January is often a high reading count for me, and this year is no exception, with six books already marked off in the done category.

Here are some reviews of what I read last month:

Aliya to the Infinite City by Laila Rifaat

A middle grade fantasy novel that I picked up at the Daunt Books mothership in London last year, Aliya to the Infinite City could reasonably be called an Egyptian Harry Potter — and, in fact, it’s impossible to avoid the comparison, which I suppose Rifaat knew, since she name-checks the series in the story. Aliya lives with her grandfather after her parents are killed in a fire when she was very young. They’ve always gotten along well, but he’s become increasingly erratic in his behavior of late. On her 11th birthday, Aliya learns first that her grandfather has been telling the world she was also dead — and then that she’s from a long line of time-travelers. She ends up in an alternate dimension of Egypt, where she must play catch-up on a lifetime of magical learning, overcome the trauma of her grandfather’s betrayal, and meet other wannabe time-traveling kids who’ve come from all eras of Egyptian history. Add to that, she must try to cope with the stress of poisonings of governmental officials (possibly linked to her roommate and/or house matron), cracks that keep appearing in the sky, and a necklace that once belonged to her mother and recently gifted to her by an anonymous benefactor, which seems to hold enormous — and likely forbidden — power.

Rifaat does have a knack for descriptions. The Infinite City and its residents come alive before your eyes, and you will constantly be hungry because of the feasting that goes on.

It was an okay story, and I would read another in the trilogy if it were to cross my path. But I don’t know if I’d seek it out. Recommended for someone who hasn’t read Harry Potter and might no longer choose to or to someone who wants another version of a magical orphan.

Personal print copy

We Solve Murders by Richard Osman

The first in a new series by the author of The Thursday Murder Club, this novel focuses on bodyguard Amy; her widowed father-in-law, Steve, a former police officer who has long been a private investigator in his sleepy village; and bestselling mystery author Rosie, whom Amy has been hired to protect from a Russian mobster she described too well in her latest book. When it turns out that Amy is being framed for a series of murders by a ruthless but mysterious criminal and that a hit has been put out on her, she and Rosie take to the road to clear her name and Steve must leave his beloved cat and his pub trivia team behind and get on his very first airplane to join them as they race around the world in an attempt to solve the case before the hitmen and police catch up.

A solidly enjoyable read. I was reminded of the early Fox and O’Hare books in the quirky set of characters who form the team, but it’s better written, with more dimension to the characters and a lot less sexual tension.

Audiobook from the library

All I Want Is You by Falon Ballard

A young romance novelist struggling to write her latest book is voluntold to introduce her ex (who broke her heart her several years back right after Christmas) when he receives an award from their mutual publisher at the firm’s annual holiday party. In addition to their personal baggage, she has a professional grudge against him — his successful romance novels never have a happy ending. But when he reaches out to thank her for agreeing to give the speech, barbs fly — and so do inspirational sparks in both their latest manuscripts. Will a freak snowstorm and a canceled reservation force their well-loved romance tropes off the page and into their lives?

A frothy holiday read as substantial as the foam in the holiday lattes Jess makes in her day job — but that equally hits the spot if you’re in the mood for this kind of tale.

Print copy from the library

Murder on the Christmas Express by Alexandra Benedict

On a stormy Christmas Eve Eve train from London to the Scottish Highlands, a C-list reality tv star is found dead in her locked room after their train derails, and it’s left to newly retired DI Roz Parker, on her way to the birth of her first grandchild, to conduct the initial investigation. In the tradition of Hercule Poirot, but with the author’s understanding that she is no Christie, Roz must consider the motivations of her fellow travelers, which include the star’s abusive boyfriend, the woman’s high school teacher  and his family, a stowaway, a college trivia team, and a feisty octogenarian, her middle-aged son, and their cat. All while balancing the stress of hearing increasingly bad news about her daughter’s labor.

A solid Christmas mystery.

Print copy from the library

Shady Hollow by Juneau Black

What if you took Richard Scarry’s Busytown, made it for adults, and then had someone murdered in the heretofore placid sylvan village? The two authors who together make up Juneau Black may have pitched the first book in their mystery series exactly this way. Vera Vixen, a fox newspaper reporter, is on the case when the querulous toad in their town is found murdered. With the help of her best friend Lenore, the raven who owns the bookshop Nevermore, and Orville, the deputy bear tasked with restoring order to their woodland community, Vera chases down leads, follows up with business-creatures galore, and gets herself into some sticky situations in pursuit of the truth.

A cute premise with a decent mystery but one-dimensional characters. I’d probably read more in the series, but not right away.

Print copy from the library

The Most Wonderful Crime of the Year by Ally Carter

Read enough Christmas mysteries and Christmas romances, and eventually you’ll find one that’s a really nice blend of the two genres, which is what we have here in an Ally Carter novel for adults.

Maggie, a mystery author, has had a rough year after learning that her husband and best friend were having an affair and losing badly in the divorce settlement. When her publisher summons her to the firm’s office, she’s handed an invitation to spend Christmas in England with her biggest fan, with a strong suggestion that attending will significantly change her life. (Her beloved publisher knows the person’s identity, so it’s less icky than it sounds.) When she reaches the private jet, she learns she’s not the only one to get an envelope — her nemesis, Ethan, a hunky and mysterious writer who beats her out for every accolade and who consistently calls her by the wrong name, is also on board. When they reach England, they discover they’ve been summoned (along with another writer, her grown niblings, a police inspector friend, and a representative from her solicitor) by the world’s most famous mystery writer, who promptly disappears out of a locked room on their very first night.

There’s a blizzard, an isolated country estate, a poisoning, and family drama, in addition to the mystery for our protagonists to solve. First and most important, can they trust each other? And can they work together to find out what happened to their host?

While some of my readerly pals didn’t like the blending of genres, it worked well for me, and I’d recommend it to anyone who likes both romance and mysteries, particularly around the holidays.

Print copy from the library