To Cook a Bear

'So much to relish here . . . the plot is gripping, there's a beautifully handled thread on reading and writing, and the writing is just lovely!' DIANE SETTERFIELD, author of Once Upon A River'The year's most memorable narrator . . . An unusual and intriguing crime story' SUNDAY TIMES BOOKS OF THE YEAR'Niemi succeeds in constructing a story that works as a murder mystery and as a compelling study of a dangerously inward-looking community' SUNDAY TIMES'A riveting, psychologically astute mystery . . . It is not to be missed' BOOKLIST'An original and gripping crime story' THE TIMES**NOW SHORTLISTED FOR THE CWA INTERNATIONAL DAGGER**It is 1852, and in Sweden's far north, deep in the Arctic Circle, charismatic preacher and Revivalist Lars Levi L stadius impassions a poverty-stricken congregation with visions of salvation. But local leaders have reason to resist a shift to temperance over alcohol.Jussi, the young Sami boy L stadius has rescued from destitution and abuse, becomes the preacher's faithful disciple on long botanical treks to explore the flora and fauna. L stadius also teaches him to read and write - and to love and fear God. When a milkmaid goes missing deep in the forest, the locals suspect a predatory bear is at large. A second girl is attacked, and the sheriff is quick to offer a reward for the bear's capture. Using early forensics and daguerreotype, L stadius and Jussi find clues that point to a far worse killer on the loose, even as they are unaware of the evil closing in around them. To Cook a Bear explores how communities turn inwards, how superstition can turn to violence, and how the power of language can be transformative in a richly fascinating mystery.'Superb suspense . . . Simply a great literary experience!' V.G. (Sweden) 'A masterpiece of narrative' La Vanguardia (Spain)'A philosophical novel, a crime novel, a historical novel and a coming-of-age story complement one another' La Stampa (Italy)'One is transported into a strange time and a fascinating world that is both beautiful and brutal' Politiken (Denmark)'Formidable delivery . . . Unlike anything else you have read . . . An incredible novel' AdresseavisenTranslated from the Swedish by Deborah Bragan-Turner