This post is incredibly late. It perhaps would have been an ideal list for January…. I just thought that it can be fun to compare notes. This is a list of the all the books I read last year!
King Nyx by Kirsten Bakis
Set on a secluded island in November 1918, King Nyx follows Anna Filing Fort as she uncovers dark secrets surrounding the mysterious millionaire Claude Arkel and the disappearance of three girls. As Anna investigates, she encounters eerie forces and must confront Arkel’s true nature. A modern feminist gothic tale blending mystery and atmospheric tension.
The Night House by Jo Nesbo
After the tragic death of his parents, 14-year-old Richard Elauved moves to the isolated town of Ballantyne, where he’s blamed for the disappearance of a classmate. As he uncovers eerie events tied to a cursed phone booth and a haunting presence in the woods, Richard must confront dark forces and the terrifying possibility that his mind may not be trustworthy. A twisted, multi-layered horror tale about innocence, guilt, and supernatural terror.
The Gathering by CJ Tudor
In the remote town of Deadhart, Alaska, a gruesome murder leads Detective Barbara Atkins to investigate a possible vampyr killing linked to an isolated community known as the Colony. Partnering with a former sheriff, Atkins uncovers dark secrets and long-held suspicions that threaten to unravel the town’s fragile peace. As more bodies surface, the two must confront whether they’re hunting a supernatural monster or a human psychopath.
The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown
In Paris, symbologist Robert Langdon is called to the Louvre after the curator is murdered, leaving behind a cryptic cipher that leads to hidden clues in Da Vinci’s artwork. Teaming up with French cryptologist Sophie Neveu, Langdon uncovers secrets tied to the Priory of Sion, a secret society with famous members like Da Vinci and Newton. As they race across Europe, they must outsmart a powerful adversary to uncover an explosive historical truth before it’s lost forever.
Killing the Witches by Bill O’Reilly
Revisits the terrifying events of the Salem Witch Trials in 1692-1693, where hysteria over demonic possession and witchcraft led to the wrongful accusation of over 200 people. Thirty were found guilty, and twenty were executed as the town descended into madness. Bill O’Reilly explores the historical context, evidence, and the devastating consequences of fear overtaking reason in this chilling narrative.
The London Seance Society by Sarah Penner
In 1873 Paris, spiritualist Vaudeline D’Allaire is renowned for using séances to communicate with murder victims and uncover the identities of their killers. Lenna Wickes, seeking answers about her sister’s death, joins Vaudeline on a dangerous journey to England to solve a high-profile murder. As they team up with London’s Séance Society, they begin to suspect they may be entangled in a web of crime themselves.
Lenny Marks Gets Away with Murder by Kerryn Mayne
Lenny Marks lives a carefully controlled life, marked by routines and an avoidance of her painful past, especially the day her mother and stepfather disappeared. But when a letter from the parole board forces her to confront long-buried memories, Lenny begins to unravel, and for the first time, she connects with those around her. As new relationships form, she must face her past—and the truth she’s been running from.
Wicked by Gregory Macquire
Reimagines the story of Oz from the perspective of Elphaba, the misunderstood girl who becomes the Wicked Witch of the West. In a world where animals seek equality and Munchkinlanders crave stability, Elphaba’s complex journey challenges our ideas of good and evil. Gregory Maguire’s rich, vivid fantasy explores the true nature of wickedness and the forces that shape it.
Diavola by Jennifer Thorne
Anna navigates the chaos of the annual Pace family vacation, where she feels like the only one who doesn’t quite fit in. But when the family stays at a remote villa with a dark, violent past, unsettling events begin to unfold, and Anna must confront both the eerie house and her complicated family dynamics. A wickedly funny and deeply satisfying twist on the haunted house genre, exploring loneliness, belonging, and family myths.
Lady Macbeth by Ava Reid
Reimagines Shakespeare’s infamous villainess, giving her a powerful voice and a dark, hidden past. The Lady knows she will be wed to a brutal Scottish warrior and must navigate a treacherous court with her cunning and witchcraft. But when she uncovers her husband’s occult secrets and a prophecy that binds him, she discovers her own magic is far more dangerous—and will shake the very fabric of the world.
Love Letters to a Serial Killer by Tasha Coryell
In this dark debut thriller, aimless thirty-something Hannah becomes obsessed with a true-crime case involving William, an accused serial killer awaiting trial. As she writes him letters and eventually moves in with him after his acquittal, her investigation into his possible guilt consumes her life, leading her to a dangerous obsession. While trying to uncover the truth, she finds herself entwined in a twisted relationship where love and suspicion collide.
The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie
Junior, a budding cartoonist growing up on the Spokane Indian Reservation, decides to leave his troubled school and attend an all-white high school in a nearby town. As he navigates the challenges of fitting in, he struggles to break free from the life he was expected to live. A heartfelt, humorous, and beautifully written coming-of-age story, it is inspired by Sherman Alexie’s own experiences and features poignant illustrations by Ellen Forney.
List Kitty 
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