Sun Storm

Written by Asa Larsson

Narrated by Hillary Huber

On the floor of a church in northern Sweden, the body of a man lies mutilated and defiled–and in the night sky, the aurora borealis dances as the snow begins to fall . . . So begins Åsa Larsson's spellbinding thriller, winner of Sweden's Best First Crime Novel Award and an international literary sensation.



Rebecka Martinsson is heading home to Kiruna, the town she'd left in disgrace years before. A Stockholm attorney, Rebecka has a good reason to return: her friend Sanna, whose brother has been horrifically murdered in the revivalist church his charisma helped create. Beautiful and fragile, Sanna needs someone like Rebecka to remove the shadow of guilt that is engulfing her, to forestall an ambitious prosecutor and a dogged policewoman. But to help her friend, and to find the real killer of a man she once adored and is now not sure she ever knew, Rebecka must relive the darkness she left behind in Kiruna, delve into a sordid conspiracy of deceit, and confront a killer whose motives are dark, wrenching, and impossible to guess.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Tantor Media, Inc
• Release date: Feb 29, 2016
• ISBN: 9781515973294

Asa Larsson

Nació en Kiruna en 1966, donde pasó su infancia y juventud. Estudió Derecho en Uppsala y, al igual que su personaje, Rebecka Martinsson, durante un tiempo ejerció como abogada fiscal. En 2003 publicó Aurora boreal (Seix Barral, 2009), por la que le concedieron el Premio de la Academia Sueca a la mejor primera novela negra y que fue llevada al cine. Es autora también de Sangre derramada (Seix Barral, 2010), galardonada con el Premio de la Academia Sueca a la mejor novela negra; La senda oscura (Seix Barral, 2011), Cuando pase tu ira (Seix Barral, 2012), Sacrificio a Mólek (Seix Barral, 2013) y Los pecados de nuestros padres (Seix Barral, 2022), por la que ha recibido el Premio a la mejor novela de suspense de Adlibris, el Premio a la mejor novela policiaca de los Storytel Awards y, de nuevo, el Premio a la mejor novela negra del año de la Academia Sueca. Sus libros han tenido un éxito unánime en todo el mundo: han obtenido el elogio de la crítica y han sido publicados en más de veinte países. Ha sido galardonada con la Pluma de Plata de la Feria del Libro de Bilbao.

Reviews for Sun Storm

[ahef1963 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Sun Storm is the debut novel of Swedish author Åsa Larsson; it delivers multi-layered characters who aren't very likeable, and a setting in Swedish Lapland that is ridiculously far north and cold, and which functions almost as another character, so vividly is it described. Although the novel is dark and overflows with unspeakable crimes, this fan of Scandinavian noir enjoyed it very much and will definitely be reading more of Larsson's novels. Rebecca Martinsson is a well-paid lawyer in Stockholm, but was born in the far northern reaches of her country until she was told to leave for reasons that remain a mystery until well into the book. A childhood friend contacts her after the brutal death of her evangelist brother, who is one of the apples of the eyes of the Swedish people, a wildly popular preacher with no known enemies. Rebecca reluctantly flies up north to help her clingy and childish friend Sanna, who is manipulative and incredibly selfish, barely making time for her two young daughters in her life. Things go from unpleasant to worse when Sanna is arrested on suspicion of killing her brother, which leaves Rebecca in the impossible position of caring for two small children and their dog whilst trying to find the evidence to free Sanna from prison. There are layers upon layers of crimes and malfeasance in this novel, which is violent, cruel, and unsettling. The story itself is ingenious and very well told, the denoument elegantly crafted, and the characters interesting and well-rounded. It is a remarkable debut novel, and I look forward to the next in the series (which I will buy if I can find an English copy that is affordable - so far the least expensive edition I can find is over $60 Canadian, which is ridiculous).

[col2910_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Synopsis/blurb.........
On the floor of a church in northern Sweden, the body of a man lies mutilated and defiled - and in the night sky, the aurora borealis dances as the snow begins to fall....So begins Ãsa Larsson's spellbinding thriller, winner of Sweden's Best First Crime Novel Award and an international literary sensation.

