5 Must-Read Novels in March

Craving suspense? Gripping plotlines, authentically chilling characters, unexpected twists, and a thrilling climax. Instead of rewatching your favorite thriller for the hundredth time, how about snuggling under the covers with these carefully selected new crime novels? Our recommendation: another mysterious tale from Stephen King, the latest thriller from Lisa Gardner, or Arnaldur Indridason's new work set in the heart of Île de Ré, signed by Philippe Besson…

Great Read: "Before Summer" by Lisa Gardner

For Whom? Fans of fast-paced investigations led by a strong-willed detective.

Synopsis: Welcome to Mattapan, a tough neighborhood in North Boston. Drug trafficking, counterfeit money, and identity forgery are everyday occurrences. Angelique Badeau, a young Haitian girl who arrived after the tsunami, mysteriously disappears. But why hasn't a serious, ambitious high school student, eager for a better life for herself and her little brother, returned home?

Frankie Elkin has made it her mission to find missing people abandoned by the police and their families. When she arrives in Boston, eleven months have passed since Angelique's disappearance. She reopens the case, faces opposition from the police, and distrust from the neighborhood, which disapproves of a white woman poking into their affairs.

Why You'll Love It: Lisa Gardner is a master of well-crafted thrillers. The author of "Save Your Skin" and "The House Next Door" skillfully highlights ultra-badass female protagonists. After Commander D.D. Warren and private detective Tessa Leoni, meet Frankie Elkin, a budding investigator specializing in cold cases involving minorities. The suspense builds, the book gets darker, and it's hard to put down. The best part? "Before Summer" is just the first installment in Frankie Elkin's series.

Great Read: "One Summer Evening" by Philippe Besson

For Whom? Nostalgic for the '80s, looking for a good crime novel reminiscent of good times.

Synopsis: "There was optimism, enthusiasm, cheerfulness. There was carelessness, indolence, a laissez-faire attitude, letting go." Why do stories have to end badly? Everything seemed perfect that summer: the warmth of the sun on the skin, the salty smell of the sea on wet swimsuits, the coolness of beer sipped after a day of doing nothing.

On the roads of Île de Ré, between Rivedoux and Saint Martin, Philippe Besson takes us through one of the most memorable moments of his adolescence. Philippe, childhood friend François, Christophe, Nicolas, Alice, and her brother Marc formed a group that seemed unshakeable. Except for the disappearance of one of them. That's when everything changes.

Why You'll Love It: Philippe Besson, known for "In the Absence of Men" and more recently "This is Not a Crime Story," delivers an almost autobiographical novel. Inspired by a true story from his vacations in the mid-'80s, the author captures moments of simplicity, narrates lazy summer days, and lets unease slowly settle in as the reader realizes that something serious is about to happen. With sensitivity, nostalgia, and melancholy, he takes us back to the '80s, those vacations, and the first stirrings of being 18.

Great Read: "Holly" by Stephen King

For Whom? Fans of horror and psychological thrillers that send shivers down the spine.

Synopsis: Nothing is more malevolent than what could actually happen. In this tale set during the coronavirus crisis, reality is almost scarier than fiction. Welcome to the Harris family, an octogenarian couple and former university professors—one in biology and the other in literature. Emily and Rodney are enjoying their retirement when mysterious disappearances of young people occur in their neighborhood.

When Bonnie Dahl's bicycle is found, investigator Holly Gibney agrees to come out of retirement to ensure justice is served. Little does she know that she will delve into the darkest depths of human madness. What unspeakable secrets do the walls lined with books of the Harris couple hide? Don't be fooled; the criminals are revealed in the first pages. What interests our horror king is the power of human insanity.

Why You'll Love It: After hundreds of horror novels, short stories, and other horror tales, the supernatural king completely abandons the fantastical and delivers a pure detective novel. We're delighted to see Holly, a recurring heroine from the Hodges trilogy and also present in "The Outsider." While the writer seems to borrow his tone from young adult novels, the targeted reader is quite different: Stephen King enjoys depicting our society in its total horror. And the only conclusion is this: after so many years, Stephen King has continued to stimulate his overflowing imagination and continues to take us on journeys through his brilliant mind.

Great Read: "The Outcasts" by Arnaldur Indridason

For Whom? Fans of historical crime novels with a simultaneously detestable and ultra-appealing investigator.

Synopsis: In previous episodes... Konrad is a retired inspector unable to stop poking his nose into criminal cases that his former colleagues continue to handle. It's in his blood! When a widow discovers a mysterious revolver among her late husband's belongings and takes it to the police, they quickly discover that it was used in a crime committed years ago in 1955. Inspector Konrad gets involved: this weapon worries him, the crime was never solved, and he is convinced he saw this gun in his father's hands.

