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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.

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CBTB's Most-Anticipated Spring & Summer 2021 Crime Books

April 11, 2021

Is it a little bit early to be talking about summer crime fiction releases? Maybe… though I don’t know about you, but I for one am already eagerly anticipating summer and all that it will bring with it! It’s been a long year since the pandemic began, and I will take any and every excuse to look forward to the future - including looking forward to future crime fiction releases. In that spirit, rather than doing separate Spring 2021 and Summer 2021 Most-Anticipated lists, I decided to combine them both into one massive rundown of the upcoming crime fiction releases that I’m most looking forward to in the coming months! Some of these books I have been fortunate enough to read already, others are waiting for me on my TBR pile, and others I’ve got on pre-order - but all of these books are on my wishlist as we look towards the months ahead. Whether you’re in the mood for light psychological suspense, gritty noir, creepy thrills, or anything in between, there’s a little something on this list for everyone! Grab a cup of coffee and dig into my picks for Most-Anticipated Spring & Summer 2021 Crime Books. For ease of reference, and to help you plan your own summer TBR list, this list is organized by publication month and date.

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In Reading List, Summer Reading List Tags Summer Reading, Summer Books, Summer 2021 Crime Books, Summer 2021 New Mysteries, Paula Hawkins, A Slow Fire Burning, 56 Days, Catherine Ryan Howard, Sandie Jones, Razorblade tears, SA Cosby, Riley Sager, Survive the Night, Ashley Winstead, Cate Holahan, Her Three Lives, Ragnar Jonasson, The Girl Who Died, Camilla Lackberg, Silver Tears, Bath Haus, PJ Vernon, The Lords of Time, Eva Garcia Saenz, People Like Them, Samira Sedira
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Author Q&A: Eva García Sáenz, Author of THE SILENCE OF THE WHITE CITY

January 28, 2021

Every year, there are one or two books that become what I like to call my “out-of-left-field favorites”—books that I picked up on a whim and ended up just absolutely loving. In 2020, one of my “out-of-left-field favorites” was Eva García Sáenz’s exceptional serial killer thriller THE SILENCE OF THE WHITE CITY. The first in a trilogy of crime novels set in the Basque country, THE SILENCE OF THE WHITE CITY is an immersive, intricate, compulsively readable crime novel perfect for fans of serial killer thriller classics like The Silence of the Lambs. This trilogy has already found great success with readers around the world, and it’s easy to see why: THE SILENCE OF THE WHITE CITY has crime fiction must-read written all over it, from its vivid characters to its chilling central mystery and its immersive sense of place. Today, author Eva García Sáenz is stopping by CBTB to answer my questions about her heart-pounding thriller THE SILENCE OF THE WHITE CITY, and to give us a little teaser for what’s to come in this trilogy’s second installment!

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In Author Q&A Tags Eva Garcia Saenz, The Silence of the White City, The Water Rituals, The White City Trilogy, Serial Killer Thriller
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CBTB's Most-Anticipated Early 2021 Crime Books

January 9, 2021

A new year is upon us, and it’s bringing with it some very exciting new crime, mystery, and thriller releases to devour! In today’s blog post, I’m rounding up my most-anticipated crime fiction releases publishing between January and March 2021. A few of these books I’ve already been fortunate enough to read, and the others are all on my TBR list as we head into the new year! From new psychological thrillers to suspense novels with horror movie-worthy plots to Nordic Noir and more, the first few months of 2021 have so many thrilling reads in store for us, and I hope this list will help you find a new book (or two, or three!) to look forward to in the coming months!

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In 2021 Most-Anticipated Tags New Crime Books, 2021 Crime Books, 2021 Crime Thrillers, 2021 Crime Fiction, Jess Lourey, Katrine Engberg, Sarah Pearse, CJ Tudor, The Sanatorium, The Burning Girls, Lucy Atkins, Jorn Lier Horst, Thomas Enger, Nalini Singh, Alex Finlay, JT Ellison, Peter Swanson, The Lost Village, Camilla Sten, Eva Garcia Saenz, Elly Griffiths
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CBTB's Best Crime Books of 2020

December 27, 2020

Another year is drawing to a close, and what a year it’s been. To call 2020 a challenge would be, frankly, the understatement of the year. I’ve always been thankful for the escape that a great crime book can bring, but I don’t think I’ve ever been quite as thankful for great books as I have been this year. 2020 brought with it outstanding new crime fiction from CBTB favorites and new-to-me authors alike; it saw some of my longtime favorite writers embarking on new directions in their writing careers; it introduced me to new series that I expect I’ll be following for years to come. From psychological thrillers to Nordic Noir to creepy, horror-inspired suspense and a little bit of everything in between, this year brought with it lots of new crime novels to love, and in today’s blog post, I’m sharing my picks for the very best of the best that this year had to offer. I’m thrilled to share with you my picks for Best Crime Books of 2020, this year with a fun twist! I’ve given each book included in this list a superlative: everything from “Best Plot Twist” to “Best ‘Popcorn Thriller’” to “Best Nordic Noir Series Installment” and more. Happy reading!

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In Best Crime Books of 2020 Tags Best Crime Books 2020, Best Thrillers 2020, The Kingdom, Jo Nesbo, Lazarus, Lars Kepler, His & Hers, Alice Feeney, The Silence of the White City, Eva Garcia Saenz, Invisible Girl, Lisa Jewell, Little Secrets, Jennifer Hillier, Best Crime Books, Best Thrillers, Best Crime Thrillers 2020, The Absolution, Yrsa Sigurdardottir, The Other People, CJ Tudor, The Mist, Ragnar Jonasson, Death in the Family, Tessa Wegert, Thomas Enger, Jorn Lier Horst, Catherine Ryan Howard, Rachel Howzell Hall, Camilla Lackberg
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Book Review: THE SILENCE OF THE WHITE CITY by Eva García Sáenz

August 20, 2020

What was the last book you read that turned out to be exactly the book you never knew you needed? For me, the answer to that question is easy: it was Eva García Sáenz’s outstanding trilogy launch, THE SILENCE OF THE WHITE CITY—published in the US for the first time this July. This gritty, intricate serial killer thriller is the perfect late-summer read for any crime fiction aficionado looking to get caught up in a truly immersive puzzle. Set in the Basque country, THE SILENCE OF THE WHITE CITY places readers in the heart of a terrifying series of events: a shadowy villain appears to be replicating the city of Vitoria’s most infamous crimes, twenty years after their initial occurrence. The perpetrator for the original crimes, an archaeologist whose charm and charisma propelled him to fame, has been locked away in prison for all these years. So who is committing these gruesome murders now? Is a copycat killer at work, or is there more to this story? Following an endearing and troubled detective known as “Kraken,” THE SILENCE OF THE WHITE CITY draws readers deep into the history and mythology of the Basque country—and into the mind of a sinister and shadowy villain whose reach and intelligence are far greater than the police ever suspected. Chilling crimes, page-turning pacing, endearing characters, and a healthy dose of local lore are woven together seamlessly in THE SILENCE OF THE WHITE CITY. This is a serial killer thriller for anyone who has loved genre greats like The Silence of the Lambs, and for anyone who just plain loves a great mystery to solve. Pick this book up for pure, chilling entertainment.

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In Book Review Tags The Silence of the White City, Eva Garcia Saenz, Serial Killer Thriller, Basque Noir
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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
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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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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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  • 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
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    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
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    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
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    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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