To Cook a Bear
Failed to add items
Add to basket failed.
Add to wishlist failed.
Remove from wishlist failed.
Adding to library failed
Follow podcast failed
Unfollow podcast failed
Get 30 days of Premium Plus free
Buy Now for £12.99
-
Narrated by:
-
Matt Addis
About this listen
The legendary Læstadius becomes a kind of Sherlock Holmes in this exceptional historical crime novel.
It is 1852, and in Sweden's far north, deep in the Arctic Circle, charismatic preacher and Revivalist Lars Levi Læstadius impassions a poverty-stricken congregation with visions of salvation. But local leaders have reason to resist a shift to temperance over alcohol.
Jussi, the young Sami boy Læstadius has rescued from destitution and abuse, becomes the preacher's faithful disciple on long botanical treks to explore the flora and fauna. Læstadius also teaches him to read and write - and to love and fear God.
When a milkmaid goes missing deep in the forest, the locals suspect a predatory bear is at large. A second girl is attacked, and the sheriff is quick to offer a reward for the bear's capture. Using early forensics and Daguerrotype, Læstidius and Jussi find clues that point to a far worse killer on the loose, even as they are unaware of the evil closing in around them.
To Cook a Bear explores how communities turn inwards, how superstition can turn to violence and how the power of language can be transformative in a richly fascinating mystery.
©2020 Mikael Niemi, Deborah Bragan-Turner (P)2020 Quercus Editions LimitedCritic reviews
"Superb suspense.... Simply a great literary experience!" (VG, Sweden)
"A masterpiece of narrative." (La Vanguardia, Spain)
"A philosophical novel, a crime novel, a historical novel and a coming-of-age story complement one another." (La Stampa, Italy)