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Tuva Moodyson Mystery #5
Wolf Pack
When there’s a pack on the hunt, nobody’s safe
A closed community
Rose Farm is home to a group of survivalists, completely cut off from the outside world. Until now.
A missing person
A young woman goes missing within the perimeter of the farm compound. Can Tuva talk her way inside the tight-knit group to find her story?
A frantic search
As Tuva attempts to unmask the culprit, she gains unique access to the residents. But soon she finds herself in danger of the pack turning against her – will she make her way back to safety so she can expose the truth?
Will Dean’s most heart-pounding Tuva Moodyson thriller yet takes Tuva to her absolute limits in exposing a heinous crime, and in her own personal life. Can she, and will she, do the right thing?
A closed community
Rose Farm is home to a group of survivalists, completely cut off from the outside world. Until now.
A missing person
A young woman goes missing within the perimeter of the farm compound. Can Tuva talk her way inside the tight-knit group to find her story?
A frantic search
As Tuva attempts to unmask the culprit, she gains unique access to the residents. But soon she finds herself in danger of the pack turning against her – will she make her way back to safety so she can expose the truth?
Will Dean’s most heart-pounding Tuva Moodyson thriller yet takes Tuva to her absolute limits in exposing a heinous crime, and in her own personal life. Can she, and will she, do the right thing?
323 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 8, 2022
33 people are currently reading
644 people want to read
About the author
Will Dean
22 books1,582 followersWill Dean grew up in the East Midlands, living in nine different villages before the age of eighteen. He was a bookish, daydreaming kid who found comfort in stories and nature (and he still does). After studying Law at the LSE, and working in London, he settled in rural Sweden. He built a wooden house in a boggy clearing at the centre of a vast elk forest, and it's from this base that he compulsively reads and writes. He is the author of Dark Pines.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 128 reviews
October 27, 2022
EXCERPT: I'm hot. The concrete all around is cold but I'm sweating and I'm growing tired. The caterpillar movements are difficult. I'm moving but it is slow work and I feel like there is a paving slab resting on my chest and one underneath me and a wall pushing each shoulder. I'm locked in a box that nobody has the key for.
I scoot along and the roof comes down lower so I have to turn my head to the side.
My breathing quickens.
Fuck this.
My hearing aid grates along the stone floor of this hellhole, and then it comes loose.
I scream.
I shouldn't. It makes things worse. My chest starts to convulse, I'm breathing too fast, my ribs hitting the ceiling and then retreating. Hitting and retreating.
Sweat in my eyes.
One hearing aid gone. The urge to stand is unbearable. I want to get up and walk. I want to spread my arms.
Blackness.
The smell of moss and wet earth.
And then the worst thing in the world.
My head hits a wall. The flat tunnel closes in and I realise there is no other end. This is a one way journey.
ABOUT 'WOLF PACK': A closed community
Rose Farm is home to a group of survivalists, completely cut off from the outside world. Until now.
A missing person
A young woman goes missing within the perimeter of the farm compound. Can Tuva talk her way inside the tight-knit group to find her story?
A frantic search
As Tuva attempts to unmask the culprit, she gains unique access to the residents. But soon she finds herself in danger of the pack turning against her – will she make her way back to safety so she can expose the truth?
MY THOUGHTS: Wolf Pack is tight and tense and exciting.
The remote Swedish countryside in which this series is set is almost as major a character as Tuva herself. Filled with dark, menacing forests, it adds to the claustrophobic atmosphere Will Dean has created. And if you think that Rose Farm is a spot of brightness in the landscape, you might need to think again. It has a dark past, and is now a closed community, home to a half dozen survivalists.
Tuva is a fascinating character. She is deaf, but has never let that hold her back. She is gritty, and determined, but has a soft side demonstrated by the love she shows her comatose partner Noora, and Dan, the small boy who lives in the apartment next to hers.
A number of characters from the previous books make an appearance in Wolf Pack. Nils and Lars, her newspaper colleagues; Tammy, her best friend; policeman Thord Petterson; and others. This gives a great sense of continuity.
What starts out as a missing person's case soon turns into something more sinister as a body is discovered. Suddenly the idyllic Rose Farm becomes a hotbed of resentment, and jealousy, as the disparity between the picture they present to the world and what actually happens there widens and is exposed.
⭐⭐⭐⭐.3
#WolfPack #NetGalley
I: @willrdean @oneworldpublications
T: @willrdean @OneworldNews
#contemporaryfiction #crime #murdermystery #thriller
THE AUTHOR: Will Dean grew up in the East Midlands, living in nine different villages before the age of eighteen. He was a bookish, daydreaming kid who found comfort in stories and nature (and he still does). After studying Law at the LSE, and working in London, he settled in rural Sweden. He built a wooden house in a boggy clearing at the centre of a vast elk forest, and it's from this base that he compulsively reads and writes.
DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Oneworld Publications, Point Blank, for providing a digital ARC of Wolf Pack by Will Dean for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.
For an explanation of my rating system please refer to my Goodreads.com profile page or the about page on sandysbookaday.wordpress.com
This review is also published on Twitter, Amazon, Instagram and my webpage https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...
I scoot along and the roof comes down lower so I have to turn my head to the side.
My breathing quickens.
Fuck this.
My hearing aid grates along the stone floor of this hellhole, and then it comes loose.
I scream.
I shouldn't. It makes things worse. My chest starts to convulse, I'm breathing too fast, my ribs hitting the ceiling and then retreating. Hitting and retreating.
Sweat in my eyes.
One hearing aid gone. The urge to stand is unbearable. I want to get up and walk. I want to spread my arms.
Blackness.
The smell of moss and wet earth.
And then the worst thing in the world.
My head hits a wall. The flat tunnel closes in and I realise there is no other end. This is a one way journey.
ABOUT 'WOLF PACK': A closed community
Rose Farm is home to a group of survivalists, completely cut off from the outside world. Until now.
A missing person
A young woman goes missing within the perimeter of the farm compound. Can Tuva talk her way inside the tight-knit group to find her story?
A frantic search
As Tuva attempts to unmask the culprit, she gains unique access to the residents. But soon she finds herself in danger of the pack turning against her – will she make her way back to safety so she can expose the truth?
MY THOUGHTS: Wolf Pack is tight and tense and exciting.
The remote Swedish countryside in which this series is set is almost as major a character as Tuva herself. Filled with dark, menacing forests, it adds to the claustrophobic atmosphere Will Dean has created. And if you think that Rose Farm is a spot of brightness in the landscape, you might need to think again. It has a dark past, and is now a closed community, home to a half dozen survivalists.
Tuva is a fascinating character. She is deaf, but has never let that hold her back. She is gritty, and determined, but has a soft side demonstrated by the love she shows her comatose partner Noora, and Dan, the small boy who lives in the apartment next to hers.
A number of characters from the previous books make an appearance in Wolf Pack. Nils and Lars, her newspaper colleagues; Tammy, her best friend; policeman Thord Petterson; and others. This gives a great sense of continuity.
What starts out as a missing person's case soon turns into something more sinister as a body is discovered. Suddenly the idyllic Rose Farm becomes a hotbed of resentment, and jealousy, as the disparity between the picture they present to the world and what actually happens there widens and is exposed.
