If thereβs one request Iβve been getting most frequently on Crime by the Book lately, itβs 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 itβs 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, Iβve put together a blog post designed to be your launching point into the world of Nordic Noir. Here youβll 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 youβve been hoping to dig into Scandinavian crime fiction but werenβt quite sure where to start, let this list be your guide!
Read MoreCrime Books to Get You Hooked on Nordic Noir
6 Nordic Noir Series to Read This Fall
Chilling atmospheres, intricate plots, and engaging protagonistsβScandinavian crime novels are the perfect books to reach for when youβre looking for an atmospheric fall or winter mystery. If youβve been around CBTB for a little while, youβve probably already heard me discuss a number of the genreβs heavy-hitters (and some of my personal favorite authors!) including Jo Nesbo, Camilla Lackberg, and Lars Kepler, to name just a few. But there are so very many fantastic authors writing truly stellar crime novels that fall under this category, and, for one reason or another, far too many of them donβt get the attention they deserve here in the U.S., despite being massive bestsellers all around the world. To hopefully do my part and remedy that, today I want to highlight for you a few under-discussed Nordic Noir series that will make for perfect chilly-weather reading materialβthe kinds of books you may not have heard about elsewhere, but that youβll want to tell everyone about once you give them a try.
Read More8 Wintry Mysteries to Read over the Holiday Break
Thereβs 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 Iβm rounding up eight of my personal favorite wintry mysteries for your holiday TBR! I donβt personally read Christmas-themed mysteries, so you wonβt find any of those hereβbut 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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