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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
    • Features
  • #ReadWithCBTB
  • Features
  • Reading Lists
  • Events
  • Go-to Book Recs
  • As Seen In
  • About
  • Connect

the cbtb blog

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

The Sun Down Motel_Simone St. James.jpg

Exclusive Excerpt: The Sun Down Motel by Simone St. James

September 10, 2019

You know that feeling when you pick up a book by a new-to-you author, and realize that it’s so perfectly up your alley, you just can’t believe you haven’t read the author’s work sooner? That was me in 2018, when I picked up Simone St. James’ chilling suspense novel The Broken Girls. I was completely swept up in the novel’s rich atmosphere, spine-tingling thrills, and compelling dual-timeline mystery - and I’ve been not-so-patiently waiting for a new Simone St. James novel ever since. If you, like me, are one of the thousands of readers who fell in love with The Broken Girls, you’re in luck: Simone St. James has a new suspense novel on sale in February 2020! THE SUN DOWN MOTEL by Simone St. James releases February 18th, 2020, and thanks to her publisher, CBTB readers can read an exclusive excerpt from the book right here!

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In Excerpt Tags The Sun Down Motel, Simone St. James, The Broken Girls
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Book Preview: THE STRANGER INSIDE by Lisa Unger

August 4, 2019

If you’ve been a crime fiction fan for even a short while, there’s a very good chance you’ve heard of Lisa Unger—and if you haven’t heard of her yet, not to worry, today’s post will serve as the perfect introduction to this prolific author’s work. Lisa Unger is the New York Times bestselling author of seventeen novels, including her forthcoming release THE STRANGER INSIDE. Lisa Unger’s novels have been published in twenty-six languages, and Lisa has received multiple Edgar Award nominations, among numerous other accolades. Her books have been selected as “Best of the Year” picks by the Today Show, Good Morning America, Entertainment Weekly, Amazon, IndieBound, and many, many more. I could go on, but you get the picture: Lisa Unger is a master of the suspense genre with a huge readership around the world. And today on CBTB, I’m so thrilled to spotlight Lisa’s forthcoming release THE STRANGER INSIDE, available September 17th from Park Row.

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In Excerpt Tags The Stranger Inside, Lisa Unger, Psychological Suspense
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The First Mistake Sandie Jones.jpg

Excerpt: THE FIRST MISTAKE by Sandie Jones

May 26, 2019

‘Tis the season for beach reads - and what better way to ring in the summer than with Sandie Jones’ newest psychological thriller? THE FIRST MISTAKE, Sandie’s sophomore psychological suspense novel, releases June 11th, and thanks to the team at Minotaur Books, I’m thrilled to give CBTB readers the chance to dip in to an early excerpt on the blog today! Sandie Jones made a splash last summer with her debut, THE OTHER WOMAN. It was a New York Times bestseller and was selected as one of Reese Witherspoon’s book club picks! Now, Sandie is back with THE FIRST MISTAKE: a suspense novel that looks just as juicy and binge-worthy as the author’s debut. The summer season always puts me in the mood for a “popcorn read” just like this one, and I can’t wait to dig in to THE FIRST MISTAKE this week! Learn all about THE FIRST MISTAKE, and read an excerpt from the book’s prologue and first chapter, in today’s blog post!

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In Excerpt Tags The First Mistake, Sandie Jones, The Other Woman, Beach Reads, Psychological Suspense
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A Nearly Normal Family Edvardsson.jpg

Book Preview: A NEARLY NORMAL FAMILY by M.T. Edvardsson

April 13, 2019

It’s hard to believe it, but summer is right around the corner - and it’s bringing with it a whole crop of hugely exciting new crime fiction releases! Right at the top of my personal list of most-anticipated Summer 2019 reads is today’s featured title: A NEARLY NORMAL FAMILY by M.T. Edvardsson, releasing in the U.S. June 25th, 2019. This Scandinavian psychological thriller is gathering major buzz; it’s been on my radar for quite a while now, and I’m so excited to finally be digging in to it this weekend. Thanks to the book’s publisher, I’m also thrilled to be able to share with CBTB readers a sneak peek into what’s sure to be one of summer’s hottest crime reads! In today’s blog post, you can get the inside scoop on A NEARLY NORMAL FAMILY, including plot details, advance praise, and an excerpt from the book’s prologue and first chapter.

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In Book Preview, Excerpt Tags A Nearly Normal Family, M.T. Edvardsson, Psychological Thriller
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Her Father's Secret.jpg

Book Excerpt: HER FATHER'S SECRET by Sara Blaedel

March 7, 2019

This week marks the publication of the newest book by Sara Blaedel, Denmark’s Queen of Crime, in the US! HER FATHER’S SECRET is the second book in Blaedel’s Family Secrets trilogy, following a Danish woman who moves to the U.S. in pursuit of the truth about her estranged father. Set in Racine, Wisconsin, the Family Secrets books explore exactly what their title suggests: the secrets that can exist between those who should know each other best of all. In HER FATHER’S SECRET, series protagonist Ilka finds herself stuck in the middle of a bizarre - and potentially dangerous - situation. After discovering that her now-deceased father had been receiving threatening notes before his death, Ilka sets out to unveil the blackmailer. And when a series of increasingly sinister events begin to occur in Racine, Ilka has to wonder what she’s gotten herself caught up in… Thanks to Grand Central Publishing, I’m delighted to share with CBTB readers an excerpt from HER FATHER’S SECRET by Sara Blaedel, available this week at your favorite book retailer! Read on for plot details, praise for Sara’s work, and the excerpt.

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In Excerpt Tags Her Father's Secret, Sara Blaedel, Family Secrets trilogy
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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!🤓) •
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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. 🥰❤️
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View fullsize Spent today doing all my favorite things in Oslo, so obviously a coffee stop was included. ☕️🖤 How are you spending your Saturday?! •
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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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