Another month and a bunch of great reads have come and gone! I missed my March wrap up because March was an extraordinarily crazy month for me - but I’m back, and I’m sneaking in one book that I read at the tail of end of March to this wrap-up, too! At the bottom of this post, you’ll also find links to additional reviews that I posted on Crime by the Book this month (for books that I read previously)!
A few fun stats from the month…
Books Read: 7
Pages Read: 2,478
Favorite: THE LYING GAME by Ruth Ware
Least Favorite: INTO THE WATER by Paula Hawkins
Read on for my April reading list!
CBTB's April 2017 Reads
UNDERTOW by Elizabeth Heathcote
Park Road Books; 6/13/17
CBTB Rating: 3.5/5
The Verdict: light, binge-worthy psychological suspense
This is a fun, light suspense novel that follows a woman who begins to suspect her husband of having killed his former girlfriend. UNDERTOW isn’t very dark or heavy reading - it’s more of a “beach read” kind of book. Don’t pick this one up if you want really chilling suspense - this book won’t deliver that. On the other hand, if you want a book to devour, this might be right for you - personally, I read it in one sitting!
THE LYING GAME by Ruth Ware
Gallery Books/Scout Press; 7/25/17
CBTB Rating: 4.5/5
The Verdict: taut, steadily-building suspense
Fans of Pretty Little Liars, listen up: this book is for you. THE LYING GAME follows a group of four friends who must band together when a dark secret from their youth threatens to be brought into the light. Not quite as chilling as Ware’s latest (THE WOMAN IN CABIN 10) - it’s definitely a lighter read, but still totally addictive and engrossing.
INTO THE WATER by Paula Hawkins
Riverhead; 5/2/17
CBTB Rating: 2.5/5
The Verdict: not for crime readers - better as literary or women's fiction
This book was the biggest disappointment for me of my April reads. INTO THE WATER does not hold up as crime fiction, and I would caution you from buying it if you’re hoping for another read like THE GIRL ON THE TRAIN. An intriguing concept (delving into the story of women who have died in the same body of water) goes downhill fast, with a convoluted cast of characters and illogical plotting.
FAITHLESS by Kjell Ola Dahl
Orenda Books; 4/15/17 (UK) & 9/1/17 (US)
CBTB Rating: 3.5/5
The Verdict: slow-burning, classic Nordic Noir
Fans of Gunnar Staalesen will feel right at home in Kjell Ola Dahl’s slow-burning police procedural. This book has a distinctly classic feel to it, from its slow pacing to its writing style. Readers follow two Oslo detectives who investigate the case of a woman whose body is found mutilated and wrapped in plastic in a dumpster. This one wasn’t quite up my alley, but I still enjoyed it a good amount!
THE SCARRED WOMAN by Jussi Adler-Olsen
Dutton; 9/19/17
** Work Read **
I read this book for work, so I won’t be providing any review information! I’m thrilled to be working with Jussi Adler-Olsen for the US release of his Department Q novel. Please feel free to contact me if you’re a blogger interested in this book!
WHAT MY BODY REMEMBERS by Agnete Friis
Soho Crime; 5/2/17
CBTB Rating: 4/5
The Verdict: atmospheric, taut suspense
One half of the writing duo responsible for the bestselling THE BOY IN THE SUITCASE, Agnete Friis makes her US solo debut with this atmospheric and emotional story. WHAT MY BODY REMEMBERS follows a young mother who runs away to a coastal town in northern Denmark with her young son when social services tries to take him away from her. This isn’t your typical thriller—but I really enjoyed it.
BLOCK 46 by Johana Gustawsson
Orenda Books; 5/15/17 (UK) & 10/1/17 (US)
Series: Roy & Castells, Book 1
CBTB Rating: 4/5
The Verdict: a harrowing, ambitious serial killer thriller
Part Nordic Noir, part French Noir, part serial killer thriller—BLOCK 46 is a truly unique reading experience. This book jumps between a historical fiction element in Buchenwald Concentration Camp and modern-day London and Sweden, and follows a profiler and a true-crime writer working to catch a vicious serial killer. I was surprised to discover that the historical fiction elements of this book were my favorite - Gustawsson’s writing shines in these chapters.
Bonus: Additional April Blog Posts
PLUS: As an added bonus, here’s a little recap of the additional reviews & posts I wrote this past month!
THE THIRST by Jo Nesbo
Knopf; 5/9/17
CBTB Rating: 5/5
The Verdict: crime fiction at its finest - gritty, addictive, atmospheric, and emotional
Read the Review: THE THIRST by Jo Nesbo
THE FOURTH MONKEY by J.D. Barker
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt; On sale 6/27/17
CBTB Rating: 4/5
The Verdict: a twisted, movie-worthy serial killer thriller
Read the Review: THE FOURTH MONKEY by J.D. Barker
Throwback Thursday post: THE DINNER by Herman Koch
Recommending an old favorite! Read the post here.
THE CHILD by Fiona Barton
Berkley; 6/27/17
CBTB Rating: 4.5/5
The Verdict: character-driven, immersive suspense
Read the Review: THE CHILD by Fiona Barton
Crime Festival Journal: Krimimessen Horsens 2017
Recapping my trip to Denmark for the annual crime book festival in Horsens! This post includes links to additional interview posts with authors Stuart MacBride and Gabriella Ullberg Westin.
Read the post here.
Kurhotel Skodsborg Crime Event Recap
Recapping a fantastic event that I attended in Denmark, in which Sara Blaedel interviewed bestselling author Tess Gerritsen!
Read the post here.
Edgar Awards 2017 Event Recap
Recapping the 2017 Edgar Awards at the Grand Hyatt in NYC!
Read the post here.
