Dark atmospheres, richly developed characters, vivid sense of place, complex plots—these are just a few of the qualities that the Scandinavian crime fiction genre boasts, and they are all qualities that shine in the books I’ve selected for my Best Scandinavian Crime Novels of 2018. As CBTB readers well know, there’s nothing I love more than a really great Nordic crime read, and the Scandinavian books I read in 2018 absolutely blew me away. From new series launches to the return of old favorite characters and everything in between, I loved every moment spent in these books’ pages - and I’m so excited to share them with you today, too! Read on for my favorite Scandinavian crime fiction releases of the year—and make sure you’re all caught up on the best Nordic Noir of 2018 before 2019 arrives!
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Buzzworthy 2019 Book #1: STALKER by Lars Kepler
With another new year on the horizon, it’s time to begin one of my personal favorite blog series: Buzzworthy 2019 Books! If you’re new to CBTB, my “Buzzworthy Books” picks are aimed at highlighting early 2019 releases that might still be a few months away, but are worth adding to your TBR now. In these posts, I will highlight three key elements that make the featured book a must-read. I will be periodically releasing these Buzzworthy Books selections as we approach the new year—and once 2019 arrives, I’ll have a blog post up giving you a complete list of my Buzzworthy 2019 Books! So now, on to my first pick… STALKER by Lars Kepler, available February 5th, 2019! When I want a crime novel that’s gritty, unputdownable, and very dark, Kepler is one of my go-to authors - and this is exactly the kind of reading experience that STALKER delivers.
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Book Preview: THE MIDNIGHT WITNESS by Sara Blaedel
Sara Blaedel’s Louise Rick series is a veritable sensation around the globe. With over 3 million copies of her Louise Rick books in print, Sara is known as “Denmark’s Queen of Crime” for a reason. Readers will discover compelling investigations, endearing characters, and the immersive atmosphere of Denmark in Sara’s writing—and it’s this potent combination that has kept me coming back to her books over and over again. Thanks to Grand Central Publishing, I’m thrilled to share an excerpt from THE MIDNIGHT WITNESS (Book 1 in Blaedel’s Louise Rick series, now re-released in a new edition) with CBTB readers today! In this post, you will find an overview of the Louise Rick series, more information on THE MIDNIGHT WITNESS, and an excerpt from the book. Happy reading!
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6 Reasons to Read Scandinavian Crime Fiction This Summer
When you think “summer reading,” what kinds of books pop into your head? Something light and feel-good, maybe an inspiring memoir, or, if you want to venture into crime, a twisty domestic suspense novel... now, I love a good “beach read” as much as the next person, but today I want to make the case for why your summer reading list needs - or, dare I say, why it deserves - a dark and gritty Scandinavian crime novel, too. With each of the six reasons listed below, I’ll also provide an accompanying book recommendation that exemplifies that particular quality!
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Book Review: SLOWLY WE DIE by Emelie Schepp
Emelie Schepp is a self-made success story. Schepp self-published her debut novel, MARKED FOR LIFE, and went on to break records for self-published book sales in Sweden. Now an internationally-bestselling author, Schepp delivers her newest thriller to American audiences this June. SLOWLY WE DIE may be part of the Jana Berzelius series, but much of this book reads like a stand-alone. Shifting focus away from Jana’s personal backstory and towards a new - and chilling - case, SLOWLY WE DIE will be largely accessible to readers who have never dipped into this series before. Perhaps most interesting, though, is the decision by Schepp to take her Nordic thriller away from the traditional layered plotting and slow-burn pacing of Scandinavian crime, and towards a more commercial, brisk tone. With crimes plaguing the medical community at the center of this story, fans of medical thrillers by Tess Gerritsen and Patricia Cornwell are likely to be the audience best suited to Schepp’s story of decades-old vendettas in Sweden.
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