Jordstorm

Malin Fors #8

by Mons Kallentoft

En tidig majmorgon hittas en ung man död i ett dike intill Göta kanal. Han är naken, men kroppen bär inga synliga spår av våld och när Malin Fors och hennes kollegor anländer till platsen råder en märklig tystnad. Det är som om alla röster har dämpats.

Mannen identifieras snart som Peder Åkerlund, före detta Sverigedemokrat, utesluten ur partiet på grund av sina rasistiska uttalanden men numera omvänd. Det visar sig att han har blivit mördad. Och när den 16-åriga Nadja Lundin samma kväll anmäls saknad, troligtvis bortförd, finns tecken som tyder på att de båda fallen hänger samman.

Men har offren något gemensamt? Varför har de valts ut? Efterhand börjar Malin Fors inse att de har att göra med någon som leker med polisen, som talar via mord och inte tänker låta sig tystas. Vad är det han eller hon vill säga? Det är bråttom att hitta ett svar. Nadja Lundin kan fortfarande vara vid liv.

Mons Kallentoft har nått stora framgångar, såväl i Sverige som utomlands, med sina romaner om kriminalinspektör Malin Fors. Jordstorm är den tredje fristående delen i en svit inspirerad av de fyra elementen.

Genres: Crime, Scandinavian Literature, Swedish Literature, Thriller, Mystery, Fiction, Nordic Noir

297 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 2014

About the author

After being awarded the Swedish equivalent to the Whitbread Award for his debut novel Pesetas, Mons Kallentoft chose to give his own unique take on the classic Scandinavian crime novel. His success was immediate. The first book in the series about superintendent Malin Fors received unanimous praise from the national critics; it also conquered the bestseller charts and has today sold more than 300,000 copies in Sweden alone.

Was Mons Kallentoft born to be a storyteller? Yes, perhaps. Because, considering his upbringing, literature was not the obvious path in life. Mons grew up in a working-class home in the provincial town of Linköping, Sweden. Books were a rare phenomenon in his house; instead the young author spent his time playing football and ice hockey.

He discovered literature when he was about fourteen, and bedridden following a severe sports injury. Kafka, Hemingway and George Orwell introduced the young man to a whole new world.

The path to his own authorship led him through the advertising business, journalism and the shady side of Madrid. His debut, Pesetas, which was awarded the Swedish equivalent to the Whitbread Award, takes place among cocaine dealers and bankrobbers in the Spanish capital.

Following another couple of critically acclaimed novels (Marbella Club and Attractive, Healthy & Spontaneous), as well as an well-regarded travelogue/food essay (Food Noir), Mons Kallentoft chose to give his own unique take on the classic Scandinavian crime novel. His success was immediate.

The first book in the series about Superintendent Malin Fors received unanimous praise from the national critics; it also conquered the bestseller charts and has today sold more than 220 000 copies in Sweden alone. The novel recently appeared on the Norwegian bestseller charts and the series about Malin Fors will soon be published by leading publishing houses in nine countries.

Through the series about Malin Fors, Mons Kallentoft re-establishes his connection to his childhood home – a place that the truly cosmopolitan Kallentoft has spent all his life running from. The result is an innovative series of crime novels that are both poignant and packed full of suspense.

Critics and readers agree: Mons Kallentoft was born to tell the story about Malin Fors.
Series:
* Malin Fors

Reviews

[Stace · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book Reviewed by Clive on www.whisperingstories.com

I have frequently read that Swedish people enjoy a good standard of living, they are relatively healthy, they are well educated and they are supported by excellent welfare benefits. Even their crime statistics are better than most other countries. I therefore have to ask why their writers are so good at writing dark psychological thrillers.

Earth Storm is the eighth book in the Malin Fors series and the first Mons Kallentoft book that I have read. I was not disappointed. It was easy to read and the short punchy chapters kept my attention despite a brief lull mid-way through when the investigation was appearing to stall. The plot is full of modern issues and information technology plays a large part in the investigation.

Neil Smith has plenty of experience in translating Swedish fiction and he must take his share of the credit for such a good read.

Kallentoft has created an interesting central character in Malin Fors, a personally flawed but effective thirty-something Detective Inspector. Around her, he has built an interesting investigative team, all with their own strengths and weaknesses. At work Malin Fors is something of a superhero and the plot might have been more realistic if the action parts were shared around a bit, particularly during the gripping climax.

There was a small parallel plot featuring a problem that her daughter was experiencing at the same time. The book contains a fair measure of graphic violence. Not unrealistic considering the world that we live in but be warned if you are of a squeamish nature.

