David S. Pederson's 3 favorite reads in 2023

Upon This Rock is a compelling mystery set in the small town of Orvieto in Italy.

My husband and I had just been to Italy in June of 2023, and this twisting, compelling story brought me right back to that beautiful country in its descriptive narrative and fascinating story. As a mystery writer, I found this story intriguing, fascinating, and well-written, and the characters likable and real.

I carried the book with me everywhere I thought I might have the opportunity to read, if only a few pages; the gym, a car ride, to bed, and over my morning coffee, and I always wanted more. I was well satisfied at the end, my only regret being it was over.

This, for me, was a true page-turner. I highly recommend this biography, even if you’re not, or weren’t, a George Michael fan.

I knew of George Michael’s music, but I knew next to nothing about who he was, where he came from, or what drove him to succeed. In this book, it’s all here, the difficult childhood with an overbearing father, the awkward early years, the chance meeting and life-long friendship with Andrew Ridgley, and George’s sordid sex life.

James Gavin shares with us all the intimate details, up to and including his death, and does it in a heartfelt, honest way. 

My Cat’s Guide to Online Dating is anything but a guide to online dating, it’s a compelling, frightening, bizarre, funny story that is almost too difficult to describe other than to say, you have to read it to find out for yourself.

When a young gay man’s hook-up ends up dead, Zach and his cat, Grace Jones, who communicates with him through the dead man’s phone via texts, partner up to dispose of the body, and more.

This story definitely made me laugh and also horrified me, sometimes on the same page. Mr. Baines is an excellent writer, and he crafts believable, well-fleshed-out characters while weaving a tale that is sometimes out of this world.