3 Great Noir Books From 2020

Few genres have the longevity or the breadth within crime fiction than noir—from the hardboiled classics of yesteryear to the dazzling modern interpretations showcased here. These three books are amongst the best noir titles from 2020 you can snap up now!

Louise Candlish-The Other Passenger

One of the hottest trends in mystery fiction is ‘domestic noir’—and there are few better exponents of this than Louise Candlish, and her most recent book ‘The Other Passenger’ is no exception. Set in London’s Docklands, with archetypal millennial couple Jamie, a barista, and Clare, an estate agent—only for their lives to unravel when they strike up a friendship with a charismatic couple, one of whom disappears.

The Lady Upstairs-Halley Sutton

A timely and exhilarating affair—one that embroils all the corrupt and twisted power machinations of Hollywood in classic noir fashion, with a sharp modern feminist edge on things. When a young con artist stumbles onto a murder plot, she soon finds herself the target of powerful enemies, but can she work her way out from under their thumb? Read to find out.

Blacktop Wasteland-S.A Cosby

Catapulted into popular consciousness by the likes of Fargo and True Detective, rural noir has become a genre tradition all unto itself, and this masterpiece from S.A Cosby is sure to go down as one of the classics. Set in the sweltering heat of North Carolina, this is an unflinching look at the cost of capitalism and class, as well as a pacy thriller that never lets up.

No matter what mystery gets your mind racing, you’re sure to find what you’re looking for at Plottake, click through to find the best mystery and thriller books to download today!

Two must-read gritty crime novels

Canadians have a well-cultivated image for being nice, and their public persona certainly backs up that assumption by the world. However, when it comes to crime fiction, Canadian writers can get down and gritty like the best of them. Here are two must-read gritty Canadian crime novels.

Needles by William Deverell

First published in 1979, this was a book very much ahead of its time. It features a lawyer Foster Cobb who is investigating an Asian drug boss who is operating on the streets of Vancouver. However, Cobb himself is locked in a heroin habit he is struggling to shake. While try to bring down the drug trade in the city, he finds himself getting deeper into a seedy underworld of prostitution, murder and drugs.

This gritty novel is a thrilling, tightly-wound mystery which features gut-punching twists and jaw-dropping revelations.

Helpless by Barbara Gowdy

Even in its conception, this is a daring book. Gowdy takes an unconventional approach to crime-writing by telling a story from multiple points of view and challenging the reader to examine their preconceptions. It firstly looks at life through the eyes of a paedophile called Ron who is saving a nine-year-old while battling his own inner-demons. Gowdy also tells the story through the eyes of the girl, whose own life is further complicated by her mother’s relationship with her boyfriend.

What is Ron saving the girl from and how can she put her trust in such a man. A challenging and fearless story plays out in the hands of a master of her craft in this often uncomfortable but utterly compelling novel.

For more gripping Canadian mystery check out the books at www.plottake.com.

How To Track Down a Book Without Knowing its Author or Title

There’s nothing worse than not being able to remember the details you need to track down what you want. If you’re trying to recall the name and title of a book, it can be incredibly frustrating. The good news is that there’s tricks you can try that really work. Here’s how to track down a book without knowing its author or title.

Go With Google

You might not think of using a search engine if you can’t remember the title or the author but sometimes just describing a key phrase can be enough to prompt a response. The more unusual and specific the details are, the better. It can be anything from a quote, a character’s name or just plot info; try entering the words into Google and see what comes up.

Appeal to Social Media

Social media often gets a lot of bad publicity but when used in the right way it can be a powerful tool. If you’re trying to think of the title, appealing to your followers might elicit a response. If you have a lot of followers with diverse interests, you stand the best chance of getting the answer. However, even if you don’t, using a clever hashtag could be enough to get your question found – and answered! – by a wider audience.

Try a Book Forum

You’ll find lots of book forums online, filled with avid readers who are keen on discussing their favorite facts. This could be your best bet at identifying the book in question. Describe what you can remember and hopefully one of your fellow bookworms will recognize the details.

To discover your next adventure between the pages of a book, look no further than www.plottake.com. Head over and check out the great variety of books available online.

The best mystery movies that were once books

Mysteries are something that appeal to people of all ages, so it’s no wonder that mystery books are one of the biggest and best selling genres out there. It also means that there are plenty of good books for movie adaptation. Here is our list of the top mystery movies that were once books.

Murder on the Orient Express (1974)

The Agatha Christie novel of the same name is one of the most beloved Poirot books, so it should be no surprise that the movie adaptation of the same name is one of the most popular and best mystery movies that used to be books. In December 1935 the Orient Express that Poirot is travelling on gets stuck in deep snow and he must solve the mystery of a murder on the train that happened during the night.

The Big Sleep (1946)

The movie that gave use Bogey and Bacall, The Big Sleep is one of the most complex and wonderful books by Raymond Chandler, and the movie adaption gives the book the perfect treatment. Detective Philip Marlowe is a private eye that is hired by a rich family to solve a seemingly simple case, but it is much more complicated than it first seems.

The Maltese Falcon (1941)

The 1930 detective novel by Dashiell Hammett is a classic detective book and movie that cannot exclude from any best of list in the mystery book and movie genres. Spade and Archer are detectives in San Francisco, but one night Miles is found dead, Spade is left in the middle of a world of murder for the sake of a statue – the Maltese Falcon.

To find out more about the best mystery book to movie adaptations, visit www.plottake.com where you can find the best from the mystery genre.

 

Incredible Real-Life Libraries You’ll Definitely Want to Visit

If you love to read, the local library is always a bit of a special place, even if the setting is unspectacular. However, if you venture outside Canada you’ll find some libraries which really are out of this world. Here are some incredible real-life libraries that you’ll definitely want to visit.

Trinity College Library, Dublin

This library wouldn’t look out of place at Hogwarts with its beautiful high-arched ceiling and multiple floors. It serves two universities and dates back to when the first university, Trinity College, was created in 1592. As well as the 200,000 books it contains, it’s decorated with period marble busts and includes the stunning 213-foot “Long Room”. Bram Stoker, author of Dracula, studied here too which has undoubtedly contributed to the many rumored ghost sightings.

King Fahd National Library, Riyadh

There’s arguably no other modern library that’s as striking as this one in Saudi Arabia. A fabric covering protects the interior from the glare of the harsh desert sun without blocking out any of the light. During the night, a soothing light show is played on the fabric which has earned the nickname of “Riyadh’s cultural lighthouse”.

Taipei Public Library, Beitou

Located in Taiwan, this modern library is an eco-friendly endeavor, protecting the planet while still offering a relaxing setting to read. Sited within Beitou Park in Beitou Hot Spring, it’s made completely from sustainable wood and also relies on solar power for electricity. Rainfall is caught and recycled, and there are glorious large windows which let in natural sunlight.

There are many other stunning library settings in the world, if you’re ever planning a trip, but while you’re at home you can still enjoy a great choice of books. Check out www.plottake.com for online books and other entertainment you can indulge in at any time of the day or night.