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Crime by the Book

A girl investigates crime fiction from around the world, by the book.
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the cbtb blog

One girl's ongoing investigation of the crime fiction genre.

July 2017 Wrap-Up

August 2, 2017

I can hardly believe it’s already August! July was a fantastic reading month for me—while I didn’t read as many books as I typically do, I loved the majority of the books I did read. And I had a great reason for not reading as much: I spent nearly a week of the month involved in activities for ThrillerFest 2017, an annual crime fiction conference held in New York! Learn all about my July reads and ThrillerFest in this post. 

But first things first—a few bookish statistics from my month in reading: 

Books Read: 5
Pages Read: 1,464
Favorite Read of the Month: THE DEVIL'S WEDDING RING by Vidar Sundstol
Least Favorite Read of the Month: THREE DAYS AND A LIFE by Pierre Lemaitre

And now, onto a roundup of my July reads! 

UNRAVELING OLIVER by Liz Nugent
Gallery Books; 8/22/17
CBTB Rating: 4.5/5
The Verdict: a tense & compelling character study
Read CBTB’s Review

A harrowing, unnerving portrait of the development of a sociopath. Better qualified as a psychological profile than a psychological thriller, UNRAVELING OLIVER gives readers a 360-degree view as the story’s titular character develops from neglected child to manipulative, abusive adult. This story is truly unique—readers not only follow Oliver’s narrative, but are also given the perspectives of those in Oliver’s life who have witnessed this progression. Highly recommended for readers looking for a book that delves into the mind and history of a crime’s perpetrator. 

Unraveling Oliver: A Novel
By Liz Nugent

ORDEAL by Jorn Lier Horst
Minotaur Books; 8/8/17
CBTB Rating: 4.5/5
The Verdict: a superb Nordic Noir procedural
Read CBTB’s Review

ORDEAL is the newest installment in Norwegian crime writer Jorn Lier Horst’s William Wisting series, but it can absolutely be read as a standalone. Readers looking for a detail-oriented, slow-burning police procedural will find their perfect match in ORDEAL—but Lier Horst also infuses this crime story with a certain endearing personality and urgency that will attract new fans to his series, too. Lier Horst worked as a policeman before turning to crime writing, and his personal experience adds a layer of realism and credibility to his crime writing. 

Ordeal: A William Wisting Mystery
By Jorn Lier Horst

THREE DAYS AND A LIFE by Pierre Lemaitre
Quercus; 11/7/17
CBTB Rating: 3/5
The Verdict: beautifully written, but not crime fiction

Perhaps my most-anticipated read of the month, THREE DAYS AND A LIFE was unfortunately not what I was hoping for. A bit of background information: Lemaitre is also the author of BLOOD WEDDING, one of my favorite reads of 2016 and most-recommended psychological thrillers. (Read my review of BLOOD WEDDING here.) While I still enjoyed Lemaitre’s forthcoming release in its own right, I would not recommend this book for readers looking to replicate BLOOD WEDDING’s twists and darkness. Rather than a crime novel, THREE DAYS AND A LIFE is more of an interpersonal drama. Beautifully written and a compelling story, but not crime fiction. 

Three Days and a Life
By Pierre Lemaitre
july lies she told.jpg

LIES SHE TOLD by Cate Holahan
Crooked Lane Books; 9/12/17
CBTB Rating: 4/5
The Verdict: addictive, obsessive psychological thriller
Read CBTB’s Review

Readers looking for a purely entertaining psychological thriller with love Holahan’s “book within a book” mystery. Fast-paced, addictive, and totally immersive, LIES SHE TOLD explores what happens when a thriller writer’s life begins to mirror her fiction. Pick this book up for its pure entertainment value and binge-worthy drama, and stay for its superb plotting. The one element of this book that I could have done without: there’s a touch of romance to it, which just isn’t my personal taste. Regardless, I highly recommend this one for twisty, engaging fun! 

