1. The novels of Robert Goddard
I discovered Goddard, a British mystery/suspense novelist, last year, almost by accident. In Pale Battalions, his second novel, was the first book I read on my new Kindle. Since then I've read eight more and have about seven to go. I'll parcel them out, because they're too good to gulp. There are missing heirs, stolen fortunes, mistaken identities, raffish con men, hot sex, and cold-blooded murder. These books have more twists than a box of macaroni, all rendered in Goddard's clear-eyed prose. You discover a guy who's doing work on such a high level, and the disturbing question occurs: Who else have I missed that's this good? (PB)
Scary question. Maybe that's why the T-shirt my wife gave me for my birthday reads, Quot libros, quam breve tempus: So many books, so little time.
More EW bests:
100 New Book Classics: The Top 25
The 25 Entertainers of the Year
10 Breakout Stars of 2008
