The best book I read in March (2024)

[C.J.]

Another month has passed, and it's time to check in with each other and recommend good reads from the past month. What did you discover in March?

Lately, I've been tackling books for the Series Challenge. I've been working my way through James Ponti's City Spies series, which brings together a group of exceptional kids from all over the world. Their handler (a great guy) goes by the code name Mother. These books are action/adventure meets mystery. I also picked up where I left off in the Mo & Dale Mysteries with Bk2: The Ghosts of Tupelo Landing by Sheila Turnage. These have more of a small town vibe, with Southern charm & plenty of quirkiness. And I've caught up to what's available in the Aggie Morton, Mystery Queen series, in which Marthe Jocelyn pays homage to Agatha Christie. (I really hope there will be more books!) Of course, there were some stand-alones in the mix for March. I really liked Karthik Delivers by Sheela Chari, a slice-of-life story about a family & their connections to the Indian community & folks in their neighborhood. And if you enjoy stories with a gothic flare (oppressed orphans, et. al.) Scar Island by Dan Gemeinhart gives the genre a Lord of the Flies twist.

[Angela]

Apparently, this was the month of authors from outside of the US for me, since the two books that stood out in March were similar in that way. Dread Detention is a MG horror that had intense creep factor, lots of action-adventure, a little mystery, and a solid ending. Looking forward to seeing where this series goes.

The Deadly Daylight was a fun mystery with a quirky heroine and a unique funeral home setting. The mystery was perfectly paced and smoothly transitioned into a satisfying resolution. I can't wait for the next in this series.

Can't wait to hear what everyone else recommends!

[Cherry Maple]

Jinx was a little dark, but I enjoyed the mystery and magic. Odder was a lovely story told through poetry. I'm glad a gave it a try.

[C.J.]

Cherry Maple wrote: "Odder was a lovely story told through poetry. I'm glad a gave it a try."

Ah! I've been meaning to read Odder! (And not only because I'm usually searching for an "O" book for the A to Z Challenge. : )

[C.J.]

Angela wrote: "Apparently, this was the month of authors from outside of the US for me, since the two books that stood out in March were similar in that way."

Wow! I'd not heard of either of these series, and I'm always on the lookout for both suspense & mysteries. Adding to me ever-growing To Read Pile. Thanks for your recs!