In his brilliant mastery of suspense, Arnaldur Indridason takes us between past and present, lulling our vigilance to uncover the culprits. The best part? The historical aspect of this noir novel, as beyond a well-executed investigation, the author describes the dark period Iceland went through after the war when the rural and poor island abruptly entered modernity, and the Americans set up a military base.

Why You'll Love It: Arnaldur Indridason, the renowned Icelandic author, delivers the fifth volume of his Konrad series, including the excellent "The Wall of Silence." Sensitive souls, beware! Difficult living conditions, corruption, violence, abuse, zero tolerance for homosexuals, traumas, and memories impossible to forget... Throughout the investigations, the author doesn't hesitate to depict truly atrocious villains, portray Icelandic society in its darkest form, and address resolutely sordid themes.

Great Read: "The Black House" by Yûsuke Kishi

For Whom? Fans of crime novels looking for a story that stands out.

Synopsis: Shinji Wakatsuki is the model employee of an insurance agency in Kyoto. His role? Tirelessly track inconsistencies in death certificates; many policyholders are willing to make false statements for compensation. When contacted by Shigenori Komoda for an assessment at his house, he has no idea that this case would lead him to the depths of the human soul's darkness.

On-site, he discovers the body of a twelve-year-old swinging at the end of a rope. While his logic suggests suicide, his instinct tells him that something else happened in this gloomy home where the smell of death lingers. Haunted by an intimate tragedy resurfacing from his childhood, exhausted by frightening nightmares, imbued with a madness that builds up, Shinji finds himself trapped in an unhealthy spiral.

Why You'll Love It: Yûsuke Kishi had already made an impression with "Lesson of the Evil," in which, like here, he delves into the horrors and joys of the human psyche, with a cynical view of Japanese society. In this jubilant and cynical thriller, the author ventures into (very) visual gore. In the heart of this horror house, he immerses his reader in a dark fog, emerging only with a truth he would have preferred not to know. Brilliant!

There's Aiden and Blair, Rebecca and Ben, Whitney and Jacob. All are married, all live in this newly chic and residential American suburb, all have secrets. How did this child fall out of the window? Why does this neighbor barely make it into the absent neighbors' house? The mystery thickens, the suspense intensifies, and discomfort sets in until the final resolution. In a very "Desperate Housewives" vibe, Ashley Audrain explores maternal bonds, violence, and the secrets of mothers willing to do anything for their children.

Haunted by the buried secrets of his family, Nicolas Verlet leads an existence filled with questions, especially about the mysterious departure of his mother when he was very young. What really happened that day? Through his story, the back and forth between the 1970s and the search for an explanation by an adult and neglected Nicolas, we discover the various manipulations that marked his history. The characters are deep, the tension palpable: this brilliant crime novel is expertly led by Pierre Molina, who delivers his first novel with fluid and immersive narration, immersing us in an enchanting atmosphere at the heart of a dark and captivating story.

The Good Read: "Haute Couture: A Life Alongside the Greatest Couturiers" by Colette Maciet

For Whom? Fashionistas hungry for secrets about the world of fashion.

The Pitch: Paris, 1960s. Welcome to the elegant world of Parisian fashion. Colette Maciet was only 14 when she started learning the ropes, moving from workshops to workshops before becoming a premier atelier at 30. She then became the indispensable seamstress for the greatest designers such as Coco Chanel, Karl Lagerfeld, Hubert de Givenchy, Yves Saint Laurent, and Nina Ricci... An extraordinary destiny!

In an incredible journey filled with nostalgia, Colette Maciet immerses us in the heart of the golden age of French fashion. She witnesses this society in full transformation, becoming its confidante and knowing all its secrets, geniuses, flaws, splendor, and decadence. She also describes what her profession was like, from sketching to fittings to meetings with the creators. A captivating narrative!

Why You'll Love It: After four decades of loyal service to the most prestigious French haute couture houses, Colette Maciet delivers a precious testimony of this unique universe. She pays homage to all those unsung heroes, the skilled hands behind the fame of great designers. The cherry on top? Inès de la Fressange's touch, who brilliantly writes a preface worthy of such a story.

The Good Read: "The Unknown Woman in the Portrait" by Camille de Peretti

For Whom? Art history lovers who enjoyed "Girl with a Pearl Earring" by Tracy Chevalier.

The Pitch: Rosy cheeks, almond-shaped eyes, a crystalline gaze, black hair swept back... But who is this mysterious woman painted by Gustav Klimt in 1910? This famous Portrait of a Lady, this young girl, her tumultuous story, are a mystery both to the art world and to police investigators. From the streets of Vienna in 1900 to Texas in the 1980s, from Manhattan during the Great Depression to Italy in the 1920s, the author imagines a sweeping saga intertwining family secrets, spectacular successes, passionate quests, and dramas.

