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The Long Water
After her magnificent historical epic, The Beasts of Paris , Stef Penney returns to her heartland in this tense thriller set in a small Scandinavian town.
Nordland. A region in the Norwegian Arctic; a remote valley that stretches from the sea up to the mountains and the glacier of the Blue Man.
It is May. In Nordland it's a time of spring and school-leavers' celebrations - until Daniel, a popular teenage boy, goes missing. Conflicting stories circulate among his friends, of parties and wild behaviour.
As the search for Daniel widens, the police open a disused mine in the mountains. They find human remains, but this body has been there for decades, its identity a mystery.
The story is told through characters impacted by these misanthropic Svea, whose long life in the area stretches back to the heyday of the mines, and beyond. She has cut all ties with her family, except for her granddaughter, Elin, a young misfit. Elin and her friend Benny, both impacted by Daniel while alive, become entangled in the hunt for answers, while Svea has deep, dark secrets of her own.
Nordland. A region in the Norwegian Arctic; a remote valley that stretches from the sea up to the mountains and the glacier of the Blue Man.
It is May. In Nordland it's a time of spring and school-leavers' celebrations - until Daniel, a popular teenage boy, goes missing. Conflicting stories circulate among his friends, of parties and wild behaviour.
As the search for Daniel widens, the police open a disused mine in the mountains. They find human remains, but this body has been there for decades, its identity a mystery.
The story is told through characters impacted by these misanthropic Svea, whose long life in the area stretches back to the heyday of the mines, and beyond. She has cut all ties with her family, except for her granddaughter, Elin, a young misfit. Elin and her friend Benny, both impacted by Daniel while alive, become entangled in the hunt for answers, while Svea has deep, dark secrets of her own.
336 pages, Hardcover
First published July 4, 2024
12 people are currently reading
312 people want to read
About the author
Stef Penney
11 books320 followersStef Penney grew up in the Scottish capital and turned to film-making after a degree in Philosophy and Theology from Bristol University. She made three short films before studying Film and TV at Bournemouth College of Art, and on graduation was selected for the Carlton Television New Writers Scheme. She has also written and directed two short films; a BBC 10 x 10 starring Anna Friel and a Film Council Digital Short in 2002 starring Lucy Russell.
She won the 2006 Costa Book Awards with her debut novel The Tenderness of Wolves which is set in Canada in the 1860s. As Stef Penney suffered from agoraphobia at the time of writing this novel, she did all the research in the libraries of London and never visited Canada.
-Wikipedia
She won the 2006 Costa Book Awards with her debut novel The Tenderness of Wolves which is set in Canada in the 1860s. As Stef Penney suffered from agoraphobia at the time of writing this novel, she did all the research in the libraries of London and never visited Canada.
-Wikipedia
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews
October 17, 2024
One word review - ENTHRALLING
In the prologue of The Last Winter the author sets up the story beautifully. She begins by introducing us to a Norwegian landscape with fjords, mountains, shores and lakes.. It is a very particular landscape in Nordland in the North of Norway. It has a very particular geography; a very particular history. The mountains have been mined for minerals; mined for ore by an occupying German army; blasted by dynamite to form tunnels. Penney concludes the chapter by telling us that one night in May, 4 senior high school pupils went out on an expedition into the mountains, but only three of them came back..
I am a huge fan of Stef Penney and this fabulous novel confirmed that I have every reason to have confidence in her art. She is a master of setting and has the magical ability to transport you around the world, and immerse you in the scenery of her novels. I have never been to Norway, but for the hours that i read this book, it was like living there.
The opening reminded me a little of Twin Peaks and the emotions I had felt watching the first series. Like Twin Peaks the story opens with an event which has devastated a small town community and immersed it in mystery; an event which opens old wounds, digs up old histories and awakens memories long buried..
The novel is populated by some incredible characters. Svea narrates some of the story. Her narrative is a kind of conversation with the reader: sharp; direct; and often humourous in spite of her Olive Kitteridge style grumpiness! She lives with her dog on the edge of town. She is 79 - ‘who cares about what happens next?” Her daughter doesn’t speak to her; her granddaughter Elin has just told her Father - a vicar - that she identifies as genderfluid. She has sent him some links so that he can look this up. Her friend Benny has just experienced his first sexual encounter with an older man on a business trip. Both he and Elin know the fourth pupil who has gone missing…Penney moves masterfully between the different generations, as adept at conjuing up a lonely old man as a girl who worries that she made the wrong choice at a party.
This is one of my favourite books of 2024. It is a fabulous and immersive story. I would happily move into this setting; I would love to meet some of these characters - expecially Svea and Old Emil. I am drawn to characters like Svea who are sharp around the edges, honed by experience, hardened to the world and yet so goddam loveable.
In the prologue of The Last Winter the author sets up the story beautifully. She begins by introducing us to a Norwegian landscape with fjords, mountains, shores and lakes.. It is a very particular landscape in Nordland in the North of Norway. It has a very particular geography; a very particular history. The mountains have been mined for minerals; mined for ore by an occupying German army; blasted by dynamite to form tunnels. Penney concludes the chapter by telling us that one night in May, 4 senior high school pupils went out on an expedition into the mountains, but only three of them came back..
I am a huge fan of Stef Penney and this fabulous novel confirmed that I have every reason to have confidence in her art. She is a master of setting and has the magical ability to transport you around the world, and immerse you in the scenery of her novels. I have never been to Norway, but for the hours that i read this book, it was like living there.
The opening reminded me a little of Twin Peaks and the emotions I had felt watching the first series. Like Twin Peaks the story opens with an event which has devastated a small town community and immersed it in mystery; an event which opens old wounds, digs up old histories and awakens memories long buried..
The novel is populated by some incredible characters. Svea narrates some of the story. Her narrative is a kind of conversation with the reader: sharp; direct; and often humourous in spite of her Olive Kitteridge style grumpiness! She lives with her dog on the edge of town. She is 79 - ‘who cares about what happens next?” Her daughter doesn’t speak to her; her granddaughter Elin has just told her Father - a vicar - that she identifies as genderfluid. She has sent him some links so that he can look this up. Her friend Benny has just experienced his first sexual encounter with an older man on a business trip. Both he and Elin know the fourth pupil who has gone missing…Penney moves masterfully between the different generations, as adept at conjuing up a lonely old man as a girl who worries that she made the wrong choice at a party.
This is one of my favourite books of 2024. It is a fabulous and immersive story. I would happily move into this setting; I would love to meet some of these characters - expecially Svea and Old Emil. I am drawn to characters like Svea who are sharp around the edges, honed by experience, hardened to the world and yet so goddam loveable.
November 23, 2024
The Long Water had all the makings of a compelling read: a beautifully atmospheric setting and the promise of intertwining stories. But for me, it fell flat.
The first 30% of the book dragged on with painstaking character development, leaving me waiting far too long for the actual plot to begin. While I can appreciate a slow burn when it’s done well, this felt more like treading water than building suspense or depth.
Penney’s attempt to weave the narratives together came across as overly ambitious and, ultimately, disjointed. Instead of feeling cleverly interconnected, the stories felt mismatched, with none of them quite landing the emotional punch they seemed to aim for.
I really wanted to enjoy this book, but with its sluggish pacing and lack of cohesion, it just didn’t work for me. If you love character-driven novels and don’t mind a meandering pace, this might appeal to you. But if you’re after a gripping storyline, this one may leave you wanting.
The first 30% of the book dragged on with painstaking character development, leaving me waiting far too long for the actual plot to begin. While I can appreciate a slow burn when it’s done well, this felt more like treading water than building suspense or depth.
Penney’s attempt to weave the narratives together came across as overly ambitious and, ultimately, disjointed. Instead of feeling cleverly interconnected, the stories felt mismatched, with none of them quite landing the emotional punch they seemed to aim for.
