Book Review: SIRENS by Joseph Knox

SIRENS by Joseph Knox
Crown; 2/20/18
CBTB Rating: 4.5/5
The Verdict: a taut, gritty debut thriller

Joseph Knox’s debut thriller SIRENS has taken the U.K. by storm, and it’s no surprise why. Knox, a crime fiction buyer for Waterstones in the U.K., delivers a debut thriller that’s mature beyond its years; taut, sleek, and gritty, SIRENS is urban noir at its finest. Crime novels centering around the drug trade aren’t my typical preference, but having heard such outstanding things about this thriller from friends across the pond, I knew I had to give it a shot - and I’m so glad that I did. Knox is an undeniable talent, and SIRENS is a gut-punch of a thriller. Readers will come to SIRENS for its stunning package and grim plot, and they will stay for Knox’s lean, razor-sharp prose and heartbreaking characters. This is an outstanding debut sure to earn Knox as strong a legion of fans in the U.S. as he has already earned in the U.K.

Plot Summary:
The mission is suicide.

Infiltrating the inner circle of enigmatic criminal Zain Carver is dangerous enough. Pulling it off while also rescuing Isabelle Rossiter, a runaway politician’s daughter, from Zain’s influence? Impossible. That’s why Aidan Waits is the perfect man for the job. Disgraced, emotionally damaged, and despised by his superiors. In other words, completely expendable.

But Aidan is a born survivor. And as he works his way deep into Zain’s shadowy world, he finds that nothing is as it seems. Zain is a mesmerizing, Gatsby-esque figure who lures young women into his orbit—women who have a bad habit of turning up dead. But is Zain really responsible? And will Isabelle be next?

Before long, Aidan finds himself in over his head, cut loose by his superiors, and dangerously attracted to the wrong woman.

How can he save the girl if he can’t even save himself?

There’s something to be said for a book that can take you outside of your comfort zone and make you so happy to be there. I can count the number of crime novels focusing on the drug trade that I’ve read on one hand, and I have to admit, I thought twice about diving into this book simply because of its subject matter. (Which, admittedly, isn’t the best approach!) If your gut reaction to this book’s plot was to think “this won’t be for me,” I’d ask you to read the rest of this review before making your decision. SIRENS delves into the dark world of a master criminal and his drug empire, but Knox does it with vivid humanity and breakneck plotting that will keep even a cautious reader hooked from the first page to the last. SIRENS doesn’t shy away from the violence and darkness of the drug trade, but at the core of this grim plot the reader will find rich and three-dimensional characters - the very human victims of a brutal business. It’s this element of SIRENS that I found most compelling: Knox explores the innocence lost and lives shattered by a criminal underworld, and leads readers through this maze with a character who is hardly perfect - and yet is (perhaps illogically) endearing in his brokenness.

Aidan Waits is no stereotypical “damaged detective,” and the trials he faces are as much self-inflicted as they are externally imposed - a combination that I found especially compelling. It’s not simply that Waits is tasked with infiltrating a violent criminal underworld; Aidan also has a history of drug use himself, and finds himself suddenly immersed in a world that targets one of his greatest vulnerabilities. A character’s internal struggles are typically even more compelling to me as a reader than the external challenges they might face, and I appreciated the care with which Knox balances the grit and drama of Waits’ job with the volatility of his own mind. Waits is stubborn, reckless, and irresponsible, but he is also compassionate, committed, and self-sacrificing. In Aidan Waits, Knox has all the makings of a strong series protagonist; I’m already looking forward to his (mis)adventures in Knox’s next book.

I can’t decide if it’s Knox’s experience as a crime fiction buyer or if it’s just his natural talent (or perhaps a combination of the two), but SIRENS is about as technically and stylistically masterful a debut as I’ve ever read. SIRENS hums with energy; its tight plotting and impeccable pacing driving the reader ever forward into the darkness. There’s not a gratuitous word to be found in Knox’s lean prose - readers will find SIRENS as sleek and streamlined a thriller as they have read in recent memory. But don’t mistake the sparsity of Knox’s writing as lacking in detail; Knox paints a vivid - in fact, sometimes graphic - portrait of the dark world Waits immerses himself in. Knox’s plotting is equally outstanding: what begins as a search for a missing girl becomes something else entirely, and readers will hold on tight to the rollercoaster plot that unfolds in SIRENS. The revelations that come to light in this thriller are as heartbreaking as they are compelling, exploring the gut-wrenching human fallout of the shadowy criminal world central to this book, but also exploring the evils that can hide out in the open, in plain sight.

