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Crime by the Book

A girl investigates crime fiction from around the world, by the book.
  • Blog
  • Nordic Noir
    • Introduction
    • Background
    • Book Recommendations
    • By Country
    • Interviews
    • Reviews
    • Features
  • Features
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  • Quick Reviews: Psychological Thrillers
  • Quick Reviews: Detective Novels & Scandi Crime
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the cbtb blog

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

June Wrap Up 2018.jpg

June 2018 Wrap-Up

July 4, 2018

June 2018 Wrap-Up

How can we possibly be halfway through 2018 already?! It’s been a fantastic year for crime fiction so far, and the second half of the year promises to be just as exciting. June was arguably my personal favorite month in reading so far this year—I read a number of highly-anticipated summer releases and also made time for an older novel I’ve been hoping to read for quite a while now! Not only did I find myself reading at a good pace this month, but (even more importantly) I loved the majority of the books I read. To me, that really is the best mark of a great reading month: not how many books you read, but how much you enjoyed the books you did read. All in all, June was a distinct success—and I’m looking forward to seeing what July has in store for me next! Before we dive into my wrap-up, let’s take a look at a few quick stats from my month in books: 

Books Read: 7
Pages Read: 2,866
Favorite Read of the Month: It’s a tie! Between I REMEMBER YOU by Yrsa Sigurdardottir and THE NIGHT VISITOR by Lucy Atkins
Least Favorite Read of the Month: CAGED by Ellison Cooper

Without further ado, let’s dive into my June Wrap-Up! 


Our House Louise Candlish.jpg
I Remember You Yrsa Sigurdardottir.jpg
The Night Visitor Lucy Atkins.jpg
The Other Woman Sandie Jones.jpg

June 2018 Wrap-Up

Our House.jpg

OUR HOUSE by Louise Candlish
Berkley; 8/7/18
CBTB Rating: 4.5/5
The Verdict: Page-turning, addictive suspense with a fresh angle
Read CBTB’s Review

The way I see it, the ever-growing list of new domestic suspense novels is a two-sided coin for us readers. On the one hand, who doesn’t love a great domestic thriller? It’s such fun to see what new suspense novels we can add to our “anticipated reads” lists. But on the other hand… how on earth are you going to separate the great from the so-so? It can feel like picking up a new domestic suspense novel is a bit of a gamble—but not in the case of Louise Candlish’s OUR HOUSE. Fresh, fun, and engrossing, OUR HOUSE is a new take on domestic suspense: a binge-worthy story of secrets in a marriage that will take readers down a totally unexpected path. Come to OUR HOUSE for its gorgeous packaging; stay for its inventive storytelling structure and page-turning reading experience. OUR HOUSE is a little bit twisty, a touch dramatic, and a whole lot of suspense reading fun. It’s hard to describe this book as anything but propulsive—from its first page to its very shocking last, I was hooked on Candlish’s inventive story of betrayal, guilt, and relationships gone very wrong. 

Our House
By Louise Candlish
Caged_Ellison Cooper.jpg

CAGED by Ellison Cooper
Minotaur Books; 7/10/18
CBTB Rating: 3/5
The Verdict: a dark-yet-predictable serial killer thriller, best for genre newcomers
Read CBTB’s Review

There are few subgenres of crime fiction as consistently entertaining as a really good serial killer thriller. In fact, no matter your preferred format of crime storytelling, serial killers seem a constant across the board; movies, TV shows, podcasts, fiction, true crime—you name it, there’s a serial killer story that falls under that category. I’m always on the lookout for new, buzzworthy serial killer thrillers to add to my reading list, and that’s how I came to find CAGED by Ellison Cooper, a chilling crime novel releasing from Minotaur Books this July. With a dark premise, complex female lead, and eye-catching cover, CAGED initially ticked all my boxes for serial killer thriller “must-haves.” While I certainly enjoyed CAGED, I would recommend it most of all for readers who are new to the genre; experienced readers of serial killer thrillers are likely to find that the book relies a bit too heavily on genre stereotypes and cliches. There’s nothing hugely, offensively wrong here—CAGED just never quite kicks into the gear I had hoped it would. I’m confident many readers will enjoy CAGED this summer, but I would hypothesize that those who will enjoy it most of all will be the readers dipping their toes into the genre for the first time - not a negative by any means, but a qualification to be aware of. To me, the story of CAGED is most of all a story of unfilled potential: a crime novel with an eye-catching cover and a chilling plot that delivers page-turning entertainment value, but doesn't quite reach the levels of darkness or psychological insight I had hoped it would. 

