When a woman’s body is discovered at a lighthouse in the Icelandic town of Akranes, investigators discover shocking secrets in her past. First in the disturbing, chillingly atmospheric, addictive new Forbidden Iceland series. Winner of the Storytel Award for Best Crime Novel 2020 Winner of the Blackbird Award for Best Icelandic Crime Novel Shortlisted for the Amazon Publishing Readers Award for … Novel
Shortlisted for the Amazon Publishing Readers Award for Best Independent Voice
Shortlisted for the Amazon Publishing Readers Award for Best Debut Novel
‘Eva BjÖrg ÆgisdÓttir’s accomplished first novel is not only a full-fat mystery, but also a chilling demonstration of how monsters are made’ The Times
‘Fans of Nordic Noir will love this moving debut from Icelander Eva BjÖrg ÆgisdÓttir’s. It’s subtle, nuanced, with a sympathetic central character and the possibilities of great stories to come’ Ann Cleeves
‘An exciting and harrowing tale from one of Iceland’s rising stars’ Ragnar JÓnasson
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When a body of a woman is discovered at a lighthouse in the Icelandic town of Akranes, it soon becomes clear that she’s no stranger to the area.
Chief Investigating Officer Elma, who has returned to Akranes following a failed relationship, and her collegues SÆvar and HÖrður, commence an uneasy investigation, which uncovers a shocking secret in the dead woman’s past that continues to reverberate in the present day …
But as Elma and her team make a series of discoveries, they bring to light a host of long-hidden crimes that shake the entire community. Sifting through the rubble of the townspeople’s shattered memories, they have to dodge increasingly serious threats, and find justice … before it’s too late.
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‘We’re used to Icelandic writers lowering the temperature — in more ways than one — and ÆgisdÓttir proves to be adept at this chilly art as any of her confrÈres (and consoeurs). Elma is a memorably complex character, and Victoria Cribb’s translation is (as usual) non-pareil’ Financial Times
‘A deserted lighthouse and a murdered woman set the scene for this haunting and compelling mystery where the dark secrets of a small town are shockingly exposed. As chilling and atmospheric as an Icelandic winter’ Lisa Gray, author of Thin Air
‘The setting in Iceland is fascinating, the descriptions creating a vivid picture of the reality of living in a small town. The Creak on the Stairs is a captivating tale with plenty of tension and a plot to really get your teeth into’ LoveReading
‘At each stage, ÆgisdÓttir is not giving us information but asking things of us. She’s getting us to think through the implications: what if it’s him, what if it’s her, what would it mean? We’re involved, we’ve got skin in the game and we can’t ask for more as readers’ CafÉ Thinking
‘Elma leaves Reykjavik CID for a job with the police in her hometown of Akranes, deeming it “every bit as quiet as it appeared to be” — until the discovery of a murdered woman starts to unravel a thread of long-buried crimes hidden deep in the community. Elma is a fantastic heroine’ Sunday Times
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Fans of Nordic Noir will love this moving debut from Icelander Eva Björg Ægisdóttir’s. It’s subtle, nuanced, with a sympathetic central character and the possibilities of great stories to come.
A deserted lighthouse and a murdered woman set the scene for this haunting and compelling mystery where the dark secrets of a small town are shockingly exposed. As chilling and atmospheric as an Icelandic winter.
An exciting and harrowing tale from one of Iceland’s rising stars.
A compelling murder mystery with a captivating, sympathetic female protagonist.
I returned to this author to read this first novel-and I was not disappointed -The ending could have been tied up a little more for my satisfaction-the loose threads were still somewhat untethered -Otherwise -it was an excellent read -very atmospheric -with lots of twists and turns. Anyone that is a fan of nordic noir will surely be engrossed-by this tale-
Love Icelandic fiction.
I enjoyed this book very much
Having visited Iceland a few years ago, I very much enjoyed the realistic atmosphere created by the author. The story is dark and brooding just like the winter landscape. I found it difficult at first to keep track of the many unusual Icelandic names, but after a few chapters it added to the authenticity of the story – which keeps you guessing till close to the end! The main characters are people that you feel you get to know. I would recommend for a change on the typical detective genre.
I am not a fan of time shifting past to present all the time. It was slow. Not surprising to me. I did not know it had ended. It felt flat. The names were had to remember just who was who. Not my favorite.
Some what off beat detective story, but entertaining .
As a fan of satisfying endings (while also enjoying Nordic noir), I opened this book expecting more darkness preceding that anticipated ending. Like most books in this genre, “Creak” features abuse (sexual, emotional, and physical), lack of respect for women, place of family, isolated location, complex plot, and a main character with plenty of angst. Much of the dialogue “feels” stilted, but translated texts always lose some nuances–especially in dialogue. The intertwining of two murders is handled well. In both cases, though, I was left with questions about the killer’s identity. What was known when is also hazy and adds to the abrupt ending. The book has won plenty of awards so it may deserve a higher place on TBR piles than I grant … because I like satisfying endings.
This is the first book by the Icelandic author Eva Bjorg AEgisdottir but it feels like a very mature novel. It is not hectic but still suspenseful and the characters come to life quickly. I`m looking forward to her next mystery novel.
A great nordic noir book, dark and disturbing. Continuous guessing on who done it keeps you on the edge of your seat.The authors ability to a great thrilling and suspense filled book was truly entertaining.