Into Thin Air (The Arctic Mysteries Book One) by Ørjan Karlsson

 

Into Thin Air (The Arctic Mysteries Book One) by Ørjan Karlsson

Translated by Ian Giles.

Published 16th January 2025 by Orenda Books.

From the cover of the book:

In Norway’s frozen north, it’s not just secrets that are buried…

When nineteen-year-old Iselin Hanssen disappears during a run in a popular hiking area in Bodø, Northern Norway, suspicion quickly falls on her boyfriend. For investigator Jakob Weber, the case seems clear-cut, almost unexceptional, even though there is some suggestion that Iselin lived parts of her life beneath the radar of both family and friends.

But events take a dramatic turn when another woman disappears in similar circumstances – this time on the island of Røst, miles off the Norwegian coast, in the wild ocean.

Rumours that a killer is on the loose begin to spread, terrifying the local population and leading to wild conspiracies. But then Jakob discovers that this isn’t the first time that young women have vanished without a trace in the region, and it becomes clear that someone is hiding something … and another murderous spree may have just begun…

***********

In Bodø, Norland, veteran detective Jakob Weber is struggling to process the overwhelming sense of loss he feels at the death of his wife. In many ways he is refusing to accept that change is inevitable, but his work life gets a shake up when young Noora Yun Sande transfers from Kripos in Oslo, to replace his, now retired, partner. They have little time to get to know each other before they are thrown into a complex investigation. 

Nineteen-year-old Iselin Hanssen goes missing while hiking in the wilds around Bodø. Suspicion falls in her boyfriend, son of a local big-wig, but Jakob and Noora's investigation is thrown into disarray when the body of another young woman is found on the island of Røst, miles off the Norwegian coast... and then there is the cold case that Jakob has been preoccupied with. Is there a serial killer at work in Norway's frozen north?

It is always a delight to be there at the beginning of a new series, and the partnership forged between this tight team of characters indicates great promise for a a series that has real legs too!

The story unfolds through several perspectives: primarily Jakob, Noora and the small team in Bodø as they go about their investigation, supplemented by narratives from the missing Iselin, and a number of characters whose points of view in the menacing proceedings drive the action forward. There is a lot of darkness here, of the most unsettling kind, focusing on violence towards women, which provides solid Nordic noir grit, and Karlsson uses the Norland location to absolute perfection when it comes to upping the chill factor - especially by playing with weather, landscape, and the eerie atmosphere of the midnight sun. 

Ian Giles' translation flows beautifully, making Karlsson's plot into one which keeps you hanging breathlessly on the twists and turns of the story, and the characterisation is a joy. I loved the developing relationship between Jakob and Noora, and the way their own emotional turmoil reveals itself. The police procedural and personal stories weave together so well, incorporating some lovely themes too - particularly when it comes to the legacy of controlling, and abusive relationships. And as for Jakob's subtle flirtation with the press... so good!

This is a first instalment that whets your appetite, with threads hanging to hook you into book two, and I can see these characters becoming fixtures in my life. If you like the way Jorn Lier Horst spins his Norwegian magic then this will definitely be for you. More please! 

Into Thin Air is available to buy now in paperback, ebook and audio formats. You can support indie publishing by buying direct from Orenda Books HERE.

About the author:

Ørjan N. Karlsson grew up in Bodø. A sociologist by trade, he received officer training in the army and has taken part in overseas missions. He has worked in the Defence Ministry and is now a departmental manager in the Norwegian Directorate for Civil Protection. 

He has written a large number of thrillers, sci-fi novels and crime novels for adults.

About the translator:

Ian Giles has a PhD in Scandinavian literature from the University of Edinburgh. Past translations include novels by crime and thriller luminaries such as Arne Dahl, Carin Gerhardsen, Michael Katz Krefeld, David Lagercrantz, Camilla Läckberg and Gustaf Skördeman. His translation of Andreas Norman’s Into a Raging Blaze was shortlisted for the 2015 CWA International Dagger.

 

The Night We Lost Him by Laura Dave

 

The Night We Lost Him by Laura Dave.

Published 2nd January 2025 by Century.

From the cover of the book:

One beautiful Californian evening, a wealthy businessman falls to his death from his secluded cliff-top house onto the rocks below.

A tragic accident? Or murder?

Nora and her half-brother Sam suspect it may be the latter, and team up to uncover the truth of what really happened that night.

But their relationship has never been easy, and it is about to be tested to the limit as they start to question how well either of them really knew their elusive father.

Unravelling his mysterious past takes them back to a world they knew nothing about, to a tangled love affair and a web of relationships that other people would far rather stay buried...

