The Creak on the Stairs: 1 (Forbidden Iceland) Paperback – 8 September 2020

This is a promising debut. The Creak on the Stairs is not a nail-biting thriller, but it is undoubtedly a suspenseful and dark mystery. It is also a well-executed police procedural. Further, flashbacks from the past are interspersed with the current investigation. Moreover, a sense of foreboding pervades the entire book. You are not certain if another calamity will strike until you turn the last page.I relished the fact that the author gave me a peek into every major character’s psyche. I equally loved to watch how small-town dynamics shape individuals’ characters and their lives. Recommended for lovers of crime fiction.Many thanks to the publisher for my complimentary digital copy of the book. This does not affect my opinion on the book.

It's such fun to read a contemporary novel based in another country. Other cultures are always pleasantt and interesting. That said, however, is a minor breath of fresh air. I couldn't put the book down! This story line is concise, all characters are 3-dimentional, complex and believeable. The plot enfolded with increasing tension that kept me reading without stopping. It's a great mystery and I highly recommend it. I've already purchased more book by this author. You won't be disappointed!

Es como Mankell,pero peor.

Purtroppo un thriller scritto con una schematica super scontata.Alas, a thriller full of cliches and absolute lack of any character development.

As my “hopeful” first ever trip to Iceland Noir approaches it was a pleasure to immerse myself in this atmospheric and chilling tale featuring Chief Investigating Officer, Elma, who has returned to the small town of Akranes following the end of a relationship.There is something so delightfully dark about Icelandic crime fiction, with a much slower and laid back pace than other novels, it is easy to convince yourself that you are settling yourself down for a little bit of cosy crime. But you are in for a shock as there is nothing remotely cosy about this genre. Iceland definitely lends itself to the crime fiction genre, the climate and the landscape combine to place you in the heart of something exquisitely chilling and Eva Björg Ægisdóttir has totally nailed it in the creepiness stakes with this one!Exploring some dark themes; abuse, emotional neglect and murder, the claustrophobic nature of the small town becomes increasingly apparent and the underlying conflicts become clearer as each character steps forward. The author has created a relatable and authentic cast of characters who all cause the reader to doubt them. Twist after twist will leave your head reeling and every time you think you might have it all worked out the author pulls the rug from under your feet.I connected with Elma almost immediately, something about her drew me towards her; she has her own demons to contend with and as she finds herself drawn into the secrets of her home town, she is compelled to seek justice. Her own backstory is hinted at throughout and The Creak on the Stair was an excellent introduction to this new detective and most definitely left me wanting more!The tension is palpable and made more so by the creeping pace of the novel, never fast and furious but always compelling and addictive, it became almost impossible to put this book down. It is an emotional rollercoaster read and heart-breaking as the truth slowly unfolds.The translation is impeccable, it was almost impossible to tell I was reading a translation and full credit must be given to Victoria Cribb for this. For those who like to attempt the pronunciation of Icelandic names, there is a handy guide at the beginning of the book.The Creak on the Stairs has certainly whet my appetite for November’s Iceland Noir.Do yourself a favour and buy this! You will not be disappointed!

Well written and easy to read. The kind of book you can relax with while keeping your mind ticking over. The characters are the series strength and they develop over the series. They are well imagined as are the plots which remain interesting with enough twists and turns to keep you guessing