The Creak on the Stairs
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Scandi-Noir; Crime; Thriller; Mystery
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May 2020
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Amharic: Hohe Publisher (Ethiopia)
Estonia: Eesti Raamat
France: Le Martinière Littérature
Germany: Verlag Kiepenheuer & Witsch
Greece: Diaplasi Editions
Hungary: Nouvion
Iceland: Veröld Publishers
Israel: Lesa Press
Japan: Shogankukan
Macedonia: Antolog
Netherlands: De Fontein
Poland: JK Publishing
Russia: AST
Serbia: Nordiq
Spain: Atico de los Libros
World English Language: Orenda Books
Forbidden Iceland Book 1
When the body of a woman is discovered at a lighthouse in the Icelandic town of Akranes, it soon becomes clear that she's no stranger to the area.
Chief Investigating Officer Elma, who has returned to Akranes following a failed relationship, and her colleagues Sævar and Hörður, commence an uneasy investigation, which uncovers a shocking secret in the dead woman's past that continues to reverberate in the present day...
But as Elma and her team make a series of discoveries, they bring to light a host of long-hidden crimes that shake the entire community. Sifting through the rubble of the townspeople's shattered memories, they have to dodge increasingly serious threats, and find justice... before it's too late.
An exquisitely written, disturbing, claustrophobic and chillingly atmospheric thriller, The Creak on the Stairs is the first in an electrifying series, by one of Iceland's most exciting new talents.
WINNER OF THE BLACKBIRD AWARD 2018
WINNER OF THE STORYTEL AWARD 2020
Selected Praise
“Eva Björg Ægisdóttir’s accomplished first novel is not only a full-fat mystery, but also a chilling demonstration of how monsters are made.”
“An exciting and tragic crime novel that we will, without a doubt, hear more from in the future.”
“We’re used to Icelandic writers lowering the temperature — in more ways than one — and Ægisdóttir proves to be adept at this chilly art as any of her confrères (and consoeurs). Elma is a memorably complex character, and Victoria Cribb’s translation is (as usual) non-pareil.”