Caged: A Novel
By Ellison Cooper
Pieces of Her.jpg

PIECES OF HER by Karin Slaughter
William Morrow; 8/21/18
CBTB Rating: 4/5
The Verdict: astute and unusual suspense

A new Karin Slaughter book is always cause for celebration, and PIECES OF HER is bound to be one of the most buzzed-about crime novels of the summer. It’s also bound to be one of the most surprising. PIECES OF HER is not your ordinary psychological thriller—readers will need to go into this book with the right expectations to enjoy it to its fullest potential. That being said, it will also be no surprise to readers to learn that Slaughter’s newest effort is stunning and deeply insightful. In PIECES OF HER, readers meet a young woman (Andrea) who discovers that her mother (Laura) has been keeping lifelong secrets from her daughter. When violence breaks out at a shopping mall, the mother-daughter pair find themselves thrown into a veritable whirlwind: secrets from the family’s past come to light, and protagonist Andrea finds herself searching for the truth behind her mother’s shadowy past. Told in dual timelines, PIECES OF HER explores the legacy of a group of activists whose protests take on a life of their own—and result in generations of violence. This really is a supremely unusual read, and one with subject matter that won’t work for everyone. I didn’t expect the social justice angle of this story to be as strong as it was; while it might not have been my first choice to knowingly dive into a book so heavily focused on this subject, I ended up thoroughly enjoying PIECES OF HER. Fair warning: this book takes quite a while to kick into gear, but once it does, readers will be hooked. 

Pieces of Her: A Novel
By Karin Slaughter
The Other Woman Jones.jpg

THE OTHER WOMAN by Sandie Jones
Minotaur Books; 8/21/18
CBTB Rating: 4/5
The Verdict: lighter, binge-worthy summer reading

Looking for a domestic thriller to bring to the beach this summer? Sandie Jones’ THE OTHER WOMAN may just be your perfect choice. Jones’ story of psychological suspense starts much like any other: a woman meets a picture-perfect man, and embarks on a whirlwind romance—only to discover that this dream man of hers has a whole lot of secrets. The twist here? The “other woman” in Jones’ addictive summer suspense novel isn’t a mistress - she’s that dream man’s mother. Readers who love books like BEHIND CLOSED DOORS by B.A. Paris and LIE TO ME by J.T. Ellison - books that delve into the secrets in relationships - will love THE OTHER WOMAN. This might not be the most groundbreaking thriller, but it sure is a fun one; bring THE OTHER WOMAN along on your next summer vacation and you won’t be disappointed. Bonus: this book truly has one heck of a killer ending. 

The Other Woman: A Novel
By Sandie Jones
The Night Visitor Atkins.jpg

THE NIGHT VISITOR by Lucy Atkins
Quercus; 7/3/18
CBTB Rating: 5/5
The Verdict: fresh, unputdownable suspense - a Summer 2018 must-read! 
Read CBTB’s Review | Read a Guest Post from Lucy Atkins

Every summer that CBTB has been in existence, there’s been one out-of-left-field psychological thriller that has snuck up on me and totally blown me away. In 2016, this was BLOOD WEDDING by Pierre Lemaitre; in 2017, it was a book I was lucky enough to work on publicity for - FINAL GIRLS by Riley Sager. This year, I’ve found my “out-of-left-field” favorite: THE NIGHT VISITOR by Lucy Atkins. Atkins is an award-winning author and journalist, and THE NIGHT VISITOR is her third novel - but it’s the first of her work that has ever found its way onto my reading list, and boy, am I so glad that it did. After devouring this exceptional psychological thriller, Atkins has secured herself a spot on my list of must-read suspense writers. So impressed was I with Atkins’ writing that I did a little reading about her background, and discovered that she has extensive experience both as a book critic and a teacher of creative writing. Frankly, given the quality of her newest release, I wasn't the least bit surprised. Take it from me: her professional experience shows. Wholly original and utterly unputdownable, THE NIGHT VISITOR delivers a superb story of suspense with a personality all its own. If you love gripping psychological thrillers, quirky and compelling characters, and a story with a totally unique backdrop (an old estate + the world of academia!), THE NIGHT VISITOR belongs on your reading list. In short: every book should be as fun to read as this one. 

