Are Thrillers Different in Different Countries
Is Scandi-noir a "thing." Are Scandinavian thrillers always darker than others. And American ones more sarcastic. And... Or is a book just a book, defining its own genre and resting in the shelter of someone else's label on the shelf? Two of the thrillers I recently read were Scandinavian, and they were definitely dark. Three American thrillers definitely had that gently sarcastic voice. And all four were blended with social commentary. Intriguing... Anyway, here are some reviews. Pick your coffee blend and your book:
Bullet River by Dan Ames is a short, sharp novella of a bounty hunter housesitting and dead body hunting. Fast, violent, and exciting, enjoy this one with a lively easy-drinking two-star coffee.
If I had two lives by A.B. Whelan is a much slower read, with violent crime to be solved, and the mystery of who we might have been if we hadn't grown up with the opportunities that drive us. It's a complex tale, twisting and dark, best enjoyed with a dark five-star coffee.
Payback by Ronald S Barak is a longer tale of thrills and chills at a thriller-writers' conference. Filled with details about agents and publishers, plus social commentary ripped from the headlines (perfectly natural when the protagonist is a judge), and lots of exciting missteps on the way to resolution, it's a fast fun novel to enjoy with some lively, easy-drinking two-star coffee.
Then there's The Now and Then Detective by William Wells, a tale of a retired cop who can't quite resist the lure of a good mystery. It's told in a cool, convincing voice, with, again, plenty of social commentary in among the mystery and sleuthing. Fun, fierce, and a really good read. Enjoy it with some elegant, complex four-star coffee.
Which completes my current list of recently read American thrillers. Now to the Scandinavian ones.
The Stolen Angel by Sara Blaedel is recognizably part of a series, but I've not read what came before and it really doesn't matter. The story starts with stark horror, so be prepared for darkness, and drink some seriously dark five-star coffee. Complex characters, curious secrets and lies, and... darkness...
In The Night Women, the same protagonist is investigating death on the streets while distracted by two boys finding an abandoned baby. Personal needs complicate the plot and draw the reader in. Enjoy with some complex four-star coffee.
All thrilling reads. As for me, I'm thrilled to be finally catching up posting the reviews.
Bullet River by Dan Ames is a short, sharp novella of a bounty hunter housesitting and dead body hunting. Fast, violent, and exciting, enjoy this one with a lively easy-drinking two-star coffee.
If I had two lives by A.B. Whelan is a much slower read, with violent crime to be solved, and the mystery of who we might have been if we hadn't grown up with the opportunities that drive us. It's a complex tale, twisting and dark, best enjoyed with a dark five-star coffee.
Payback by Ronald S Barak is a longer tale of thrills and chills at a thriller-writers' conference. Filled with details about agents and publishers, plus social commentary ripped from the headlines (perfectly natural when the protagonist is a judge), and lots of exciting missteps on the way to resolution, it's a fast fun novel to enjoy with some lively, easy-drinking two-star coffee.
Then there's The Now and Then Detective by William Wells, a tale of a retired cop who can't quite resist the lure of a good mystery. It's told in a cool, convincing voice, with, again, plenty of social commentary in among the mystery and sleuthing. Fun, fierce, and a really good read. Enjoy it with some elegant, complex four-star coffee.
Which completes my current list of recently read American thrillers. Now to the Scandinavian ones.
The Stolen Angel by Sara Blaedel is recognizably part of a series, but I've not read what came before and it really doesn't matter. The story starts with stark horror, so be prepared for darkness, and drink some seriously dark five-star coffee. Complex characters, curious secrets and lies, and... darkness...
In The Night Women, the same protagonist is investigating death on the streets while distracted by two boys finding an abandoned baby. Personal needs complicate the plot and draw the reader in. Enjoy with some complex four-star coffee.
All thrilling reads. As for me, I'm thrilled to be finally catching up posting the reviews.
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