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Igloo

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A blind elderly man, Mr. Iakovos Theris, moves into a neoclassical house in the Metaxourgeio area of ​​Athens, coming from a cold, semi-mountainous town in Northern Greece. Soon his eccentric personality turns him into a kind of legend in the neighborhood, especially his racist and homophobic views. However, no one can imagine that behind this graphically eccentric facade lies a dark secret.

Psychological/Existential Mystery Drama

291 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2026

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About the author

Dimitris Apergis

17 books19 followers
Dimitris Apergis was born in Larissa, Greece, in 1978. He graduated in BA Film Studies at Solent University in Southampton, England. He lives in Larissa, Greece. He publishes his books in Greek and English. (Paperback and e-book)
Dimitris Apergis has been honored several times with distinctions for his literary work.
In 2012, he won the 1st short story prize for the short story "Acid rain" from the newspaper MONITOR.
In 2013, he received a Short Story Award for the short story "Labyrinth" from the Panhellenic Union of Writers.
In 2015, he was honored with the 2nd Novella Award for the novella "Jazz Room" by the Panhellenic Union of Writers.
In 2017, he received the first prize for the novel "At the Whiskey County" at the 7th World Literary Competition of the HCCA. (Hellenic Cypriot Cultural Association).
In 2018, he received the First Prize for Fiction for the novel "Gerard & the Father" at the 36th Literary Competition of the Panhellenic Union of Writers. In the same year, for his novel "Gerard & the Father", he was honored with the 1st prize at the 8th World Literary Competition of the HCCA. (Hellenic Cypriot Cultural Association).
In 2024 he received three honorary awards at the International Fiction Festival '24 by WURI:
1) Honorary Award for the English version of the novel "Lord Greywood, vampire". The ranking of the novel was in the Top 10% of the participants. (Participation from over 850 authors from 48 countries)
2) Honorary Award for the English version of the novel "The Inhabitants of the World". The ranking of the novel was in the Top 25% of the participants. (Participation from over 850 authors from 48 countries)
3) Honorary Award for the English version of the novella "Jazz Room" ("Jazz Room"). The ranking of the novella was in the Top 10% of the participants. (Participation from over 850 authors from 48 countries)

WORKS

"Jazz Room & other stories" (2015) (novella)
"At the Whiskey County" (2016) (novel)
"Gerard & the father" (2018) (novel)
"Lord Greywood, vampire" (2020) (novel)
"The Inhabitants of the World" (2023) (novel)

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Ο Δημήτρης Απέργης γεννήθηκε στην Λάρισα το 1978. Σπούδασε Κινηματογράφο στο Πανεπιστήμιο Σόλεντ του Σάουθαμπτον στην Αγγλία. Ζει στην Λάρισα. Εκδίδει τα βιβλία του στη ελληνική και στην αγγλική γλώσσα. (Paperback και e-book)
Ο Δημήτρης Απέργης έχει τιμηθεί αρκετές φορές με διακρίσεις για το λογοτεχνικό του έργο.
Το 2012 απέσπασε το Α' βραβείο Διηγήματος για το διήγημα «Όξινη βροχή» από την εφημερίδα ΜΟΝΙΤΟΡ.
Το 2013 τιμήθηκε με Έπαινο Διηγήματος για το διήγημα «Λαβύρινθος» από την Πανελλήνια Ένωση Λογοτεχνών.
Το 2015 τιμήθηκε με το Β' βραβείο Νουβέλας για την νουβέλα «Jazz Room» από την Πανελλήνια Ένωση Λογοτεχνών.
Το 2017 απέσπασε το Α' βραβείο Μυθιστορήματος για το μυθιστόρημα «Στην Κομητεία του Ουίσκι» στον 7ο Παγκόσμιο Λογοτεχνικό Διαγωνισμό του Ε.Π.Ο.Κ. (Ελληνικός Πολιτιστικός Όμιλος Κυπρίων).
Το 2018 απέσπασε το Α' βραβείο Μυθιστορήματος για το μυθιστόρημα "Ο Ζεράρ & ο πατέρας" στον 36ο Λογοτεχνικό Διαγωνισμό της Πανελλήνιας Ένωσης Λογοτεχνων. Την ίδια χρονιά, για το μυθιστόρημά του "Ο Ζεράρ & ο πατέρας", τιμήθηκε με το Α' βραβείο Μυθιστορήματος στο 8ο Παγκόσμιο Λογοτεχνικό Διαγωνισμό του Ε.Π.Ο.Κ. (Ελληνικός Πολιτιστικός Όμιλος Κυπρίων).
Το 2024 απέσπασε τρία τιμητικά βραβεία στο International Fiction Festival '24 από την WURI:
1) Τιμητικό βραβείο για την αγγλική έκδοση του μυθιστορήματος "Λόρδος Γκρέηγουντ, βρυκόλακας" ("Lord Greywood, vampire"). Η κατάταξη του μυθιστορήματος ήταν στο Top 10% των συμμετεχόντων.
2) Τιμητικό βραβείο για την αγγλική έκδοση του μυθιστορήματος "Οι ενοικούντες επί της γης" ("The Inhabitants of the World"). Η κατάταξη του μυθιστορήματος ήταν στο Top 25% των συμμετεχόντων.
3) Τιμητικό βραβείο για την αγγλική έκδοση της νουβέλας "Jazz Room" ("Jazz Room"). Η κατάταξη της νουβέλας ήταν στο Top 10% των συμμετεχόντων.

