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Translated by Ian Giles — Ørjan Karlsson’s first novel in the Arctic Murders series takes us all the way to Bodø and Røst, on the Lofoten archipelago in northwest Norway. The most prevalent form of crime here, just inside the Arctic circle, used to be fish smuggling. Not anymore.
Jakob Weber, Chief Investigator of the Nordland police, lives and breathes his work, one of the reasons he’s held in high esteem by his colleagues. Newly arrived from Oslo, Noora Yun Sande is aware of Weber’s impeccable reputation. She’s also aware of her own reputation. A rising star at the police college, she placed third in her class but her bright future was ruined by a toxic relationship with a coworker and the sexual harassment and abuse that followed. While her new colleagues, Jakob, Armann and Josefine, value her expertise, Superintendent Konrad ‘The Crow’ Råkstad regards Noora as a quota candidate because she was granted an advantage over the person he wanted.
Jakob has a cross to carry, much like Noora. He lost his wife, Lise, to cancer six months earlier, which may explain his drive to immerse himself in a cold case. Two decades prior, an unidentified woman was murdered on Lofoten with the only lead being a description of a dark-coloured van with a partially visible license plate. With no witnesses, evidence or crime scene, solving the murder was nearly impossible. Then, another woman is found murdered in similar circumstances. A hiker discovers the body of Galyna Ivanova, a Ukrainian refugee from Mariupol, at the historic Brembes coastal fortress north of the city of Bodø.
Karlsson provides readers with multiple viewpoints. We’re given insight into the case through the detectives, but we’re also privy to the mind of the killer and that of a kidnapped woman. Iselin Hansen, 19, has just been accepted into police college. She has her entire life ahead of her and an on-and-off relationship with the son of the town’s richest man. Iselin vanishes while running in a well-known hiking area. Was she kidnapped or did she and her boyfriend have a fall-out?
The contrasting points of view of the culprit and Iselin are equally terrifying and greatly increase the tension. We witness the killer’s various kidnapping attempts, his modus operandi and his inner dialogue which is occasionally reminiscent of Dexter, albeit less graphic.
Meanwhile, the residents of the nearby island of Røst are thrilled to see Scandinavian influencer Marte Moi visit their isolated region, particularly one inhabitant… Marte, also known as the Nature Lady, posted photos of herself posing in front of natural wonders and sights. Jakob finds it difficult to believe being an influencer is a legitimate job and is concerned about the vulnerability of people who share their lives on social media. He is proven right when Marte also disappears without a trace.
That makes three missing women, plus the one from Jakob’s cold case. Are these cases unrelated, or might there be a serial killer at large? Jakob, Noora and the rest of the team narrow down the potential suspects to two island locals. However, Karlsson confuses readers with nearly as many twists and turns as Norway’s Trollstigen pass.
A strong ensemble of well developed individuals counterbalances this ambiguity. Noora is terrified that the ex she ran from in Oslo will track her down and his threatening messages are exacerbating her fears, which adds further to the suspense. Jakob’s life is also about to be turned upside down by the arrival of a family member whose existence he was unaware of, and who will bring back painful memories of a violent and abusive father. Thankfully, his Jack Russel, Garm, and local journalist Sigrid Malmsten, are there to take his mind off things.
Ørjan Karlsson grew up in Bodø and it manifests beautifully here in a strong sense of place. Readers of Scandinavian crime fiction generally enjoy a story with a touch of Arctic chill, and this is as close to the Arctic as it gets. Into Thin Air will satisfy even the pickiest crime reader, and considering Karlsson leaves some loose ends, hopefully his two subsequent Jakob Weber books w are being lined up for translation.
Also see the Inspector Sejer novels by Karin Fossum.
Orenda
Print/Kindle
£9.99
CFL Rating: 4 Stars