Category Archives: novels in translation

“Double Deceit” by Julienne Brouwers – Book Review

Posted on January 13, 2021 by Fictionophile

The premise is intriguing. Jennifer Smits and her husband Oliver have gone away for the weekend for a break in attempts to heal the rifts in their marriage. However, Oliver goes for a walk after a row, and then is … Continue reading →

Posted in Book Reviews, Legal thrillers, novels in translation | Tagged , , , | 9 Comments

“The Butterfly House” by Katrine Engberg – Book Review

Posted on January 5, 2021 by Fictionophile

“Lies tend to settle over the heart like plastic wrap. They make it hard for the love to breathe.” The fountains of Copenhagen are holding more than just water. Dead bodies are being dumped in fountains throughout the city. The … Continue reading →

Posted in Book Reviews, Edelweiss, Mystery fiction, novels in translation, Scandinavian | Tagged , , , | 8 Comments

“The Seven Doors” by Agnes Ravatn – Book Review

Posted on October 14, 2020 by Fictionophile

Way back in January of 2017 I read this author’s debut novel, “The Bird Tribunal” and it turned out to be my favourite book of the year! Ever since then, I’ve been anxiously awaiting her next work. It was worth … Continue reading →

Posted in Book Reviews, Nordic noir, novels in translation, Orenda Books | Tagged , , , , | 7 Comments

“Dear Child” by Romy Hausmann – Book Review

Posted on October 3, 2020 by Fictionophile

“Things got really terribly out of hand”. Lena Beck – Thirteen years ago Lena was abducted. Over that time she has been kept in a remote cabin situated on the border of Germany and Czechoslovakia. The cabin has no running … Continue reading →

Posted in Book Reviews, debut novels, Favorite books, NetGalley, novels in translation, Psychological thrillers | Tagged , , , , | 14 Comments

“Death Deserved” by Thomas Enger and Jørn Lier Horst – Book Review

Posted on May 24, 2020 by Fictionophile

10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, … translated from the Norwegian by Anne Bruce This police procedural, set in Oslo, Norway, is the first to feature policeman Alexander Blix and blogger/journalist Emma Ramm. Blix is a … Continue reading →

Posted in 1st in series, Book Reviews, Nordic noir, novels in translation, Orenda Books, Scandinavian | Tagged , , , | 10 Comments

“The Creak on the Stairs” by Eva Björg Ægisdóttir – Book Review

Posted on May 5, 2020 by Fictionophile

The Creak on the Stairs is the first in the electrifying FORBIDDEN ICELAND series The Icelandic Police team of criminal investigators include: Hörður Höskuldsson – leader of the Akranes Criminal Investigation Division. With many local connections, he is in charge … Continue reading →

Posted in 1st in series, Blog Tour, Book Reviews, novels in translation, Orenda Books | Tagged , , , | 11 Comments

“The Tenant” by Katrine Engberg – Book Review

Posted on April 8, 2020 by Fictionophile

Esther de Laurenti is a newly retired academic living in the house where she grew up. She lives on the top floor and rents out the three lower floors.  She fancies herself a novelist and is working on a murder … Continue reading →

Posted in 1st in series, Book Reviews, Mystery fiction, NetGalley, novels in translation, Scandinavian | Tagged , , , , | 7 Comments

“The bird tribunal” by Agnes Ravatn – #BookReview #Orentober

Posted on October 13, 2019 by Fictionophile

I thought I’d repost a review from 2017 in honour of Orentober. What is Orentober you ask? It is the October celebration of the books and authors represented by Orenda Publishing. “The Bird Tribunal” was my favourite read of 2017 … Continue reading →

Posted in Book Reviews, Favorite books, novels in translation, Orenda Books, Psychological thrillers, Scandinavian | Tagged , , | 8 Comments

“Block 46” by Johana Gustawsson – Book Review

Posted on May 22, 2019 by Fictionophile

“Outstanding, devastating, and memorable crime fiction” Originally written in French, it is brilliantly and seamlessly translated by Maxim Jakubowski.  The blurb: In Falkenberg Sweden, the mutilated body of a talented young jewelry designer Linnéa Blix is found in a snow-swept … Continue reading →

Posted in 1st in series, Book Reviews, Historical fiction, novels in translation, Orenda Books | Tagged , , | 14 Comments

“Get Well Soon” by Marie-Sabine Roger – Book Review

Posted on February 9, 2019 by Fictionophile

A few years ago I read a little novel called “Soft in the head“. It left such a positive impression that I just HAD to read another work by this talented author.  Once again, she has left me wanting more. … Continue reading →

Posted in Book Reviews, Edelweiss, Literary fiction, Memorable lines, novels in translation | Tagged , , | 16 Comments

“The secret diary of Hendrik Groen 83 1⁄4 Years Old” by Hendrik Groen – Book Review

Posted on February 27, 2018 by Fictionophile

The novel opens with: “Another year, and I still don’t like old people. Their walker shuffle, their unreasonable impatience, their endless complaints, their tea and cookies, their bellyaching.  Me? I am eighty-three years old.” Considering that the basis of this … Continue reading →

Posted in Book Reviews, Literary fiction, NetGalley, novels in translation | Tagged , , , | 19 Comments

“Beartown” by Fredrik Backman – Book Review

Posted on January 9, 2018 by Fictionophile

“In this story of a small forest town, Fredrik Backman has found the entire world.” It is official!  I can honestly say that Fredrik Backman is my favorite author.  I have now read everything he has written, and all have … Continue reading →

Posted in Book Reviews, Favorite books, Literary fiction, Memorable lines, NetGalley, novels in translation, Scandinavian | Tagged , , , , | 49 Comments

“The deal of a lifetime” by Fredrik Backman – Book Review

Posted on December 5, 2017 by Fictionophile

Fredrik Backman never disappoints, but he may pull at your heartstrings more than a little… He begins the story in this way: “Does it make a difference if I killed a good person? A loved person? A valuable life? If … Continue reading →

Posted in Book Reviews, Christmas, Literary fiction, Novellas, novels in translation, Scandinavian | Tagged , | 15 Comments

Throwback Thursday – an old favorite recommended

Posted on August 24, 2017 by Fictionophile

Renee at It’s Book Talk began this meme as a way to share old favourites, as well as books that were published over a year ago. Not to mention those that are languishing on the to be read pile for whatever reason. This week … Continue reading →

Posted in Book Reviews, Favorite books, Mystery fiction, novels in translation, Throwback Thursday | Tagged , , , | 12 Comments

If you haven’t read anything by Karin Alvtegen – what’s stopping you?

Posted on June 2, 2017 by Fictionophile

Years before I started this blog when I was working as a public library cataloguer, a book crossed my desk that caught my eye.  With an adorable little boy on the cover, it immediately piqued my interest.My review of “Shadow” … Continue reading →

Posted in Authors, Favorite books, novels in translation, Psychological thrillers, Scandinavian | Tagged , , | 15 Comments