This month, two powerful new novels bring the past into sharp focus, intertwining murder investigations with profound reflections on identity, community, and the struggles of marginalized groups in modern-day England and Puerto Rico.
**Bog Queen: A Novel**
Anna North (Bloomsbury Publishing, 288 pp., $28.99, October 2025)
In *Bog Queen*, Anna North’s fourth novel, readers are taken on a captivating journey that merges historical fiction with a compelling mystery. Set against the backdrop of ecological devastation and economic uncertainty, North’s narrative is a poignant exploration of the many interests that converge on the natural world today.
The story unfolds in two distinct time periods: modern-day England in 2018, where Agnes, an American forensic anthropologist, is investigating a 2,000-year-old corpse uncovered from a peat bog in the market town of Ludlow. Simultaneously, the narrative transports us to ancient Britain, where a young druid embarks on a journey from his town to Camulodunum—present-day Colchester—during a time of significant societal transformation brought on by the Roman Empire.
The alternating chapters between Agnes and the druid reveal significant moments in the town’s history. Agnes’s narrative takes place during a critical period for the peat bog, which, after years of exploitation, is on the verge of being developed into housing. Meanwhile, the druid’s story captures the profound shifts occurring in Celtic society as the Roman Empire expands.
North’s writing demonstrates a deep empathy for her characters, each of whom grapples with their own blind spots while being passionately dedicated to their respective causes. Agnes is particularly captivated by the bog body, viewing it as a “rare transfigured human being” that embodies a profound connection to the past. However, she is also acutely aware of the consequences of her work, feeling a visceral pain for the bog itself as it is stripped bare for development.
As environmental activists urge her to abandon the dig in favor of rewilding the bog, Agnes reflects on the climate crisis and the overwhelming scale of the challenges ahead. Despite her knowledge, she struggles to reconcile the enormity of the situation with the intimate, tactile realities of her work.
As *Bog Queen* reaches its conclusion, it becomes evident that this narrative is about far more than a simple conflict among scientists, environmentalists, and corporate interests. North’s novel delves into the complexities of duty, ambition, and community, leaving readers with a sense of the mystery of the world—both ancient and modern.
**This Is the Only Kingdom: A Novel**
Jaquira Díaz (Algonquin Books, 336 pp., $28, October 2025)
In *This Is the Only Kingdom*, Jaquira Díaz’s debut novel, the titular phrase resonates deeply as one of the protagonists reflects on the harsh realities of life in the 1990s Puerto Rico. “Hell wasn’t real, and heaven was no kingdom,” she thinks, encapsulating the struggles faced by the characters in this powerful work of fiction.
Set in the projects of Humacao, Puerto Rico, and spanning several generations, Díaz crafts a narrative steeped in themes of racism, homophobia, and the impact of U.S. imperialism. The residents of el Caserío Padre Rivera face the grim realities of their environment, as the community is marked by loss, resilience, and the complexities of human relationships.
The novel begins in 1975 with Maricarmen and her sister, Loli, the few white children in a predominantly Black neighborhood. Maricarmen’s relationship with Rey, a charming yet troubled young man, sets off a series of events that lead to her estrangement from her family. Maricarmen becomes a young mother to Nena, while Rey’s criminal activities thrust his family into turmoil.
As the narrative unfolds, readers witness the lives of Tito and Nena, who navigate the repercussions of their parents’ choices. The challenges they face—marked by identity struggles and societal rejection—are poignantly captured in Díaz’s writing. Nena, grappling with her sexuality, faces the harsh realities of a world unwelcoming to difference, while Tito embodies the vulnerability that society often fails to embrace.
A tragedy strikes el Caserío, leading Maricarmen and Nena to relocate to Miami, where they confront not only their past but also the racism and ignorance that haunt them in their new environment. Díaz deftly weaves the complexities of U.S. colonialism into the narrative, highlighting the systemic inequities that plague Puerto Ricans both on the island and in the diaspora.
Through the experiences of her characters, Díaz underscores the harsh truths of marginalization and the struggle for belonging in a world that often denies their very existence. “The second they find out you’re from el Caserío, those gringos want nothing to do with you,” she writes, reflecting the painful reality of being overlooked and devalued.
Both *Bog Queen* and *This Is the Only Kingdom* are not just stories of individual journeys; they are expansive explorations of identity, community, and the enduring legacies of history. These novels invite readers to reflect on the past and its impact on the present, urging us to confront the complexities of our shared humanity.