It appears that at least twelve Malin Fors books have been published and I hope that I can find time to read more. I can recommend Earth Storm and I have awarded it four stars.

[Liis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Racism and social activists- you can’t get more current than that, complete with gruesome deaths, torture and edge-of-the-seat moments. In this dark mystery, you will be able to witness the clash of violence, love and lust, panic and fearlessness.

Earth Storm is my first venture into the Malin Fors series but I am happy to say not having read any works by Kallentoft before, this did not take away from my reading experience. Yes, there are possibly some personal things surrounding Malin’s past that remained slightly mysterious for me, not the facts themselves, but more like how she had dealt with certain things in the past. This has only solidified my wish to read all of the books in the series, to go back to the start and experience the full works.

Malin is a very complex yet straightforward character. No BS kind of woman, guarded yet with her heart in the right place, loving yet strict, intelligent and constantly very considerate of seeing the two sides of the story rather than jumping to immature conclusions. I loved that about her- no matter how many times she battled with doubts in her mind, she took the time to pop herself into the other side of the story.

But Malin is not the only reason I really want to read more of Kallentoft’s works.

Mons Kallentoft writes with a style that offers very realistic and intimate insight into each of the character’s personalities and who they really are as people. The detective team Malin is a part of includes men and women of various skill sets and their own specific personal issues. The writing style has ensured that all of these characters enable the reader to form a clear idea of every one of them. The jumps in between first-person POVs by them all, provided a front-row seat not only for the processes at the crime scenes but also to their innermost thoughts. This is a beautiful way to get to know a character- the inner monologue can never be fake.

I was thinking about how the detectives always seem to have a drinking problem attached, as is the case with Malin who is a recovering alcoholic, and I came to the conclusion that perhaps this really shouldn’t be labelled as a cliché. Investigating horrific crimes and constantly dealing with twisted human minds naturally has an impact on any human. Add to this the myriad of ways life can throw curveballs and you know what? I’d probably grab for a bottle as well.

In addition to how the characters are developed, the writing style also allows for an almost haunting atmosphere. The lulls in between the crimes, the moments of helplessness as the detective team has no firm idea on who is behind it all, are the two crimes connected, can they get to Nadja in time… there are only speculation and sick games. It feels maddening and hopeless. However, as it all draws to a close, after screwing all of the emotions up to the last level, the conclusion is all the more satisfying. The ending is very satisfying and rewarding, what with the non-stop plot twists that Kallentoft throws at you, and I really though- man alive! How much more of this could anyone take without going crazy?!

I had tried to figure out who is behind the crimes and I was way off the mark. With slow reveal of each clue as the investigation gets closer to the who behind it all, every character interviewed by the force is a possible wolf in a sheeps’ skin. When I discovered who had done these horrific crimes and why, I realized just how twisted, immense and intense this plot was. Not because of disappointment, but because of how dark it all turned out to be.

Earth Storm is a fast-paced read as it visits multiple avenues and aspects of the society we currently live in. The importance of freedom of speech, the dangers it comes with and the dark plans being plotted right under our noses.

[Liz Barnsley · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a fast read for me and I enjoyed it - I found the central mystery to be highly compelling and the plotting was excellent, various strands coming together and a great set of characters with some socially relevant and thought provoking themes.

However I think in this case it DOES suffer, subjectively speaking, from the fact that I haven't read any previous books in the series. Sometimes that is fine but for me personally in this case it made some of the background a little disjointed. I felt on occasion that there were actually things I should know that I didn't, like they were just out of view.

Having said that I thought Malin Fors was a great main protagonist and I think I will go and buy the previous novels and get myself up to date. Always nice to have a backlist!

Recommended for fans of translated crime fiction.

[Todd Simpson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exceptional Read. This is the eighth book I’ve read in this series and I’ve absolutely loved every one of them. Mons Kallentoft certainly deserves all the praise he has received for his books. He puts just as much work into the characters as he does on the plot. I have really enjoyed following Malin Fors journey through the series, along with a number of other amazing characters. Earth Storm is gripping read, and I found myself reading faster and faster towards the end.
It’s hard for Malin Fors to concentrate on work with her daughter Tove working overseas in the Congo. Why she had to follow in her dad’s footsteps as a volunteer aid worker and working in some pretty dangerous places around the world really mystifies Malin. However, when a dead body is found, and it turns out to be someone everyone knows, it quickly turns her attention back on the job of finding a killer. Then to top it off a sixteen-year-old girl looks like she has been abducted from her house. Malin is hopeful that the girl is still alive, but the longer it’s taking to find her, the less hopeful everyone is becoming. There are so many great things to say about this book, and I would highly recommend it. 5/5 Star Rating.

