If there’s one crime series that has become synonymous with Scandinavian crime fiction for American readers, it’s the late Stieg Larsson’s Millennium series. Launched with the infamous THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO, these books - and their leading lady, Lisbeth Salander - flung open the doors for Nordic Noir in the US. In the wake of Larsson’s passing, Swedish author David Lagercrantz has carried on writing Lisbeth’s story - and today (9/12), the newest series installment THE GIRL WHO TAKES AN EYE FOR AN EYE releases in the US! It’s my absolute pleasure to share that I interviewed David Lagercrantz for The Big Thrill, the website of the International Thriller Writers Organization - and that interview is now live!

READ THE INTERVIEW

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It’s a dream to be able to share this interview with you, and I hope you’ll enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed preparing for it! On a personal note, THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO was the first Scandinavian crime novel I ever read; it introduced me to the genre which has now become my passion as a reader and blogger. I'm beyond thrilled to be able to share this interview with you today! I will be sharing my full review of THE GIRL WHO TAKES AN EYE FOR AN EYE later this week, but for now, this blog post will give you a plot summary for the book, a couple quick bullet points of what I loved about this read, and a direct link to my interview with David Lagercrantz!

Plot Summary & Quick Review:

"First you find out the truth. Then you take revenge."

Plot Summary: Lisbeth Salander, the girl with the dragon tattoo, the brilliant hacker, the obstinate outsider, the volatile seeker of justice for herself and others—even she has never been able to uncover the most telling facts of her traumatic childhood, the secrets that might finally, fully explain her to herself. Now, when she sees a chance to uncover them once and for all, she enlists the help of Mikael Blomkvist, the editor of the muckraking, investigative journal Millennium. And she will let nothing stop her—not the Islamists she enrages by rescuing a young woman from their brutality; not the prison gang leader who passes a death sentence on her; not the deadly reach of her long-lost twin sister, Camilla; and not the people who will do anything to keep buried knowledge of a sinister pseudoscientific experiment known only as The Registry. Once again, Lisbeth Salander and Mikael Blomkvist, together, are the fierce heart of a thrilling full-tilt novel that takes on some of the most insidious problems facing the world at this very moment.

Quick Review: THE GIRL WHO TAKES AN EYE FOR AN EYE

I’ll be sharing my full thoughts on THE GIRL WHO TAKES AN EYE FOR AN EYE later this week—but for now, here are a few quick highlights from my experience reading this book!

Deep-dive into Lisbeth’s Backstory: this book gives readers an unprecedented dive into the secrets of Lisbeth’s childhood, which I absolutely loved.
Revenge Stories: a common theme running throughout this book is revenge. This takes many forms, but I loved each exploration and iteration of it.
Justice Seeking: Lisbeth has always been such a justice-driven character, motivated to fight for the underdog, and I was so glad to see that Lagercrantz keeps this theme alive in his newest series installment.
Twins. I mean, does this really need more explanation? Okay, it does -- but you’ll have to wait until my full review to find out what exactly this means!

READ CBTB’S INTERVIEW WITH DAVID LAGERCRANTZ

Many thanks to the team at Knopf and The Thrill Begins for the opportunity to interview David Lagercrantz! I received a free review copy of this book from the publisher; all opinions my own.

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Jan 30, 2022

Book Review: UNHINGED by Thomas Enger & Jørn Lier Horst

Jan 30, 2022

Nordic Noir fans, listen up: if you’re not already reading the Blix and Ramm series, add it to your to-read pile immediately. Co-written by powerhouse Norwegian crime writers Thomas Enger and Jørn Lier Horst, the Blix and Ramm series merges the best of its authors’ crime writing strengths to deliver a gripping blend of realistic procedural elements and character-driven, emotional suspense. Out last month in e-book and coming soon in paperback, the latest installment, UNHINGED, takes this already-excellent series to the next level. In UNHINGED, protagonists Alexander Blix and Emma Ramm face their most personal case yet when one of their colleagues is targeted in an execution-style killing. UNHINGED pushes this series’ endearing characters to their breaking points in a thrilling plot that is both gripping and deeply heartfelt. I do recommend reading at least this series’ first installment (Death Deserved) before diving into UNHINGED; while the case itself here is stand-alone, much of this story’s impact relies on our connection to its characters, and having a bit of background exposure to them will make readers all the more invested in their fates. Fans of Lars Kepler, Stefan Ahnhem, and Søren Sveistrup won’t want to miss this top-notch Nordic thriller series.

Jan 30, 2022

Nordic Thriller Mini Reviews: THE ICE COVEN by Max Seeck & THE CORPSE FLOWER by Anne Mette Hancock

Jan 30, 2022

Mini reviews of two new Nordic thrillers I recently read and loved: THE ICE COVEN by Max Seeck and THE CORPSE FLOWER by Anne Mette Hancock! These dark, chilling tales both put their own unique spin on the Nordic crime novel, and both deliver thrilling stories perfect for your fall to-read list.

