When the body of a woman is discovered at a lighthouse in the Icelandic town of Akranes, it soon becomes clear that she’s no stranger to the area. Chief Investigating Officer Elma, who has returned to Akranes following a failed relationship, and her colleagues Sævar and Hörður, commence an uneasy investigation, which uncovers a shocking secret in the dead woman’s past that continues to reverberate to the present day.
This is a good, solid, slice of Nordic Noir, the crime fiction sub-genre, that along with domestic noir and psychological thrillers, continues to dominate much of the crime fiction landscape. While Nordic Noir is not as dominant as it once was, it’s still a crowded field, but there’s more than enough in this title to make it stand out.
The author imbues the novel with a very strong atmosphere and sense of place which is vividly and brilliantly portrayed. The characters are compelling, while the plot is tightly driven. Reading this novel, I had real trouble guessing who the culprit was. As another reviewer has noted, just as you think you know who it is, you're forced to reevaluate as the next twist sends the tale in another direction entirely. The plot unfolds over two twin timelines, and while that isn’t my favoured narrative technique, and it’s one that is very tricky to get right, the author pulls it off with aplomb.
As with many Nordic Noir titles, there are some difficult and disturbing issues tackled in this book, but while reader discretion is advised, personally I didn’t find them too graphic or insensitively portrayed.
This is the first in a new series and I definitely look forward to reading book 2.
3 out of 5 stars
Thanks James xx
ReplyDelete