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This book is a debut….really?! I have to keep reminding myself of this as Block 46 is so beautifully and cleverly crafted! Originally written in French, it is brilliantly and seamlessly translated by Maxim Jakubowski.
Block 46 reveals its story through the use of two timelines, it opens in the present day in London following the disappearance of jewellery designer on possibly the biggest evening of her career to date. When a woman’s mutilated body is found under a boat in a marina, the location moves to Sweden as they try to piece together Linnea’s last few days. When a young boys body is found with similar wounds in London, the narrative is split between London and Sweden.
Alongside the modern murder investigations, the narrative takes the reader back to the concentration camps of the holocaust. This is by no means easy reading, it is clear that a lot of research has gone into these sections as they come across as very authentic. It isn’t unclear for most of the book the relevance between the two time periods but this makes the plot more compelling – if life didn’t get in the way then I easily could have got lost into this book to read it in one sitting. The tension is created by the bucket load and the conclusion is spectacular!
Block 46 is a stunning example of a complex investigation that isn’t afraid to tackle a difficult subject. I thoroughly enjoyed this book, although it doesn’t make for easy reading, and highly recommend it. I have been thinking about it since I finished it and do have a book hangover!
Definitely one of my top books for 2017 and it’s only May! I look forward, somewhat impatiently for more from Johana Gustawsson – most definitely one to watch!
Block 46 reveals its story through the use of two timelines, it opens in the present day in London following the disappearance of jewellery designer on possibly the biggest evening of her career to date. When a woman’s mutilated body is found under a boat in a marina, the location moves to Sweden as they try to piece together Linnea’s last few days. When a young boys body is found with similar wounds in London, the narrative is split between London and Sweden.
Alongside the modern murder investigations, the narrative takes the reader back to the concentration camps of the holocaust. This is by no means easy reading, it is clear that a lot of research has gone into these sections as they come across as very authentic. It isn’t unclear for most of the book the relevance between the two time periods but this makes the plot more compelling – if life didn’t get in the way then I easily could have got lost into this book to read it in one sitting. The tension is created by the bucket load and the conclusion is spectacular!
Block 46 is a stunning example of a complex investigation that isn’t afraid to tackle a difficult subject. I thoroughly enjoyed this book, although it doesn’t make for easy reading, and highly recommend it. I have been thinking about it since I finished it and do have a book hangover!
Definitely one of my top books for 2017 and it’s only May! I look forward, somewhat impatiently for more from Johana Gustawsson – most definitely one to watch!