"History doesn’t allow itself to be rewritten that easily."

"One single night: A house burned down in Tolarp. There was someone inside, on the kitchen floor. One instant, a before and after: the stillness before the spark appeared, and the inferno that followed. One single event: That was all it took to redirect the path of a life. Like the filament of a root moving through time."

Or, in this case, two lives.

How do you deal when the thing that obsesses you interferes with your life?

Isak Nyqvist is seven years old in 1994. Vidar Jörgensson is a young cop, four years in the police. We will follow them through the next twenty-one years. Both their lives are largely defined by the fire that takes place on a cold night in November. A young woman is found dead inside a torched house. It was not the fire that killed her.

Isak loves his uncle Edvard, 25, who has spent a lot of loving time with him, but Edvard has a history of rage, much of it provoked, and a lot of it ascribed to him because his father was a violent person. He had been dating Lovisa Markstrom, was seen leaving the scene of the crime on the night of the fire, and is presumed to have been the one who killed her. There is circumstantial evidence supporting that belief. The town is certain of it, given his family history. The person who had seen him that night was Vidar. But Vidar has his doubts, or will.

Vidar has many local connections and uses those to help his investigation. Isak’s family is known by everyone, not in a good way. Gramps was known as a violent person. Isak’s uncle Edvard was also painted with that same brush, so it is easy to believe that he killed his girlfriend. Isak is only 7 when the murder take place but local biases, and bullies pile on Isak, assigning to him the snap-judgments that were affixed to his uncle

The story is told in three parts, the first being when the death occurred, 1994, the second in 2003 and the third in 2015. Even though Isak has doubts, he still cannot believe his loving, kind uncle could be responsible for a murder. Vidar becomes aware of some problems with the evidence, sees alternate explanations for the crime and becomes obsessed with it for the rest of his police career and beyond. It even threatens his marriage (Wait, didn’t she know this about him when they got together?) The trope of the investigator’s non-understanding significant other gets on my nerves.

Isak is impacted both internally, wondering if Edvard really was a killer, and wondering if genetics are destiny, and externally, as bullies constantly remind him that his uncle is serving time, and provoking him to violence. (Why are provoking bullies never held to account? Is the world really that dumb? Don’t answer that.)

The long expanse of the tale gives us insight into the main characters, how they feel and behave in the world, and what has gone into creating those feelings and behaviors. It is both heart-breaking and illuminating.

The parallelism of Isak and Vidar works well, showing how history ripples forward into the future for both of them, albeit in very different ways. Carlsson offers many specific ways in which their paths run in the same direction. Both their lives are crap, in a way. Both have boxes of clues to their mysteries. Vidar’s wife’s assumptions and lack of understanding re Vidar mirrors the community’s view of Erik. Vidar imagines himself as a child, akin to a dream of Isak’s

In Carlsson’s previous novel (at least as far as USA release dates go) Carlsson had used a similar structure, with Vidar’s father tracking a crime from 1986 to 2019, stopping off at several intermediate years to track the characters and advance our understanding of the very cold case.

This original Swedish language book was released in 2019, before Blaze Me a Sun (2021). Vidar Jörgensson features in this one. But in the later book, it is Vidar’s father who stars, with Vidar being introduced later in the tale. I do not know if Under the Storm was intended as a prequel, or maybe was written later but published earlier. I read the pair in the order in which they were published in the USA, #2, then #1. There is a third, which was released in Sweden in 2023, Levande och döda (The Living and the Dead). I do not know when an English translation will be available.

Family is a major concern, as it was in Blaze Me a Sun. How does the cop’s obsession (or deep commitment to truth) impact his friendships, his work life, his marriage? (“You seem so far away sometimes,” she said at last.) How does Isak’s affection for and connection with a much-loved uncle affect his ability to have a normal social life, to have a family life? How is the rest of Edvard’s family impacted by his travails?

As with Blaze Me a Sun, there is mention of a local superstition. That one had to do with fortune, good or bad, being caused by how one saw a particular bird. Here it is a place where a legendary rich man is buried, a place where ghostly apparitions are said to appear. Under a bridge in Anarp is where The Old Man sleeps, a boogie man who is death to anyone who meets his ghost. Non-superstition-based history is also addressed, as Carlsson tracks town history back to sundry events, like the introduction of manufacturing in the town, its loss and attempt to revive it.

