January’s Most Anticipated Books For the Year 2024

Womb City by Tlotlo Tsamaase

Release Date: 23 Jan. 2024

“Womb City” is the debut novel of Tlotlo, a genre-breaking futurist epic fantasy contextualized in the crisis of the current turmoil in Africa, presented as a futuristic horror novel.

As the proponent of Xer novella, Tlotlo Tsamaase is a rising Motswana author of Xer story “Behind our Irises,” which won the Nommo Award. Xer short fiction is acclaimed widely in some of the best anthologies like Africa Risen, New Suns 2, and Chiral Mad 5.

The novel is tinted with the age-old inequality and oppression of women, with the same theme mirrored in a future time where women still bear the burdens of society and are manipulated to be succumbed to the societal trench. It is about motherhood, memory, and her right to decide about her body.

This is a horrific cyber-punk, sci-fi, and feminist novel with extraordinary spectacles in the lives of a woman – Nelah, who is imprisoned in a loveless marriage to a policeman who monitors her with a microchip. Truths are unraveled mysteriously and exposed on the verge of a complex and risky situation for her dear ones and all. How a woman becomes a pawn to patriarchal governance and unwittingly becomes their allies in their own oppression. To make the unfailing system down, how far she has to go to crush the patriarchal governance system.

“Masterful . . . Tsamaase has created a disturbing techno dystopia in a future Botswana that terrifies with its echoes of our own increasingly authoritarian cyber-policed world. This beautifully written work haunts and upends expectations with its resurrected ghosts and gods and ancestors of Motswana cosmology. What an accomplished debut!” — T. L. Huchu, Caine Prize finalist and author of The Library of the Dead

“A fierce, furious, and fearless debut that has its finger on the pulse—no, the gushing wound—of our world’s most invasive cruelties.” —Daniel Kraus, New York Times bestselling co-author of The Shape of Water

No One Can Know by Kate Alice Marshall

Release Date: January 23, 2024

The author of “What Lies in the Woods,” Kate Alice Marshall, is back with her new spooky thriller “No One Can Know,” featuring meticulously plotted secrets and suspense with a well-designed theme of sisterhood.

After fourteen years, Emma, Juliette, and Daphne – the Palmer sisters – return to their home where they buried the secret of their parents’ murder. As they revisit the house, Emma’s inquisitive mind is piqued, urging her to uncover the hidden secrets. She wonders whether she should keep the truth of that night buried any longer.

“Propulsive mystery-cum-psychological drama. . . Marshall shrewdly interlaces past and present timelines, alternating perspectives between the three sisters to shed new light on old information. Even genre veterans will have trouble sussing out the culprit. Skillful misdirection and urgent plotting make this a winner.” —Publishers Weekly

“A propulsive and intricate psychological thriller. . . Meticulously plotted. . . Marshall’s deft writing teases out revelations aplenty, perpetually ratcheting up the tension—and an element of violence—while keeping the story skimming along. Family connections prove both their damage and their worth in this community-focused thriller.” —Kirkus (starred review)

“In a novel filled with emotional depth and convincing red herrings, Marshall delivers a propulsive mystery about trust, secrets, and friendships.” —Booklist (starred review)

House of Flame and Shadow By Sarah J. Maas

Release Date: January 30, 2024

The stunning third book in the sexy, action-packed Crescent City series, following the
global bestsellers House of Earth and Blood and House of Sky and Breath.

Bryce Quinlan never expected to see a world other than Midgard, but now that she has, all she wants is to get back. Everything she loves is in Midgard: her family, her friends, her mate. Stranded in a strange new world, she’s going to need all her wits about her to get home again. And that’s no easy feat when she has no idea who to trust.
Hunt Athalar has found himself in some deep holes in his life, but this one might be the deepest of all. After a few brief months with everything he ever wanted, he’s in the Asteri’s dungeons again, stripped of his freedom and without a clue as to Bryce’s fate. He’s desperate to help her, but until he can escape the Asteri’s leash, his hands are quite literally tied.
In this sexy, breathtaking sequel to the #1 bestsellers House of Earth and Blood and House of Sky and Breath, Sarah J. Maas’s Crescent City series reaches new heights as Bryce and Hunt’s world is brought to the brink of collapse-with its future resting on their shoulders.

“The mystery element presents a stunning twist, and the emotional depth of Bryce’s relationships with both Hunt and Danika is incredibly moving. Fans will eagerly await the next installment.” ―Booklist, starred review (House of Earth and Blood)

“A dizzying, suspenseful whirl that surprises at every turn.” ―Entertainment Weekly (House of Earth and Blood)

“A richly imagined tale spiced with snarky humor and smoldering romance.” ―Publishers Weekly (House of Earth and Blood)

Mrs. Quinn’s Rise to Fame by Olivia Ford

Release Date: January 30, 2024

Olivia Ford’s “Mrs. Quinn’s Rise to Fame” is a heartwarming novel about uncovering a hidden dream and making an endeavor to take up the challenge to live up to fulfill the dream. It’s never too late to follow your dreams, and you can do it at any time.

It’s an inspiring tale of Mrs. Quinn, who participated secretly in the “Britain Bakes” contest at the age of seventy-seven. As she rises up amid the cameras, she unfolds the deep secret that will shatter the foundations of her marriage six decades ago. As she stretches her comfort zone, she inspires and fills your heart with the warmth of a feel-good and courageous story.

