2024 favorite reads by Eric Beetner

 My TBR pile is embarrassing. I read quite a bit of vintage novels, so not relevant to an end-of-year list. And, as always I didn't get to as many books as I wanted. But, as I hide from the judgmental stare of my TBR pile, I'll share some of my favorite reads from this year:

Steve Hockensmith has long been a favorite since I first read his Holmes On The Range series. He put out not one but TWO straight-up westerns this year and both are top notch. In Hired Guns and then No Hallowed Ground, Hockensmith maintains his trademark wit to go on top of some cracking action and fabulous characters. 

Holy City is a debut from Henry Wise and it is as assured a debut as I've ever read. There's a great crime story here, but it is elevated by great characters and a deep sense of place. I'll be looking for what he puts out next.

I'll read anything by Laura McHugh, no questions asked. Her latest, Safe and Sound, was another winner. For me, she hits a home run every time.

Lou Berney took a break from his Shake Bouchon series for quite a while, but boy am I glad he came back this year. Double Barrel Bluff is fast, funny and one of the fastest reads of the year for me.

I grabbed And There He Kept Her as part of the pile of freebies I came home with from Bouchercon this year. A friend who I trust said it was good so I moved it to the top of the pile and she was absolutely right. This is a great story introducing a character who can really go places. Upon finishing, I immediately went out and bought book 2.

Smoke Kings by Jahmal Mayfield hit hard. I never knew where it was going next, which I love in a book. A great introduction to a new-to-me writer.

One that is from 2022 that came off the pile this year was The Devil In These Hills. It was a difficult read at times, but an important one. Incredibly thoughtful and empathetic, it deals with race, immigration, the lack of caring and empathy in our red/blue divided world these days. It wasn't always easy to read because of how true and real it all felt. But it has stuck with me like few books in recent memory so I wanted to mention it. Being an indie release, it needs all the help it can get.

And of course my book, The Last Few Miles Of Road was out this year. I think you'll like it.