Tuesday 9 August 2011

CRIME REVIEW: Until Thy Wrath Be Past - Asa Larsson

Release Date: 04/08/11

SYNOPSIS:

It is the first thaw of spring and the body of a young woman surfaces in the River Thorne in the far north of Sweden. Rebecka Martinsson is working as a prosecutor in nearby Karuna. Her sleep has been disturbed by haunting visions of a shadowy, accusing figure. Could the body belong to the ghost in her dreams? And where is the dead girl's boyfriend, also reported as missing the previous winter? Joining forces once again with Police Inspectors Anna-Maria Mella and Sven-Erik Stalnacke, Rebecka is drawn into an investigation that centres on old rumours about a plane carrying supplies for German troops in 1943 that never arrived. Shame and secrecy shroud the locals' memories of the war, with Sweden's early collaboration with the Nazis still a raw wound. And on the windswept shore of a frozen lake lurks a killer who will kill again to keep the past buried for ever beneath half a century's silent ice and snow.


REVIEW:

As a huge fan of Scandinavian Crime I always love it when an author I’m not familiar with arrives and whilst this is Asa’s fourth book I didn’t feel alienated in any way. The book is written from different perspectives and benefits for having them within and whilst the title isn’t all wrapped up in a nice big bow at the end it helps ground the tale in the real world with its gritty real edge drama alongside the chaotic outcome that really makes it stay with the reader long after the final page is turned.

All in the book is well written, the prose sharp and the principle character has a soft side that really endears her to the reader, add to this a wonderful authorly voice and a translator that is more than familiar with the nuances of language to help bring it to an English market and it’s an author I will definitely be keeping an eye out for in future releases. Great stuff.

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