⭐⭐⭐⭐.3
#WolfPack #NetGalley
I: @willrdean @oneworldpublications
T: @willrdean @OneworldNews
#contemporaryfiction #crime #murdermystery #thriller
THE AUTHOR: Will Dean grew up in the East Midlands, living in nine different villages before the age of eighteen. He was a bookish, daydreaming kid who found comfort in stories and nature (and he still does). After studying Law at the LSE, and working in London, he settled in rural Sweden. He built a wooden house in a boggy clearing at the centre of a vast elk forest, and it's from this base that he compulsively reads and writes.
DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Oneworld Publications, Point Blank, for providing a digital ARC of Wolf Pack by Will Dean for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.
For an explanation of my rating system please refer to my Goodreads.com profile page or the about page on sandysbookaday.wordpress.com
This review is also published on Twitter, Amazon, Instagram and my webpage https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...
October 19, 2022
I have read all the compelling Tuva Moodyson thrillers by Will Dean and am always glad to learn there is a new addition to the series. Tuva is an engaging character. She is a deaf newspaper reporter working in small towns in the north of Sweden. We feel the cold chill in the remote area, surrounded by dark forests where wolves and elk abound, and the nearby marshes and Snake River.
Tuva is overwhelmed by grief and remorse following the shooting of her love and police officer, Noora, that occurred in her apartment in the previous book. The shock and sadness have left Tuva feeling numb and with little desire to live. She is willing to push herself into reckless situations. Noora requires 24 hours care, shows no awareness of her surroundings, and must be fed through a tube. Her condition is unlikely to improve.
Some characters from the previous books return, including her best friend Tammy, Lars and Nils from the newsroom, Police Chief Bjorn Andersson, and police officer Thord. Tuva visits Noora, cared for in her mother's home. Both women sit with former officer Noora, but there is no response.
A young woman, Elsa, aged 20, has gone missing. She worked at a cafe in the heavily guarded and fortified Rose Farm, run by an elusive, mysterious Abraham Viklund and his wife, Teresa. The inhabitants are said to compose a survivalist cult. They hoard food and weapons, undergo harsh physical training, and are on alert for strangers who are not welcome. They believe there are many ways the outer world might infringe upon their compound-such as plagues, war, famine, and police attacks, and they are determined to survive any threat from without. The local police can do little to search for the missing Elsa within the area of Rose Farm.
In 1987 the Farm became notorious due to a horrible murder/suicide by the previous owner. He shot his wife and two children and killed himself. Only a tiny baby survived. Elsa's body has been found, and Tuva is tenacious in helping the police find her murderer and bring the killer to justice. She starts by asking people in the community what they know about the inhabitants of Rose Farm. The townspeople do not know or are not forthcoming. Those who will talk spread rumours or give muddled information that is less than helpful. One older woman suggests all men are pediatricians. Tuva interprets this as the woman believes they are pedophiles.
She is now obsessed with the murder and determined to infiltrate the compound to learn about its members. She disregards her safety and is unwelcome. Searching the internet, Tuva finds a survivalist site and locates its top poster. He seems to have a vast experience in survival situations and is an expert in survival techniques. She offers to trade his expertise as a way to operate freely in the compound. Within the Farm, she meets Teresa Viklund but not her husband, the leader and seldom-seen Abraham, Linda who runs the cafe, Ruby who owns the spa and her husband Niklas, Andreas a groundsman and guard, and Kurt Holm. I did not find Tuva's newest mystery as engaging as previous ones because the compound members were barely recognizable to me as individuals. I failed to connect with them and lacked interest in their secrets and any possible motive for Elsa's death. Soon, Tuva witnessed another murder, also seen by members of the cult. One could conclude that this second killing, carried out in plain sight, must be connected to Elsa's death, but was it?
The "Wolf Pack"(as outsiders call the members of Rose Farm) turns on Tuva. I feared for Tuva as she got into death-defying, horrifying, claustrophobic situations. The dangers were bone-chilling and filled with tension and suspense. I will await the next book, as I am anxious for her emotional well-being after her terrifying ordeals.
Tuva is overwhelmed by grief and remorse following the shooting of her love and police officer, Noora, that occurred in her apartment in the previous book. The shock and sadness have left Tuva feeling numb and with little desire to live. She is willing to push herself into reckless situations. Noora requires 24 hours care, shows no awareness of her surroundings, and must be fed through a tube. Her condition is unlikely to improve.
Some characters from the previous books return, including her best friend Tammy, Lars and Nils from the newsroom, Police Chief Bjorn Andersson, and police officer Thord. Tuva visits Noora, cared for in her mother's home. Both women sit with former officer Noora, but there is no response.
A young woman, Elsa, aged 20, has gone missing. She worked at a cafe in the heavily guarded and fortified Rose Farm, run by an elusive, mysterious Abraham Viklund and his wife, Teresa. The inhabitants are said to compose a survivalist cult. They hoard food and weapons, undergo harsh physical training, and are on alert for strangers who are not welcome. They believe there are many ways the outer world might infringe upon their compound-such as plagues, war, famine, and police attacks, and they are determined to survive any threat from without. The local police can do little to search for the missing Elsa within the area of Rose Farm.
In 1987 the Farm became notorious due to a horrible murder/suicide by the previous owner. He shot his wife and two children and killed himself. Only a tiny baby survived. Elsa's body has been found, and Tuva is tenacious in helping the police find her murderer and bring the killer to justice. She starts by asking people in the community what they know about the inhabitants of Rose Farm. The townspeople do not know or are not forthcoming. Those who will talk spread rumours or give muddled information that is less than helpful. One older woman suggests all men are pediatricians. Tuva interprets this as the woman believes they are pedophiles.
She is now obsessed with the murder and determined to infiltrate the compound to learn about its members. She disregards her safety and is unwelcome. Searching the internet, Tuva finds a survivalist site and locates its top poster. He seems to have a vast experience in survival situations and is an expert in survival techniques. She offers to trade his expertise as a way to operate freely in the compound. Within the Farm, she meets Teresa Viklund but not her husband, the leader and seldom-seen Abraham, Linda who runs the cafe, Ruby who owns the spa and her husband Niklas, Andreas a groundsman and guard, and Kurt Holm. I did not find Tuva's newest mystery as engaging as previous ones because the compound members were barely recognizable to me as individuals. I failed to connect with them and lacked interest in their secrets and any possible motive for Elsa's death. Soon, Tuva witnessed another murder, also seen by members of the cult. One could conclude that this second killing, carried out in plain sight, must be connected to Elsa's death, but was it?
The "Wolf Pack"(as outsiders call the members of Rose Farm) turns on Tuva. I feared for Tuva as she got into death-defying, horrifying, claustrophobic situations. The dangers were bone-chilling and filled with tension and suspense. I will await the next book, as I am anxious for her emotional well-being after her terrifying ordeals.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 26, 2023
Picking up just a few months after the cliffhanger ending from Bad Apples, Tuva Moodyson's world has, indeed, changed. She's still Deputy Editor at the Gavrik Posten, still hanging out with best mate Tammy or looking after her little neighbour, Dan, when she has time, still clearing with ease all the hurdles her acquired deafness places in her path, but something is missing. Someone, actually.
Driving near the edge of Utgard Forest one day, Tuva notices something near the side of the road. It's a dog that's been badly injured. The dog's owner is not far away, and Tuva finds herself transporting man and dog back to the Gavrik vet clinic. The man isn't inclined to be talkative, but Tuva discovers he is a local named Bengt Nyberg, and he'd been out in the forest searching for his missing niece, Elsa. She'd been working at the mysterious Rose Farm but hadn't been seen for a while. Always on the lookout for a juicy local story, Tuva starts digging around and before long, her investigation takes her to Rose Farm.
