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underdarkrivers's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
kellyvandamme's review against another edition
5.0
Elma’s relationship has ended and there’s nothing keeping her in Reykjavík, on the contrary, there’s only loads of memories holding her back. And so she ends up back where she started out: in the city of Akranes where she grew up. Starting over isn’t easy, especially not in a town where for the most part everyone knows everyone and their mother. And although she’s happy to have found a job, she suspects that working for the Akranes CID will not be quite as exciting as working for the Reykjavík police force. But that’s where Elma’s mistaken: a body is found in the water by the lighthouse and before she knows it she has quite the investigation on her hands.
Highly recommended by Ragnar Jónasson as it is, I was by no means surprised that The Creak on the Stairs oozes atmosphere. Readers who enjoy his books will certainly appreciate this one. I’m a sucker for an atmospheric thriller, this feeling that creeps up on you, intensifying as you turn the pages, and I’m about ready to hail Eva Ægisdóttir as its queen! Eva and translator Victoria Cribb have a way with words that I loved. Her writing never felt in any way descriptive, yet I could picture everything perfectly.
I thoroughly enjoyed the story itself, and of course I wanted to find out what everyone was hiding, and get confirmation that the guy I was pointing fingers at was in fact guilty, but to me The Creak on the Stairs felt more character-driven than plot-driven. Literally all of the characters intrigued me and every time I had to put the book down, I couldn’t wait to go back and find out more about them. They are incredibly well-rounded and three-dimensional, even the supporting characters, they all felt utterly real, all of it felt real, Eva masterfully shows instead of tells, or – equally masterfully – hints at, insinuates, and lets the reader’s mind do the rest.
Emotionally, The Creak on the Stairs is not the easiest read because of some of its topics. Child neglect is one such topic and its consequences reverberate through the entire story. Yet I flew through it, Eva does not dwell, she propels the plot forward, making the reader look this way and that way, so that despite the harrowing nature of some parts, the story never feels heavy, never weighs you down.
The Creak on the Stairs is clever and intricate, but the story flows so effortlessly that you don’t even realise just how clever and intricate it is, until you’ve turned that final page and start thinking back. Aren’t the best books those that deceive you, that trick your mind into thinking you’re reading a much simpler story? It’s an art all on its own, and one not all authors master, but Eva sure does.
No matter what I tell you, I will never be able to do The Creak on the Stairs any justice. Re-reading what I’ve written, I feel I’ve failed miserably at showing you how brilliant it is, and at motivating you to pick it up. But please do! Do me a favour, do yourself a favour, and open your bookish heart to The Creak on the Stairs, you won’t regret it!
Highly recommended by Ragnar Jónasson as it is, I was by no means surprised that The Creak on the Stairs oozes atmosphere. Readers who enjoy his books will certainly appreciate this one. I’m a sucker for an atmospheric thriller, this feeling that creeps up on you, intensifying as you turn the pages, and I’m about ready to hail Eva Ægisdóttir as its queen! Eva and translator Victoria Cribb have a way with words that I loved. Her writing never felt in any way descriptive, yet I could picture everything perfectly.
I thoroughly enjoyed the story itself, and of course I wanted to find out what everyone was hiding, and get confirmation that the guy I was pointing fingers at was in fact guilty, but to me The Creak on the Stairs felt more character-driven than plot-driven. Literally all of the characters intrigued me and every time I had to put the book down, I couldn’t wait to go back and find out more about them. They are incredibly well-rounded and three-dimensional, even the supporting characters, they all felt utterly real, all of it felt real, Eva masterfully shows instead of tells, or – equally masterfully – hints at, insinuates, and lets the reader’s mind do the rest.
Emotionally, The Creak on the Stairs is not the easiest read because of some of its topics. Child neglect is one such topic and its consequences reverberate through the entire story. Yet I flew through it, Eva does not dwell, she propels the plot forward, making the reader look this way and that way, so that despite the harrowing nature of some parts, the story never feels heavy, never weighs you down.
The Creak on the Stairs is clever and intricate, but the story flows so effortlessly that you don’t even realise just how clever and intricate it is, until you’ve turned that final page and start thinking back. Aren’t the best books those that deceive you, that trick your mind into thinking you’re reading a much simpler story? It’s an art all on its own, and one not all authors master, but Eva sure does.