Rebecka Martinsson is heading home to Kiruna, the town she'd left in disgrace years before. A Stockholm attorney, Rebecka has a good reason to return: her friend Sanna, whose brother has been horrifically murdered in the revivalist church his charisma helped create. Beautiful and fragile, Sanna needs someone like Rebecka to remove the shadow of guilt that is engulfing her, to forestall an ambitious prosecutor and a dogged policewoman. But to help her friend, and to find the real killer of a man she once adored and is now not sure she ever knew, Rebecka must relive the darkness she left behind in Kiruna, delve into a sordid conspiracy of deceit, and confront a killer whose motives are dark, wrenching, and impossible to guess...
Well this was my first taste of another new female author and was my chosen Scandinavian read for the current month. I enjoyed it, though the first part of the book was a bit of a slog. If I’m truthful, I think this is more down to me rather than the author, particularly as the last 160-odd pages only took me a day to cover, as I became more absorbed in the story.
On a personal level, my reading mojo appears to have deserted me this month. I‘m less driven to read at the minute and more easily distracted, tiredness seems to have over-taken me and whilst I will try and keep at it and read more this month, at the minute is seems to be less of a pleasure and more of a chore. I’m not beating myself up over it and I think I will give myself this month off from all my series reads and choose a bit more randomly for the last half of the month, with the hope of recapturing the elusive feel good factor. I sometimes think that by structuring my reading so rigidly eg next Block, next Crais, next Collins, next Scandinavian, I’ve limited my options and removed too much spontaneity from my selections.
Anyway, back to Larsson’s book........I was interested in and liked the main character Rebecka, whose admirable loyalty towards Sanna was abused and taken advantage of. Intelligent and tenacious, she was brave enough to confront her past and face her demons in an effort to uncover the motive for Viktor’s death; believing her friend innocent of the crime.
Larsson’s other characters were engaging and believable; especially Rebecka’s friend Sivving and the two police officers involved in the case. There was the token officious jobs-worth in the form of the prosecutor, but on the whole the characters were convincing.
Overall, I found it fast-paced and enjoyable with a satisfying conclusion. I’m in two minds whether I will be back for further Martinsson books, mainly because I need to read some of the many already waiting for me. The others are:
2. The Blood Spilt (2007)
3. The Black Path (2008)
4. Until Thy Wrath be Past (2011)
It might be worth noting that this has been published elsewhere under the title Sun Storm.
4 stars from 5
I’m unsure where or when I acquired my copy.

[rvhatha · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I read an ARC of the fifth book in Asa Larsson's series about tax-attorney-turned-detective Rebeckah Martinsson a few weeks ago, and decided I needed to read the earlier books to catch up. This first installment introduces Rebeckah and explains how she ended up working in a high-powered law firm in Stockholm after a quiet, rural upbringing in Kiruna, the furthest-north city in Sweden. Many of the characters from the later books are introduced here, including the Marge-Gundersen-like police officer, Anna-Maria Mella; arrogant, limelight-seeking prosecutor Carl Von Post; and Sivving Fjallborg, her late grandmother's kindly, eccentric old neighbor. The plot is a bit predictable, and at times, the flashbacks to Rebeckah's earlier years in Kiruna are a little heavy-handed in their execution. But by the end, it's clear why Rebeckah is both drawn to and repulsed by Kiruna, and why she's haunted by her past. She is a complex, nuanced character, one whose naturak curiosity and sense of moral responsibility makes her a natural (if reluctant) detective figure. A compelling first entry that makes me want to read the other books in the series.

