As you might know, I recently posted my list of Top 10 Reads of 2016. Well, narrowing down that list was so hard—I read so many fantastic books this year, both from authors I already loved and from authors who were brand-new to me!
In that spirit, I wanted to take a moment to appreciate five additional authors who were new to me this year, and whose work I can’t wait to read more of in the future.
1: Ragnar Jonasson
I can’t say it enough: Jonasson is a brilliant writer. His Dark Iceland series is just fantastic, with strong inspiration drawn from Agatha Christie and a moody, chilling atmosphere all its own. His books are masterfully plotted, slow-burning mysteries. I just read book 3 in the series, BLACKOUT, and it’s my favorite in the series yet! And American readers, we’re all in luck: the Dark Iceland series is coming to the US in January with book 1, SNOWBLIND.
2: Emelie Schepp
Schepp’s US debut, MARKED FOR LIFE, immediately drew me in with its dark plot and strong female protagonist. Her writing is fast-paced, vivid, and engaging—I was completely wrapped up in her work! Schepp’s writing is a perfect introduction to Scandinavian crime fiction: its pacing will appeal to psychological thriller readers, but it has all the atmosphere and grit of Nordic Noir.
3: Gilly Macmillan
Technically speaking, I first dabbled in Macmillan’s writing in 2015 when I dipped into WHAT SHE KNEW, but it wasn’t until this year that I really connected with her work. This summer I read her newest release, THE PERFECT GIRL, and I completely loved it. It’s a character-driven psychological suspense novel that explores the dynamics between family members, and the secrets that can exist in those relationships. Macmillan’s writing is immediately engaging and accessible.
4: Rena Olsen
Olsen's debut THE GIRL BEFORE was one of the most surprising and refreshing psychological thrillers I read this year. It truly was nothing like I expected it to be—it far surpassed my expectations. What makes her book so exceptional is the sensitivity and compassion with which she handles sensitive issues of emotional and physical abuse. Olsen is a therapist by trade, and her professional experience truly enhances her writing—her debut is an insightful and moving one. THE GIRL BEFORE left me thinking long after I turned the final page.
5: Thomas Enger
Last but certainly not least, Enger’s Henning Juul series is a true gem. I picked up book 1 (BURNED) this year, and found it to be an instantly engaging page-turner. Sometimes you pick up a book that just perfectly fits your mood—that’s how BURNED was for me. Enger writes an endearing and sympathetic protagonist, a journalist returning to work after a personal tragedy. His writing is fast-paced and dark, yet also sensitive and melancholy—a Scandinavian crime novel with a heart. Enger’s fourth book in the series will be released in 2017, and I can’t wait to read it!
This post was inspired by Christine of WeeReader - check out her blog post on the same topic here!