January means a New Year and for me, that means New Books as well. January looks to be a great month for new releases, especially in the Mystery and Thriller genres. Not My Boy by Kelly Simmons and The Wife Upstairs by Rachel Hawkins are two books that I am especially looking forward to as I always enjoy some good family drama.
The cold always comes in January and that’s a great time to get cozy by the fair. Why not get cozy with some cozy… mysteries? (Bad pun, I’m sorry!) A new series from Lynn Cahoon looks like a winner and A Curious Incident, the latest book in the Sherlock Holmes Bookshop Mystery series looks like a winner.
Fantasy, Science Fiction, and Horror look to be very good this month as well. Doors of Sleep: Journals of Zaxony Delatree by Tim Pratt is probably my top book of the month. The story follows a man who wakes up in a different reality every time he goes to sleep. Such a simple yet creative idea that I can’t wait to see what Pratt does with. A House at the Bottom of the Lake looks like another great read, based on title alone.
There are a ton of great books this month. Let’s take a look at some of my favorites.
Best Upcoming Mystery/Thriller Books: January 2021
Not My Boy by Kelly Simmons - Buy at Amazon: This book begins with Hannah making the move to a nice neighborhood as a way to restart for herself and her son. That restart doesn’t last long though when a young girl goes missing and the police are looking to her son for answers. Hannah will do whatever it takes to protect her son, even going so far as to blame her sister. The two will be at odds as they try to protect their families while a little girl remains missing.
The Wife Upstairs by Rachel Hawkins - Buy at Amazon: Hawkins’ The Wife Upstairs is a tale of domestic suspense. The book sees a woman named Jane who gets by stealing from bored housewives in McMansions. Her life makes a change when she meets Eddie, a wealthy man who just lost his wife. Bea, his wife, drowned in a boating accident and Jane looks to fill the hole she left behind.
If I Disappear by Eliza Jane Brazier - Buy at Amazon: A true crime podcast host goes missing and a big fan of the show decides to investigate. This could be the story of my life. I am definitely going to read this.
Waiting for the Night Song by Julie Carrick Dalton - Buy at Amazon: I always like to check out new authors and this looks like one of this month’s best. Cadie has spent most of her life trying to cover up a secret, but after all these years its finally beginning to resurface. An urgent message from her childhood friend Daniela brings her back to town where Cadie will do what it takes to protect the people and forest that she loves.
Spin by Patricia Cornwell - Buy at Amazon: The second book in Patricia Cornwell‘s Captain Chase series looks to be a real nail-biter. The story begins after a NASA rocket launch gone wrong when Captain Calli Chase comes face-to-face with her missing twin sister. The two discover who they really are. Now Calli is the only thing that can stop a top secret program that is out of control.
Best Upcoming Cozy Mystery Books: January 2021
One Poison Pie by Lynn Cahoon - Buy at Amazon: A new series from the great Lynn Cahoon debuts this month called the Kitchen Witch Mysteries. The book sees a woman named Mia Malone starting over in the town of Magic Springs, Idaho. In this town magic is an open secret and witches are welcome. She starts a gourmet dinner business and at her first catered event, her client’s ends up dead and she’s a suspect. Mia, her sister, and their meddling grandma will investigate the case to prove her innocence.
A Curious Incident by Vicki Delany - Buy at Amazon: Book six in the Sherlock Holmes Bookshop Mystery is called A Curious Incident. This book sees Gemma Doyle, owner of the bookshop, with a new client: a ten-year-old girl. Her first case is finding the girl’s missing cat. The second? Clearing her mother of murder.
Inked Out by Karen MacInerney - Buy at Amazon: The second book in Karen MacInerney’s Snug Harbor Mysteries series. This book sees Max Sayers, a bookseller, hosting a mystery writers’ group at her bookstore. She has dreams of a literary event, but instead gets lots of drama and a dead body the next morning. Max’s assistant is a suspect and she’ll take matters into her own hands to clear her name.
Rockabye Murder by Diana Orgain - Buy at Amazon: This is the eighth book in the Maternal Instincts Mystery series. The series is known for being funny and clean. The story sees a pregnant with twins Kate going in to take a dance lesson and coming out with a murder case.
Ink and Shadows by Ellery Adams - Buy at Amazon: The fourth entry in the Secret, Book, and Scone Society series. The series focuses on a group of damaged souls looking to earn redemption by helping others that call themselves the Secret, Book, and Scone Society. Sometimes the way they help others is by solving murders, like in this one.
