Golden Hill by Francis Spufford

 
This is the story of a young man with a mystery who turns up in mid-eighteenth century New York, then a small colonial settlement of some 7,000 people.
I know nothing of 1746 New York but really enjoying learning about it as an English colony with a heavy Dutch influence, and slavery still the standard.
I felt the portrayal of New York was vivid, and the cast of characters believable!
The secret surrounding the mysterious Smith was intriguing right up till it was revealed at the end - I love a book where I have no idea of where it is going! 

Dracula by Bram Stoker

This classic horror story is actually told through a collaboration of journals, letters and papers.  The different viewpoints told via each journal create suspense which suits the gothic tone of the novel.
Although a classic, there are some flaws the novel does not explain - why is Dracula obsessed with Mina and the second half, where is there is less Dracula himself, is less gripping than the first half!

The Essex Serpent by Sarah Perry

 

Having read reviews, this book seems a little like marmite - you love it or you don't - I am in the later!  
This book had the feeling of a Charles Dickens novel in some ways; the strange pacing, the somewhat caricatured characters and the atmosphere were reminiscent of The Old Curiosity Shop for me. I loved her detail of Victorian life - the social issues, descriptions of early medical advance.
The Essex backdrop was brilliantly written though, and I loved the imagery and Perry's descriptive style. I also thought that the letters the characters exchange throughout the novel were nicely done. 
I liked all the symbolism - the serpent itself, possibly a multi faceted metaphor, representing at different times superstition, the general darkness of human nature, self doubt and destructiveness, the threat of adultery to a happy marriage, and indeed there could be a reading of the book in which Cora is the Essex Serpent.
However, I didn't really warm to the characters and at times I felt the book dragged!

 

Crooked House by Agatha Christie

This book contains no Miss Marple or Poirot. But I really enjoyed this story as it has interesting characterization and well-crafted plot. Infact this was one of Christie's own favourites! It is a dark story! 

What will remain by Dan Clements

 
What will remain is a war novel born out of the author's own experiences of serving with the Royal Marines in Afghanistan. It consists of a series of distinct but closely interwoven stories told against the backdrop of the conflict. It is on the Guardian's "Not the Booker" shortlist. 
At times, it felt a jumbled mixture of background, emotion and opinion - which at times meant I didn't enjoy it.

THE LESS THAN PERFECT LEGEND OF DONNA CREOSOTE by Dan Micklethwaite

 
This is on  shortlist for the not-the-booker-prize 2016. It tells the story/love-live of  a wine guzzling twenty-two year old whose life revolves around the stories she reads in books. Though it has some very funny moments, this is a very sad book. But it wasn't for me - I didn't connect at all with the main character, Donna!

The Sellout by Paul Beatty

Out of all the man Booker longlist I enjoyed this the most. It is a study of and commentary on race - very wittily done with so much in this book usually off limits and taboo. I loved the idea of employing humour to deal with serious subjects.
The pace of the book moves fast.
However, it is not an easy read - there were no 'normal sentences' and that was very tiring and there was lots of linguistic humour which as a white english person it meant it was hard to follow.