[samjehanzeb · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

In der schwedischen Kleinstadt Kiruna, auf dem Boden einer freien Kirche, liegt ein Priester in seinem Blut. Er wurde grausam verstümmelt, während draußen die Aurora Borealis über den Nachthimmel tanzt und Schneeflocken auf die Erde fallen …Sonnensturm ist der erste Band aus der Rebecka Martinsson Reihe. Ein Schwedenkrimi mit einem Hauch von Mystery und Übersinnlichem.Nach der Ermordung des Priesters wird die Schwester verdächtig, die sich in ihrer Verzweiflung an ihre Freundin aus Jugendtagen, Rebecka Martinsson, wendet. Rebecka ist eigentlich Steueranwältin, lebt inzwischen in Stockholm und hat verschiedene Gründe nie wieder in ihre alte Heimat zurückkehren zu wollen. Trotzdem lässt sie sich überreden und wird immer mehr von ihrer Vergangenheit eingeholt, die zusätzlich mit neuen Gefahren daher kommt.Der Roman ist etwas für Freunde von Schneegestöber und wirklich gestörten Psychopathen, insgesamt ist Sonnensturm aber auch ein recht ambivalentes Leseerlebnis. Eigentlich gut geschrieben und bis zum Ende interessant, mit lebendigen Charakteren und dunklen Geheimnissen. Für mich hat dieser Krimi trotzdem nur zur Hälfte funktioniert was dem religiösen Schwerpunkt geschuldet ist. Als jemand die mit Religionen jedweder Form nichts anfangen kann, war die starke Fixierung auf Kirche, Bibelzitate, religiösem Fanatismus und Co. eher ermüdend, so dass ich irgendwann angefangen habe, manche Passagen nur noch zu überfliegen. Die Autorin rollt zum Ausgleich aber auch viele Ereignisse von hinten auf, die vor allem Rebeckas Vergangenheit betreffen und dem Buch eine zusätzliche Spannung verleihen, die sich abseits des eigentlichen Verbrechens abspielen und dabei fast noch interessanter sind, als die Suche nach dem Mörder. Die Vergangenheit ist stark mit dem aktuellen Mord verknüpft, so dass am Ende eine Runde Sache herauskommt, mit teils ungelösten Fragen und Andeutungen. Gestört hat mich dabei nur Rebeckas inkonsequentes Verhalten. Einerseits versucht die Autorin sie als selbstbewusste Frau darzustellen, die sich gegen alte Widersacher wehrt, die sie vor Jahren aus Kiruna vertrieben haben und dann kuscht Rebecka bei der nächsten Gelegenheit wie ein getretenes Hündchen vor den selben Männern, als hätte sie vergessen, dass sie kein verschüchtertes Mädchen mehr ist. Das passte nicht zusammen und hat mich schlichtweg verärgert.Beim Stichwort Hündchen sollte auch eine Warnung hinterher geschickt werden. Wem es an die Substanz geht, dass Tiere gequält werden nur um die Grausamkeit des Killers noch deutlicher darzustellen, der hat hier zwischendurch eine harte Zeit vor sich, auch wenn es sich auf wenige Seiten beschränkt. Die Wirkung ist dafür sehr intensiv und unangenehm zu ertragen.Als erster Teil einer Reihe kann das Buch letztlich überzeugen und bietet einen soliden Krimi. Aber da ist noch genug Luft nach oben und es gibt genügend Ansätze, die sich verbessern dürfen.

[Curro74 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

It has surprised me, it’s not the typical crime novel. It’s narrated in a way that keeps you hooked until the very end. (Translated from Spanish)

[tmph_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Oh, Lordy, some screwed up Churchy people in the frozen north. Yikes. Pretty good, great characters, but goodness.

[MaiteGil · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

We move to a remote Swedish village where a young preacher has been murdered. Lawyer Rebecka Martinsson, who is a childhood friend of the victim's sister, returns to Kiruna after the events.

The most important characters are women, although most of the weight falls on Rebecka. Born in the area, she leaves the village after having her ups and downs with the Church of Our Strength. She works as a public prosecutor in Stockholm, is determined, and has a strong character.

The chief inspector is a short, pregnant woman who is supposed to be dedicated to paperwork, but her subordinate asks for help given the importance of the case. Sanna Strandgård, the victim's sister, also has her role in the plot.

We know that something happened to Rebecka before she left, but we don't have all the details; we'll have to move forward in the reading to discover it, and as we do, we immerse ourselves without almost realizing it. Everything happens in just seven days, but there is no sense of urgency; the author takes her time to narrate the events.

It is a simple and easy-to-read crime novel, yet it manages to keep the reader's attention. Everything related to the Church is interesting and has the greatest weight in the plot. The identity of the killer does not seem to have too much importance, although we will find out who they are and their motives. Here, what matters are the secrets of the past and the experiences of the protagonists, and the danger Rebecka faces while investigating, of course.

I liked the setting, which is different from what I usually read, and I didn't get confused with the names. Several years ago, I impulsively bought the five books in the series second-hand. Since I liked this one, I will soon be encouraged to read the second. I recommend it if you feel like embarking on the resolution of a mystery without too many complications. (Translated from Spanish)

[Josep Arís · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

At no point has the book seduced me. Short scenes, quick reading with basic vocabulary. I’ve encountered a dull and lifeless novel, even starting with a corpse right from the beginning. The reader guesses the culprit before the writer. I must say I haven't even had the temptation to abandon the reading.

