I purchased this book for my own personal collection. I purchased the audiobook via my Audible subscription.
Publisher: One World Publications / Audible Audio
Published: Print – July 5, 2018 (Originally Published January 4, 2018) / Audio – February 18, 2018
Summary:
An isolated Swedish town.
A deaf reporter terrified of nature.
A dense spruce forest overdue for harvest.
A pair of eyeless hunters found murdered in the woods.
It’s week one of the Swedish elk hunt and the sound of gunfire is everywhere. When Tuva Moodyson investigates the story that could make her career she stumbles on a web of secrets that knit Gavrik town together. Are the latest murders connected to the Medusa killings twenty years ago? Is someone following her? Why take the eyes? Tuva must face her demons and venture deep into the woods to stop the killer and write the story. And then get the hell out of Gavrik.
My thoughts:
I’ve been a fan of Will Dean’s books for quite some time but just haven’t been able to get my hands on any of the books in the series he reads until my recent trip to NYC when I stumbled on the 1st book, DARK PINES. It was clearly a sign the time had come to start the series and I’m so glad I did…I loved this book and cannot wait to read book 2!
Tuva Moodyson, our main protagonist, is such a complex, compelling character and I loved that as we have just only begun to learn all that makes her tick. As this is just the 1st book in this series, I am hoping her full story will eventually be revealed over time. Her deafness is just one unique aspect about her, though she doesn’t let it define her.
This book is the very reason I love #NordicNoir – it’s so atmospheric and chilling and has such a great sense of place. The remote village, with a forest right alongside it, is at times claustrophobic and dark. The characters were all so unique in their own way – I mean, the sisters who create troll dolls with human parts?!? They certainly are memorable, that’s for sure!
The mystery in this book involves a body found in the forest that might be linked to murders from 20 years ago. It was well-crafted, with plenty of twists that kept me guessing all the way through. Plus, there were plenty of creepy moments along the way, too!
For a series opener, this book has certainly captured my attention and I’m excited to see what comes next!
Audio thoughts:
I decided to listen to this one and am so glad I did. I’ll probably be listening to the rest of the series and the narrator, Maya Lindh, narrates all the books, which I’m so happy to see. I thought she did a great job with this first book and I look forward to listening to the rest of the series, knowing there will be consistency with the narrator!
Books in this series:
- Dark Pines
- Red Snow
- Black River
- Bad Apples
- Wolf Pack
- Ice Town
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