Review: THE QUARRY, Johan Theorin

• Format: Kindle (Amazon)
• File Size: 676 KB
• Print Length: 413 pages
• Page Numbers Source ISBN: 0385619294
• Publisher: Transworld Digital (June 23, 2011), originally printed 2011, translated into English from Swedish by Marlaine Delargy.
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services
• Language: English
• ASIN: B0050OMJ5A
• Source: I bought it

Synopsis (Amazon)

As the last snow melts on the Swedish island of Öland, Per Morner is preparing for his children’s Easter visit. But his plans are disrupted when he receives a phone call from his estranged father, Jerry, begging for help. Per finds Jerry close to death in his blazing woodland studio. He’s been stabbed, and two dead bodies are later discovered in the burnt-out building. The only suspect, Jerry’s work partner, is confirmed as one of the dead. But why does Jerry insist his colleague is still alive? And why does he think he’s still a threat to his life?

When Jerry dies in hospital a few days later, Per becomes determined to find out what really happened. But the closer he gets to the truth, the more danger he finds himself in. And nowhere is more dangerous than the nearby quarry...

My take

THE QUARRY is #3 in Theorin's seasonal quartet set on the island of Oland off the east coast of Sweden, connected to #1, ECHOES FROM THE DEAD, by the elderly character Gerloff Davidsson. In his mid 80s Gerloff decides that he must get away from the retirement home he is living in, and goes back to his summer cottage in Stenvik which isa located near a quarry. Two new houses have been built there since he lastvisited and the only other nearby resident is Per Morner who has inherited an old stone mason's cottage. [Look for the connection too to #2 THE DARKEST ROOM with the fleeting reference to Tilda Davidsson.]

Theorin weaves a fascinating story that binds the residents together. One of the new houses is owned  by a writer whose wife lived nearby when she was a child. Little by little Theorin reveals that there are connections between these people that actually go back decades. And in the background is the constant quarrel between the elves and the trolls, and the coming of Walpurgis Night when the dark powers gather together.

THE QUARRY shows Theorin is a master story teller and the book is well deserving of all the accolades and listings that I have seen.

See also reviews at Reactions to Reading, Euro Crime, The View from the Blue House, International Noir Fiction, and Mary D's Nordic Crime Reviews

My rating: 5.0

I've also reviewed
ECHOES FROM THE DEAD
THE DARKEST ROOM