December New Releases I’m Excited For

Published by A Trip Down Literary Lane on

I hope everyone’s been having a lovely time enjoying the festive season so far!

The last month has been a very busy one for me so I apologise for my absence. However, I am back with more bookish content and am excited to share it with you.

Here are some of my most anticipated new book releases for December 2024. Hopefully you spot a couple you like the look of too!

The Party – Natasha Preston

Expected publication: December 3, 2024

Genres: Mystery, Horror, Young Adult

Pages: 352

Setting: England, modern-day

The Party follows a group of teenagers who, one by one, are found dead. It is up to those left behind to track down the culprit so they don’t suffer the same ill fate. It promises an edge of your seat, thrilling read.

I am a fan of both slow and fast paced mysteries. The extra detail that a slow pace offers really helps to set the scene and build the characters. However, a good fast paced mystery gives you a satisfying rush of adrenaline and makes you feel part of the journey with the main character.

I’m very interested in what the writing style will be like and how the main characters will be introduced. Regardless, I’m sold on the premise of the book and can’t wait to find out who the mastermind is behind these deaths.

Bellevue – Robin Cook

Expected publication: December 3, 2024

Genres: Mystery, Horror, Paranormal

Pages: 352

Setting: New York, modern-day

This particular book looks like it will be such an interesting read!

The story follows Mitt, a recently graduated doctor. He starts his surgical residency at Bellevue Hospital, the oldest public hospital in America. However, it’s not as straightforward as Mitt expected it to be.

One by one, his assigned patients start to die. Day by day, the inevitable stress of first-year residents keeps building. Now, he’s forced to endure horrifying visions.

Mitt has no choice but to delve deeper into the secrets of Bellevue for better or worse.

It’s difficult to not sympathise with Mitt during his struggle with his residency. This summary of the book is reason enough for me to support Mitt before it’s even begun!

It also leaves me with so many questions.

Is someone trying to frame Mitt? Could it be a curse of some sort that’s struck the old hospital patients for years on end but hasn’t come to light to the outside world until now? Perhaps it’s something much more innocent?

There’s only one way to find out!

Locked In – Jussi Adler-Olsen (Department Q #10)

Expected publication: December 2, 2024

Genres: Mystery, Crime, Thriller

Pages: 512

Setting: Denmark, modern-day

Okay, this one is not technically a new release. However, it’s a newly released edition so that counts, right?

Translated by Caroline Waight, Locked In is the tenth and final book of Adler-Olsen’s Department Q series. I’ve not read the previous books in the series but they sound just as good as this one!

Locked In promises a gripping ending to the series. The head of Department Q is falsely arrested for the murder in one of his past cases.

The rest of the team are tested beyond their limits to rescue their leader. With their jobs on the line and their leader’s life at stake, will they have what it takes to track down who is behind this?

While not pleasant for the characters involved, I love the premise of this story. It gives the members of Department Q a chance to prove their loyalty to each other and, most importantly, their leader. I am eager to find out if any of them crack under the pressure and end up switching sides or even withdrawing altogether.

Booked For Murder – P. J. Nelson

Expected publication: December 10, 2024

Genres: Mystery, Thriller

Pages: 336

Setting: Georgia (US), modern-day

Madeline Brimley is the lead in Booked For Murder. Years after leaving Georgia to follow her dreams, she is overloaded with bad news after bad news.

She fails to find success with her new life. She learns that her beloved aunt has passed and that her aunt’s bookstore has no one there to run it. Upon returning to Georgia to claim the bookstore, she finds it on fire.

It isn’t until there is another fire and a murder in the bookstore that Madeline decides to investigate before she finds herself in even worse trouble.

Madeline is already a very likeable character. She comes across as very ambitious, courageous, and headstrong. Her stack of unfortunate events makes her seem very human and makes you (or me, at least) desperately hope for a good outcome for her.

The Resurrectionist – A. Rae Dunlap

Expected publication: December 24, 2024

Genres: Historical Fiction, Mystery, Horror, LGBTQ+

Pages: 336

Setting: Scotland, 1828

The Resurrectionist is my only historical fiction pick of the month but I have high hopes for it!

After travelling to Edinburgh to study surgery, James Willoughby no longer leads a sheltered life. His desperation to learn about the cutting edge medical discoveries of his time pushes him to Nye, a knowledgeable dissectionist.

Following a deal between the two, James takes on the role of body snatcher’s accomplice. However, he doesn’t realised that’s what he’s become.

James’ life takes an unexpected turn as he finds himself against rival body snatching gangs who are willing to murder for power.

This story sounds like it will be an incredibly intriguing read. I’m mostly excited for the moral complexity through James’ character. It will be fascinating to explore his view of the risks and rewards of attempted scientific advancements and knowing when he thinks enough is enough.

I am also very invested in characters with big life changes and The Resurrectionist has just that. With James building a new life based on his passions, I’m looking forward to learning how his character develops through the story.

Which December new release are you most excited for? Let me know in the comments below!


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