Reviews

• “Satu Rämö’s Hildur series is a wildly successful publishing phenomenon that has put the genre of ‘Nordic blue’ on Europe’s literary map. ”

• “Atmospheric and startlingly original. (…) Rämö brings an outsider’s eye to a novel steeped in Icelandic history, and the effect is mesmerising. ”

• “Ideal entertainment for a dark evening.”

• “The reader is captivated by a plot featuring a highly unusual motive and an equally unusual killer (…) very promising for the future.”

• “Not only is Rämö a stylish and compelling storyteller, but she also brings something fresh and even moving to the often overworked serial killer genre. In recent years, the bar for debut crime novelists has been set high, yet Satu Rämö surpasses it effortlessly, raising it even further. Debuts this well-crafted, mature, and original are a true joy to read. (…) The ending of Hildur sets the stage perfectly for the next installment, and we can hardly wait for more of this treat. ”

• “Alongside the rich and atmospheric depiction of the setting, the novel’s plot is cleverly crafted, and the characters’ everyday lives feel authentic. Rämö plans to continue Hildur’s story, and if she does it as well as in this, her debut novel, she may become a significant new name in Nordic crime fiction. ”

• “Satu Rämö’s debut novel is a refreshing delight! /…/ Cozy under a blanket, you flip through the pages eagerly, piecing the story together like a jigsaw puzzle. The ending leaves you instantly craving the rest of the saga. ”

• “Satu Rämö has established herself as one of the new voices of Nordic thrillers, a voice full of humour and humanity. She delights in deconstructing the clichés of the genre one by one, gently poking fun at her adopted homeland and taking her heroes precisely where we least expect them. […] A fine work.”

• “Very quickly, the reader will realize that the Finnish author has managed to capture the very soul of Icelandic crime fiction.”

• “This debut does not only offer a gripping criminal case, but also treats the reader to a series of intriguing characters. /…/ Combined with beautifully atmospheric portrayls of Icelandic landscapes, this makes for an incredibly good read and a thrilling Nordic Noir novel that will captivate both crime fans and Iceland lovers alike.”

• “Nerve-racking. A crime fiction masterpiece.”

• “A promising start to a new series.”

• “Unique and well-written.”

• “This is an unusually cleverly plotted text, but there is also much else to admire; through reading, vivid and interesting people of various kinds emerge, and among the important characters are also the harsh nature and the violent forces of nature. It is very easy to understand why this debut so quickly became a success in our neighboring country. /…/ This excels on many different levels: strong characters, a very vivid setting, and a rare intelligence in the plot. After reading it, all one can do is look forward to the next book. ”