Happy New Year! I hope 2025 is off to a good start for everyone. My first week of the year has mostly been spent in packing away Christmas decorations, cleaning my house, and trying to get myself organized for the year to come. The beginning of a new year always feels like a fresh start full of possibilities. We'll see what the year brings.

The first TTT prompt of the year is all about new releases we're excited about: Top Ten Most Anticipated Books Releasing in the First Half of 2025. There are a lot of great-looking books coming out and, honestly, I could have done a whole list of just those coming out in January. Or just sequels. I decided to leave out the sequels and choose a variety of titles I haven't talked about before that have been or will be released between January and May.

As always, Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by the lovely Jana over at That Artsy Reader Girl.

1. Radiant by Vaunda Micheaux Nelson (published January 7)—Set in 1963, this middle-grade verse novel is about a young Black girl who's navigating life in a predominantly white Pennsylvania community. Amid Beatlemania, race riots, and the assassination of JFK, she struggles to find herself and her place in a confusing, chaotic world.

2. Freeze by Chris Priestley (available January 14)—Another middle-grade title, this one is a spooky tale about a girl whose class is given the assignment to write shivery stories with a winter theme. At first, it's fun to hear everyone's creepy ideas read aloud, but when Maya realizes that she features in all of them, she starts to feel a little...uneasy. As snow piles up outside the school, it becomes increasingly obvious that she and her classmates are going to be trapped inside for the forseeable future. Why does it suddenly seem like she's the star of a terrifying horror flick?

3. Mask of the Deer Woman by Laurie L. Dove (available January 21)—Carrie Starr, formerly a Chicago detective, fell apart after her daughter was murdered. In search of purpose, she accepts a job as the tribal marshal on the reservation where her father was raised. An unnerving amount of young women have disappeared from the rez and Carrie is tasked with finding the latest one. The investigation is taking its toll on the still-fragile detective, especially when she sees a mythological creature she recognizes from her father's fantastical tales. Either she's going crazy or something truly unimaginable is happening in her new home.

4. The Crash by Freida McFadden (available January 28)—All the mystery/thriller lovers I know seem to be raving about McFadden's books. I haven't tried her out yet, but her upcoming novel definitely sounds intriguing. The story revolves around a woman who is eight months pregnant and desperate to start a new life. She's driving to Maine to stay with her brother while she figures things out when she's trapped by a surprise blizzard. When a couple offers her a place to stay while she rides out the storm, she thinks she's saved. Then, things take a dangerous turn that will put both her life and that of her unborn child at grave risk.

5. The Frozen People by Elly Griffiths (available February 13)—The first in a new series, this novel stars police officer Ali Dawson, who works on cases so cold, they're practically frozen. Unbeknownst to most, Ali's team is able to travel back in time to investigate old mysteries. When Ali is tasked with clearing the name of an eccentric old man in Victorian England, she finds herself investigating a woman's murder. Things get complicated when Ali gets stuck in the 1850s with no way to get home.

6. Famous Last Words by Gillian McAllister (available February 25)—McAllister's newest mystery/thriller has a simple, but very intriguing premise. A literary agent wakes up on the morning she's supposed to return to work after months of maternity leave only to find her husband gone, with only a cryptic note left in his place. Breaking news informs her that her missing spouse is involved in an escalating hostage situation—as the gunman.

7. The Lost Passenger by Frances Quinn (available February 27)—This historical novel is about a wealthy English woman trapped in a loveless marriage, who is pushed into letting her young son be raised mostly by a nanny. When she is gifted tickets to sail to America onboard the Titanic, she jumps at the chance to get away with her son. The ship's sinking gives her a chance to shed her identity, fleeing a life she doesn't want. With nothing to her name but another woman's identity papers, can she survive on the streets of New York City? What will she do when someone threatens to expose her secret to her husband in England?

