Snow Angels

By: James Thompson

Narrated by: T. Ryder Smith

Length: 8 hrs and 26 mins

Publisher's summary

The first book of James Thompson’s Inspector Vaara series won immediate critical acclaim for a sterling tale set in the brutal cold and soul-testing isolation of kaamos, Finland’s two weeks of utter darkness. Even as the unrelenting winter conditions tighten their grip on the residents of the Lapland town, a lovely Somali movie star is found murdered, a racial slur cut into her chest.

©2009 James Thompson (P)2010 Recorded Books, LLC

Critic reviews

“Masterful.” (Michael Connelly)

What a fantastic story

Where does Snow Angels rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

This book ranks right up at the top of my list.

What did you like best about this story?

This story grabbed my attention and kept it right to the end, and when I was done, I went online to see if there was a part 2, not that it ended like you were missing something, but because I wanted more, it took me some time to get over the fact that it was over. I liked all the characters, the plot, the whole story was just great.

Great Finland pased mystery!!

For those who enjoy a great Scandinavian mystery, James Thompson has started a terrific atmospheric Finlander mystery with SNOW ANGELS.  Thompson was born in America but has lived in Finland for ten years.  He makes thorough use of the differences between culture, weather, personalities and murder statistics in Finland and USA in this deceptively psychological mystery.

Inspector Kari Vaara is newly married and looking forward to Christmas, when he's confronted with a particularly brutal murder of a beautiful young starlet.  Problems arise because she is one of the relatively new refugees from Somalia.  The murder was sexually brutal, perhaps racially motivated, and is culturally charged.  Worse yet, Vaara's ex wife's lover seems to be the prime suspect.  

Emotions flair in a country where emotions are usually kept inside.  Clues begin to add up quickly, but soon there are too many suspects who are powerful and/or too close to Vaara's personal life.  Relationships with family and co-workers make things still more complicated.

Thankfully, there are already two more books in this series because after reading this book, mystery fans will find they have a new favorite author.

The colors of Nordic murder in ice, fire, and light.

Kudos to the narrator. He put just the right tone on this Nordic mystery which bares the ugly underside of a small Finnish community and the cast of characters surrounding the murder of a young Somali actress, butchered with the ugliest of epithets carved on her skin, and where the sins of lechery, adultery, religious zealotry, and jealousy are at the heart of this who done it, with a detective in danger of letting pride, and misplaced allegiances hinder his resolution of this brutal crime.

Great storytelling

I liked it all. I had a stroke and listen to books as I walk. This really kept me walk g-just to know what was happening next!! Read this book!!!

Darkness, prejudice and punishments.

Would you consider the audio edition of Snow Angels to be better than the print version?

Can't compare as I haven't literally read the book. Though if I had to read all the books I listen to I wouldn't get anything else done.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Snow Angels?

The fire on the ice.

Which scene was your favorite?

So many of the scenes are great ......I have read a many books since and haven't got a clear picture of one specific at this time.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

No, I actually enjoy getting back to my book and the characters several times. Like meeting old friends again.

Any additional comments?

The freezing daytime darkness is a memorable visual for the human prejudice and sexual frustrations that underlies this particular plot.

performance

maybe use a narrator who has at least a basic grasp of finnish? the pronunciation and accents on finnish words are ridiculous

Entertaining with flaws

Very early in the book the coroner uses Imperial measurements. Would never happen which ruined the moment.

The narrator is quite good. Better than most for Finnish names and words. There is room for improvement for sure. Still the pronouncement action is better than most.

This hero needs help

This story was exhausting. I am not sure how I he hero received a job promotion at the end he was so off base throughout the book. Maybe this, maybe that it was difficult to listen to the thought process.

Good Read

This is a must for Scandinavian story readers. A fast paced mystry in the ice cold, dark winter noth of the Arctic Circle.

Dismal

What a sad set of circumstances to befall that community. I don’t know if everyone in the country was so isolated. They had children. Someone got close sometimes