• Blog
  • Quick Reviews
    • Introduction
    • Background
    • Book Recommendations
    • By Country
    • Interviews
    • Reviews
    • Features
  • #ReadWithCBTB
  • Features
  • Reading Lists
  • Events
  • Go-to Book Recs
  • As Seen In
  • About
  • Connect
Menu

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.

January Wrap-Up

January 31, 2017

January Wrap-Up

2017 got off to a great start for crime reading! I read 9 books this month, and for the most part, absolutely loved them. Here are a few fun stats about my January reads: 

- Seven out of the nine books I read I gave 4/5 stars or more
- Book genre breakdown:

  • 4 Scandinavian crime books
  • 3 psychological thrillers
  • 1 horror book
  • 1 action thriller

In chronological order, here are my January reads! Note that I haven't posted reviews for some of these titles yet - if you don't see a review linked, just know that my review will be coming soon!

1. WHERE ROSES NEVER DIE by Gunnar Staalesen
CBTB Rating: 3/5
The Verdict: a slow-burning, methodical procedural. A bit denser than I usually prefer my reads, but a great choice for a slow-burning mystery.
Genre: Nordic Noir

2. PIERCED by Thomas Enger
CBTB Rating: 5/5
The Verdict: a gripping story of loyalty, loss, and revenge. Book 2 in Enger’s superb Henning Juul series - and even better than Book 1!
Genre: Nordic Noir
My full review here.

3. CURSED by Thomas Enger (on sale Feb. 15 in the UK; May 1 in the US)
Shh... this one is a bit of a surprise! I read this one quietly this month - I'll be sharing much more about this book a bit closer to its publication in February. Stay tuned! And for now I'll just say, I gave it 5/5 stars!

4. GONE WITHOUT A TRACE by Mary Torjussen (on sale April 18)
CBTB Rating: 3.5/5
The Verdict: a psychological thriller with a killer ending, but a slower start. If you stick with it, this one will really reward you at the end!
Genre: Psychological Thriller

5. THE DEVIL CREPT IN by Ania Ahlborn (on sale Feb. 7)
CBTB Rating: 5/5
The Verdict: masterful, vivid horror about a small town with twisted secrets - had me completely unnerved and totally freaked out.
Genre: Horror
My full review here.

6. RUPTURE by Ragnar Jonasson (available now in the UK; US - check BookDepository!)
CBTB Rating: 4/5
The Verdict: an atmospheric, immersive classic mystery (major Agatha Christie vibes!) - the most recent installment in Jonasson's Dark Iceland series.
Genre: Nordic Noir
My full review here.

7. THE CHILD by Fiona Barton (on sale June 27)
CBTB Rating: 4.5/5
The Verdict: loved this one even more than THE WIDOW - a novel of psychological suspense told from varying perspectives.
Genre: Psychological Thriller

8. DEEP DOWN DEAD by Steph Broadribb (available now in the UK; US - check BookDepository!)
CBTB Rating: 4.5/5
The Verdict: action-packed, gripping entertainment! A book that reads like an action movie.
Genre: Action thriller
My full review here.

9. NEVER LET YOU GO by Chevy Stevens (on sale March 14)
CBTB Rating: 5/5
The Verdict: layered, immersive domestic suspense. A gripping and disturbing portrayal of love gone very, very wrong.
Genre: Psychological Thriller
My full review here.


Have you read any of these? Are any of them on your TBR? I'd love to hear from you!

In Monthly Wrap Up Tags Book Recommendation, Monthly Wrap Up
← Interview: Ania Ahlborn, author of THE DEVIL CREPT INBook Review: NEVER LET YOU GO by Chevy Stevens →

Subscribe

The CBTB Newsletter

Thank you for subscribing to CBTB Reviews. Happy reading!

CBTb's Current Read:

The Family Game: A Novel
By Steadman, Catherine
Buy on Amazon

Latest & Greatest

Featured
The September House Carissa Orlando.jpg
Sep 6, 2023
Book Review: THE SEPTEMBER HOUSE by Carissa Orlando
Sep 6, 2023
Sep 6, 2023
Announcing Crime by the Box!
Aug 12, 2023
Announcing Crime by the Box!
Aug 12, 2023
Aug 12, 2023
Vanessa Lillie Blood Sisters cover reveal.png
Apr 3, 2023
Cover Reveal + Sneak Peek: BLOOD SISTERS by Vanessa Lillie
Apr 3, 2023
Apr 3, 2023
Follow

instagram

View fullsize My personal crime fiction collection πŸ•΅πŸ»‍β™€οΈπŸ–€ aka my favorite corner of my apartment. πŸ“šπŸ™ŒπŸ» 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. πŸ•΅πŸ»‍β™€οΈπŸ€πŸ–€ next on my TBR: THE SHADOWS by Alex North, available on my birthday, 7/7!!πŸ˜‰πŸ”Ž (huge thank you to @celadonbooks for this review copy!πŸ€“) •
Thank you guy
View fullsize Being stuck at home isn’t so bad when you’ve got a massive stack of books to read. πŸ•΅πŸ»‍β™€οΈπŸ–€ What’s on your social-distancing TBR?! πŸ“–
•
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 β˜•οΈ & a gripping crime read πŸ•΅πŸ»‍β™€οΈπŸ–€ aka the perfect combination πŸ™ŒπŸ»
•
This right here is my usual Sunday tradition πŸ‘†πŸ» 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 β˜•οΈπŸ–€ with my totally gripping current read πŸ•΅πŸ»‍♀️
•
Today is my last day in Manhattan for a while πŸ˜” 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. πŸ‘ŒπŸ»πŸ–€ NO BAD DEED by Heather Chavez is on sale now, and I can’t wait to dive in! πŸ•΅πŸ»‍♀️
•
Friends, I can&
View fullsize Happy Monday, friends! πŸ–€ Back in NYC and back to work after an amazing (if much too short) visit to Oslo πŸ‡³πŸ‡΄ annnd currently drinking a cold brew β˜•οΈ at my desk & hoping it keeps me awake this afternoon πŸ˜‚ jet lag + not enough sleep last night =
View fullsize Last looks at beautiful Oslo πŸ‡³πŸ‡΄ for this trip. ❀️ So very sad to leave, but I’m bringing wonderful memories & a suitcase stuffed with books πŸ“š back to NYC with me. πŸ˜‰ See you soon, Oslo... you know I can’t stay away for long. πŸ₯°β€οΈ
&
View fullsize Spent today doing all my favorite things in Oslo, so obviously a coffee stop was included. β˜•οΈπŸ–€ 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. πŸ•΅πŸ»‍β™€οΈπŸ–€ Best. Purchase. Ever. πŸ™ŒπŸ»
•
Does anyone else collect books by a favorite author?! πŸ“š 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, 11:48β€―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, 10:03β€―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, 6:13β€―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, 7:44β€―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, 3:05β€―PM

Powered by Squarespace