I really wanted to enjoy this book, but with its sluggish pacing and lack of cohesion, it just didn’t work for me. If you love character-driven novels and don’t mind a meandering pace, this might appeal to you. But if you’re after a gripping storyline, this one may leave you wanting.
September 17, 2025
The Tenderness of Wolves and The Beasts of Paris are wonderful books. This one´s disappointing,lots of build up towards an anticlimatic ending, if it can be called that.
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September 23, 2025She is a talented writer and the descriptions here just overboard, IMHO. But if you like coming of age or morose- you might like this much better than I did. DNF at exactly the half way point.
All around for what I read- it could never get more than a 2.5 star. It's tone level is more YA than adult fiction genre perhaps? Regardless, it's crush cored and sexual activity highlighted with woke sensibilities of observation or context leaves me wanting to return to the other 4 better books in the pile. The "good" adult role models are stereotypes on top of it. Just not a fan. But the plot was probably even less in myriads of ways. Sad, because I rather liked Erin and Benny.
Her other stuff was much, much better. Hope she goes back to more spirit (objective moralilty and more adult forms of thought.) She was much better at them actually.
Her natural world is interesting of course but at times it gets too poetic or lyrical to "fit". Just my opinion and especially in this Long Water that dynamic occurs.
All around for what I read- it could never get more than a 2.5 star. It's tone level is more YA than adult fiction genre perhaps? Regardless, it's crush cored and sexual activity highlighted with woke sensibilities of observation or context leaves me wanting to return to the other 4 better books in the pile. The "good" adult role models are stereotypes on top of it. Just not a fan. But the plot was probably even less in myriads of ways. Sad, because I rather liked Erin and Benny.
Her other stuff was much, much better. Hope she goes back to more spirit (objective moralilty and more adult forms of thought.) She was much better at them actually.
Her natural world is interesting of course but at times it gets too poetic or lyrical to "fit". Just my opinion and especially in this Long Water that dynamic occurs.
April 27, 2024
Stef Penney came to attention with the brilliant The Tenderness of Wolves. The Long Water is a return to writing about a northern hemisphere location but in stead of 1860s Canada, this time the story is in modern day Norway.
The book primarily focuses on the disappearance of a popular 18 year old teenage called Daniel living in a small town arctic town who is just about to complete his education. But as the investigation proceeds another body is discovered- a person who has been dead for many years found in a former mine.
The 'will they / won't they' find Daniel element of the story provides the undercurrent and key hook to the book but it is the reactions and relationships between certain members of the community that make this book so gripping as the investigation develops and individuals reflect on their own and other's actions
The story is partly narrated in the first person - with the 'third wall' being broken as it feels it is directed to the reader through the thoughts of Svea- an older resident whose personal life in the region and subsequent younger years are recounted. She has been affected by past events in the town and even fifty years later the ramifications are evident. Old secrets and family troubles are revealed.
It is the thoughts and fears of Svea's granddaughter Erin and her best friend Daniel that are the most fascinating - the challenge of two young people trying to ' work out' who they are in their modern society against the backdrop of the disappearance. The angst of the two youngsters is palpable.and moving.
In some senses it is hard to categorise the novel- yes, it is part crime story however it is also a reflection or dissection of modern lives but in a small isolated community; exploring the ways in which relationships evolve and the methods and manners by which people communicate- the text speak between the younger characters does raise questions about emotions and personal interaction.
"If you constantly express love as a red tiny heart - 'bounceable' and unbreakable - does that diminish the complexity and subtlety of your feelings?"
Stef Penney has written a thoroughly enjoyable and fascinating book that seems to be holding a mirror up to contemporary life exploring how all age groups navigate their way whether it be through their past histories or trying to work out where their future self lies.
This is a novel about families - the damage that can be done within and between , the heartbreak, the isolation and the love that comes, goes and ultimately binds people together.
4.5
The book primarily focuses on the disappearance of a popular 18 year old teenage called Daniel living in a small town arctic town who is just about to complete his education. But as the investigation proceeds another body is discovered- a person who has been dead for many years found in a former mine.
The 'will they / won't they' find Daniel element of the story provides the undercurrent and key hook to the book but it is the reactions and relationships between certain members of the community that make this book so gripping as the investigation develops and individuals reflect on their own and other's actions
The story is partly narrated in the first person - with the 'third wall' being broken as it feels it is directed to the reader through the thoughts of Svea- an older resident whose personal life in the region and subsequent younger years are recounted. She has been affected by past events in the town and even fifty years later the ramifications are evident. Old secrets and family troubles are revealed.
It is the thoughts and fears of Svea's granddaughter Erin and her best friend Daniel that are the most fascinating - the challenge of two young people trying to ' work out' who they are in their modern society against the backdrop of the disappearance. The angst of the two youngsters is palpable.and moving.
In some senses it is hard to categorise the novel- yes, it is part crime story however it is also a reflection or dissection of modern lives but in a small isolated community; exploring the ways in which relationships evolve and the methods and manners by which people communicate- the text speak between the younger characters does raise questions about emotions and personal interaction.
"If you constantly express love as a red tiny heart - 'bounceable' and unbreakable - does that diminish the complexity and subtlety of your feelings?"
Stef Penney has written a thoroughly enjoyable and fascinating book that seems to be holding a mirror up to contemporary life exploring how all age groups navigate their way whether it be through their past histories or trying to work out where their future self lies.
This is a novel about families - the damage that can be done within and between , the heartbreak, the isolation and the love that comes, goes and ultimately binds people together.
4.5
July 24, 2024
The Long Water er et nåtidsmysterium fra Fauske og Sulis. Den karismatiske avgangseleven Daniel blir meldt savnet, etter at han og tre andre studenter drar til fjellene i Sulis. I romanen følger vi ungdommene Elin og Benny, som begge blir påvirket av Daniels forsvinning. Elin har sine egne utfordringer om kjønnsidentitet, mens Benny er en homofil 16-åring som søker kjærlighet hos en dobbelt så gammel mann. Når politiet utvider søket etter Daniel, åpnes en stengt gruve i fjellet. Der finner de en menneskekropp, men det er ikke Daniel. Kroppen skal ha vært der i flere tiår, og identiteten er ukjent.
Det er bestemoren til Elin som åpner romanen med å fortelle om stedet, og om hennes traumatiske barndom. Svea har kuttet de fleste bånd til familien, og bor sammen med hunden sin. Det er stort sett bare barnebarnet og vennen Odd Emil hun har kontakt med. Svea forteller om hvordan det var å vokse opp med en stefar som var nazist under krigen, og hun har bokstavelig talt fått merker av dette. Hun ble som barn mobbet og kalt naziyngel.
For Svea er det rutine å spasere sammen med hunden, til den lokale kafèen for kaffe og møsbrømlefse. Her møter hun alltid Odd Emil, som er bestefaren til den forsvunnede tenåringen. Under kapitlene med Svea er fortellerstemmen koselig, til tross for at den eldre damen ofte ytrer seg med bitre meninger.
As I wait, I’m trying to ignore the schoolgirls, but their voices are unnecessarily loud; they emit high-pitched burst of laughter, toss their long hair around and talk without looking at each other, eyes glued to their phones as though the screens are the umbilical cord that connects them to all life.
