The following, in no particular order, are the best novels reviewed in The Epoch Times for 2025.
Mitch Albom’s ‘Twice’
Mitch Albom skillfully reinvigorates the time-travel genre by focusing on the profound consequences of second chances. Alfie Logan has the unique ability to relive any event of his life once, which he recounts to a security manager during an interrogation. Albom proves his literary talent by transforming a familiar concept into a deeply moving and unforgettable love story that explores fate and the true cost of correcting past mistakes. This is a modern classic—thrilling, heartbreaking, and wonderful.
“Twice” by Albom is reviewed here.
Benjamin Wood’s ‘Seascraper’
Longlisted for the Booker Prize, “Seascraper” is an exquisitely atmospheric novel set in 1962 England. It follows Thomas Flett, a young “shanker” enduring a harsh existence dragging tidal shores with his horse. His life changes when an American film director arrives. Benjamin Wood brilliantly explores the power of dreams and ambition amid privation, evoking the beauty found in classic tales like “The Old Man and the Sea.” It is a truly excellent, not-to-be-missed novel.
Read our review of “Seascraper” by Wood.
M.P. Woodward’s ‘Red Tide: A Novel of the Next Pacific War’
M.P. Woodward is a top contender for the military thriller crown. “Red Tide” is lightning-paced but doesn’t sacrifice technical accuracy or character development. A family of U.S. warriors are drawn into a high-stakes conflict between the United States and China. Woodward, a former naval intelligence officer, delivers a complex, realistic scenario that balances propulsive storytelling with genuine human emotion.
Visit the review of Woodward’s “Red Tide.”
Masashi Matsuie’s ‘The Summer House’
Masashi Matsuie’s debut novel is a brilliant poem in prose, chronicling a young designer’s summer retreat with an architectural firm in the mountains of Aoguri. Through quiet, exquisite vignettes, the book explores the sublime relationship between architecture and nature, and the subtle beauty found in purposeful design. Matsuie’s understated style and deep reverence for the craft paints a story of impermanence and human connections. An extraordinary literary accomplishment.
Read the review of “The Summer House” by Matsuie.
Sally Smith’s ‘A Case of Mice and Murder: The Trials of Gabriel Ward’
An absolute treasure of UK crime fiction, the story is set in the reclusive world of the Inner Temple in Edwardian London. We follow the meticulous barrister Sir Gabriel Ward, whose orderly life is upended by a high-profile murder and a curious copyright lawsuit. Author Sally Smith, a former barrister herself, infuses the story with invaluable firsthand insight, creating a witty, enrapturing, and brilliant novel perfect for “Downton Abbey” fans.
Here’s our review of “A Case of Mice and Murder: The Trials of Gabriel Ward” by Smith.
Ben Brooks’s ‘The Greatest Possible Good’
Ben Brooks’s debut novel offers a touching and humorous exploration of a wealthy British family in crisis. When the patriarch, Arthur, falls down a mineshaft and emerges with a newfound dedication to altruism, the dysfunctional Candlewick family is forced to confront their own unhappiness and redefine their lives. This is a clever satire with genuine emotion through which Brooks illustrates the hilarious and stirring struggle to become one’s best self. A highly recommended read.
Read our review of Brooks’s “The Best Possible Good.”
Jess Kidd’s ‘Murder at Gulls Nest’
With a gothic atmosphere and witty dialogue reminiscent of Agatha Christie’s works, this riveting mystery is set in 1950s England. Nora Breen is an ex-nun who leaves her order to investigate the disappearance of a friend at a seaside boardinghouse, one filled with eccentric characters. Jess Kidd presents a poetic and complex plot that keeps readers guessing. It is a “difficult to put down” novel that delivers a truly excellent reading experience.
Read our review of “Murder at Gulls Nest” by Kidd.
William Boyd’s ‘Gabriel Dax’ Series
“Gabriel’s Moon” and its sequel, “The Predicament,” establish a charming standard for “cozy” espionage fiction. Set in the 1960s, these compelling stories follow Gabriel Dax, a travel writer turned reluctant MI6 asset, from London to Cold War hotspots like Eastern Europe, Guatemala, and Berlin. Masterfully blending tension with wit, these “bon vivant” amateur spy adventures are some of the most enjoyable entries in the genre today.
Here are reviews of William Boyd’s “Gabriel’s Moon” and “The Predicament.”
Chaim Grade’s ‘Sons and Daughters’
A poignant novel, this is a beautiful and evocative memorial to the lost world of Yiddish-speaking Jewish culture in 1930s Lithuania. Set near Vilna, these stories offer us a unique and meaningful glimpse into a community struggling to maintain faith and tradition against modernity and political tides. It is a heartfelt elegy for author Chaim Grade’s homeland, celebrating the rich family drama and cultural depth with powerful grace and resonance.
Read our review of “Sons and Daughters” by Grade.
Annie Hartnett’s ‘The Road to Tender Hearts’
In a joyfully complex and unexpectedly sweet novel, a struggling alcoholic named PJ Halliday takes his daughter, two sudden wards, and a possibly mystical cat named Pancakes on a chaotic road trip across America. Blending dark humor with genuine emotion, Annie Hartnett expertly navigates themes of grief, self-delusion, and connection, making for a brisk, page-turning adventure that leaves readers rooting for every character.
Here’s the review of “The Road to Tender Hearts” by Hartnett.
Honorable Mentions
“Vanished” by Dr. David Jeremiah and Sam O’Neal
“The Color of Death” by Trey Gowdy and Christopher Greyson
“The Samurai of the Red Carnation” by Denis Thériault
“My Friends” by Fredrik Backman
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