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Crime by the Book

A girl investigates crime fiction from around the world, by the book.
  • Blog
  • Quick Reviews
  • Nordic Noir
    • Introduction
    • Background
    • Book Recommendations
    • By Country
    • Interviews
    • Reviews
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  • #ReadWithCBTB
  • Features
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  • Go-to Book Recs
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the cbtb blog

One girl's ongoing investigation of the crime fiction genre.

The Stranger Diaries Griffiths.jpg

Excerpt: THE STRANGER DIARIES by Elly Griffiths

January 29, 2019

A modern take on Gothic suspense with a literary twist? Sign me up. I first learned of Griffiths’ forthcoming standalone suspense novel THE STRANGER DIARIES at Bouchercon this past fall, and have been eagerly anticipating its release ever since. In THE STRANGER DIARIES, Griffiths (best known for her Ruth Galloway series) crafts a suspense novel centered around a teacher of Gothic literature, who finds the plot of one of the books she uses in her courses playing out in real life… to potentially deadly end. From its stunning cover to its bookish plot and Gothic-inspired touches, THE STRANGER DIARIES has all the makings of an instant-favorite for me - and I couldn’t be more excited to give you the inside scoop on this book today! Thanks to the team at Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, I’m thrilled to share with CBTB readers an early excerpt of the book’s first chapter. THE STRANGER DIARIES releases in the US in March, but you can get a taste of Griffiths’ captivating writing right here. And let me just say: I’m currently reading THE STRANGER DIARIES, and have found it to be absolutely gripping from page one. So far, it’s exceeding all my expectations, and I can’t wait for you to give it a read, too! Read on for plot details, a selection of the incredible early praise the book is already receiving, links to pre-order, and (of course!) the excerpt itself.

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In Excerpt Tags The Stranger Diaries, Elly Griffiths, Ruth Galloway
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Beautiful Bad Annie Ward.jpg

Book Preview: BEAUTIFUL BAD by Annie Ward

November 24, 2018

2019 is shaping up to be a fantastic year for crime fiction, and today’s featured thriller is proof of exactly that! I’m thrilled to share with CBTB readers a sneak peek into one of the hottest crime novels releasing this spring: BEAUTIFUL BAD by Annie Ward, available March 19th. Thanks to the team at Park Row Books, CBTB readers can dig into the first two chapters of this gripping thriller right here! I’m absolutely hooked on what I’ve read of this book so far, and can’t wait to share this one with you. Read on for a preview of Annie Ward’s BEAUTIFUL BAD!

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In Book Preview, Excerpt Tags Beautiful Bad, Annie Ward, Book Preview, Book Excerpt, Psychological Thriller
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River Bodies Katchur.jpg

Excerpt: RIVER BODIES by Karen Katchur

October 21, 2018

I’m delighted to share with CBTB readers an excerpt from RIVER BODIES by Karen Katchur, available November 1st from Thomas & Mercer! This mystery caught my eye first and foremost for its gorgeous cover (which, in all honesty, might be one of my favorite covers of the year!)—and second for its compelling plot. RIVER BODIES links past and present through two crimes in Portland, Pennsylvania, and follows a woman whose return to her hometown brings long-buried secrets to the surface. RIVER BODIES is the first book in a planned series, so this is the perfect opportunity to dip in and see if this forthcoming suspense novel might be a book for you. In anticipation of RIVER BODIES’ release in just a couple of weeks, you can dip into Chapter One from this intriguing mystery in today’s blog post!

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In Excerpt Tags River Bodies, Karen Katchur
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Slowly We Die Jana Berzelius.jpg

Book Excerpt: SLOWLY WE DIE by Emelie Schepp

May 20, 2018

Emelie Schepp is one of the most exciting young authors at work in Scandinavia today. Her Jana Berzelius series has taken the crime-reading world by storm, and her newest book is set to release in the US this June! SLOWLY WE DIE is another novel featuring Jana Berzelius, but, from what I’ve read of it so far, it’s quite different from the previous Berzelius books—making it a great place for readers new to the series to dive in. Unlike her prior Berzelius books, SLOWLY WE DIE takes on a new angle: that of a medical thriller. This Scandinavian crime novel involves a series of killings rocking the medical community, and special prosecutor Jana Berzelius finds herself tasked with the investigation. Thanks to the team at MIRA, CBTB readers can dig into the Prologue and Chapter 1 of SLOWLY WE DIE by Emelie Schepp in today’s post.