Jan 30, 2022

Jan 30, 2022

Book Review: VICTIM WITHOUT A FACE by Stefan Ahnhem

Jan 30, 2022

I know I can’t be the only reader out there who seems to have a few books that have just been lingering on their TBR list for way too long… right?! One of my personal 2021 reading goals is to finally make a dent in that list and carve out some time to read crime novels that I’ve had sitting on my to-read pile for what feels like ages now. The latest book I’ve tackled from that list is Stefan Ahnhem’s serial killer thriller VICTIM WITHOUT A FACE, first published in the US in 2016. Set in Sweden and following a troubled detective on the trail of a very darkly inventive murderer, VICTIM WITHOUT A FACE has all the ingredients I look for in a thriller—and the reading experience here delivers. Centering around a killer who appears to be targeting classmates from his youth, VICTIM WITHOUT A FACE exemplifies the intricate plotting, grim mood, and complex character development that keeps me coming back for more Scandinavian crime fiction, book after book and year after year. With appeal for fans of Lars Kepler, Jo Nesbø, and Søren Sveistrup, Stefan Ahnhem’s first Fabian Risk novel made me an instant-fan of this gritty and gripping crime fiction series. If you’re looking for a dark, complex Nordic crime story to dig into as the fall season approaches, consider this oldie-but-a-goodie for your reading list—it’s a worthy addition.

Jan 30, 2022

Jan 25, 2021

Book Review: THE BUTTERFLY HOUSE by Katrine Engberg

Jan 25, 2021

Danish crime writer Katrine Engberg broke onto the scene in the US in 2020 with her debut crime novel THE TENANT, the first in a new series about two Copenhagen-based police officers, Jeppe Kørner and Anette Werner. This week, Kørner and Werner are back in THE BUTTERFLY HOUSE, the second installment in Engberg’s crime fiction series—and what a fantastic installment it is. There’s something particularly exciting as a reader about following an up-and-coming author’s career and seeing their growth and development, and THE BUTTERFLY HOUSE is proof positive that Katrine Engberg is on an upward trajectory. While I enjoyed her debut novel THE TENANT, I loved THE BUTTERFLY HOUSE, and would highly recommend this engaging, inventive Danish crime novel for fans of Nordic Noir and police procedurals. In THE BUTTERFLY HOUSE, the quirky personalities of Engberg’s protagonists are once again front and center, and this time, the pair find themselves operating independently of one another. With Anette Werner on maternity leave, Jeppe Kørner finds himself assigned a new partner with whom he must tackle a series of disturbing crimes that seem tied to a local Copenhagen hospital. But Anette isn’t one to be left behind, and she sets out to conduct her own off-the-record investigation into these very same murders. As she and Jeppe close in on the truth at the heart of a complex web of intrigue, they discover shocking abuse of power at an institution that is meant to help, not harm. THE BUTTERFLY HOUSE is an engaging, fresh take on Nordic Noir, a procedural brimming with personality, eccentric characters, and plenty of mystery and intrigue.

Jan 25, 2021

Jan 25, 2021

Book Review: THE WITCH HUNTER by Max Seeck

Jan 25, 2021

Looking for a serial killer thriller with an extra-chilling edge this winter? Look no further than Finnish crime writer Max Seeck’s US debut, THE WITCH HUNTER. In this thoroughly entertaining—and thoroughly chilling—serial killer tale, a shadowy group is bringing the horrific crimes of a bestselling trilogy of books to life, and it’s up to a detective with secrets of her own to crack the case. Roger Koponen has made his fortune writing the Witch Hunter trilogy, a gruesome and terrifying fiction series. When Roger’s wife is found brutally murdered, her body displayed in a manner eerily similar to one of the crimes depicted in Roger’s books, investigator Jessica Niemi is assigned to the case. But the deeper Jessica digs into the murder, the more unusual the case becomes. And when more bodies start piling up, and it becomes clear there must be more than one villain responsible for these brutal acts, Jessica finds herself drawn into a web of conspiracy and sinister intrigue. THE WITCH HUNTER is a page-turning, entertaining Nordic thriller with plenty of appeal for fans of Nordic Noir and serial killer thrillers alike. Laced with elements of witchcraft and the occult, THE WITCH HUNTER delivers a seriously chilling read perfect for the winter months ahead. Max Seeck’s US debut has positioned him as an author to watch.

