I read five books in March, all of which were excellent. This isn’t always the case so I’m pleased to see that quality is winning over quantity. I also have some great books lined up for my April reading, including Anya Lipska’s Death Can’t Take a Joke. My crime 
fiction highlight of the month was attending Anya’s book launch at Daunt Books in Holland Park. Watch this space for the review.
My pick of the month, as you can probably guess from the review, is Irene by Pierre Lemaitre. Although breathtaking in its violence, it is also highly original and is shaping up to be my book of the year. I can’t recommend it highly enough.
The five books I read for Crimepieces were:
1. Alex by Pierre Lemaitre
2. Irene by Pierre Lemaitre
3. I Can See in the Dark by Karin Fossum
4. Scarred by Thomas Enger
5. Emperors Once More by Duncan Jepson
Sarah – A fine selection! And lucky you to have been at the launch for Death Can’t Take a Joke. I’m so happy that Kershaw and Kiszka are back. 😉
Yes, me too. Now to read the book…
I read Irene last month and loved it
Good to hear, Stu.
I’m currently reading Lemaitre’s novel about WW1 (non-crime) and he just has such an interesting and very readable style. Enjoyed both Alex and Irene, although they definitely require a strong stomach! And I’d have loved to be at the launch of Anya Lipska’s novel – sadly, no trip to London on the cards for me this past month!
Thanks Marina Sofia. I hadn’t realised Lemaitre had written about WW1. I’ll dig it out I think.Hopefully we’ll meet up at one of these events someday.
Still dithering over some of these – what a great month’s reading Sarah.
Thanks Moira.
Good for you that you read books you really liked. I didn’t read Alex because a friend said the violence was too much, and I expect I’d find that with Irene. As I get older, I have less of a stomach for it, and want calmer books.
My favorite read for March was Visitation Street by Ivy Pochoda, set in Brooklyn, N.Y., and then I’d say Elly Griffiths’ The Outcast Dead and Mari Strachan’s Bones over a Dead Man’s Embers, set in 1921 Wales.
Just finished Helene Turston’s The Fire Dance, an Irene Huss book, and wrestling with what to read next.
Thanks for letting me know what books you enjoyed, Kathy. I’ve just finished ‘The Outcast Dead’ which I enjoyed. The review is coming shortly. I’ll look out for the Mari Strachan and Helen Tursten.
I’ve just read both the Anya Lipska books and finished each one in a day which makes it clear how much I enjoyed them (though the rest of my daily activities suffered!). I’m sure you’ll enjoy Death Can’t Take A Joke. Coincidentally I also picked up a copy of Alex in my local charity shop yesterday, so I’m really looking forward to getting stuck into that one too.
Great news. I’m about to start the second book of Anya Lipska’s. I’m looking forward to it.
Alex was available cheap in the Kindle version recently, so I bought it. I had been avoiding it for exactly Kathy’s reasoning. But I have decided to give it a try.
Great. It’ll be interesting to hear what you think, Tracy. I think it’s a book that’s one of its kind but definitely not for everyone.
Sarah, I’m still debating whether to buy ALEX or not. I have read mixed reviews about this book. Than again, I might settle for IRENE.
Hi Prashant. If I had to choose between the two, I would go for Irene. Then move on to Alex if the author is for you. I’ll look out for your review.
Is the violence really necessary for either Alex or Irene? Can’t it be alluded to without gory descriptions?