It’s December – almost – so time to check in on my book count challenge…

Bum.

November has been busy, so after getting back on track with 100 books to the end of October, a slow month in November has meant that I’ve got to get through thirteen books next month if I’m going to hit the magic 120… Challenge Accepted!

But before we find out if I can manage that next month, let’s see how this month went with regards to reading…

Seven books – meh. I did waste a lot of time trying (twice) to get through a book that I really wanted to like, but never made it past the first quarter. Have to be more ruthless next month. Those seven were:

Two Times Murder by Adam Oyebanji The author manages the “difficult second book” in a series with aplomb.

The Christmas Eve Murders by Noelle Albright Perfectly fun Christmassy fare. Nice characters, not too taxing…

The Ring Of Innocent by Brian Flynn My monthly re-read of the Mighty Flynn…

Death Rites by Sarah Ward The start of a new series from Sarah, and definitely worth your time.

A Thief’s Blood by Douglas Skelton More Georgian thrills with Jonas Flynt.

The Indian Rope Trick by Tom Mead A short story impossible murder collection mostly featuring Joseph Spector.

City Of Destruction by Vaseem Khan Back to post-partition Bombay and Detective Persis Wadia.

OK, bit of a difficult decision here. Plenty of good books here – all of them, in fact – and I’d recommend all of them but did any stand out ahead of the others with that specific “Wow!” factor? Not really – so I’m going to cheat and give bonus points to Adam Oyebanji for almost getting the Puzzly last month. I wrote then that he was out at the final hurdle as I’d be reading his next book next month and so he’d have another chance soon, so it only seems fair. So the Puzzly goes to Adam for Two Times Murder.

So, be back next month as I try and get through 13 books… Wish me luck!