If you’ve been around Crime by the Book for a while, you will already know what a huge fan I am of Icelandic crime writer Ragnar Jonasson. Thanks to Ragnar’s US publisher, Minotaur, I am beyond excited to be able to exclusively reveal the cover for Ragnar’s first standalone crime novel, THE GIRL WHO DIED—publishing in the US in May 2021! Read on to view the book’s beautiful cover, learn more about the plot, and check out Ragnar’s previous series while you’re at it.
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Book Review: THE SILENCE OF THE WHITE CITY by Eva García Sáenz
What was the last book you read that turned out to be exactly the book you never knew you needed? For me, the answer to that question is easy: it was Eva García Sáenz’s outstanding trilogy launch, THE SILENCE OF THE WHITE CITY—published in the US for the first time this July. This gritty, intricate serial killer thriller is the perfect late-summer read for any crime fiction aficionado looking to get caught up in a truly immersive puzzle. Set in the Basque country, THE SILENCE OF THE WHITE CITY places readers in the heart of a terrifying series of events: a shadowy villain appears to be replicating the city of Vitoria’s most infamous crimes, twenty years after their initial occurrence. The perpetrator for the original crimes, an archaeologist whose charm and charisma propelled him to fame, has been locked away in prison for all these years. So who is committing these gruesome murders now? Is a copycat killer at work, or is there more to this story? Following an endearing and troubled detective known as “Kraken,” THE SILENCE OF THE WHITE CITY draws readers deep into the history and mythology of the Basque country—and into the mind of a sinister and shadowy villain whose reach and intelligence are far greater than the police ever suspected. Chilling crimes, page-turning pacing, endearing characters, and a healthy dose of local lore are woven together seamlessly in THE SILENCE OF THE WHITE CITY. This is a serial killer thriller for anyone who has loved genre greats like The Silence of the Lambs, and for anyone who just plain loves a great mystery to solve. Pick this book up for pure, chilling entertainment.
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Crime Books to Get You Hooked on Nordic Noir
If there’s one request I’ve been getting most frequently on Crime by the Book lately, it’s for Nordic Noir books for newcomers to the genre - and you can imagine how happy that makes me! Nordic Noir (aka Scandinavian crime fiction) is my all-time favorite crime fiction subgenre, and it’s a subgenre overflowing with talented writers for you to discover. But, like with anything, figuring out where to start can be tricky. To help solve that dilemma, I’ve put together a blog post designed to be your launching point into the world of Nordic Noir. Here you’ll find recommendations suitable for readers who are totally new to the Scandinavian crime fiction subgenre: this list includes books by many of the biggest names in Scandinavian crime writing, books that will give you the perfect introduction to the genre and its most prominent characteristics. If you’ve been hoping to dig into Scandinavian crime fiction but weren’t quite sure where to start, let this list be your guide!
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Book Review: HIS & HERS by Alice Feeney
Leave it to Alice Feeney to write Summer 2020’s twistiest psychological thriller yet. Feeney, author of CBTB-favorites Sometimes I Lie and I Know Who You Are, is back this year with her next (and arguably best) suspense novel, HIS & HERS. In what has become her trademark, Feeney’s newest release begins with a simple premise—in this case, a journalist reporting on a murder case that has sparked a media frenzy and a detective investigating that same case—and morphs and twists into one of the most intricate, cleverly-constructed psychological suspense novels I’ve had the pleasure of reading so far this year. In Feeney’s expert hands, nothing is as it initially seems—and that has never been more true than it is in her newest release. HIS & HERS is a psychologically-astute, genuinely-shocking thriller: a book that explores themes of family secrets, toxic teenage relationships, and the insidious ways loyalty and love can be used to justify horrific acts. Pick this book up for its instantly-intriguing plot, stay for its never-saw-that-coming final revelation—and all the many twists this journey will take on the way to its ultimate destination. HIS & HERS is a Summer 2020 must-read.
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Excerpt & Mini-Review: THE SHADOWS by Alex North
Love a creepy, suspenseful thriller? Looking for something dark and sinister to add to your summer reading list? I’ve got the perfect read for you. I had the absolute pleasure of reading an advance copy of Alex North’s sophomore thriller THE SHADOWS earlier this spring, and this spine-tingling book has stayed on my mind ever since. Part coming-of-age tale, part horror-inspired thriller, THE SHADOWS is a must-read for anyone who wants their summer reads served with a side of spine-tingling scares. Perfect for readers of C.J. Tudor and Stephen King, THE SHADOWS is sure to be one of the buzziest - and creepiest - thriller releases of the year. To celebrate the publication of this outstanding work of suspense, I’m thrilled to share a two-for-one blog post with you, spotlighting this exceptional book and sharing my quick thoughts on it! In today’s blog post, I’m thrilled to share a mini-review of the book and give readers a chance to dip into an excerpt from the book itself! Read on for more information on THE SHADOWS, my quick thoughts, and an excerpt from the book.
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