If I could move anywhere in the world, I would pack my bags and head to Scandinavia. When I learned of crime writer Will Dean, a former Londoner who did exactly that - moved to rural Sweden with his family - I knew this was an author whose debut novel I had to read. Dean’s forthcoming crime novel DARK PINES is a stylish blend of Nordic atmosphere, small-town life, and dark, chilling crimes - an excellent addition to your winter reading list. Readers of Crime by the Book will know that Nordic crime fiction is above and beyond my favorite, and I was fascinated to see if - and how - Dean’s style of crime fiction set in Scandinavia might differ from the work of the Scandinavian crime writers I know and love. DARK PINES certainly has a style and voice all its own, but Nordic Noir readers will nevertheless feel at home in the dark corners and chilling atmosphere of Dean’s thriller. DARK PINES is a compelling glimpse into small-town life, and a cleverly constructed maze of a thriller.
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Blog Tour | Book Review: WHITEOUT by Ragnar Jonasson
It’s hard to imagine an author whose work can genuinely be called an heir to Agatha Christie, but Iceland’s Ragnar Jonasson might be modern crime fiction’s strongest contender. In Jonasson’s newest Dark Iceland series installment, WHITEOUT, readers are treated to a Christmas-themed mystery that delivers all the atmosphere, intrigue, and charm that has made this series so popular. Jonasson’s books are not “cozy mysteries,” but they are the perfect choice for a cozy autumn or winter afternoon spent reading, and WHITEOUT is perfectly timed to the approaching holiday season. Readers of Agatha Christie will love the distinctly classic crime style of Jonasson’s writing, and will also be drawn to WHITEOUT for its quasi-“locked room mystery” structure—in this case, the “locked room” being a very small, very isolated little community in rural Iceland. Grab a cozy sweater and a cup of coffee and prepare to be drawn into Jonasson’s immersive and endearing mystery 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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Book Review: THE SCENT OF ALMONDS & OTHER STORIES by Camilla Lackberg
On a recent trip to Canada, I picked up a copy of Läckberg’s short story collection THE SCENT OF ALMONDS & OTHER STORIES - a slim little book that I have yet to find in US bookstores. Comprised of four short stories, THE SCENT OF ALMONDS will make an entertaining and clever addition to Läckberg fans’ personal libraries—though it won't deliver the best introduction to Läckberg for new readers. This collection is, admittedly, not be the most groundbreaking or dark short story collection - I definitely recommend Läckberg's full-length fiction over this collection if you're after interpersonal intrigue and chilling mysteries. That being said, this collection's accessibility and familiarity (series favorites appear in these stories!) make it a fun holiday gift if you know a Läckberg fan - or if you’re a fan of hers yourself! It plays directly into series fans' nostalgia for the world Läckberg has crafted, delivering a charming - if somewhat "light" - suspense collection.
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Book Review: THE HOURS BEFORE DAWN by Celia Fremlin
Psychological thrillers, and domestic thrillers in particular, have had one long moment in the cultural spotlight; from GONE GIRL to THE GIRL ON THE TRAIN to BEHIND CLOSED DOORS and more, this trend doesn’t appear to be slowing down anytime soon. Psychological suspense might be all the rage right now, but it isn’t actually a new form of crime novel—and THE HOURS BEFORE DAWN by Celia Fremlin is the perfect example of a classic crime novel that seems a direct predecessor of today’s psychological suspense. Exploring the tensions of marriage and the demands of motherhood, THE HOURS BEFORE DAWN draws readers into a home, a marriage, and the mind of one woman, themes that translate seamlessly from the 1950’s to 2017.
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