Two years ago, I went on my very first solo international trip to Reykjavik for Iceland Noir 2016. I had never met anyone at the conference in “real life”; I was still a relatively new blogger, and, to be honest, I wasn’t quite sure what I was getting into. Well, to make a long story short, it was the absolute best thing I could’ve done for myself and for the development of CBTB. I made great friends, learned about tons of new crime books, and fell head over heels in love with the beauty and magic of Iceland. Now, two years later, I’m more than ready to pack my bags and head back to Reykjavik for Iceland Noir 2018! I’ve been to quite a few crime festivals all around the world now, and I can honestly say that Iceland Noir remains my favorite festival yet. I can’t wait to see what Iceland Noir 2018 has in store for me!
Read MoreBuzzworthy 2019 Book #1: STALKER by Lars Kepler
With another new year on the horizon, it’s time to begin one of my personal favorite blog series: Buzzworthy 2019 Books! If you’re new to CBTB, my “Buzzworthy Books” picks are aimed at highlighting early 2019 releases that might still be a few months away, but are worth adding to your TBR now. In these posts, I will highlight three key elements that make the featured book a must-read. I will be periodically releasing these Buzzworthy Books selections as we approach the new year—and once 2019 arrives, I’ll have a blog post up giving you a complete list of my Buzzworthy 2019 Books! So now, on to my first pick… STALKER by Lars Kepler, available February 5th, 2019! When I want a crime novel that’s gritty, unputdownable, and very dark, Kepler is one of my go-to authors - and this is exactly the kind of reading experience that STALKER delivers.
Read MoreNordic Noir Series Recommendation: The Fjällbacka Series by Camilla Läckberg
One of the trickiest things about blogging for me personally is finding time to highlight books that I loved before starting Crime by the Book. Recently, though, I’ve been feeling particularly inspired to put together a post on one of the very first Scandinavian crime series I fell in love with—so that’s exactly what I’m doing today! After reading (and loving) Stieg Larsson’s Millennium trilogy many years ago, I found myself on a personal quest to learn as much as I could about the Nordic Noir genre. It was during this time period that I discovered Jo Nesbø, Sara Blaedel, and today’s featured author: Camilla Läckberg. In the years since, my love of Camilla Läckberg’s endearing, engrossing Fjällbacka Series has only grown. If you’re a reader who prefers mysteries that focus less on violence and more on character development, these books will be right up your alley; they are undeniably lighter novels than many of their Nordic peers, but that’s not at all a negative. Instead, think of these books as the kind of “comfort read” that you’ll want to come back to over and over, thanks to their rich atmosphere, endearing characters, and chilling (but not terrifying) mysteries. I couldn’t be more excited to finally be taking the time to share exactly why I love this series - and why I think you’ll love it, too.
Read MoreCover Reveal: Lock Every Door by Riley Sager
You heard it here first: Riley Sager has a new book releasing next year, and it looks fantastic. LOCK EVERY DOOR will release on July 2nd, 2019, and I’m absolutely thrilled to be able to help reveal its gorgeous cover today! In this post, you can see the stunning cover of LOCK EVERY DOOR, learn more about the book’s plot, and pre-order it! A huge thanks to Dutton Books for letting me participate in this cover reveal—it’s a genuine honor to help celebrate the newest book from one of crime fiction’s hottest rising stars. Happy reading - and the countdown to LOCK EVERY DOOR begins now.
Read More7 Spooky Books to Binge-Read Before Halloween
Halloween is nearly here… and if you’re in the market for a chilling read to help set the mood for your Hallo-week, today’s post is for you! We’ve got two days to go until the 31st, so you’ll want something quick - and scary - to get you in the Halloween spirit fast. In this post, you’ll find a few of my personal favorite spine-tingling, binge-worthy scary stories that you can devour in a couple sittings. From straight-up horror fiction to psychological thrillers with an edge and more, there’s a little something for everyone in this post—and you can always find even more creepy books by perusing my Quick Reviews page. Happy reading, and happy (almost) Halloween!
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