2025 Year in Review

In 2025,  I read 88 books and listened to 41 audiobooks. I love stats, so it was fun to see that I read just over 38000 pages, with 300 as the average. I rated 14 books as 5 star reads (see below) and gave an average of 3.7 stars.  On Goodreads I was a top 5% reader and also top 5% reviewer.

My top favorites of the year were The Prisoner of Zenda (reread) and it's sequel, Rupert of Hentzau (new-to-me). I had loved the first one, and because I loved it so much, I never wanted read the second. I just couldn't imagine how it could measure up. It did! They are both SO good, and I highly recommend them.  (reviews are here)

 Here are my other five star books this year (most of which were rereads): 

-The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien (reread) 

-The Fellowship of the Ring by J.R.R. -Tolkien (reread) 

-The Two Towers by J.R.R. Tolkien (reread) 

-This Rotting Heart by Celeste Baxendell  

-Ties of Starlight by Celeste Baxendell 

-The Hound of the Baskervilles by Arthur Conan Dolye (reread) 

-Can You Forgive Her? by Anthony Trollope (reread) 

-Barchester Towers by Anthony Trollope 

-The Lost Queen: The Life & Tragedy of the Prince Regent's Daughter by Anne M. Stott 

-The Blue Castle by L.M. Montgomery (reread) 

-The Plantagenets: The Warrior Kings and Queens Who Made England by Dan Jones 

-Medieval Horizons: Why the Middle Ages Matter by Dan Jones 

-The Perfect King: The Life of Edward III, Father of the English Nation by Ian Mortimer 

I read a LOT of great indie spice-free fantasy (and will gladly give recommendations), but mysteries were still my most-read genre. Overall, it was a stellar year of reading. 

How was it for you? Remember, if you read more than 4 books, you beat the median and had a great year!

December 2025 Wrap Up

I made a new tab this month and wanted to point it out.  I've read all the way through the 20th century and am working my way through the 19th.  I thought it would be fun to share it on my blog.  Here is the link: Reading Through the Centuries

Books Read:

The Cricket on the Hearth: A Fairy Tale of Home by Charles Dickens (1845) 3/5 stars

This 80 page novella is marketed as a Christmas tale, but there was no mention of Christmas, nor did it give me a festive, holiday feel.  It was a sweet story overall, though with little meat to it.  In addition, the "villian" of the piece made an abrupt 180° that just wasn't believable.  As with everything I've read by Dickens (and that's a goodly amount), I liked it in general, but I certainly didn't love it.

A Seasonal Pursuit by Rebecca Connolly (2024)  3/5 stars

Regency Christmas Brides, book 1

The plot of this no-spice Christmastide romance was sweet, and I liked Rose's character development.  However, it does not have a true feel of the Regency period; in fact it could have been placed anywhere in a hundred year time frame and felt as legitimate.  (The downside of being an amateur historian is being extra sensitive to historical detail.)  This is part of a multi-author series, best read in order.

The Crystal Realm: A Collection of Retold Christmas Tales by Abigail Manning (2022)  3/5 stars

This is a set of three interconnected Christmassy stories that retell A Christmas Carol, "The Gingerbread Man" and The Nutcracker.  They are sweet and imaginative, but don't have the depth or maturity of the author's more recent books.

The Midnight Blizzard by Mary Mecham (2024)  4/5 stars

This is a no-spice wintery retelling of "Cinderella", with magic, blackmail, sled dogs, forbidden love, and nods to "The Twelve Days of Christmas".  It's well-written, interesting, and a good deal of fun.

Christmastide in Emerald Falls by Angela E. Johnson (2024)  4/5 stars

Men, Mistletoe, and Marriage series, book 1 

This is a retelling of the movie It's a Wonderful Life, set in a village in Regency England, with a no-spice second-chance romance.  There were several things that did not feel like England or that time period, but it was such a sweet, fun, and even moving story that I forgave it's faults and simply enjoyed it.  (This is part of a multi-author series, best read in order.)