[Dimitris Passas (TapTheLine) · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was the first book of Mons Kallentoft that I've read and though it, definitely, was not disappointing I think that it's not a novel that you will never be able to forget. It as a typical Scandi-Noir police procedural, dealing with the usual themes of the genre such as difficult familial relationships and child abuse put in a wider political context which dismantles the myth of the Scandinavian, idyllic welfare state of freedom and equality. The protagonist is a seasoned detective, Malin Fors, who has developed a kind of sixth sense through her career which helps her to engage more efficiently with each case. As a character, Fors is a rather interesting one even though she also is the typical Nordic Noir detective, broken and with an addiction problem that she keeps at bay but always looming behind the surface. Mons Kallentoft has created a lively character for whom the reader can feel sympathy. However, the successful characterization is counterbalanced by a clichéd storyline and as a result, ''Earth Storm'' doesn't succeed to leave any lasting impressions to the reader. In the near future, I will try another book by the same author as I'm willing to give him another chance, his writing skills are great and I think that he has a lot of potential.

[Birgitta Sundqvist · Rating 5 out of 5]

Spännande och svår att lägga ifrån sig.

[Ceesfransen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Goed boek, goede serie met Malin.

[Wilde Sky · Rating 5 out of 5]

A detective investigates a murder whilst struggling with her own demons.

I really enjoyed this book, the plot had a few holes, but the writing and characters were all top notch.

Overall rating 4.5

[Karolina Sosnowska]

https://tanayahczyta.wordpress.com/20...

[Chris Hendrickx · Rating 3 out of 5]

Goede detective roman. Vlot geschreven en goede verhaallijn. Spanning werd opgebouwd naar het einde toe. Ik hou van dit soort Scandinavische thrillers.

[Monika · Rating 4 out of 5]

Det tog emot lite att börja på den här, efter förra delen som kanske inte var ett riktigt bottennapp, men som inte heller var speciellt bra. Dock passade den bra in när jag behövde en lite tunnare bok och min relation till Malin Fors verkar ju vara ganska tålig. Läs mer min blogg

[Marran · Rating 3 out of 5]

varje gång jag läser Kallentoft blir jag irriterad på mig själv som gör det.... ändå lyckas jag alltid glömma bort hur mkt jag ogillar skrivsättet yills jag sitter där med nästa bok och svär lite åt mig själv...

aja helt ok bok ändå... bättre än den förra...

[Veronica · Rating 3 out of 5]

3,5 ändå. samma klass som övriga men slutet var riktigt spännande!

[Milie2112 · Rating 2 out of 5]

very simple reading with extremely simple narrative

[Katherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Malin Fors' relationship with Daniel is getting stronger, her battle with alcoholism continues but she is winning, her daughter is working in the Congo which is stressful and she has a new boss, who doesn't seem particularly adept but who is supportive. The core group of detectives are working on the latest crime to hit Linkoping, Sweden. In his usual fashion, Mons Kallentoft allows the reader to hear the mind of the criminal and at least one victim as well as the workings of Malin's mind as she" listens" to the victims voices. In this case, the first victim is a vocal racist who appears to have seen the fault in his convictions and turned his views around. He is found naked in a ditch along a country road, with no apparent marks on his body to indicate the cause of death. As the victims increase and the killer sends emails and leaves cryptic notes at the crime scenes, the investigation takes on more urgency when it appears that the second victim is a 16 year old girl. She has been abducted and may be buried alive. Malin is convinced she is still alive and that they can find her in time, if only they can get at least one clue as to who this madman is. Clues, leads are extremely elusive, however, and as the investigation leads further and further into the realms of anti-immigration activists, it becomes even more convoluted. The short chapters add to the increased rhythm of the hunt.

[Gavin Felgate · Rating 4 out of 5]

The 8th book in the Malin Fors series addresses the subject of free speech and what people do with it. At the start, an outspoken right-wing extremist is murdered, leaving Malin and the team with a long list of suspects.

At the same time, a Greta Thunberg-like left wing activist is buried alive, starting a race against time to find her before it is too late. It is this character who provides the usual stream-of-consciousness dialogue that runs through the book.

