I’m back with another instalment of my A-to-Z Reading Challenge, and today, I am focussing on books that begin with the letter F. If you’re new here, let me explain: last year, I set myself the challenge of reading books for each letter of the alphabet. Honestly, it turned out to be much harder than I expected—especially for some of the trickier letters! This year, I’m carrying on the tradition by creating lists for each letter and adding new reads as I go. I hope to make this a reference point for everyone that you can all dip in and out of as the need arises especially if you are doing the same reading challenge as me.
Today’s letter, F, brought together a fascinating mix of genres and stories, so let’s have a look.
Fog of Silence by S.J. Richards
Genre: Thriller
Series: Luke Sackville Crime Thrillers (Book 3)
Publisher: Apple Loft Press
Date Published: 2024
Format: eBook (provided by Love Books Tours in return for an honest review)
Star Rating: 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐I loved it and highly recommend
About the Book: Former DCI Luke Sackville is recruited to investigate scandalous celebrity parties uncovered by a whistle blower at GNE, a global news and entertainment company. As his Ethics Team uncovers horrifying truths about the exploitation and abuse of fans, Luke is thrust into a deadly game with a chilling twist—a serial killer exploiting the secrecy.
My Thoughts: Get ready for a rollercoaster through fame’s dark side. Richards delivers a gripping narrative filled with suspense, unexpected twists, and compelling characters. The witty writing style lightens the otherwise intense subject matter, keeping the pages turning. Though part of a series, "Fog of Silence" can easily be read as a standalone. A five-star knockout in the crime fiction world!
The Flinck Connection by Estelle Ryan
Genre: Thriller, Crime, Mystery
Series: Genevieve Lenard Series (Book 4 of 16)
Date Published: 2014
Format: eBook (purchased myself)
Star Rating: 5⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ I loved it and highly recommend
About the Book: Dr. Genevieve Lenard, an expert in nonverbal communication, becomes entangled in a case involving a murdered politician, unsolved art heists, and an international conspiracy. With time running out and the stakes higher than ever, Genevieve and her team must navigate danger and deception to uncover the truth.
My Thoughts: This book was a thrilling ride! Genevieve Lenard is a standout protagonist whose brilliance and quirks bring a unique flavour to the genre. The intricate plot—combining art, politics, and personal stakes—kept me hooked. Estelle Ryan’s ability to layer suspense and emotion makes this a must-read for fans of mystery and crime fiction.
Fall from Grace by Alan Feldberg
Genre: Psychological Thriller
Publisher: Bloodhound Books
Date Published: 2024
Format: Paperback (provided by Love Books Tours in return for an honest review
Star Rating: 4⭐⭐⭐⭐I liked it and recommend
About the Book: Adrian Smythe’s seemingly ordinary life spirals out of control after he abruptly quits his job and disconnects from his family. As his descent into darkness unfolds, Adrian’s choices lead to chilling consequences—even murder.
My Thoughts: This slow-burning psychological thriller takes readers deep into Adrian’s unravelling psyche. Feldberg’s approach is fresh and unsettling, delving into the mind of a killer with striking precision. While the pacing starts slow, it builds into a thought-provoking narrative that challenges perceptions of normality. A gripping read for fans of dark psychological tales.
The Flower Queen by Kay Freeman
Genre: Romance, Suspense
Series: Flower Queen Series (Book 1)
Date Published: 2024
Format: Paperback supplied by Love Books Tours in return for an honest review
Star Rating: 4⭐⭐⭐⭐ I liked it and recommend
About the Book: Set in 1978, this story follows a widow who uses her husband’s last wishes to save her family farm by growing an illegal plant. Her success builds a thriving business but brings her into conflict with her high school sweetheart—now an FBI agent. Will love or duty prevail?
My Thoughts: "The Flower Queen" is a captivating blend of suspense, romance, and family drama. Freeman’s richly developed characters and intricate plot make for a thoroughly engaging read. The rags-to-riches and second-chance-at-love tropes are executed beautifully, though the unresolved threads suggest book two will be a must-read. A delightful mix of heart and suspense!