The Night Visitor
By Lucy Atkins
I Remember You Yrsa.jpg

I REMEMBER YOU by Yrsa Sigurdardottir
Minotaur Books; 3/25/14
CBTB Rating: 5/5
The Verdict: goosebump-inducing horror from Iceland’s Queen of Crime

Yrsa Sigurdardottir is a just-plain-incredible talent. Sigurdardottir is known as Iceland’s Queen of Crime, and every single book of hers that I read reinforces just how well-deserved this title is. A hallmark of Yrsa’s crime writing is her ability to blend strong mystery writing with truly dark, almost horror-inspired plotlines—and in I REMEMBER YOU, she puts her dark imagination on full display. I REMEMBER YOU is better described as a ghost story than a crime novel, though at its heart it certainly has a compelling mystery for readers to unravel. In this hair-raising story of suspense, a group of friends set out to a remote Icelandic village in order to renovate a house they have recently purchased. But as they settle in and begin their work, it becomes clear that something on the island doesn’t want them to stay. I REMEMBER YOU is slow-burning, immersive, utterly chilling suspense—I was glued to this book from the first page to the last. You know that feeling when you’re loving a book so much, you just want to savor every single page? That was me with I REMEMBER YOU. Highly recommended! 

I Remember You: A Ghost Story
By Yrsa Sigurdardottir
The Last Time I Lied.jpg

THE LAST TIME I LIED by Riley Sager
Dutton; 7/3/18
CBTB Rating: 4/5
The Verdict: lighter suspense perfect for fans of Pretty Little Liars

Riley Sager made a splash with his stellar horror movie-inspired FINAL GIRLS, and this summer, he’s back! In THE LAST TIME I LIED, Sager takes readers into Camp Nightingale for a summer vacation they’re not soon to forget. Fifteen years ago, Emma went off to summer camp and made friends with her cabin mates. One night, Emma awoke to see her new friends sneaking out of the cabin—and in the morning, the girls were gone, vanished into the night. Now a star in the New York art scene, Emma explores the trauma she experienced in her teenage years through her painting. But when the opportunity for Emma to revisit Camp Nightingale falls into her lap, she takes it, hoping to achieve closure on the tragedy of years prior - and perhaps figure out what happened to the girls once and for all. Readers of FINAL GIRLS will find THE LAST TIME I LIED a lighter brand of suspense; though it certainly has horror movie themes (a creepy summer camp + cabin in the woods!), this book will be better suited for fans of Pretty Little Liars—those who want interpersonal suspense, a touch of drama, and plenty of secrets. 

The Last Time I Lied: A Novel
By Riley Sager
The Good Son You-jeong Jeong.jpg
Lying in Wait Liz Nugent.jpg
Michelle Sacks You Were Made for This.jpg

Plus: June Recommended Releases

Catch my list of June Recommended Releases here!

As always, thank you so much for reading! xx A

Featured
Feb 15, 2019
Q&A: Yrsa Sigurdardottir, Author of THE RECKONING
Feb 15, 2019

No one writes crime fiction quite like Yrsa Sigurdardottir. Dark and gritty, layered and complex, Yrsa’s exceptional crime novels are must-reads for any fan of the Nordic Noir genre - or any reader who just wants a great procedural to sink their teeth into. In 2018, Yrsa launched her new series (the Children’s House series) in the U.S. with The Legacy - and this week, she’s back with book two, THE RECKONING - and it’s every bit as good as its predecessor. The Children’s House series is quickly becoming one of my personal favorites; these books are unflinching in their examination of the lasting legacy of childhood trauma, exploring difficult themes with sensitivity and thoughtfulness. And beyond that, they’re just fantastic crime reading, filled with all the atmosphere and intrigue of the best mysteries. I’m thrilled to welcome Yrsa to Crime by the Book today to give us the inside scoop on her newest release, THE RECKONING! In this Q&A, Yrsa touches on everything from her series’ two protagonists to her writing process to how dangerous Iceland really is. Read on for more details on THE RECKONING, and for my Q&A with Yrsa!

Feb 15, 2019
Feb 14, 2019
Book Review: THE STRANGER DIARIES by Elly Griffiths
Feb 14, 2019

How is this the first time I’ve read a book by Elly Griffiths? There’s no other way to say it: I’ve been missing out. Griffiths’ exceptional standalone THE STRANGER DIARIES is a spring 2019 must-read. Layered and immersive, atmospheric and authentic, this brilliant twist on Gothic suspense will captivate the reader. Following Clare Cassidy, a teacher who specializes in Gothic literature, THE STRANGER DIARIES takes readers into a bookish mystery with sinister undertones. When one of Clare’s closest colleagues is found murdered, Clare is grief-stricken—but things take an ominous turn when a clue is discovered on the corpse that tie the gruesome crime to the work of a Gothic writer who happens to be one of Clare’s favorites. Could life be imitating art? As Clare ventures into the dark heart of the goings on at her place of employment, it begins to appear that this work of fiction is playing out in the real world—to deadly end. In THE STRANGER DIARIES, Griffiths masterfully blends Gothic influence with modern-day suspense sensibility, and the result is effortless, spine-tingling, page-turning fun. Masterfully blurring the lines between reality and fiction, Elly Griffiths has crafted an exceptional bookish mystery that is both an ode to Gothic literature and an effective work of Gothic suspense unto itself.