For Tuva's fifth outing, Will Dean has written yet another cracking mystery that would put you off holidaying in northern Sweden. Although, to be fair, it's not quite as demented as #4 was... This time we are introduced to a small and very private survivalist group with a lot to hide. Most of the usual local supporting cast is there too; many of whom have grown or changed in some way as a result of the happenings in previous instalments. Tuva enters the dark, dark world of online forums in the name of research, and somehow manages to find herself right in the centre of the action again. And all the while she is trying to deal with a very raw, private pain.
Loved it! Please, Will Dean, keep them coming.
The audiobook is once again narrated by the superb Maya Lindh. By this point I think we have to agree that nobody else could do it. Maya = Tuva = Maya. I've no doubt that after 5 books I could read a print edition with Lindh's imagined voice in my head, but I choose not to when I can have the real thing.
Driving near the edge of Utgard Forest one day, Tuva notices something near the side of the road. It's a dog that's been badly injured. The dog's owner is not far away, and Tuva finds herself transporting man and dog back to the Gavrik vet clinic. The man isn't inclined to be talkative, but Tuva discovers he is a local named Bengt Nyberg, and he'd been out in the forest searching for his missing niece, Elsa. She'd been working at the mysterious Rose Farm but hadn't been seen for a while. Always on the lookout for a juicy local story, Tuva starts digging around and before long, her investigation takes her to Rose Farm.
For Tuva's fifth outing, Will Dean has written yet another cracking mystery that would put you off holidaying in northern Sweden. Although, to be fair, it's not quite as demented as #4 was... This time we are introduced to a small and very private survivalist group with a lot to hide. Most of the usual local supporting cast is there too; many of whom have grown or changed in some way as a result of the happenings in previous instalments. Tuva enters the dark, dark world of online forums in the name of research, and somehow manages to find herself right in the centre of the action again. And all the while she is trying to deal with a very raw, private pain.
Loved it! Please, Will Dean, keep them coming.
The audiobook is once again narrated by the superb Maya Lindh. By this point I think we have to agree that nobody else could do it. Maya = Tuva = Maya. I've no doubt that after 5 books I could read a print edition with Lindh's imagined voice in my head, but I choose not to when I can have the real thing.
October 5, 2022
Wolf Pack by Will Dean in the 5th book in the wonderful series featuring Tuva Moodyson and whilst all the books can be read as standalones, personally I would recommend reading them in order especially as book 4 Bad Apples ends on a cliff hanger and this book picks up several months later.
Something AWFUL happened in Book 4 (see my review here) and I’m not going to spoil it for you, but the reader finds out in Wolf Pack and now Tuva is struggling in so many ways both personally and professionally and has lost her way dealing with the fall out of the awful event.
In Wolf Pack, Tuva finds herself right in the centre of the search for a missing girl, last seen at an isolated farm run by a group of survivalists who are wary of outsiders. Tuva is far more vulnerable now, yet her behaviour is reckless which puts her at danger throughout the book.
To me this series is less about the “crimes” and more about the characters and the tiny Toytown in Sweden that Will Dean brings to life. I feel that I know Gavrik so well that I don’t even need a SatNav to get from the The Grimberg Liquorice Factory to Snake River.
There is something almost comforting reading about Tuva Moodyson and when I pick up a book in the series I always know I will be entertained and shocked in equal measures. I’ve said it before and I will say it again “Atmospheric, creepy, tense, dark, descriptive, gripping and beautifully written”.
Something AWFUL happened in Book 4 (see my review here) and I’m not going to spoil it for you, but the reader finds out in Wolf Pack and now Tuva is struggling in so many ways both personally and professionally and has lost her way dealing with the fall out of the awful event.
In Wolf Pack, Tuva finds herself right in the centre of the search for a missing girl, last seen at an isolated farm run by a group of survivalists who are wary of outsiders. Tuva is far more vulnerable now, yet her behaviour is reckless which puts her at danger throughout the book.
To me this series is less about the “crimes” and more about the characters and the tiny Toytown in Sweden that Will Dean brings to life. I feel that I know Gavrik so well that I don’t even need a SatNav to get from the The Grimberg Liquorice Factory to Snake River.
There is something almost comforting reading about Tuva Moodyson and when I pick up a book in the series I always know I will be entertained and shocked in equal measures. I’ve said it before and I will say it again “Atmospheric, creepy, tense, dark, descriptive, gripping and beautifully written”.
January 13, 2024
Wolf Pack - #5 Tuva
Favorite book of this serie.
I like them all, ahg except the one about snake river.
The previous books are more horror based. This is a thriller and I find myself prefering it.
Buddy reading the Yuva serie with my mom.
I'm going to sent her my copy of wolf pack asap.
Favorite book of this serie.
I like them all, ahg except the one about snake river.
The previous books are more horror based. This is a thriller and I find myself prefering it.
Buddy reading the Yuva serie with my mom.
I'm going to sent her my copy of wolf pack asap.
November 14, 2022
Oh how I love Tuva Moodyson! This series is just getting better and better.
Tuva has had her fair share of tragedy and is still reeling from the incident that almost killed her lover and put her in a coma. She now feels like she has little to lose, which is perhaps the reason she throws herself headlong into trying to solve another mystery, consequences be damned. A young woman has gone missing up near the mysterious Rose Farm, and no one is talking. It’s the sort of challenge Tuva cannot resist, even if it puts herself in danger.
With Tuva, Dean has created a strong, enigmatic, kick-ass female character who has not only overcome adversity (Tuva is deaf), but also never shies away from setting injustices right. Supported by a cast of weird and wonderful characters, and a remote, small-town setting, this series never disappoints. Over the previous four books, we have become very familiar with the small forest town of Gavrik and its inhabitants, and they all make a disappearance here. Whether it’s the creepy wood-turning sisters you’ve been hoping to catch up with, or the whiff of Tammy’s amazing cooking, Dean makes sure they are not forgotten.
I felt sad for Tuva in this one, because part of her bravery and determination not to back down reflects her inner loneliness after the tragedy that stole the love of her life from her. So perhaps this is the reason this book seemed more melancholy to me than its predecessors, even though it’s a solid mystery with lots of action and nail-biting scenes where Tuva puts herself in danger. For me, it’s the characters and the setting that make this series so irresistible, though of course I’m not knocking the well-plotted mystery that holds it all together (which I won’t go into here because it’s best to delve in blind for maximum surprise value).
The Tuva Moodyson series remains one of my favourite crime series and one I can’t get enough of. I hope that we will see a lot more of Tuva in future.
Thank you to Netgalley and Oneworld Publication for the free electronic copy of this novel and for giving me the opportunity to provide an honest review.
*blog* *facebook* *instagram*
Tuva has had her fair share of tragedy and is still reeling from the incident that almost killed her lover and put her in a coma. She now feels like she has little to lose, which is perhaps the reason she throws herself headlong into trying to solve another mystery, consequences be damned. A young woman has gone missing up near the mysterious Rose Farm, and no one is talking. It’s the sort of challenge Tuva cannot resist, even if it puts herself in danger.