8. The Filling Station by Vanessa Miller (available March 11)—In the 1920s, there are few places Black Americans can safely stop to gas up while traveling. The Threatt Filling Station is one of them. It's not just a place to fill up on fuel, but a place to gather for support, community, and strength. After the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre, it's where two sisters find refuge. What they really need is the courage to return to their hometown and rebuild their lives. Can they find what they need at the filling station?

9. Rebellion 1776 by Laurie Halse Anderson (available April 1)—Anderson's newest is a middle-grade historical novel centering around Elspeth Culpepper, a 13-year-old who's desperate to avoid being sent to an orphanage after her father disappears. Alone and scared, the young woman must deal with not just the Siege of Boston but also a smallpox outbreak that has the city in a panic. Can Elspeth safely navigate the chaos to find her missing father?

10. The River Knows Your Name by Kelly Mustian (available April 1)—I loved Mustian's debut novel, The Girls in the Stilt House, so I'm eager to read her second book. It concerns 42-year-old Nell, who was raised, along with her younger sister, by a reclusive mother who never spoke about her past. Nell promised her sister she wouldn't confront their mother about the birth certificate they found—the one that identifies a different woman as Evie's mother—but Nell can't shake the disturbing memories that still linger in her memory that hint at long-buried secrets and dangerous lies. 

11. Death in the Cards by Mia P. Manansala (available May 13)—Manansala's YA debut, this mystery stars Danika Dizon, a mystery lover who runs a tarot card reading business between classes. When one of her clients disappears after receiving a death card, Danika takes on the case, eager to prove to her parents that she deserves to be part of her family's detective agency. The more she digs into the missing girl's background, though, the darker—and more dangerous—the case becomes.

There you go, eleven upcoming releases I'm excited to read. How about you? Which 2025 books are you looking forward to? I'd love to know. Leave me a comment on this post and I'll gladly return the favor on your blog.

I don't know how you feel about it, but I adore reading books in a series. Something about sinking into a setting and really getting to know a cast of characters over time really appeals to me. Since I'm in the middle of so many of them, I started keeping track of my series reading on a spreadsheet. According to its very scientific data, I'm in the middle of about FORTY series. Clearly, I have a problem and yet, according to the same spreadsheet, there are at least TWENTY new ones I want to start! It's an addiction, what can I say? I know not everyone likes to read books in a series, but I also know I'm not alone in loving them. Because I'm such a fan, I love this week's prompt—Top Ten Series I'd Like to Start/Catch Up On/Finish. Last year at this time, I made a list of Top Ten Series I Want to Start in 2022 (I even started two of them!) and in January of 2021, I crafted one about the Top Ten Mystery Series I Want to Finish/Catch Up On Before the End of the Year. (Spoiler alert: I failed miserably, so you'll see a lot of crossover with today's list). This time around, I'm going to highlight series in all genres (although they're still mostly mysteries) that I want to catch up on/finish.

Before we get to that, though, be sure to click on over to That Artsy Reader Girl and give our gracious hostess, Jana, some love. If you want to talk series-ly, make your own list and join in the fun. If you're not feeling the prompt, change it up to something more appealing. Then, click around the book blogosphere and enjoy the party that is TTT. It's a good ole time, I promise!

(Book covers show the first installment in each series. "Books in Series" includes only full-length books that have already been published or have announced publication dates.)

1. Chief Inspector Armand Gamache series by Louise Penny

Books in Series: 18 (and counting)

Books I've Read: 13

Next Up: Kingdom of the Blind

This is my favorite mystery series of all time and I don't ever want it to end! I've been reading the books slowly in order to savor them. The series features one of the most likable and admirable detectives I've ever encountered. If you love mysteries, definitely give this series a go.

2. Amish Candy Shop Mystery series by Amanda Flower

Books in Series: 8 (and counting)

Books I've Read: 5

Next Up: Lemon Drop Dead

This is a fun cozy mystery series set in Amish country. The main character leaves her career as a chocolatier in New York City to help her Amish grandmother run a candy store in rural Ohio. Murder and mayhem ensue, even among the peace-loving Amish.