Lies She Told
By Cate Holahan

THE DEVIL’S WEDDING RING by Vidar Sundstol
University of Minnesota Press; 9/26/17
CBTB Rating: 5/5
The Verdict: atmospheric Nordic Noir with a folklore twist

I’m always on the lookout for new Nordic Noir, and when I first read about THE DEVIL’S WEDDING RING, I wondered if it could be one of those “under the radar” books that quietly becomes a new favorite. I was absolutely right. This Norwegian crime novel brilliantly balances a modern investigation with ancient folklore, all set against the backdrop of Norway’s Telemark region. Readers will love the story’s many appealing elements: from its brooding atmosphere to a legend involving a real church to the story’s crime-solving duo of a private investigator and a detective-novel loving librarian, THE DEVIL’S WEDDING RING will appeal to readers on many levels. Highly recommended! 

The Devil's Wedding Ring
By Vidar Sundstøl

Plus: ThrillerFest 2017 Recap! 

One of the highlights of the month of July for me was without a doubt my time spent at ThrillerFest 2017! This nearly week-long conference brings together authors, publishing industry professionals, and readers from around the world. My ThrillerFest Journal is live now on CBTB—read all about the authors I met, panels I attended, authors I interviewed, and much more in the post! (Plus see lots of photos!) 

READ CBTB’S THRILLERFEST JOURNAL HERE

Additional CBTB Posts in July:

Along with the above book reviews and festival coverage, here are the “extras” I had on CBTB this past month! 

Author Q&A: Erik Axl Sund, authors of THE CROW GIRL
One of my all-time favorite books, THE CROW GIRL, is now out in paperback! Learn more about the book in this author Q&A. 

Book Event Recap: Fiona Barton, THE CHILD
I was thrilled to moderate Fiona Barton’s New York stop on tour for THE CHILD! 

Audiobook Review: IN HER WAKE by Amanda Jennings
My first-ever audiobook! I loved listening to this emotional, twisty domestic thriller. 

Author Q&A: Ruth Ware, author of THE LYING GAME
What a total honor to have one of my favorite thriller writers, Ruth Ware, on CBTB to talk about her newest release! 

Fall 2017 Nordic Noir Reading List
This fall is going to be huge for new Nordic Noir. Find the books that should be on your reading list here!

Cover Reveal and Excerpt: CLOSE TO ME by Amanda Reynolds
I’m thrilled to reveal the cover for upcoming domestic thriller CLOSE TO ME -- plus, you can read the intro + first chapter to this book on CBTB now! 
 
Featured
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
May 26, 2019
Excerpt: THE FIRST MISTAKE by Sandie Jones
May 26, 2019

‘Tis the season for beach reads - and what better way to ring in the summer than with Sandie Jones’ newest psychological thriller? THE FIRST MISTAKE, Sandie’s sophomore psychological suspense novel, releases June 11th, and thanks to the team at Minotaur Books, I’m thrilled to give CBTB readers the chance to dip in to an early excerpt on the blog today! Sandie Jones made a splash last summer with her debut, THE OTHER WOMAN. It was a New York Times bestseller and was selected as one of Reese Witherspoon’s book club picks! Now, Sandie is back with THE FIRST MISTAKE: a suspense novel that looks just as juicy and binge-worthy as the author’s debut. The summer season always puts me in the mood for a “popcorn read” just like this one, and I can’t wait to dig in to THE FIRST MISTAKE this week! Learn all about THE FIRST MISTAKE, and read an excerpt from the book’s prologue and first chapter, in today’s blog post!

May 26, 2019
May 22, 2019
Cover Reveal and Mini Q&A: REPUTATION by Sara Shepard
May 22, 2019

Mark your calendars, psychological thriller readers--Sara Shepard, #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Pretty Little Liars series, has a new adult suspense novel on sale later this year: REPUTATION, coming December 3rd, 2019 from Dutton Books! Thanks to Sara’s team at Dutton, I’m absolutely thrilled to reveal the (gorgeous!) cover for REPUTATION on CBTB today -- and not only that, but CBTB readers will also be treated to a mini Q&A with Sara right here, too! This is a personal dream come true for me - I’m a huge fan of Pretty Little Liars, and couldn’t be more excited for Sara’s newest adult suspense release later this year. If you love juicy suspense novels with twists, turns, and lots of intrigue, you’ll want to add REPUTATION to your reading list immediately. Read on to get the inside scoop on Sara Shepard’s newest release, including plot details, a mini Q&A with the author, and a look at the book’s gorgeous cover!

