2017 was a year of trying new things - one of them being my foray into action thrillers for the first time ever. As someone sampling this crime fiction subgenre for the first time, I knew I wanted to try books from both established and debut authors, and I knew that, as a woman, I wanted to read action thrillers featuring strong female leads. My 2017 action thriller picks were spot-on for my personal qualifications. STRONG TO THE BONE by Jon Land (Forge Books; 12/5/17) and DEEP DOWN DEAD by Steph Broadribb (Orenda; 4/1/17) delivered thrills, emotionally-compelling characters, and a whole lot of high-stakes tension - the perfect introduction to action thrillers for this newcomer.
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Book Giveaway: LIES SHE TOLD by Cate Holahan
As 2017 comes to a close, it seems only fitting to take this opportunity to revisit memorable reads from the year. Today’s focus? The twisty, book-within-a-book psychological thriller LIES SHE TOLD by Cate Holahan! Holahan’s thriller will be an instant-hit for fans of EXQUISITE by Sarah Stovell and THE WEIGHT OF LIES by Emily Carpenter; readers looking for an addictive, layered suspense novel will feel right at home in Holahan's world. Enter to win a copy here!
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Buzzworthy 2018 Books: SOMETIMES I LIE by Alice Feeney
Are you a fan of big-name psychological thrillers like Gone Girl, The Girl on the Train, and Behind Closed Doors? Then look no further—your 2018 obsession is here. SOMETIMES I LIE by Alice Feeney is the twisty, addictive psychological thriller that delivers exactly the kind of jaw-dropping, edge-of-your-seat read that its plot summary promises. Go ahead, expect to be surprised and completely entertained: Alice Feeney’s outstanding debut is more than up to the task.
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CBTB's Best Crime Books of 2017
It’s that time of the year - time for me to round up my picks for the best crime novels of 2017! This is always my favorite blog post to write, and 2017 gave me a run for my money when it came to narrowing down my list of favorites. Reflecting on this past year, my favorite reads were those that pushed the envelope, breaking new ground, providing new twists on current trends, and delivering reads that were as emotionally impactful as they were chilling and entertaining. Without further ado - let's dive in!
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Book Announcement: Ruth Ware's THE DEATH OF MRS. WESTAWAY
Breaking news: one of my favorite psychological thriller writers, Ruth Ware, has announced her next book! In Summer 2018, Ware’s THE DEATH OF MRS. WESTAWAY by Ruth Ware will release in both the US and UK, and it sounds absolutely fantastic. Ware has quickly become a staple of my personal crime fiction library and my list of go-to book recommendations, and THE DEATH OF MRS. WESTAWAY sounds (if it’s possible) even better than her previous three releases—and that’s saying a lot. Read on for more information about Ware’s forthcoming release, and for details on what exactly I’ve loved about Ware’s previous releases! Expect to see lots of talk about THE DEATH OF MRS. WESTAWAY here on Crime by the Book in 2018.
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