Best Upcoming Fantasy/Sci-Fi Books: January 2021
Doors of Sleep: Journals of Zaxony Delatree by Tim Pratt - Buy at Amazon: Tim Pratt is a Hugo award-winning author and considered by many to be apart of the next generation of great fantasy writers. In this book, Zax Delatree who travels to a new reality every time he falls asleep. He has no control of where he is going to go and he never knows what he’s going to find when he wakes up. His travels take him to all kinds of worlds and experiences. However, there is someone o his tail and they want his blood.
Siege of Rage and Ruin by Django Wexler - Buy at Amazon: The third and final entry in Wexler’s The Wells of Sorcery trilogy drops in January. This action packed series is set for an explosive ending in Siege of Rage and Ruin.
Persephone Station by Stina Leicht - Buy at Amazon: Persephone Station is a backwater planet that is ignored by United Republic of Worlds, but still has its fair share of secrets. Rosie is the owner of Monk’s Bar that has a back bar that is home to members of an exclusive criminal class and those who want to hire them. Rosie does the hiring this time around as she hires Angel for a job that will put her up against an army.
Blood Heir by Ilona Andrews - Buy at Amazon: A new series from Ilona Andrews that takes place in Kate Daniels World. The book takes place in Atlanta, a city that is in the midst of a slow apocalypse thanks to magic and technology. Aurelia Ryder left Atlanta eight years ago, but she is back now to protect her adopted mother, Kate Daniels.
Crown of Bones by A.K. Wilder - Buy at Amazon: A.K. Wilder is a pen name for Kim Falconer and this is the first book in a new series, also called Crown of Bones.
Best Upcoming Horror Books: January 2021
A House at the Bottom of a Lake by Josh Malerman - Buy at Amazon: The bestselling author of Bird Box is back with a new novel. This book is the tale of young lovers who go swimming and find a house at the bottom of the lake. Honestly, that’s enough for me. I’m in.
In Darkness, Shadows Breathe by Catherine Cavendish - Buy at Amazon: Carol and Nessa meet as strangers, but they won’t be for long. The two are connected through the haunting of an entity that knows no bonds. The entity is able twist time itself and danger surrounds their every moment. The only clue to what is happening to them are the words of Lydia Warren Carmody, but who is she?
The Route of Ice and Salt by José Luis Zárate - Buy at Amazon: This cult vampire novella from Zarate has been translated and brought to English speakers by David Bowles. The story is a re-imagining of Dracula’s voyage to England with an LGBT slant.
Mask of Silver by Rosemary Jones - Buy at Amazon: The Arkham Horror books are a fun horror series that is currently ongoing. The latest is Mask of Silver which sees a movie director heading to Arkham to shoot her horror masterpiece, but she and the crew end up with real nightmares as people start dying on set.
The Fountain by Christopher Farris - Buy at Amazon: The fountain in the title of this book refers to an ancient source of power located deep in the Ozarks. The fountain drives people mad and there is only a Wall of magic protecting the locals from it. Now, the Wall is beginning to fade and the race to shore up the defenses is on.
Best Upcoming Romance Books: January 2021
Our Italian Summer by Jennifer Probst - Buy at Amazon: Francesca is so career-obsessed that she doesn’t have time for her teenage daughter. That lack of attention leads to her daughter being arrested for drug possession which turns out to be the wake-up call Francesca needed. She decides to take her daughter on an epic summer vacation to trace their family roots in Italy that will have a profound effect on both of their lives.
Escape With Me by Kristen Proby - Buy at Amazon: This is the sixteenth book in the With Me in Seattle series. This book sees a pub owner named Keegan who loves his job so much that he doesn’t have time for a woman. While Isabella Harris is on the verge of getting married and decides to run off. She randomly ends up at Keegan’s pub and her walking through the door changes everything for both of them.
Wrecked Palace by Catherine Cowles - Buy at Amazon: The third book in the Wrecked series by Catherine Cowles. The story sees a young woman who has to give up her college life to become guardian to her young siblings. She’ll find solace in Griffin who is everything she wants, but there is someone who isn’t happy about it and is set to destroy her new life.
Happy Singles Day by Ann Marie Walker - Buy at Amazon: Paige Parker has a pride in being single and plans the perfect vacation to honor Singles Day. Lucas has a similar outlook as he’s dedicated to his daughter and his bed-and-breakfast. When Paige books a room at the B&B, their worlds collide and the two just might see what they’ve been missing.
- Buy at Amazon: Olivia Brent just inherited half of a dairy farm. The other half was inherited by Jake, a farmhand. He’s convinced that this city girl can’t work the land and the two decide to make a wager. However, they have more to deal with than each other as the farm is thrown into disarray and the two will need to work together to save it.
So, what did I miss? There is a lot that I’m excited to read this month, but I’m always open to suggestions. Let me know what you are reading and I’ll check out your suggestions!
