Category Archives: Scandinavian

“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

“Anxious People” by Fredrik Backman – Book Review

Posted on October 9, 2020 by Fictionophile

“If you want to make God laugh, tell him your plans.” The Bankrobber – made an unwise decision and robbed a bank for only enough money to pay a month’s rent because the divorce lawyer said that was the only … Continue reading →

Posted in Book Reviews, Favorite books, Literary fiction, NetGalley, Scandinavian | Tagged , , , | 18 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

New title for Agnes Ravatn! @OrendaBooks #SevenDoors #bookbuzz @simonschusterUK

Posted on May 14, 2020 by Fictionophile

As a book blogger, I am privileged to learn about new titles, often some months before they come out. This is a very pleasurable experience for a bookworm such as myself. Once in a while however, you learn of a … Continue reading →

Posted in Anticipated titles, Orenda Books, Scandinavian | Tagged , | 19 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

“The Red Address Book” by Sofia Lundberg – Book Review

Posted on August 16, 2019 by Fictionophile

Originally written in Swedish and translated to English by Alice Menzies The elderly Doris is nearing the end of her life in her native Stockholm, Sweden. Her only close relative is her great-niece, Jenny who is a busy young mother … Continue reading →

Posted in Book Reviews, debut novels, Literary fiction, NetGalley, Scandinavian | Tagged , , , | 10 Comments

“Things My Son Needs to Know About the World” by Fredrik Backman – Book Review

Posted on May 10, 2019 by Fictionophile

“Words matter” The short personal essays in this collection will tug at your heartstrings. They will make you laugh and cry, and, they will make you examine your own parenting strategies. With an essay devoted to ‘poop’ and another to … Continue reading →

Posted in Authors, Book Reviews, Favorite books, NetGalley, Scandinavian | Tagged , , , | 27 Comments

“For the Missing” by Lina Bengtsdotter – Book Review

Posted on December 13, 2018 by Fictionophile

“The award-winning, global bestselling Swedish crime debut about a missing girl, and the detective who must return home and confront her darkest secrets in order to find her.” Charlie (Charline) Lager is a police detective working in Stockholm for the … Continue reading →

Posted in 1st in series, Book Reviews, debut novels, Mystery fiction, NetGalley, Scandinavian | Tagged , , , , , | 3 Comments

“The ice princess” by Camilla Läckberg

Posted on May 29, 2018 by Fictionophile

This is the first novel in a series that has been on my personal radar for some time.  What clinched the deal for me was the fact that this title was chosen by my ‘in-person’ bookclub as their read for … Continue reading →

Posted in 1st in series, Book Reviews, Favorite books, Mystery fiction, Scandinavian | Tagged , , , , | 20 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

“The Alphabet House” by Jussi Adler-Olsen – Book Review

Posted on October 9, 2017 by Fictionophile

Confession time…. this novel has been on my TBR a long time.  It is the title that has been on my NetGalley shelf the longest. The reason I requested it was solely on the basis of the author as I … Continue reading →

Posted in Book Reviews, debut novels, Historical fiction, NetGalley, Scandinavian, war stories | 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

“The bird tribunal” by Agnes Ravatn – Book Review

Posted on January 24, 2017 by Fictionophile

Allis Hagtorn has done something of which she is profoundly ashamed.  She seeks anonymity and a refuge where she can come to terms with her behavior and her future.  She finds employment in a remote house on a Norwegian fjord. … Continue reading →

Posted in Book Reviews, Favorite books, novels in translation, Psychological thrillers, Scandinavian, Suspense | Tagged , , | 19 Comments