Best books for Christmas 2024 chosen by Cambridge authors and booksellers
Curling up with a new book is one of the joys of Christmas, but if you haven’t decided what’s on your wish list yet, we have some recommendations. We asked Cambridge authors, booksellers and a literary festival director to give us a run down of their favourite reads of the year.
Sophie Hannah, novelist
Four books stood out like literary jewels in my 2024. I'll start with a proper antique: PG Wodehouse's Aunts Aren't Gentleman. He's one of the wittiest, sharpest, most brilliant writers ever, and this novel is joyous and life-enhancing.
The best thriller to emerge this year (and possibly the most thrilling thriller I've ever read in my life) was Nightwatching by Tracy Sierra. A woman hears an intruder while she's alone in her house with her young children...and then the reader doesn't get to breathe for several hundred pages!
My favourite living poet, Nic Aubury, published a new collection this year: Things My Children Think I'm Wrong About. He's an absolute genius and uses rhyme and metre beautifully in these hilarious and highly relatable verses about the frustrations of everyday life. And finally, The Husbands by Holly Gramazio — a speculative take on the subject of how to find the perfect husband which enormous fun at the same time as being incredibly thought-provoking
Hercule Poirot’s Silent Night, by Sophie Hannah is published by Harper Collins.
Jill Dawson, novelist
I loved the memoir Thunderclap by Laura Cumming, which was so exquisitely well written and made me think about art (of which I know nothing) so differently. My favourite novel of the year was Passiontide by Monique Roffey. It tells the story of a murder of a young woman at Carnival on a Caribbean island which sparks a full on protest among all the women - and beyond - and is told with such verve, sass, originality, humour and beauty - absolutely cracking.
Jill Dawson's latest novel is The Bewitching, which tells the true story of the witches of Warboys. Published by Sceptre.
Kate Rhodes, novelist
I love reading books set in my hometown, so this Christmas I will be rereading Murder in Cambridge, by Christina Koning. It’s set in the Thirties, and it’s part of her brilliant blind detective series. Frederick Rowlands lost his sight during the First World War, yet he’s a talented sleuth, and is soon called in to investigate the death of a research student in one of the university’s colleges.
The story’s pace is perfect for a relaxed Christmas read. I particularly love the accuracy of Koning’s description of the city. Her detective may not be able to see its ancient walkways and buildings, but he can hear its soundscape, and pick up on suspects’ lies with uncanny accuracy. The book is a love letter to Cambridge, and perfectly evokes the city’s glamour between the wars, almost a hundred years ago.
The Stalker, by Kate Rhodes is published by Simon & Schuster
Alison Bruce, novelist
I’ve read some cracking crime novels this year, ranging from locked rooms (Tom Mead’s Cabaret Macabre) to dark and twisted (MW Craven’s Mercy Chair), but for Christmas I’m recommending snuggling up with a mug of hot chocolate and one of these festive reads.
First, The Christmas Jigsaw Murders by Alexandra Benedict. Beautifully thought out from the red and gold cover to shadowy figures on winter nights, Christmas traditions and the comforts of home. It is the perfect backdrop for puzzle-setter Edie O’Sullivan to pit her wits against a jigsaw wielding killer. This is my curl-up-and-read recommendation.
And continuing with the theme of puzzle-setting, my second recommendation is The Twelve Murders of Christmas by Sarah Dunnakey, which combines great story telling with some extra brainwork for the reader. It was the description of ‘Agatha Christie meets Murdle’ which attracted me and I enjoyed every page. A perfect for crime readers who love a great twist!
Because She Looked Away (Ronnie Blake Book 1) by Alison Bruce, published by Constable.
Penny Hancock
At the moment I’m reading August Blue by Deborah Levy. I have read her trilogy ‘Living Autobiography’ and love the way she uses images and snippets of overheard conversation to evoke emotion and stimulate questions in her readers’ minds.
August Blue is a novel about a classical pianist- once a child prodigy -in search of identity as she travels through Europe just after lockdown.
Ann Patchett’s Tom Lake is also set during lockdown. A mother tells the story of her pre-married life to her three daughters as they work together at harvest time on their cherry farm.
Both books are set in the summer, providing a welcome escape on short winter days.
The Choice by Penny Hancock is published by Pan Macmillan.
Mandy Morton, novelist
The book I have chosen is Icons of Rock by Jenny Boyd. Jenny is perfectly placed to write this book with complete authority, as she herself is a cultural icon. Jenny married Mick Fleetwood twice; and Donovan wrote his hit ‘Jennifer Juniper’ for her. She was one of the original flower children and joined The Beatles in India during their Maharishi experiment.