May 22, 2019
May 17, 2019
Book Review: A NEARLY NORMAL FAMILY by M.T. Edvardsson
May 17, 2019

There’s nothing I love more than a buzzy new Scandinavian crime novel—so suffice it to say, M.T. Edvardsson’s US debut A NEARLY NORMAL FAMILY has been high on my “most anticipated” list this year. I devoured this thoughtful and thought-provoking story just about a month ago, and have been mulling it over ever since. There’s a lot about this book that’s hard to categorize (and if you’ve been around CBTB for a while, you’ll know I’m a huge fan of categorizing my reads!): is it a legal thriller? A domestic drama? A “whodunnit”? In the end, the answer may not really matter, because what A NEARLY NORMAL FAMILY is is wholly original and compelling. This slow-burn of a story takes readers into the midst of a family at the exact moment that their blissfully ordinary life is shattered. With the news that their daughter has been arrested for murder, a mother and father must face the unthinkable. How far will they go to protect their child? And what if their child really is guilty? This isn’t a pulse-pounding thriller in the traditional sense - as in, you won’t find shootouts or fight scenes within this book’s pages - but author M.T. Edvardsson ratchets up the tension and emotional investment all the same. Told in a wildly engrossing three-part structure, this domestic suspense-meets-courtroom drama is sure to be one of summer’s buzziest releases.

May 17, 2019
May 6, 2019
Kate White & Alafair Burke discuss SUCH A PERFECT WIFE
May 6, 2019

Kate White - former editor-in-chief of Cosmopolitan and bestselling writer - has a brand-new crime novel out this week: SUCH A PERFECT WIFE, available tomorrow (May 7th) from Harper Books! In honor of Kate’s newest release, I’m thrilled to share with CBTB readers a fantastic conversation between Kate and bestselling crime writer Alafair Burke, in which these two very talented women discuss SUCH A PERFECT WIFE, writing gutsy female characters, advice for aspiring writers, and more. If there ever were a fascinating and inspiring pair of women to learn from, it’s these two, and I’m absolutely thrilled to share their Q&A with CBTB readers today! In this post, you can learn more about Kate’s forthcoming release SUCH A PERFECT WIFE, plus get all the details on Alafair’s newest book, THE BETTER SISTER, too. Huge thanks to HarperCollins, Kate White, and Alafair Burke for sharing this Q&A with us today! Read on for all the details on both books, and the Q&A between Kate and Alafair.

