Of the many books I’ve read so far in 2018, it’s hard to think of one that could beat THE BROKEN GIRLS by Simone St. James in sheer entertainment value. Told in alternate timelines, this chilling and unputdownable novel of psychological - and otherworldly - suspense delivered an imaginative and gripping mystery with a ghostly twist, centered around a boarding school in rural Vermont. THE BROKEN GIRLS will make a fantastic choice for escapist reading this March—just don’t read it right before bed.
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A Crime Fiction Valentine's Day
If you’ve looked just about anywhere this week - online, on TV, on social media, maybe even at your favorite coffee shop - it’s pretty darn clear that one thing is on everyone’s mind: Valentine’s Day. Now, whether or not you actually like this holiday, it sure does make the perfect excuse to revisit some favorite “Book Boyfriends” and “Book Girlfriends” in crime fiction—including some of the most twisted examples of love gone very, very wrong. Today’s roundup will highlight a few of the best (and worst!) relationships in crime fiction - from the tragic and endearing to the darkly funny and disturbing.
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Author Q&A: Yrsa Sigurdardottir, THE LEGACY (Children’s House Series)
Today (2/13/18) is publication day for THE LEGACY by Yrsa Sigurdardottir, an outstanding crime novel that launches a new series for Iceland’s Queen of Crime in the US! THE LEGACY is an exceptional blend of methodical police procedural and dark, horror-inspired imagination—a potent combination that delivered one of my early-favorite 2018 reads. I’m delighted to welcome Yrsa Sigurdardottir to Crime by the Book today to talk crime writing, her new series, where she gets all her twisted ideas from, and a whole lot more.
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Book Review: KILLED by Thomas Enger (Henning Juul Series)
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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CBTB's Recommended February 2018 Releases
A new month, a new stack of brand-new crime books waiting to be read! This month is a bit lighter on my recommended reads, but that’s not to say it isn’t without some fantastic crime fiction selections. February 2018 seems to be all about Nordic Noir for me (which isn’t much of a surprise, let’s be honest…) but given the gloomy, chilly weather we’re having here in New York, this month’s new Scandinavian releases are perfectly timed! Along with these brand-new releases, one 2017 release that I absolutely loved is coming out in paperback this month, too - you'll find information on that book linked at the bottom of this post!
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