Feb 14, 2019
Feb 12, 2019
Q&A: Lucy Foley, Author of THE HUNTING PARTY
Feb 12, 2019

Fans of Agatha Christie and Ruth Ware, listen up: today’s featured book is for you! I’m thrilled to welcome Lucy Foley to Crime by the Book today to discuss her brand-new suspense novel, THE HUNTING PARTY - available today, February 12th! This stylish, atmospheric suspense novel takes the concept of the “locked room mystery” and applies it to a luxurious hunting lodge in the Scottish highlands, where a group of friends find themselves snowed in during a blizzard. Part ode to classic crime in the style of Agatha Christie, part modern story of psychological suspense, THE HUNTING PARTY is seriously entertaining and appealing on so many levels. From its claustrophobic premise to its swoon-worthy locale and juicy interpersonal secrets, THE HUNTING PARTY is a fantastic choice for winter reading. Fans of Ruth Ware - and readers who just plain love a fun, engaging suspense read - will find Lucy Foley’s newest release right up their alley.

Feb 12, 2019
Feb 6, 2019
Q&A: C.J. Tudor, Author of THE HIDING PLACE
Feb 6, 2019

C.J. Tudor has quickly established herself as one of my favorite crime writers. Her debut novel THE CHALK MAN blew me away; her sophomore novel THE HIDING PLACE - released this week - is even better. Tudor is a fierce talent: a writer who blurs genre lines, pushes the envelope, and delivers stories as smart as they are creepy. I’m thrilled to welcome C.J. Tudor to CBTB today to discuss her brand-new release, THE HIDING PLACE! (Note: In the U.K., this book is titled The Taking of Annie Thorne.) Read on for the book’s plot details, a snippet from my review of THE HIDING PLACE, and a fantastic conversation with C.J. Tudor herself!

Feb 6, 2019
Feb 5, 2019
New Release Tuesday: February 5th, 2019
Feb 5, 2019

Clear your TBR list: today’s newly-released crime fiction begs to be read immediately. Today, Tuesday, February 5th, marks the release of not one, not two, not three, but four exciting new crime fiction releases—and this blog post will give you a quick rundown of each! From a debut psychological suspense novel to a new Nordic Noir release from one of Scandinavia’s bestselling authors, there’s a fantastic variety of stellar crime fiction on sale today. Read on for my picks for this week’s new crime fiction!

Feb 5, 2019
Jan 29, 2019
Excerpt: THE STRANGER DIARIES by Elly Griffiths
Jan 29, 2019

A modern take on Gothic suspense with a literary twist? Sign me up. I first learned of Griffiths’ forthcoming standalone suspense novel THE STRANGER DIARIES at Bouchercon this past fall, and have been eagerly anticipating its release ever since. In THE STRANGER DIARIES, Griffiths (best known for her Ruth Galloway series) crafts a suspense novel centered around a teacher of Gothic literature, who finds the plot of one of the books she uses in her courses playing out in real life… to potentially deadly end. From its stunning cover to its bookish plot and Gothic-inspired touches, THE STRANGER DIARIES has all the makings of an instant-favorite for me - and I couldn’t be more excited to give you the inside scoop on this book today! Thanks to the team at Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, I’m thrilled to share with CBTB readers an early excerpt of the book’s first chapter. THE STRANGER DIARIES releases in the US in March, but you can get a taste of Griffiths’ captivating writing right here. And let me just say: I’m currently reading THE STRANGER DIARIES, and have found it to be absolutely gripping from page one. So far, it’s exceeding all my expectations, and I can’t wait for you to give it a read, too! Read on for plot details, a selection of the incredible early praise the book is already receiving, links to pre-order, and (of course!) the excerpt itself.

Jan 29, 2019
Jan 27, 2019
Book Review: RED SNOW by Will Dean
Jan 27, 2019

In 2018, Will Dean captured the attention of crime readers around the world with his chilling debut, DARK PINES. Now, he’s back—and his sophomore novel is even better than his first. In RED SNOW, readers return to the fictional town of Gavrik, Sweden, and to all its glorious quirkiness and personality. But there’s something sinister happening in this quiet town. First, a suicide; then, a gruesome, almost ritualistic murder—what could be next? Rejoining series protagonist Tuva Moodyson, a reporter for the town’s local newspaper, readers will go down the rabbit hole and into the twisting, turning case of “the Ferryman,” a killer so named due to the licorice coins he placed over the eyes of his victim. RED SNOW is, as expected, a highly atmospheric and chilling thriller. But even better is what I didn’t expect this story to be, and that is a touch zany and brimming with personality. Dean masterfully laces his crime novel with quirks and quiet jokes galore; this isn’t a comic novel by any stretch of the imagination, but it is a crime novel with a dark, eccentric sense of humor. (Fans of Twin Peaks, this one’s for you.) RED SNOW is a fresh take on northern crime fiction, guaranteed to deliver thrills and a few laughs along the way.

