Happy 2018, reader! This year promises to be a fantastic one for crime fiction - from buzzy psychological thrillers to gripping serial killer thrillers and chilling Nordic Noir, 2018 will have crime fiction readers covered… and it’s not wasting any time. Today, the very first “New Release Tuesday” of the new year, marks publication day for one of the year’s most highly-anticipated debut psychological thrillers, and a bundle of re-releases from one of Scandinavia’s foremost female crime writers. Grab a cup of coffee and settle in - this blog post will walk you through the new releases that are worth checking out this week!
Read More
Book Review: THE LEGACY by Yrsa Sigurdardottir (Children's House Series)
Iceland’s Queen of Crime Yrsa Sigurdardottir brings her newest series to the US in February, and it’s an absolute knockout. THE LEGACY launches the Children’s House Series with a story that is equal parts measured police procedural and gripping suspense narrative. Weaving together dark family secrets both present and past with a chilling investigation, Sigurdardottir effortlessly delivers a standout Nordic thriller that will more than satisfy her longstanding fans, and is sure to open up new doors for her readership in the US. THE LEGACY is all the slow-burning, layered procedural a Nordic Noir reader could hope for, infused with the trademark dark imagination that has come to define Sigurdardottir’s own ever-developing legacy.
Read More
CBTB's Top 5 "New to Me" Authors From 2017
There’s nothing like that feeling of finding a new-to-you author whose books you love. In this blog post, I’m thrilled to share with you the top five “new to me” authors whose work made a lasting impression on me this year! This list is a blend of debut authors and established writers -- what they all have in common is simple: 2017 marked the first time I explored their work, but it won’t be the last time I dig into their books. If you haven’t read these authors yet, let this be your inspiration to check them out - they’re fantastic.
Read More
Book Review: THE PERFECT NANNY by Leila Slimani
Never will I ever pass up the chance to explore new international crime fiction, so when I heard of French-Moroccan author Leila Slimani’s award-winning crime novel THE PERFECT NANNY (on sale 1/9/18), I knew I had to give it a shot -- and I’m so glad I did. This subtle, sophisticated suspense story is unnerving in its simplicity: THE PERFECT NANNY traces the events leading up to the death of two children, focusing on the integration of a new nanny into a family. It’s easy to see why Slimani’s novel won the Goncourt Prize (France’s most prestigious literary award); this book’s elegant prose, sharp plotting, and masterful blend of suspense and literary fiction combine to deliver an outstanding crime novel that will appeal to readers looking for an understated - yet distinctly sinister - story of suspense.
Read More
Tough Female Leads & Gripping Action Thrillers from Jon Land and Steph Broadribb
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.
Read More