In the setup, it presents all the main characters from the start, familiarizing you with them, also describing all the settings. The development is slow, lacking in pace, in my opinion. Predictable ending. Narrated in first and third person. The action is linear.

I will continue reading the series, hoping to find a Nordic noir novel with more adrenaline. (Translated from Spanish)

[Ruth G.F. · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

I was expecting something else... better!!! (Translated from Spanish)

[Entrelibrosyronroneos · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

The body of Viktor Strandgård, Sweden's most famous preacher, lies mutilated in a remote church in Kiruna, a northern city submerged in the eternal polar night. The victim's sister has found the corpse, and suspicion falls on her. Desperate, she seeks help from her childhood friend, lawyer Rebecka Martinsson, who currently lives in Stockholm and returns to her hometown determined to find out who the real culprit is. During the investigation, she only has the complicity of Anna-Maria Mella, an intelligent and quirky pregnant police officer. In Kiruna, many people seem to have something to hide, and the snow will soon be stained with blood.

I copied the synopsis from the book itself for two reasons: one, because it makes for a very good summary, and another, because I'm not going to waste any more time on it since I have several reviews pending.

It had been so well-received that I was eager to read it and... what a letdown.
I don’t dislike the writing style; it’s well-narrated, easy to read, not heavy, and even the characters are quite decent, but it lacked so many things...
And considering that the story isn’t bad and has positive elements, I wished for more intrigue, more twists, more surprises… in short, to feel more. Because, emotionally speaking, it felt like a rather flat novel.

It’s readable and entertaining, but I constantly had the feeling of waiting for a "something" that never arrived. I suppose that with such good reviews, I expected much more and demanded too much from it.

Is it recommendable? Maybe, for those who don’t ask anything more from a book than pure entertainment. A quick read that will likely be forgotten as fast as it is read.

Anyway, luckily it was an exchange and the loss isn’t significant. The next one, "Spilled Blood", I have here too. Maybe I’ll pick it up when I feel like a mental break and look for something to read just for the sake of reading, nothing more. Unless, those of you who have read it tell me that the sequel is… significantly better? (Translated from Spanish)

[pabloZL · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Every winter, the snow claims its kingdom and the sky is illuminated by the Northern Lights. Such are the long nights in Kiruna, Sweden.

And in this cold but beautiful landscape, this crime thriller will unfold, where Rebecka Martinsson, our protagonist, returns to her hometown to help Sanna, an old friend and sister of a murdered preacher, who for some reason became the main suspect in his death.

The story sounds good, but it progresses slowly and has an ending as cold as the environment in which it takes place. It didn't leave me with much to remember, and I think this was due to the characters not being able to captivate me; the story weakens as it goes on, and its high moments were resolved hastily and without much emotion.

It reads easily, but it doesn't drive you crazy. I'm not saying you shouldn't read it, but for me, it was just another story; it disappointed me, and I ended up more eager to see the Northern Lights than to have read a book with its name. (Translated from Spanish)

[Anuska27 · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

First book I read from her and I couldn't finish it.... I got more than halfway through but it just didn't capture me, it bored me infinitely....

I found it poorly developed and too focused on irrelevant characters. Slow..... very slow. (Translated from Spanish)

[Rosan · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A hugely successful Swedish noir novel, in the style of those by Stieg Larsson, which I read earlier when they were published in Spanish with such clamor that it was impossible not to dive into the trilogy. Written earlier but translated into Spanish later, the late Stieg Larsson read it and confessed to being a fan of the author, as noted in the flap as a marketing claim. Interestingly, despite their shared nationality, surname, and even the noir genre they both embraced, there is no familial relationship with the famous writer.

It is true that it resembles Millennium in many aspects of the plot, and also in the way the investigation is narrated, stemming from the brutal murder and mutilation of Viktor Strandgard, the most important and famous preacher in Sweden, inside his own Church in Kiruna, a small town in northern Sweden, the northernmost locality in Scandinavia where one can enjoy the spectacular phenomenon of the Northern Lights, which gives its title to the novel.