Jan 27, 2019
Jan 23, 2019
Your Early 2019 Nordic Noir Reading List
Jan 23, 2019

Nothing beats a great Scandinavian crime novel in the chilly winter months, and this winter is brimming with fantastic Nordic Noir for you to devour. Whether you’re a fan of paperbacks or hardcovers, series installments or standalones, there’s a Nordic crime novel for you releasing this winter—and you’ll find my personal picks for highly-anticipated early 2019 releases right here! In this post, I’m rounding up the most exciting Scandinavian crime fiction releasing from January 2019 through March 2019. Some of these titles are paperback releases of hardcovers I’ve already read (and loved!), some are brand-new hardcovers that I haven’t even read yet—but they’re all highly-anticipated releases that I’m so excited to share with you! If you’re looking for a new Nordic Noir release (or two!) to devour this winter, look no further: your early 2019 Nordic Noir reading list is right here.

Jan 23, 2019
Jan 20, 2019
Book Review: THE BONE KEEPER by Luca Veste
Jan 20, 2019

Luca Veste’s chilling standalone crime novel THE BONE KEEPER will add a welcome dose of spine-tingling fun to your early-2019 TBR. Part police procedural, part urban legend, THE BONE KEEPER reads like the creepiest story kids in your neighborhood used to tell to scare each other… only this time, it’s all grown up, and it might just be real. In his newest work, Veste slyly weaves together a detail-oriented police procedural with a story of suspense that’s the stuff of nightmares—and the result is the twisted, engrossing THE BONE KEEPER. The ideal reader for THE BONE KEEPER will be one who loves an immersive, layered police procedural, replete with all the details of a police investigation, but who also looks for books with a unique edge and personality—all qualities that THE BONE KEEPER has in spades. This slow-burning crime novel will best suit readers who love a traditional police procedural structure; if you fall into that category, you will find THE BONE KEEPER to be a highly original - and highly creepy - winter read.

Jan 20, 2019
Jan 18, 2019
CBTB's Weekend Checklist - 1/18/19
Jan 18, 2019

Happy Friday, reader! With a long weekend ahead of us in the U.S., I thought this would be the perfect moment to share my first “Weekend Checklist” of 2019! If you’re a new CBTB reader, my “weekend checklists” are every-so-often features that I share, in which I round up all the different crime fiction entertainment I’m recommending - and enjoying myself! - over the weekend. In this post, you’ll find recommendations for a weekend binge-read, a TV show I’m personally watching myself, a true crime podcast, and more. These posts are always such fun to put together, and I hope you’ll love reading this Weekend Checklist as much as I loved writing it! Without further ado, let’s dive right in. Happy reading!

Jan 18, 2019
In Monthly Wrap Up Tags Karin Slaughter, Pieces of Her, Yrsa Sigurdardottir, I Remember You, Lucy Atkins, The Night Visitor, Sandie Jones, The Other Woman, Our House, Louise Candlish, Caged, Ellison Cooper, Riley Sager, The Last Time I Lied
← Book Review: I REMEMBER YOU by Yrsa SigurdardottirLucy Atkins on Fiction’s Top Five Twisted Housekeepers and Nannies →

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Hunting Game (An Embla Nyström Investigation)
By Helene Tursten