With Tuva, Dean has created a strong, enigmatic, kick-ass female character who has not only overcome adversity (Tuva is deaf), but also never shies away from setting injustices right. Supported by a cast of weird and wonderful characters, and a remote, small-town setting, this series never disappoints. Over the previous four books, we have become very familiar with the small forest town of Gavrik and its inhabitants, and they all make a disappearance here. Whether it’s the creepy wood-turning sisters you’ve been hoping to catch up with, or the whiff of Tammy’s amazing cooking, Dean makes sure they are not forgotten.
I felt sad for Tuva in this one, because part of her bravery and determination not to back down reflects her inner loneliness after the tragedy that stole the love of her life from her. So perhaps this is the reason this book seemed more melancholy to me than its predecessors, even though it’s a solid mystery with lots of action and nail-biting scenes where Tuva puts herself in danger. For me, it’s the characters and the setting that make this series so irresistible, though of course I’m not knocking the well-plotted mystery that holds it all together (which I won’t go into here because it’s best to delve in blind for maximum surprise value).
The Tuva Moodyson series remains one of my favourite crime series and one I can’t get enough of. I hope that we will see a lot more of Tuva in future.
Thank you to Netgalley and Oneworld Publication for the free electronic copy of this novel and for giving me the opportunity to provide an honest review.
*blog* *facebook* *instagram*
September 3, 2022
I have a feeling I'm going to be in the minority but just hear me out.
This is my first Tuva Moodyson (I hadn't realised it was a series) although I've read Will Dean's excellent work previously. I have to say it's not essential that you read the earlier ones but I always like to start at the beginning. I think in this case it might help.
However I continued and what started out as a basic murder mystery switched quite shortly into something completely other. In fact I got the impression that the book wasn't really about a murder at all but rather about coping with grief, loss, loneliness and mental health issues. Admirable subjects to tackle but, in my opinion, it was done in such an odd manner it totally missed the mark.
Tuva starts out investigating the murder of a young woman but her role quickly morphs into that of innocent dupe. She certainly doesn't seem to recognise any danger signals whatsoever.
The end (which I obviously won't give away) was, quite frankly laughably ridiculous. It did actually make me snort a couple of times and there was much eye rolling.
This book was clearly not for me. I love a scandi noir but this was far off the mark for me. I was disappointed because I usually find Mr Dean's use of claustrophobic situations really clever but not this time. I am still trying to decide whether to read the first four of this series. Maybe Tuva will grow on me.
This is my first Tuva Moodyson (I hadn't realised it was a series) although I've read Will Dean's excellent work previously. I have to say it's not essential that you read the earlier ones but I always like to start at the beginning. I think in this case it might help.
However I continued and what started out as a basic murder mystery switched quite shortly into something completely other. In fact I got the impression that the book wasn't really about a murder at all but rather about coping with grief, loss, loneliness and mental health issues. Admirable subjects to tackle but, in my opinion, it was done in such an odd manner it totally missed the mark.
Tuva starts out investigating the murder of a young woman but her role quickly morphs into that of innocent dupe. She certainly doesn't seem to recognise any danger signals whatsoever.
The end (which I obviously won't give away) was, quite frankly laughably ridiculous. It did actually make me snort a couple of times and there was much eye rolling.
This book was clearly not for me. I love a scandi noir but this was far off the mark for me. I was disappointed because I usually find Mr Dean's use of claustrophobic situations really clever but not this time. I am still trying to decide whether to read the first four of this series. Maybe Tuva will grow on me.
November 1, 2022
Just when I think the Tuva Moodyson series can't get any better, Will Dean proves me wrong and surpasses my expectations yet again. Wolf Pack is set after the devastating events in Bad Apples and I'd really recommend reading that book first if you can, as the fallout from what occurred there is an important part of the storyline here. It's not strictly necessary as the investigation Tuva becomes involved in this time is a standalone mystery but there will naturally be a greater emotional impact for readers who have followed her story so far.
The bloody opening may upset some readers but it's not a gratuitously violent scene and really serves to remind us just how wild this part of Sweden is. As tragic as this incident is, however, it's merely the precursor to the real mystery of the novel – the disappearance of a young woman, Elsa Nyberg. One of my favourite aspects of this series is the way in which Will Dean extends the list of characters with each new book. Having been introduced to the strange, quirky communities of Gavrik, Snake River and Visberg, it should come as no surprise that the residents of the quaintly named Rose Farm are more than mere landowners and farmers. The warning signs and CCTV cameras make it clear that this is a place which doesn't welcome outsiders but Tuva has a keen eye for a story and more poignantly, a lack of concern for her own safety.
She discovers the tragic historical reason which partly lies behind the farm's reputation, not helped by the insular nature of the current residents, whose unwelcoming stance inevitably attracts gossip and rumour from the surrounding communities. Nevertheless, Tuva is determined to make up her own mind and her willingness to listen means that although they remain guarded, she is able to find out more about their beliefs. While there have long been survivalists or 'preppers', they have attracted more attention in recent years, especially as so many are also heavily armed militias. There is an underlying current of danger throughout Wolf Pack but Will Dean also takes a more nuanced look at the people who choose to live this way. Although the more extreme elements of their ideology may be considered ridiculous or chilling, they are still quite ordinary in many ways and they struggle with many of the same issues which affect everybody – most notably what it means to belong.
However, a young woman who worked in the compound has still gone missing and the Gavrik police realise Tuva is their best chance to secure vital information. One of the most striking developments of the ongoing story arc is how Tuva's attitude to Gavrik and the surrounding area has changed over the course of the series. Whereas she once couldn't wait to leave the place she still describes as 'Toytown', it's obvious how much she has come to appreciate the warmth and support she receives from her friends and neighbours. Whether it's the calm response of the local bartender, the thoughtful remark by the Chief at a police presser or a shopkeeper telling her she can pay him back in the morning, she understands the benefits of living in a smaller community now. Despite this, her loneliness is almost palpable at times and this is the most melancholic book in the series so far. Will Dean evokes the complexities of her emotions with such sensitive empathy and there are some beautifully touching scenes exploring loss and regret but also hope and healing.
The stark remoteness of the countryside always make an impression but there's a real eye for detail when it comes to bringing the various establishments in Gavrik and Visberg to life too; from the rictus smile of the stuffed bear in Benny Björnmossen's hunt shop to the Visberg Grill which we learn sells 'every kind of pizza you'd never consider ordering, and a few you would', the sense of place is as impeccable as ever.
The creeping sense of foreboding and atmospheric setting is complemented by the character-driven plot where darkness is tempered by humour and despair relieved by love and hope. Wolf Pack is one of those special thrillers which explores some of the most hard-hitting contemporary issues and yet retains an emotional core which ensures it is as moving as it is thrilling. Very highly recommended.
The bloody opening may upset some readers but it's not a gratuitously violent scene and really serves to remind us just how wild this part of Sweden is. As tragic as this incident is, however, it's merely the precursor to the real mystery of the novel – the disappearance of a young woman, Elsa Nyberg. One of my favourite aspects of this series is the way in which Will Dean extends the list of characters with each new book. Having been introduced to the strange, quirky communities of Gavrik, Snake River and Visberg, it should come as no surprise that the residents of the quaintly named Rose Farm are more than mere landowners and farmers. The warning signs and CCTV cameras make it clear that this is a place which doesn't welcome outsiders but Tuva has a keen eye for a story and more poignantly, a lack of concern for her own safety.
