Best Contemporary Books December 2024

Ghost Train to the Eastern Star

Theroux’s captivating travelogue retraces his epic journey from thirty years ago, weaving through Eastern Europe, Central Asia, and Southeast Asia. With his keen eye for detail and wry humor, he reflects on the changes—both subtle and stark—that have transformed these lands. From bustling bazaars to remote villages, Theroux’s encounters with locals and fellow travelers paint a vivid portrait of cultures in flux. His introspective musings on aging and the passage of time add a poignant layer to this already rich narrative.

After I Do

Lauren and Ryan’s once-perfect marriage is crumbling. Desperate to save it, they decide on a radical experiment: a year apart with no contact. As Lauren navigates life solo, she rediscovers herself and confronts hard truths about love and commitment. Through witty observations and heartfelt moments, we follow her journey of self-discovery. Reid’s honest portrayal of marriage’s complexities will resonate with anyone who’s ever questioned their happily ever after. A poignant, often funny exploration of what happens after “I do.”

One True Loves

Emma Blair thought she had it all: a loving husband, a thrilling career, and a bright future. But when tragedy strikes, she’s left grappling with an unimaginable loss. Years later, just as she’s piecing her life back together, her world is turned upside down again. Caught between two loves, Emma must confront her past and decide where her heart truly belongs. A poignant exploration of grief, second chances, and the complexities of the human heart, this novel will leave you questioning the nature of true love and the power of fate.

Forever, Interrupted

Elsie Porter’s whirlwind romance with Ben Ross was the stuff of fairy tales. After just six months of dating, they eloped, ready to start their happily ever after. But fate had other plans. Nine days into their marriage, Ben is killed in a tragic accident, leaving Elsie to navigate grief, loss, and an unexpected connection with her mother-in-law. As Elsie grapples with her new reality, she discovers that love can be both fleeting and eternal, and that sometimes, the most profound relationships are born from heartbreak.

Maybe in Another Life

Hannah Martin’s life is at a crossroads. One night out with an old flame could change everything. As she grapples with two possible futures, we follow Hannah through parallel timelines, exploring the ripple effects of a single decision. Reid’s captivating narrative weaves love, friendship, and self-discovery into a poignant reflection on fate and choice. With vivid characters and unexpected twists, this novel left me pondering my own what-ifs long after the last page.

The Hypnotist’s Love Story

Ellen O’Farrell, a hypnotherapist with a thriving practice, thinks she’s finally found Mr. Right in Patrick. There’s just one hitch: his ex-girlfriend is stalking them. As Ellen becomes increasingly fascinated by this shadowy figure, she finds herself drawn into a complex web of relationships and secrets. With Moriarty’s signature wit and insight, this captivating tale explores the blurred lines between love, obsession, and the power of suggestion. A delightfully quirky and thought-provoking read that will keep you guessing until the very end.

The Reversal

Veteran defense attorney Mickey Haller is recruited to change stripes and prosecute the high-profile retrial of a brutal child murder. After 24 years in prison, convicted killer Jason Jessup has been exonerated by new DNA evidence. Haller is convinced Jessup is guilty, and he takes the case on the condition that he gets to choose his investigator, LAPD Detective Harry Bosch. Together, Bosch and Haller set off on a case fraught with political and personal danger. Opposing them is Jessup, now out on bail, a defense attorney who excels at manipulating the media, and a runaway eyewitness reluctant to testify after so many years.

The Gods of Guilt

Mickey Haller, the Lincoln Lawyer, is back in a gripping courtroom drama that tests his skills and conscience. Defending a former client accused of murder, Haller uncovers a web of lies and corruption that reaches into the highest levels of power. As he digs deeper, he confronts his own past mistakes and the moral ambiguity of his profession. With each twist, Haller must navigate the thin line between justice and guilt, all while facing the ultimate judges – the gods of guilt in the jury box.

The Black Echo

Detective Harry Bosch, haunted by his past as a Vietnam tunnel rat, finds himself investigating a murder that hits too close to home. The victim, a fellow veteran, is found dead in a drainpipe, echoing the claustrophobic tunnels of their shared war experience. As Bosch digs deeper, he uncovers a web of corruption and deceit that threatens to unravel his own fragile sense of justice. With each twist, Connelly masterfully blends gritty realism with heart-pounding suspense, leaving readers breathless until the very last page.

The Late Show

Renée Ballard works the night shift in Hollywood, beginning many investigations but finishing none, as each morning she turns everything over to the daytime units. It’s a frustrating job for a once up-and-coming detective, but it’s no accident. She’s been given this beat as punishment after filing a sexual harassment complaint against a supervisor. But one night she catches two assignments she doesn’t want to part with: the brutal beating of a prostitute left for dead in a parking lot and the killing of a young woman in a nightclub shooting. As she digs deeper into both cases, Ballard becomes determined to bring the criminals to justice, even if it means working cases by day while maintaining her shift by night.