The Abbot's Ghost, or Maurice Treherne's Temptation: A Christmas Story by (Louisa May Alcott writing as) A.M. Barnard (1867)  4/5 stars

This novella is a typical Victorian melodrama, with love triangles, ghostly apparitions, evil intentions thwarted, and virtue rewarded.  As such, it's completely enjoyable and worth reading for those, like me, who enjoy that genre.

The Christmas Bride by Grace Livingston Hill (1934)  3/5 stars

This is a gentle romance with a strong Christian message.  Though I don't fully agree with the author's theology, it is still a pleasure to read such unabashed faith.  The characters aren't well-fleshed and it is full of "too good to be true" actions, but it was still enjoyable, if light. 

Mr. Campion's Christmas by Mike Ripley (2024)  4/5 start

An Albert Campion Mystery, book 12

Ripley has written a series that continues the adventures of Margery Allingham's Campion.  This is the first one I have read and I absolutely loved it.  The well-written story still had the feel of Allingham's books and kept the familiar cast.  While listed as a mystery, it is (like the originals) more of an adventure or thriller, with an exciting (if improbable) plot that was satisfying, engaging, and completely enjoyable.  As a long-time Campion fan, I'll certainly read more of this series.

Audiobooks Completed:

Can You Forgive Her? by Anthony Trollope (1865)  5/5 stars

The Palliser Novels, book 1

This was a reread and I loved it even more this time.  My original review is found here.

The Finishing Stroke by Ellery Queen (1958)  3/5 stars

Ellery Queen mysteries, book 26

This Christmas house party mystery was a great deal of fun -- until the let down of the complicated solution.

Christmas at Sugar Plum Manor by Roseanna M. White (2024)  4/5 stars

This is a short, gentle romance with a strong Christian message.  It's well-written and entertaining, and though did not deliver as much of "The Nutcracker" storyline as I expected from the blurb, I still enjoyed it greatly.

Something Wicked by E.X. Ferrars (1983)  4/5 stars

Andrew Basnett mysteries, book 1 

In this well-written and fun mystery, a 70 year-old retired professor finds a dying man in his cottage a few days after Christmas and, being a good listener, picks up enough information to solve the crime.  
 

Did Not Finish:

Rules of a Ruse by Laura Beer

Regency Christmas Brides, book 2

This Regency Christmas romance has a 21-year-old woman successfully running a horse farm for the past two years.  That was so unbelievable for the time period that I almost didn't make it past the first chapter.  It is connects to the story of A Seasonal Pursuit, though, so I pushed through despite things that didn't feel historically true*.  With 2 1/2 hours left of the audiobook, though, I simply couldn't go on.  (*For example, the hero is disgusted by a Scottish dish because it was made from boiled calves' trotters, despite the fact that calf's foot jelly was a standard delicacy at that time.)

A Lovely White Christmastide by Teah Kemp Weight

Men, Mistletoe, and Marriage series, book 2

This is a Regency retelling of my favorite movie, White Christmas, so I wanted to love it. I was also looking forward to it because it continues with characters from Christmastide in Emerald Falls.   Sadly the book was so untrue to the time period* that I finally gave up 46% through-- with a feeling of relief, I might add.  Those that love the movie and aren't as conscious of historical inaccuracies might enjoy it, though, due to all the fun parallels to the movie. (*For example, the two sisters rode for hours in a carriage with two unrelated men, while their chaperone travelled in a separate vehicle.  Despite the author's attempt to justify the situation, it is simply unbelievable.)

The Vanishing Place by Zoe Rankin

It caught my attention from the beginning with great writing and an intense plot.  When I realized, though, that it was going to be a series of bad things happening to children, I decided to stop.  

November 2025 Wrap Up

Books Read:

The Rose and the Yew Tree by (Agatha Christie writing as) Mary Westmacott (1947)  4/5 stars

The complex and layered story is not pleasant and the characters mostly unlikable, yet it's a completely engrossing novel, and a fine example of Christie's talent outside of mysteries.