She discovers the tragic historical reason which partly lies behind the farm's reputation, not helped by the insular nature of the current residents, whose unwelcoming stance inevitably attracts gossip and rumour from the surrounding communities. Nevertheless, Tuva is determined to make up her own mind and her willingness to listen means that although they remain guarded, she is able to find out more about their beliefs. While there have long been survivalists or 'preppers', they have attracted more attention in recent years, especially as so many are also heavily armed militias. There is an underlying current of danger throughout Wolf Pack but Will Dean also takes a more nuanced look at the people who choose to live this way. Although the more extreme elements of their ideology may be considered ridiculous or chilling, they are still quite ordinary in many ways and they struggle with many of the same issues which affect everybody – most notably what it means to belong.
However, a young woman who worked in the compound has still gone missing and the Gavrik police realise Tuva is their best chance to secure vital information. One of the most striking developments of the ongoing story arc is how Tuva's attitude to Gavrik and the surrounding area has changed over the course of the series. Whereas she once couldn't wait to leave the place she still describes as 'Toytown', it's obvious how much she has come to appreciate the warmth and support she receives from her friends and neighbours. Whether it's the calm response of the local bartender, the thoughtful remark by the Chief at a police presser or a shopkeeper telling her she can pay him back in the morning, she understands the benefits of living in a smaller community now. Despite this, her loneliness is almost palpable at times and this is the most melancholic book in the series so far. Will Dean evokes the complexities of her emotions with such sensitive empathy and there are some beautifully touching scenes exploring loss and regret but also hope and healing.
The stark remoteness of the countryside always make an impression but there's a real eye for detail when it comes to bringing the various establishments in Gavrik and Visberg to life too; from the rictus smile of the stuffed bear in Benny Björnmossen's hunt shop to the Visberg Grill which we learn sells 'every kind of pizza you'd never consider ordering, and a few you would', the sense of place is as impeccable as ever.
The creeping sense of foreboding and atmospheric setting is complemented by the character-driven plot where darkness is tempered by humour and despair relieved by love and hope. Wolf Pack is one of those special thrillers which explores some of the most hard-hitting contemporary issues and yet retains an emotional core which ensures it is as moving as it is thrilling. Very highly recommended.
February 24, 2023
I’ve greatly enjoyed the Tuva Moodyson books but while reading Wolf Pack, I found myself comparing it to the first in the series, Dark Pines, and had to admit that it pales in comparison. Dark Pines evoked the oppressive forests and climate, the beautiful but brutal natural landscape, right down to the insects inhabiting it, as well as the eerie Mosman village. With each book, the brilliance of the setting has become eroded and now with Wolf Pack, it feels flimsy. Rose Farm just isn’t that interesting of a place - and we visit or touch on prior settings but it’s just not the same.
Tuva herself is always a great character to follow - now living with a new sense of grief - whilst having the same grit and wit and determination we’ve come to love. As for the other characters in this book - meh. They’re simply not as strong as the earlier characters in the series.
The plot and mystery is okay, not fantastic and again nothing compared to the wonderfully creepy eyeless corpses of the first book.
I’m not sure I would keep reading Tuva books but I will definitely keep reading Will Dean’s stand alones. He has proven himself to be a superb writer with Last Thing to Burn and First Born, so I’m sure brand new settings and characters will provide fertile new ground for him to explore excellent plots.
Tuva herself is always a great character to follow - now living with a new sense of grief - whilst having the same grit and wit and determination we’ve come to love. As for the other characters in this book - meh. They’re simply not as strong as the earlier characters in the series.
The plot and mystery is okay, not fantastic and again nothing compared to the wonderfully creepy eyeless corpses of the first book.
I’m not sure I would keep reading Tuva books but I will definitely keep reading Will Dean’s stand alones. He has proven himself to be a superb writer with Last Thing to Burn and First Born, so I’m sure brand new settings and characters will provide fertile new ground for him to explore excellent plots.
October 12, 2022
I was late to Will Dean’s Tuva Moodyson series, but my goodness I’m glad I’ve found it. What is so wonderful is that you know Will Dean is going to write a compelling plot interwoven with pitch perfect descriptions of settings through varied and gorgeously crafted prose. I adore in particular the short, simple sentences that are packed with nuance and meaning, pulling the reader up short. Wolf Pack is no exception and has all these features in spades, including those end of chapter hooks that don’t allow the reader to tear themselves from the story. It doesn’t matter at all that this book is part of a series because there’s enough reference to Tuva’s back story to inform the reader, without interfering with the coherence of narrative, making Wolf Pack a fabulous stand alone read. There’s a filmic quality to the writing so that the reader gets the full range of settings from a single drop of blood on the floor to a panoramic view of an entire region.
The plot simply races along, catching the reader unawares and engaging them completely. However, aside from a fast paced and exciting thriller, there’s a strong undercurrent of emotion that runs through this latest Tuva book, giving moments of surprisingly effective tenderness that brought a lump to my throat. There’s a realistic exploration of grief and how it can affect us through the members of the Rose Farm community, but especially through Tuva’s relationship with Noora. Will Dean illustrates a compelling insight into guilt, identity and acceptance that I found very affecting.
Tuva is such a rounded, layered character that it is impossible not to be attracted to her. Her blend of strength and vulnerability is absolutely pitch perfect. Through her the reader gets to understand small town, isolated lives and gains a terrifyingly prescient insight into cults, preppers and those whose lives are slightly askew from the rest of us. Each aspect is so convincing that I’ve found the concepts underpinning Wolf Pack resonate disturbingly long after the book is finished.
Taut, claustrophobic (literally at one point) and atmospheric, Wolf Pack is so, so good. I truly resented life intervening when it prevented me accompanying Tuva as she tried to determine how Elsa died. I cannot recommend Will Dean’s writing strongly enough. Wolf Pack is a fabulous addition to his body of work and I loved it.
The plot simply races along, catching the reader unawares and engaging them completely. However, aside from a fast paced and exciting thriller, there’s a strong undercurrent of emotion that runs through this latest Tuva book, giving moments of surprisingly effective tenderness that brought a lump to my throat. There’s a realistic exploration of grief and how it can affect us through the members of the Rose Farm community, but especially through Tuva’s relationship with Noora. Will Dean illustrates a compelling insight into guilt, identity and acceptance that I found very affecting.
Tuva is such a rounded, layered character that it is impossible not to be attracted to her. Her blend of strength and vulnerability is absolutely pitch perfect. Through her the reader gets to understand small town, isolated lives and gains a terrifyingly prescient insight into cults, preppers and those whose lives are slightly askew from the rest of us. Each aspect is so convincing that I’ve found the concepts underpinning Wolf Pack resonate disturbingly long after the book is finished.
Taut, claustrophobic (literally at one point) and atmospheric, Wolf Pack is so, so good. I truly resented life intervening when it prevented me accompanying Tuva as she tried to determine how Elsa died. I cannot recommend Will Dean’s writing strongly enough. Wolf Pack is a fabulous addition to his body of work and I loved it.
October 11, 2022
Tuva Moodyson is a deaf journalist working for the Gavrik Posten. She is reeling from her partner’s shooting and its repercussions: Noora Ali, her beloved, is now in a coma like state with no chances of getting better.
“Life goes on” as the saying goes, and it’s the same for Tuva. She soon stumbles upon a curious case. A 20-year-old woman, Elsa Nyberg, a resident of an elusive Rose Farm, goes missing.
