Title: The Creak on the Stairs
Author: Eva Bjorg Aegisdottir, Translated by Victoria Cribb
Series: Forbidden Iceland series, #1
Published: October 2020, Orenda Books (Paperback release)
Format: E-copy, 315 pages
Source: Publisher
Summary:
The first in the electrifying new Forbidden Iceland series, The Creak on the Stairs is an exquisitely written, claustrophobic and chillingly atmospheric debut thriller by one of Iceland’s most exciting new talents
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 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.
My thoughts: I love reading within the Nordic Noir genre and I love discovering new authors that write in this genre. And when you give me a series…I am one happy girl!
This is the first book in Eva Bjorg Aegisdottir’s new Forbidden Iceland series and what a great start it is off to. Completely atmospheric and gripping, I was hooked from the beginning and found myself glued to the pages. I love reading books set in Iceland – I find the setting lends itself to such a remote, chilling location and that was so true here. So many times I found myself on edge because of what was happening, and loved how the culture of the Icelandic people really plays a part in this story.
The characters here are so complex and wonderfully developed. There are so many moving parts to this story and I loved how it moved back and forth in time to give us a larger picture of what was going on. As Elma and the team start investigating the death of the woman found at the lighthouse, they uncover a whole lot more than they bargained for. While this is not a fast-paced novel by any means, I found myself completely wrapped up in this story, needing to see how everything was connected.
I loved how unsettling this book was. The tension builds throughout and there is a sense of unease all the way through. This truly was a great read and I cannot wait to see what comes next for Elma and the team! And I just need to say that I was so caught off guard with that last chapter. This is why I love series…and I will be chomping at the bit until I can get my hands on the next book!!!
About the author: Born in Akranes in 1988, Eva moved to Trondheim, Norway to study my MSc in Globalisation when she was 25. After moving back home having completed her MSc, she knew it was time to start working on her novel. Eva has wanted to write books since she was 15 years old, having won a short story contest in Iceland.
Eva worked as a stewardess to make ends meet while she wrote her first novel. The book went on to win the Blackbird Award and became an Icelandic bestseller. Eva now lives with her husband and three children in Reykjavík, staying at home with her youngest until she begins Kindergarten.
Huge thanks for the blog tour support xx