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Featured
Feb 15, 2019
Q&A: Yrsa Sigurdardottir, Author of THE RECKONING
Feb 15, 2019
Feb 15, 2019
Feb 14, 2019
Book Review: THE STRANGER DIARIES by Elly Griffiths
Feb 14, 2019
Feb 14, 2019
Feb 12, 2019
Q&A: Lucy Foley, Author of THE HUNTING PARTY
Feb 12, 2019
Feb 12, 2019
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⚡️ FLASH INTERNATIONAL GIVEAWAY! ⚡️
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It’s Friday & I feel like we could use a pick me up. 😉 SO I want to give one of you a copy of one of these awesome crime reads!! 🕵🏻‍♀️ I’ve been feeling so lucky lately with how stellar my 2019 reads have been so far, so this giveaway will help spread the love 😍 One lucky winner will receive a copy of one of these reads - winner gets to choose the book! 🤓❤️ •
A quick summary of these books: 🔎 THE STRANGER DIARIES: A modern take on Gothic suspense, with a “book within a book” component! 🤓
🔎 THE HIDING PLACE: spine-tingling suspense with horror touches (think Stephen King) 😱
🔎 THE BONE KEEPER: a procedural-meets-serial killer novel with some horror inspired elements 🕵🏻‍♀️
🔎 HUNTING GAME: a mystery that reads like a classic crime novel, set in rural Sweden. 🙌🏻
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GIVEAWAY RULES: 🔎 International entrants! Just make sure BookDepository ships to your country, please! 🔎 Giveaway closes Monday, 2/25
TO ENTER: 🔎 Follow @crimebythebook 🔎 Tag 2 friends in the comments
🔎 For one extra entry, share in the comments! 🔎 Reminder: Giveaway not affiliated with or sponsored by Instagram. 
GOOD LUCK! 🕵🏻‍♀️
These NYC views never get old. ♡ Snapped this photo in Madison Square Park! 📸 •
Now, I realize this is a VERY good problem to have: but does anyone else ever feel like there are just *too* many great books coming out to keep up with?! 😳 I’m normally SUCH a mood reader, but I’ve got so many books on my to-read list that I’ve had to get a bit more organized to make time for all of them. 😂 A great problem, to be sure - but something I’m trying to stay very much on top of. 🤓
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SO to that end... I’m so excited bc next on my TBR is the newest read from a CBTB favorite!!!🕵🏻‍♀️🖤 Sara Blaedel has the 2nd book in her Family Secrets trilogy releasing in March - it’s called HER FATHER’S SECRET, and it releases March 5th! Blaedel first came on my radar years & years ago with her Louise Rick procedurals, and I’ve been a fan of hers ever since. 🙌🏻 While the Family Secrets Trilogy is VERY different from the Louise Rick series, both have endearing characters who I just love spending time with. 👌🏻 The Family Secrets books are definitely a lighter brand of suspense than Blaedel’s Louise Rick books: if you love gritty police procedurals, the Louise Rick books will be more your speed. BUT I’m currently in the mood for something a bit gentler & more cozy - and that’s exactly the kind of read the Family Secrets books deliver. 🤓 I’ll share more info on the plot for HER FATHER’S SECRET - plus my early reading thoughts - soon!!🖤 •
Do you have a set TBR that you read from? Or are you a mood reader?!
No bookish lunch break for me today, but I’m daydreaming that I’m back in this perfect reading spot 👆🏻 with that gorgeous latte 😍☕️
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I realized (thanks to Facebook 😂) that today is my 1 year anniversary at my job!!!😱 Time flies. It feels like just yesterday I was sharing with you guys all about my new opportunity, & now here we are. It’s been an incredible 1 year at Knopf, working with some of the best crime writers in the world, and I cannot wait to see what year 2 has in store. 🕵🏻‍♀️❤️ Even though CBTB is totally separate from my job in book publishing, I’ve loved getting to share little bits of my work life with you guys over this past year - thank you so much for going on this adventure with me!!😍❤️ In honor of the 1 year anniversary, I’ll be opening up a little bit about my “work life” in the comments - please feel free to ask any questions you have!!! (Background info for those of you new to CBTB: I work in book publicity!) I’ll be answering questions tonight! 🕵🏻‍♀️🖤
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In reading news, I’ve picked out my next read & it’s one I’m SO excited about bc it’s from an author I’ve been reading for years & years now!!! I’ll be sharing more about my next read tomorrow or maybe in my IG stories tonight if I can tear myself away from blogging in time to get some stories up. 😉 Stay tuned!!🤓❤️
May this cute little bear latte art brighten your day as much as it brightened mine. 🥰🙌🏻 •
