Beware the dark forest
- Book: Dark Pines – (Tuva 1)
- Location: Värmland
- Author: Will Dean
If you like Scandi Noir and quirky characters then this book will be right up your alley. Set in a remote Swedish town surrounded by dark pine forest it is full of interesting characters.
From Tuva, our deaf journalist, to forest residents that range from Troll making twins to compulsive hoarders everyone seems to have a secret or habit that sets them apart.
Then a body is found in the forest and it seems like a serial killer from a decade ago has returned. In a town packed with hunters it’s going to be tricky to find out who the shooter is. If it weren’t for the fact that the victims have their eyes gouged out the deaths could easily be passed off as accidental.
With a police investigation that seems to be going nowhere fast Tuva takes it upon herself to investigate – here is her opportunity to break the story of a lifetime and provide her ticket out of town.
Will Dean describes the forest superbly – it is a character in it’s own right – a dark, vast, gloomy place that can lead to disorientation and fear. Under his descriptive powers you feel every thorn, branch and needle on the forest floor and the fear it instils in Tuva.
What connects the victim – is it secret poker games, hunting or the local strip club?
Like any good thriller the perpetrator is not who you expect and the finale is a tense stand off between Tuva and the murderer.
I’m not sure I’d be tempted to visit this area of Sweden but that is just indicative of Scandi Noir style literature done well!
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