This is the story of the unknown woman in the portrait, at least as imagined by Camille de Peretti, inspired by the reality of this artwork, from its theft to its restitution, including the arrest of a forger... The book is difficult to put down, and the suspense is utterly addictive!

Why You'll Love It: It's always impressive to see how, with a bit of imagination and a lot of talent, anything can come to life. Camille de Peretti takes her role very seriously: the author has the art and the way of recounting fabulous destinies, drawing her reader into the psychology and intimate thoughts of her characters. The cherry on top? Enjoying reconstructing this complex puzzle, navigating through fiction and reality. Eras blend, characters intertwine to form a brilliantly arranged puzzle at the end of which everything is masterfully clarified.

The Good Read: "An French Childhood" by Farida Khelfa

For Whom? Readers in search of a beautiful story about the quest for identity.

The Pitch: It is upon the death of her mother, and as she discovers the funeral rites of her origins, that fashion icon Farida Khelfa decides to delve into her childhood, in a moment of intense introspection. Coming from a family of Algerian immigrants, she had to invent herself, carve out a place in a new world, and find her own identity.

Through the lens of her childhood, sometimes raw and unfiltered, sometimes sensitive and poetic, she recounts the miserable housing projects, the men broken by illiteracy and colonization, the mothers petrified by the challenges of daily existence, her siblings raised in violence but bound together by the force of life. And later, her exile to Paris, where she encounters figures like Jean Paul Gaultier, Christian Louboutin, who will profoundly influence her life and her journey as a free woman, liberated from the dictates imposed by her family and society.

Why You'll Love It: The former model, who is also known for her work as a filmmaker and documentarian with projects like "Louboutin" and "On the Other Side of the Veil", presents her debut novel here. With extraordinary resilience, Farida Khelfa delivers a tough, ultra-inspiring, and deeply touching testimony. We'll remember as a mantra her ability to transform the cruelest details into a true zest for life.

The Good Read: "The Heartbreak" by Emmanuelle de Boysson

For Whom? Enthusiasts of fabulous women's destinies.

The Pitch: This is the story of Emma, the story of her heartbreak. Emma died on February 7, 2022. Her heart stopped beating for thirty minutes. A victim of a heart attack, she is saved and then plunged into an artificial coma. What follows is a long stay in the hospital, pain, numerous sequels, and sometimes despairing rehabilitation, with the sole objective of returning to a normal life. But after such an accident, can life remain the same?

Emmanuelle de Boysson narrates the battle Emma wages against herself, her new sensations, her relationship with death that she had never before questioned. The plus? The medical details are transcribed with meticulousness, her groans, her vomiting, her stiffness... everything is there, even the near-death experience, which the author approaches with just the right amount of humor, honesty, and sensitivity.

Why You'll Love It? Emmanuelle de Boysson has repeatedly demonstrated her talent for telling inspiring women's stories. Whether in "June," "I Live Only for You," or in her historical trilogy "The Time of Women," she approaches these wonderful destinies with joy and sometimes deeply moving sincerity. "The Heartbreak" is no exception: the writer delivers a true anthem to life and celebrates, with contagious enthusiasm, those little things that make our daily happiness.

The Good Read: "Nine Lives" by Peter Swanson

For Whom? Fans of psychological thrillers, unconditional fans of Agatha Christie's investigations.

The Pitch: Imagine receiving a mysterious list of nine names, including yours. Now notice that two of the people on this same list have died in equally mysterious circumstances. The countdown begins, fear grips your stomach, and you find yourself completely powerless against this new threat.

Yet nothing seems to link you to the others, neither age nor social background, and certainly not geographical location, as the people are scattered from Massachusetts to New York State, California, and even Michigan. Pure coincidence or premeditated murder? As more murders occur, FBI agent Jessica Winslow investigates the case, determined to get to the bottom of it... especially since her name is also on the list.

Why You'll Love It? Peter Swanson loves to build tension! He skillfully handles the psychology of the characters, who are carefully sketched out in short chapters that leave no room for respite. The crime fiction author, known for "Eight Perfect Murders" and "Rules for Perfect Murders", pays a deliberate homage to the queen of crime novels Agatha Christie and her book "And Then There Were None". His trademark? Literary references and his playful approach to mystery novel conventions. The thriller is so well-crafted that no clues are found before the final twist, which is truly surprising. Just brilliant!

Also, check out 12 love novels to read at least once in your life and the 5 good novels of February.