Vi møter en koselig, men litt bitter gammel dame. Hver dag møter hun Odd Emil på kafé, og selv om de bare er venner, blir det interessant å finne ut om det ligger noe mer bak vennskapet. Svea er hemmelighetsfull, og for meg blir det historien mellom Svea og Odd Emil som blir det mest spennende i boken, ikke historien rundt forsvinningen til Daniel. De første fem sidene i boken med beskrivelse av stedet, får meg til å sette pris på hvor jeg bor:
Inland, the mountains shun such attention. They seem older than the mountains of the coast - smoothed and worn down as they are by the grinding of ancient ice, traces of which remain - although they are not older, they’re just more patient and quiet. They do not seek fame. Their lower slopes are furred with birch and willow, and in summer the ground is boggy, tangled with mosses and ferns and braided with waterfalls that stain the bare rocks red. In winter, the constant sound of water vanishes; everything is hushed and stilled by snow.
Some days are like this - you can pass from one season to another in the space of a few hours.
Leseren blir kjent med naturen og omgivelsene rundt Fauske og Sulis. Her fortelles det litt historie, om gruvene og om nærmiljøet. Jeg roser forfatteren for hennes engasjerende og omfattende research.
I den delen av romanen som omhandler Elin, møter vi en usikker jente med utfordringer om egen identitet. Det er vanskelig å fortelle faren at hun er kjønnsflytende, særlig fordi faren er prest i lokalsamfunnet. Benny har det ikke lettere. Som homofil 16-åring søker han kjærlighet med en mann som er dobbelt så gammel som han selv, i en hytte nær Sulis. Benny blir dermed et viktig vitne i saken om den forsvunnede tenåringen.
De mørke tunnellene på veien opp til Sulitjelma blir beskrevet som et mareritt, og blir etterhvert et viktig sted for etterforskningen. Selv om dette er en skjønnlitterær krimbok, får jeg flere ganger følelsen av at dette er en bok for unge voksne. Dette kommer av tekstmeldinger som blir utvekslet, med påfølgende emojis, men også av at enkelte passasjer er mer forklarende enn nødvendig. Jeg er glad i å tenke selv.
Under etterforskningen finner politiet noe i Sjønståtunnellen. Mellom linjene tenker jeg at noen kanskje har kastet dette ut av bilvinduet. Fortelleren avslutter kapitlet med å fortelle at «noen kanskje hadde kastet det ut av bilvinduet». Igjen, jeg liker å tenke selv. Dette skjer flere plasser, og det trekker romanen litt ned. Men kanskje er målgruppen for denne boken unge voksne.
The Long Water har en litt tung start, men jeg ser i retrospektiv at det var nødvendig for bakgrunnshistorien til Svea. På side 50 har jeg skrevet i margen: «Nå må det snart skje noe her», og på side 100 skriver fortelleren:
Or, if you are a different sort of reader, you´ve been thinking, Aha, there is some story here, and it’d better be good, when she finally gets around to it.
(Her tillater jeg meg selv en geipende emoji, men kun fordi forfatteren bruker en del av dem i tekstmeldingene som utveksles blant tenåringene i boken.)
Romanen er ikke full av skildrende språklige bilder, men noen var det jo:
She reminded me in some ways of Nordis, although Astrid was bright sunlight to my sisters star shine.
Eller et nydelig bilde om alkohol, som jeg fant veldig poetisk:
The hot, smoky spirit attacks your throat like fire. It makes you choke and your eyes water - then, a minute after you swallow it, something wonderful happens. It’s as though someone has switched on you own private sun.
The Long Water har flere kryssende hendelser, og noe av det blir litt repetitivt. Forfatteren veksler ofte mellom synsvinkel, og hendelsene som da repeteres gir alltid mer informasjon enn første gang det ble fortalt. Om den vekslende synsvinkelen, synes jeg Penney gjør det på en god måte. Når vi følger Svea, er det Svea som forteller i et nåtidsperspektiv, men på andre karakterer skifter hun over til en mer allvitende forteller. Dette gjøres på en ryddig og strukturert måte, uten å lage et tydelig brudd i fortellingen.
Om andre litterære referanser, kan det nevnes en henvendelse mot George Orwell (1884), i en passasje om teknologi og mobiltelefoner. En annen plass henvises det til Kain og Abel fra Bibelen. Kanskje burde forfatteren tillatt seg flere tråder mot bibelen, ettersom faren til Elin er prest. Det hadde vært gøy.
Tre fjerdedeler ut i boka, har jeg skjønt hvem mannen uten identitet i gruven var. Jeg leter alltid etter spor når jeg leser krim, og noen ganger stemmer det veldig bra, som her.
Jeg har ikke tidligere lagt merke til litterære tenkelyder i dialog på engelsk. «Yes. Erm, thank you», men det er veldig tydelig i denne boken. Personlig synes jeg det blir litt i veien for dialogen, fordi forfatteren gjør dette stort sett hver gang en karakter er usikker på hva hen skal si. Men (ehm..) hver sin smak.
Det er bestemoren til Elin som åpner romanen med å fortelle om stedet, og om hennes traumatiske barndom. Svea har kuttet de fleste bånd til familien, og bor sammen med hunden sin. Det er stort sett bare barnebarnet og vennen Odd Emil hun har kontakt med. Svea forteller om hvordan det var å vokse opp med en stefar som var nazist under krigen, og hun har bokstavelig talt fått merker av dette. Hun ble som barn mobbet og kalt naziyngel.
For Svea er det rutine å spasere sammen med hunden, til den lokale kafèen for kaffe og møsbrømlefse. Her møter hun alltid Odd Emil, som er bestefaren til den forsvunnede tenåringen. Under kapitlene med Svea er fortellerstemmen koselig, til tross for at den eldre damen ofte ytrer seg med bitre meninger.
As I wait, I’m trying to ignore the schoolgirls, but their voices are unnecessarily loud; they emit high-pitched burst of laughter, toss their long hair around and talk without looking at each other, eyes glued to their phones as though the screens are the umbilical cord that connects them to all life.
Vi møter en koselig, men litt bitter gammel dame. Hver dag møter hun Odd Emil på kafé, og selv om de bare er venner, blir det interessant å finne ut om det ligger noe mer bak vennskapet. Svea er hemmelighetsfull, og for meg blir det historien mellom Svea og Odd Emil som blir det mest spennende i boken, ikke historien rundt forsvinningen til Daniel. De første fem sidene i boken med beskrivelse av stedet, får meg til å sette pris på hvor jeg bor:
Inland, the mountains shun such attention. They seem older than the mountains of the coast - smoothed and worn down as they are by the grinding of ancient ice, traces of which remain - although they are not older, they’re just more patient and quiet. They do not seek fame. Their lower slopes are furred with birch and willow, and in summer the ground is boggy, tangled with mosses and ferns and braided with waterfalls that stain the bare rocks red. In winter, the constant sound of water vanishes; everything is hushed and stilled by snow.
Some days are like this - you can pass from one season to another in the space of a few hours.
Leseren blir kjent med naturen og omgivelsene rundt Fauske og Sulis. Her fortelles det litt historie, om gruvene og om nærmiljøet. Jeg roser forfatteren for hennes engasjerende og omfattende research.
I den delen av romanen som omhandler Elin, møter vi en usikker jente med utfordringer om egen identitet. Det er vanskelig å fortelle faren at hun er kjønnsflytende, særlig fordi faren er prest i lokalsamfunnet. Benny har det ikke lettere. Som homofil 16-åring søker han kjærlighet med en mann som er dobbelt så gammel som han selv, i en hytte nær Sulis. Benny blir dermed et viktig vitne i saken om den forsvunnede tenåringen.
De mørke tunnellene på veien opp til Sulitjelma blir beskrevet som et mareritt, og blir etterhvert et viktig sted for etterforskningen. Selv om dette er en skjønnlitterær krimbok, får jeg flere ganger følelsen av at dette er en bok for unge voksne. Dette kommer av tekstmeldinger som blir utvekslet, med påfølgende emojis, men også av at enkelte passasjer er mer forklarende enn nødvendig. Jeg er glad i å tenke selv.
