My sister, Jennifer Lowe, is both an avid and eclectic reader, so she was a ‘shoe-in’ when I decided to ask some of the most avid readers I know for their Top 5 recommendations from 2015.

Note: The lists don’t have to comprise books published in 2015, just read this year.

Here’s Jennifer’s list:

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The Seeker, S.G. Maclean

Historical Fiction – Mystery – 17th century England

I loved this book which is an historical thriller set in Oliver Cromwell’s commonwealth. At the heart of this book is the murder of a soldier, a hero of  Cromwell’s army and the civil war, and the subsequent investigation led by Damian Seeker who is an agent of the Lord Protector. The plot is excellent, and the historical  period and characters are well-drawn. It was a real page-turner and I can’t wait for the second book in the series.
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Kingmaker: Winter Pilgrims, Toby Clements

Historical Fiction – War of the Roses – 15^th century England

The first of a trilogy set in the War of the Roses. The story is told from the point of view of ‘the common folk’ – the two main characters are Thomas and Katherine who have had to flee their priory and find themselves caught up in some of the key events, with Winter Pilgrims culminating in the bloody Battle of Towton. I found the story enthralling and Clements’ knowledge of the period, which he convincingly weaves into the story, is astonishing. Fantastic read and the follow-up (Kingmaker: Broken Faith) is equally good.
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The Mark of Cain, Lindsey Barraclough

Young Adult Fiction – Horror – Historical

This is the sequel to Barraclough’s first young adult book, Long Lankin. Four years have passed since the events covered in Long Lankin and The Mark of Cain continues the story of many of the characters from the first book. The story is set in a backdrop of witchcraft, bitter revenge, and murder and is the tale of two young girls in the early 1960s and their battle against a sixteenth-century evil. Well-written and hugely atmospheric.
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Vicious, V.E. Schwab

 Supernatural/Gothic Fantasy – Thriller

A revenge thriller about two highly intelligent young men who meet as a result of their research into the development of super-powers through near-death experiences. Neither of the main characters are terribly sympathetic and I don’t usually like books where this is the case, but the story was compelling which suggests how well-written it is. An original storyline with complex characters which I really enjoyed. I will look out for more books by this author.
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A Crown for Cold Silver: Book One of the Crimson Empire, Alex Marshall

Epic Fantasy

I really enjoyed the original story-line of this fantasy novel, all the more so because I didn’t expect it. There is a cast of interesting and diverse characters including the main character – a middle-aged woman who gave up a kingdom 25 years ago but finds herself forced to leave her self-imposed exile. The first in a series (of course!) I found it to be complex but with a witty, light touch.

~ Jennifer Lowe

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Jennifer Lowe has an MA in History and works in the justice sector. She doesn’t get to read fiction nearly as much as she would like, but primarily reads historical and mystery-thriller fiction. Books that combine elements of both and are well-written and researched, tend to be favourites.