The Crow’s Throne

This is a sophisticated crime novel that leans toward what, for lack of a better word, we must call “literary fiction.” […] Right now, I can’t think of anyone writing better crime novels in Norway than Eva Fretheim.

NRK, 5/6 stars

She IS our new queen of crime […] Her psychological thrillers combine a rare mix of clever, original, and surprising plots with an almost eerily polished writing style—one that challenges those who claim crime fiction doesn’t deserve to be called literary fiction. […] The novel features some truly remarkable character portrayals in what is an exceptionally refined psychological thriller—one that isn’t really about good and evil, but about how life shapes us through chance and brutality.

Dagbladet, 5/6 stars

A rare gem in Norwegian crime fiction! […] It’s not often that I read a Norwegian crime writer who is as linguistically precise and structured as Eva Fretheim. She establishes unease and tension in the story from the very start. […] Not only is she structured and precise, but she also manages to steer clear of the worst clichés that so many of her crime-writing colleagues fall back on. […] This is quality all the way through!

VG, 5/6 stars

…the prolific Fretheim just keeps getting better. The fourth book in the series is her best work to date. […] The Crow’s Throne is a well-conceived and very well-told crime novel, with an atmosphere unlike anything else you’ve read.

Adressavisen, 6/6 stars

Within just a few pages, Fretheim’s talent for precise environmental descriptions and nuanced character portrayals becomes clear. […] Her attention to detail—smells, colors, facial expressions—is among the qualities that elevate the novel. […] With The Crow’s Throne, Eva Fretheim gives us another solid, classic crime story—once again without dwelling on violence or graphic detail.

Dagsavisen

Eva Fretheim writes the best crime novels in Norway. She should win the Riverton Prize. […] Fretheim knows how to construct an elegant plot. Above all, she’s a master at outsmarting the reader. During the opening chapters, I found myself laughing with delight, like a child who has just seen an impressive magic trick up close.

Dagens Næringsliv

If I had to choose just one of this year’s crime novels, it would have to be this one.

Aftenbladet, 5/6 stars