Under etterforskningen finner politiet noe i Sjønståtunnellen. Mellom linjene tenker jeg at noen kanskje har kastet dette ut av bilvinduet. Fortelleren avslutter kapitlet med å fortelle at «noen kanskje hadde kastet det ut av bilvinduet». Igjen, jeg liker å tenke selv. Dette skjer flere plasser, og det trekker romanen litt ned. Men kanskje er målgruppen for denne boken unge voksne.
The Long Water har en litt tung start, men jeg ser i retrospektiv at det var nødvendig for bakgrunnshistorien til Svea. På side 50 har jeg skrevet i margen: «Nå må det snart skje noe her», og på side 100 skriver fortelleren:
Or, if you are a different sort of reader, you´ve been thinking, Aha, there is some story here, and it’d better be good, when she finally gets around to it.
(Her tillater jeg meg selv en geipende emoji, men kun fordi forfatteren bruker en del av dem i tekstmeldingene som utveksles blant tenåringene i boken.)
Romanen er ikke full av skildrende språklige bilder, men noen var det jo:
She reminded me in some ways of Nordis, although Astrid was bright sunlight to my sisters star shine.
Eller et nydelig bilde om alkohol, som jeg fant veldig poetisk:
The hot, smoky spirit attacks your throat like fire. It makes you choke and your eyes water - then, a minute after you swallow it, something wonderful happens. It’s as though someone has switched on you own private sun.
The Long Water har flere kryssende hendelser, og noe av det blir litt repetitivt. Forfatteren veksler ofte mellom synsvinkel, og hendelsene som da repeteres gir alltid mer informasjon enn første gang det ble fortalt. Om den vekslende synsvinkelen, synes jeg Penney gjør det på en god måte. Når vi følger Svea, er det Svea som forteller i et nåtidsperspektiv, men på andre karakterer skifter hun over til en mer allvitende forteller. Dette gjøres på en ryddig og strukturert måte, uten å lage et tydelig brudd i fortellingen.
Om andre litterære referanser, kan det nevnes en henvendelse mot George Orwell (1884), i en passasje om teknologi og mobiltelefoner. En annen plass henvises det til Kain og Abel fra Bibelen. Kanskje burde forfatteren tillatt seg flere tråder mot bibelen, ettersom faren til Elin er prest. Det hadde vært gøy.
Tre fjerdedeler ut i boka, har jeg skjønt hvem mannen uten identitet i gruven var. Jeg leter alltid etter spor når jeg leser krim, og noen ganger stemmer det veldig bra, som her.
Jeg har ikke tidligere lagt merke til litterære tenkelyder i dialog på engelsk. «Yes. Erm, thank you», men det er veldig tydelig i denne boken. Personlig synes jeg det blir litt i veien for dialogen, fordi forfatteren gjør dette stort sett hver gang en karakter er usikker på hva hen skal si. Men (ehm..) hver sin smak.
Read
February 5, 2025I was given this book for Christmas and it was an introduction to an author I had not previous encountered. The story is set in a small community in Norway where a popular student at the local High School goes missing. The description of the land, and the reactions of the inhabitants of are well described. I would like to read more by this author.
June 18, 2025
A good mystery book with interesting characters
September 4, 2025
One night in May, when already it hardly grows dark, four senior pupils at the high school in Fauske went on some sort of expedition in the mountains near Sulis. They had been going to look for something - maybe gold. There have always been rumours that there is still gold up there, waiting to be unearthed. Or they were going to climb a summit to enjoy the view and keep vigil through the soft twilight of a spring night, to get drunk and hold their childhoods once more in their hands before they buckled down to final exams and then spun off in various directions, to national service and university degrees, to live their separate lives. Accounts of their purpose and even of their whereabouts on the night differed, but one thing was certain: only three of them came back.
I picked this up on a whim in a local charity shop. I like a Scandi whodunit and the blurb ticked all my boxes. A remove town, a mysterious disappearance, and a cast of characters with plenty of secrets; what's not to like...
Well, I have to be critical as I was rather disappointed. Although there are two mysteries at the core of the story, the focus is on the people and their relationships rather than shedding light on what happened. The reveal seemed like an afterthought, thrown in at the end and very underwhelming. A real disappointment. 2 1/2 stars.
I picked this up on a whim in a local charity shop. I like a Scandi whodunit and the blurb ticked all my boxes. A remove town, a mysterious disappearance, and a cast of characters with plenty of secrets; what's not to like...
Well, I have to be critical as I was rather disappointed. Although there are two mysteries at the core of the story, the focus is on the people and their relationships rather than shedding light on what happened. The reveal seemed like an afterthought, thrown in at the end and very underwhelming. A real disappointment. 2 1/2 stars.
July 31, 2024
I adored The Tenderness of Wolves when I read it years ago, so I was excited when the SquadPod were offered the chance to read Stef Penney’s latest novel as one of our featured books. Set in Nordland, a valley in the Norwegian Arctic, the story centres around the disappearance of Daniel, a popular teenager in this remote valley. The story opens in May, when the snow has almost melted and school is ending for the year. The school-leavers celebrations are traditionally a time for parties, pranks and wild behaviour. Daniel is one of the popular kids and his disappearance touches everyone in this small town. It’s the talk of the village and different stories and theories quickly circulate. The police widen their search, eventually leading them to disused mine in the mountains. Human remains are discovered but they are not Daniel. This body has lain there for decades. Daniel’s disappearance soon fades into the background as the police try to decipher the identity of the body and what happened to them. In this small town where everybody knows everybody and secrets don’t stay hidden for long, how is it possible a body has lain in the mine for decades? And where is Daniel?
Cryptic, intriguing and compelling, this is a story you get lost in. Part crime fiction and part family saga, this beautifully written story showcases Ms. Penny’s masterful storytelling to perfection. She sets the scene through evocative imagery, transporting her reader to the remote Norwegian Arctic. Through the lens of these tragic events we are introduced to the inhabitants of this small, close-knit mining town. There’s a strong sense of community and everyone is embroiled in the search for answers. As events unfold, shockwaves are felt throughout the town with family dramas, prejudices and long-buried secrets finally being revealed.
Atmospheric, tense, moving and mysterious, this is one not to be missed.
Cryptic, intriguing and compelling, this is a story you get lost in. Part crime fiction and part family saga, this beautifully written story showcases Ms. Penny’s masterful storytelling to perfection. She sets the scene through evocative imagery, transporting her reader to the remote Norwegian Arctic. Through the lens of these tragic events we are introduced to the inhabitants of this small, close-knit mining town. There’s a strong sense of community and everyone is embroiled in the search for answers. As events unfold, shockwaves are felt throughout the town with family dramas, prejudices and long-buried secrets finally being revealed.
Atmospheric, tense, moving and mysterious, this is one not to be missed.
July 30, 2024
THE LONG WATER by Stef Penney
‘How do you measure the intensity of your own emotions? It changes so much over time.’
Stories give us places to go. Stef Penney’s stories give us places to stay. I did not want to leave this exceptional novel.
Set in Nordland, a valley in the Nordic Artic, the novel is centred on the disappearance of Daniel, a popular teenage boy.
Daniel’s disappearance offers a lens through which we get to know the tight knit community. In particular, the narrative privileges the perspectives of grandmother Svea, her neurodiverse granddaughter Elin, and Elin’s friend Benny.
The novel’s characterisation is exquisite, a celebration of grounded and meaningful diversity. A celebration of difference, and the strength that can be derived from empathy. This is a quiet, restrained novel, made all the more powerful for that restraint. This is fiction at its finest.
I finished reading ‘The Long Water’ today, coincidentally the day that the 2024 @TheBookerPrizes long list was announced. ‘The Long Water’ challenges fundamentally the continued disparity between the critical value placed on ‘literary’ fiction and that afforded ‘genre’ fiction.