May 6, 2019
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Gretchen: A Thriller
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Jul 18, 2019
Q&A: Alex Dahl, Author of THE HEART KEEPER
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Q&A: Sandie Jones, Author of THE FIRST MISTAKE
Jul 11, 2019
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Jul 9, 2019
Book Review: KNIFE by Jo Nesbø
Jul 9, 2019
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Give me ALL the serial killer thrillers. 🕵🏻‍♀️🖤 So. Dang. Excited. To finally be digging into one of my most-anticipated late-summer reads, THE WHISPER MAN by Alex North, on sale 8/20 from @CeladonBooks!! 🔎 • Raise your hand if you LOVE a serial killer thriller 😱🙌🏻🙋🏻‍♀️ this is one of my absolute favorite crime fiction subgenres, and I couldn’t be more excited to be digging into what’s sure to be one of 2019’s hottest thriller releases. THE WHISPER MAN has been garnering major buzz both here in the US and in the UK, with some of the biggest names in crime fiction praising it as “Beautifully written. Beautifully plotted” (C.J. Tudor), and “the most unsettling thriller I have read since Jo Nesbø’s The Snowman” (Alex Michaelides) 😱 aka SIGN ME UP. 🕵🏻‍♀️ Side note: how gorgeous is this cover?! It’s my favorite color scheme & I just LOVE the design 🙌🏻🖤 • THE WHISPER MAN is a multigenerational tale of a father and son caught in the crosshairs of an investigation to catch a serial killer preying on a small town. 😳 After the sudden death of his wife, Tom Kennedy believes a fresh start will help him and his young son Jake heal. A new beginning, a new house, a new town. But the town has a dark past. Twenty years ago, a serial killer abducted and murdered 5 residents. Until Frank Carter was finally caught, he was nicknamed “The Whisper Man,” because he would lure his victims out of their homes by whispering at their windows at night. 😳 Just as Tom and Jake settle into their new home, a young boy vanishes. His disappearance bears an unnerving resemblance to Frank Carter’s crimes, reigniting old rumors that he may have had an accomplice. Now, two detectives must find the boy before it’s too late, even if that means visiting The Whisper Man in prison. And then Jake begins acting strangely. He hears a whispering at his window..... 😱😱 • Okay how AWESOME does this sound?! Who here loves a good serial killer thriller?! I think we’re going to be seeing a *lot* of THE WHISPER MAN this summer 🙌🏻👌🏻
Oh so badly wishing for some time spend doing this 👆🏻 but today has, in all reality, looked more like this: 🖥🤓📋🗄📝 thankful to work in an industry I love, even on the busy days. 😉❤️ • Guys, I’m SO excited bc tomorrow I’m going to be moderating a Mystery/Thriller panel at an Open House we’re having here at Penguin Random House 🕵🏻‍♀️🙌🏻 I’ll be interviewing 3 authors on their new books - Cambria Brockman, Laura McHugh, & Chris Pavone. 🔎 If you’re a fan of any of these authors & would like to drop a question for them in the comments, please feel free to do so, & I’ll see if I can get it answered!🕵🏻‍♀️ If you head over to my stories, you can also view the book covers of the books we’ll be discussing, & read a (VERY) brief line encapsulating what each book is about. 📚 • I’ve been completely immersed in these authors’ books to prep for the panels, so I’m a BIT behind on other reading I had planned for this week, but that’s a-okay. 🤓 (aka if you guys voted on a book from Thrillerfest that you want me to cover on CBTB soon, I promise I haven’t forgotten - just had to move things around a little bit!!) Next on my TBR is a serial killer thriller that’s getting LOTS of buzz both here in the US and in the UK. It’s published by a publisher who’s quickly becoming one of my personal favorites, & it’s got a gorgeous black & white cover - aka my favorite color combo 😉🖤 any guesses what it might be?! • What are YOU reading this week?! Anyone have an amazing book they want to recommend to the CBTB fam? 🕵🏻‍♀️🖤
