When I reviewed the list of books I completed in 2021, these are the titles that remain as distinctly memorable reads after multiple attempts to winnow. They are evenly divided between men and women writers. About two-thirds were published in this century and the other five titles are older. Only one was released in 2021 and I read it at the urging of someone who had read it and wanted to discuss the ending. Six are by English authors, one is by an Australian author, and the remaining eight are by U.S. authors. Most authors were new to me.

Take It Back by Kia Abdullah (St. Martin’s Press, 2020)
Intense legal thriller with strong sociological themes.

Cold Florida by Philip DePoy (Severn House, 2016)
Vivid characters and plot. The pacing of a Marx Brothers movie.

Under the Cold Bright Lights by Garry Disher (Soho Crime, 2019)
Police procedural. Quite possibly my favorite read of the year.

When I Grow Rich by Joan Fleming (Collins, 1962)
A brilliantly conceived main character, Nuri Bey loves his books so much he sleeps with them.

The Ginger Cat Mystery by Robin Forsythe (John Lane, 1935)
Tongue-in-cheek humor and over-the-top misdirection.

Death of a Showman by Mariah Fredericks (Minotaur, 2021)
Beautifully done historical.

The Killing in the Hills by Julia Keller (Minotaur, 2012)
Lyrical prose turns this good book into a striking one.

The Dime by Kathleen Kent (Mulholland Books, 2017)
The main character Betty Rhyzyk is a gem of a creation.

Greasy Bend by Kris Lackey (Blackstone, 2019)
Fresh characters and unusual sense of place set this police procedural apart.

Doing the Devils Work by Bill Loehfelm (Sarah Crichton Books, 2015)
Breathtakingly exquisite writing and a strong plot.

Case in the Clinic by ECR Lorac (Collins, 1941)
May be the most original murder method I’ve ever seen.

The Judge by Steve Martini (Putnam, 1996)
A perfect legal thriller.

Bull Mountain by Brian Panowich (G.P. Putnam’s Sons, 2015
Fascinating piece of crime fiction with Southern shading.

The Woman in Cabin 10 by Ruth Ware (Gallery/Scout Press, 2016)
Hair-raising suspense and an inventive plot.

Hopjoy Was Here by Colin Watson (Eyre & Spottiswoode, 1962)
Another piece of understated wit rolled up into a cleverly assembled mystery.

I noticed in 2021 that characters are becoming more important to me. A strong plot is always my first consideration but I am tired of seeing the same characters over and over again. An author who can create new people or put an original spin on standard crime fiction tropes will engage my attention and keep it.

Also in 2021 I increasingly set books aside that did not capture my interest quickly. I am very conscious of the limited amount of time I have to read and the long list of books clamoring for that time. Unless I’ve been warned a book will pick up later, I am quite likely to stop reading after 75 pages or so and go on to the next title.

My goal for 2022 is to continue to explore forgotten or little-known authors and to publicize their works however I can. Far too many excellent writers languish unread while readers like me search for something good to read. I plan to exceed the number of books I read in 2021 and to continue to publish reviews for most of them. I am registered for two book conventions in 2022 but am not sure that the current public health crisis will allow me to attend.

Best wishes for health, happiness, and good reading in 2022!