Filled with passion, intrigue, lies, and dark, dark family secrets, The Night We Lost Him is a page turning mystery you won’t ever want to put down.

***********

When wealthy businessman, Liam Noone, falls to his death from his secluded cliff-top home in California, his demise is ruled to be accidental by the police. However, his son Sam thinks his father was not alone that night and suspects foul play. He contacts his half-sister, architect Nora, confiding his concerns and co-opts her into his quest to discover exactly what happened to their father.

Liam has always kept different parts of his life compartmentalised, including the offspring from his multiple marriages. Nora and Sam barely know each other and their relationship is not easy, which makes Nora reluctant to get involved. However, once they begin to delve into the circumstances of their father's death, secrets about his personal and professional lives begin to emerge. Nora is soon convinced that Sam might be right.

The story unravels in two compelling timelines, following on from an intriguing prologue that hints at murder. The first is from the point of view of Nora, following the course of her and Sam's quest for the truth, and the details of her own romantic dilemmas; and the second gives a glimpse into the history of their father's hidden relationship, from the moment he and his mysterious lover meet during their college days, until shortly before his death.

Pretty quickly it becomes clear that this is going to be more than your average murder-mystery, as Dave manages to combine a page-turning thriller with oodles of lovely storylines around the complicated relationships in the Noone family, and there is a lot of family baggage to be worked through alongside the nicely wrought mystery elements. It is a combination that works strikingly well, with all the little meanderings in the personal relationships adding welcome character development, and emotional texture, to the suspenseful plot. 

Dave knows how to keep you guessing, with clever misdirection throughout the story that has you looking at practically everyone with a suspicious eye. She divulges the truth ever so gradually via both timelines, dropping her reveals with perfect timing. She packs the book with delicious themes too that weave in threads of dysfunctional families, messy romantic relationships, sibling rivalry, driving ambition, expectation, loss, and enduring love that resound through every part of the book. I also really enjoyed the echoing theme of houses/design/the built environment, and what makes a home.

This book completely hooked me. Dave's writing glides engagingly across the page, and I could not rest until I had followed every single twist and turn on the way to the very satisfying ending. What a cracker!

The Night We Lost Him is available to buy now in hardcover, ebook and audio formats.

Thank you to Century for sending me a proof copy of this book in return for an honest review.

About the author:

Laura Dave is the global number one bestselling author of The Last Thing He Told Me, Eight Hundred Grapes and other novels. Her work has been published in thirty-eight countries.

The Last Thing He Told Me is soon to be a limited series for Apple TV+.

She resides in Santa Monica.

The Beginning Of The End (Apocalypse Z Book One) by Manel Loureiro

 

The Beginning Of The End (Apocalypse Z Book One) by Manel Loureiro.

Released 10th November 2012 by Brilliance Audio.

Translated by Pamela Carmel.

Narrated by Nick Podehl.

11 hours and 30 minutes listening time.

From the cover:

The dead rise…

A mysterious incident in Russia, a blip buried in the news - it’s the only warning humanity receives that civilization will soon be destroyed by a single, voracious virus that creates monsters of men.

Humanity falls…

A lawyer, still grieving over the death of his young wife, begins to write as a form of therapy. But he never expected that his anonymous blog and journal would ultimately record humanity’s last days.

The end of the world has begun…

Governments scramble to stop the zombie virus, people panic, so-called Safe Havens are established, the world erupts into chaos; soon it’s every man, woman, and child for themselves. Armed only with makeshift weapons and the will to live, this survivor will give mankind one last chance against…Apocalypse Z.

***********

A mysterious incident in Russia unleashes a deadly virus on the planet. At first news is sketchy, clouded by the desire for governments to keep the truth from causing wide-spread panic. However, in a matter of weeks, it becomes apparent that this pandemic is not only unstoppable, but is rapidly turning people into a frenzied army of the undead with one singular purpose - to infect the rest of humanity.

A young lawyer, living quietly in the north of Spain with his Persian cat, Lucullus, is battling with overwhelming grief after the death of his wife. Trying to make sense of what is happening in the world, he begins an on-line blog, which turns into a journal, charting his battle to survive - in the company of his beloved cat.

In a twist on the apocalypse tale, this is told entirely through the blog/journal entries of the unnamed lawyer protagonist, which makes it perfect to experience as an audio book - particularly given the absolutely brilliant narration by Nick Podehl, which brings such an intensity to the material.

As civilisation falls apart around him, the diary entries of the lawyer take you from the early days of uncertainty as he tries to piece together information, and misinformation, about what the mysterious events in Russia mean for the world as he knows it, all the way through his perilous adventures in the company of his cat, Lucullus - who is quite a character in his own right.  I think it is true to say that given our experience of the last few years, any pandemic tale now brings with it an added dimension of palpable fear, and even though this was written well before Covid-19, parts of this novel feel unsettlingly real.

