Scandinavian crime fiction readers, listen up: THE DEVIL'S WEDDING RING by Vidar Sundstøl is the must-read you haven't heard of yet. One of the most fresh and original takes on the Nordic Noir genre I've read in ages, Sundstøl's exceptional standalone crime novel weaves together ancient folklore and a modern investigation to brilliant effect. Atmospheric and laced with menace, the story's small-town setting is a character unto itself, while the story's human characters are equally complex and engaging. THE DEVIL'S WEDDING RING is masterfully written, intricately plotted, and wholly immersive; in short, it's a must-read for Nordic Noir fans.
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Nordic Noir Book Review: RUPTURE by Ragnar Jonasson
Ragnar Jonasson’s Dark Iceland series is perfect reading material for fans of classic mysteries, and the newest series installment, RUPTURE, is no exception. RUPTURE is a layered, immersive story weaving together three mysteries: a cold case, a missing child, and a hit-and-run accident. The threads of this mystery come together slowly but surely, drawing the reader deeper into its chilling core.
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Nordic Noir Book Review: PIERCED by Thomas Enger
After reading Book 1 in Enger's series (BURNED) back in November, I’ve had such a hard time letting go of its storyline—I’ve been left wondering what on earth will happen to its endearing, melancholic protagonist. I finally decided I just had to find out. Well, I’m happy to report that PIERCED didn’t just fulfill my expectations—it wholly exceeded them.
Read MoreNordic Noir Book Review: CLOSED FOR WINTER by Jorn Lier Horst
CLOSED FOR WINTER was exactly the kind of read I hoped it would be. When I picked up this book, I was in a bit of a reading slump, looking for a slow-burning Scandinavian crime novel to pull me out of it. This book absolutely did the trick! CLOSED FOR WINTER is detailed and immersive, making great use of the author’s personal experience to craft a true-to-life and methodical police procedural.
Read MoreNordic Noir Book Review: BLACKOUT by Ragnar Jonasson
Ragnar Jonasson’s BLACKOUT is arguably the perfect crime novel. I have loved the previous books in Jonasson’s Dark Iceland series, but BLACKOUT took my obsession to a new level. This story perfectly balances murder mystery with character development and present-day plotlines with flashbacks, and delivers a read that’s emotional, intriguing, and impossible to put down.
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