It will be the sister of the murdered man, Sanna, who, harassed by the police and the press, locates an old family friend, Rebecka Martinsson, to investigate and uncover her brother's killer.

The difference lies in the way the events are narrated, as it is a woman telling the story, and for me, that other way of narrating and writing by female authors is identifiable and visible.

A quick read, I finished it in two days, and it kept me very entertained. It's a gradual suspense that invites you to keep reading non-stop.

I enjoyed the atmosphere of the novel and the main character, the lawyer and investigator Rebecka Martinsson, stubborn and absolutely determined to uncover the truth. A very interesting character.

It is a tough, introspective novel and a must-read noir for every genre lover. (Translated from Spanish)

[Andrea Milano · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

An entertaining police story where the cold weather, short days, and oppressive air felt in the narrative become the main characters. I have always been drawn to noir novels set in Nordic geography; I myself wrote a saga set in a village in Sweden and I enjoy these stories much more than just the crime or case to be solved. The idiosyncrasies, the customs, so distant from our own, urge me to read them, and in this case, I enjoyed it a lot. It's the beginning of a saga, so I will continue reading more about Rebecka Martinsson and company. (Translated from Spanish)

[NimartimaneusrespirandolibrosInstagram · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Interesting characters in a story that doesn't quite resonate with me. I'm not sure if it's the plot itself or the author's writing style. (Translated from Spanish)

[Nina Lucia · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Nordic suspense novel. With the theme of religious sects in the background. Every time I finish one of these novels, I am sincerely amazed by the simplicity of the premise with which these authors manage to captivate us and envelop us in an alternative reality where the true main characters are almost always human weaknesses, the resentments that take hold of those who cannot recover from life's blows. It is amusing to see that the detective is usually a person who in the past faced the same demons, but instead of the killer, he or she—in this case, Rebecca, the lawyer—manages to come out victorious from the same battles but with a better weapon: the powerful human will. This repeatedly conveys the same lesson about how important attitude is in facing problems, above all other virtues. Perhaps that is why we always return to these novels to seek inspiration for strength and also why cinema adores them to give these characters the faces of our favorite actors. (Translated from Spanish)

[Loremodolectora · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I liked it quite a bit, to the point of continuing with the saga by the same author. (Translated from Spanish)

[Lau4 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

The book is not bad, however the story is not exciting and the ending is a bit predictable. (Translated from Spanish)

[seriousgrace · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Rebecka Martinsson had fled her small town of Kiruna many years ago to become a successful tax attorney in Stockholm. She attempted to escape scandal involving sex and the church and hasn't been back since. You can fill in details between the lines, but readers will not know the exact reason why she disappeared all those years ago until much later in the book. They only know Rebecka reluctantly returns only after being called by an old friend needing legal advice and emotional support. Sanna has been accused of murdering her much beloved evangelical brother, Viktor Strandgard. When all of the obvious evidence, including motive, points to Sanna as the killer Rebecka must dig deep to uncover the truth.
Probably the best part of Larsson's writing is how descriptive she is with people and places. I especially liked how flawed and broken most of her characters were.

[danielcuellar3 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Entertaining...but it could be better.
Although the critics recommend it and it is a pleasant and coherent narrative...it lacks that touch that keeps the mystery alive and surprises you.
It's a good start for the author, but...it needs something. (Translated from Spanish)

[citizenjoyce · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

Nope. A woman has been so badly abused as a child that she barely functions as an adult. She and her two daughters adopt a little dog who has also been terribly abused but is extremely loving and happy with his new family, so the abuser kidnaps the dog and kills it. I like a book that disparages religion, but I draw the line at animal abuse. They eat lots of sandwiches.