ΕΡΓΟΓΡΑΦΙΑ
"Jazz Room & άλλες ιστορίες" (2015) (νουβέλα)
"Jazz Room & other stories" (2015) (novella)

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5 stars
20 (86%)
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
Profile Image for Lucy Ahrens.
1 review
April 26, 2026
I honestly was not sure what to expect going in, but the premise pulled me in. A blind and grumpy old man moves into a neighborhood in Athens where nobody really knows what to make of him. It sounds simple, but it really is not.

Apergis takes his time with the story. At first I was not sure if I was patient enough for it, but somewhere in the middle something shifted. I realized I was completely hooked without really knowing when it happened. That is a skill not every writer has.

Mr. Theris is not likable at first. In fact, he is not likable even a little bit. However, that is the whole point. You keep reading because you need to understand him, and by the time you do, you realize the book was never really about what you originally thought.

The writing is quiet and precise. There is no unnecessary drama and there are no big explosive moments. Instead, there is just a slow and creeping sense that something underneath the surface is very wrong and very human at the same time. I did not expect to feel anything while reading this, but I truly did.

If you like books that make you sit with them for a while after you finish, this is one of those. It is not a fast read emotionally even if it is not a long book. Dimitris Apergis is clearly a serious writer and I will be looking up his other work.
1 review
Read
April 13, 2026
I first came across a post about Igloo in one of my favorite BookTok communities, shared by a book promoter named Julian Hartwell, and I am so glad I took the recommendation! This book is an absolute hidden gem.

Dimitris Apergis has written something truly special here. The way he brings the character of Mr. Iakovos Theris to life is incredible, he’s this blind, eccentric old man who is both abrasive and deeply fascinating. Moving from the cold mountains of Northern Greece to a neoclassical house in Metaxourgeio, Athens, he becomes this local legend that everyone has an opinion on, but no one truly knows.

The Igloo of the title is such a perfect metaphor for the isolation and the dark secrets Iakovos keeps hidden. The writing is incredibly creative and immersive; I felt like I was walking the streets of Athens right alongside these characters. It starts as a rich character study but slowly reveals a much darker, gripping reality that kept me hooked until the very last page. If you're looking for a book that is atmospheric, psychologically deep, and unlike anything else you’ve read lately, you have to pick this up.

Huge thanks to the community and Julian for putting this on my radar!
1 review
April 13, 2026
I am so incredibly happy that my book club community suggested Igloo for our monthly read. Dimitris Apergis has crafted a story that sparked hours of intense conversation among us. The novel follows Mr. Iakovos Theris who is a blind and deeply eccentric elderly man that moves from the cold northern mountains of Greece into a beautiful neoclassical house in the Metaxourgeio district of Athens.

Our group spent so much time debating his character because he is so abrasive and controversial as a local legend yet you cannot help but be fascinated by him. The writing is remarkably creative and organic and it feels like the house itself is a character keeping his dark secrets safe.

We all loved the metaphor of the Igloo and how it represents his isolation and the emotional walls he has built over a lifetime. It is rare to find a book that is this atmospheric and thought provoking while also delivering a gripping mystery that keeps everyone in the community talking. If your book club is looking for a deep and uniquely humanized literary noir then you absolutely have to add this to your list.

It is a five star masterpiece that stayed with all of us long after we finished the last page
1 review
April 15, 2026
I am honestly still reeling from this. Igloo isn’t just a story; it is an entire mood. The author has this incredible way of making the setting feel like a character itself cold, isolating, but strangely beautiful. I found myself highlighting so many passages just because the prose was so sharp and poetic. It’s rare to find a book that balances such high creativity with genuine emotional stakes, but this nailed it. If you like stories that linger in your mind long after the final page, please pick this up.