“Mrs. Quinn’s Rise to Fame is a charming, heartfelt, and uplifting novel about love, family, and the emotive power of home baking. I loved every minute of it!” —Libby Page, bestselling author of The Lido

“Delightful and heartwarming, Mrs. Quinn’s Rise to Fame is the ultimate comfort read and a sweet reminder that it’s never too late to pursue our dreams.” —Margarita Montimore, bestselling author of Oona Out of Order

“Calling all Great British Baking Show fans: When you’ve salivated your way through the latest season (and the entire back catalog), this charming novel will fill the cake-shaped hole in your heart. The story of an older woman who enters a televised baking show is as cozy as a night in grandma’s kitchen with the kind of feel-good suspense we love from the likes of Paul Hollywood.” —Good Housekeeping

“Ford’s writing is sentimental without being saccharine, and the scenes from Jenny’s youth are, much like Jenny’s pastry, deliciously layered. . . For anyone who’s ever wished they could read, instead of watch, reality TV.” —Kirkus

“This novel is perfectly baked, utterly delicious, and completely moreish. Mrs. Quinn is destined to become the nation’s favorite.” —Clare Pooley, New York Times bestselling author of Iona Iverson’s Rules for Commuting

“Soul-enriching….From its enticing setting to its perfect ending, Mrs. Quinn’s Rise To Fame is absolutely marvelous. Like a great dessert, you’ll wish you could come back for more.” —J. Ryan Stradal, New York Times bestselling author of Kitchens of the Great Midwest

The Lost Van Gogh by Jonathan Santlofer

Release Date: January 2, 2024

The international bestselling author of “The Death Artist,” Jonathan Santlofer, is an ingenious writer of crime fiction, co-editor, painter, illustrator of anthologies, and the Director of New York Crime Fiction Academy. He is also famous for his thrilling story, “The Last Mona Lisa,” a masterpiece, mastermind, and mystery. He is an acclaimed painter who perfectly blends art and mystery with unimaginable details, uncovering the historical mystery with action-packed details and meticulous plotting.

The art thief unriddles the epic puzzle about Vincent Van Gogh’s self-portrayal before his death. As Alexis comes together with the INTERPOL agent, they learn about the darkest history before the artist’s death. They unleash the hidden evil in the dark history of the underground art world.

“Ingeniously plotted, irresistibly readable, brimming with inside information about the high-stakes art world of theft, forgery, and murder, Jonathan Santlofer’s The Lost Van Gogh tracks the history of a missing self-portrait by Van Gogh against the background of the notorious Nazi campaign against ‘degenerate art.’ Also included are brilliantly rendered drawings by the author, who is as accomplished an artist as he is a writer of suspense thrillers.” — Joyce Carol Oates

“Packed with international art world intrigue and utterly delicious plot twists, Santlofer keeps readers riveted in this intelligent and wonderfully textured thriller.” — John Searles, New York Times bestselling author of Her Last Affair and Help for the Haunted

“The Lost Van Gogh is a can’t-miss novel of unforgettable suspense. Santlofer masterfully blends his art world expertise with a game of obsessions, razor-sharp characterization, and thrilling prose to create a novel unlike any other—a riveting mystery that explores the weight of family and high-stakes art theft.” — Alex Segura, bestselling author of Secret Identity

“The Lost Van Gogh is a kaleidoscope—a globetrotting thriller, a lesson in art history, a reminder of a crime against humanity that will never be expunged, but most of all a tremendously entertaining read.” — Joseph Finder, New York Times bestselling author of House on Fire

“Beauty and horror are wonderfully contrasted by Santlofer, both in the sad life of Van Gogh compared to the incandescent art he produced, and in the clash of the love of art and the pursuit of wealth that takes advantage of that passion. Details of post-impressionist art and busting of myths around Van Gogh (he wasn’t unknown as an artist during his life) are bonuses.” — First Clue

The Heiress by Rachel Hawkins

Release Date: January 9, 2024

New York Times chart-topping writer of “The Villa,” Rachel Hawkins’ gripping and gaping novel “The Heiress” is a twisted gothic suspense about the complex and complicated inheritance of the ultra-rich and notorious Heiress after her death. Her adopted son Cam and his wife gradually unfold the dark mystery behind the inheritance and the secret behind her death. Although Hawkins is famous for her young adult works, she has emboldened her writing as an incredible storyteller of gothic suspense with multi-layered mystery.

“Rachel Hawkins delivers another read-in-a-sitting knockout. The Heiress has it all—murder, secrets, Gothic vibes, and one of the most deliciously twisted families ever put to page. I loved it!” ―Riley Sager, New York Times bestselling author of The Only One Left

Have a Beautiful, Terrible Day!: Daily Meditations for the Ups, Downs & In-Betweens by Kate Bowler

Release Date: January 23, 2024

Kate Bowler, a three-time New York Times bestselling author and host of the popular podcast “Everything happens,” is releasing her soul-healing and resilience-building book for having spiritual reflections about both good and bad times and how to embrace a bad day in a soulful way. Witty, honest, and wise spiritual reflections invite readers to embrace the bad, not just the good—from the three-time New York Times bestselling author of Everything Happens for a Reason (And Other Lies I’ve Loved).