Early spring has its icy grip on Ödesmark, a small village in northernmost Sweden, abandoned by many of its inhabitants. But Liv Björnlund never left. She lives in a derelict house together with her teenage son, Simon, and her ageing father, Vidar. They make for a peculiar family, and Liv knows that they are cause for gossip among their few remaining neighbours.
Just why has Liv stayed by her domineering father’s side all these years? And is it true that Vidar is sitting on a small fortune? His questionable business decisions have made him many enemies over the years, and in Ödesmark everyone knows everyone, and no one ever forgets.
Now someone wants back what is rightfully theirs. And they will stop at nothing to get it, no matter who stands in their way…
Stina Jackson was born in 1983 and raised in Skellefteå, northern Sweden. In 2006 she moved to Denver, Colorado, where she lives with her husband and small dog.
Her debut novel, The Silver Road, was an international bestseller and won The Best Swedish Crime Novel Award in 2018. The Last Snow is her second novel.
My thoughts:
This was so good, quietly compelling and mesmerising, drawing you into the lives of Vidar, his daughter Liv and grandson Simon. Living out in an old, slowly decaying house in Lapland, rumours swirl about Vidar’s hidden wealth, but he’s stingy and hoards it away.
When an incident happens in the dark forest around their home, everything changes and Liv must decide whether to finally leave.
What seems like a slow start quickly gathers pace as more of the rural community are introduced and various enemies and old friends of Vidar’s emerge, he’s managed to alienate pretty much everyone and his family keep secrets from him.
Interspersed with the chapters are flashbacks to Liv’s childhood and teen years, difficult years for a young girl living alone with her bitter and difficult father. These build a fuller picture of her life and the reasons she resents but also stays with her dad.
A slow burner of a wintery thriller, each character with a story of their own, hinted at in some cases, but never revealed, keeping the spotlight on the Björnlund family and their misfortunes.
*I was kindly gifted a copy of this book in exchange for taking part in the blog tour but all opinions remain my own.
ramblingmads 
Huge thanks for the blog tour support xx
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