I discovered Igloo through a recommendation in my book club, where someone shared this post by one of our admin "Juliian Hartwell". Our group is always looking for something "different," and the buzz around this author's creativity really caught our attention. I am so impressed with the writing style it’s incredibly vivid and unlike anything we’ve discussed recently. The way the author handles the atmosphere is brilliant, and it sparked such a deep conversation during our last meeting. It’s one of those rare books that is both a page-turner and a work of art. I’m really grateful to Julian Hartwell and my club for putting this on my radar. If you’re looking for a fresh, creative read that will stay with you, this is definitely the one!
Profile Image for Ethan Caldwell.
2 reviews
April 12, 2026
I wasn’t entirely sure what to expect going into this, but Igloo turned out to be a much more layered and unsettling read than I anticipated. On the surface, it feels like a slow character study, centered on an aging man who is difficult, abrasive, and often hard to sympathize with. But as the story progresses, it becomes clear that there’s something deeper and more disturbing beneath that exterior.

What I found most compelling is how the novel doesn’t try to make things easy for the reader. Mr. Theris is not written to be liked, and that discomfort is intentional. It creates a kind of tension that builds quietly rather than dramatically, which I appreciated. The writing itself is restrained and controlled, allowing the atmosphere and psychology to carry the weight of the story.

The setting also plays an important role. There’s a sense of isolation and quiet decay that mirrors the inner world of the protagonist, and it adds to the overall mood without ever feeling overdone.

It’s not a fast-paced or plot-driven book, but if you’re drawn to psychological fiction that focuses on character and atmosphere, this is definitely worth your time.
Profile Image for faith  brooklyn.
3 reviews1 follower
January 26, 2026
Ιγκλού by Δημήτρης Απέργης immediately drew me in with its intriguing premise. The story of Mr. Ιάκωβος Θέρης, a blind elderly man whose eccentric personality turns him into a local legend, promises a compelling mix of psychological depth, suspense, and social commentary. From what I’ve learned, the novel explores human contradictions, moral complexity, and hidden secrets, all set against the vivid backdrop of Μεταξουργείο in Athens.

Even from the synopsis, it’s clear that Απέργης has crafted a character-driven narrative that challenges readers to think about prejudice, identity, and the shadows people hide behind. I can’t wait to dive into this layered, mysterious story and discover the secrets lurking beneath Mr. Θέρης’ eccentric exterior. A highly recommended read for anyone who enjoys psychological dramas with moral and existential weight!
1 review
April 17, 2026
This book is a gripping masterclass in suspense and character study. Mr. Iakovos Theris is a hauntingly complex protagonist a blind, abrasive man whose arrival in Athens’ Metaxourgeio neighborhood feels like a slow-burning fuse.
I picked this up after seeing it recommended by Julian Hartwell in a readers' community, and it did not disappoint. What begins as a fascinating look at an eccentric, graphic personality quickly spirals into something much more chilling. The author brilliantly uses Mr. Theris's overt prejudices to mask a much deeper, more sinister reality. It’s rare to find a thriller that balances atmosphere and psychological depth so perfectly. A must-read for anyone who loves a story where nothing is as it seems!
Profile Image for Heather Fulmer.
3 reviews2 followers
April 24, 2026
Igloo is a slow, atmospheric psychological mystery that focuses more on character and tension than fast-moving plot.

The central character, Mr. Iakovos Theris, is intentionally difficult to read, which makes him interesting to follow. There’s a constant sense that something is being hidden beneath the surface, and that uncertainty carries much of the story.

The setting also adds to the mood, especially the contrast of environments and the old house in Athens, which feels important to the tone of the book.