Great writing is great writing. ‘The Long Water’ exemplifies this and should be lauded.
If there is any novel published this year that’s worthy of long lasting critical praise, it’s this.
@QuercusBooks #StefPenney #TheLongWater
‘How do you measure the intensity of your own emotions? It changes so much over time.’
Stories give us places to go. Stef Penney’s stories give us places to stay. I did not want to leave this exceptional novel.
Set in Nordland, a valley in the Nordic Artic, the novel is centred on the disappearance of Daniel, a popular teenage boy.
Daniel’s disappearance offers a lens through which we get to know the tight knit community. In particular, the narrative privileges the perspectives of grandmother Svea, her neurodiverse granddaughter Elin, and Elin’s friend Benny.
The novel’s characterisation is exquisite, a celebration of grounded and meaningful diversity. A celebration of difference, and the strength that can be derived from empathy. This is a quiet, restrained novel, made all the more powerful for that restraint. This is fiction at its finest.
I finished reading ‘The Long Water’ today, coincidentally the day that the 2024 @TheBookerPrizes long list was announced. ‘The Long Water’ challenges fundamentally the continued disparity between the critical value placed on ‘literary’ fiction and that afforded ‘genre’ fiction.
Great writing is great writing. ‘The Long Water’ exemplifies this and should be lauded.
If there is any novel published this year that’s worthy of long lasting critical praise, it’s this.
@QuercusBooks #StefPenney #TheLongWater
November 25, 2024
Fabulous story in beautiful setting with interesting characters. Love how the story unfolds and neatly ties it up in the end
Read
August 5, 2025Melanie Bookclub 2025 ✅
July 31, 2024
It is May in Norland, a remote valley in the narrow part of northern Norway, above the Arctic Circle and dominated by mountains, glaciers, and far-reaching fjords. Once a prosperous mining region, this is a area of tight-knit communities with long memories, but springtime is for the young, especially the high school students marking their final school term with the high-jinks of the traditional russ celebrations.
When popular student Daniel goes missing, the community is sent reeling. A police search finds no trace of him in the rugged terrain, and rumours abound of risky stunts, drinking games and drug taking among the group of school leavers who call themselves the Hellraisers. No one knows quite what to believe, and they are only confused more when the search uncovers a grisly discovery when decades-old human remains in one of the long-sealed mines...
The novel unfurls in delicious Nordic noir, slow-burn style, bleeding seamlessly between the present and the past to reveal the impact of secrets, lies and mysterious disappearances on the community. Formidable Svea, estranged from almost everyone in her family, and her forthright grand-daughter Elin are the focus of the story. Penney uses them to anchor burgeoning storylines with a scattered multi-generational cast, that delve back in time to the war-time and mining histories of Norland, and weave into the police investigation in the present.
This is a plot that positively oozes secrets, dysfunctional relationships, and the tension of interactions between grandparents, parents, and grandchildren shaped by the family baggage they carry, all of which have bearing on the mysteries that lie at the heart of the community. And each generation gives us a glimpse of a different part of the puzzles that need to be solved about sins of the past, unresolved trauma, unexplained disappearances, estrangements, troubled friendships, and broken marriages - all excellent Nordic noir fayre.
Grouchy loner Svea (who springs from the page) and old timer Odd Emil (grand-father of the missing boy) have an unconventional relationships that is absolute gold and key to unravelling the grittier sections of the story mired in themes of difficult families, abuses, regrets, and vengeance. Penney sensitively contrasts and compares these elements with bang-up-to-date themes of teenage angst, belonging, gender identity, and sexuality through the quite lovely friendship between Elin and her friend Benny - whose vulnerability really stirs the emotions. And in-between there are lashings of richly embroidered threads about the characters caught between parents and children, valiantly dealing with all that entails in a community coming apart at the seams. I was intrigued by the way the connection between outsiders and neurodivergence is explored too.
This is my first book by Stef Penney, and I must admit that I really was not sure it was for me when I started reading it, despite my love of Nordic fiction. She has quite a distinctive literary writing style, and the diverse storylines do take a while to come together, but I became utterly hooked. There is actually something quite addictive about a writer who gradually wins you over and works their way under your skin, and I am delighted to have found a new author that fascinates me - I can see Stef Penney's back-catalogue and I becoming rather good friends.
When popular student Daniel goes missing, the community is sent reeling. A police search finds no trace of him in the rugged terrain, and rumours abound of risky stunts, drinking games and drug taking among the group of school leavers who call themselves the Hellraisers. No one knows quite what to believe, and they are only confused more when the search uncovers a grisly discovery when decades-old human remains in one of the long-sealed mines...
The novel unfurls in delicious Nordic noir, slow-burn style, bleeding seamlessly between the present and the past to reveal the impact of secrets, lies and mysterious disappearances on the community. Formidable Svea, estranged from almost everyone in her family, and her forthright grand-daughter Elin are the focus of the story. Penney uses them to anchor burgeoning storylines with a scattered multi-generational cast, that delve back in time to the war-time and mining histories of Norland, and weave into the police investigation in the present.
This is a plot that positively oozes secrets, dysfunctional relationships, and the tension of interactions between grandparents, parents, and grandchildren shaped by the family baggage they carry, all of which have bearing on the mysteries that lie at the heart of the community. And each generation gives us a glimpse of a different part of the puzzles that need to be solved about sins of the past, unresolved trauma, unexplained disappearances, estrangements, troubled friendships, and broken marriages - all excellent Nordic noir fayre.
Grouchy loner Svea (who springs from the page) and old timer Odd Emil (grand-father of the missing boy) have an unconventional relationships that is absolute gold and key to unravelling the grittier sections of the story mired in themes of difficult families, abuses, regrets, and vengeance. Penney sensitively contrasts and compares these elements with bang-up-to-date themes of teenage angst, belonging, gender identity, and sexuality through the quite lovely friendship between Elin and her friend Benny - whose vulnerability really stirs the emotions. And in-between there are lashings of richly embroidered threads about the characters caught between parents and children, valiantly dealing with all that entails in a community coming apart at the seams. I was intrigued by the way the connection between outsiders and neurodivergence is explored too.
This is my first book by Stef Penney, and I must admit that I really was not sure it was for me when I started reading it, despite my love of Nordic fiction. She has quite a distinctive literary writing style, and the diverse storylines do take a while to come together, but I became utterly hooked. There is actually something quite addictive about a writer who gradually wins you over and works their way under your skin, and I am delighted to have found a new author that fascinates me - I can see Stef Penney's back-catalogue and I becoming rather good friends.
September 29, 2025
As always, Memorable & heartwarming.
Need I reiterate how incredibly captivating Stef Penney’s characters all are? And, Is it any surprise she chooses such an intriguing setting, a small village situated in the most secluded parts of Norway, even inspired by the current inhabitants?
In this novel, we get to experience Sulitjelma as a remarkable place, like most places people occupy, amplified by a soul-stirring whirlpool of emotions from life gone by. The village itself is quite an unusual construct because it exists despite the natural prominence of the Fjords.
At first, we enter into a grim and hard-edged frame by Svea - in many ways, a cosmically abandoned woman, profoundly mysterious, but still very relatable in her emotive recollections of the people in her life.
Svea’s thought about her mother:
“Living with her was like living on a volcano. She screamed, she lost her temper in the blink of an eye, she lashed out with her hand or whatever happened to be in her hand. She seemed angry about everything, all the time, boiling with fury and resentment at the unfairness of life - much of which, as I was made all too aware, was my fault.”
In multiple forms, Svea becomes the kernel from which the reader can correlate all the other unexplainable mysteries - and the intertwined experiences eventually culminate in a shocking revelation: was Nordis really the one behind it?
