Sunnmøre, Autumn 1902. The body of Hedda Fosen — the daughter of a wealthy landowner — is found brutally murdered in the remote valley of Mardalen.
Johan Ryer, a newly appointed senior constable from Ålesund, is sent to investigate. His unlikely assistant? His outspoken and fiercely independent sister, Sonja.
Cradled between fjords and mountains lies a tight-lipped village where what goes unsaid weighs heavier than what’s spoken. Powerful forces clash beneath the surface — and something dark has been set loose.We follow the unconventional investigator duo Johan and Sonja Ryer — he precise, gentle and detail-oriented; she intuitive, bold, and unimpressed by authority. A classic murder mystery in a historical setting — featuring strong characters, quiet suspense, and the peculiar unease that only a remote Norwegian fjord village can hold.
This is the gripping start to a new historical mystery series, introducing brother-and-sister sleuths Johan and Sonja Ryer.
The author depicts nature masterfully: the quiet eeriness that lies over the valley, but also the sense of freedom and safety one can feel in a silent forest—if one is not lonely and does not feel eyes on the back of one’s neck (…) It is a joy that this is the first book in a series about the siblings Ryer.
Øyblikk
A gripping crime novel that stands out for its setting, plot, characters and prose. A refreshing new voice in Norwegian crime fiction.
Geir Tangen
Stille grender is a magical story. […] I’m already looking forward to the next book in the series."
Tine Sundal
What a cast of characters. What descriptions of nature. […] This is the creepiest book I’ve read in a long time. And that is a big compliment.
Trude B. Lien
There are beautiful descriptions of nature, exciting magical elements, and it is a joy to read. I think this will be the best crime novel of the autumn! And luckily, it’s the first part of a series. Because I already miss both Johan and Sonja, and I’m looking forward to book two.
Instatekar