The fear of spoilers prevents me from revealing too much about what happens, but suffice to say there are plenty of gruesome encounters with undead in various stages of bodily dismemberment, and it is not looking good for the survival of the species as the months go by, nor is it easy to tell if the desperate, dwindling remnants of the uninfected are going to be your friends or your enemies.

Curiously, for all the nightmarish content that comes with any story of this kind, this is not your average zombie tale. Seeing events through the traumatised eyes of the lawyer adds an emotional texture that is lacking in the more gung-ho apocalypse stories. I really enjoyed that he is an ordinary guy that has to find novel ways to stay alive, and protect his furry friend, and his reflections upon the fate of family, friends, and the future of humanity are very poignant. The Spanish setting is incredibly fresh and exciting too, as it makes a nice departure from the well-worn backdrop of North America (it is great if you know the area around Vigo, as it is the focus of the action). 

This kept me gripped all the way through, and the translation by Pamela Carmel flows well from one heart-pounding scene to the next. Having seen the movie adaptation recently, I was looking forward to finding out how different the original book was. Not surprisingly, the book is better on every level, but the movie does a good job of maintaining the feel and direction of this first part of the trilogy, so I recommend a watch if you have not seen it (then read the book, or listen to the gripping audio).

This was so good that I am moving straight on to book two, Dark Days. I cannot wait to find out what happens next!

The Beginning of the End is available to buy now in paperback, ebook and audio formats. Ebook and audio currently included with a Kindle Unlimited subscription.

About the author:

An international bestselling author, Manel Loureiro was born in Pontevedra, Spain, and studied law at Universidad de Santiago de Compostela. After graduation, he worked in television, both on-screen (appearing on Television de Galicia) and behind-the-scenes as a writer. Apocalypse Z, his first novel, began as a popular blog before its publication, eventually becoming a bestseller in several countries, including Spain, Italy, and Brazil. Manel has written three novels in the Apocalypse Z series. He currently resides in Pontevedra, Spain, where, in addition to writing, he is still a practicing lawyer.

Five Little Pigs by Agatha Christie (Read Christie 2025)

 

Five Little Pigs by Agatha Christie.

This edition published 22nd June 2023 by Harper Collins.

Originally published in 1942.

From the cover of the book:

Beautiful Caroline Crale was convicted of poisoning her husband, yet there were five other suspects: Philip Blake (the stockbroker) who went to market; Meredith Blake (the amateur herbalist) who stayed at home; Elsa Greer (the three-time divorcee) who had roast beef; Cecilia Williams (the devoted governess) who had none; and Angela Warren (the disfigured sister) who cried ‘wee wee wee’ all the way home.

It is sixteen years later, but Hercule Poirot just can’t get that nursery rhyme out of his mind…

***********

When beautiful Caroline Crail was convicted of killing her husband, Amyas, sixteen years ago, it seemed an open and shut case. At the time, everyone believed her guilty of poisoning her famous artist husband in a fit of jealousy, over his affair with young heiress Elsa Greer, who was modelling for him. Caroline's claim that Amyas had committed suicide was never treated with credibility, and she did not offer any other defence.

Years later, Caroline and Amyas' daughter Carla comes of age and learns the full story of her family history. Although she remembers little of the tragic events themselves, a letter left for her by her late mother calls the verdict into question. Carla is compelled to discover the truth. She consults Hercule Poirot, asking him to look into the case, and he sets his little grey cells to work.

After quizzing the legal team and police involved with the Crail case, Poirot discovers that there were five other potential suspects present when Amyas died. Something about these five suspects calls to mind the nursery rhyme about little pigs to our famous Belgian, as they fit into the porcine roles of the song rather well - Amyas' best friend Philip Blake, the stockbroker, is the pig who went to market; Philip's brother Meredith, a dabbler in herbal potions, is the pig who stayed at home; Elsa Greer, the now three times divorced ex-lover of Amyas, is the pig who ate roast beef; Cecilia Williams the governess of Caroline's half-sister Angela, is the pig who had none; and finally, Angela (who was disfigured as a child by Caroline) is the little pig who cried' wee wee wee' all the way home.

Given the length of time that has passed, Poirot knows this is going to be all about the 'psychologies'. He gathers the information he needs by interviewing each of the five alternative suspects, and asks them to write an account about what they remember about the events surrounding Amyas' death. To Carla, these narratives reveal frustratingly little, but to Poirot they reveal all...

