Every so often, readers will come across a book that’s just the right kind of offbeat—something unexpected, envelope-pushing, and perfect in its oddities. WHITE BODIES by Jane Robins was exactly that kind of read for me. This is a psychological thriller that marches to the beat of its own drum: twisted, shocking, quirky, and addictive, WHITE BODIES is an utterly unputdownable story of the blurred line between obsession and love. While this won’t be the right choice for readers looking for a crime novel grounded wholly in reality, the drama of this thriller is part of its undeniable (and disturbing) charm. From its disarming first pages to its shocking conclusion, WHITE BODIES is original and inventive - a breath of fresh air in a crowded genre, and a 2017 must-read.
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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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Author Q&A: Kathleen Barber, ARE YOU SLEEPING
I’m absolutely thrilled to share a Q&A with Kathleen Barber, whose exceptional debut thriller ARE YOU SLEEPING released last week, and was an instant hit for me! ARE YOU SLEEPING is a seamless blend of podcast-inspired storytelling and a modern, on-trend psychological thriller. This book makes the perfect end-of-summer binge read! Read on for the book's plot summary and my conversation with Kathleen Barber, whose debut thriller ARE YOU SLEEPING is on sale now.
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If You Like That, Read This: THE SILENCE OF THE LAMBS Edition
There’s nothing like a good serial killer thriller. Whether you’re a fan of Thomas Harris’ book or the infamous movie adaptation, THE SILENCE OF THE LAMBS is arguably the classic serial killer story. Now, I love a good re-read (or re-watch!) as much as the next person, but when you’re ready for a new serial killer thriller, below are some of my favorite recommendations. Read on for my recommended reads for fans of THE SILENCE OF THE LAMBS!
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Book Review: THREE DAYS AND A LIFE by Pierre Lemaitre
I can’t remember the last time writing a review stumped me quite as much as this one has. THREE DAYS AND A LIFE by Pierre Lemaitre is one of my most-anticipated 2017 releases—I’ve been counting down the days to a new Lemaitre release ever since I finished his utterly brilliant psychological thriller BLOOD WEDDING over a year ago. BLOOD WEDDING is beautifully written, intelligently plotted, and sometimes brutally dark; I had hoped for Lemaitre to deliver a read in a similar vein for his next effort. THREE DAYS AND A LIFE certainly delivers the same beautiful writing and superb construction as did BLOOD WEDDING, but that’s where the similarities end. This review is such a puzzle to me because as a reader, THREE DAYS is excellent: a heartbreaking and masterful portrait of a man’s life, marked by a childhood mistake. But as a crime reader, I would be very hesitant to recommend THREE DAYS AND A LIFE.
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