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A review by fruitbatwoman
The Creak on the Stairs by Eva Björg Ægisdóttir
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.