 An Afternoon Walk by Dorothy Eden (1971)  4/5 stars

I was completely hooked by this suspense novel and devoured it in about 24 hours.  Though I felt the ending was too quick, it's a totally entertaining read, full of tension and uncertainty. 

Bride of Pendorric by Victoria Holt  (1963)  4/5 stars

This is a lightly romantic novel of gothic suspense which was fully entertaining and engrossing.  

The Locked Ward by Sarah Pekkanen (2025)  3/5 stars

This thriller had a compelling start, but fizzled out to an underwhelming ending.

Wait for What Will Come by (Elizabeth Peters writing as) Barbara Michaels (1978)  3/5 stars

This gothic thriller had a complicated and sometimes silly plot, but it was still quite enjoyable. 

Whistle for the Crows by Dorothy Eden (1962)  3/5 stars

A gothic thriller/mystery that, while not fully believable, was still engrossing and entertaining. 

The Copenhagen Connection by Elizabeth Peters (1982)  3/5 stars

An improbable but still enjoyable mystery.

Audiobooks Completed:

The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum (1900)  4/5 stars

I don't care for the movie, but I found the book (which is a good deal different from the film) to be generally enjoyable, though Baum's writing isn't strong enough to make me want to read more of the series right away.  Like traditional fairy tales, it's a bit violent here and there, but overall this imaginative story is a fun read and I can see how it influenced other later fantasy writers.

I only completed one audiobook this month, as, after many, many starts and stops, I began a reread of the first of the long Palliser novels by Trollope.

Did Not Finish:

Fragile Designs by Colleen Coble 

One Small Lie by Colleen Coble

I mostly enjoyed the first book I read by Coble, and though I could only give it three stars, I was interesting in reading more of her thrillers.  Neither of these two worked for me, though, due to credibility issues; I doubt I'll try any more.

House at Riverton by Kate Morton

Morton seems to be really hit-or-miss with me -- I've read and enjoyed two, and stopped midway with another two.  This makes the third I've not finished, though I really tried.  Ten hours into the audiobook, with ten still left to go, I just had to give up.  I own two more by her, but am really hesitant to try them now. 

The 7 1/2 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle by Stuart Turton

This popular time travel-mystery/suspense was not a good fit for me.

Everyone Is Lying to You by Jo Piazza 

Another popular suspense that just wasn't for me.

The Mind Readers by Margery Allingham

This is my second time trying this penultimate Campion novel; for some reason I'm just not able to get into it.

An Old-Fashioned Girl by Louisa May Alcott

Just wasn't what I was in the mood for at the time.

The Christmas Egg by Mary Kelly

This is from the British Library Crime Classics collection so I was eager to read it, but I found it to be hard to follow.  It's probably a case of "it's not you, it's me".

October 2025 WrapUp

Books Read:

Darkwater by Dorothy Eden (1963)  4/5 stars

(original title The Bird in the Chimney)

This is an entertaining mystery/suspense taking place on the moors in Victorian England. It was easy to pinpoint the villian, and one thing was never answered to my satisfaction, but regardless, I found it atmospheric, enjoyable, and engrossing.

Jack by Susan May Warren (2025)  3/5 stars

The Minnesota Kingstons, book 1

This mystery/suspense/light romance begins a series about the Kingston siblings, focusing on Jack, the eldest Kingston, involving both his search for a missing person, and his reintroduction to a girl from his past.  This book connects to a previous series (apparently many of the author's books share characters), so I was lost at first as to who everyone was.  In addition, there's a side plot that seemed to be unconnected but apparently goes throughout the series, culminating in the final book. Finally, Warren uses the word "aw" numerous times throughout the book, in a way that didn't always make sense to me.  Despite these difficulties, I generally enjoyed the book, and would consider reading more of the author's books, but I would start with an earlier series to keep from being so confused about the characters and their relationships.