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In Book Preview, Excerpt Tags Slowly We Die, Emelie Schepp, Nordic Noir, Medical Thriller
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Hell's Princess Harold Schecter.jpg

Book Excerpt: HELL'S PRINCESS by Harold Schechter

April 4, 2018

Any fans of true crime here? Crime by the Book is first and foremost a place to explore crime fiction, but every now and then, a little glimpse into the world of true crime is called for. When I’m not reading crime fiction, I actually spend a lot of time absorbing all things true crime. My personal favorite true crime story? Belle Gunness. Today I’m so excited to share an excerpt from HELL’S PRINCESS: The Mystery of Belle Gunness, Butcher of Men by Harold Schechter, on sale April 1st!

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In Excerpt Tags Belle Gunnes, Hell's Princess, True Crime
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View fullsize My personal crime fiction collection 🕵🏻‍♀️🖤 aka my favorite corner of my apartment. 📚🙌🏻 If anyone feels so inclined, I’d love to see what YOUR bookshelves look like! Snap a pic, share in your stories, & tag me - I’d love to
View fullsize I can never say no to a creepy read with a gorgeous black & white cover. 🕵🏻‍♀️🤍🖤 next on my TBR: THE SHADOWS by Alex North, available on my birthday, 7/7!!😉🔎 (huge thank you to @celadonbooks for this review copy!🤓) •
Thank you guy
View fullsize Being stuck at home isn’t so bad when you’ve got a massive stack of books to read. 🕵🏻‍♀️🖤 What’s on your social-distancing TBR?! 📖
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I went WAY overboard with books I brought home to CT for my self-isolation TBR list. ?
View fullsize Early afternoon light & a large latte ☕️ & a gripping crime read 🕵🏻‍♀️🖤 aka the perfect combination 🙌🏻
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This right here is my usual Sunday tradition 👆🏻 BUT I’ll be spending this Sunday (and this coming week, and probabl
View fullsize My last day in the city for a while calls for a lunch break coffee stop ☕️🖤 with my totally gripping current read 🕵🏻‍♀️
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Today is my last day in Manhattan for a while 😔 we’re all transitioning to working from home to try and preve
View fullsize In the midst of a crazy week, my brain needs a quick, binge-worthy read, and I think this beauty right here is just the ticket. 👌🏻🖤 NO BAD DEED by Heather Chavez is on sale now, and I can’t wait to dive in! 🕵🏻‍♀️
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Friends, I can&
View fullsize Happy Monday, friends! 🖤 Back in NYC and back to work after an amazing (if much too short) visit to Oslo 🇳🇴 annnd currently drinking a cold brew ☕️ at my desk & hoping it keeps me awake this afternoon 😂 jet lag + not enough sleep last night =
View fullsize Last looks at beautiful Oslo 🇳🇴 for this trip. ❤️ So very sad to leave, but I’m bringing wonderful memories & a suitcase stuffed with books 📚 back to NYC with me. 😉 See you soon, Oslo... you know I can’t stay away for long. 🥰❤️
&
View fullsize Spent today doing all my favorite things in Oslo, so obviously a coffee stop was included. ☕️🖤 How are you spending your Saturday?! •
Okay I used to always think the phrase “living your best life” was SO cheesy but if I’m bein
View fullsize *Years* of admiring this Norwegian edition of my favorite book (THE SNOWMAN by Jo Nesbø) have finally resulted in this. 🕵🏻‍♀️🖤 Best. Purchase. Ever. 🙌🏻
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Does anyone else collect books by a favorite author?! 📚 I don’t have

Twitter

  • Crime by the Book
    Loved speaking with @danspapers about the first panel I’ll be moderating at @HamptonsWhodun this year, featuring… https://t.co/hwrdV45fSz
    Apr 4, 2023, 11:48 AM
  • Crime by the Book
    RT @vanessalillie: I’ve had box of Blood Sister arcs unopened for two weeks waiting on tomorrow - cover reveal by @crimebythebook & IG… https://t.co/fnQ35GO1Nd
    Apr 2, 2023, 10:03 AM
  • Crime by the Book
    RT @TheMysterious: We’re making plans to head out to @HamptonsWhodun next month, Long Island’s exciting new crime fiction festival. Se… https://t.co/ra7RPgf7Fv
    Mar 30, 2023, 6:13 PM
  • Crime by the Book
    RT @TheMysterious: Love mystery fiction? We’re hiring a part-time bookseller, beginning immediately. Email info@mysteriousbookshop.com… https://t.co/AJrBLH0Q1t
    Mar 29, 2023, 7:44 PM
  • Crime by the Book
    RT @TheMysterious: BREAKING: We’re thrilled that our friend Michael Connelly is (finally) being recognized as a mystery fiction Grand… https://t.co/3QgWojXVVw
    Mar 28, 2023, 3:05 PM

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