Have you ever picked up a book by a new-to-you author and just felt instantly in step with the author’s voice and style? That’s exactly how I felt when I first dove into Thomas Enger’s Henning Juul series. Enger’s writing is accessible and engaging, his stories’ atmospheres are gloomy and moody, and (perhaps best of all) his main character, Henning Juul, is endearing and sympathetic for the entirety of the series. For long-standing fans of Henning Juul, KILLED will prove a satisfying and heartbreaking finale to a much-loved series.
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Blog Tour | Book Review: SNARE by Lilja Sigurdardottir
There’s nothing like finding a publisher whose books you know you can always trust, and Orenda Books is one of those publishers for me. Naturally, when I learned that Orenda was publishing Icelandic Crime writer Lilja Sigurdardottir’s thriller SNARE in English, I jumped at the chance to read an early copy - and I’m so glad I did. SNARE is an addictive blend of high-stakes thriller and Nordic sensibility—a debut novel that delivers enough tension for action thriller readers, a chilling atmosphere for fans of Nordic Noir, and a plot twist strong enough to surprise seasoned psychological thriller devotees. Lilja Sigurdardottir is an author to watch in the Scandinavian crime space, and SNARE injects the genre with a personality and style all its own
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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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