No matter what I tell you, I will never be able to do The Creak on the Stairs any justice. Re-reading what I’ve written, I feel I’ve failed miserably at showing you how brilliant it is, and at motivating you to pick it up. But please do! Do me a favour, do yourself a favour, and open your bookish heart to The Creak on the Stairs, you won’t regret it!
bookguyinva2022's review against another edition
5.0
I can't get enough Icelandic shabby/noir. The fact that my favorite Icelandic author, Yrsa Sigurardottir, is the one to give the incentive for Eva to realize her dream makes it even better. This was a fascinating, creepy, edgy story and once again after thinking I had it figured out I was proven to be completely wrong.
fruitbatwoman's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
I am not a huge fan of crime stories, but this book was recommended to me by a friend, so I gave it a try.
It's a good thriller with many twists and secrets, but I had the feeling like I could cross off a "Nordic Noir bingo card" while reading: pedophilia, family drama, bad weather, bleak setting, depressed protagonist... The English translation also felt a bit clumsy at times, as if the Icelandic was translated literally.
Overall a good book, and fans of crime novels will probably get their money's worth, plus a detailed glimpse into the small Icelandic town of Akranes. For me it felt more like a predictable checklist of things that have to be included in this genre.
It's a good thriller with many twists and secrets, but I had the feeling like I could cross off a "Nordic Noir bingo card" while reading: pedophilia, family drama, bad weather, bleak setting, depressed protagonist... The English translation also felt a bit clumsy at times, as if the Icelandic was translated literally.
Overall a good book, and fans of crime novels will probably get their money's worth, plus a detailed glimpse into the small Icelandic town of Akranes. For me it felt more like a predictable checklist of things that have to be included in this genre.
endless_tbr_list's review against another edition
medium-paced
3.5
3.5 stars - A perfectly good mysterious thriller, but something about the ending - though entirely realistic - left me unsatisfied. As if all the questions the story brought forward were never completely answered.
horthhill's review against another edition
1.0
"The Creak on the Stairs" by Eva Björg Ægisdóttir is a Nordic noir murder mystery. A woman's body is found on a beach in Akranes during a winter storm near a lighthouse; a wonderful gothic image. Elma, a detective, has just begun her new position in the small town's police department after having lived in the capital Reykjavík. The police will soon discover that the murdered woman grew up in Akranes just as Elma did. Although near-contemporaries, no one remembers the murdered woman. It's soon discovered that she is Elisabet Holludottir, a professional pilot, who lived up Hvalfjordur fjord, about a half an hour's drive east of Akranes, with her lawyer husband and two children. Why was she murdered?
Why indeed? Unfortunately, the novel has a large plot hole and a large character problem, both centered on Elisabet's career choice: professional pilot. Other than confirming that the murder victim did indeed call in sick to work before she disappeared, the Akranes 'police detectives never make an effort to interview anyone at the airline or any of her pilot workmates. It's as if no one thinks that a professional pilot isn't a noteworthy career: something that Elisabet would have considered all-consuming in her life. Usually, professional pilots work very hard and undergo years of training to work at an airline. She probably even spent years outside of Iceland to achieve her goal. Yet, none of this is explored whatsoever.
Instead, Elma, the detective, begins to focus entirely on Elisabet's young childhood in Akranes. But, oddly, as Elma interviews the people who knew Elisabet as a child, no one - none at all - ever mentions that she became a professional pilot. Considering how horrible Elisabet's childhood was, becoming a pilot should have been something everyone would have mentioned. It is so surprising. But, no one in the entire novel after the early chapters thinks anything of it.
Also, we learn that Elisabet hates Akranes. She would never go to the town. And, yet, she and her husband move within a half-hour's drive? Wouldn't a professional pilot who hates Akranes choose to live somewhere further away? Say, somewhere on the Reykjanes Peninsula where the airport is located which also is on the other side of Reykjavík from Akranes.
I almost think that either the author forgot Elisabet was a pilot or didn't think through what that meant for her character and her murder.
Why indeed? Unfortunately, the novel has a large plot hole and a large character problem, both centered on Elisabet's career choice: professional pilot. Other than confirming that the murder victim did indeed call in sick to work before she disappeared, the Akranes 'police detectives never make an effort to interview anyone at the airline or any of her pilot workmates. It's as if no one thinks that a professional pilot isn't a noteworthy career: something that Elisabet would have considered all-consuming in her life. Usually, professional pilots work very hard and undergo years of training to work at an airline. She probably even spent years outside of Iceland to achieve her goal. Yet, none of this is explored whatsoever.