🕵🏻‍♀️ GIVEAWAY! 🕵🏻‍♀️ Let’s start the week off right 😉 Thanks to the super generous Ania Ahlborn, I’m thrilled to offer one lucky CBTB reader a SIGNED copy of Ania’s newest horror novel IF YOU SEE HER 🖤 • When I want to read something genuinely scary, Ania Ahlborn is one of my go-to authors. Her books are CREEPY (and sometimes downright stomach-turning... here’s looking at you, BROTHER 👀), and I can always count on them to deliver stories filled with spine-tingling scares, rich atmosphere, and page-turning plots. Ania’s newest novel IF YOU SEE HER promises to deliver another gripping read, this one set in an old house with a dark past. 😳 For as long as Jesse Wells has been alive, the house on Old Mill Road has sparked the imagination of local kids, its abandoned rooms, crooked windows, and jutting turret tormenting the kids of Warsaw, Michigan the way only a haunted house can. Everyone imagines that something terrible lurks within its walls... and when Jesse’s close friend Reed chooses the house as a backdrop for his own suicide, it sends Jesse in a downward spiral of grief. Nearly twenty years later, Jesse stands on the collapsing steps of the house that snatched away his best friend. Now, in order to cope with the disaster that has become his life, Jesse must unravel the mystery behind the house that has terrified him since he was a boy. 😳😱 • GIVEAWAY RULES: 🔎 One lucky winner will receive a signed copy of IF YOU SEE HER 🔎 US entrants only 🔎 Giveaway closes Friday, 7/19 TO ENTER: 🔎 Follow @aniaahlborn & @crimebythebook 🔎 Like this photo & tag two friends 🔎 For one extra entry, share in your stories! (And tag me when you do!) 🔎 Reminder: giveaway not affiliated with or sponsored by Instagram. GOOD LUCK!🖤
Emerging from my post-Thrillerfest hibernation thanks to copious amounts of coffee ☕️ & a nice long walk in the sunshine ☀️ the post-conference exhaustion is real, friends. 😂 • But in all seriousness, I’m so thankful for such an amazing weekend at Thrillerfest 2019!! 🙌🏻 Every time I attend one of these conferences, I’m just awed that I get to be part of this incredible community. I’ll be sending out a newsletter this evening with some behind-the-scenes photos from the conference, AND will be putting together a conference recap blog post ASAP so you guys can see what I was up to over the past few days 😍 BUT a few favorite highlights: coffee-turned-drinks with @riley.sager, *finally* meeting the absolutely lovely @gillymacmillan AND the incredible @thrillerchick, watching C.J. Tudor win the Thriller Award for Best First Novel for THE CHALK MAN, and interviewing @cateholahan 🙌🏻❤️ so so thankful for such a fantastic weekend. • I ALSO left this conference with SO many books, and I’m dying to read them all at once, which obviously isn’t possible 😂 so stay tuned because later today on my stories I’m gonna do a little rundown of all the books I left Thrillerfest with, and then YOU guys can help me vote on what read you want to see me cover next. 🕵🏻‍♀️ In the meantime, I’m (finally) reading the last few pages of Shannon Kirk’s harrowing, utterly twisted and wild psychological thriller GRETCHEN, which goes on sale in just about 1 week and is SO GOOD. 😱🙌🏻 I wish this book could last forever but also I wish I could instantly devour all the books I took home from Thrillerfest.... bookworm problems 😂📚 • I hope you all have had a wonderful weekend!!!❤️
A late post from me today because I just left my first activity of Thrillerfest 2019 🕵🏻‍♀️🖤 & I can’t wait for 2 more days of crime fiction fun!! 🔎 • Thrillerfest is an annual crime fiction conference that takes place every July in NYC - and this year’s Thrillerfest has officially begun!!! 🎉 I’m SO excited to catch up with friends & meet LOTS of authors. 🤓 My Thrillerfest began with the absolute coolest activity this evening: I did an escape room with the team from @williammorrowbooks, including a couple of their authors, @gillymacmillan & @linwoodbarclay! 😱 It was SO cool. We *almost* made it out of the room in time, so that’s gotta count for something, right?! 😂 • In reading news, I am ALMOST done with the incredible Shannon Kirk’s new psychological thriller, GRETCHEN... and I could not love it more. 😱 This book has a genuinely mind-boggling reveal that absolutely knocked my socks off 😳🙌🏻 and I’m truly just dying to read the final 50 or so pages and see how it all ends. 👌🏻 Shannon Kirk’s mind is seriously INCREDIBLE, I have no idea how she dreamed up this intricate, mind-boggling plot. And not only did she dream it up, but she executed it SO well. This book is a gothic suspense-meets-twisty thriller DREAM. 🕵🏻‍♀️ It’s got serious scares, some horror influences, psychological depth, and a totally original underlying concept. Basically it’s amazing, and if you’re up for something wild & CREEPY, this book belongs on your TBR. It’s on sale in just 2 weeks!!!🙌🏻 • My question for you guys today is 100% drawn from the way I just spent my evening. 😉 If you could do an escape room with any author, who would you choose?! Who do you think would be best at solving puzzles?😂🤔
