I know I canβt be the only reader out there who seems to have a few books that have just been lingering on their TBR list for way too longβ¦ right?! One of my personal 2021 reading goals is to finally make a dent in that list and carve out some time to read crime novels that Iβve had sitting on my to-read pile for what feels like ages now. The latest book Iβve tackled from that list is Stefan Ahnhemβs serial killer thriller VICTIM WITHOUT A FACE, first published in the US in 2016. Set in Sweden and following a troubled detective on the trail of a very darkly inventive murderer, VICTIM WITHOUT A FACE has all the ingredients I look for in a thrillerβand the reading experience here delivers. Centering around a killer who appears to be targeting classmates from his youth, VICTIM WITHOUT A FACE exemplifies the intricate plotting, grim mood, and complex character development that keeps me coming back for more Scandinavian crime fiction, book after book and year after year. With appeal for fans of Lars Kepler, Jo NesbΓΈ, and SΓΈren Sveistrup, Stefan Ahnhemβs first Fabian Risk novel made me an instant-fan of this gritty and gripping crime fiction series. If youβre looking for a dark, complex Nordic crime story to dig into as the fall season approaches, consider this oldie-but-a-goodie for your reading listβitβs a worthy addition.
Read MoreNordic Noir November: Spotlight on Danish Crime Fiction
Happy Sunday, readers, and welcome back to our weekly spotlight on Scandinavian crime fiction! If youβre new to CBTB, every Sunday this November, Iβll be spotlighting crime fiction from a particular Nordic country. Weβve already explored Norwegian crime fiction and Swedish crime fiction, and this weekend, itβs Denmarkβs turn! Denmark is home to two bestselling crime writers whose work helped introduce me to the Scandinavian crime fiction genre, writers who remain some of my favorites to this day,, and itβs also home to a number of up-and-coming crime writers whose novels are shaking up the genre, and delivering truly gripping and inventive stories. Today Iβll be walking you through my personal favorite Danish crime writers, and giving you tips for where to start with their work! Iβll add the same disclaimer here that Iβve had on my last couple Nordic Noir blog posts: this list is by no means an exhaustive rundown of all the Danish crime writers out there, simply a guide to my personal favorites, which I hope will help you embark on your own journey discovering their work!
Read MoreCrime Books to Get You Hooked on Nordic Noir
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 Festival Preview: Krimfestivalen 2020
Each spring, Norwegian crime writers and crime writers from around Scandinavia - and the world - gather in Oslo for Krimfestivalen, an annual crime fiction festival that has quickly become one of my absolute favorites. Iβve been attending Krimfestivalen for a few years now (you can check out my very first trip to Krimfestivalen recapped here!) and itβs now something I look forward to every single spring. Iβm in Oslo for Krimfestivalen this week, and canβt wait to take you guys along with me and share the crime festival fun with you all! Iβll be sharing live updates from Krimfestivalen on Instagram and Twitter, and Iβll also be recapping my time in Oslo for Krimfestivalen 2020 on my website once I return to New York. In the meantime, read on for a preview of this yearβs festival, including my most-anticipated author appearances, an overview of the festivalβs special events, and more!
Read MoreCBTBβs Guide to Early-2020 Nordic Noir
Scandinavian crime fiction is my personal favorite crime fiction subgenre, and a staple of Crime by the Bookβand luckily for all of us who adore it, 2020 is going to be a fantastic year for new releases in this category! Today Iβm rounding up the Scandinavian crime fiction that belongs on your to-read list early this year, including both books Iβve already read and covered here on CBTB, and titles that I havenβt yet dug into, but which are on my personal TBR list. The books included in this post have US publication dates that fall between January and April 2020βwhich means that some of them are already on sale, and some are releasing very soon! From new installments in beloved series to exciting debuts, thereβs a little something for every Scandinavian crime fiction fan releasing early this year. Dive into this list and fill your TBR with all the gritty, gripping storytelling that Scandinavian crime fiction has to offer.
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