Best Fiction Books January 2025

Smoke and Mirrors

In “Smoke and Mirrors,” Elly Griffiths weaves a captivating tale of mystery and magic set in 1950s Brighton. When two children vanish during a pantomime performance, DI Edgar Stephens and magician Max Mephisto reunite to unravel the case. As they delve deeper, they uncover a web of secrets and lies that blur the line between illusion and reality. Griffiths’ vivid prose brings post-war Brighton to life, while her complex characters and clever plot twists keep readers guessing until the very end.

Now You See Them

In “Now You See Them,” Elly Griffiths weaves a captivating tale of mystery and intrigue set against the backdrop of 1960s Brighton. Detective Inspector Edgar Stephens and his wife, former magician Emma, find themselves entangled in a perplexing case of missing schoolgirls. As the investigation unfolds, old friends and new faces collide, unearthing long-buried secrets. Griffiths’ keen eye for period detail and her knack for crafting complex characters shine through, making this a page-turner I couldn’t put down. A must-read for fans of atmospheric crime fiction.

The Night Hawks

Dr. Ruth Galloway returns in this gripping mystery, drawn into a world of ancient rituals and modern-day murder. When a group of metal detectorists unearths a Bronze Age burial site on a Norfolk beach, Ruth’s expertise is called upon. But as she investigates, a sinister connection to a recent death emerges. With her keen intellect and dry wit, Ruth must navigate treacherous waters, balancing her professional life with personal entanglements. Griffiths weaves a tale that’s both atmospheric and deeply human, keeping readers guessing until the very end.

The Lantern Men

In “The Lantern Men,” Elly Griffiths weaves a chilling tale that kept me up late into the night. Dr. Ruth Galloway, forensic archaeologist extraordinaire, is drawn back to Norfolk by a convicted killer’s tantalizing offer. As she unearths long-buried secrets, the line between past and present blurs. Griffiths’ knack for atmospheric storytelling shines through, making the marshlands feel alive with whispered mysteries. I found myself holding my breath during tense moments, completely immersed in Ruth’s world. A gripping read that’ll haunt you long after the last page.

The Dark Angel

Ruth Galloway’s life is upended when an Italian archaeologist seeks her help with a medieval skeleton. Reluctantly drawn into a web of ancient secrets and modern danger, Ruth finds herself in the picturesque Italian town of Castello degli Angeli. As she unravels the mystery, she grapples with her feelings for DCI Nelson back home. Griffiths weaves a captivating tale of murder, history, and romance that kept me up late, savoring every twist. Her vivid descriptions transported me to sun-drenched Italy, and I found myself rooting for Ruth’s personal and professional triumphs.

The Chalk Pit

In “The Chalk Pit,” Elly Griffiths weaves a gripping tale that had me on the edge of my seat. Set in Norwich, this atmospheric mystery follows forensic archaeologist Ruth Galloway as she uncovers a network of underground tunnels and a chilling secret. Griffiths’ vivid prose brings the eerie chalk mines to life, and I found myself holding my breath during the tense cave scenes. With its complex characters and unexpected twists, this book kept me guessing until the very end. A perfect read for a rainy afternoon with a cup of tea.

The Woman in Blue

Ruth Galloway, forensic archaeologist, finds herself drawn into a chilling mystery when a woman’s body is discovered near the shrine of Our Lady of Walsingham. As Ruth delves deeper, she uncovers a web of secrets and lies in the quiet Norfolk town. With her old friend DCI Nelson by her side, Ruth must navigate local legends, religious fervor, and personal demons to solve the case. Griffiths weaves a haunting tale that kept me up late, turning pages and second-guessing every character. Her vivid descriptions of the misty coastline had me shivering, even on a warm night.

The Ghost Fields

Forensic archaeologist Ruth Galloway unearths a chilling mystery in Norfolk’s desolate marshlands. When a World War II plane emerges from a field, Ruth is called to investigate the pilot’s remains. But something’s amiss—the body isn’t what it seems. As Ruth delves deeper, she uncovers long-buried secrets and a web of lies that threatens to unravel the present. With her keen eye for detail and knack for unearthing the truth, Ruth races against time to solve a decades-old puzzle that’s haunted the ghost fields for far too long.

The Outcast Dead

Ruth Galloway’s latest archaeological dig unearths a grim discovery: the bones of a Victorian murderess. As Ruth delves deeper, she finds herself entangled in a modern mystery that echoes the past. With her keen eye for detail and knack for uncovering secrets, Ruth races against time to solve both cases. Griffiths weaves a captivating tale of history, murder, and the thin line between justice and revenge. I couldn’t put it down, staying up way too late to finish just one more chapter!

Dying Fall

Ruth Galloway’s peaceful summer is shattered when a former university colleague is murdered. Drawn into the investigation, she finds herself entangled in a web of ancient secrets and modern dangers. As Ruth delves deeper, she uncovers a connection to a legendary king’s burial site. With her own life at risk, she must race against time to solve the mystery. Griffiths’ masterful blend of archaeology and suspense kept me up all night, turning pages and second-guessing every character. A gripping read that’ll leave you craving more.