This book continues several themes seen in previous books; at one point, Waldemar Ekberg attacks a suspect to achieve his own agenda. The book also provides a sense of jeopardy for Malin's daughter Tove, who has gone missing on a trip. It's more of a secondary plot that takes place in the background, but it provides a distraction for Malin, who at one point almost returns to her old bad habit of drinking. The book also developed Malin's relationship with Daniel.

This was another good book, although at the end I realised not all of the killer's motives were clear. It did provide a tense finale as Malin raced to save more potential victims before it was too late. This book also worked particularly well as a stand-alone as it didn't require too much reference to previous entries in the series.

I understand that there are meant to be further books in the series, although internet sources seem unreliable. I will hope to be able to continue reading about these characters in the future.

[Janey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mons Kallentoft’s Earth Storm is a gripping installment in his Malin Fors series. Kallentoft blends a disturbing murder investigation with a penetrating study of loneliness, morality, and societal decay. This is not just a whodunit—it’s a meditation on the darkness lurking beneath ordinary lives.

One of the strengths of Earth Storm lies in its exploration of complex themes. Kallentoft examines isolation and alienation, showing how individuals can feel disconnected despite living in seemingly close-knit communities. He also addresses the abuse of power and the silencing of victims, highlighting how privilege can shield perpetrators from consequences. These societal issues are mirrored in the personal turmoil of the characters, creating a layered and compelling narrative.

The characters in Earth Storm are vividly drawn, particularly Malin Fors. She is a detective who is not simply solving crimes but fighting to impose order on the chaos of both her work and her inner life. Her flaws make her authentic and relatable, and her introspection adds depth to the story. The supporting characters, from fellow detectives to potential suspects, are equally well developed and contribute meaningfully to the tension and complexity of the investigation.

[David Hallstrom · Rating 4 out of 5]

Earth Storm is the 8th entry in the Malin Fors series. And it is among the strongest. This is Kellentoft at his best.

The characters - Malin Fors and her co-workers - are well-defined. POV changes are frequent in the Fors series, but they are never distracting. You know which character is taking over the narrative precisely because they are so well-defined.

The is a police procedural so I do not want to give away any of the story line. It is a well-written, engaging read (I read 280 pages the first day and could have finished in one day had I not other commitments.). It is an interesting story, timely and engaging.

If you are not familiar with the Fors series this is one of the best (although there is enough backstory that a reader will be well-served to read the stories in order, but not essential).

[Jeannette · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am in a quandary about this book. It started very slow and at first I was not impressed with it.
Malin' character was definately different. It seems that now that the "Maria" case had been sloved she really had nothing to sink her teeth into. I decided that it was good for a 3.5 because of the ingenious way the first victime was killed. The story improved after about half way through. Still I think that his previous book had alot more depth and held my interest

[Mandy Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

This author can do no wrong! Loved this! I couldn’t wait to see what Malin was up to and what was going on in her life and she was still troubled and worrying about her daughter. The way this author writes is magical,it creates a feeling and an atmosphere without the words being too flowery,over descriptive or wordy. I was anxious about whether they would find the young girl in time and then a character who I like and Malin needs gets taken and I have no nails left!!

[Toni · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow what a ride, kept you intrigued and was a fast pace, I couldn't put it down.

How your formative years can form you and how humanity can have two faces. Watch your words, look after them. They are important.

Loved all the characters and I'll be looking for more from this author. Want / need to know how their stories progress.

[Ellen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Helt okej tidsfördriv, men inte mer än så. Morden och mördarna är nästan lite over the top för att jag ska tro på historian. Dessutom, hur många konstiga mördare kan det finnas i Linköping? Språket är som det är i Kallentofts böcker, det är lite högtravande och poetiskt och ibland passar det in, i andra lägen inte. Får nog ta lite paus innan jag läser nästa bok, annars kommer jag tröttna.

[Tone Hansen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Klassisk Malin Fors krim. Bra, men ikke imponerende.

[Roksana Obuchowska · Rating 4 out of 5]

W moim mniemaniu najlepsza książka o Malin Fors.

[Clare Scanlan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great characters, really horrible murders, very well written

[Nicholas Kinsey · Rating 3 out of 5]

A run of the mill crime novel, a bit like a b-movie thriller.

[Ranjana · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very gripping and fast read!

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked it, but I've read better books. Everything happens in, like, the three or four last chapters.

[Bill · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this and went and bought some of the other books in the series. I have read some reviews and know that the very distinctive writing style puts some readers off. Each to their own!

[Sigurður Halldór · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fín spennusaga