The disappearance of a teenager seemed to be one element of a larger conspiracy in which we finally understand the depth of the story - the people involved, and the gruesome assault from the past that led to a bitter ending.
The chapters are quite short and swift, which makes the developments in the plot comfortable to follow - and significantly memorialises the characters, as well as attaching new insights to unfolding events.
More importantly, Stef Penney has this curiously enchanting writing style - effortlessly empathic, nonchalantly unravelling the distinctly human impact in any environment, and seems to transcend the heartbreaking influences of the novel.
“Sometimes it seems to me there is a finite amount of happiness in the world. Maybe Daniel burned through his allotted portion in the short time he was here. Whereas I have been eking out my share over many years, as if I’m planning to stick around forever.”
Need I reiterate how incredibly captivating Stef Penney’s characters all are? And, Is it any surprise she chooses such an intriguing setting, a small village situated in the most secluded parts of Norway, even inspired by the current inhabitants?
In this novel, we get to experience Sulitjelma as a remarkable place, like most places people occupy, amplified by a soul-stirring whirlpool of emotions from life gone by. The village itself is quite an unusual construct because it exists despite the natural prominence of the Fjords.
At first, we enter into a grim and hard-edged frame by Svea - in many ways, a cosmically abandoned woman, profoundly mysterious, but still very relatable in her emotive recollections of the people in her life.
Svea’s thought about her mother:
“Living with her was like living on a volcano. She screamed, she lost her temper in the blink of an eye, she lashed out with her hand or whatever happened to be in her hand. She seemed angry about everything, all the time, boiling with fury and resentment at the unfairness of life - much of which, as I was made all too aware, was my fault.”
In multiple forms, Svea becomes the kernel from which the reader can correlate all the other unexplainable mysteries - and the intertwined experiences eventually culminate in a shocking revelation: was Nordis really the one behind it?
The disappearance of a teenager seemed to be one element of a larger conspiracy in which we finally understand the depth of the story - the people involved, and the gruesome assault from the past that led to a bitter ending.
The chapters are quite short and swift, which makes the developments in the plot comfortable to follow - and significantly memorialises the characters, as well as attaching new insights to unfolding events.
More importantly, Stef Penney has this curiously enchanting writing style - effortlessly empathic, nonchalantly unravelling the distinctly human impact in any environment, and seems to transcend the heartbreaking influences of the novel.
“Sometimes it seems to me there is a finite amount of happiness in the world. Maybe Daniel burned through his allotted portion in the short time he was here. Whereas I have been eking out my share over many years, as if I’m planning to stick around forever.”
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 23, 2024
Stef Penney returns to familiar territory with these tense mysteries, with a strong sense of community and location, providing us with a glimpse of its post-war history and family, the good, the bad, and the downright ugly. It is May in Sulis, a time of local Fauske school celebrations, traditions for graduating seniors, 'russ time'. A raucous period of weeks of drinking, partying, dressing up in bright overalls, carrying out humiliating pranks before their final exams, led by the unofficial group of 4 Hellraisers who have garnered a wild reputation. One of them, the popular Daniel Fjordham, goes missing.
79 year old Svea, lives in her cottage with a conservatory, walking her puffin hound, Asta, meeting Odd Emil at the cafe, her daughter, Klara, having long since left the area, leaving behind her now 16 year old daughter, Elin. Elin has just come out as gender fluid to her vicar father, her closest friend the gay Benny. The difficult search of a vast, remote wilderness of lakes, mountains, forest, water, ice, and riddled with caves and mountains, falls to the police team of Hanne Duli Bodogaard and Merete Nordheim. Unexpectedly, human remains of a long ago dead man are discovered within a disused mine, but who could he possibly be?
The narrative captures with rich details and descriptions the strange quality and tensions within the community when one of their own goes missing, feelings heightened further by the added interest and arrival of the national media. As a big fan of Penney, I loved this intricate atmospheric character driven picture of community, a glimpse of the history and families that shaped Svea and her siblings, the repercussions that rippled into future generations. I think this will appeal to fans of the author, and others, including those interested in Scandinavian mysteries. Highly recommended. Many thanks to the publisher for an ARC.
79 year old Svea, lives in her cottage with a conservatory, walking her puffin hound, Asta, meeting Odd Emil at the cafe, her daughter, Klara, having long since left the area, leaving behind her now 16 year old daughter, Elin. Elin has just come out as gender fluid to her vicar father, her closest friend the gay Benny. The difficult search of a vast, remote wilderness of lakes, mountains, forest, water, ice, and riddled with caves and mountains, falls to the police team of Hanne Duli Bodogaard and Merete Nordheim. Unexpectedly, human remains of a long ago dead man are discovered within a disused mine, but who could he possibly be?
The narrative captures with rich details and descriptions the strange quality and tensions within the community when one of their own goes missing, feelings heightened further by the added interest and arrival of the national media. As a big fan of Penney, I loved this intricate atmospheric character driven picture of community, a glimpse of the history and families that shaped Svea and her siblings, the repercussions that rippled into future generations. I think this will appeal to fans of the author, and others, including those interested in Scandinavian mysteries. Highly recommended. Many thanks to the publisher for an ARC.
May 12, 2024
Briefly - A little slow at times but great storytelling.
In full
The introduction here sets the scene nicely. In remote Norway - Nordland - Sami territory and close to Sweden, the landscape and history of the area is described. It used to be a major mining areas but the mines have been closed for some years now. Svea, 79, has been resident there for some time and knows the area well. She lives with her puffin hound Asta and starts telling her story in a conversational way. I was drawn to her immediately. The story then passes to Elin (Svea's granddaughter) and Benny who are both 16 and good friends. Elin, whose father is the local priest, has decided she is gender-fluid and Benny is gay. It is close to "russ" time when the about to be school leavers party and push whatever boundaries they can. A boy, Daniel, who Elin and Benny know in passing disappears after one of the parties.
Over the course of the book more than one body is found and secrets emerge. You get to know Svea and her friend Odd Emil as well as Elin and Benny. Their families and friends become clearer too. Backstories gradually emerge and sometimes they felt rather long and convoluted to me - probably my only slight criticism of this. In the case of Svea her narrative is really very conversational. I did find this a little odd initially however the more I read the more I got into, and enjoyed, her character. While she is not as connected with Daniel as the young ones her story is still a very powerful one. I found Benny's story very good too. Indeed all the characters played their parts well in this to my mind.
The setting was well used in this narrative. The feel of remoteness and different ways of life. The tensions in this are past and present ones and the writing for me was excellent. I've read some of Stef Penney's work before and I do enjoy her work generally. This was maybe a slow burn read however I was always drawn back into this story. The gradual reveal means it is a while before some aspects of this become apparent (and only then are you likely to start to understand what the outcome might be). Even then aspects of the ending I hadn't worked out and I found this a really enjoyable read.
Note - I received an advance digital copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a fair review
In full
The introduction here sets the scene nicely. In remote Norway - Nordland - Sami territory and close to Sweden, the landscape and history of the area is described. It used to be a major mining areas but the mines have been closed for some years now. Svea, 79, has been resident there for some time and knows the area well. She lives with her puffin hound Asta and starts telling her story in a conversational way. I was drawn to her immediately. The story then passes to Elin (Svea's granddaughter) and Benny who are both 16 and good friends. Elin, whose father is the local priest, has decided she is gender-fluid and Benny is gay. It is close to "russ" time when the about to be school leavers party and push whatever boundaries they can. A boy, Daniel, who Elin and Benny know in passing disappears after one of the parties.
