When a womans body is discovered at a lighthouse in the Icelandic town of Akranes, investigators discover shocking secrets in her past. First in the disturbing, chillingly atmospheric, addictive new Forbidden Iceland series. **WINNER OF THE CWA JOHN CREASEY NEW BLOOD DAGGER** **WINNER of the Storytel Award for Best Crime Novel 2020** **WINNER of the Blackbird Award for Best Icelandic Crime Novel** **SHORTLISTED for the Amazon Publishing Readers Award for Best Independent Voice** **SHORTLISTED for the Amazon Publishing Readers Award for Best Debut Novel** **LONGLISTED for the CWA New Blood Dagger** Eva Björg Ægisdóttirs accomplished first novel is not only a full-fat mystery, but also a chilling demonstration of how monsters are made The Times ''Fans of Nordic Noir will love this moving debut from Icelander Eva Björg Ægisdóttirs. It''s subtle, nuanced, with a sympathetic central character and the possibilities of great stories to come'' Ann Cleeves An exciting and harrowing tale from one of Icelands rising stars Ragnar Jónasson _________________ When a body of a woman is discovered at a lighthouse in the Icelandic town of Akranes, it soon becomes clear that shes no stranger to the area. Chief Investigating Officer Elma, who has returned to Akranes following a failed relationship, and her collegues Sævar and Hörður, commence an uneasy investigation, which uncovers a shocking secret in the dead womans 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 townspeoples shattered memories, they have to dodge increasingly serious threats, and find justice before its too late.For fans of Yrsa Sigurdardottir, Ruth Rendell, P D James, Sarah Hilary and Camilla Lackberg _________________ Elma leaves Reykjavik CID for a job with the police in her hometown of Akranes, deeming it every bit as quiet as it appeared to be until the discovery of a murdered woman starts to unravel a thread of long-buried crimes hidden deep in the community. Elma is a fantastic heroine Sunday Times Were 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 Cribbs translation is (as usual) non-pareil Financial Times A deserted lighthouse and a murdered woman set the scene for this haunting and compelling mystery where the dark secrets of a small town are shockingly exposed. As chilling and atmospheric as an Icelandic winter Lisa Gray, author of Thin Air The setting in Iceland is fascinating, the descriptions creating a vivid picture of the reality of living in a small town. The Creak on the Stairs is a captivating tale with plenty of tension and a plot to really get your teeth into LoveReading At each stage, Ægisdóttir is not giving us information but asking things of us. Shes getting us to think through the implications: what if its him, what if its her, what would it mean? Were involved, weve got skin in the game and we cant ask for more as readers Café Thinking