Mia Krüger has returned to the island of Hitra where she once came to end her own life. Having finally come to terms with her twin sister’s death, she no longer harbors a wish to die. However, the challenges of her work have taken a toll, and much to Holger Munch’s discontent, Mia has decided to leave the police force once and for all. As soon as her car is done at the repair shop, she’ll leave Norway altogether, and until then, she enjoys a quiet life in the sun on the rugged cliffs of Hitra.
One day, an eleven-year-old girl approaches Mia, and the investigator inside her is awakened. The young girl, Sofia, has heard that the famous detective now lives on their island, and she wants Mia’s help with finding out what happened to her best friend Jonathan, who disappeared without a trace three years prior. Mia recalls the unsolved case which gained national attention at the time and promises Sofia to look into it. She contacts the local police force – consisting of a single part-time officer named Luca Eriksen – to learn more.
Meanwhile, strange things begin to occur on the quaint island and Luca Eriksen is busier than usual. The altarpiece in the local church has been defiled, and there is a break-in at the town’s hairdresser. When a girl is found ruthlessly murdered in a boat, with Jonathan’s name written in blood next to her body, it seems like the cases are connected. Mia is drawn into the investigation, and she calls on Munch to join her. Munch’s investigative unit in Oslo has been shut down once more, so he eagerly seizes the opportunity, happy to work alongside Mia again. Despite their combined talent and expertise, the case turns out to be one of their most complicated to date, as they are faced with all the challenges that being on a rural island with little police presence or technology entail.
It soon becomes clear that evil lurks under the surface of this picturesque holiday destination. As tensions start to build between the local inhabitants of Hitra, Mia and Munch must navigate not only stormy seas but a maze of dead-end clues and thorny relationships, before ultimately finding the elusive killer. Smarter, faster and more suspenseful than ever, international bestseller Samuel Bjørk is back with Dead Island – his most satisfying mystery to date.
Extra Materials
Czech Republic, Plus
Denmark, Alpha
Estonia, Eesti Raamat
Finland, Otava
Germany, Goldmann
Greece, Dioptra
Lithuania, Alma Littera
Netherlands, Luitingh-Sijthoff
Poland, Sonia Draga
Slovakia, Ikar
UK, Transworld
Author
Reviews
“[Samuel Bjørk] is a new acquaintance for me, despite his previous books about investigators Mia Krüger and Holger Munch. There’s much to suggest that I have missed out on something good. Dead Island is exactly that: well worth reading. Because Samuel Bjørk has mastered the important things, such as credible characters. And that doesn’t just go for the two main investigators. […] Bjørk also makes the beautiful island of Hitra, in almost too-much summer heat, shine to the reader. […] It’s been quite a while since I last read a Norwegian police procedural with such interest and joy.”
– NRK (NO)
“Wonderful that Samuel Bjørk a.k.a Frode Sander Øien at last uses the Trønder milieus in his crime universe. […] Dead Island is painted with a broad brush, worthy of someone who writes great, international crime novels. And here we have a rich cast of characters. […] We want more Dead Island!”
– Adresseavisen, 5/6 stars (NO)
“After his crime debut with I’m Traveling Alone, Samuel Bjørk has definitely found his style. […] It’s like coming home to something well-known, elegant, and authentic. […] There’s never a doubt of where you are in the story. When the language is dialogue driven, seasoned with just the right details to make the characters come alive, Dead Island is a crime novel after my own heart. Samuel Bjørk propels the reader forward, with a pulse and an understanding for the fact that time is of the essence. […] Five hundred pages, and still you want more. That must be the recipe for a crackingly excellent crime novel. Take up residence in your writing hut on Hitra, Frode Sander Øien! I am ready for more pages about Mia and Holger.”
– Trønder-Avisa, 5/6 stars (NO)
“Bjørk succeeds to suspensefully build a story whose roots stretches both backwards in time – a little boy who disappeared three years ago never to be found – and events that happen after Krüger, who for private reasons has moved to Hitra, starts taking a closer look at the unsolved mystery. […] Samuel Bjørk’s writing is excellent and in the short, 92 chapters he constantly adds new elements that keep the reader guessing just when you think you have the solution or when a suspect is just around the corner. […] Nothing is clear before the very last page of this thrilling story that flies by at record speed. Samuel Bjørk simply delivers on the same high level as before.”
– Nettavisen, 5/6 stars (NO)
“Initially, the plan was for Bjørk to only write three books about this golden duo. […] Fortunately, the Norwegian author has not said goodbye to his beloved investigator. Mia’s return even provides new clues for the next book. We look forward to it.”
– Telegraaf, 5 stars (NL)
“Bjørk is a master at building psychological suspense that creeps under your skin. He knows exactly how to find the right tone to keep it interesting and suspenseful to ensure you remain curious and want to read on. He has a smooth and refined writing style, which gives you the impression that you are experiencing everything yourself. But then that ending… Utterly surprising. I’m constantly being misled! I like that, crime novels that can surprise you in the very last chapters. Mia’s return is a great one. A really good, thrilling story with intriguing characters and an ending that will leave you stunned. I want more of Mia and Holger!”
– Thrillers & More, 5/5 stars (NL)