Rose Farm is swathed in mystery. It’s an isolated place with tight security, occupied by a survivalist commune. It is also surrounded by tragedy: in 1987, a father killed his wife, two sons, and then shot himself. He only spared the baby of the family, who was later adopted.
Tuva is adamant she needs to get closer to the occupiers of Rose Farm. When Elsa’s dead body is found, Tuva will do anything in her power to get to the truth.
I really enjoyed this book. I found it dark, gripping, and intense.
I loved the descriptions of the Rose Farm and its occupants. The mysterious Abraham, which hasn’t been seen for years, the business like Therese, Abraham’s wife.
As I was reading I was trying to figure out whether the baby who survived the 1987’s shooting will come to light (it did – and I didn’t anticipate it!).
This is book 5 in the Tuva Moodyson series. I must admit that I haven’t read the previous ones, but that will soon change. I now know what I’ve been missing all this time!
“Life goes on” as the saying goes, and it’s the same for Tuva. She soon stumbles upon a curious case. A 20-year-old woman, Elsa Nyberg, a resident of an elusive Rose Farm, goes missing.
Rose Farm is swathed in mystery. It’s an isolated place with tight security, occupied by a survivalist commune. It is also surrounded by tragedy: in 1987, a father killed his wife, two sons, and then shot himself. He only spared the baby of the family, who was later adopted.
Tuva is adamant she needs to get closer to the occupiers of Rose Farm. When Elsa’s dead body is found, Tuva will do anything in her power to get to the truth.
I really enjoyed this book. I found it dark, gripping, and intense.
I loved the descriptions of the Rose Farm and its occupants. The mysterious Abraham, which hasn’t been seen for years, the business like Therese, Abraham’s wife.
As I was reading I was trying to figure out whether the baby who survived the 1987’s shooting will come to light (it did – and I didn’t anticipate it!).
This is book 5 in the Tuva Moodyson series. I must admit that I haven’t read the previous ones, but that will soon change. I now know what I’ve been missing all this time!
November 16, 2022
I will absolutely never be tired of the Tuva Moodyson series, and I LOVED this newest installment of the series.
Will Dean remains the king of writing atmospheric, intense and completely addicting plots that fully suck you in and keep you glued to the page from start to end. I have yet to take longer than one day to read one of his books, and this is a master class in writing in itself.
This plot was a perfect pickup from the cliffhanger at the end of the last book (no spoilers). I will say that I appreciate that Will doesn't let Tuva off the hook with easy fixes to big problems in her life, and that makes her so much more relatable and interesting to read. I also totally appreciate that the crimes that continue to pop up around her are wild enough to be entertaining, but calm enough to be believable.
And of course, I love getting to revisit some of my fave characters book after book (Troll Sisters I am looking at your cameo!).
This is a series that is just a MUST for thriller lovers, character drama lovers, nordic noir lovers and people who just enjoy a strong series that delivers time after time.
I cannot wait to see what is next.
Will Dean remains the king of writing atmospheric, intense and completely addicting plots that fully suck you in and keep you glued to the page from start to end. I have yet to take longer than one day to read one of his books, and this is a master class in writing in itself.
This plot was a perfect pickup from the cliffhanger at the end of the last book (no spoilers). I will say that I appreciate that Will doesn't let Tuva off the hook with easy fixes to big problems in her life, and that makes her so much more relatable and interesting to read. I also totally appreciate that the crimes that continue to pop up around her are wild enough to be entertaining, but calm enough to be believable.
And of course, I love getting to revisit some of my fave characters book after book (Troll Sisters I am looking at your cameo!).
This is a series that is just a MUST for thriller lovers, character drama lovers, nordic noir lovers and people who just enjoy a strong series that delivers time after time.
I cannot wait to see what is next.
November 20, 2022
Tuva Moodyson number Five. Well, it's good, a typical Tuva thriller although I still think that number four Bad Apples was better. Will Dean pushes the boundaries once again with the typical scenario of Tuva finding herself in harm's way. Scary again, as she chases the truth behind the death od the twenty year old Elsa who goes missing within the perimeter of Rose Farm compound, the home of a group of survivalists, completely cut off from the outside world. A bunch of fanatics with enough armaments to start their own war, a bunch who call themselves the Wolf Pack.
Tuva is an astute journalist, dedicated to the Gavrik Posten. She gains unique access to the residents and of course soon finds herself in danger as she tries to expose the truth and identify the culprit with the sometimes reluctant help of the local police.
Tuva's personal life has been devastated - see events in Bad Apples. There is some heartbreaking stuff here as Tuva pushes herself to the absolute limits.
What will happen in number six I wonder. What more tension can Will Dean rack up? I guess we must wait and see!
Tuva is an astute journalist, dedicated to the Gavrik Posten. She gains unique access to the residents and of course soon finds herself in danger as she tries to expose the truth and identify the culprit with the sometimes reluctant help of the local police.
Tuva's personal life has been devastated - see events in Bad Apples. There is some heartbreaking stuff here as Tuva pushes herself to the absolute limits.
What will happen in number six I wonder. What more tension can Will Dean rack up? I guess we must wait and see!
September 11, 2022
Wine Gums & Cliff Hangers
Wolf Pack, and all the Tuva Moodyson mysteries before it, have an impact on me like no other thrillers I have enjoyed before.
They make me homesick for a place I have never visited before, hungry for steaming piles of chilli flecked noodles slicked with garlic oil, crave friendships with bad-ass women, build complicated mental relationships with complex & beguiling characters, experience a range of all the normal emotions plus some I haven't felt before and live seasons and celebrations in someone else's (ICA maxi) boots.
Will Dean builds tension like no-one else I read. (The Last Thing to Burn is a showcase in tension and introduced me to Tuva. What a leap.) I've been hanging off the edge of the cliff that Bad Apples left me on last September with preconceptions of where Will Dean would take us next and was proved so beautifully and perfectly wrong.
I just love that Will Dean can write a thriller, a PROPER whodunnit, a pacey & gory mystery...... that folds into its mix: pear flavoured wine gums, bouts of hayfever in MacDonalds, the rigmorale of changing out of layers of clothing & how a Hillux handles. Will Dean puts the REAL in surreal.
I'll be hanging off this latest emotional cliff edge until the next time Tuvs.
Wolf Pack, and all the Tuva Moodyson mysteries before it, have an impact on me like no other thrillers I have enjoyed before.
They make me homesick for a place I have never visited before, hungry for steaming piles of chilli flecked noodles slicked with garlic oil, crave friendships with bad-ass women, build complicated mental relationships with complex & beguiling characters, experience a range of all the normal emotions plus some I haven't felt before and live seasons and celebrations in someone else's (ICA maxi) boots.
Will Dean builds tension like no-one else I read. (The Last Thing to Burn is a showcase in tension and introduced me to Tuva. What a leap.) I've been hanging off the edge of the cliff that Bad Apples left me on last September with preconceptions of where Will Dean would take us next and was proved so beautifully and perfectly wrong.
I just love that Will Dean can write a thriller, a PROPER whodunnit, a pacey & gory mystery...... that folds into its mix: pear flavoured wine gums, bouts of hayfever in MacDonalds, the rigmorale of changing out of layers of clothing & how a Hillux handles. Will Dean puts the REAL in surreal.
I'll be hanging off this latest emotional cliff edge until the next time Tuvs.