Jan 25, 2021

Nov 1, 2020

Book Review: THE MIST by Ragnar Jonasson

Nov 1, 2020

Very few recent crime fiction series have hooked me the way Ragnar Jonasson’s Hidden Iceland Trilogy has. This impeccably-crafted Icelandic crime series is an astonishing accomplishment: a trilogy plotted as beautifully as it is written, brimming with the humanity of its characters and immersing readers in the stunning landscape of Iceland.. In the Hidden Iceland books, author Ragnar Jonasson wraps readers up in the chilling atmosphere of his trilogy’s setting, and draws readers into the inner life of its endearing and compelling protagonist. The Hidden Iceland trilogy has captivated me with its stylish prose, clever plotting, and unputdownable suspense, and with THE MIST, Jonasson delivers a conclusion worthy of its exceptional predecessors. In THE MIST, readers follow series protagonist Hulda Hermansdottir as she returns to work following a personal leave necessitated by an undefined tragedy. Hulda will soon face a disturbing - and puzzling - case: a mysterious death at a remote farmhouse in the Icelandic countryside, where two bodies have been found. Weaving together Hulda’s personal life with an extended flashback at the farm in the lead-up to our victims’ deaths, THE MIST is a complex and heartbreaking mystery, a feather in the cap of an already-exceptional crime fiction series. If you’re in the market for elegant suspense that relies more on atmosphere and character development than blood and gore, Ragnar Jonasson’s superb Hidden Iceland trilogy might just be your perfect match. I will sincerely miss this series and its standout protagonist, but I am already looking forward to seeing what Ragnar will write next.

Nov 1, 2020

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Nov 1, 2020

Book Review: I WILL MISS YOU TOMORROW by Heine Bakkeid

Nov 1, 2020

You know those books that come seemingly out of nowhere and knock you sideways with how very much you love them? That was Heine Bakkeid’s extraordinary crime fiction debut I WILL MISS YOU TOMORROW for me. This Norwegian crime novel blends the atmosphere and grit of the Nordic Noir tradition with the spine-tingling chills found in the work of authors like Yrsa Sigurdardottir and C.J. Tudor. I WILL MISS YOU TOMORROW is an outstanding crime novel about grief, loss, and the ghosts that haunt us. Set against the backdrop of remote northern Norway, I WILL MISS YOU TOMORROW follows a disgraced former police officer who is given a chance at redemption in the form of an off-the-books missing persons investigation. Hired as a private investigator by the parents of a young man who has gone missing at a lighthouse off the coast of northern Norway, Thorkild Aske sets out on what he assumes will be a fruitless mission—a journey that becomes as much about tracking down this missing man as it is about Thorkild confronting his personal demons. With immersive atmosphere and propulsive plotting, I WILL MISS YOU TOMORROW wraps readers up in a chilling suspense novel worthy of every bit of praise it has earned. This promising series launch is a must-read for fans of melancholy, atmospheric Nordic suspense.

Nov 1, 2020

Jan 14, 2020

Book Review: DEATH DESERVED by Jørn Lier Horst and Thomas Enger

Jan 14, 2020

What do you get when you combine the writing talents of two popular Norwegian crime writers? The answer, as it turns out, is a delightfully devious serial killer thriller called DEATH DESERVED, the first joint offering from Jørn Lier Horst (author of the William Wisting series) and Thomas Enger (author of the Henning Juul series). In this new series launch, Horst and Enger team up to deliver a story that draws on both of their strengths, blending Horst’s knowledge of and eye for police procedure with Enger’s skill at crafting engaging, endearing characters. DEATH DESERVED is a race-against-the-clock thriller, a story following an unlikely pair of protagonists - a police officer and a celebrity blogger - who find themselves embroiled in the shocking disappearance of a star athlete in Oslo. As bizarre and dramatic clues begin to pop up across the city, it becomes apparent to those involved that they are dealing with a devious and increasingly emboldened killer, one who will stop at nothing to achieve his twisted goals—and make his work known to the public at the same time. Cleverly plotted and seriously entertaining, DEATH DESERVED is an excellent new serial killer thriller and strong series launch from two acclaimed Norwegian crime writers.

Jan 14, 2020

Dec 26, 2019

Book Review: THE ABSOLUTION by Yrsa Sigurdardottir

Dec 26, 2019

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.

Dec 26, 2019

Oct 20, 2019

Book Review: THE CHESTNUT MAN by Søren Sveistrup

Oct 20, 2019

One of the season’s most hotly-anticipated new thrillers is finally here. From the mind that created the sensational television show The Killing now comes an equally-gripping - and equally-chilling - Nordic thriller: THE CHESTNUT MAN. In his debut crime novel, Søren Sveistrup instantly establishes himself as a must-read author for fans of Nordic Noir legends Jo Nesbø and Lars Kepler—and, for that matter, as a must-read for any reader who just wants a gripping thriller to sink their teeth into this fall. THE CHESTNUT MAN is good, old-fashioned Scandinavian crime fiction; it’s a hefty book, clocking in at 528 pages in the American hardcover edition, and immerses the reader in an intricate plot moving from the mundane details of police work to the cinematic (and gruesome) crimes of a twisted killer. If the plot of THE CHESTNUT MAN seems a bit familiar at first glance, don’t worry; Sveistrup sets up his debut novel in well-tread territory, but it quickly separates itself from the pack with richly-drawn characters, made-for-TV pacing, and, naturally, a killer with a modus operandi so sinister, you’ll want to read this book with all the lights on. The buzz surrounding the publication of THE CHESTNUT MAN has been significant; it’s earned incredible pre-publication praise, is a September Book of the Month Club selection, and is soon to be a Netflix original series. The buzz is warranted here; Sveistrup’s debut is a must-read for the crime reader looking for a big, bold, spend-all-day-reading thriller.

Oct 20, 2019