Books - January 2026
Jan. 28th, 2026 12:25 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
smallhobbitA good start to the year as I've read 9 books.
The Dancer at the Gai-Moulin by Georges Simenon
The first of this year's Maigret books. Set in Liège and written in 1931, an interesting plot, different from those I've read. Once again I enjoyed both the story and the sense of setting.
The Man Who Didn't Burn by Ian Moore
Having read the Follett Valley series, which are humorous, I thought I would try reading the Juge Lombard stories, of which is the first. Also set in France, in the Loire Valley, this is a more standard mystery, convoluted and clever. I plan on reading the second in the series later this year.
Payment Deferred by C S Forrester
The runner-up for the Shedunnit category of books published 100 years ago (so 1926). More of a character study, not a whodunnit (that is known from when the murder happens), it's a well-written story of how events happen and the effect they have on the characters. It has a strong sense of the life of a lower middle-class clerk and his family at the time.
Still Waters by E C R Lorac
A new British Library Crime Classic publication sees Lorac's Chief Inspector MacDonald back in the Lake District. I always enjoy reading Lorac, and especially being back in the Lake District. An interesting plot, which has several layers.
A Vow of Chastity by Veronica Black
The first of the three Sister Joan mysteries I plan on reading this year, and the second in the series. Although the primary setting of a convent might seem like a cozy mystery, the crime itself is not cozy, although there is nothing graphic, which suits me. I'm looking forward to reading the next book.
Sky High by Michael Gilbert
The newest British Library Crime Classic release, I have been a great fan of Michael Gilbert for many years. This definitely has thriller aspects to it, which I enjoy, and account for a few late nights reading.
An Extremely Unlikely Death by Hannah Hendy
The latest in the Dinner Lady Detectives series. I'm still enjoying this series, and have noted the two books due out later this year. Qualifies as cozy crime, but a well-constructed plot, with some subtle, but effective, red herrings.
The Misty Harbour by Georges Simenon
My second Maigret, this time set in Oisterham in Normandy. I've been there a few times, since it was one of the landing beaches on D-Day. The descriptions of the harbour area in 1931 are excellent, and although it has changed in the 95 years since the book was written, I can still imagine it. Another quite different plot.
The Ministry of Time by Kaliane Bradley
I had this book on my reading list for this year, and when I saw the latest Goodreads Challenge included it in one of the categories, I bumped it up the list - and was delighted when it turned out to be in three categories and so counted three times. It's an interesting book, the idea is that a few people are brought to the present (book present, some decades ahead of our present) by a time machine. Each of the 'survivors' are assigned a bridge, whose job it is to assimilate them into the modern world. As the book progresses, more details are discovered, which add to the drama. Worth reading, but to me suffers from the inherent contradictions of time travel.
And here's my book bingo card so far - January is always the easiest month, since all the categories are open.
The Dancer at the Gai-Moulin by Georges Simenon
The first of this year's Maigret books. Set in Liège and written in 1931, an interesting plot, different from those I've read. Once again I enjoyed both the story and the sense of setting.
The Man Who Didn't Burn by Ian Moore
Having read the Follett Valley series, which are humorous, I thought I would try reading the Juge Lombard stories, of which is the first. Also set in France, in the Loire Valley, this is a more standard mystery, convoluted and clever. I plan on reading the second in the series later this year.
Payment Deferred by C S Forrester
The runner-up for the Shedunnit category of books published 100 years ago (so 1926). More of a character study, not a whodunnit (that is known from when the murder happens), it's a well-written story of how events happen and the effect they have on the characters. It has a strong sense of the life of a lower middle-class clerk and his family at the time.
Still Waters by E C R Lorac
A new British Library Crime Classic publication sees Lorac's Chief Inspector MacDonald back in the Lake District. I always enjoy reading Lorac, and especially being back in the Lake District. An interesting plot, which has several layers.
A Vow of Chastity by Veronica Black
The first of the three Sister Joan mysteries I plan on reading this year, and the second in the series. Although the primary setting of a convent might seem like a cozy mystery, the crime itself is not cozy, although there is nothing graphic, which suits me. I'm looking forward to reading the next book.
Sky High by Michael Gilbert
The newest British Library Crime Classic release, I have been a great fan of Michael Gilbert for many years. This definitely has thriller aspects to it, which I enjoy, and account for a few late nights reading.
An Extremely Unlikely Death by Hannah Hendy
The latest in the Dinner Lady Detectives series. I'm still enjoying this series, and have noted the two books due out later this year. Qualifies as cozy crime, but a well-constructed plot, with some subtle, but effective, red herrings.
The Misty Harbour by Georges Simenon
My second Maigret, this time set in Oisterham in Normandy. I've been there a few times, since it was one of the landing beaches on D-Day. The descriptions of the harbour area in 1931 are excellent, and although it has changed in the 95 years since the book was written, I can still imagine it. Another quite different plot.
The Ministry of Time by Kaliane Bradley
I had this book on my reading list for this year, and when I saw the latest Goodreads Challenge included it in one of the categories, I bumped it up the list - and was delighted when it turned out to be in three categories and so counted three times. It's an interesting book, the idea is that a few people are brought to the present (book present, some decades ahead of our present) by a time machine. Each of the 'survivors' are assigned a bridge, whose job it is to assimilate them into the modern world. As the book progresses, more details are discovered, which add to the drama. Worth reading, but to me suffers from the inherent contradictions of time travel.
And here's my book bingo card so far - January is always the easiest month, since all the categories are open.