Instead, Elma, the detective, begins to focus entirely on Elisabet's young childhood in Akranes. But, oddly, as Elma interviews the people who knew Elisabet as a child, no one - none at all - ever mentions that she became a professional pilot. Considering how horrible Elisabet's childhood was, becoming a pilot should have been something everyone would have mentioned. It is so surprising. But, no one in the entire novel after the early chapters thinks anything of it.
Also, we learn that Elisabet hates Akranes. She would never go to the town. And, yet, she and her husband move within a half-hour's drive? Wouldn't a professional pilot who hates Akranes choose to live somewhere further away? Say, somewhere on the Reykjanes Peninsula where the airport is located which also is on the other side of Reykjavík from Akranes.
I almost think that either the author forgot Elisabet was a pilot or didn't think through what that meant for her character and her murder.
pickwickthedodo's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed this. Very twisty and atmospheric.
questsandcrimes's review against another edition
3.0
Elma returns home to her small Icelandic hometown after a bad breakup in her personal life. She falls into a routine with her job on the police force and her parents nearby. When a body is discovered near the old lighthouse, Elma begins digging up the towns secrets during her investigation. This death might be connected to much more, and the towns secrets run deep.
I loved the atmosphere of this book. You could picture the Icelandic setting so well. It was enjoyable traveling around Iceland with Elma while she investigated. The writing kept me turning pages to solve the case.
This one is definitely a slow burn. The mystery takes a while to really get going. There are dual timelines, which helped hold my interest. However, I found it very hard to connect with Elma, our MC. She didn’t seem to be a fully developed character for me. I loved that she wouldn’t stop asking questions and she was very determined. But, ultimately, she fell flat for me.
The ending was very abrupt for the slow burn quality of this book. I generally enjoy a slow burn, but paired with this ending, I was thrown. I like a neatly tied up ending, so it’s down to personal preference.
TW for animal abuse/death, child abuse/neglect
If you enjoy a slow burn, atmospheric procedural novel, check out The Creak on the Stairs!
I loved the atmosphere of this book. You could picture the Icelandic setting so well. It was enjoyable traveling around Iceland with Elma while she investigated. The writing kept me turning pages to solve the case.
This one is definitely a slow burn. The mystery takes a while to really get going. There are dual timelines, which helped hold my interest. However, I found it very hard to connect with Elma, our MC. She didn’t seem to be a fully developed character for me. I loved that she wouldn’t stop asking questions and she was very determined. But, ultimately, she fell flat for me.
The ending was very abrupt for the slow burn quality of this book. I generally enjoy a slow burn, but paired with this ending, I was thrown. I like a neatly tied up ending, so it’s down to personal preference.
TW for animal abuse/death, child abuse/neglect
If you enjoy a slow burn, atmospheric procedural novel, check out The Creak on the Stairs!
btpbookclub's review against another edition
4.0
I think the fact I read 80% of this in one day shows just how good it really was. I really enjoyed it! Safe to say I’ve got my reading mojo back! Brilliant written, laid out nicely, interesting and a real page turner. Kept me guessing, I just couldn’t figure it out even with all the clues.
The cover is gorgeous and suits the story perfectly. It has a cute little map of Iceland at the start which I loved. It’s the little things like that that make a book for me. Main character Elma returns to her hometown and to work for their police forces a big change from the big city or is it? ….
A case that brings more questions than answers for the team. Elisabet! What really happened to her? Why was she found dead? A lot of secrets and unknown truths from the past come to light while investigating this case. The story itself flicks between the present and the haunting past. A dark, terrifying and at times hard to read past at that.
Brilliant read. Kept me hooked. A well deserved four stars from me. Highly recommend.
The cover is gorgeous and suits the story perfectly. It has a cute little map of Iceland at the start which I loved. It’s the little things like that that make a book for me. Main character Elma returns to her hometown and to work for their police forces a big change from the big city or is it? ….
A case that brings more questions than answers for the team. Elisabet! What really happened to her? Why was she found dead? A lot of secrets and unknown truths from the past come to light while investigating this case. The story itself flicks between the present and the haunting past. A dark, terrifying and at times hard to read past at that.
Brilliant read. Kept me hooked. A well deserved four stars from me. Highly recommend.
12grace4's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0