly (2023): A Lincoln Lawyer novel with a big assist from beloved character Harry Bosch. Great story, with a heart-warming message.
Here’s the remainder of my Five-Star books read in 2024:
THE INVISIBLE LIFE OF ADDIE LARUE by V. E. Schwab (2023) Fantasy: Travel through time with an immortal. A troubled woman in a bad family relationship escapes and makes a bad decision, dealing with the devil in exchange for immortality. The price she has to pay is not worth the granted longevity but she perseveres and finally has a good life, turning the tables on her tormentor.
YELLOWFACE by R.F. Kuang (2023) Contemporary fiction: Plagiarism in the era of social media is not a good idea. A young struggling novelist takes the unfinished manuscript of a deceased friend and makes it her own, with nasty consequences.
THE HEAVEN AND EARTH GROCERY STORE by James McBride (2023) Historical fiction: Covers small-town life in Pennsylvania as low income Jews and Blacks learn to help each other and grow together. A murder mystery at the root of the story, but this is about so much more.
DARK MATTER by Blake Crouch (2016) Science Fiction. Recently serialized on Apple TV. There are multiple and alternative realities. What if a version of yourself comes into your world and replaces you because he envisions your family life as better than the single but successful life he left behind?
INFINITY GATE by M.R. Carey (2023) Science Fiction. Book One of the Pandominion Duology, Speaking of multiple realities, this deals in an infinite number of universes. The world-building and characterization in this fascinating read is brilliant.
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