As 2024 draws to a close, I’ve taken my usual look back at what I’ve read over the past year. Things started well, but by October I’d hit a reading block—managing just one book in the last 10 weeks. That dip cost me dearly in the stats department: I read 38 fewer books than in 2023.

That said, there were still highlights. I read books by 50 different authors, with 13 of them making multiple appearances. The genre breakdown was fairly telling:

• Police procedurals topped the list at 23.26%
• Thrillers and humour tied for second, each taking 17.44%
• And I was pleased to see a 4.97% increase in the number of physical (“real”) books I read year-on-year.

Most-Read Authors of 2024

1. JD Kirk – 9 books
2. Cliff McCabe – 6 books
3. Jeffrey Deaver – 6 books
4. Robert Leeson – 4 books
5. Anthony Grace – 4 books

And now, the hardest part of any reading year: selecting a Top 10. Apologies in advance to my Felixstowe authors—this was no easy shortlist.

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Top 10 Books I Read in 2024

10. The Nearly Departed Club – Anthony Grace

Amazon’s algorithms earned their keep with this recommendation. A quirky supernatural adventure, this series introduces a group of dead misfits led by the mysterious Agatha Pleasant. When teenager Benji Hammerton vanishes, his parents turn to this unconventional crew for help. A funny, dark, and original read set in the delightfully dismal town of Stainmouth.

9. The Price We Pay – Roy M. Burgess

Known for comedy, Burgess surprises here with a tense, well-paced police procedural. DCI Carrie Tyler faces her past while racing against a vengeful killer in a city drowning in corruption. Atmospheric and driven by a strong central character, this novel was a standout genre shift.

8. Faster Than a Cannonball – Dylan Jones

A vivid, immersive trip back to 1995 and the rise of Cool Britannia. Through interviews and cultural analysis, Jones captures the BritPop era—from Oasis vs Blur to the rise of lad culture and designers like McQueen. Alan McGee called it the best book on the ‘90s. I agree.

7. The Accidental Medium – Tracey Whitwell

A complete wildcard for me—picked up as part of a deal at The Works. Whitwell, who I remembered from Soldier, Soldier, introduces Tanz, a smart, sarcastic medium thrown into the supernatural unexpectedly. Light-hearted, fun, and well-paced, it was good enough for me to seek out the sequels.

6. No Easy Deeds – Keith A. Pearson

Pearson kicks off a new time-travel series with Danny Monk navigating a turbulent 1980s Britain. A shady job offer changes his life. A fun, clever plot with Pearson’s trademark mix of nostalgia and sci-fi.

5. England’s Dreaming – Jon Savage

If Faster Than a Cannonball is the ‘90s bible, then England’s Dreaming is its ‘70s punk counterpart. Savage offers a meticulously researched and passionately written look at the rise of the Sex Pistols and the cultural explosion that followed. It’s part music history, part social commentary.

4. True Crimes – Georgina Lees

A mother haunted by her daughter’s disappearance is drawn into a renewed investigation thanks to a documentary film crew. Told in a dual format—traditional narrative and script excerpts—this is a chilling commentary on how society commodifies tragedy.

3. Under the Bridge – Rebecca Godfrey

The true story of Reena Virk’s murder by her teenage peers in Canada is told with literary depth and journalistic precision. An unsettling, unforgettable read exploring violence, girlhood, and mob mentality. Godfrey’s ability to humanise all sides makes it even more disturbing.

2. Mix Tape – Jane Sanderson

A love story told through songs across decades and continents. When Ali gets a message from her teenage boyfriend—including a track from their past—it opens a nostalgic door neither was prepared for. Beautiful, emotional, and now being adapted for a 2025 miniseries.

1. Politics on the Edge – Rory Stewart

Yes, I’m as surprised as you are that my favourite read of 2024 came from a former Tory MP. But Stewart’s disillusioned, brutally honest memoir of political life is essential reading. His disdain for Boris Johnson aside, the book is filled with sharp observations on the dysfunction inside Westminster and the limits of power. He writes with rare honesty—humbling, infuriating, and at times hilarious.

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