Some books you just have to post about multiple times. 🕵🏻‍♀️ Happy book birthday to the newest release from my favorite author, Jo Nesbø!!! 🙌🏻 KNIFE is on sale today from @AAKnopf, and dang if it isn’t a crime fiction masterpiece. 👌🏻🖤 • You guys already know the drill when it comes to me & Jo Nesbø books. 🖤 Nesbø’s Harry Hole series came into my life at just the right moment many years ago, and it’s been my favorite series ever since. 🤓 In a twist of fate that I *still* cannot get over, I’m now the US publicist handling Nesbø’s books here in America, and I am SO dang excited because today is publication day for KNIFE, the latest (and I think possibly the best) installment in Nesbø’s brilliant Harry Hole series. 🔎 I’ve already read this book twice (lol do we think that’s excessive?? 😂 but it’s true, I have) & I’m just so totally in awe of the story he’s crafted here. 👌🏻 • KNIFE is a gritty, visceral crime story that puts our beloved Oslo detective through his most personal case yet. This is one genuinely heartbreaking story - it has TONS of rich character development and emotional heft, on top of a masterfully crafted mystery that will keep readers hooked throughout. It’s a BIG novel - the kind of story you want to just sink into & wrap yourself up in. 🕵🏻‍♀️ If you love gritty police procedurals, you will LOVE this book. 🤓 • I don’t normally review the books I’m working on here on CBTB, as I never want to cross any boundaries, BUT you guys know we had to make an exception for Nesbø 😉 there would be no CBTB without Nesbø’s books - they were a huge source of inspiration behind my starting this account, so today we HAVE to celebrate KNIFE. 🕵🏻‍♀️ You can catch my full review of Nesbø’s new book linked in my IG profile!! 🤓 • Are you a Nesbø fan?! What’s your FAVORITE book of his?! THE SNOWMAN has been my favorite series installment of his for ages, but KNIFE honestly blew me away. For his stand-alone novels, my favorite is BLOOD ON SNOW. 🖤 Can’t wait to hear your Nesbø faves!! 🤓
Back to NYC & back to work, but wishing I had a bit of that Florida sunshine with me today! ⛅️ • Thank you guys SO MUCH for all the birthday wishes yesterday!!! I had a crazy afternoon/night of travel back to NYC, and when I finally got back home and opened up Instagram, I was just completely floored. I can’t thank you enough for all the support and love - you guys sure know how to make a girl feel special. 🥰❤️ endlessly thankful for you all!!! • I’m back in NYC now after an amazing long weekend in Florida with my Grammy ❤️ & as much as I didn’t want to leave (AND as much as I didn’t love the flight delays yesterday 😂), the silver lining of an evening spent traveling was LOTS of reading time. And dang, do I need all the reading time I can get, because I am OBSESSED WITH MY CURRENT READ. 😳 If creepy psychological suspense with gothic inspiration and genuinely weird (in the best way) elements sounds up your alley, I have got THE BOOK for you. 👉🏻 GRETCHEN by Shannon Kirk releases in a couple weeks, and it is *amazing.* I loved Shannon’s previous release, IN THE VINES, but this one is even better. 😱 It’s about a mother & daughter who have been on the run for as long as the daughter can remember - but they finally seem to have found the perfect hiding place, a remote house in the New Hampshire woods. Only there is WEIRD stuff going on at the house, and it might not be as safe as they thought. 😳 • You guys know I love stories involving creepy houses/houses with a dark history, and the house central to this story is SURREAL and amazing. It’s populated by a pianist and his lonely daughter, a teenager obsessed with puzzles (yes, you read that right 🧩). That teenager’s name is Gretchen, and she quickly becomes very fixated on/determined to befriend our protagonist, Lucy, who is now living in a little guest house on Gretchen’s father’s property. Gretchen is a WILD character, so vividly drawn and surreal in her own ways, and the house she lives in reflects her personality through and through. This book is EVERYTHING & more so far - I’m about 1/3 of the way through and can’t put it down. 🖤 • Are you a Shannon Kirk fan?! Who else is obsessed with her writing?📖