A Stranger's Game by Colleen Coble (2022)  3/5 stars

I was engrossed by this mystery/thriller right up until the solution, when I felt letdown because the pieces didn't all fit well.  I did enjoy it enough that I would be willing to try another by the author, though.

The Shadow Realm: A Collection of Retold Halloween Tales by  Abigail Manning (2025)  4/5 stars

This novella reinvents three classic stories (Dracula, The Invisible Man, and Pinocchio) as curses that have been cast on three female friends.  The wholesome plot follows each girl as she grows and changes for the better, overcomes her curse, and finds true love.  It's a quick and enjoyable read, full of fun, humor, and autumn vibes.

This Rotting Heart by Celeste Baxendell (2025) 5/5 stars 

Because I loved Baxendell's Ties of Starlight (another five star read -- my review is here), I started this no-spice fantasy without reading the blurb, and man am I glad I did because all the plot was a surprise for me. This well-written romantic drama is humorous, sometimes moving, and fully engrossing.  (I read it in less than 24 hours.)  Baxendell brings both the characters and her original world alive, and her creative plot is wonderful.  I highly recommend this stand-alone page-turner, and suggest you go into it blind to get the full amount of enjoyment from it.

Waiting for Willa by Dorothy Eden (1970) 3/5 stars 

This is a somewhat silly yet completely entertaining mystery/suspense.

The Deadly Travelers by Dorothy Eden (1959)  4/5 stars

Kate takes a job of escorting a seven-year-old from Rome to London.  When the little girl disappears on the train, it starts a series of dangerous adventures for Kate as she seeks to find answers.  This mystery/suspense was completely enjoyable, if far-fetched, and kept my attention gripped so that I read it in less than two days. 

A Noble Companion by Rachel Kovaciny (2024)  4/5 stars

In this is sweet, nonmagical fantasy tale, Madelena and her friend Javier go on an adventure to find a dragon's hoard to pay for her dowry.  It is well-written, entertaining, and wholesome, with a positive Christian message.  

Audiobooks Completed:

The Prisoner of Zenda by Anthony Hope (1894)  5/5 stars  (my review here)

Rupert of Hentzau by Anthony Hope (1898) 4/5 stars  (my review here)

Dr. Wortle's School by Anthony Trollope (1879)  4/5 stars

This is typical Trollope -- well-written, entertaining, and amusing.

Did Not Finish:

The Murder of Mr. Wickham by Claudia Gray

I really liked how the author tied Austen's characters together socially, but I didn't care for her interpretation of their personalities or how the plot was developing. 

Summer Lightning by P.G. Wodehouse

I hate to sound like one of his critics, but sometimes one Wodehouse IS like all the others.  I had not read this one, yet it felt so familiar that despite it often being laugh-out-loud funny, I gave up early on.

Gallows Court by Martin Edwards

I made it 65% but it turned out to be too grim, unsettling, and gruesome for my taste. 

Two Adventures by Anthony Hope

Sir Anthony Hope Hawkins

The Prisoner of Zenda 

Anthony Hope

1894

5/5 stars

Rudolph Rassendyll is an Englishman who bears a striking resemblance to the King of Ruritania.  When the King is kidnapped, Rassendyll secretly steps in as his replacement.  He and two of the King's loyal subjects race against time to save the King from his dastardly enemies. In this royal deception, Rassendyll not only finds himself in mortal peril, but in danger of losing his heart to the King's intended, the lovely and gentle Princess Flavia. 

This swashbuckling adventure is as near to perfection as can be.  It's easy to read, exciting, engrossing, and even moving.  This was a reread for me, and I loved this memorable story even more than before.  

Rupert of Hentzau 

Anthony Hope 

1898 

4/5 stars

Rupert of Hentzau, one of the villains from The Prisoner of Zenda, has obtained a compromising letter written by Queen Flavia of Ruritania.  Rudolph Rassendyll comes quickly to her aid, determined to finish Rupert this time -- or die in the attempt.  The well-written story is narrated with humor and emotion by Fritz, Rassendyll's friend from the previous book.  It's a story of valor, love, honor, and loyalty.

