Published in paperback on 1st October 2020 by Orenda Books. My thanks to the publisher for the review copy and Anne Cater of Random Things Tours for inviting me on to the blog tour.
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.
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:
The Creak on the Stairs is the first in a new series Forbidden Iceland and has been wonderfully translated by Victoria Cribb. Nordic Noir and most certainly the nordic countries are fast becoming an obsession of mine. The settings somehow provide so much atmosphere and tension and this one was no different. This is definitely a series I am going to be hooked to.
Elma is a Chief Investigating Officer and she has left the city of Reykjavik behind to return to her hometown of Akranes. She feels out of place and at odds with those around her, the breakdown of her relationship has perhaps made her wary and the return home not entirely wanted.
Elma is thrown in at the deep end with new colleagues to contend with, the feeling of being an outsider. So when a body of a woman turns up at a lighthouse, it is all hands to the deck. Somebody in the town must know what happened to her.
The woman found at the lighthouse is called Elisabet and Elma must unravel who she is and about her past in the search for answers. The Creak on the Stairs is told across two timelines and was a great way to allow the story to unravel bit by bit.
There are some particularly serious and extremely dark themes but none of this is gratuitous. It is woven into the plot like the many years of secrets of the people of Akranes. I am looking forward to reading the next in the series immensely, the character of Elma shone and I am intrigued to see how she develops in the next book.
There are red herrings here to keep the sharpest of readers guessing but for me the biggest sellling point was the place, atmosphere and the sense of claustrophia and darkness that crawled across every page.
Wonderful writing that cannot be ignored.
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.
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.
Please do also have a look at the other stops on the blog tour.
Thanks so much for the blog tour support Leah xx
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