Every summer that CBTB has been in existence, there’s been one out-of-left-field psychological thriller that has snuck up on me and totally blown me away. This year, I’ve found my “out-of-left-field” favorite: THE NIGHT VISITOR by Lucy Atkins. Atkins is an award-winning author and journalist, and THE NIGHT VISITOR is her third novel - but it’s the first of her work that has ever found its way onto my reading list, and boy, am I so glad that it did. After devouring this exceptional psychological thriller, Atkins has secured herself a spot on my list of must-read suspense writers. So impressed was I with Atkins’ writing that I did a little reading about her background, and discovered that she has extensive experience both as a book critic and a teacher of creative writing. Frankly, given the quality of her newest release, I wasn't the least bit surprised. Take it from me: her professional experience shows. Wholly original and utterly unputdownable, THE NIGHT VISITOR delivers a superb story of suspense with a personality all its own. If you love gripping psychological thrillers, quirky and compelling characters, and a story with a totally unique backdrop (an old estate + the world of academia!), THE NIGHT VISITOR belongs on your reading list. In short: every book should be as fun to read as this one.
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Book Review: CAGED by Ellison Cooper
I’m always on the lookout for new, buzzworthy serial killer thrillers to add to my reading list, and that’s how I came to find CAGED by Ellison Cooper, a chilling crime novel releasing from Minotaur Books this July. With a dark premise, complex female lead, and eye-catching cover, CAGED initially ticked all my boxes for serial killer thriller “must-haves.” While I certainly enjoyed CAGED, I would recommend it most of all for readers who are new to the genre; experienced readers of serial killer thrillers are likely to find that the book relies a bit too heavily on genre stereotypes and cliches. There’s nothing hugely, offensively wrong here—CAGED just never quite kicks into the gear I had hoped it would. I’m confident many readers will enjoy CAGED this summer, but I would hypothesize that those who will enjoy it most of all will be the readers dipping their toes into the genre for the first time - not a negative by any means, but a qualification to be aware of. To me, the story of CAGED is most of all a story of unfilled potential: a crime novel with an eye-catching cover and a chilling plot that delivers page-turning entertainment value, but doesn't quite reach the levels of darkness or psychological insight I had hoped it would.
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Summer 2018's Hottest Outdoor Thrillers
If I had to name one thing that I love most about Crime by the Book, it’s how this passion project of mine has opened my eyes to all different subgenres and styles of crime fiction. My horizons have been expanded time and time again—but if I had to name one subgenre of crime fiction I’m still looking to learn more about, it would be the subgenre of outdoor thrillers. Thankfully, Summer 2018 has brought with it two examples of the subgenre that have totally piqued my interest! BEARSKIN by James McLaughlin (on sale now) and STAY HIDDEN by Paul Doiron (on sale July 3rd) are buzzworthy for all the best reasons: gorgeous covers, fresh plots, and authors who bring unique backgrounds to their crime writing. I was thrilled to have the chance to ask a few of my most pressing questions of both authors! Read on for a conversation on outdoor thrillers with James McLaughlin and Paul Doiron - and for details on their newest releases!
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CBTB's Recommended June 2018 Releases
June has brought with it some outstanding new crime fiction releases! Whether you’re in the market for a dark and twisted psychological thriller, a suspense novel exploring the pressures of motherhood, or an immersive and atmospheric police procedural, there’s a little something for everyone on sale this month. Along with my four picks for June Recommended Releases, I’m also including a roundup at the bottom of this post highlighting three new June releases I haven’t had a chance to read yet, but which I’m hoping to get to sooner or later! (Because the saying "so many books, so little time" is way too real.) Happy reading!
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Book Review: OUR HOUSE by Louise Candlish
Fresh, fun, and engrossing, Louise Candlish’s OUR HOUSE is a new take on domestic suspense: a binge-worthy story of secrets in a marriage that will take readers down a totally unexpected path. Come to OUR HOUSE for its gorgeous packaging; stay for its inventive storytelling structure and page-turning reading experience. OUR HOUSE is a little bit twisty, a touch dramatic, and a whole lot of suspense reading fun. It’s hard to describe this book as anything but propulsive—from its first page to its very shocking last, I was hooked on Candlish’s inventive story of betrayal, guilt, and relationships gone very wrong.
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