Over the course of the book more than one body is found and secrets emerge. You get to know Svea and her friend Odd Emil as well as Elin and Benny. Their families and friends become clearer too. Backstories gradually emerge and sometimes they felt rather long and convoluted to me - probably my only slight criticism of this. In the case of Svea her narrative is really very conversational. I did find this a little odd initially however the more I read the more I got into, and enjoyed, her character. While she is not as connected with Daniel as the young ones her story is still a very powerful one. I found Benny's story very good too. Indeed all the characters played their parts well in this to my mind.
The setting was well used in this narrative. The feel of remoteness and different ways of life. The tensions in this are past and present ones and the writing for me was excellent. I've read some of Stef Penney's work before and I do enjoy her work generally. This was maybe a slow burn read however I was always drawn back into this story. The gradual reveal means it is a while before some aspects of this become apparent (and only then are you likely to start to understand what the outcome might be). Even then aspects of the ending I hadn't worked out and I found this a really enjoyable read.
Note - I received an advance digital copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a fair review
July 30, 2025
There's a quote on the cover which says "takes crime writing to another level." Ignore this: it suggests a crime whodunnit. Yes, popular teenager Daniel goes missing. Yes, much older human remains are found in the disused mine. Yes, the police investigate.
But this is a book about community, about different generations trying to understand each other and live together. There is Svea - cranky and brittle, who has battled with the shame of being the illegitimate daughter of a German soldier during WW2. Her autistic granddaughter Elin, finding ways to announce she's gender-fluid. Elin's best friend Benny who is warm and kind, but ends up in a troubling relationship with a much older man. Elin's father, the local minister, struggling with his nascent relationship with local teacher Marylen, who, it turns out, is related to a man called Jens who traumatised Svea as a girl. And so on, as the net of relationships widens, showing the interconnectedness of the isolated Nordland community.
Daniel's disappearance is almost a MacGuffin, a device to drive the plot on. The reader is pretty sure the body in the mine is Jen's, because we are party to Svea's history.
The shocking truth of what happened to Svea is finally revealed, but my book club were not in agreement about who had actually done away with Jens. For me, that ambiguity makes the book all the better. It produces the most beautiful tender line:
But this is a book about community, about different generations trying to understand each other and live together. There is Svea - cranky and brittle, who has battled with the shame of being the illegitimate daughter of a German soldier during WW2. Her autistic granddaughter Elin, finding ways to announce she's gender-fluid. Elin's best friend Benny who is warm and kind, but ends up in a troubling relationship with a much older man. Elin's father, the local minister, struggling with his nascent relationship with local teacher Marylen, who, it turns out, is related to a man called Jens who traumatised Svea as a girl. And so on, as the net of relationships widens, showing the interconnectedness of the isolated Nordland community.
Daniel's disappearance is almost a MacGuffin, a device to drive the plot on. The reader is pretty sure the body in the mine is Jen's, because we are party to Svea's history.
The shocking truth of what happened to Svea is finally revealed, but my book club were not in agreement about who had actually done away with Jens. For me, that ambiguity makes the book all the better. It produces the most beautiful tender line:
"Then Odd Emil does something strange and unprecedented. He puts out his hand and gently combs my fringe with his fingers."Honestly, had me on the verge of tears. You will have to read the book yourself to find out why.
September 15, 2024
It is many years since I read The Tenderness of Wolves by Stef Penney but I remember it as an atmospheric and beautifully written book. And once again Penney uses the setting to great effect to create an intriguing and enjoyable read.
Set in a remote town in northern Norway, it focuses on the mysterious disappearance of schoolboy Daniel during the russ, the end of school-year celebrations. And to add to the shock in this tight-knit community, in the course of the search someone else’s remains are found in a disused mine that has been sealed for decades.
What unfolds is part mystery, part family saga as we get to know the members of the community, young and old, and the complex dynamics in a town full of secrets and dysfunctional relationships. For some, it is about coming to terms with the past while younger members of the community bring some more modern issues to the table as they seek to establish their own identity going forward.
Penney has a distinctive literary style, beautifully crafted and full of atmosphere, and the manner in which this story is told did mean it took a littlle while to become fully invested. But what she does so well is bring the diverse cast of characters to life in all their complexity, weaving the many threads of the story together as it draws you in to a community whose struggles are laid bare as they try to come to terms with events.
Set in a remote town in northern Norway, it focuses on the mysterious disappearance of schoolboy Daniel during the russ, the end of school-year celebrations. And to add to the shock in this tight-knit community, in the course of the search someone else’s remains are found in a disused mine that has been sealed for decades.
What unfolds is part mystery, part family saga as we get to know the members of the community, young and old, and the complex dynamics in a town full of secrets and dysfunctional relationships. For some, it is about coming to terms with the past while younger members of the community bring some more modern issues to the table as they seek to establish their own identity going forward.
Penney has a distinctive literary style, beautifully crafted and full of atmosphere, and the manner in which this story is told did mean it took a littlle while to become fully invested. But what she does so well is bring the diverse cast of characters to life in all their complexity, weaving the many threads of the story together as it draws you in to a community whose struggles are laid bare as they try to come to terms with events.
August 3, 2025
I'm having a bit of a Scandinavia moment with my reading. Do other Goodreaders find themselves reading thematically? I thought it was by accident, but I had a wonderful time in Trondheim some years back, so maybe my subconscious is trying to take me back there.
A month ago I read the brilliant The Mercies, also set in Nordland (but in 1600s). And in the last year I read the - also brilliant - The Silent Resistance which introduced me to the Norwegian experience of WW2.
This book is also about the impact of Nazi occupation on the Norwegian women who were trapped there. Many children were born with German fathers (as must happen with every occupation) and their lives were blighted by it. In The Long Water we find this blight took a physical and shocking form.
But the book is about many other things. Most I think its about community, different generations, families, genders trying to live together and make sense of things.
I asked a Norwegian friend about "Russ" and it's all true. Maybe the lack of sun, and then the lack of night has an affect on young people and turns them bonkers!
By the way, if you think you are expecting a police procedural, readjust before you start - despite the quote on the cover, a couple of bodies and the presence of the police, it really isn't.
A month ago I read the brilliant The Mercies, also set in Nordland (but in 1600s). And in the last year I read the - also brilliant - The Silent Resistance which introduced me to the Norwegian experience of WW2.
This book is also about the impact of Nazi occupation on the Norwegian women who were trapped there. Many children were born with German fathers (as must happen with every occupation) and their lives were blighted by it. In The Long Water we find this blight took a physical and shocking form.
But the book is about many other things. Most I think its about community, different generations, families, genders trying to live together and make sense of things.
I asked a Norwegian friend about "Russ" and it's all true. Maybe the lack of sun, and then the lack of night has an affect on young people and turns them bonkers!
By the way, if you think you are expecting a police procedural, readjust before you start - despite the quote on the cover, a couple of bodies and the presence of the police, it really isn't.
September 4, 2024
Norwegian noir from Stef Penney, this story is about the disappearance of 18 year old Daniel who goes off with his 3 friends during the traditional russ prank season. The three friends have nothing to offer other than he set off for a hike and they just didn’t.
There are multiple strands for readers to puzzle over. Erin is his gender fluid school friend who he’d recently shared kisses with. Benny, Erin’s friend, has an older man friend, and they’d been meeting for sex nearby. Then there’s Erin’s grandmother Svea. She’s intriguing. Her daughter no longer lives locally, her sister disappeared. Erin’s dad is the local minister and he’s courting Erin’s married teacher. So many things going on, past and present.
The characters are complex and multi dimensional. The story is narrated through Shea’s first person contributions, Marylen the teacher, the thoughts and texts of Benny and Erin and Daniel’s grandpa Odd Emil. There’s a strong sense of place, community and family, all building an exciting picture.
