"Under the Storm" was a really slow burn and tone of dark and moody. I have read many Nordic police procedural books over the years and this one did not catch my attention like some of the others I have read. It did have some events in the book that I did not see coming.

I believe since this book moved so slowly it really did not get me invested in the characters. I do think it was well written and I did not have any issues with the translation. I will be willing to try other books by Christoffer Carlsson in the future. If this becomes a series, I would be interested in seeing what happens to Vidar and Isak.

Thanks to NetGalley for an advanced copy. #NetGalley #UndertheStorm #ChristofferCarlsson

I honestly skim read this to get to the good parts. It did have a good level of OMG moments, atmospheric creepiness and suspense. HOWEVER, this book was translated from Lord knows what language and I found that confusing. I do not mind slow-burn reads BUT this was slower than molasses and it did not have a good flow to the overall good.

Not a strong read IMO. Cannot recommend.

Thanks to Christoffer Carlsson, Netgalley and Penguin Group Publishing Group Hogarth for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Available: 2/27/2024

Thank you Hogarth for my free ARC of Under the Storm by Christoffer Carlsson — available Feb 27!

Read this if you:
🕵️ are a fan of Nordic noir crime/thrillers
🔎 tend toward obsession when trying to figure something out
🐦 read Blaze Me a Sun and enjoyed it

Translated from Swedish by Rachel Willson-Broyles 🇸🇪

When a local young woman is found murdered inside her burned-down home, the small town of Marbäck refuses to believe the culprit could be anyone but the girl's boyfriend, Edvard. Thus Edvard, discovered in the nearby woods covered in blood, is convicted and sentenced to life in prison. But something about the whole investigation is bothering Vidar, a rookie officer, and it continues to bother him for years to come. What's really behind this gruesome incident?

So I read Blaze Me a Sun last year, as it was translated into English before this book, even though Under the Storm is the first book in the series. I actually enjoyed this one more! I think hearing the beginning of Vidar's story made me feel more connected to him as a character, and I actually may go back and re-read Blaze Me a Sun now that I've forged a stronger bond.

Either way, this book was great — I wasn't able to guess at any of the reveals, and I was suspicious of pretty much every single character at some point during the story 🤣 The pacing is excellent and the vibes are very Nordic noir, which is my favorite subgenre of crime fiction. Check it out if you're into similar reads!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Sometimes Swedish novels can be hard to get into- sometimes its the translations, sometimes it a different speech pattern. But I've found with Carlsson's books that he tends to grab you by the scenic descriptions and character descriptions. With this book you're well into the mystery before the 'quirks' of being set in a different country come into play- but stay with the book- Vidar is a character that is relatable and honest, and as you see how the death has affected not only him but others in the community, it echoes any small town in America. With a bit of a twist at the end, this book reward you for your patience!

I just reviewed Under the Storm by Christoffer Carlsson. This book was not my favorite. It was a very slow burning read. Took me a while to get into it. There was a lot of interesting things twists in the story but predictable and slow to get to what I already figured would happen.

Set in Sweden, there is a devastating murder/fire that subsequently affects many lives in the small town of Marbäck.
   The “storm” in the title can refer to how the people involved in this incident, from the police to the relatives, have lived under a storm of unease, unhappiness and unanswered questions.
   So many lies that have been hidden for years, an obsession with the case ruined relationships and careers and the adoration of a little boy for his uncle is shattered beyond repair.
   A slow paced crime novel that has the reader lamenting with all the characters living their lives in this small community and are struggling in the aftermath of this one incident.

What an interesting book. Unlike most police procedurals that focus on finding a perpetrator, this book looks more at the lives of those associated with the murder and what has happened to them over the years. It is an engaging and beautifully crafted novel that is by turns unsettling and embracing.

Rookie policeman Vidar Jorgensson is the first on the scene of a house fire, where he finds the body of murder victim Lovisa Markstrom in the ashes. Vidar also discovers the unconscious body of Lovisa's lover, Edvard Christensson, nearby and evidence he had been in the house before Lovisa's death. Edvard and the male members of his family have a history of violence and bad decisions, and it isn't long before he is arrested and convicted of Lovisa's murder. Edvard's ten-year-old nephew, Isak Nyqvist, who adores and defends his uncle, is soon an outcast among his peer group, setting his life path on an unexpected trajectory that intertwines with the young policeman.

The years pass, and although Vidor was on the periphery of the investigation., he can't stop revisiting the crime in his spare time. Edvard has never stopped saying he is innocent, and Vidor starts believing him, but how can he prove it with little evidence?

This is a mystery and a coming-of-age story as the reader follows Isak through his teen and young adult years. It is an expertly plotted and well-written book whose characters are nicely drawn. Carlsson is an award-winning Swedish writer, and this book is already an international bestseller. I'm so happy to have found this book and author. 4.5/5 stars

Thank you, NetGalley and Hogarth Books, for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. The publication date is February 27, 2024.

I'm a bit torn in my views of this novel. Overall, I felt it was very well written. Carlsson deftly drew the main characters of Isak and Vidar allowing us to inhabit their skins and suffer their uncertainties. The descriptions of the cyclone Gudrun's fury and its aftermath brought visceral reactions. The pots twists were believable and compelling. This was a great book.

However, prude that I am, I was significantly disturbed by the detailed accounts of intercourse early on in the novel. What annoyed me more was that they had little or nothing to with the story. They seemed to be inserted simply for salacious effect. I'm glad that Carlsson got over this as the book progressed, or I wouldn't have continued reading.

One crime and the lives of so many are affected for years. This is an excellent examination of the psychological impact of crime on individuals, on couples, and on an entire town. The writing is very atmospheric; the characters are superbly developed. The ending ties up the loose ends but I will continue to wonder how the characters are faring.

