Five picks for March

Buzz Reads is a column about books by reviewer Cindy Burnett. Each month, Cindy recommends five recently or soon-to-be released titles.

Blood Relay by Devon Mihesuah (mystery/thriller) – Choctaw Detective Perry Antelope and her partner Sophia Burns are called in to investigate the disappearance of Dels Billy, a beloved women’s Indian Horse Relay rider. Together they uncover connections between Dels’s disappearance and a series of unsolved abductions of Native women from across the state. But as the perpetrator continues to elude the duo, Perry races to solve the cases while also protecting herself and her family. This fabulous mystery grabbed me from page one. I loved learning more about the Choctaw people and their culture, food, and way of life as well as learning about Indian Relay Racing and other tribal Nations in Oklahoma. The female characters are strong and fierce, and the dialogue, plot, and setting are all well-crafted. Blood Relay is for fans of Indigenous stories, strong female characters, and solid mysteries.

Cleopatra by Saara El-Arifi (historical fiction) – Everyone knows the name Cleopatra, but few understand who she truly was. In this novel, El-Arifi brings to life the real woman: her humanity and life story in all of its many facets and complexities as told by Cleopatra herself. As the novel opens, Cleopatra is thrust upon the throne after her father’s death, and the story follows her for the next 20 years as she rules Egypt and fends off threats from within and abroad. This epic, fiercely feminist tale is rooted in African history and culture and told with a shimmer of magic as a nod to her followers who believed her to be an actual goddess. Cleopatra narrates her story, which works beautifully, and the time period and setting leap off the page. This book is a great fit for fans of a strong sense of place, powerful women, and lyrical writing.

Lady Tremaine by Rachel Hochhauser (fairy tale retelling) – Lady Tremaine is a clever reimagining of Cinderella told from the perspective of the infamous “evil stepmother.” Twice widowed, Etheldreda struggles to raise her two children and a haughty and overly pious stepdaughter with little money and a dilapidated house. Refusing to give in to her misfortune, Ethel believes that her family’s respectability will land her daughters’ desirable marriages. When a royal ball is announced, she risks everything to make sure her daughters will be invited, only to see her spoiled stepdaughter catch the prince’s eye. This book was a joy to read from beginning to end, and I constantly marveled at the way Hochhauser reframed the story so skillfully to make Lady Tremaine a more sympathetic character. Readers will delight in all of the references to Cinderella and relish the way Hochhauser casts details from the original story in a new light. This book will appeal to fans of reimagined fairy tales and stories about strong women who chart their own course.

Nonesuch by Francis Spufford (magical realism) – This time-bending story opens in the summer of 1939 as Iris Hawkins enjoys a spontaneous evening with Geoff, an engineer involved with the latest technology of television. This one-night encounter pulls her into another realm where time bends, otherworldly spirits can be beckoned, and history permanently altered. While London burns on the midst of the Blitz, in the warped passages between past and present, a fascist fanatic is hoping to rewrite history, and Iris is the only person who can stop her. This urgent and enthralling story feels very timely and is an incredibly immersive read. One particular standout – Spufford vividly describes what it must have been like in London during the Blitz – the sleeplessness, the ruins, the noise, and the raids alongside the demands of ordinary life. This book will appeal to fans of strong settings, history, speculative fiction, and unique tales.

Wait for Me by Amy Jo Burns (historical fiction) – Folk singer Elle Harlow is at the height of her career in 1973 with two wildly popular albums and a devoted fan base. After performing on the iconic Grand Ole Opry stage, Elle simply vanishes. Twenty years later, 18-year-old Marijohn Shaw is spending her summer writing songs, missing her mother, and pumping gas at her family’s gas station. When a meteor lands in the woods near Marijohn’s small Pennsylvania town, an item tied to Elle Harlow surfaces, setting in motion events that will upend everything Marijohn thought she knew. Burns’ writing is outstanding, and I found myself constantly reflecting back on entire passages. Music lyrics, which are sprinkled throughout the book, meld seamlessly into the story. This will be one of my top reads of the year. Wait for Me is perfect for those who love stories about music and musicians, found family, and second chances.

Editor’s note: Book reviewer Cindy Burnett also writes our weekly Page Turners column at thebuzzmagazines.com. She hosts an award-winning book podcast entitled Thoughts from a Page Podcast www.thoughtsfromapage.com, runs the Instagram account @thoughtsfromapage, and regularly speaks to groups about books.