The best new books coming out in March 2024
Celebrate World Book Day with an array of new novels. Here are our literary top picks for March
With World Book Day celebrated on 7 March, there’s no better time to stock up your bookshelf with some brilliant new reads. Accordingly, bibliophiles won’t be disappointed with the new books March 2024 has in store for the literary world – with some highly-anticipated releases on the roster.
From crime thrillers such as Tana French’s The Hunter to historical novels such as The Great Canal, there’s a wide range of books landing on the shelves this month. We’ve picked the ones we can’t wait to get our hands on.
Women of Good Fortune by Sophie Wan
Set against a backdrop of glitz and glamour of a high society wedding in Shanghai, this heartfelt and funny novel is about three women and their cunning plan to avoid an arranged marriage. When protagonist Lulu finds herself engaged to the city’s most eligible bachelor – who she neither love nor want to marry – she counts on her two best friends to hatch a plan: steal the wedding money and make a run for it. But that will come at a steep price…
The Hunter by Tana French
Published on 7 March, The Hunter revolves around a former American cop who has moved to Ireland for a peaceful life, only to find himself in the middle of a family feud. Ex-detective Cal Hooper started dating local woman Lena soon after his arrival in the Emerald Isle, and formed a bond with her teenage daughter Trey. But when Trey’s father makes a surprise appearance and plans to whisk her away from the only family she’s ever known, Hooper has no option but to get involved. This is a tense, slow-burn thriller perfect for those who need a book they won’t be able to put down.
The Great Divide by Cristina Henriquez
Cristina Henriquez’s latest novel is a searing portrait of the rarely-discussed history of the Panama Canal – and the unsung people who lived and laboured in its shadow. Featuring five different narratives from different characters, The Great Divide explores the lives of the labourers, fishmongers, journalists, protesters and doctors who lived alongside the construction of the canal, and the challenges and successes they faced as the world’s greatest waterway was developed.
Annie Bot by Sierra Greer
This debut novel, published on 14 March, touches on the controversial subject of AI from the perception of a robot whose sole purpose is to fulfil the needs of her owner, Doug. Annie is a well-domesticated girlfriend-robot, but as she grows her own self-awareness, she wonders what life is like for a real human – and what is actually outside the four walls of Doug’s home. A thought-provoking novel, Greer examines the sensitive relationship between creator and creation, and human and AI.
How To Solve Your Own Murder by Kristen Perrin
A cosy thriller which follows in the footsteps of Richard Osman’s Thursday Murder Club, Perrin’s debut novel follows Frances, who was told at the age of 17 that she would be murdered – and the fortune teller she visited happened to be right. While Frances tried to track down her killer for the remainder of her years before her destined end, no one actually believed she would be murdered until it was too late. Having stated in her will that the relative who solves her murder will inherit her millions, her great-niece Annie takes it upon herself to try and solve the mystery…
There's Always This Year by Hanif Abdurraqib
Last but certainly not least, on 26 March, comes one of the most highly-anticipated books of the year from one of America’s most celebrated writers. Having grown up during the golden age of American basketball – the 1990s – Abdurraqib’s lifelong love of the game has led him to write this historical and emotional exploration of what it means to make it, who we think deserves success, and what it means to be a role model.
Read more: The best new films and TV shows to stream in March 2024
