BEST OF 2022: Adult Genre Fiction

MYSTERY

A Dreadful Splendor by B.R. Myers
Emma says, "Cozy, gothic mystery with a hint of romance and ghosty business. A fake spiritualist gets handed a get out of jail free card with strings attached - she has to hold a seance for a dead bride. Was she murdered, or did she kill herself? And are ghosts real? Lots of spooky stuff, but pretty light and no gore."

The Maid by Nita Prose
From Peggy: "Are you looking for a charming story that makes you smile out loud? Here’s a cozy mystery with the most delightful protagonist, Molly Gray. Molly works as a maid at a luxury hotel and takes the utmost pride in her work. The problem is our favorite maid has trouble reading people, falls in with the wrong sort, and finds herself accused of murdering the VIP hotel guest. Molly’s outmoded vocabulary and strict adherence to old adages is nothing but lovable. If you are nostalgic for gentler times, The Maid just may be the cure for what ails you!"

SCI-FI/FANTASY

Even Though I Knew the End by C.L. Polk
Ginger says, "Fantastical 40s noir, with a lesbian P.I., magic, demons and angels, and perfect vintage touches."

Illuminations: Stories by Alan Moore
From Bud: "Alan Moore is one of my favorite English authors out there. I have consistently found myself enjoying his work time and time again. To those unfamiliar with his name – his writing almost certainly will strike a chord of recognition. A word to the wise: Moore is not going to be everybody’s cup of tea nor does he try to be. He is very much off the beaten path to the point that many view him as a literary trailblazer. That approach has garnered Moore numerous awards and literary honors despite his efforts to just be himself. An anthology of tales as only Moore could tell them, Illuminations comes highly recommended. To those willing to take a chance – give this one a try."

Legends & Lattes by Travis Baldree
tee says, "There is literally nothing about this book that I would change. When an orc with chronic back pain decides to retire from adventuring to open a coffee shop, so begins the next chapter of her life, which we are fortunate enough to bear witness to. The characters are quirky and lovable and imperfect, the conflict is just enough to keep the story moving, and the baked goods sound so good I found my mouth watering more than once."

Nettle & Bone by T. Kingfisher
From Amber: "A feminist fairy tale with something for everyone, including a reluctant fairy godmother, a strapping former knight, and a chicken possessed by a demon."

The Book Eaters by Sunyi Dean
Emma says, "Dark fantasy where the monsters eat books to survive but the Big Monsters eat brains. Lots of cool fairytale analogies and mother-son relationship dynamics. Queer representation, too!"

The Fall of Númenor: And Other Tales from the Second Age of Middle-earth by J.R.R. Tolkien
From Kaley: "Brand new collection of Tolkien's writing about Númenor, the doomed island kingdom of Men; recommended for people who watched Rings of Power; beautiful new illustrations make it a great gift book."

When Women Were Dragons by Kelly Barnhill
Ginger says, "The story follows Alex as she grows up in the aftermath of the Mass Dragoning of 1955, when she lost an aunt whom she's no longer allowed to speak of - since the Mass Dragoning affected only American women, it quickly picked up the semi-taboo status of other women’s issues. Despite the magical nature of the central premise, the novel itself is focused on the mundane - only the nature of the family secrets is magical. Alex is taught by adults to keep everything close to her chest - especially the fact that her beloved baby sister used to be her cousin. The author leans hard into the unfortunate lesson that some grown-ups are less concerned with kids' interior lives and well-being than with how that child's behavior reflects on the adult amongst other adults."

ROMANCE

Delilah Green Doesn't Care by Ashley Herring Blake
From Amber: "A hilarious sapphic romance about taking chances and opening your heart."

Two Wrongs Make a Right by Chloe Liese
tee says, "Cute, awkward, funny, swoony, and filled with great representation. This is a great romance both for fans of the genre and for newbies who want to dip their toe in a feel-good story."