Icons of Rock is a collection of rare and candid interviews conducted by Jenny, achieving insights into many of the world’s greatest musicians, their inspirations, the way they work and what lies at the heart of their success. It is quite simply a bible of rock royalty by a woman who has enjoyed unprecedented access to a world we can only dream of.
The Suspicions of Mr Whisker by Mandy Morton is published by Farrago Books.
Nicola Upson, novelist
My book of the year is Expert on Wickedness by Mark Aldridge (HarperCollins). If pushed to name my favourite character in all of crime fiction, it would have to be Miss Marple, the second major series character that Agatha Christie created and the one who stayed closest to her heart.
Aldridge – who has given Poirot similar treatment in an earlier book – writes with authority and charm, tracing Marple’s origins in Christie’s own family; analysing each of her books and showing how the character reflects social change in twentieth century Britain; and exploring her many stage and screen reincarnations, from Gracie Fields (the first Marple on ) to Joan Hickson and Margaret Rutherford.
Packed with wonderful trivia and fascinating insights, it’s a delightful read that will send you straight back to Christie’s books.
Shot With Crimson by Nicola Upson is published by Faber&Faber
Jim Kelly, novelist
My book of the year is Troubles, by J G Farrell (Orion). The first of his empire trilogy, it is set in Ireland in 1919 amidst simmering civil war. It is achingly funny, sweeping, profoundly moving. Masterpiece is overused, but this is one. For crime lovers - especially those in Cambridge - it is hard to beat R E Swartwout’s The Boat Race Murder (Oleander Press).
The author was the first American to cox for Cambridge in 1930. They won. Finally, for bedside poetry, I discovered Cambridgeshire’s own Lachlan Mackinnon. The Missing Months (Faber & Faber) is full of featherweight words, but haunting depths.
The Cambridge Siren, by Jim Kelly will be published in March 2025 by Allison & Busby.
Una McCormack, novelist
My great find this year was the detective fiction of Sarah Caudwell. Caudwell was a barrister, and the books make excellent use of her expertise. Set around Lincoln’s Inn, they centre on Hilary Tamar, a professor of mediaeval law, and a group of Tamar’s former students.
They’re fantastically witty, cleverly plotted – a real delight. Caudwell sadly died in 2000, having written only four ‘legal whodunits’, but three are easily found as e-books. Start with Thus Was Adonis Murdered.
Doctor Who: Caged, by Una McCormack is published by Penguin.
Richard Reynolds, bookseller
My recommendation is Because She Looked Away (Constable), by Alison Bruce. Traumatic events are the cause of DS Ronnie (Veronica) Lake’s relocation to Cambridge from London. Her first days in the city are not without problem too- especially her new job at Parkside Police Station, which is a non-starter, as she’s needed to give evidence in an ongoing case - the cause of her move!
This start to a new series, certainly doesn’t disappoint - great pace throughout, twisty and chockful with well-drawn characters - and no-nonsense Ronnie is a delight! Already looking forward to the next…
Just to mention too - Rosalind Stopps’s Virginia Lane is Not a Hero (HQ), the third book after another favourite of mine ‘A Beginner’s Guide to Murder’ (HQ) - is simply about the extraordinary lengths people go to, even in the depths of sorrow, to help others - another treat of a read - refreshing.
Richard Reynolds is the owner of Bodies in the Bookshop, 1A Botolph Lane, Cambridge.
Amy Crawford, bookseller
The most enjoyable book that I read this year is Nettle by Bex Hogan. This beautiful YA novel is inspired by faery myth and folklore, but isn’t a retelling as such. Less spicy romantasy than adventure story, it feels both freshly new and deeply old. Bex Hogan is an incredibly talented writer whose world building seems effortless and thoughtfully drawn characters. I was surprised by just how much I loved this story. I am certainly buying copies for friends this Christmas.
Amy Crawford is the events co-ordinator at Waterstones Cambridge
Cathy Moore, festival director
I have read a range of wonderfully immersive books this year with standouts including James by Percival Everett for its clever storytelling and audacity, the lyrical and magisterial There Are Rivers in the Sky by Elif Shafak, and the quiet, powerful and utterly engrossing Stone Yard Devotional by Charlotte Wood.
The book I would recommend settling down with during this festive season next to a roaring fire, with a glass of your favorite tipple, is The Land in Winter by Andrew Miller. Set in December 1962 during one of the coldest and longest winters on record, this masterful, page-turning examination of the minutiae of life in a West Country Village with a focus on two couples is a masterclass in storytelling and confirms Andrew Miller as one of our finest storytellers.
Cathy Moore is CEO and artistic director of Cambridge Literary Festival.
