When I´ve read for the first time a book authored by Kjell Ola Dahl, I promised myself to continue keeping up with this Norwegian author, whose style and topics made me very curious further exploring. I was given the chance again for his latest translation into English, also done by Don Barlett, The Lazarus Solution, published by Orenda Books.
I did not know exactly what to expect, but as usually in such cases, I was pleasantly surprised. A combination of historical fiction and genuine Nordic Noir, the book is built around an incident set in the 1943: following the killing of a courier for Sweden´s Press and Military Office, the Norwegian Government appointed a writer to find the missing documents. An unusual task for an unusual person, maybe the last properly qualified for such a sensitive military task. But special situations require exceptional character and the writer, the main storyteller, seems to have fit fast into the important role.
Historical fiction with a touch of thriller is sometimes hard to create, due to the constraints of the historical layer that may stop the expansion of the thriller story too far away from the reality realm. But in this case, it seems like Kjell Ola Dahl is literary dancing with the historical facts, skillfully using them in moderate portions to serve the general aim of creating a thriller story touching upon very sensitive political and geopolitical topics - such as, for instance, the Swedish-Norwegian animosities, ignited during the hardship of the WWII.
A recommended read to anyone interested to have a good taste of historical fiction read in a thriller key. Just another example of extraordinary Nordic Noir creativity.
Rating: 4.5 stars
Disclaimer: Book offered as part of the book tour but the opinions are, as usual, my own
Thanks for the blog tour support
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