I was hesitant to read it, thinking that as The Prisoner of Zenda is perfection, why add to it.  I'm so glad I overcame my reluctance, though, as I loved this absorbing, poignant, and unforgettable adventure nearly as much as the original.  

September 2025 Wrap Up

Books Read:

You Are Fatally Invited by Ande Pliego (2025)  3/5 stars

This is a fast-paced, compelling and entertaining thriller that I read in just over 24 hours.  Unfortunately, not all the pieces fit snugly and the solution wasn't believable, even by that genre's standards.  I still enjoyed it enough that I would certainly try this debut author's next offering in the future.

The Case of Alan Copeland by Moray Dalton (1937)  3/5 stars

This started off really well, with a net of lies tightening around the titular character in a way that gave a tense atmosphere to the book.  As it progressed, though, there was very little deducing, the courtroom drama was repetitive, and the solution lacked emotional punch.  Dalton is one of my favorite Golden Age crime writers, but this is not a good example of her work. 

Manor for Sale, Baron Included by Esther Hatch (2021)  3/5 stars

A Romance of Rank, book 1

This is a sweet, clean, historical rom-com and while it's not my usual genre, I did enjoy it.  As a long-time reader of  Victorian literature and nonfiction, I have to say that it definitely didn't have a convincing Victorian era feel, but it's still a fun read.

Bride by Candlelight by Dorothy Eden (1954)  3/5 stars

A young woman arrives in New Zealand to marry a man she hasn't seen in years, only to find him, his family, and his situation different from what she was expecting.  Most of the mystery was easy to figure out, but with the gothic atmosphere and prevailing sense of unease, it was still highly entertaining.

Bridge of Fear by Dorothy Eden (1961)  4/5 stars

In this mystery/suspense, a young bride comes to a new country and discovers that her husband isn't what she thought him to be.  This was a quick read, full of tension and uncertainty.  I figured out a good portion, but it was completely engrossing and entertaining.    

Cat's Prey by Dorothy Eden (1952)  4/5 stars

In this novel of suspense, Antonia travels to New Zealand to visit a cousin and receive a legacy, only to find mystery, danger, and romance.  This is a surprisingly complex story, with an engrossing plot that was highly entertaining

On the Night of the Seventh Moon by Victoria Holt (1972)  3/5 stars

A Victorian teenager, finishing her last year in a German school, meets and falls in love with a romantic stranger, opening the door to deception and danger.  This book is simultaneously silly, predictable, and a page-turner, but definitely not in the gothic genre for which Holt was best known.  It's the only book I've read by this popular author, but based on the entertainment value of this one, I'd be willing to try another.

Audiobooks Completed:

Murder at the Spring Ball by Benedict Brown (2021)  3/5 stars

Lord Edgington Investigates #1

This is a cozy mystery taking place in England in the 1920s; the atmosphere was mostly believable, except for the progressive ideas of Lord Edgington.  The plot was far-fetched and the solution required a suspension of belief that, taken with lead characters that weren't fully likable, made this just an okay read.  This is the first of what has become a well-liked fifteen-book series; I own the next in the series, so I may try it later to see if it's a better fit for me.

Trent's Last Case by E.C. Bentley (1913)  4/5 stars

This classic mystery is well-written, intriguing, and engrossing.  I can certainly see why it was so popular at publication and has remained well-regarded.

The Perfect King: The Life of Edward III, Father of the English Nation by Ian Mortimer (2006)  5/5 stars

This fantastic biography is easy to follow, well-written, detailed, and fascinating.  I highly recommend it if you have an interest in medieval England. 

Did Not Finish:

Quite frankly, it's amazing I actually finished as much as I did this month, what with start-stopping so many others!