Today is my birthday AND the 4th anniversary of when I started CBTB AND the day I’m starting the new Shannon Kirk thriller, GRETCHEN. Aka it’s a very, very good day indeed. 🕵🏻‍♀️🖤 • Before I dig into how INSANELY excited I am about my newest read, I want to just take a quick minute to say THANK YOU to this amazing community of readers for making this past year such an incredible one!!!🙌🏻❤️ I have had so many amazing opportunities and experiences in the last year, and so very many of them were all thanks to the community we’ve built together in Crime by the Book. I started this account 4 years ago a couple days before I turned 23, and today I’m 27 and there are over 68,000 of you following along with my passion project. It blows my mind to see how CBTB has grown and evolved over the years, and I’m so thankful, from the bottom of my heart, for all of YOU making this community possible.❤️ CBTB & I are another year older & all the more grateful for each and everyone of you, and for the books that bring us all together!! ❤️ • And speaking of those books... HELLOOO new Shannon Kirk thriller!!!😱 GRETCHEN is on sale July 23rd, the newest release from Kirk, whose 2018 book IN THE VINES was one of my faves of last year. 👌🏻🙌🏻 Shannon writes unapologetic, vivid, lush, totally twisted psychological thrillers, and from what I read of GRETCHEN this morning, we are in for another incredible ride!! It’s feeling like it’s gonna have some gothic vibes and potentially some horror vibes too.... aka sign. Me. Up. 🕵🏻‍♀️ • My caption is WAY too long as it is so I will put the plot description for GRETCHEN in the comments - but suffice it to say, it seems totally spine-tingling, dark, and binge-worthy - aka the perfect read for my birthday, and for YOUR summer. 😉❤️ As always, thank you guys so much for following along with CBTB - and here’s to a great year ahead!!!🎉
This filter is *kind of* hiding the sunburn on my leg & I’ll take it. 😂 Having the best long weekend in Florida!! ❤️ • Today is my last full day in Florida, and I am SO not ready to leave. I’ve been having the best time with my Grammy, going swimming, reading a LOT, & doing some pre-birthday shopping 😉 it’s been the perfect mini-vacation, and I’m so thankful for this time with family. ❤️ • In reading news, I absolutely TORE through Cate Holahan’s new psychological suspense novel ONE LITTLE SECRET yesterday & the day before. Cate’s newest book is on sale this coming Tuesday, and it will make a GREAT choice for any vacation you’ve got coming up - I say this from experience. 😉 ONE LITTLE SECRET is a fantastic blend of police investigation, locked room mystery, & juicy drama. It’s got chapters following a police officer investigating a murder, AND chapters following 3 couples whose vacation in a luxurious beachside house in the Hamptons ends in murder. Cate’s plotting is very clever, her characters are multifaceted, and her writing style is SO easy to get swept up in. 👌🏻 a binge-worthy, just-one-more-page beach read. 🤓❤️ • What was the last book you binge-read?! 📚
Been waiting for the perfect moment to read the new Cate Holahan suspense novel for MONTHS & this weekend is it. 🕵🏻‍♀️🖤 First up on my vacation TBR: ONE LITTLE SECRET by @CateHolahan courtesy of @CrookedLaneBooks, on sale this coming Tuesday! 🤓 • I’ve only been in Florida 24 hours and I swear I’m already 10000x more relaxed than I was yesterday. 😂 I spent the morning at the pool devouring ONE LITTLE SECRET by Cate Holahan, and now I’m going to see my most-anticipated movie of the year: @MidsommarMovie 😱😱😱 I am SO. Dang. Excited!!! Has anyone seen it yet?? No spoilers please, but I firmly believe this is going to be my perfect horror movie & cannot wait to see it in just a few mins. 😍🙌🏻 • In reading news, I’m absolutely devouring ONE LITTLE SECRET. Imagine the book you’d get if you blended a psychological suspense novel about suburban spouses behaving badly with a locked room mystery structure, and ONE LITTLE SECRET is the result. 👌🏻 This book follows three couples who rent a beachside house in the Hamptons for a mini vacation, and as they spend time together, tensions & secrets rise to the surface - resulting in one of the group ending up dead. 😳 The book alternates between “past” chapters illustrating what happened in real time, and “present” chapters following the detective investigating the case. It’s totally binge-worthy & TONS of fun - perfect for a vacation. 👌🏻 I started it yesterday and am honestly going to finish it tonight. 😂❤️ • If you’re celebrating the 4th of July today, I hope you have a wonderful celebration!!! And if you’re not, I hope you’re having a great Thursday! ❤️

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