Top Ten Tuesday: Hidden or Not-So-Hidden Gems

Top Ten Tuesday was created by The Broke and the Bookish in June of 2010 and was moved to That Artsy Reader Girl in January of 2018. It was born of a love of lists, a love of books, and a desire to bring bookish friends together.  Click on the link for more info and to find out about future topics.

This weeks theme is:   Hidden Gems (which books haven’t been talked about as much or haven’t been marketed as strongly that you think deserve some recognition?)

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I’m back for my first Top Ten Tuesday in quite a while. I thought I’d use this week’s topic to remember some of the books I’ve really enjoyed over the last few months. Whether you’d call them hidden gems is debatable, because at least one or two of them I’ve seen mentioned almost everywhere, but an opportunity to talk again about good books is one not to be missed.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Seven Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle by Stuart Turton – A time-travelling, body-swapping, Christie-esque whodunnit-type mystery. Still possibly my favourite read of the year so far.

 

 

 

 

 

 

A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles – Charming characters, lovely writing. The story of Count Alexander Rostov, living under house arrest in the Hotel Metropol remains very memorable.

       

Wrath of Empire by Brian McClellan – This is the second book in his new fantasy series, so go check out Sins of Empire first, because you’re in for a treat. There’s also the Powder Mage books to discover as well.

              

Murder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christie – I’m new to Christie and this was the book that started it all. Probably the least ‘hidden’ gem on my list, but when I saw the new movie version I actually had no idea at all about the twist in the tale. Also check out The Mysterious Affair at Styles and The Murder on the Links.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Spinning Silver by Naomi Novik – Myth, folklore, frost demons, fire demons, and a whole host of determined leading ladies, I really enjoyed Spinning Silver.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Into the Drowning Deep by Mira Grant – Killer mermaids! Tense and exciting and well worth a read.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fatal Inheritance by Rachel Rhys – A mystery tale involving a bequest from a stranger which sends main character Eve to the French Riviera in search of answers. If you’re missing the hot weather of summer, the atmosphere of this book may suit you.

 

 

 

 

 

 

A Time of Dread by John Gwynne – A new fantasy series and the first book I’ve read by this author.

       

 

 

 

 

 

The Bitter Twins by Jen Williams – A second-in-series book. Check out The Ninth Rain then continue the adventure with Tor, Vintage and Noon (and some rather fantastic talking war beasts) in The Bitter Twins.

       

Force of Nature by Jane Harper – And to conclude, yes, you guessed it, another second-in-series book. This one is crime, featuring Aaron Falk as the main character. He previously appeared in The Dry which you may want to check out first, but I do think you could dive straight in with this one if you prefer.

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So, there you have it, a few of the books that have stayed with me beyond the initial reading. Hopefully you’ll discover something to enjoy. What have you been reading lately that you’d call a hidden gem? As always, do let me know, because a TBR list/pile can never have too many books on it!