Some family secrets should never see the light of day. In Lisa Jewell’s thrilling, addictive new release, a surprise inheritance sends a young woman on a journey into her own personal history—and what she discovers might be deadly. Libby Jones always dreamed of learning more about her origins. One day, not long after turning 25, Libby comes home to find an envelope waiting for her, its contents revealing the true identity of her birth parents… and the fact that she has inherited their vast mansion in a posh London neighborhood. Libby’s life suddenly seems to be changing for the better. But by claiming this inheritance, Libby is claiming a darker inheritance, too: a connection to an unsolved crime and an obscure, cult-like society, one which has been waiting, biding its time, until Libby makes herself known. THE FAMILY UPSTAIRS is a fresh, inventive take on domestic suspense; effortlessly traversing intimate family secrets and vast, far-reaching conspiracies, Lisa Jewell’s newest release is a masterclass in psychological thriller plotting. Come for this book’s gorgeous cover and twisty plot, stay for its genuinely surprising and original variations on a story of family secrets and interpersonal suspense. An excellent new release and a standout among 2019’s psychological thriller offerings.
Read More
Book Preview: How Quickly She Disappears By Raymond Fleischmann
Some books just scream “read me” from the first moment you learn about them. Raymond Fleischmann’s debut is one such book for me. A literary crime novel being billed as The Dry meets The Silence of the Lambs, and boasting a fantastic praise quote from CBTB-favorite Riley Sager (among tons of additional early praise!), HOW QUICKLY SHE DISAPPEARS looks practically tailor-made for CBTB readers. Thanks to the book’s publisher, I’m thrilled to share a sneak peek into the book with you today! It’s still a bit of a wait until the book goes on sale in January, but CBTB readers can dig into an early excerpt from HOW QUICKLY SHE DISAPPEARS right here on the blog! Huge thanks to the book’s publisher, Berkley, for providing us with this early sneak peek into what’s sure to be a very buzzy early 2020 release.
Read More
Crime Festival Preview: Bouchercon 2019
It’s the most wonderful time of the year: Bouchercon time! Every fall, crime writers and readers gather for Bouchercon, the World Mystery Convention. Last year’s Bouchercon took place in St. Petersburg, Florida, and this year we’ve traveled to Dallas, Texas for the festival’s 50th Anniversary convention! I went to college in Texas, so I’m particularly excited to be back down south for this year’s convention. As an added bonus, this year marks Bouchercon’s 50th Anniversary—it’s going to be a very special convention, filled with big-name author appearances, parties, awards, and a whole lot more. I’m here in Dallas, Texas, ready for the convention fun to begin, and I can’t wait to take you along for the adventure with me!
Read More
Cover Reveal & Exclusive Excerpt: HAVE YOU SEEN ME? by Kate White
I’m absolutely thrilled to give CBTB readers an exclusive sneak peek inside the newest psychological suspense novel from New York Times bestselling author Kate White! Have You Seen Me? will be available April 28, 2020, but CBTB readers can check out the book’s gorgeous cover and read an exclusive excerpt of the book’s first two chapters right here. I’ve read through these first couple chapters of Kate’s newest book a couple times now, and I can already say I’m hooked, and I can’t wait for you to check them out, too! Have You Seen Me? tells a gripping story of one woman’s quest to recover her missing memories—memories that someone would rather she never find. Kate White is perhaps best known as the author of the Bailey Weggins mystery series, but Have You Seen Me? is a standalone psychological thriller. If you haven’t yet dipped into Kate’s work, this might just be the perfect place to start.
Read More
Book Review: KILL CREEK by Scott Thomas
If ever there were a season to pick up a horror story, we’re in the middle of it—and if you’re still in the market for your creepy Halloween 2019 read, consider KILL CREEK by Scott Thomas an excellent option. KILL CREEK is one of those books that’s been on my TBR for quite a while, and I’m so glad I finally made time to read it this fall—it turned out to be exactly what I hoped it would be. KILL CREEK is a horror story built for fans of the genre, a clever and spine-tingling tale of a group of horror writers whose publicity stunt turns into a desperate battle for survival. In KILL CREEK, four prolific horror writers are invited to spend Halloween night at a legendary haunted house, a publicity opportunity orchestrated by a preeminent horror website and its mysterious creator. For each of the writers, this invitation presents a much-needed answer to professional and personal woes. But what should have been an easy commitment quickly turns sinister. The writers are guests in a house that doesn’t really want them there… but it’s also a house that’s willing to use their presence in service of a greater goal. Splitting its time between that fateful night in the house and the weeks and months after, KILL CREEK leads readers down a twisty and twisted road—one filled with hidden motivations and unforeseen consequences. KILL CREEK is a slow-burning story, particularly in its first 100 or so pages, but the patient reader will be rewarded. KILL CREEK is scary, bloody, page-turning stuff, and it’s just the ticket for a chilling Halloween read.
Read More