This was a fantastic reading month for me! I read a mix of psychological thrillers, Nordic Noir, literary thrillers, and more. Overall, I loved the books I read this month, and had so much fun reviewing them. Here are a few fun monthly wrap-up stats from my month in books:
Books Read: 7
Pages Read: 2,577
Favorite Read of the Month: EXQUISITE by Sarah Stovell
Least-Favorite Read: THE PARTY by Robyn Harding
And now, on to the good stuff! A recap of my reads from May 2017.
CBTB's May 2017 Wrap-Up
THE WEIGHT OF LIES by Emily Carpenter
Lake Union; 6/6/17
CBTB Rating: 4.5/5
The Verdict: addictive psychological suspense + cult-classic horror nostalgia
A psychological thriller that pays homage to cult-classic horror— aka my perfect beach read. Follow the daughter of a bestselling horror novelist as she writes a tell-all memoir about her mother - and discovers that the inspiration for her mother’s novel might be more fact than fiction. This book is not a horror novel in and of itself, but it makes reference to horror films and books in a way that pop culture buffs will love.
Read My Review
SINCE WE FELL by Dennis Lehane
CBTB Rating:
The Verdict: sophisticated, nuanced suspense
SINCE WE FELL is one of the more unusual psychological suspense novels I’ve read. It’s a blend of literary fiction and crime fiction, and follows a journalist whose life unravels after she witnesses her husband getting into the back of an SUV - when he had told her he was out of the country on business. A very long introduction to the story takes readers on a journey through the protagonists young life - this book will work well for readers who want serious character development, and don’t mind a slow (and very long) opener.
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SCARRED by Thomas Enger
CBTB Rating: 4.5/5
The Verdict: addictive, emotional Nordic Noir
I always love Thomas Enger’s books, and SCARRED was no exception. Endearing characters and fast-paced stories make this series a must-read for fans of Scandinavian crime. This series installment finds journalist Henning Juul juggling two stories: the murder of an elderly woman in a nursing home, and horrible accusations made against his sister, Norway’s Secretary of State. As always, Enger does a fantastic job balancing standalone mysteries with the over-arching themes of his series.
Read My Review
EXQUISITE by Sarah Stovell
Orenda Books; 6/15/17 (UK) & 10/1/17 (US)
CBTB Rating: 5/5
Absolutely brilliant psychological suspense that blends a touch of Fatal Attraction with a thriller set in the literary world. This was my favorite read of the month: it’s taut, twisty, and just a little bit sexy. When aspiring writer Alice meets bestselling author Bo at a writing workshop, their chemistry is instant - and the two women find themselves entangled in a complex relationship with dark consequences. This is not a particularly bloody or in-your-face thriller, but I loved its twists and turns, and was genuinely surprised by its big reveals.
Read My Book Preview
THE PARTY by Robyn Harding
Gallery Books;
CBTB Rating: 3/5
The Verdict: a quick read that doesn't quite deliver
Unfortunately this book was my least favorite read of the month. THE PARTY examines the fallout from a tragic accident, and traces the ways this accident damages the reputations of those involved. While it’s been compared to one of my all-time favorite books, THE DINNER by Herman Koch, I found this book to be too “fluffy” to really deliver.
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THE SECRETS SHE KEEPS by Michael Robotham
Scribner Books; 7/11/17
CBTB Rating: 5/5
The Verdict: emotionally-charged, character-driven suspense
A close second for my favorite book of the month, THE SECRETS SHE KEEPS is utterly unputodwnable. On the surface, its plot is a bit similar to that of EXQUISITE by Sarah Stovell: it’s a story of obsession, and features two female lead characters. However, the books are nothing alike. THE SECRETS SHE KEEPS is a much more layered story that takes a much darker turn than EXQUISITE does. Be patient with this book’s slower opening - the payoff is beyond worth it.
Read My Review
THE MARSH KING’S DAUGHTER by Karen Dionne
G.P. Putnam’s Sons; 6/13/17
CBTB Rating: 3/5
This is one unusual crime book. Readers follow a woman whose father was actually her mother’s kidnapper and captor, and who grew up in total isolation from society, in a remote cabin on a marsh. Told in parallel to the Hans Christian Anderson fairytale, THE MARSH KING’S DAUGHTER is compelling in its structure and subtlety, but I wished for a bit less scenes of outdoor life (think: hunting, fishing, survival skills), and more character development.
Review to Come
Plus: Additional CBTB Posts in May
Along with the above book reviews, I also had a few fun "extras" on Crime by the Book this month - you can find them linked below!
- CBTB's Summer Reading Recommendations - read the post here!
- Cover Reveal + Excerpt: SOMETIMES I LIE by Alice Feeney - read the post here!
Are any of these books on your reading list? I’d love to hear from you! Xx A
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