Looking for a crime series perfect for fall weekend reading? Danish crime writer Sara Blaedel’s Louise Rick series belongs on your list. When I picture the kind of book I want to be reading on a crisp autumn evening, it’s a book exactly like Blaedel’s: something atmospheric, layered, immersive, and perfect for cozying up with when the weather gets cold. If this sounds up your alley, add Blaedel’s THE MIDNIGHT WITNESS to your TBR. Technically the first book in Blaedel’s internationally-bestselling series, THE MIDNIGHT WITNESS is now being made available to US readers in a brand-new edition from Grand Central—and it will work for both newcomers to Blaedel’s work and established fans of the series. In THE MIDNIGHT WITNESS, homicide detective Louise Rick is tasked with solving the brutal murder of a young woman in her hometown of Copenhagen, Denmark… but when her best friend, journalist Camilla Lind, asks her to investigate the murder of a local journalist as well, Louise finds herself in over her head - and in the crosshairs of two killers. THE MIDNIGHT WITNESS is the book that launched Blaedel’s internationally-bestselling Louise Rick series around the world—and American readers will fall in love with Blaedel’s endearing and headstrong detective in this compelling mystery.
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Book Review: OPEN YOUR EYES by Paula Daly
In an instant, the life you know can be taken away. That’s the premise of Paula Daly’s sharp and thoughtful domestic suspense novel OPEN YOUR EYES, available in the US tomorrow (October 9, 2018). Centering around the wife of a bestselling crime writer, OPEN YOUR EYES confronts readers with the terrible ways that our ordinary could become anything but. When a brutal crime leaves Jane Campbell’s husband Leon in a coma, Jane is forced to pull the proverbial wool from her own eyes and confront the secrets her husband has been keeping from her in their otherwise idyllic marriage. As Jane plumbs the depths of her husband’s secret life, she finds that her tranquil existence has been a facade—and what lies beneath is more troubling than she could ever have imagined. Daly writes deftly about ordinary life; OPEN YOUR EYES is a subtle and nuanced suspense novel that will best suit readers looking for a story made chilling by its plausibility. This is not a story defined by shocking violence or twists—it’s a story that is unsettling because of how closely the lives of its characters resemble the lives we ourselves lead. Readers will find protagonist Jane an acquired taste, but the deeper she digs into the truth of her own life - and the more agency and independence she develops in the process - the more they will root for her. OPEN YOUR EYES is tense, chilling reading material, and a breath of fresh air in the domestic thriller genre.
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Book Preview: THE MIDNIGHT WITNESS by Sara Blaedel
Sara Blaedel’s Louise Rick series is a veritable sensation around the globe. With over 3 million copies of her Louise Rick books in print, Sara is known as “Denmark’s Queen of Crime” for a reason. Readers will discover compelling investigations, endearing characters, and the immersive atmosphere of Denmark in Sara’s writing—and it’s this potent combination that has kept me coming back to her books over and over again. Thanks to Grand Central Publishing, I’m thrilled to share an excerpt from THE MIDNIGHT WITNESS (Book 1 in Blaedel’s Louise Rick series, now re-released in a new edition) with CBTB readers today! In this post, you will find an overview of the Louise Rick series, more information on THE MIDNIGHT WITNESS, and an excerpt from the book. Happy reading!
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7 Chilling Crime Books to Read This October
It’s the most wonderful time of the year… October! October also brings with it the perfect opportunity to inject your reading list with some seriously chilling crime novels in preparation for Halloween. If you’re in the market for some “Spooktober” reading recommendations, you’ve come to the right place. Today’s blog post will highlight a number of my favorite thrilling, chilling Halloween reads. Some are standard crime novels, some are crime novels with a supernatural twist, and some are true horror—no matter your bookish preferences, you’ll find a Halloween read to add to your TBR here. Match yourself to the category that most describes you, and find your perfect Halloween read! Plus, as an added bonus for my readers who’ve asked for TV and movie recommendations—below each book recommendation listed in this post, you will also find a quick little blurb for a TV show or film that is likely to appeal to you, too!
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Bouchercon Author Interview: Lisa Unger
Are there any authors on your TBR that you just can’t believe you haven’t read yet? That’s how I feel about Lisa Unger. I’ve been fortunate enough to meet Lisa at a number of crime fiction conferences now; I’ve heard her speak on panels, I’ve read glowing reviews of her books, and I’ve listened to some of my best bookish friends rave about her work, too. So when I discovered that Lisa would also be at this year’s Bouchercon conference, I knew it was the perfect time to learn a bit more about her work—and to finally put one of her books on my fall reading list, too! I had an absolute blast chatting with Lisa about all things crime writing at Bouchercon, and I’m so excited to share our conversation with CBTB readers today. If you haven’t yet read Lisa Unger, consider this your “Lisa Unger 101” - and if you’re already one of Lisa’s myriad fans, consider this your chance to get a little behind-the-scenes glimpse into the writing life of one of America’s foremost female crime writers.
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