3. Ruth Galloway Mystery series by Elly Griffiths

Books in Series: 15 (I believe the 15th installment will be the last book in the series, but don't quote me on that!)

Books I've Read: 4

Next Up: A Dying Fall

Featuring an intrepid British forensic archaeologist, this mystery series is always good for an interesting, engrossing read.

4. Bloody Jack series by L.A. Meyer

Books in Series: 12 (complete)

Books I've read: 10

Next Up: Boston Jacky

A swashbuckling YA pirate adventure series, this one is just all-around entertaining. I've especially enjoyed listening to the books on audio, with the wonderful Katherine Kellgren narrating. Unfortunately, Meyer died in 2014. Kellgren passed four years later. I hope they're collaborating in heaven to create amazing new series!

5. Casey Duncan/Rockton series by Kelley Armstrong

Books in Series: 8 (I think the series was actually complete at seven books and the 8th is, technically, a spin-off.)

Books I've Read: 2

Next Up: This Fallen Prey

Set in a secret, off-the-grid town hidden deep in the Yukon that has been set up especially for people who need to disappear from their lives, this series has a unique set-up. The star of the show is Casey Duncan, a talented young police detective, who's tasked with keeping the peace in this very unique village full of intriguing people. 

6. The American Wonders Collection by Regina Scott

Books in Series: 3 (complete)

Books I've Read: 2

Next Up: A View Most Glorious

This trilogy of historical romances (with a Christian bent) set in famous American locales is clean, uplifting and enjoyable.

7. Eleanor Wilde Mystery series by Tamara Berry

Books in Series: 4 (and counting)

Books I've Read: 1

Next Up: Potions Are For Pushovers

Featuring a fake psychic who solves mysteries, this cozy series is just a whole bunch of fun.

8. Amelia Peabody Mystery series by Elizabeth Peters

Books in Series: 20 (complete)

Books I've Read: 2 (I'm re-reading the series since I never finished it years ago when I started reading it.)

Next Up: The Mummy Case

Amelia Peabody is a no-nonsense British archaeologist who's happy to be a wealthy spinster with the freedom to explore ancient civilizations at her leisure. She never expects to find love or a string of shocking mysteries, but that's exactly what happens in this humorous cozy series.

9. Gilded Newport mystery series by Alyssa Maxwell

Books in Series: 10 (and counting)

Books I've Read: 3 

Next Up: Murder at Rough Point

Despite being only a poor relation of the Vanderbilt Family, Emma Cross is invited to all the best parties in Newport, which makes her perfectly positioned to write juicy stories for the society pages. When she is instrumental in solving a puzzling mystery, she becomes known for her skills as a successful amateur sleuth.

10. Thursday Murder Club Mystery series by Richard Osman

Books in Series: 4 (and counting)

Books I've Read: 1

Next Up: The Man Who Died Twice

A group of senior citizens in a British retirement home solve mysteries in this entertaining series of whodunits.

There you go, ten series I would like to catch up on/finish at some point. Who knows how long it will actually take me! Ha ha. How do you feel about reading books in a series? Love them? Hate them? Which ones are your favorites? Have you read any from my list? Based on this list, do you know of any others I would like? I'd truly love to know. Leave me a comment on this post and I will gladly return the favor on your blog (I also reply to your comments here).

There's nothing unusual about residents of Seaview Court dying.  It's a block of retirement flats occupied by elderly people, after all.  Still, Ukrainian carer Natalka Kolisnyk can't help but think there's something fishy about the "sudden" demise of 90-year-old Peggy Smith.  Even more curious is the business card she finds identifying Peggy as a "murder consultant."  If all the crime novels dedicated to Peggy on the shelves of her apartment are any indication, the senior citizen advised authors on inventive ways to kill off their characters.  Surely a woman with such an odd job couldn't have died of natural causes.  Could she? 

