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marenmisner's review against another edition
3.0
Loved the first book and was really looking forward to this, but it just didn’t stack up. Rounded up to 3.5 stars.
otterly's review
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
brownflopsy's review against another edition
5.0
When a body is found trapped in the basement of an abandoned house out in the forest, the regional police are baffled. Detective Eira Sjödin's knowledge of the area leads to the body being linked to the recent case of a missing local man, and she is called upon once again to work with the Violent Crime Unit to discover how he came to be there and exactly why he died.
This is a hard case to crack, and there are few leads... until Eira manages to find a connection with a similar case in the eerie mining town of Malmberget. Finally, she is making progress, but when the investigation takes a turn and someone close to her goes missing, it becomes a desperate battle against the clock to find a murderer before it is too late.
You Will Never Be Found is the second instalment of the High Coast series by bestselling Swedish author Tove Alsterdal. I was completely blown away by the first book in this series, We Know You Remember, which now brings Detective Eira Sjödin to English speaking readers through the excellent translations by Alice Menzies - in fact it was my Nordic Noir book of the year for 2022. So I was chomping at the bit to get back to more gritty crime adventures at Eira's side!
This investigation begins with a grisly discovery, and it leads to Eira being seconded to the Violent Crime Unit she worked with in the last book, in order to solve a mystery that eventually led right back to her own family. This has consequences for how Eira thinks and acts in this second book, so for this reason, although this is a stand-alone case, I do recommend that you read the first book before this one - it is outstanding and will really enhance your enjoyment of this book.
Alsterdal is adept at a slow-burn tale that twists with each new discovery, and builds in pace as the truth reveals itself. Eira's special knowledge of the area brings an intriguing edge to the story, as there is always an undercurrent about the history of this part of Sweden, and how this has affected the people who live here. Sins of the past do play a lesser part in this second book, although they are always there to influence the behaviour of the characters. In many ways it is a more reflective story that dwells on change, and how it will shape the future. This is especially true of Eira herself, as she realises that there might be something more beneath why she has returned to her childhood home that goes beyond caring for her fragile mother.
"I long for home.
I seek where'er I go - not for men folk, but the fields where I would stray.
The stones where as a child I used to play."
The landscape is used beautifully to enhance the atmosphere throughout. There is a feeling of otherness and isolation that is very unsettling, which Alsterdal plays on to perfection. The wildness of the sea builds in a delicious sense of danger to the very exciting climax of the story, and the way Alsterdal employs the unstoppable expansion of the mine at Malmberget to set the tone with a hit to that discomfiting spot is superb.
One of my favourite things about this book is the dynamic between the female characters, especially in terms of multi-generation relationships. Alsterdal examines a wealth of themes around betrayal and abandonment through them, that resound powerfully through every part of the story. I tip my hat to the translator Alice Menzies for her stellar work here.
This book cements Alsterdal as an impressive talent in one of my favoured genres, and I cannot wait to read more from her. If Nordic Noir is your passion too, then I highly recommend that Tove Alsterdal finds her way on to your reading pile in double quick time - you can thank me later...
This is a hard case to crack, and there are few leads... until Eira manages to find a connection with a similar case in the eerie mining town of Malmberget. Finally, she is making progress, but when the investigation takes a turn and someone close to her goes missing, it becomes a desperate battle against the clock to find a murderer before it is too late.
You Will Never Be Found is the second instalment of the High Coast series by bestselling Swedish author Tove Alsterdal. I was completely blown away by the first book in this series, We Know You Remember, which now brings Detective Eira Sjödin to English speaking readers through the excellent translations by Alice Menzies - in fact it was my Nordic Noir book of the year for 2022. So I was chomping at the bit to get back to more gritty crime adventures at Eira's side!
This investigation begins with a grisly discovery, and it leads to Eira being seconded to the Violent Crime Unit she worked with in the last book, in order to solve a mystery that eventually led right back to her own family. This has consequences for how Eira thinks and acts in this second book, so for this reason, although this is a stand-alone case, I do recommend that you read the first book before this one - it is outstanding and will really enhance your enjoyment of this book.
Alsterdal is adept at a slow-burn tale that twists with each new discovery, and builds in pace as the truth reveals itself. Eira's special knowledge of the area brings an intriguing edge to the story, as there is always an undercurrent about the history of this part of Sweden, and how this has affected the people who live here. Sins of the past do play a lesser part in this second book, although they are always there to influence the behaviour of the characters. In many ways it is a more reflective story that dwells on change, and how it will shape the future. This is especially true of Eira herself, as she realises that there might be something more beneath why she has returned to her childhood home that goes beyond caring for her fragile mother.
"I long for home.
I seek where'er I go - not for men folk, but the fields where I would stray.
The stones where as a child I used to play."
The landscape is used beautifully to enhance the atmosphere throughout. There is a feeling of otherness and isolation that is very unsettling, which Alsterdal plays on to perfection. The wildness of the sea builds in a delicious sense of danger to the very exciting climax of the story, and the way Alsterdal employs the unstoppable expansion of the mine at Malmberget to set the tone with a hit to that discomfiting spot is superb.
One of my favourite things about this book is the dynamic between the female characters, especially in terms of multi-generation relationships. Alsterdal examines a wealth of themes around betrayal and abandonment through them, that resound powerfully through every part of the story. I tip my hat to the translator Alice Menzies for her stellar work here.
This book cements Alsterdal as an impressive talent in one of my favoured genres, and I cannot wait to read more from her. If Nordic Noir is your passion too, then I highly recommend that Tove Alsterdal finds her way on to your reading pile in double quick time - you can thank me later...
didactylos's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Tightly plotted, though I felt it needed some serious editing to drop some wordage that was just padding. Very atmospheric. I did not enjoy the reading, rather mechanical I felt, and doctrinaire in that every word has to be read….. sometimes the X said, Y said is not needed.
pms93's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
deschatjes's review against another edition
4.0
Eira Sjodin is one of those interesting personalities that grows on you. Good plot development and flashbacks and continuations of the story from the first book.
joreads7's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
meowserly's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75