Thanks to NetGalley and Hogarth Press for the ARC to read and review.

Under the Storm is the second book by Christoffer Carlsson I’ve read. Again, this is a slow burn, moody mystery. It’s also convoluted and at times, I struggled with it.
A farmhouse burns in the middle of the night and the body of a young woman is discovered inside. The investigation quickly focuses on Edvard, the young woman’s boyfriend. He is found guilty and sentenced to prison. The story is told from the perspective of Isak, Edward’s nephew and Vidar, the young policeman who helps investigate the case.
The book follows them through time. First ten years later, then another 12. Isak worries that he carries some sort of evil gene that will also cause him to commit crimes. Vidar just can’t let the case go, wondering if they got it wrong. Both of them struggle with personal relationships and find it impossible to move on. I felt the character development of each man was well done.
The book moves at too slow a pace, sometimes almost a slog. A better editing job would have helped immensely. I will give credit to Carlsson, as I had no clue how this was going to play out. Still, as I haven’t particularly enjoyed either book I’ve read by him, I doubt I’ll try a third.
My thanks to Netgalley and Random House for an advance copy of this book.

A community is haunted by a crime for decades in this translated crime novel.

I had trouble finding the plot here. It definitely might be one that is lost in translation, as I just really couldn’t get into this one.

In rural Sweden, a young woman is found dead in a house that has been set on fire to cover the crime. Her boyfriend is charged with and convicted of the crime. As his beloved nephew, Isak, grows up, he fears that he may take after his uncle. The disposition of the case nags at Vidar, one of the investigating officers. Did they charge the right perpetrator? There are some indications that someone else might have committed the crime. His tortured obsession with it over more than a decade leads to some consequential decisions in his life.

Carlsson writes Nordic noir at its best. This is the second of his books that I have read. The first one, Blaze Me a Sun, which I loved, featured Vidar’s father. There is a sense of foreboding throughout the book and Carlsson captures well the vicissitudes, allure and danger of the Swedish climate.

If you are a fan of Nordic noir or would like an introduction to it, I recommend this read. If you are new to this genre, do not expect a fast paced, action packed novel, but rather a slow unfolding of the plot along with developing, well crafted characterizations.

Under the Storm was a solid 4-star novel for me. This is my first book written by Carlsson and I am throughly impressed.

Isak is a 10 year old boy who has a strong bond and friendship with his Uncle Edvard, but when Edvard gets arrested for murder, Isak’s world is torn apart. How could his uncle do this? Is he like his uncle? These are the questions that torture Isak as he grows and matures into a young man.

Vidar’s story is interesting as well, as the cop who is investigating the murder.

Carlsson is a beautiful writer and has a magical way with words and details. My biggest criticism is the amount of background/supporting suspects. I struggled to keep the names and stories straight at times.

Overall, Under the Storm was a fantastic read!

Thank you to NetGalley and Hogarth for the opportunity to read this ARC before it’s scheduled release date of February 27, 2024.

I enjoyed this author's previous novel and this was similar -- superior crime fiction that considers deeply how a crime affects a community.

Brooding, tragic, atmospheric. Not a particularly quick read for me, but overall a very well-written story.

This story digs deep into the psychology of crime. It takes place over almost three decades and the story is mostly told from the points of view of two characters Isak and Vidar. The story is set up in three phases that follow the characters from the inciting incident through to its resolution. It is excellently written and plotted. Readers will find the characters intriguing and interesting. An overall well written story.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This book was interesting. It did keep you guessing and had some twists and turns. I thought it was pretty good.

Thank you netgalley.

This book ticks all the boxes when it comes to an atmospheric nordic thriller. It managed to capture the devastation that hits the people closest to the crime so accurately like a punch to the gut. My only complaint would have been the pace and how it got wrapped up at the end. Would have loved it to have been not so rushed towards the climax. But would definitely recommend it for readers looking for a dark, moderately paced nordic thriller

I love stories located in other lands. I can visit, feel the weather, learn the habits, listen to the forms of speech, stay in their homes, eat their food, and feel their pain without leaving the comfort of my reading chair. And I absolutely love this young author. It’s one of my life’s goals to read every one of his books. Well, one of many.
This story takes place in Marbäck, Sweden. A sweet young lady, Lovisa, is found murdered inside her burned out home. The crime haunts a recently retired Officer Vidar Jörgensson. He feels sure they overlooked something in the rush to arrest Lovisa’s boyfriend, Edvard. And Edvard’s young nephew, Isak, feels the worst effect of the murder. He is taunted, isolated, and angry.
As Vidar refuses to believe in Edvard's guilt, the stress over the years affects his home, his health, and his relationship with others in the small town. The years are especially cruel to Isak as he chooses the wrong path, has no respect for himself or others with one exception, a lonely horse who stands in the field each day waiting for him to walk by.
The beautiful way these lives connect over time is what makes this book a must read. It reads like poetry, but is a study in human nature. A book that leaves you hurting for the characters long after you’ve finished.
Thanks so much to Random House Publishing Group- Random House, Hogarth for an ARC in exchange for my honest review. The publishing date is February 17, 2024.

Thank you to @randonhousebooks and #NetGalley for the digital ARC of #UnderTheStorm. The opinions expressed here are entirely my own.

I read a stand-alone novel by this author earlier this year. Liked it enough to pick up another of his books and I wasn't disappointed.

While this is a crime story at its core, it's also a character study of the main characters - Vidar, the policeman, and Isak, a young man. Both are affected by their family history and its impact on their lives. Carlsson's character development is well done. There are layers and depth to these characters and it really adds to the tension in the story.

I look forward to reading the rest of this series and checking out the author's backlist.