Vicki Rock's 2022 Five-Star Reads

This week, we welcome guest blogger Vicki Rock!

This was another year of excellent books. These are what I consider to be the five-star books I reviewed this year, listed in order of publication.

“A Narrow Door” by Joanne Harris, Pegasus Crime. A body is found at a private school, but the headmaster isn’t in a hurry to call the police.

“Something to Hide” by Elizabeth George, Viking. A detective’s murder may be tied to an investigation into crimes against Nigerian girls.

“The Children on the Hill,” by Jennifer McMahon, Gallery/Scout Press. This was inspired by Mary Shelley’s “Frankenstein,” but it isn’t a horror novel.

“Our Little World,” by Karen Winn, Dutton. A coming-of-age story that is about sisterhood, jealousy and family dynamics.

“The Lioness,” by Chris Bohjalian, Doubleday. Wealthy Americans expect civilized adventure in Tanzania. What they get is a kidnapping gone wrong.

“The Latecomer” by Jean Hanff Korelitz, Celadon Books. A novel about three siblings and the expected arrival of a fourth.

“Fairy Tale,” by Stephen King, Scribner. Inside a shed is a portal to another world.

“The Rising Tide,” by Ann Cleeves, Minotaur Books. Vera Stanhope’s team solves a complex puzzle with few clues.

“Shrines of Gaiety,” by Kate Atkinson, Doubleday. In 1926 in London, nightclubs are booming.

“The Other Side of Night” by Adam Hamdy, Atria Books. What would you do to save someone you loved?

“The Winners,” by Fredrik Backman, translated by Neil Smith, Atria Books. The conclusion to the Beartown series set in a small Northern Sweden hockey town.

“Our Missing Hearts,” by Celeste Ng, Penguin Press. A 12-year-old searches for his missing dissident mother with help from an underground network of librarians.

“Mad Honey,” by Jodi Picoult and Jennifer Finney Boylan, Ballantine Books. A teenager is accused of murdering his girlfriend.

“Livid,” by Patricia Cornwell, Grand Central Publishing. Virginia chief medical examiner Kay Scarpetta faces a baffling case.

In addition to what I consider as the five-stars books of the year, many other good books were published. Thanks to the publishers who approve my requests for review books;

Terri Foster, director of the Meyersdale Public Library, for posting my reviews; and to everyone who reads my reviews. I’m looking forward to another year of good books.

Vicki, we are happy to host your reviews, and look forward to reading your thoughts about 2023's novels!