So... guess who finished her latest read in just about 2 sittings...?! 🤔 It’s been just about forever since I binge-read a book quite as quickly as I did HUNTING GAME by Helene Tursten. And the greatest irony of all? I thought this was going to be a really slow-burning read that would take me a little while to get through. 😂 Here’s the thing: HUNTING GAME *is* a slow-burner of a story, but it’s also delightfully readable. This is a quiet sort of mystery; it’s grounded in reality and focused more on atmosphere-building & character development than flashy twists or gory violence. It’s got a fantastic premise that feels inspired by the “locked room mystery”: a group of hunters in rural Sweden are struck by tragedy when two of their own go missing, and suspicion falls on the group. 🔎 Tursten does a fantastic job crafting an immersive mystery that will keep you engaged with steady pacing, spare prose, and compact chapters. If you’re a fan of classic detective novels, it will be RIGHT up your alley. 👌🏻 •
Who here loves a good classic detective story?! 🕵🏻‍♀️ What are some of your favorites?
Wintry Nordic mystery with a strong female protagonist? Sign me up. 🕵🏻‍♀️🖤 Many thanks to Soho Press for my review copy of Helene Tursten’s HUNTING GAME, on sale February 26th! 🔎
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One of the questions I get most often is “don’t you ever get tired of reading crime novels?!” And the answer is, invariably, no - because the crime genre encompasses SO much. 🙌🏻 My personal trick that helps keep things fresh for me as a reader = I mix up the sub-genres I’m reading back to back. SO because my last read (THE WOMAN IN THE DARK) was a fast-paced psychological suspense novel, I’m opting to make my next read something more atmospheric & slow-burning - and Helene Tursten’s HUNTING GAME looks just the thing to suit my mood. 👌🏻🖤
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A little backstory: Helene Tursten is best known for her Irene Huss series, which has been translated into 18 languages (!) *and* adapted into a television series. BUT with her new book, HUNTING GAME, she launches a brand-new series featuring a totally new protagonist: Detective Inspector Embla Nyström. 🕵🏻‍♀️
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Embla Nyström is a 28-year old detective working for the police in Gothenburg, Sweden. Plagued by chronic nightmares and anxiety for as long as she can remember, Embla has learned to channel her emotions and anxious energy into her work, and into sports - she is both a talented hunter and a prize-winning welterweight boxer. 💪🏻 When readers meet her in HUNTING GAME, Embla is taking a vacation from her high-stress job, traveling to her uncle’s cabin in the countryside with a group of fellow hunters. But when a string of unsettling incidents occur, culminating in the disappearance of two of the group, Embla takes charge, delving into the dark past of her traveling companions in search of a killer. 🔎
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I’ve been loving the resurgence of “locked room” style mysteries we’ve been seeing lately - and HUNTING GAME sounds like it might have some similar structures to it!! 👌🏻 I’m excited to give this one a read. 🤓 What do you think: does this sound up your alley?! 🔎
🕵🏻‍♀️ FRIDAY GIVEAWAY 🕵🏻‍♀️ I’m so excited to team up with @Minotaur_Books to give away 5 hardcover copies of THE RECKONING, the brilliant new book by Yrsa Sigurdardottir! 🔎
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Yrsa Sigurdardottir (aka Iceland’s Queen of Crime 🇮🇸) is one of my favorite authors. 👌🏻 If you’re a fan of Nordic Noir, her books belong on your TBR! 🤓 This week, Yrsa’s newest book THE RECKONING went on sale in the US, & today on the blog I’m sharing a Q&A with Yrsa giving you a behind-the-scenes peek into the read! 🔎 In our Q&A, you can learn about the characters central to this story, the inspiration behind the book, how dangerous Iceland *really* is, & a whole lot more!! Direct link in my IG profile 🕵🏻‍♀️🖤
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SO to celebrate this book’s release, I’m teaming up with Minotaur to give 5 lucky readers a copy! 🤓 Enter below! •
GIVEAWAY RULES: 🔎 Giveaway closes 2/22
🔎 US entrants only 
TO ENTER:
🔎 Follow @minotaur_books & @crimebythebook 🔎 Like this photo & tag 2 friends in the comments 🔎 For one extra entry, share in your stories! 🔎 Reminder: giveaway not affiliated with or sponsored by Instagram. 
GOOD LUCK! 🕵🏻‍♀️🖤
PSA to my future Valentine: I really only want books for Valentine’s Day. 😉❤️ (Or a trip back to Iceland to visit this gorgeous bookstore would work, too! 😂) •
If you’re celebrating Valentine’s Day today, I hope you’re having a wonderful day!! If, like me, you’re celebrating another Thriller Thursday filled with good books, I hope you’re having a great day too 😉🤓 BUT speaking of things to love: today on my blog I’m sharing a full review of THE STRANGER DIARIES by Elly Griffiths, available in the US on March 5th! I absolutely adored this bookish mystery & its Gothic touches, and can’t wait for you guys to get your hands on it. 👌🏻🙌🏻 Direct link to my review in my IG profile! 🕵🏻‍♀️
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My plans tonight will involve making progress in my current read (THE WOMAN IN THE DARK by Vanessa Savage) annnd probably watching a horror movie with my roomie. 😂 I’m just about done with THE WOMAN IN THE DARK, and I’m definitely enjoying a good deal about it... but I’m still just not 100% sold. 🤔 I will say, though, that this book has improved quite significantly the more it’s progressed - it’s definitely becoming creepier & creepier, which I’m loving. 👌🏻 Full review to come on this one soon! •
