BLOCK 46 by Johana Gustawsson is a book that defies categorization. At surface level, this is a hardboiled serial killer thrillerβbut delve a little deeper and readers will discover a historical fiction component, and a touch of Nordic Noir as well. This book spans decades and countries, and draws readers into a dark web of twisted, brutal crimes and their fallout. BLOCK 46 sets the tone for Gustawsson's Roy and Castells series with a confident, ambitious story that will keep readers coming back for more.
Read MoreBook Review: WHAT MY BODY REMEMBERS by Agnete Friis
Agnete Friis is one half of the writing duo responsible for the bestselling THE BOY IN THE SUITCASEβand this May, she makes her solo U.S. debut in WHAT MY BODY REMEMBERS, a hypnotic, taut suspense novel that delves into the past of a young mother desperate to protect her son from social services, and from her own demons. This unique little book packs an emotional punch: it has all the brooding atmosphere and rich character development characteristic of Nordic Noir, but without the violence and police procedural angle typical of the genre.
Read MoreBook Review: THE FOURTH MONKEY by J.D. Barker
Sometimes you just need a seriously twisted and totally engaging serial killer thrillerβand THE FOURTH MONKEY is that book. Author J.D. Barker serves up a twisty and original take on the classic cop vs. serial killer thriller in THE FOURTH MONKEY. Fans of Se7en and The Silence of the Lambs: listen up, this oneβs for you.
Read MoreBook Review: INTO THE WATER by Paula Hawkins
I've been sitting on this review for a little while now, not wanting to admit that a book as highly anticipated as INTO THE WATER just didn't work for me. But it's just the truth: INTO THE WATER didn't work for me. INTO THE WATER might be better appreciated as women's fiction or literary fiction rather than crime fiction. But of course, I'm writing this review from a crime fiction perspective, for readers who will see the name Paula Hawkins and think "psychological thriller"βso I can only be honest: this book didn't hold up against Hawkins' debut.
Read MoreBlog Tour | Book Review: FAITHLESS by Kjell Ola Dahl
I read a lot of Nordic Noir, and I just never, ever tire of it. Itβs above and beyond my favorite subgenre of crime fiction, and Iβm always on the lookout for opportunities to try books from Scandinavian authors whose work I havenβt read before. In that spirit, Iβm delighted to be participating in the blog tour for FAITHLESS by Kjell Ola Dahl today!
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