A persistent motif throughout is secrecy, as one might expect in a procedural murder tale. Vidar and Isak, while not alone in this, are robust practitioners. Isak keeps two things to himself from the night of and a short time after. It is never particularly clear why he fails to tell what he knows in time to have an impact. Vidar does not tell his boss what he is working on in the latter parts of the novel. Schtupping a local married lady is also kept on the down-low. Talking separately to Edvard and Isak while not informing either of them of his contact is another. Vidar keeping secret a challenging work-based relationship also requires deceit.

The noir atmosphere gets jiggy when a major hurricane, Gudrun, blows through. Homes are destroyed, people displaced. This was a real storm that caused major damage in Sweden. Details of the experience of such a beast are chilling. Maybe not the same as the assassination of the Prime Minister in the psyche of the nation, but it had a real impact. A heat wave also adds to the tension.

Carlsson succeeds in presenting both detailed character portraits and in giving us a sense of what life was like in this area, a place in which he grew up. He is a PhD criminologist for his day job, publishing papers and teaching. He grew up around things criminal, as mom was a police dispatcher. It is clear that a lot of the conversation on which he eavesdropped at home as a kid made an impact. He knows crime, both real and fictitious, and writes with authority about it.

This is a procedural, however lengthy the duration of the investigation. You will enjoy Vidar picking up on clues and following through, as he spends a lifetime attempting to find out the truth about that night. In the beginning it is a hot, fiery case that becomes a cold-case in the following parts of the novel. (In Sweden are all cases cold cases?) But not to Vidar. He is a flawed guy, but is determined to find out what really happened that night. Under the Storm is a triumph of the genre, tickling your brain with the mystery, engaging you emotionally with the characters, and offering up informed looks at a place and time, well, times. As a smart, accomplished example of Swedish noir, Under the Storm is out of this world.

"The world had shown what it was truly capable of. As if a lifeline was suddenly severed, it could take your loved ones away. The world watched without blinking as you fell."

Review posted – 06/28/24

In Sweden – 3/1/2019
English Translation – 2/27/24

I received an ARE of Under the Storm from Hogarth in return for a fair review. Thanks, folks, and thanks to NetGalley for facilitating.

This was such a grippy book! Once started prepare yourself because you wont be able to put it down. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my first taste of this wonderful author

A farmhouse burns down and a woman is found dead in the rubble. It appears that she didn’t die from the fire, was she murdered? The town of Marbach now marks time with before and after the fire. Isak Nyqvist, will never be able to forget this day and it will follow him forever. Edvard Christensson, is the prime suspect. He is the boyfriend of the murdered young lady, so he must be guilty. Vidar Jörgensson, the towns rookie officer helped with the fast investigation and quick sentencing. What he thinks will help his career and it does the opposite. It turns out that things should have been done better. More time and effort should have been spent on finding the truth. The town and its citizens will not forget what happened and how things could have been handled better. The truth has to come out, only question is how can the town handle it. A true crime novel. This was a good read. I someone have fallen into this Scandenvian genre & am not sat about it. I want to thank Netgalley & Christoffer Carlsson for my copy of Under the Storm, for an honest review. I am glad I was able to read and review this book.

"Under the Storm" by Christoffer Carlsson is a captivating crime novel that explores the intricate web of human relationships, secrets, and dark undercurrents within a small community. Set in a coastal town in Sweden, Carlsson skillfully crafts a story filled with suspense and intrigue, keeping readers engaged from start to finish.

The narrative centers around a compelling protagonist whose life is dramatically altered by a mysterious crime that shakes their community to its core. Carlsson's writing is both poetic and precise, creating a vivid sense of place that draws readers into the stormy, brooding atmosphere of the setting. The descriptions of the landscape and weather serve as a powerful metaphor for the emotional turmoil experienced by the characters, enhancing the overall impact of the story.

Character development is a standout feature of the novel. Carlsson creates multi-dimensional characters, each with their own motivations, fears, and secrets. As the protagonist navigates the aftermath of the crime, readers are drawn into their internal struggles and relationships, making their journey relatable and engaging. The interactions between characters are nuanced and complex, reflecting the intricacies of small-town life and how secrets can either bind or fracture communities.

The plot is expertly paced, blending tension, mystery, and emotional depth. Carlsson balances moments of suspense with introspective passages, allowing readers to fully engage with the psychological aspects of the story. The twists and turns keep the narrative fresh and unpredictable, leading to a climax that is both satisfying and thought-provoking.

Themes of guilt, redemption, and the consequences of choices are woven throughout the novel, encouraging readers to reflect on the nature of morality and the impact of the past on the present. Carlsson's exploration of these themes adds layers of complexity to the narrative, elevating it beyond a typical crime thriller.

