Twisty plots, unreliable characters, binge-worthy pacing—there’s so much to love about a really good psychological thriller, and 2018 gifted us crime readers with tons of excellent options to add to our reading lists. Over the course of the year, we saw fantastic new releases from longstanding authors to debut authors and everyone in between; we immersed ourselves in psychological thrillers laced with gothic suspense, creepy summer camps, murderous family members, and, yes, even beetle collecting. There truly was a fantastic variety of psychological suspense released in 2018—and today on the blog I’m rounding up my very favorite psychological thrillers of the year! Read on for my picks for twisty, addictive, page-turning 2018 suspense.
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8 Wintry Mysteries to Read over the Holiday Break
There’s nothing better than spending your winter holidays with your nose buried in a chilling mystery. Holiday breaks just seem made for crime fiction reading, and today I’m rounding up eight of my personal favorite wintry mysteries for your holiday TBR! I don’t personally read Christmas-themed mysteries, so you won’t find any of those here—but you will find books with plenty of snow, chilling atmosphere, and, of course, murder. (Because what holiday break would be complete without it, right?!) Cozy up with a blanket and a cup of hot cocoa, and settle in for a mix of Scandinavian crime, classic mysteries, police procedurals, and more - all guaranteed to make your holiday break reading list complete.
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Book Preview: AN ANONYMOUS GIRL by Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen
In the market for a buzzy psychological thriller to add to your winter reading list? The newest release from Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen might be just what you’re looking for! On the heels of their blockbuster bestseller THE WIFE BETWEEN US, Hendricks and Pekkanen are back with AN ANONYMOUS GIRL, coming January 8th. I’ve gotten lots of questions about this book from CBTB readers, and thanks to the team at St. Martin’s Press, I’m so excited to give you the inside scoop on this buzzy suspense novel! In this post, you’ll have the chance to read an early excerpt from AN ANONYMOUS GIRL - and to learn all about the book and the writing team behind it.
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Book Review: BEAUTIFUL BAD by Annie Ward
No matter how many domestic suspense novels you’ve read, chances are you haven’t read one quite like BEAUTIFUL BAD by Annie Ward. Intimate yet expansive, BEAUTIFUL BAD takes readers into the most private secrets of a troubled marriage via pit stops in that same married couple’s history. Traveling from the Balkans to England to post-9/11 New York, BEAUTIFUL BAD draws readers into a story epic in scope, but decidedly personal at its core. This suspense novel has all the hallmarks of your favorite domestic thriller: a marriage with a dark side, a cast of unreliable characters, and some engaging, page-turning twists along the way. But what makes me particularly glad to have read this book is the authenticity that fills its every page. BEAUTIFUL BAD is based on the real-life experiences of its author, and the author’s closeness to the material is evident here in the best possible way. Ward writes with sensitivity about topics including PTSD, the complexities of friendship, and the pressures and challenges of marriage and motherhood—not to mention the utterly compelling portrait she paints of the world as seen through her protagonist’s eyes. BEAUTIFUL BAD is a multifaceted suspense novel brimming with energy, emotion, and entertainment value. Highly recommended for readers who want complex yet binge-worthy domestic suspense.
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Best Debut Crime Novels of 2018
There’s something so special about discovering a debut author whose work just clicks for you. It’s that thrill of discovering something new - a hidden gem, an author whose work you’ll want to follow for years to come. 2018 was a hugely exciting year for new crime fiction talent, but there were five debut crime writers whose work stood out to me in particular - and those are the authors whose work you will find in this list! The authors featured in this list write in very different crime fiction spaces, but their work has one very important thing in common: it’s exceptional. From a harrowing coming-of-age story to a Scandinavian domestic drama to a modern take on a classic procedural and much more, this list highlights the expansive, elastic quality of the crime fiction genre—and proves that women are leading the charge across the board. I can’t wait to see what these talented writers will do next. In no particular order (because I loved them all!), let’s dive in to my picks for Best Debut Crime Novels of 2018.
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