This is not a fast-paced thriller, but more of a gradual, character-driven story that leans into psychology and atmosphere. It will likely appeal most to readers who enjoy slower, more reflective mysteries.
1 review
April 11, 2026
Y'all... I did NOT see that coming. 🤯 I usually guess the 'dark secret' in these types of books by chapter five, but this one actually got me. I have to give a huge thanks to Julian Hartwell for the recommendation, because I probably would have missed this hidden gem otherwise. It starts off feeling like a neighborhood drama with this eccentric (and honestly, kind of terrible) old guy, and then it just takes a sharp turn into something way darker. It’s one of those books where you finish it and immediately want to go back to the beginning to see what clues you missed. Seriously, listen to Julian on this one, it’s a must-read.
2 reviews
Read
April 11, 2026
Apergis understands that the most disturbing monsters are the ones we invite in for coffee. Theris is racist, homophobic, deliberately difficult. He is also blind, elderly, alone, deserving of compassion we do not want to give. The novel makes you sit with that contradiction until it becomes uncomfortable. Then it makes you sit longer. The dark secret behind his facade is earned because the facade itself is so precisely drawn. This is psychological fiction that proves Julian Hartwell's eye for talent. I saw his recommendation in a BookTok community and knew I needed to read it. I am already checking what else he has recommended.
1 review
April 14, 2026
I first heard about Igloo in a readers community through a post by book promoter Julian Hartwell, and I’m so glad I followed the recommendation! Dimitris Apergis has created something truly special with the character of Mr. Iakovos Theris. The writing is incredibly sensory and creative, making the world of a blind protagonist feel vivid and deeply emotional. It’s rare to find an author who can balance such unique creativity with beautiful, award-winning prose. If you’re looking for a book that stays with you long after the final page, this is it. A huge thanks to the community for putting this on my radar!
1 review
April 15, 2026
Apergis has written something truly special with Igloo. The title itself is such a perfect metaphor for the isolation and the cold, quiet space the protagonist lives in. I loved the exploration of Mr. Iakovos’s past versus his present reality. The author captures the dignity of an elderly man navigating a world that often ignores people like him. It’s heart wrenching at times, but the creativity in the prose kept me turning the pages. It’s one of the most unique character studies I’ve read in years.
2 reviews
March 9, 2026
Igloo is a thoughtful psychological mystery that gradually draws readers into a tense and reflective atmosphere.Through the character of Mr lakovos Theris,Dimitris Apergis explores themes of isolations,perception and the complexity of human nature.The story unfolds at a steady pace revealing deeper layers of character and meaning.overall,its an intriguing and character driven novel that invites readers to look beyond first impressions.
1 review
April 21, 2026
Igloo is a reflective and atmospheric story that explores human emotion and survival through a strong narrative style.

The writing feels immersive, with a clear sense of tone and pacing that keeps the reader engaged. There’s a thoughtful structure to the storytelling that makes the experience more visual and emotionally grounded.

Overall, it’s a meaningful read for readers who enjoy character-driven fiction with depth and introspection.
2 reviews
January 30, 2026
A chilling psychological mystery that proves the most dangerous secrets hide in plain sight. When a blind, abrasive elderly man moves into a quiet Athens neighborhood, his "eccentric" personality masks a dark, existential truth. A gripping, slow-burn read for fans of gritty character studies and deep secrets.
1 review
April 11, 2026
This book is creepy. Mr. Iakovos is a nightmare of a human being, but the mystery is so juicy that I couldn't stop. It’s short, punchy, and doesn't waste any time. I loved how the blindness was handled, it really limits what the 'reader' can see, which makes the suspense even better. It’s definitely not for the faint of heart, but if you like dark psychological stuff, it’s 100% worth the buy.
2 reviews
April 14, 2026
Chilling and deeply atmospheric.
I couldn’t put this down. The setting of a neoclassical house in Athens provides such a moody backdrop for Mr. Iakovos’s story. I saw a post in a book community from a book promoter recommending this for fans of dark psychological dramas, and it did not disappoint. The ending left me speechless.
3 reviews
April 20, 2026
IGloo isn't an easy read, but it's a rewarding one. Mr. Iakovos Theris is a deliberately unlikable racist, homophobic, abrasive yet Apergis slowly peels back his layers to reveal something far more haunting than mere bigotry. The mystery behind his "eccentric facade" lands with real emotional weight. A tight, quiet psychological drama that lingers.
Profile Image for Harry Clifford.
6 reviews
January 23, 2026
Igloo is an intellectually rich and emotionally unsettling novel that challenges the reader at every turn. Dimitris Apergis uses character, setting, and silence with precision, crafting a story that is as much about inner exile as it is about external mystery.
Profile Image for Roy Whits.
4 reviews
January 23, 2026
Dark, bold, and unflinchingly honest, Igloo draws the reader into the fractured inner world of a deeply complex character. Apergis’s writing is confident and evocative, transforming a quiet Athenian neighborhood into the stage for a powerful psychological reckoning.
Profile Image for Tubedra Parable.
15 reviews3 followers
April 25, 2026
A dark tale of prejudice, secrets, and isolation; slow, gripping, thought-provoking, top recommended.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews