There’s nothing like that feeling of finding a new-to-you author whose books you love. In this blog post, I’m thrilled to share with you the top five “new to me” authors whose work made a lasting impression on me this year! This list is a blend of debut authors and established writers -- what they all have in common is simple: 2017 marked the first time I explored their work, but it won’t be the last time I dig into their books. If you haven’t read these authors yet, let this be your inspiration to check them out - they’re fantastic.
Read MoreNovember 2017 Wrap-Up
Am I the only one who can hardly believe we’re nearing the end of 2017?! It feels surreal to be writing my November 2017 Wrap-Up… and yet, here I am! In many ways, my November reading list pushed me outside my comfort zone: I tried crime novels that challenged my preconceived notions of what subgenres I would (and wouldn’t) like, explored new-to-me authors, and read one hugely anticipated crime book that releases in 2018 and will surely be a favorite of mine next year. Read on for a recap of my reads from the month of November, plus a roundup of the additional blog posts featured on Crime by the Book this past month!
Read MoreGiveaway: Christopher Brookmyre Book Bundle
I recently read (and loved!) my first-ever Christopher Brookmyre book, BLACK WIDOW - and thanks to Chris’ US publisher, Grove Atlantic, I’m thrilled to offer you the chance to check out his work for yourself! I’m giving away a Christopher Brookmyre Book Bundle today - one lucky US-based winner will receive Brookmyre’s three most recent crime novels: DEAD GIRL WALKING, BLACK WIDOW, and THE LAST HACK. Scroll down to the bottom of this post to enter - it’s easy!
Read MoreBook Review: BLACK WIDOW by Christopher Brookmyre
One of the highlights of my recent trip to Scotland was getting to meet and interview Christopher Brookmyre, an award-winning and internationally-bestselling Scottish crime author. During our conversation, I was particularly intrigued by Chris’ description of his thriller BLACK WIDOW; well, I finally had the chance to read it, and I was blown away by the sophistication, precision, and complexity of this book. BLACK WIDOW is a far cry from your average psychological thriller. Its intelligence, masterful plotting, and twisty, shocking plot make it a cut above. There’s an undercurrent of intensity running throughout BLACK WIDOW that demands the reader’s attention from first page to last, and an assurance to Brookmyre’s writing that is an absolute pleasure to read. If you haven’t read Christopher Brookmyre yet, now’s the time.
Read MoreBloody Scotland Interview: Christopher Brookmyre
Earlier this month, I had the wonderful opportunity to travel to Scotland for Bloody Scotland, an annual crime fiction festival held in the town of Stirling! Of all the fantastic opportunities this festival provided, my personal favorite was the chance to sit down and chat with some of crime fiction’s most exciting authors. Thanks to publicist extraordinaire Fiona Brownlee, I had the opportunity to interview Scottish crime fiction author Christopher Brookmyre and get an overview of his bibliography, discuss his most recent US release THE LAST HACK, and a whole lot more! I’m thrilled to share a recap of my conversation with Chris as part of the blog tour for the Bloody Scotland book today - you can read more about this short story collection at the bottom of this post.
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