I wasn’t a fan of the ending, which came as a complete emergency stop. That did slightly take away from my enjoyment, but I recommend it anyway.
There are multiple strands for readers to puzzle over. Erin is his gender fluid school friend who he’d recently shared kisses with. Benny, Erin’s friend, has an older man friend, and they’d been meeting for sex nearby. Then there’s Erin’s grandmother Svea. She’s intriguing. Her daughter no longer lives locally, her sister disappeared. Erin’s dad is the local minister and he’s courting Erin’s married teacher. So many things going on, past and present.
The characters are complex and multi dimensional. The story is narrated through Shea’s first person contributions, Marylen the teacher, the thoughts and texts of Benny and Erin and Daniel’s grandpa Odd Emil. There’s a strong sense of place, community and family, all building an exciting picture.
I wasn’t a fan of the ending, which came as a complete emergency stop. That did slightly take away from my enjoyment, but I recommend it anyway.
July 22, 2024
This is set in Norway in a small community where everyone knows each other. Eighteen year old Daniel goes missing and although this is the main thread of the book, it kind of fades to the background . We get different peoples views on what they think has happened ,starting from the older ones.to his friends . We can see through the generations how things have changed and how the older generation try to understand the younger views . As well as Daniel’s disappearance there is a discovery of a body , which then uncovers a mystery from decades ago. I loved the atmosphere of this novel and the secrets and revelations of the community, revealing past prejudices and reasons for family estrangements. It’s part crime story , part family saga with an element of history throughout. I enjoyed it very much
August 27, 2025
I am having a difficult time reviewing this book as there were times when I loved it and others when I wished the editor had been a bit more aggressive. First of all Svea is only 4 years older than I, so that was enjoyable as we had experienced the same historical years. Her sense of humor at times was a total hoot!! I was raised with 3/4 Norwegian heritage so I am always drawn to books set in Norway. I had a great friend whose heritage was Sami, so I also relate to the Arctic regions of Scandinavia. I loved her attitude toward gay or gender fluid young people. She may not have completely understood, but she did not judge. I also enjoyed her relationship with Odd Emil - remember Odd is the first name. I was both happy and sad about the ending, but as I write I am having fonder memories of the book. Recommend. Kristi & Abby Tabby
July 20, 2024
This is the story of a small fairly isolated but tight-knit Norwegian community, and how it deals with the disappearance of a teenage boy during the end of year celebrations at the high school. But it's also the story of 77 year Svea, and her complicated and part-hidden family background. And her granddaughter neuro-diverse Elin who's just coming out as gender-fluid, and HER complicated family background. And her best - only - friend Benny, who's exploring his own homosexuality. So there's a lot going on. This book brings to life the personalities and concerns of these principal protagonists, and many others, from parents to police officers, while exploring a plot which turns up a body - not Daniel's to add to the mix. An immersive and vividly told story.
January 19, 2025
Set in Norplant, a region in the Norwegian Artic
Daniel, a popular teenager has gone missing
As the police search for Daniel they find human remains in a disused mine in the mountains, the remains have been there for decades.
Everyone in the tight knit community is effected by the events
The sense of place is so atmospheric - the stillness and isolation
Reminded me of my own local North East community, where the main industry of coal mining has disappeared, but you still have older generation like Svea, the narrator, that can remember and show how dramatic the changes in the community have been
You know something terrible has happened - but it’s a bit of a slow burner, moving at a meandering pace
Thanks #stefpenney @quercusbooks & @netgalley for the dark scandi read
Daniel, a popular teenager has gone missing
As the police search for Daniel they find human remains in a disused mine in the mountains, the remains have been there for decades.
Everyone in the tight knit community is effected by the events
The sense of place is so atmospheric - the stillness and isolation
Reminded me of my own local North East community, where the main industry of coal mining has disappeared, but you still have older generation like Svea, the narrator, that can remember and show how dramatic the changes in the community have been
You know something terrible has happened - but it’s a bit of a slow burner, moving at a meandering pace
Thanks #stefpenney @quercusbooks & @netgalley for the dark scandi read
June 5, 2024
Like The Tenderness of Wolves this is as much about the relationships between members of an isolated community as it is about solving a crime - two crimes in fact. The atmospheric Norwegian setting of The Long Water gives a view into the lives of a range of diverse characters who all feel real and fully formed.
Readers looking for a crime thriller may be disappointed - the crimes are secondary to the lives of the protagonists and the pace is a slow burn - however anyone who enjoys a glimpse into another culture and a diverse selection of lives will be well rewarded.
Thanks to Quercus and NetGalley for an advance copy to review
Readers looking for a crime thriller may be disappointed - the crimes are secondary to the lives of the protagonists and the pace is a slow burn - however anyone who enjoys a glimpse into another culture and a diverse selection of lives will be well rewarded.
Thanks to Quercus and NetGalley for an advance copy to review
October 7, 2024
A dark nordic complex, multi character & multi generational crime novel about a young man who goes missing.
During the search a body from previous decades is found in long sealed mines, the story develops into 2 timelines, one going back to WWII and the occupation of Norway.
The first person narrative, from grandmother Svea, along with several other individual characters' perspectives and life experiences, are really brought to life. The remote setting is stunningly described.
Good to be back in Stef's hands after loving The Tenderness of Wolves.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the eArc.
During the search a body from previous decades is found in long sealed mines, the story develops into 2 timelines, one going back to WWII and the occupation of Norway.
The first person narrative, from grandmother Svea, along with several other individual characters' perspectives and life experiences, are really brought to life. The remote setting is stunningly described.
Good to be back in Stef's hands after loving The Tenderness of Wolves.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the eArc.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 13, 2025
In the Arctic area ofNorway lies Nordland; a remote valley in the mountains with caves and hidden glaciers. The russ - celebrations for school leavers - is getting wilder with more dangerous dares. When one of the leavers goes missing, secrets and violence come to light as does a skeleton in an old mine. Memores of another missing person resurface. Conflicting stories muddy the waters. Can the police find the boy? Who was the man in the mine?
A really interesting story. It delves into collective memories, suspicions of neighbours and bad feelings from the war. The environment is very well described. It starts quite slowly as the back story and relationships are built.
A really interesting story. It delves into collective memories, suspicions of neighbours and bad feelings from the war. The environment is very well described. It starts quite slowly as the back story and relationships are built.
July 4, 2024
I thoroughly enjoyed The Long Water by Stef Penney.
The setting in a small remote Norwegian town was beautifully realised, with a strong sense of place. I liked experiencing the different viewpoints of the different characters; particularly the grandmother, Svea, who introduces the book and speaks in the first person. There are several intertwining mysteries which are revealed alongside the main storyline of the missing schoolboy, going back to the aftermath of World War II and the German occupation of Norway.
A recommended read.
The setting in a small remote Norwegian town was beautifully realised, with a strong sense of place. I liked experiencing the different viewpoints of the different characters; particularly the grandmother, Svea, who introduces the book and speaks in the first person. There are several intertwining mysteries which are revealed alongside the main storyline of the missing schoolboy, going back to the aftermath of World War II and the German occupation of Norway.
A recommended read.
October 11, 2024
I loved Stef Penney’s The Tenderness of Wolves so I was looking forward to this. Set in the remote Arctic valleys of Norway, this is a murder mystery – a local teenager has disappeared into thin air, and a whole host of characters who are involved with him gradually reveal their own secrets during the journey to discover what has happened to him.
There is a good range of characters, and the atmosphere and scenery are well written – I did however find myself slowly not really caring, things took too long to develop and I didn’t find the fast pace that I love in a thriller.
There is a good range of characters, and the atmosphere and scenery are well written – I did however find myself slowly not really caring, things took too long to develop and I didn’t find the fast pace that I love in a thriller.
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