Although Natalka brings her suspicions to DS Harbinder Kaur, it's not until there's a break-in at the dead woman's apartment followed by the murder of an author who used Peggy's services that Harbinder starts to take Natalka seriously.  Although the detective agrees that something strange is happening, she and her colleagues can't move fast enough for the concerned carer.  Much to Harbinder's dismay, she discovers that Natalka has enlisted the help of two friends—coffee shop owner and former monk, Benedict Cole and Edwin Fitzgerald, a senior citizen and good friend of Peggy's—to help her investigate the strange occurrences.  When another author murder takes place, Harbinder realizes they're in a frantic race against time to find a murderer who will not hesitate to kill again.  

One of the reasons I enjoyed The Stranger Diaries, the first installment in Elly Griffiths' engaging mystery series starring Harbinder Kaur, was its deliciously Gothic feel.  I was surprised, then, to discover that the second book in the series has an entirely different vibe.  The Postscript Murders is lighter and more upbeat than its predecessor, almost like a cozy mystery.  Natalka, Benedict, and Edwin are quirky, funny characters.  Harbinder is likewise appealing.  Plot-wise, the story is twisty enough that the killer's identity caught me by surprise.  Although The Postscript Murders didn't turn out to be what I expected it to be, I still found it engaging, compelling, and wholly entertaining. 

(Readalikes:  The Stranger Diaries by Elly Griffiths and The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman)

What do you want to accomplish in 2021?  Do you make New Year's resolutions?  Do you keep them?  Are you a person who chooses a focus word/idea to guide your choices throughout the year?  I've always been a great goal maker, but not a very good goal achiever!  Because of my son's wedding in early January, my usual New Year's tasks were postponed, so I haven't made any resolutions yet.  It feels very liberating, let me tell you!  I may use February 1st as my January 1st or I may not make any resolutions at all.  We'll see.  I am curious what you all do and how well your methods work, though, so please share.  I need some motivation (obviously).

Today's Top Ten Tuesday is all about our hopes and goals for the new year.  Book/blog-wise, my only real aims are to read 200 books in 2021 and to complete the reading challenges I've taken on.  If I fail completely?  No biggie.  These are just-for-fun goals.  Since I'm not really sure about what else I want to accomplish this year, on the blog and off, I'm not going to do today's topic of Top Ten Goals and Hopes for 2021.  Instead, I'm going to steal a topic that Katherine over at I Wish I Lived in a Library did last week:  Top Ten Series I Want to Finish/Catch Up On By the End of the Year (check out her list here).  I love series, especially mystery ones, but I get stuck in the middle of them all the time.  2021 seems like a good time to catch up!  

Before we get to that, though, I want to encourage you to join in the TTT fun.  This is an awesome weekly meme that encourages bloggers to spread the love throughout our wonderful book blogosphere.  It's a great way to get involved in the community, find new blogs, revisit old favorites, and, of course, add more books to your TBR pile mountain mountain chain.  What's not to love?  Hop on over to That Artsy Reader Girl for all the TTT deets. 

Top Ten Mystery Series I Want to Finish/Catch Up On Before the End of the Year (in no particular order)

1.  Name:  The Noodle Shop Mystery series

Author:  Vivien Chien

Description:  Cozy culinary mysteries revolving around a Asian-American family that runs a Chinese restaurant in Cleveland

Books in series so far:  8 (two of which come out in 2021)

Books I've read:  5

Next up for me:  Killer Kung Pao 

2.  Name:  The Gilded Newport Mystery series

Author:  Alyssa Maxwell

Description:  Cozy historical mysteries starring a poor Vanderbilt relation who gets caught up in upstairs/downstairs tangles of all sorts

Books in series so far:  9 (the newest of which comes out in 2021)

Books I've read:  2

Next up for me:  Murder at Beechwood

3.  Name:  Lady Darby Mystery series

Author:  Anna Lee Huber

Description:  Set in 1830's Scotland, this mystery series features a widow whose former occupation as an anatomist's assistant makes her especially suited to help solve confounding murder mysteries.