I might never be a reader who gravitates towards books with subject matter like that of SIRENS, but I will be a reader who picks up anything Joseph Knox writes from this point on. SIRENS is a stunning debut: a gritty, grim journey down into the underbelly of society - a masterclass in urban noir. If your taste in books is more aligned with mine, where this subject matter might be a bit of a stretch, I would challenge you to consider reading SIRENS as an “outside of your comfort zone” thriller in 2018 - I’m confident you will be as impressed with this debut as I continue to be.

I received a free copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. All opinions my own.

Book Details:

Hardcover: 352 pages
Publisher: Crown (February 20, 2018)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1524762873
ISBN-13: 978-1524762872

Crime by the Book is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. This in no way affects my opinion of the above book

Featured

Aug 23, 2019

3 Late-Summer Must-Read Thrillers

Aug 23, 2019

Summer might be winding down, but this season’s fantastic lineup of new crime fiction releases shows no sign of letting up. Whether you’re in the mood for a new psychological thriller, a serial killer novel set in Denmark, or a spine-tingling suspense novel with horror undertones, the end of summer 2019 has the book for you - and I’m rounding them up for you in this post! Here you’ll find three must-read late-summer thrillers from established masters of the genre and newcomers alike. Read on for book recommendations for your end-of-summer TBR!

Aug 23, 2019

Aug 13, 2019

Book Review: THE TURN OF THE KEY by Ruth Ware

Aug 13, 2019

Every summer, there’s one thing I look forward to arguably more than anything else: the newest novel by Ruth Ware. And every summer, without fail, Ruth Ware outdoes whatever brilliant novel she delivered the year prior. Ware’s 2019 release is no exception - THE TURN OF THE KEY is Ware’s best novel yet. Equal parts old-school gothic suspense and modern psychological thriller, THE TURN OF THE KEY seamlessly blends an homage to Henry James’ The Turn of the Screw with a page-turning story of surveillance, paranoia, and domestic drama. Following a young woman who accepts a nannying position at a state-of-the-art smart house in the Scottish Highlands, only to wind up imprisoned for the death of one of the children in her care, THE TURN OF THE KEY is one of the most binge-worthy, genuinely addictive suspense novels you will read this summer. It’s a truth universally acknowledged that if Ruth Ware writes a suspense novel, yours truly will read it and love it, but THE TURN OF THE KEY blew even this die-hard Ruth Ware fan away. If you haven’t already picked up Ruth Ware’s newest, add it to your TBR immediately. I’m calling it right now: this is one of my favorite books of 2019.

Aug 13, 2019

Aug 4, 2019

Book Preview: THE STRANGER INSIDE by Lisa Unger

Aug 4, 2019

If you’ve been a crime fiction fan for even a short while, there’s a very good chance you’ve heard of Lisa Unger—and if you haven’t heard of her yet, not to worry, today’s post will serve as the perfect introduction to this prolific author’s work. Lisa Unger is the New York Times bestselling author of seventeen novels, including her forthcoming release THE STRANGER INSIDE. Lisa Unger’s novels have been published in twenty-six languages, and Lisa has received multiple Edgar Award nominations, among numerous other accolades. Her books have been selected as “Best of the Year” picks by the Today Show, Good Morning America, Entertainment Weekly, Amazon, IndieBound, and many, many more. I could go on, but you get the picture: Lisa Unger is a master of the suspense genre with a huge readership around the world. And today on CBTB, I’m so thrilled to spotlight Lisa’s forthcoming release THE STRANGER INSIDE, available September 17th from Park Row.