Five Little Pigs is one of my favourite Poirot mysteries. His little grey cells are tested by an investigation in which he has to feel his way entirely in retrospect, by taking note of the emotional responses of the people present at the time of the murder, and sifting through their contradictory accounts. Poirot pulls off a blinder by picking out the inconsistencies in their testimonies to put the pieces of the puzzle together in quite a different way to the one that has been accepted as the truth.

The pace is deliciously slow-burn, and everything comes together in a classic gathering of the suspects when Poirot reveals all in his characteristically round-about way, casting the red herrings aside, and finally pointing the finger at the real murderer of Amyas Crail. Voila!

This is a superbly constructed Christie murder mystery in which betrayal and guilt play central roles. Every time I read it I am in awe of her genius as a storyteller, and this is also one of her books that explores a wealth of intriguing themes. She delves beautifully into the perceived differences between the male and female characters, especially in terms of how experience, age, and class affect behaviour. But, best of all, she examines temperament with such insight, particularly when it comes to the reckless and hurtful actions that are excused by those deemed to be great artists.

What a brilliant choice to kick off #ReadChristie2025, with its inspired theme of Characters and Careers, as it fits the first brief of 'Artists' to perfection!

I revisited this gem via the audio book, narrated by my favourite Hugh Fraser.

Five Little Pigs is available to buy now in multiple formats. 

About the author:

Agatha Christie is known throughout the world as the Queen of Crime. Her books have sold over a billion copies in English with another billion in over 70 foreign languages. She is the most widely published author of all time and in any language, outsold only by the Bible and Shakespeare. She is the author of 80 crime novels and short story collections, 20 plays, and six novels written under the name of Mary Westmacott.

The Christmas Guest by Peter Swanson

 

The Christmas Guest by Peter Swanson.

Published in paperback 10th October 2024 by Faber and Faber.

From the cover of the book:

When Ashley Smith - a bright-eyed but lonely American studying in London - is invited to spend Christmas with her classmate's family at their Cotswolds manor house, it seems like a perfect country idyll.

And for Ashley - who records it all in her diary - there's the added romantic potential of her friend's twin brother, Adam, who she thinks could be her wildest dream come true.

But is there something strange about the old house, both stately and rundown? What could the motives of the mysterious Chapman family be? And what holiday horrors might be lying in wait?

***********

I love a wintery crime story, when an icy backdrop sets you up agreeably for chills to run up and down your spine. Even better if it is set at Christmas, when the sparkle of the festivities contrasts beautifully with dark hearts and devilish deeds. Swanson takes this winning premise and goes one better in this delicious little novella by fashioning a classic, country house crime story, and combining it with his own kind of contemporary thriller in a way that is eminently satisfying.

The story begins in 2019, in a snowy New York, with a woman leafing through the pages of a journal. The action then moves back to 1989, as young American art student, Ashley Smith, arrives at the Cotswold manor house of her classmate Emma. Ashley's narrative takes us through the days leading up to Christmas as she tries to navigate her way through the dysfunctional relationships of Emma's family, and Swanson does an excellent job of conveying her loneliness, desperation to fit in among these odd people, and the way she falls under the spell of Emma's handsome brother Adam. 

From the moment of Ashley's arrival, the chill of the manor house, the emotional distance of this family, and the remote village setting all set your nerves on edge. Something is off about this situation, and the slow burn build up of tension is fuelled by whispered conversations, rumours of a murder connected to the family, and Ashley's increasing recklessness as her emotions get the better of her. 

There is an inevitability to the violence that eventually ensues (and a subtle little clue early on in the proceedings), but the truth behind these events only really becomes clear in the second part of the tale, which pulls you back to 2019, subverting the nostalgia filled tropes of classic crime, and blending them with elements of Swanson's more typical thriller fare. This combination works incredibly well, and makes for a story that really stays with you. 

I thoroughly enjoyed this unsettling gem, and its shades of Patricia Highsmith. Fingers crossed this might be the start of a new Christmas tradition from Mr Swanson, as I could definitely develop a taste for his brand of festive treat.

The Christmas Guest is available to buy now in hardcover, ebook, paperback and audio formats.

Thank you to Faber and Faber for sending me a copy of this book in return for an honest review.

About the author:

Peter Swanson is the author of nine novels, including The Kind Worth Killing, winner of the New England Society Book Award, and finalist for the CWA Ian Fleming Steel Dagger, and Her Every Fear, an NPR book of the year. His books have been translated into 30 languages, and his stories, poetry, and features have appeared in Asimov’s Science Fiction, The Atlantic Monthly, Measure, The Guardian, The Strand Magazine, and Yankee Magazine.

A graduate of Trinity College, the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, and Emerson College, he lives on the North Shore of Massachusetts with his wife and cat.