Thanks to a week of Spring Break, I read 42 books in March 2026 (please note, 10 of those are picture books), bringing my total books read in 2026 to 104. 

I read 21 cozy mysteries this month as I needed major escaping from the real world. The next highest I read were historical mysteries. Speaking of escaping, I read 11 books in the Lucy Stone mysteries series, thanks to Kindle Unlimited. Those are a blast from the past and just what I needed in a hard month. 

Here are the titles I gave five stars this month. A list of all the titles I read this month is at the end of this post. 

The Curious Case of the Poisoned Professor by Lucy Connelly

A new job can be killer in this series debut mystery set in Dillynaidd, Wales. I grabbed this delightful new cozy mystery on audio and it was so much fun. Wonderful setting, smart sleuth and interesting side characters. 

A Scoop of Deceit by Lena Gregory

This is such a fun series! I started this latest entry one evening after dinner and then finished it early the next morning – it’s that page turning! I love being back with Dani and her friends – what a great group. Their investigations and sleepovers show what good friends they are to each other. I can picture Dani’s apartment, her cat and the murder board front and center. I sure didn’t have to wait long for the action to start in this story and once it did, it just kept going until the breath-taking end. I found myself tapping my kindle almost too hard trying to get to pages to turn faster. What a solid mystery with so many twists – I suspected so many people and worried about Dani! She is brave and stubborn but she certainly gets to the heart of the matter!

Terror in Taffeta by Marla Cooper

This was such a fun start to a cozy mystery series! I read this in one day, having to take a break mid-day for other activities, and I could not wait to get back to Kelsey and the wedding nightmare of a century! I laughed out loud at several places, and held my breath other times, wondering just how it would wrap up.

The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion: Vol. 5 by Beth Brower

I just love this series, especially on audio and I feel like each entry gets better and better. I had all the feels when I listened to this and would be a lovely one to re-read during Christmas time. 

A Ghastly Catastrophe by Deanna Raybourn

Veronica Speedwell number 10. I do love this series, especially as audiobooks. Veronica is smart and funny and her banter with Stoker is just perfection. I enjoyed the mixture of science and superstition in this latest entry. 

More Than You Know by Anne Canadeo

Visit my full review for Kings River Life Magazine here. This is a page-turning historical mystery set in New York City in 1947. I could not stop thinking about it when I had to put it down. The plot is so well paced that I kept turning the pages, despite the late hour. Anne does a wonderful job weaving historical details into the story that I felt immersed in the time and place. As I read, I felt as though I were walking the streets of New York City in 1947 with Grace and Harry.

The Night We Met by Abby Jimenez

Started this the Tuesday it came out and finished it by Thursday of that week. So many heart eyes. Emotional, thoughtful, funny, real – everything we love about Abby Jimenez is in this book. I was sorry it ended. 

Tell me – what have you read that you enjoyed?

All the books I read in March 2026:

The Night We Met Abby Jimenez

More Than You Know Anne Canadeo

The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion: Vol. 4 Beth Brower

The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion: Vol. 5 Beth Brower

Death at the Dock Carmen Radtke

Ghost Wanted Carolyn Hart

Millie Fleur’s Poison Garden Christy Mandin

The Cat’s Eye Charm Clea Simon

Elvis & Romeo Visit the Vet David Soman

A Ghastly Catastrophe Deanna Raybourn

I’m Not the Only Murderer in My Retirement Home Fergus Craig

Loops Jashar Awan

Frog & Fly Jeff Mack

MSW A Question of Murder Jessica Fletcher

The Gruffalo Julia Donaldson

And then it’s spring Julie Fogliano

The Astral Library Kate Quinn

A Perfect Day Lane Smith

A Scoop of Deceit Lena Gregory

Christmas Cookie Murder Leslie Meier

Back to School Murder Leslie Meier

Easter Egg Murder Leslie Meier

St Patricks Day Murder Leslie Meier

Wedding Day Murder Leslie Meier

Father’s Day Murder Leslie Meier

Birthday Party Murder Leslie Meier

Bake Sale Murder Leslie Meier

Star Spangled Murder Leslie Meier

New Years Eve Murder Leslie Meier

Mother’s Day Murder Leslie Meier

And Then, Boom Lisa Fipps

The Trouble with Giraffes Lisa Mantchev

The Curious Case of the Poisoned Professor Lucy Connelly

Story of My Life Lucy Score

Terror in Taffeta Marla Cooper

Arson, Old Lace & Murder Michele Pariza Wacek

Bear Worries Natalia Shaloshvili

To Catch a Ghost Rachel Michelle Wilson

The Things We Leave Behind Rebecca Yarros

Fried Chicken Castañeda Suzanne Stauffer

Deadly Ambitions Terry Odell

A Honeymoon of Havoc Victoria Tait