Aug 4, 2019

Book Review: THE HEART KEEPER by Alex Dahl

Aug 4, 2019

What do you get when you cross Scandinavian sensibility with psychological suspense? Enter Alex Dahl’s unputdownable, wholly original brand of Nordic psychological thriller. On the heels of 2018’s excellent The Boy at the Door, Dahl’s 2019 release THE HEART KEEPER delivers a story of motherhood and grief even more emotionally impactful and addictive than Dahl’s first US outing. In THE HEART KEEPER, tragedy strikes a Norwegian family, and their young daughter passes away. But somewhere else in Norway, another family’s life is changed for the better when their young girl receives the call that she’s been waiting for her whole life: a donor heart has been found for her, at long last. As the paths between the two families slowly but surely converge, a mother’s grief turns to dark obsession. THE HEART KEEPER is a slow-burn story, but don’t let its pacing fool you: this book is utterly riveting with just the right amount of juicy drama—the kind of novel you’ll find yourself turning off the TV just to keep reading. The visceral emotion on display in this story, and Dahl’s uncanny ability to write characters whose twisted actions do nothing to diminish our sympathy for them, make THE HEART KEEPER a Summer 2019 standout. Alex Dahl continues to distinguish herself for her compelling blend of Nordic and domestic noir, and THE HEART KEEPER is another feather in the cap of this up-and-coming crime fiction star.

Aug 4, 2019

Jul 18, 2019

Q&A: Alex Dahl, Author of THE HEART KEEPER

Jul 18, 2019

Some books stick with you long after you’ve turned their final page. For me, Alex Dahl’s newest suspense novel THE HEART KEEPER was such a book—and I’m absolutely thrilled to welcome Alex to CBTB today to discuss her intense, emotionally-resonant new release with us! If you’re not yet familiar with Alex Dahl’s work, consider this the perfect opportunity to dip into her world. Dahl is a Norwegian author whose books bridge the gap between Scandinavian sensibility and modern, razor-sharp psychological suspense. Dahl’s writing is easy to devour, but it’s got very sharp teeth; her books put womanhood under the microscope, wrapping resonant social commentary up in binge-worthy suspense plots. Dahl’s debut novel THE BOY AT THE DOOR released in the U.S. last year, and this week, she’s back. In THE HEART KEEPER, Dahl explores the powerful force of a mother’s love in the face of tragedy—and considers what happens when that tragedy drives an ordinary person to do unthinkable things. THE HEART KEEPER is in many ways a quiet novel - it’s not a story of rip-roaring action or shocking violence - but its underlying intensity and emotional charge make it utterly unputdownable. I loved Dahl’s newest novel, and was thrilled to have the opportunity to ask her a few of my most pressing questions about it!

Jul 18, 2019

Jul 11, 2019

Q&A: Sandie Jones, Author of THE FIRST MISTAKE

Jul 11, 2019

Still on the hunt for the perfect domestic thriller to bring on your next vacation? Look no further: Sandie Jones’ THE FIRST MISTAKE is the book for you. Twisty and shocking, THE FIRST MISTAKE takes a relatively familiar suspense setup - a wife who fears her spouse is being unfaithful - and pushes it in addictive, jaw-dropping new directions. Sandie Jones made a splash with her debut novel The Other Woman, which was a selection for Reese Witherspoon’s book club and a New York Times bestseller… but I actually loved THE FIRST MISTAKE even more. This book is a perfect example of what I like to call “popcorn reading”: an utterly entertaining story that you’ll want to binge-read in one or two sittings. Fans of B.A. Paris, J.P. Delaney, and Shari Lapena will absolutely love the domestic drama, plot twists, and chilling suspense Sandie Jones serves up in THE FIRST MISTAKE. I’m thrilled to welcome Sandie Jones to CBTB today to talk all things THE FIRST MISTAKE! In this blog post, you’ll find all the details on Sandie’s newest release, an excerpt from my review of this deliciously addictive suspense read, and, of course, my conversation with Sandie.

Jul 11, 2019

Jul 9, 2019

Book Review: KNIFE by Jo Nesbø

Jul 9, 2019

I never re-read crime books… unless it’s a novel by Jo Nesbø, and then all bets are off. As I write this review, I’ve already read Nesbø’s newest - and arguably best - crime novel KNIFE twice, and between me and you, I’ll probably read it again before the year is out. A new Nesbø novel is always a cause for celebration (bonus when it’s released right after my birthday, as KNIFE was this year!), but KNIFE is something really special. It’s got everything Nesbø readers have come to expect from Scandinavia’s reigning crime fiction king: a layered plot, a gritty atmosphere, immersive pacing, plenty of very convincing red herrings, and, of course, our beloved troubled detective Harry Hole. But KNIFE is a departure from its immediate series predecessors, too, and it’s here that KNIFE really shines. By dialing back on the overt gore that defined 2017’s The Thirst, Nesbø gives his razor-sharp prose and superb character development room to shine in KNIFE. This is undoubtedly Nesbø’s darkest story yet, and it’s also his most emotionally affecting - a potent combination that will get under your skin as much as it will keep you turning pages. Nesbø is at his best when putting Norwegian detective Harry Hole through his worst, and KNIFE might just be the best installment yet in this exceptional crime series. Nothing will be the same for Harry - or Harry’s loyal readers - after KNIFE.

