Until Thy Wrath Be Past: Rebecka Martinsson: Arctic Murders – Now a Major TV Series (A Rebecka Martinsson Investigation (1))

Before I finished Until thy Wrath be Past I ordered three other books by Asa Larsson before I noticed that she has a penchant to include horrific animal abuse in her stories. some people won't mind. I do. I reluctantly finished the next book and got through the part where the character puts down all her beloved, trusting pets because she is going to kill herself. There is no resistance from the vet in the story. It's really sickening and after the decapitated kittens, too much. And wondering what happened to the missing cat. So, I'm moving on. Too bad. She really is a wonderful writer. I just don't need anymore brutality against animals in my life right now. When a dog is killed and we live it through his eyes, the hanging, the blood letting, it made me physically sick and so incredibly depressed. Funny, I can take humans being tortured, just not helpless animals. I can read this in the news everyday so I guess now that I'm older I need stories that are interesting but more uplifting.

This is the 4th in the Rebecka Martinsson series, and this time Rebecka actually does head an investogation.Two young people disappear after venturing out for a diving expedition. As the story unravels, we learn about secrets that go back to the days of Sweden's collaboration with the Nazis. However, this is not even the most interesting part of the story. I was at first put off but soon totally captivated by the narration of some of the parts of the story by the murder victim (after she had died). I did not at first appreciate what an artful tool it was to include her into the story telling.This is a well written and well translated story, with unusually powerful psychological insights that are presented in a down to earth human fashion.

This is the fourth book in the Swedish series about prosecutor Rebecka Martinsson, but it is the first one I've read, and I can't wait to go back and read the earlier novels.Maybe because, unlike Western "literature", Scandinavian thrillers are encouraged to have a plot, the authors are less defined by artificial constraints (like Oulipo) and able to play with plot, chronology and, in this case, narration. Transitions between narrators is fluid and informative (which must also speak to the fine translation by Laurie Thompson). The first chapter is narrated by one of the murder victims, a young girl who's come to live in the small northern village of Kiruna with her grandmother, a kindly elderly woman. This threw me off at first -- expecting CSI but getting Medium, so to speak, and the victim narrates about 20% of the book, but after a while I didn't mind at all; that narrator brought some interesting perspective onto the book's characters and events. Narration also divides between prosecutor Martinsson and police detective Anna-Maria Mella. These two women have full lives complete with problems and possibilities, but they pull together to try and solve this murder, and the personal stories are informative without being distracting.The writing is superb. the author deftly zips between characters and narrators and events in the past and present, finding humor occasionally and painting lovely character portraits that ring true. The villains are not hidden for long, but that doesn't take away the suspense. They are pretty wicked and scary.I thoroughly enjoyed this Swedish thriller and will rush to read the author's earlier works. In order, series books are: The Savage Altar, The Blood Spilt, The Black Path, Until Thy Wrath Be Past, and The Second Deadly Sin.Terrific series, set in small town Sweden.

I really enjoyed this book, so much so, that I have recommended it to members of my book club. What is there not to like? I loved the atmospheric, brooding northern Sweden setting, and found the frozen lake setting to be sinister but fascinating.This is a clever novel that is beautifully written. Asa Larsson is a master (or should I say mistress) of descriptive detail, her characters are complex and carefully developed, and the plot had so many twists and turns, that it held my interest from start to finish. I stayed up until 1.30 in the morning to finish it off, as I just could not put it down. This book has a skilful blend of the psychological, thriller and whodunit elements. I can't wait to read the next Asa Larsson movel.

What I really love about this book is the way Asa Larson draws the reader to the characters and shows us step by step those personal details that make them have real depth. She shows you all of their dimensions, the how and why of their actions...it just pulls you in and when the story ends, you only want more!

Right from the start I should state that i enjoy books by Scandinavian Crime Writers and I enjoyed this particular book. The author Asa Larsson is part of that Nordic noir genre. This story is set in the far north of Sweden, a body of a young woman is found in the River Torne, police Inspector Anna-Marie Mella is on the case. Prosecutor Rebeka Martinsson is soon involved, this is not a simple drowning as first thought and as Prosecutor Martinsson starts her interviews she comes across some dangerous indiviuals. There are more murders uncovered and there is an historic happening that begins to play an important part in the story.If you like the Nordic noir you may like this one.

Wonderful writing, the characters are complex, the plot has plenty of surprises with a great setting (or settings). Highly recommend all of Ms. Larsson's books in this series, and start with #1 and go through the series in chronological order. They can be read as stand-alone books, but so much more fulfilling to watch the characters grow, change, and develop.

Rebecca Martinsson decides to stay in her hometown and live in her grandmother's house despite the proximity to the horrible events in "Sun Storm." In this second thriller in the series by Asa Larsson there is brilliant character development, especially that of the killer. The cold, dark setting also is sparkling and bright at times, giving Rebecca time to feel comfortable in her bones.