Finlay Donovan Is Killing It by Elle Cosimano

I didn't find her mess of a life a bit funny and before the first chapter was over, I knew it wasn't for me.

The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova 

She has a character disparagingly refer to Stoker as "disturbed and melodramatic", and then proceeds to one-up him with this overwrought and pretentious vampire tale.

The Midnight Feast by Lucy Foley

This is my third attempt at Foley's thrillers.  The first one I did finish -- it was three stars; the second I did not.  I didn't make it far in this one before I decided it just wasn't for me.  This is a reminder to my future self that Foley and I just aren't meant to be.

Ivanhoe by Sir Walter Scott

I've never read this classic, and gave it a good try.  I enjoyed the first five chapters a good deal, but was unable to stomach the brutal antisemitism of that time period.  I wouldn't hesitate to try another novel by Scott, but I don't think this one is a good fit for me.

The Booklover's Library by Madeline Martin

It started off really good, but as the conflicts and drama increased, I found it wasn't a good fit for me. 

 

Six Suspects by Vikas Swarup

It appeared to be a mystery that I would love, taking place in India with a varied cast of characters, and with lots of backstory and development.  After a several chapters, though, I realized that Swarup's style, word choices, and interests were not my taste, so I gave up.

Ravenscroft by Dorothy Eden

I enjoyed the three by Eden that I read prior to this one, but an unpalatable scene ruined this one for me.

The Other Mrs. by Mary Kubica

This was my second time trying and not finishing one of Kubica's books.  This is a reminder to myself that her thrillers are too full of characters with drama for me, and not to try again.

Slow Horses by Mick Herron

This is my second time trying this popular mystery/thriller/espionage series, but for some reason, I just can't connect with the plot or characters.  This is a reminder to myself to not try again.

The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas

Have I dnf'd this one or not?  I'm still not sure.  The discussion of my problems can be found here.

Top 5 Tuesday: Classics I Didn't Like

 Top 5 Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by Meeghan Reads 

Today's prompt is "top 5 classics I didn't like".  I don't often finish a book if I'm not enjoying it, so most books I don't like I just abandon.  Here are four that I did finish and didn't like, and one that is giving me grief right now.

Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë  (1847)

Why do people insist on calling this a great romance?  It definitely fits the gothic novel genre, one of my favorites, with its gloomy, dark, atmospheric plot, location, and characters.  However, rather than a love story, it's a novel of abuse -- physical, emotional, and mental -- and a perfect picture of abusive relationships. That trumps any good about it, in my opinion.  It is, in a word, icky.  

Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy (1878)

I don't look at adultery as romantic, the prose (maybe my translation?) was not engaging, and I couldn't find anything about Anna that I sympathized with or liked.  The worst part was, when I FINALLY got to the climax and she did what I was expecting, the book just kept going.  

The Taming of the Shrew by William Shakespeare (1594)

Here is my review of it when I reread it in 2018.  I can't believe this thing is still being performed!

Mary Poppins by P. L. Travers (1934)

HOW is this so popular?  Do people say they love the book when they haven't actually read it, because they love the (so different) movie?  Mary Poppins is a horrible woman and I'd let her be alone with my children over my dead body.

The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas (1846)

I haven't finished this one yet, so it doesn't really count, but oh my gosh, y'all. 

I don't like the Count at all; I find his obsession with vengeance appalling; I hate the use of hasheesh, the immorality of some of the characters, and his treatment of Ali and Haydée. His perfection at EVERYTHING from manipulation to info gathering to shooting with a pistol to picking out horseflesh to speaking multiple languages fluently to --  you get the picture -- is eye-roll inducing.  How could he have possible learned all that? 

I've come so far -- I've read nearly 800 pages this past month -- and I've STILL GOT SEVEN HOURS' WORTH LEFT TO READ.  

For now, I'm setting it aside and it feels like such a relief.  If you have any advice that will make this a better reading experience for me, please tell me.  I'd hate to have wasted all the hours spent reading this.