My reading for 2016 once again included mostly mysteries and psychological thrillers set in the UK, a few novels in other genres, and a few non-fiction works on medical and metaphysical topics. Here are the ones I enjoyed most. It was too hard to choose only a top ten, or to rank them in order of preference, so I have included twelve books and listed the titles in alphabetical order. The links refer to the pages on Goodreads.com.
A Dictionary of Mutual Understanding by Jackie Copleton: an original and brilliant novel about the aftermath of the Nagasaki bombing.
After the Crash by Michel Bussi: translated from the French, a mystery novel about the sole survivor of an air disaster.
Black Widow by Chris Brookmyre: a woman surgeon, nicknamed “bitchblade”, is on trial in Scotland for murdering her husband …
Do No Harm by Henry Marsh: reflections of a British neurosurgeon, with numerous case histories.
Exposure by Helen Dunmore: London 1960, the Cold War at its height and a secret file goes missing …
One Mind by Larry Dossey: evidence for the Jungian concept of the collective unconscious.
Spare me the Truth by CJ Carver: a man recovering from a breakdown is challenged to remember the circumstances of his son’s death.
The Light between Oceans by ML Stedman: set in Australia after World War 1, a rather harrowing novel about a lighthouse keeper and his wife.
The Widow by Fiona Barton: should a woman remain loyal to a husband accused of child abduction?
You are the Placebo by Joe Dispenza: neuroscience and self-help are combined in this book about the mind-body connection.
You Belong to Me by Samantha Hayes: a psychological thriller about a woman and her stalker.
When I was Invisible by Dorothy Koomson: two girls, once best friends in ballet class, have become estranged as adults due to a secret from their past.
I hope you enjoy some of these recommendations.
Jennifer Barraclough 