Books in series so far:  9 (the newest of which comes out in 2021)

Books I've read:  2

Next up for me:  A Grave Matter

4.  Name:  The Bakeshop Mystery series

Author:  Ellie Alexander

Description:  Cozy culinary mystery series set in a family-owned bakeshop in Ashland, Oregon

Books in series so far:  13 (the newest of which comes out in 2021)

Books I've read:  1

Next up for me:  A Batter of Life and Death

5.  Name:  The Amish Candy Shop Mystery series

Author:  Amanda Flower

Description:  Cozy mystery series set in a family-owned candy shop in the heart of Ohio's Amish country

Books in series so far:  7 (the newest of which comes out in 2021)

Books I've read:  3

Next up for me:  Toxic Toffee

6.  Name:  The Ruth Galloway Mystery series

Author:  Elly Griffiths

Description:  An English archeologist helps solve mysteries involving bones and secrets

Books in series so far:  13 (the newest of which comes out in 2021)

Books I've read:  4

Next up for me:  A Dying Fall

7.  Name:  Below Stairs Mystery series

Author:  Jennifer Ashley

Description:  London's best cook is also a keen observer and amateur detective

Books in series so far:  5 (the newest of which comes out in 2021)

Books I've read:  3

Next up for me:  Murder in the East End

8.  Name:  Inspector Armand Gamache Mystery series

Author:  Louise Penny

Description:  Canada's best detective solves puzzling mysteries, with a special interest in those originating from the small town of Three Pines

Books in series so far:  17 (the newest of which comes out in 2021)

Books I've read:  11

Next up for me:  A Great Reckoning

9.  Name:  Shetland Mystery series

Author:  Ann Cleeves

Description:  Crime series set in the Shetland Islands

Books in series so far:  8

Books I've read:  3

Next up for me:  Blue Lightning

10.  Name:  Lucy Campion Mystery series

Author:  Susanna Calkins

Description:  A chamber maid solves mysteries in plague-ridden 17th Century England

Books in series so far:  5

Books I've read:  0

Next up for me:  A Murder at Rosamund's Gate    

There you go, ten mystery series I want to catch up on in 2021.  Are you a fellow fan of these series?  Which mystery series are your favorites?  Which series in other genres do you enjoy?  I'd truly love to know.  Leave a comment on this post and I will gladly return the favor on your blog.

(Image from Barnes & Noble)

Note:  While this review will not contain spoilers for A Room Full of Bones, it may inadvertently reveal plot surprises from earlier Ruth Galloway mysteries.  As always, I recommend reading books in a series in order.

When Dr. Ruth Galloway—head of the Forensic Archaeology Department at the University of North Norfolk—is invited to supervise the opening of a medieval coffin, the last thing she expects to find is a dead body.  A fresh one, anyway.  But that's exactly what she discovers when she arrives at the Smith Museum for the unveiling.  The corpse of the curator, Neil Topham, is on the floor with no visible cause of death.  What caused his untimely demise?

Another mysterious death related to the museum makes it obvious that something strange is going on.  DCI Harry Nelson takes the case, calling on Ruth to help with the investigation.  Their digging leads them down strange paths that only create more questions.  As single Ruth and the very-married Harry race to solve the case, they also must deal with their awkward personal connection—their toddler.

I always enjoy my forays with the understated, but always entertaining Ruth Galloway.  A Room Full of Bones by Elly Griffiths, the fourth book in the series, is no exception.  It features an intriguing mystery, a cast of interesting characters, and a plot that kept me turning pages. The mystery didn't go where I thought it was going to, which is always a nice surprise.  Overall, then, this is another entertaining installment in a mystery series I enjoy.  

(Readalikes:  Other books in the Ruth Galloway series, including The Crossing Places; The Janus Stone; The House at Sea's End; A Dying Fall; The Outcast Dead; The Ghost Fields; The Woman in Blue; The Chalk Pit; The Dark Angel; The Stone Circle; The Lantern Men; and The Night Hawk)

Grade:

If this were a movie, it would be rated:

for language (a few F-bombs, plus milder expletives), violence, and mild sexual content

To the FTC, with love:  Another library fine find