There's nothing I love more than a great Nordic Noir novel, and today’s blog post is dedicated to celebrating the best of the Scandinavian crime novels 2019 had to offer. 2019 saw the return of some of my personal favorite authors (new Nesbø book, here’s looking at you!) and introduced me to a number of new-to-me authors as well. As always with these sorts of lists, narrowing down my picks proved a very tricky task, but I’m absolutely confident that the titles listed here will deliver all the atmosphere, rich character development, and gritty mystery that any Nordic Noir reader could hope for. Whether you’re a longtime fan of this category of crime fiction or are new to the genre entirely, there’s a book for you on this list.
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CBTB’s Best Psychological Thrillers of 2019
What a year it has been for new crime fiction!! At the end of the year, there’s nothing quite as fun as reflecting on all the incredible books we’ve been able to read thanks to the hard work of so many talented authors. Today I want to kick off a series of “Best of 2019” posts with a roundup of the best psychological thrillers and psychological suspense of the year! This year saw the release of so many exciting new debut novels and the return of tons of CBTB-favorite psychological thriller authors, and I am so excited to share this list with you all. It’s always so challenging to narrow down lists like this, but I had to cut this list off at 11 titles - otherwise I would have kept adding to it forever. Read on for my picks for best psychological thrillers of 2019!
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Book Review: THE ABSOLUTION by Yrsa Sigurdardottir
It’s the rare author who truly gets better with each new book, but then nothing about Yrsa Sigurdardottir is typical. A director at one of Iceland’s largest engineering firms, Yrsa’s second job just happens to be as a bestselling crime novelist with a growing international readership and a fantastic movie adaptation of one of her novels, I Remember You, under her belt, too. Yrsa’s qualifications alone make her a great candidate for your next author to investigate, and that’s before we even talk about her books themselves. Yrsa is currently in the middle of releasing her Children’s House series—a stellar Nordic crime series that is one of my favorite new series launches of the 2010’s. THE ABSOLUTION, the third installment in the Children’s House series, releases in the US on February 11, 2020, and it’s the best book in the series yet. True to theme for the Children’s House books, THE ABSOLUTION explores the lasting impact of childhood trauma; in this case, our story centers around the insidious nature of bullying. As with all of her series releases thus far, Yrsa displays in THE ABSOLUTION astute emotional intelligence and crafty, masterful plotting in equal measure. A rich, layered crime novel with a dark atmosphere and darker crimes, THE ABSOLUTION is a must-read this winter.
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Cover Reveal and Mini Q&A: HIS & HERS by Alice Feeney
Alice Feeney has quickly become one of my favorite psychological thriller writers. From her addictive and twisty debut Sometimes I Lie to her dark and sinister I Know Who You Are, Feeney’s storytelling consistently delivers all the thrills, chills, and entertainment value a psychological suspense reader could want. A new novel from Alice Feeney is always cause for celebration, and today I’m absolutely thrilled to share with CBTB readers an exclusive cover reveal for her 2020 release, HIS & HERS, on sale July 2020! Read on for all the details on Alice Feeney’s 2020 release, including plot summary, a mini Q&A with the author herself, links to pre-order the book should you wish to do so, and, of course, a look at the book’s stunning (and creepy!) cover.
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Book Preview: THE OTHER PEOPLE by C.J. Tudor
Every reader has that select list of authors whose new books they simply must read, no matter what. C.J. Tudor is on my version of that list. Beginning with her stunning debut THE CHALK MAN, Tudor’s fierce originality and utterly original voice has captivated me. And if I thought I loved THE CHALK MAN, I was doubly obsessed with her sophomore novel, THE HIDING PLACE. Tudor’s work is a blend of fresh psychological scares and throwback horror nostalgia; in short, it’s a must if you’re someone who wants to be thoroughly entertained and really, really creeped out. Tudor is a brilliant new voice in suspense fiction, and one of the rare authors whose work really does seem to just get better and better with everything she writes. I’m absolutely thrilled, then, to share with CBTB readers an early glimpse into C.J. Tudor’s newest novel: THE OTHER PEOPLE, coming to a bookstore near you on January 28, 2020!
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