[Jopa20q8 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

How far is Sweden from your country? Well, this great police drama makes me feel "close" to a culture so distant from my own (as only something well-written can). Vibrant, violent, and moving, don't miss it!! (Translated from Spanish)

[rachateam · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Asa Larsson was the writer who made me discover Scandinavian noir, and then I continued with other earlier or later works. She made me know and admire a place like the icy north of Sweden, with a life and customs so different from ours. Her descriptions manage to immerse us in the atmosphere of the place and in that of the novel. In this case, the horrible murder of a Protestant pastor reveals the true face of a supposedly open and modern Sweden that actually hides the opposite. Hypocrisies and unspoken things are concealed behind the progress of the times. With a protagonist, Rebecka Martinsson, a local daughter with her own demons who will be responsible for solving the case. A novel with suspense that quickly escalates. Really very good. (Translated from Spanish)

[Nines65 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

"Black" novel in the strict sense of the word. That is to say, it portrays a society with many dark areas. It is a psychological description of characters who have a lot to hide. The police plot is the least important aspect. Perhaps it is too slow, and there are some excess pages of character description, but the result is quite good. The technique of using flashbacks to understand the characters' actions is very successful. (Translated from Spanish)

[icewineanne · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Absolutely loved this book. Love the main character. So glad I have found a new author to follow. Although this is a mystery, the Swedish people and culture feature prominently in the novel. I am of Finnish descent and can relate to the many parallels with between us and the Swedes. What a joy to read. Can't wait to read the next book in the series! Warning for those who prefer cozy mysteries, you may not enjoy the book as much, as there are some really grusome scenes in this story, including the main murder. But for others, I have no hesitation in recomming this read.

[claudia.anderson · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

dark but very good

[olivermagnus · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Sun Storm opens with Viktor Strandgard dying for the second time in his life, this time on the floor of a church and later discovered by his peculiar sister, Sanna. After she discovers the mutilated body of the revivalist preacher and her brother laid out in ritualistic style on the floor of The Source of All Our Strength Church, Sanna turns to her old friend Rebecka Martinsson for support. Despite her onerous work schedule as a tax lawyer in a large, very demanding law practice in Stockholm, and her reservations about her own past in connection with the church, Rebecka heads back to the small town and community to help. The chief prosecutor on the case seems to have already decided that Sanna is guilty and she is charged after vital evidence is found hidden in her home. Rebecka reluctantly finds herself trying to provide legal and emotional support to the emotionally fragile Sanna.

The detectives investigating Victor's murder are the heavily pregnant Anna-Maria Mella, who is supposed to be on desk duty until the birth of her child, Sven-Erik Stalnacke, her deputy who will be covering for her maternity leave, and their obnoxious, publicity seeking boss, Carl von Post. The empathy of Anna-Maria and Sven-Erik for Rebecka and Sanna allows the truth of Victor's death gradually to be realized, rather than being brushed under the carpet by the church officials and von Post. To find out what really happened, Rebecka has to come to terms with her own past and the hypocrisy of the pastors.

The story shifts between past and present, rural and city values, old times and modern relationships, are are told in a very compelling way. The story that emerges is well told, believable and intriguing throughout. I plan to pick up the next in the series, The Blood Spilt.

[isabelx_21 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

The frost lay like icing on the birch trees, and right at the top of the hill the mighty Crystal Church soared up into the night sky, surrounded by stars and planets. It stood there like a gigantic illuminated ice cube, shimmering with the Aurora Borealis.

I didn't really like this book very much and I don't think I'll read any more of the series. The protagonist, Rebecka Martinsson, is bad-tempered and unlikeable and is furious at herself for allowing herself to be dragged back to her home town of Kiruna by her needy friend Sanna, and I just don't want to read any more books about her.

As for the police, Sven-Erik supposedly resented Anna-Maria when she got the job he wanted, but now that she is about to go on maternity leave he is ridiculously clingy and reluctant to take charge. Not that the police do much investigating, allowing all and sundry to get away with refusing to be questioned, and they are apparently unsure of the law, asking each other whether it would be possible to get a conviction if they can't find the murder weapon.

[5eva5 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Attorney Rebecka Martinsson returns home to Kiruna to support an old friend when her brother is found murdered and mutilated in his own church. This is clearly a debut novel and has quite a few clunky plotlines and some of the characters seem to be caricatures more than anything else. I picked it up because a friend who is from this area of northern Sweden told me the voices are pitch-perfect and I'd agree with that, but the story is a little forced and it reads like the author needed to exorcise a few personal demons. Also, if you are of the evangelical church ilk, beware that there's not much good said about those in this one. I'm putting the next one in the series on my wishlist, though, because the main characters have a lot of potential to become really interesting.

[tonile4helena · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A really creepy, psychologically thrilling debut. Martinsson is a great heroine and the story was dark, twisted and complex - everything people have come to expect and love about Scandinavian crime.