Crime fiction readers, listen up: if you love gritty, cinematic, edge-of-your-seat thrillers, I did the legwork for you—meet one of your future contenders for favorite book of 2018. Today’s featured Buzzworthy 2018 Book, THE SANDMAN by Lars Kepler (March 2018), is one of those rare books that balances meticulous plotting, edge-of-your-seat suspense, and an almost mythic serial killer to pitch-perfect effect. Cinematic, action-packed, and bone-chilling, THE SANDMAN is poised to deliver a standout 2018 thriller read. It might release in March, but I’m betting it will top the “Best Of” lists for fans of Scandinavian greats like THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO by Stieg Larsson and THE SNOWMAN by Jo Nesbo.
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Re-Read Book Review: THE SNOWMAN by Jo Nesbø
Jo Nesbø’s Harry Hole series is without a doubt my all-time favorite. Of this series, THE SNOWMAN (Book 7) has been my favorite series installment (and book in general!) for years now. When the news broke that this book would be adapted into a film starring Michael Fassbender, I had to celebrate! In that spirit, I spent the month of September re-reading THE SNOWMAN and leading a virtual book club for this brilliant read in anticipation of the movie’s release. This post will share my experience re-reading THE SNOWMAN, and includes an FAQ's section detailing the questions I most commonly receive about THE SNOWMAN.
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Nordic Noir Book Review: ORDEAL by Jorn Lier Horst
This fall is going to be a big one for new Scandinavian crime fiction. If you read my Fall 2017 Nordic Noir Reading List, you'll already know that one of the books I'm recommending is ORDEAL by Jorn Lier Horst, a brilliant police procedural with a big heart. ORDEAL is without a doubt my favorite Jorn Lier Horst book I've read thus far—its complex plotting and endearing characters make for a compelling and engaging read. The king of the Nordic Noir procedural, Jorn Lier Horst has crafted an impeccable slow-burn crime novel in ORDEAL.
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Nordic Noir Book Review: THE DEVIL'S WEDDING RING by Vidar Sundstøl
Scandinavian crime fiction readers, listen up: THE DEVIL'S WEDDING RING by Vidar Sundstøl is the must-read you haven't heard of yet. One of the most fresh and original takes on the Nordic Noir genre I've read in ages, Sundstøl's exceptional standalone crime novel weaves together ancient folklore and a modern investigation to brilliant effect. Atmospheric and laced with menace, the story's small-town setting is a character unto itself, while the story's human characters are equally complex and engaging. THE DEVIL'S WEDDING RING is masterfully written, intricately plotted, and wholly immersive; in short, it's a must-read for Nordic Noir fans.
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