2023 was an amazing year for novels and here are my favorite reads! Many of these were published prior to 2023, but because I read them in 2023 I’ve included them on the list. If you’re looking for masterful storytelling with intricate and complex plots these books will keep you guessing and on the edge of the seat until the very last page . . . a good book is like a rich cup of coffee: satisfying to the last drop.
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The Chestnut Man
Read more: The Chestnut ManMy rating: 5/5 stars. The Chestnut Man by Soren Sveistrup is a dark and gripping thriller set in Copenhagen, Denmark. It is an absolute masterpiece of Scandinavian crime fiction, delivering a dark and atmospheric tale that will keep you on the edge of your seat from start to finish.
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The Ferryman
Read more: The FerrymanMy rating: 5/5 stars. Wow! I couldn’t put this book down and it was one of my favorite novels of 2023! It’s an epic tale set in a seemingly utopian world where things are not as they seem. The characters are multi-dimensional and complex and I easily became wrapped up with trying to figure out…
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The Stone Sky – The Broken Earth Series Book #3
Read more: The Stone Sky – The Broken Earth Series Book #3My rating: 5/5 stars. The Stone Sky is the third and final book in N.K. Jemisin’s Broken Earth trilogy concluding the epic story of a world plagued by catastrophic seismic events known as Fifth Seasons. I highly recommend this award winning series and it has one of the best endings I’ve read in a long…
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The Obelisk Gate – The Broken Earth Series Book #2
Read more: The Obelisk Gate – The Broken Earth Series Book #2My rating: 5/5 stars. The Obelisk Gate is the second book in N.K. Jemisin’s Broken Earth trilogy and is a stunning continuation that further expands on the intricate and compelling world she has created. Jemisin’s storytelling is as masterful as ever, weaving together multiple narrative threads and complex characters to create a rich and immersive…
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The Fifth Season – The Broken Earth Series Book #1
Read more: The Fifth Season – The Broken Earth Series Book #1My rating: 5/5 stars. The Fifth Season by N.K. Jemisin is the first book in the Broken Earth trilogy, set in a world plagued by frequent catastrophic seismic events known as Fifth Seasons. These Seasons are natural disasters that can last for years, causing widespread destruction and death. In this unstable world, certain individuals known…
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The Sixth Wicked Child – 4MK Series Book #3
Read more: The Sixth Wicked Child – 4MK Series Book #3My rating: 4.75/5 stars. The Sixth Wicked Child is a stunning conclusion to the 4MK Trilogy that left me absolutely spellbound. Barker’s ability to weave together intricate plot threads, create complex characters, and maintain a relentless pace is on full display in this final installment, making it a truly unforgettable read.
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The Fifth to Die – 4MK Series Book #2
Read more: The Fifth to Die – 4MK Series Book #2My rating: 5/5 stars. The Fifth to Die by J.D. Barker is the second book in the 4MK thriller series, following Detective Sam Porter as he continues to hunt down the elusive Four Monkey Killer (4MK). The story picks up where the first book left off, with Porter still reeling from the events of the…
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The Fourth Monkey – 4MK Series Book #1
Read more: The Fourth Monkey – 4MK Series Book #1My rating: 5/5 stars. The Fourth Monkey by J.D. Barker is a dark and twisted serial killer thriller that had me captivated from the very first page. Once I started, I couldn’t put this book down! This is not your typical thriller. Barker’s writing style is thrilling and dark, drawing the reader into a chilling…
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Phantom – Harry Hole Series #9
Read more: Phantom – Harry Hole Series #9My rating: 5/5 stars. I like dark and twisted crime thrillers, and this is one of Nesbø’s best. It is a compelling story, intricately plotted and full of shocking twists. Hole’s pursuit to prove Oleg innocence hooked me from the first pages and kept me reading late into the night. Phantom is the bleakest Harry…
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The Snowman – Harry Hole Series #7
Read more: The Snowman – Harry Hole Series #7My rating: 5/5 stars. Wow! One of Jo Nesbø’s best novels to date. The Snowman is a gripping and haunting atmospheric thriller that kept me guessing from the beginning. Nesbø’s writing style is top notch, and he does an excellent job of creating a sense of tension and unease that permeates the entire novel.
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The Redbreast – Harry Hole Series #3
Read more: The Redbreast – Harry Hole Series #3My rating: 5/5 stars. I was excited to read my first novel in the Harry Hole series and The Redbreast far exceeded my expectations! The Redbreast is a compelling and intricately crafted novel that kept me hooked from start to finish. Nesbø’s writing style is engaging, and he does a masterful job weaving together multiple…
Mugs & Manuscripts 