"Under the Storm" is a beautifully crafted and emotionally resonant novel that highlights Christoffer Carlsson's storytelling talent. With its rich character development, atmospheric setting, and compelling plot, this book is a must-read for fans of crime fiction and psychological thrillers. Carlsson delivers a powerful narrative that not only entertains but also invites readers to ponder the deeper truths of human nature and the storms we all face in life. This novel is sure to leave a lasting impression and solidify Carlsson's place as a noteworthy voice in contemporary literature.

Okay: I have never been accused of being a prude but the unnecessary sex scenes in “Under the Storm” was off putting to this old geezer. I have passed the adolescent stage of my reading life and desire a great, suspenseful whodunnit. There were parts of this story that were written very well; however, one must not be put off by the “slow burn” of this Swedish thriller. It all begins with finding a young woman murdered in a desolate farmhouse and ….If you can skim past the graphic parts you may, in fact, enjoy this tale. Thanks NetGalley!

Thank you to netgalley.com for this ARC.

I am a big fan of Nordic mysteries and this was a new author to me. I enjoyed the story and the relationships of the characters and they way they all interacted with each other. The story kept my interest and was a page turner. The ending was fitting for the story.

This book was just okay for me. It was too slow for my liking and the foreign names and places made it hard to follow.

My thanks to Netgalley and Random House for an advance copy of this book

Christoffer Carlsson is a Swedish writer whose stories develop slowly and take a few turns to get where they are going. His characters are flawed and relatable; except the psychotic ones of course. His novels are brooding, yet I find myself haunted by the storyline and wanting to continue reading to find out the answer.

This novel spans multiple decades and is read through the point of view of the investigator who struggles with the guilt that he may not have been thorough with the investigation that sentenced a man to life in prison. There is also the view of the convicted man's nephew who was a child at the time of the crime. Will he turn out to be a criminal as well?

I look forward to reading more of his books featuring Officer Vidar Jörgensson.

Thank you @netgalley @ccarlssons

💛💕💛💕💛💕💛💕💛💕💛

Under the Storm is listed as the 1st-book in Christoffer Carlsson's Hallandssviten Adult Mystery series. Oddly enough, the 2nd-book listed in that series, Blaze Me a Sun, was translated into English first, in early-January 2023. I read it last year and really enjoyed it. It was a gritty crime story that successfully captured my attention throughout.

I found this one to be equally entertaining, but I gotta say, between the two, my timelines may be a little muddled since I read the 2nd-book first? I'm not really sure why they chose to release the translations that way...

Both are set in the same area of rural Sweden and contain the character Vidar, who sometimes appears when he is young, but mostly when he is an adult and he has become a cop. There may be other similar characters, but none that have as presently stuck in my mind as Vidar.

The primary event in this novel that gets the ball rolling is a fire in a farmhouse. In the aftermath, a young woman's body is found in the remains--murdered. This was a huge event for this small town, the young woman was known by many and loved. It's an unforgettable tragedy.

For 10-year old, Isak, that event is a pivotal moment in his young life, irrevocably changing his family dynamic forever. The first suspect for the police is Edvard, the murdered woman's boyfriend and Isak's beloved Uncle. The investigation is quick. The people want a resolution. Edvard is tried and found guilty. He's sentenced to life in prison.

Vidar is a rookie officer at the time of the fire and the first to respond to the scene. Initially, he feels proud of the work done. It's certainly a defining moment in his career, but maybe not for the reasons he expects.

Years later, Edvard's guilt comes into question and forces Vidar to consider aspects of the case he hadn't before. Isak has always wondered about Edvard's guilt versus innocence. Will he ever be delivered the truth?

Under the Storm is another very solid Crime Thriller from Christoffer Carlsson. I hope that these continue to be translated into English. There are currently 3-novels in the series already released, with a 4th expected next year. I would be very excited to have the opportunity to continue on. I love this author's writing. It feels lush, layered and poignant. The settings are well-developed and the characters evoke a real sense of empathy.

In this story, I truly felt for Isak. I loved following his story. Everything he was going through after the arrest of his Uncle. The emotional turmoil he felt over that. His anxiety over whether or not, if his Uncle really was a violent man capable of murder, was he just like him.

I loved how the author explored those ideas. It's a side of crime we really don't see considered that much in fiction. By that I mean, the fallout for the families of individuals accused and convicted of violent crimes.

I also really enjoy Vidar as a central character. He's not perfect. His personal life is tumultuous and I like that. Despite his respected position at work, he is just a man, one who makes mistakes and has struggles of his own. He is dedicated in his work though and does have a strong moral compass in that regard. I liked how determined he seemed to be about helping Isak get the truth he needed.

