by Agnes Ravatn
SYNOPSIS
One of Norway’s most distinguished voices, Agnes Ravatn’s first novel to be published in the UK was The Bird Tribunal. It won an English PEN Translation Award, was shortlisted for the Dublin Literary Award and the Petrona Award, and was adapted for a BBC Book at Bedtime. She returns now with a dark, powerful and deeply disturbing psychological thriller about family, secrets and dangerous curiosity…
University professor Nina is at a turning point. Her work seems increasingly irrelevant, her doctor husband is never home, relations with her adult daughter Ingeborg are strained, and their beautiful house is scheduled for demolition.
When Ingeborg decides to move into another house they own, things take a very dark turn. The young woman who rents it disappears, leaving behind her son, the day after Nina and Ingeborg pay her a visit.
With few clues, the police enquiry soon grinds to a halt, but Nina has an inexplicable sense of guilt. Unable to rest, she begins her own investigation, but as she pulls on the threads of the case, it seems her discoveries may have very grave consequences for her and her family.
REVIEW Professor Nina Wisløff is struggling to process the imminent demolition of her childhood home where she is currently living with her husband Mads. While discussing their options, Nina suggests moving into the house Mads inherited from his aunt, much to the dismay of their daughter Ingeborg, who had intended on securing the property for herself.
Nina and her daughter take a trip to visit the house and get a better idea of the property when Ingeborg suddenly charges in and demands that the tenant, Mari Nilsen (a young single mother), show them around inside after announcing her decision to move in. Nina already feels terrible about her daughter’s behaviour but when Mari goes missing the following day, she is unable to shake the guilt that they may have been responsible.
When the police make it clear that they believe Mari’s disappearance was not suspicious, Nina decides to start investigating. It soon becomes clear that this is a decision that will have grave repercussions for herself and her family.
The Seven Doors is definitely not a fast-paced thriller with a high body count. This is an atmospheric and unsettling mystery which gradually builds a sense of unease throughout the story with clever references to the dark and macabre folktale ‘Bluebeard’s Castle’.
Every character has a purpose and their stories, behaviour and events lead you to cast doubt over almost everyone at some point in the story.
Agnes Ravatn creates a sense of foreboding which, in my opinion, is unmatched by any other author. Layer upon layer of deceit, lies and secrets which come together in a gut-wrenching reveal. Page by page, you desperately hope for a different outcome to the one you think is coming.
A powerful psychological thriller, a carefully plotted mystery and a bleak Norwegian setting gets a definite five stars from me!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Agnes Ravatn is a Norwegian author and columnist. She made her literary début with the novel Week 53 (Veke 53) in 2007. Since then she has written three critically acclaimed and award-winning essay collections: Standing still (Stillstand), 2011, Popular Reading (Folkelesnad), 2011, and Operation self-discipline (Operasjon sjøldisiplin), 2014. In these works, Ravatn revealed a unique, witty voice and sharp eye for human fallibility. Her second novel, The Bird Tribunal (Fugletribuanlet), was an international bestseller translated into fifteen languages, winning an English PEN Award, shortlisting for the Dublin Literary Award, a WHSmith Fresh Talent pick and a BBC Book at Bedtime. It was also made into a successful play, which premiered in Oslo in 2015. Agnes lives with her family in the Norwegian countryside.
Thanks to @RandomTTours and @OrendaBooks for the opportunity to read and review.
Fiction: Psychological Thriller / Thriller / Nordic Noir
Product format: Paperback
ISBN: 978-1913193386
Pages: 276 pp
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