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.
[Gleaned from a couple of different sources. ]

THE CREAK ON THE STAIRS (Forbidden Iceland, 1) by EVA BJÖRG ÆGISDÓTTIR (2018) TRANS: Victoria Cribb (2020) | ISBN: 9781913193041 (UK Ed PB ) | Publisher: Orenda

"For fans of Yrsa Sigurdardottir, Ruth Rendell, P D James, Sarah Hilary and Camilla Lackberg" So says praise a quote I came across.

I heard someone (sadly I forget who) on the radio in 2021 praise Eva Bjorg Aegisdottir as one of Nordic Noir's new stars so snagged THE CREAK ON THE STAIRS as soon as I saw it while out on a charity hunt between lockdowns.

A slightly menacing title and a real slow burn read, while the dead hand of tension silently applies more and more pressure. As that dread builds, a few devastating revelations, unsettle the reader more and more.

I can understand why others, notably other crime fiction authors, are praising this new author but equally emphasise that that distinctly heavy dread, added to the fact I hadn't warmed to any of the characters, made this an awkward book for me to adore. Deeply troubling topics emerge and if it hadn't been for the beautifully balanced sensitivity of the writing that gripped and demanded time for reflection I would have simply been left reeling. Instead, I'm impressed.

So to sum up, an author who demonstrates compassion while showing how monstererous deeds might be enacted and why. Here in a slow burn tale, rather than action packed thriller, a distinctly foreboding atmosphere works well. Distinctly unchirpy but riviting.

Thank you for offering to lent this to me for my library book group.

This book was just ok - I don't really have a strong opinion about either recommending it or not. The police characters all seemed to have too much going on in their personal lives to be able to concentrate fully on the murder almost to the point Elma’s boss appeared not to want to solve it. There were a lot of characters to keep track of which occasionally made it hard to follow but I guessed the murderer pretty early on. I felt the ending was a little disappointing and really didn’t do the rest of the story justice. I’m in no hurry to read the next book in the series

...Yes, earthcaroleanne, so many players! So I scribbled a cast list to keep me straight and yes a flat ending but indeed the calm after a storm...

This was placed onto the Official BookCrossing Bookshelf on the windowsill in this wonderful cafe, after a meeting of the Old Gang of BookCrossers from Edinburgh.

Once everyone had left I took the opportunity to scoff the Lamb & Pistachio Meatballs, [served with tenderstem brocoli, baby potatoes, pickled cabbage & sumac yoghurt] and YES, as delicious as its sounds!

● WILD RELEASE:
Please do, while on your travels, BookCrossing book check in from time to time. A wee journal note will do the trick.  Cheers rainbow3.

The Filmhouse very kindly allowed me in to rescue the books.

Have brought this home to use in my LFL and/or OBCZ - but if you want it back, let me know.

Although this book is registered at www.bookcrossing.com, you don't have to be a member. It's perfectly OK to just take the book and enjoy it. Of course, if you can visit the website and let us know that you've picked it up, that would be even better - you don't even have to join, you can add your comments anonymously - you can also post your review when you've read it, then return it or pass it on to someone else.

If you do join Bookcrossing, you'll be able to see what happens to it afterwards - for ever!

Received from Chrys