Author: Jo Spain
Published: May 2022 by Quercus
Category: Scandi Thriller, Murder/Mystery, Police Procedural
A small town. A frozen lake. Three missing women. One body.
When young London professional Alex Evans is informed that his sister’s body has been pulled from an icy lake in Northern Lapland, he assumes his irresponsible sister accidentally drowned. He travels to the wealthy winter resort where Vicky worked as a tour-guide and meets Agatha Koskinen, the detective in charge. Agatha is a no-nonsense single mother of three who already thinks there’s more to Vicky’s case than meets the eye.
With a chilling, in both senses of the word, prologue we witness the death of a young woman in an icy lake.
Alex Evans is woken up early one morning by a phone call from his father. His mother is in hospital after a heart attack and his father wants him home urgently.
Alex stares at his phone.
Why the urgency if his mother is ok?
There’s something Ed’s not saying.
Alex shivers.
Is his mother fine … for now?
As he dresses, he rings Vicky’s mobile. The line doesn’t even connect, just goes straight to voicemail.
Alex learns his sister, Vicky, has been found drowned in an icy lake in Lapland and he needs to bring her home. It turns out not to be such a simple task. As Alex meets and talks to Agatha Koskinen, the detective in charge of the investigation, in the small town of Koppe, it appears there are suspicious circumstances surrounding Vicky’s death. It wasn’t accidental and it was a fluke her body was discovered. There have also been several women in the area over the years who have disappeared without a trace.
It transpires that Vicky was well liked and as Agatha and Alex try to make sense of events, separately and together, there are many layers to work through and bit by bit the discover everything isn’t how it seems and there’s more going on than they could have imagined.
Mostly set in the present but with a sub plot of several chapters taking us back to 1998. Kaya is a lonely young woman trapped in a loveless marriage, living on the side of a mountain, and desperate for a way out.
But if she does that, the vengeful satisfaction will be fleeting.
So, instead, she turns and slinks back into town, her tail between her legs and a gnawing feeling in the pit of her stomach that this is not going to go how she’d planned.
This sounds like a fascinating thriller! Thanks for putting it on my radar.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re very welcome. I love Jo Spain’s books.
LikeLike
Great review. Glad you enjoyed this too, Cathy.❤📚
LikeLike
I always mean to get into Scandi noir for the settings, must remedy this soon.
LikeLiked by 1 person
The setting certainly adds to the atmosphere.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I really like Jo Spain’s books but haven’t read this one. Thanks for the review.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re welcome 🙂
LikeLike
I like that it’s all set in the cold and snow! Terrific review, Cathy!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Wendy. The setting is fabulous.
LikeLike
Sounds good – one day soon I will try Jo Spain!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Soon-er 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
😂
LikeLiked by 1 person
An excellent and compelling mystery – love the characters. I wish to read more books like these this year! Next book from this author – I will be on it immediately!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Me too!
LikeLike