The #Bookvent Calendar 2020 – Day 4

#Bookvent – Celebrating my top reads of 2020

My day four #bookvent pick comes from one of Orenda Books debut authors. The story saw me travelling (fictionally at least) back to a very atmospheric Iceland, a Detective returning to her hometown, and a murder investigation that has links to a very dark past. I am loving reading more and more translated fiction and this was an absolutely brilliant example of the wealth of writing talent that the small island of Iceland has nurtured. The best news is that there is more to come, but for now we can celebrate my day four pick …

The Creak On The Stairs by Eva Björg Ægisdóttir

When a woman’s body is discovered at a lighthouse in the Icelandic town of Akranes, investigators discover shocking secrets in her past. First in a disturbing, chillingly atmospheric new series.

When a 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 collegues Sævar and Hörður, commence an uneasy investigation, which uncovers a shocking secret in the dead woman’s past that continues to reverberate in the present day …

But as Elma and her team make a series of discoveries, they bring to light a host of long-hidden crimes that shake the entire community. Sifting through the rubble of the townspeople’s shattered memories, they have to dodge increasingly serious threats, and find justice … before it’s too late.

I can’t believe I read this way back in February. This is, sort of, the story of Elma who is returning to her hometown to take over a Detective role after many years in the city. It may seem illogical given that she is moving away from all the action and taking a step backwards, but it is not that simple fo reasons that become clear over the course of the novel. Elma is an interesting character and her pairing with Sævarworks on so many levels, the chemistry between them played perfectly by the author. Faced with the mysterious death of an unknown woman, Elma becomes immersed in a mystery that kept me completely hooked as a reader. There are dark elements to this book, aspects of the story that become clearer with reading, as the story plays out over a dual timeline, one thread informing the other in heartbreaking ways. Full of real atmosphere and an overwhelming sense of character and place, I absolutely loved the author’s style, the slow building tension and the way setting is used to great effect to create a story so full of suspense that I absolutely devoured it. The translation by Victoria Cribb is flawless. A brilliant debut and I can understand why it was an award winner. I can’t wait for book two.

You can read my full review here.

Happy #bookvent reading all

Jen