September 13, 2022
I wonder what fresh horrors Will Dean has for the reader in his latest addition to his deaf journalist Tuva Moodyson series, his previous book had Tuva's girlfriend and police officer Noora Ali shot at her apartment and the bleak repercussions on Tuva are laid bare here. Noora requires full time care with no change in her condition, showing no evidence of any awareness of the outside world and the prognosis is not good, leaving Tuva feeling trapped, numb and drowning in guilt, despair and grief. All of which has her behaving recklessly, paying no heed to her safety whatsoever, as she escapes into her latest investigation into a missing young woman, 20 year old Elsa Nyberg, employed at the organic cafe on the heavily fortified Rose Farm run by the elusive Abraham Viklund, rumours abound of a survivalist cult shunning the outside world.
In 1987, a horrifying murder-suicide took place at Rose Farm, with a father killing his wife, their 2 children, and then himself, leaving only the baby alive. The closed farm community poses significant problems for the police in their search for Elsa, leading them to rely on Tuva who is determined to find ways of infiltrating the community. Those living there include the giant groundsman, Andreas Olsson, Therese Viklund, cafe owner, Linda Larsson, South African Ruby Gunnarsson and her husband, Niklas, and Kurt Holm of Holm Seeds. Tuva's inquiries have her digging deep into all the survivalists, stumbling over a website, The Four Horsemen forum, with its leading contributor, The Grey Man, who just might be her way of establishing contact with those on the farm. Once again, Tuva finds herself in grave danger as events culminate in a chilling nailbiting finale.
The Swedish location is a huge and all encompassing central character throughout this series, the remote small towns of Visberg and Gavrik, the dark and menacing forests, the Snake River, the myths and folklore, inhabited by a collection of disparate and odd and eccentric residents. A number of familiar characters return, Tuva's best friend, Tammy, her newspaper colleagues, Nils and Lars, police chief Bjorn Andersson, cop Thord Petterson, and the little boy, Dan, her neighbour, in whom she finds some comfort in troubling times. This is a terrific addition to this dark Scandinavian crime series, it sees Tuva pushed to her limits, personally and professionally, obsessed with ensuring that Elsa gets justice. Many thanks to the publisher for an ARC.
In 1987, a horrifying murder-suicide took place at Rose Farm, with a father killing his wife, their 2 children, and then himself, leaving only the baby alive. The closed farm community poses significant problems for the police in their search for Elsa, leading them to rely on Tuva who is determined to find ways of infiltrating the community. Those living there include the giant groundsman, Andreas Olsson, Therese Viklund, cafe owner, Linda Larsson, South African Ruby Gunnarsson and her husband, Niklas, and Kurt Holm of Holm Seeds. Tuva's inquiries have her digging deep into all the survivalists, stumbling over a website, The Four Horsemen forum, with its leading contributor, The Grey Man, who just might be her way of establishing contact with those on the farm. Once again, Tuva finds herself in grave danger as events culminate in a chilling nailbiting finale.
The Swedish location is a huge and all encompassing central character throughout this series, the remote small towns of Visberg and Gavrik, the dark and menacing forests, the Snake River, the myths and folklore, inhabited by a collection of disparate and odd and eccentric residents. A number of familiar characters return, Tuva's best friend, Tammy, her newspaper colleagues, Nils and Lars, police chief Bjorn Andersson, cop Thord Petterson, and the little boy, Dan, her neighbour, in whom she finds some comfort in troubling times. This is a terrific addition to this dark Scandinavian crime series, it sees Tuva pushed to her limits, personally and professionally, obsessed with ensuring that Elsa gets justice. Many thanks to the publisher for an ARC.
October 10, 2022
Discover the locations in the novel
A novel to transport you to a rural farm in Sweden
You can’t really say that Will Dean takes you to the nice part of Sweden – well there was that nice liquorice factory but that was tainted when someone died there. However, there was that lovely river…..aah but it was called Snake River for a reason. What about the lovely apple harvest? Ah but with the sound track of banging pans and there’s the fact the apples were rotten…
Now he has set wolves on his readers. Wolves with evil eyes and the scent of blood in the air. The setting of this rural part of Sweden with the towns of Visberg and Gavrik (fictional) is just chillingly perfect. The forests have eyes, the river has snakes and there are sisters who make troll dolls.
Will sets us on a remote farm with a lovely name – Rose Farm – but despite Shakespeare saying “A rose by any other name would smell as sweet” this is not the case here. There is a smell – a dark, raw smell about the place. A murder suicide took place here many years ago. A father killed his entire family leaving only the baby behind.
The farm is inhabited with a group of survivalists who live and work on a farm preparing to isolate themselves from the outside world. They are preppers who believe the end of the world is nigh. A woman who worked in the cafe here has gone missing. Tuva gets involved with this case and the more she becomes immersed in the ways of the farm, well, she is in more danger than she realises.
Poor Tuva. She had a nice girlfriend in previous novels but then SHE ended up in a coma. Tuva is still caring for her and as a result, she is in a dark place and a confused place. The set up for what is to come is deliciously dark
The ending wasn’t what I expected and wasn’t something I thought fitted with the story that had gone before. Still, this is a novel about a very usual farm, the wolves in our midst and the dark, dark Swedish forests. Great to be back with Tuva again
November 27, 2022
Another great addition to this series. I really enjoy reading about Tuva
September 28, 2022
Tuva Moodyson is back for the 5th time in the latest in the series from Will Dean.
Fans of the series will know all about Tuva, but for those who don’t know, she is a deaf journalist living and working in a small town in Sweden. Since the first book the author introduced us to her as a strong, independent, yet flawed protagonist but she has grown into so much more over the course of the series. The author showcases his ability to make the environment the books take place in a character too. Throughout the series a sense of isolation can be felt through the pages. If you want to go back to where it all began check out Dark Pines – the first book in the series.
While this book can definitely be read as a standalone do be aware that it references a lot of content from the previous books, but it doesn’t name any names in terms of who did what.
Tuva is trying to write a report on a missing person, and as part of this report she needs to interview a group of survivalists who are doing all they can to live off grid and prepare for the bad times ahead. In trying to investigate Tuva needs to ingratiate herself into the group, and try and get them to open up to her. The more she does this, the more that is revealed about the group until we reach an epic conclusion.
Will Dean certainly knows how to write a thriller, and when it comes to a Tuva mystery it feels like you are tight there in the dirt with her. There were times during this book that I could feel my heart rate shooting up. A brilliantly crafted story that brings Tuva to the edge and back on numerous fronts.
I really enjoyed this, and can’t wait to see more from Tuva. Recommended to fans of suspense filled thrillers.
Fans of the series will know all about Tuva, but for those who don’t know, she is a deaf journalist living and working in a small town in Sweden. Since the first book the author introduced us to her as a strong, independent, yet flawed protagonist but she has grown into so much more over the course of the series. The author showcases his ability to make the environment the books take place in a character too. Throughout the series a sense of isolation can be felt through the pages. If you want to go back to where it all began check out Dark Pines – the first book in the series.
While this book can definitely be read as a standalone do be aware that it references a lot of content from the previous books, but it doesn’t name any names in terms of who did what.
Tuva is trying to write a report on a missing person, and as part of this report she needs to interview a group of survivalists who are doing all they can to live off grid and prepare for the bad times ahead. In trying to investigate Tuva needs to ingratiate herself into the group, and try and get them to open up to her. The more she does this, the more that is revealed about the group until we reach an epic conclusion.
Will Dean certainly knows how to write a thriller, and when it comes to a Tuva mystery it feels like you are tight there in the dirt with her. There were times during this book that I could feel my heart rate shooting up. A brilliantly crafted story that brings Tuva to the edge and back on numerous fronts.
I really enjoyed this, and can’t wait to see more from Tuva. Recommended to fans of suspense filled thrillers.
September 1, 2022
Tuva's back, and I'm pretty pleased to be catching up with her.
Moving on from the shocking ending of last book, she finds herself another case to cause her trouble.
Will Dean has a knack for writing tense plots, that always come together beautifully.
This was no different.
A cast of slightly crazed characters, I could not pin down anyone in particular as the bad guy.
Special mention too, for certain scene that had my heart racing faster than it should.
Another fab installment .
Moving on from the shocking ending of last book, she finds herself another case to cause her trouble.
Will Dean has a knack for writing tense plots, that always come together beautifully.
This was no different.
A cast of slightly crazed characters, I could not pin down anyone in particular as the bad guy.
Special mention too, for certain scene that had my heart racing faster than it should.
Another fab installment .
October 8, 2022
Another great instalment in the splendid Tuva Moodyson series! Will Dean is an excellent writer and the way in which he evokes the feeling of stark and bleak rural Sweden is exemplary. Tuva has had more than enough devastation in her life and yet she carries on stoically, investigating crime for her newspaper. Her own life is in danger on more than one occasion before she gets to the bottom of deaths in a local enclosed community. Brilliant!
November 6, 2022
I found the preceding book ended on a humungous cliffhanger and now we see the results of that… thankfully Tuva is still around, and this time gets drawn into events at an isolated farm inhabited by a group of effectively preppers. I can’t say I found the mystery itself very engaging - what starts out as a missing girl (then dead girl) soon takes a back seat into the prepper angle, but Dean’s writing is atmospheric and very visual, and I do like seeing the regular characters.
February 6, 2023
The aftermath of the ending of Bad Apples is so sad but handled with tender loving care. The mystery surrounding the preppers didn't go the obvious route, and as always I loved the audiobook narration by Maya Lindh. I don't think I would enjoy this series so much without her.
September 12, 2024
After the outright strangeness of Bad Apples (which I loved) this is a much more straightforward thriller which I also loved.
This series has gone from strength to strength and Maya Lindh IS Tuva for me!
This series has gone from strength to strength and Maya Lindh IS Tuva for me!
October 25, 2022
This series is completely addictive and I can’t put these books down. The characters and the settings are wonderful and fresh, the writing is spot on, long May Tuva continue.
May 16, 2023
Engaging and captivating as with all other Will Dean books! I read this in just 2 days! Permanent the ending is a tad anticlimactic, but still an amazing book to read!
December 19, 2022
I love being back with this deaf journalist/quasi detective in small town Sweden. It is quirky before the plot begins to roll and this is another episode in the brooding dense forest that surrounds the outpost of Gavrik.
Shreds of the past are brought back as a "farm" in the forest is brought to police attention with a missing person. Engaging with the "preppers" becomes Tuva's task
Shreds of the past are brought back as a "farm" in the forest is brought to police attention with a missing person. Engaging with the "preppers" becomes Tuva's task
March 9, 2023
What a great series of books so far. Very easy to read. I love the characters; Thord at the Police station, Benny at the hunting shop, the staff at the newspaper and of course Tuva. Thought provoking and at times, emotional.
Dean clearly takes his research seriously as noted in the details of the survivalists plans.
I read this in 4 days, which is quick for me, I really didn’t want to put the book down and I’m pleased to hear the next instalment is in the pipeline. Without spoilers….I’ll just say I’m willing for good news for Tuva and Noora.
Dean clearly takes his research seriously as noted in the details of the survivalists plans.
I read this in 4 days, which is quick for me, I really didn’t want to put the book down and I’m pleased to hear the next instalment is in the pipeline. Without spoilers….I’ll just say I’m willing for good news for Tuva and Noora.
April 30, 2023
Can’t fault this series . Just wish he’d write em faster. Such great characters and locations every book. Plots original and ongoing timeline is really what helps you properly engage with Tuva and her life
October 6, 2022
Another marvellous Tuva story . They just keep getting better . Looking forward to number 6 now . Well done Mr Dean
October 8, 2022
So, Wolf Pack is the 5th instalment in Will Dean’s absolutely brilliant Tuva Moodyson series, set in a remote town in Sweden. the previous books being Dark Pines, Red Snow, Black River and Bad Apples.
The first thing to mention if you haven’t read any of this series is Tuva Moodyson is a profoundly deaf lesbian in a small town and a reporter for the town’s newspaper The Gavrik Posten. If you haven’t read the series, I would recommend you do as events in the previous novels do link into Wolf Pack.
The plot of Wolf pack is really quite exceptional, Tuva stumbles upon an injured dog and ends up taking him and his owner to the Gavrik vets, and from then on events just slowly and mysteriously rumble on like a snowball down a hill and Tuva is slap bang in the middle of it.
I really don’t want to give any of the plots away but I must say that due to what has happened to Tuva in the previous book Bad Apples, she is in a dark place personally which leads her to act perhaps more recklessly than we’ve seen before. Will Dean’s use of the two small towns of Visberg and Gavrik and their cast of characters which again pop up in the series, means that we have a claustrophobic mystery involving a missing woman and a group of survivalists. It’s a fabulous study into how easy it is for a group of people to become cut off from society and how that paranoia can affect how people behave.
As I’ve said I’m not going to spoil the plot, but what I will say is the list of characters and their descriptive personalities are so well written, Will dean is so amazingly clever at writing how people think and conveying that to the reader, Wolf Pack is full of unease and suspense. And in one particular scene, I was sweating and my heart was palpitating because it was so descriptive I felt like I was there!
I’ve no idea how Will Dean manages to write book after book with such aplomb, and Wolf Pack is really excellent!
The first thing to mention if you haven’t read any of this series is Tuva Moodyson is a profoundly deaf lesbian in a small town and a reporter for the town’s newspaper The Gavrik Posten. If you haven’t read the series, I would recommend you do as events in the previous novels do link into Wolf Pack.
The plot of Wolf pack is really quite exceptional, Tuva stumbles upon an injured dog and ends up taking him and his owner to the Gavrik vets, and from then on events just slowly and mysteriously rumble on like a snowball down a hill and Tuva is slap bang in the middle of it.
I really don’t want to give any of the plots away but I must say that due to what has happened to Tuva in the previous book Bad Apples, she is in a dark place personally which leads her to act perhaps more recklessly than we’ve seen before. Will Dean’s use of the two small towns of Visberg and Gavrik and their cast of characters which again pop up in the series, means that we have a claustrophobic mystery involving a missing woman and a group of survivalists. It’s a fabulous study into how easy it is for a group of people to become cut off from society and how that paranoia can affect how people behave.
As I’ve said I’m not going to spoil the plot, but what I will say is the list of characters and their descriptive personalities are so well written, Will dean is so amazingly clever at writing how people think and conveying that to the reader, Wolf Pack is full of unease and suspense. And in one particular scene, I was sweating and my heart was palpitating because it was so descriptive I felt like I was there!
I’ve no idea how Will Dean manages to write book after book with such aplomb, and Wolf Pack is really excellent!
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