In the spirit of Valentine’s Day... Who are some of your favorite “book boyfriends” and/or “book girlfriends”?! My fave book boyfriend is (obviously😂) Harry Hole, from Jo Nesbø’s series!🕵🏻‍♀️
Halfway through the week & halfway through my current read 🕵🏻‍♀️, both thanks to coffee. 😉☕️
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In case you missed it: yesterday on the blog I shared a Q&A with Lucy Foley, author of THE HUNTING PARTY - which went on sale in the US yesterday!! 🎉 I absolutely *loved* learning more about this fantastic atmospheric locked room mystery from its very talented author ♡ head to my website via the link in my IG profile to read the Q&A! 🤓
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In reading news... I’m happy to report my experience with my current read (THE WOMAN IN THE DARK by Vanessa Savage, on sale in March) has improved quite a bit!! 👌🏻 This story definitely got off to a rocky start, with rushed pacing & abrupt character introductions. But the more time I spend reading it, the more I’m getting into the flow of the story. It has a VERY creepy atmosphere, which I’m loving: a house known as the “Murder House”, aka a home where a terrible crime was committed. 😳 It’s definitely quite chilling, which I’m enjoying!! So far, I’m leaning towards making this one a book I’d recommend you borrow from your library, rather than spend $$ buying - but I’ll keep you guys posted as I reach the book’s conclusion! 👍🏻
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It’s the middle of the week, so let’s do some cheerleading for ourselves! What’s one thing you’ve accomplished so far this week that you’re particularly excited about?! For me, I’m excited because I *finally* feel on top of my content plans for my website - which was no small task. 😂
Wishing I could be at this pretty little coffee shop this afternoon with my current read ♡ •
I’m about 70-ish pages into THE WOMAN IN THE DARK by Vanessa Savage, and so far I’m having some mixed feelings. I love the concept behind this book: it’s totally creepy & chilling, and reminds me of a scary movie, which I love. 😉👌🏻 It’s also got a nice gloomy, chilling sense of place in the seaside town where the “Murder House” is - not to mention I love stories that center around buildings with dark histories! BUT so far my experience has been that it’s a bit abrupt somehow. 🤔 As in, I felt like I was dropped into the story without much introduction, and then the story has pretty quickly forward without enough time spent setting the scene/establishing the personalities and stories of each character. I’m definitely going to continue reading with an open mind - I’m just hoping I get a bit more backstory & depth of character development as the book progresses! I’ll keep you guys posted! •
What kind of settings do you find most compelling in a crime story?! Personally, I’m always drawn to stories that center around creepy houses with bizarre histories, psychiatric institutions, and/or Scandinavian cities/towns!! 😉🖤
Headed back to NYC & ready to dig into my next read, courtesy of @GrandCentralPub 🕵🏻‍♀️ THE WOMAN IN THE DARK by Vanessa Savage is available March 12th, & sounds all kinds of creepy 👌🏻 sign me up! •
Who here loves all things horror?! 🙋🏻‍♀️ I’m a HUGE horror movie fan, and I love crime novels that incorporate horror-inspired touches. 👌🏻 (E.g. FINAL GIRLS by Riley Sager, THE WEIGHT OF LIES by Emily Carpenter, & THE HIDING PLACE by C.J. Tudor, to name a few!) If this describes you, too, then my next read is one to keep your eye on. 🤓 The plot of this book makes me think of Season 1 of American Horror Story - anyone else?! (Read on for plot info!)
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THE WOMAN IN THE DARK follows a married couple whose life is shattered by the passing of wife Sarah’s mother. Mired in grief and depression at the loss of her mother, Sarah begins to lose a grip on her life. Her husband, Patrick, is desperate to help his wife process her grief and find her footing again. To give the family a fresh start, he moves them to the idyllic beachside home where he grew up. The only problem? The house has stood empty for 15 years, ever since the previous occupants were murdered within its walls. Patrick has faith this can be their dream home... but with the locals whispering that the house is haunted, Sarah can’t shake the feeling that something isn’t right. Not with the house, not with the town, and not even with her beloved husband, whose stories of his childhood aren’t adding up... can Sarah uncover the secrets of the Murder House before another family is destroyed? 😳
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I’m totally here for thrillers that have horror touches to them, and this book sure sounds like it does!! I’m hoping this will be a creepy & spine-tingling read - I’ll keep you guys posted. 🕵🏻‍♀️ What do you think: does this sound up your alley?!

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