Jul 9, 2019

Jul 1, 2019

Book Review: LOCK EVERY DOOR by Riley Sager

Jul 1, 2019

If you pack one book in your beach bag this summer, make it Riley Sager’s razor-sharp take on gothic suspense: LOCK EVERY DOOR, available July 2nd. You know those authors who just seem to get better and better with each new book? Sager is one of them, and LOCK EVERY DOOR cements him as a staple of any psychological thriller reader’s library. Blending horror tropes with spine-tingling suspense and juicy, just-one-more-page intrigue, LOCK EVERY DOOR invites readers inside one of New York’s most exclusive addresses—a place that might never let its readers - or its residents - go. Enter the Bartholomew: a (fictional) high-end apartment building overlooking Central Park. When down-on-her-luck protagonist Jules secures a position as an apartment-sitter in the Bartholomew, she can hardly believe her luck. But as Jules settles in and befriends a fellow apartment-sitter, she begins to worry that this beautiful building hides within its walls secrets darker than she could have ever imagined. In LOCK EVERY DOOR, Sager crafts a page-turning story of gothic suspense worthy of a place alongside the horror classics that inspired it. Protagonist Jules is a relatable and compelling millennial: a young woman struggling against the odds to make a life for herself, who just so happens to accept a job that might be her last. In the Bartholomew, nothing is as it seems. Enter at your own risk.

Jul 1, 2019

Jun 25, 2019

Q&A: M.T. Edvardsson, Author of A NEARLY NORMAL FAMILY

Jun 25, 2019

It’s an absolute pleasure to welcome M.T. Edvardsson to Crime by the Book today to give us the inside scoop on his first crime novel to come to the United States. A NEARLY NORMAL FAMILY hits American bookstores today, June 25th, and what an absolute gem of a crime novel it is. Told in three distinct “parts,” A NEARLY NORMAL FAMILY probes the limits of how far an ordinary family would go to protect one of their own. It might be set in Sweden, but what makes this story so impactful is its universality; the themes Edvardsson explores here will feel relevant whether you’re in Scandinavia like the story’s central family, in New York like I am as I write this, or anywhere in between. Edvardsson’s assured and thought-provoking crime novel is a little bit Nordic Noir, a little bit legal thriller, a little bit family drama—and when taken as a whole, it’s one of this summer’s most compelling suspense stories. I’m thrilled to welcome M.T. Edvardsson to CBTB today to give us an inside scoop on this outstanding new release! In today’s blog post, you will find plot details for a NEARLY NORMAL FAMILY, a selection of early praise the book has already received, a snippet from my review, and, of course, my conversation with the author. Huge thanks to the team at Celadon Books for facilitating this Q&A, and to M.T. Edvardsson for taking the time to answer my questions! A NEARLY NORMAL FAMILY is available now at your favorite bookseller.

Jun 25, 2019

Jun 10, 2019

Book Review: THE FIRST MISTAKE by Sandie Jones

Jun 10, 2019

Sandie Jones made a splash last summer with her debut suspense novel THE OTHER WOMAN, a New York Times bestseller and a pick for Reese Witherspoon’s book club—and she’s back this summer, and better than ever, with THE FIRST MISTAKE. A juicy, page-turning story of marital secrets, THE FIRST MISTAKE takes a familiar plot - a wife who suspects her husband might be hiding something from her - and turns it on its head. Following Alice, her husband Nathan, and her best friend Beth, THE FIRST MISTAKE unravels a layered story of deceit and betrayal… and I’m betting even the most seasoned suspense reader will be genuinely shocked by the twists author Sandie Jones has in store. Sophomore novels have a reputation for being particularly tricky to get right, but Sandie Jones has executed hers effortlessly; I thoroughly enjoyed last year’s THE OTHER WOMAN, but I liked THE FIRST MISTAKE even more. This book is pure pleasure reading. For readers of fan-favorite domestic thrillers Behind Closed Doors by B.A. Paris and Lie To Me by J.T. Ellison, THE FIRST MISTAKE is the perfect beach read: a story of what happens when happily ever after goes wrong.

Jun 10, 2019

the cbtb blog

Book Details: