Atmospheric Nordic noir
Poignant and deftly observed, The Last Snow is an atmospheric page-turner with thoughtfully crafted characters and a profound sense of place. Set in the desolate fictional village of Ödesmark in northernmost Sweden, the story revolves around Liv Björnlund who, along with her teenage son, Simon, lives under the watchful gaze of her wealthy but miserly elderly father, Vidar. Running parallel to Liv's story is that of local drug dealer Liam Lilja, who longs to escape his brother's clutches and provide a better life for the apple of his eye, his only daughter, Vanja. Told from alternating timelines and points of view, the story brims with steadily-building tension and a palpable sense of foreboding permeates throughout. This novel is more of a slow-burner than a fast-paced thriller and although the timelines are not always clearly distinguished, it is still an enjoyable read.