If you know me, you know I love Ruth Ware. Ware is one of those authors who continually reinvents herself with each new novel, giving readers stories that are fresh, inventive, and totally engaging—all while maintaining that trademark Ruth Ware pacing and tone that I love so much. THE DEATH OF MRS. WESTAWAY is another outstanding novel of psychological suspense from an author who has quickly earned her title of "modern-day Agatha Christie." Dare I say it? THE DEATH OF MRS. WESTAWAY is my favorite Ruth Ware book yet.
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Book Review: THE BROKEN GIRLS by Simone St. James
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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