Welcome to My Favourite Reads, the blog series where I share the books I’ve recently loved, and you share yours!

My March favourite reads are a bit lean, I’m afraid. Reading was sloooow. Mostly due to a fat paperback that I still haven’t reached the end of hogging my reading time. There were a few DNFs too (did not finish), and another book from a favourite author that I read but was disappointed by.

Anyway, here are the books I did enjoy, in no particular order.

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Dissolution by CJ Sansom

I love these kind of books—cosy historical mysteries with intricate plots and set in dangerous political climes. Even better when they’re a series.

In this case, Dissolution is set during the reign of King Henry VIII. Times are fraught, with Henry finding his wives unsatisfactory and Thomas Cromwell overseeing the dissolution of the monasteries. Cromwell tasks lawyer and hunchback Matthew Shardlake with investigating a wealthy monastery in which one of Cromwell’s previous inspectors has been murdered.

I found Dissolition fascinating, immersive (I could feel the cold and creepiness), twisty, and the perfect comfort read. Although set in different times, it reminded me of Graham Brack’s Master Mercurius Mysteries, and I love those.

I already have book two, Dark Fire, and will be reading that soon.

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We Begin at the End by Chris Whitaker

I’ve had my eye on We Begin at the End for quite a while. It won several major crime writing awards, including the CWA Golden Dagger and Theakston’s Old Peculiar Crime Novel of the Year, and the reviews are extraordinary. I wasn’t sure it was for me, though, but curiosity won out.

I really enjoyed this. The pace was slow at times, and I thought the story could have been tighter, but the characters and the mystery were superb.

If you decide to pick this up be warned: We Begin at the End is a dark and heart-wrenching story.

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The Knight and the Butcherbird by Alix E Harrow

I’ve been having a moment with short stories lately. They’re great palate cleansers between full-length books and fast to read. I read The Knight and the Butcherbird and one other short in March, but the other story was disappointing and hasn’t made it into My Favourite Reads.

The Knight and the Butcherbird did because it was not only beautifully written, it was a captivating dystopian fairytale that was both poignant and uplifting.

This is excellent short story writing and has only increased my admiration for Alix E Harrow.

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Mrs Hudson and the Samarkand Conspiracy by Martin Davies

Gawd, I adore this series. It’s so reliable and every book has been a joy to read. After a few DNFs, Mrs Hudson and the Samarkand Conspiracy was just the story to perk me up.

It’s filthy hot in London and the city is proving decidedly dull. Everyone is in a mood until Flottie reads a newspaper article to Sherlock and Watson about a mysteriously missing train. The game is once again afoot. There’s blackmail, international espionage, much bravery, and even a strange case of a vicar’s missing glasses.

I love how Flottie is growing in confidence and becoming more than a maid under Mrs Hudson’s wing. It’s so satisfying.

One of the best in an already excellent series. Highly recommended.

Next stop, Mrs Hudson and the Blue Daisy Affair. Rah!

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What wonderful books have tickled your fancy lately? Share away!

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