There were some time shifts in this that were a little unexpected. While at certain times I had to remind myself where we were in the timeline, how old Isak, or Vidar, may have been at the time I was reading, overall, I enjoyed the somewhat unconventional storytelling style.

I would recommend this series to anyone who enjoys Crime Fiction, particularly with strong character-focused narratives and small town settings. Thank you so much to the publisher, Hogarth, for providing me with a copy to read and review.

Please translate the rest of this series into English! Pretty, pretty please!

Thank you to Netgalley and the Publishing Company for providing me this Digital Advanced Readers Copy of the book!

I started this thinking it would be a classic Nordic thriller, but it went much deeper than that. Sure, the idea that crimes haunt communities isn't a new one, but I felt connected to the characters, and cared deeply about them. I hoped they'd all turn out okay. Lovely writing, all the way through.

DNF. I tried this book a few times but it didn't interest me at all. The link between the center of action in the story somehow seemed far distant from the characters' lives and it took the author too long to connect them. Maybe the original had more tension.

I didn’t hate it but I didn’t love it either, it was an interesting physiological thriller but it was a little too slow for my liking, I want something totally grab me from the beginning, hold me with lots of twists and turns but this just didn’t do it for me.

For anyone who enjoys a deep psychological study and a very, very slow burn this book is for you. It all starts with a fire in a house in a small town in Sweden but it is the young woman’s body that they find in the ruins that moves this story, very very slowly. Did the police look closely enough, did they rush to judgment or did they just run out of clues to investigate. Ultimately several families are going to be destroyed as they try to come to terms with what happened and who did it.

This is a murder mystery that when solved never truly satisfies, not the story’s characters nor the reader. So let’s delve really, really deeply into the characters and their personalities and then let’s look at the murder again and as the character age let’s reexamine their attitudes and then back again to the murder. A very, very slow process.

I am rounding up for the quality of writing and psychological profiles which were profound. Thanks to Hogarth/Random House and NetGalley for a copy.

An intriguing story of a dreadful murder of a young woman, the man accused of the crime, and the police detective who stops at nothing to prove his innocence. With gritty determination and a steel resolve, Vidar Jorgensson doesn’t let time or circumstances keep him from his obsession with.

Highly recommended!

I think this was too long and too much of a slow burn for me. I got lost and struggled a little bit with it.

4,5 stars moved up to a 5. 21 years ago a woman dies in a fire that totally destroys her parents home in rural Sweden. The novel (translated from Swedish) tells the story of the investigations into this murder. It is written in a variety of viewpoints and was slow starting and complexly written. But after spending a week getting into it, I spent a day finishing it. Thanks to Net Galley and Random House for an ARC for an honest review.

Isak believes he is living under a cloud, or storm, that is the legacy of abuse left by the men on his mother's side of the family. The story begins with Isak's beloved uncle Edvard suspected of killing his girlfriend. Everyone believes it to be true and he is jailed. Isak grows up believing it is inevitable that he will turn out the same. The story is also told from the perspective of the policeman, Vidar Jörgensson. He is involved in the investigation into the murder, which is supposedly solved with the conviction of Edvard, but it continues to haunt him throughout his career and even after he has left the police. Written by author and professor of criminology, Christoffer Carlsson and translated from Swedish by Rachel Willson-Broyles this novel is cerebral, in that we learn so much about the complex thoughts and motivations that drive the characters, but it's how they act on those thoughts that keeps the plot moving forward. No doubt you'll say (possibly aloud) "No! That’s a terrible idea!" at least once or twice. I received this Advanced Reader Copy of Under the Storm from Random House Publishing Group - Random House and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

It was quite interesting to read a mystery/police procedural from another country. I had a little difficulty at first with the names and a lot of characters being introduced but eventually figured it out. It moves slowly as I suppose these things do in real time and since the author is a professor of criminology, he writes what he knows. He is probably spot on regarding the treatment of the family and how things transpired over the years. Not the best of human behavior but mostly likely accurate. Overall, a good read. i was provided an advanced reader copy of this book but was under no obligation to provide a review. The opinions expressed are my own. Thanks to the author , publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.

I'm giving this book a 3 star review although I did not finish it.

I truly believe this was a case of right book wrong time for me and I would very much like to try to read it again at a later point. I know I will not be able to do so though before the book archives in Netgalley.

I'm giving it 3 stars because from what I can tell the average rating is between 3 & 4.