The Fall by Albert Jaskula
Genre: Psychological Thriller
Publisher: Atmosphere Press
Date Published: 2023
Book Length: 494
Format: Paperback supplied by the author in return for an honest review
Star Rating: 5⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ I loved it and highly recommend
About Book: Regrets are like birthdays—they keep coming, each one a new scar slowing you down and dragging you closer to your grave. Ariel Fall, a seasoned private investigator, knew this well. After the devastating loss of his wife and young daughter, Ariel attempts to forge ahead, leaving behind the painful memories that threatened to ensnare him. But his quest for redemption proved more elusive than anticipated, and his entanglement in a series of harrowing investigations were proving rather useless, only serving to expose the darkest corners of humanity's nature and the enigmatic depths of the human mind. Haunted by the relentless pursuit of truth, Ariel embarks on a treacherous journey, encountering a seductive femme fatale and an enigmatic "guardian angel" along the way. As he delves deeper into the mysteries surrounding the Lavender Killer, the League of Damned, and the notorious Dirty Joe, he discovers the pervasive corruption lurking within the very heart of the London police force. In a world where rules and morality blur, Ariel is forced to confront his own limitations and question the validity of conventional approaches. Struggling with the weight of his decisions, each one seeming to lead to his downfall, he realizes that true impact requires bending and even breaking the rules. With the spectre of failure looming, Ariel must navigate treacherous waters where every choice feels like a waking nightmare.
My Thoughts: The Fall by Albert Jaskula starts as it means to go on it is full of grit and action. At times, the prose is short and that adds to the intense drama. I had to read some of the sentences twice to ensure I understand what is happening, but I think that is because it is so faced paced that the words sometimes ran away from me. It is a book that I needed to concentrate on to make sure that I keep up with the plot.
I got an intense sense of the main protagonist, Jaskula’s way of describing things is a testament to his writing. I could feel the angst and extreme pain he is going through emotionally as well as physically. The book follows a private investigator and uniquely for a book goes through more than one investigation which reignites the attention span, I was nervous at the beginning of the book as it was so long, but it didn’t feel like that while I was reading.
Some of the book, in my view, is gruesome but it did pertain to the story, and I felt it was justified. The main protagonist is definitely a badass PI, but he also has another side to him that he is trying to make win over the darker side.
In conclusion this book is fast paced and very dark dealing with the seedier side of life. There were surprises throughout the book right until the end which kept me engaged and I was wondering what happens next. A testament to Jaskula’s writing a great first novel that I fully recommend if you love a dark thriller that will keep you on your toes.
Fields of Glory by Michael Jecks
Series: 1 of 3 The Vintener Trilogy
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Date Published: 2015
Book Length: 480
Format: Hardback book I purchased myself
Star Rating: 4⭐⭐⭐⭐ I liked it and recommend
About Book: The year is 1346 and King Edward III is restless. Despite earlier victories his army has still not achieved a major breakthrough and the French crown remains intact. Determined to bring France under English rule and the French army to its knees he has regrouped and planned a new route of attack.
And on the beaches of Normandy his men now mass, ready to march through France to victory. But the French are nowhere to be seen. Edward knows that the worst thing he could do would be to take the battle to the French, where they will have the advantage and so he sets up camp near a small hill at Crecy and waits.
My Thoughts: Michael Jecks is a new author for me, and someone I met recently as we live fairly close to each other in Devon. So, I thought I would try out the Fields of Glory first. I found the book to be an exciting and gripping read. The storyline is well researched, and the characters imperfections shone through and made the each in their own way believable. My favourite character was Beatrice Pouillet, she is the daughter of a gunpowder merchant in France, she came across as young, vulnerable and was on her own fighting to stay alive and her story spread throughout the book was fascinating. A testament to Jecks’ writing. There is a lot of gruesome action, but I don’t think given the subject this could have been avoided. A great read for those interested in historical adventure thrillers.
Conclusion
Books starting with the letter F have certainly not disappointed! From crime thrillers exposing the dark side of fame to psychological dramas delving into human fragility, each book brought its own unique flair to the table. Whether you’re in the mood for suspense, mystery, or romance, there’s something here to pique your interest.
So, which of these caught your eye? Let me know in the comments below. And if you’re tempted to pick up any of these books, don’t forget to use the affiliate links provided—you’ll be supporting this blog at no extra cost to you. Happy reading, and stay tuned as I tackle the next letter in the alphabet challenge!
Love Alis x
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