UNTIL THY WRATH BE PAST (2011), wastes no time pulling you into the story. This is the fourth book in the series set in Sweden to feature district attorney Rebecka Martinsson. This is the best written book in the series that started with SUN STORM (2006). This is a tightly plotted story that is well thought out and full of tension filled scenes that introduces an interesting pair of antagonists in the Krekula brothers. The premise: a young couple go winter diving in a mountain lake and then disappear. There is mention of Germany’s occupation in the country during WWII and its impact in the lives of those affected in the present day. The narrative often splits into several different perspectives, told in third person, where one is seamlessly done from the victim’s POV.
UNTIL THY WRATH BE PAST was unputdownable. This book epitomizes all that I enjoy in Scandinavian crime fiction with its interesting locale and culture. The tone can sometimes be bleak as most books in this genre tend to be about people expressing loneliness and/or despair. I like the focus on nature and its contrasts. I like the attention to the harsh climate. I like that the characters are believable and are shown to deal with their own personal issues while investigating crimes. I liked the flow of the story and how each thread or events begin to form and connect to give a complete picture. The plot is one that uses real events about German soldiers using Swedish drivers to transport supplies to the Eastern front. The author delved into the past and unearthed some interesting facts to tell her story.
I made mention of the Krekula brothers because they do stand out very much in this story. Especially Hjalmar Krekula who intimidates with his height and bulk but he is nothing in temperament like his younger brother, Tore, the family favorite, who is in charge of running the family’s haulage business. Tore is pretty much an asshole. In the village, people talk about them behind their backs. Detective Anna-Maria Mella pays them a visit during her investigation and finds herself turned all around by their antics and threats. These were very well written scenes, showing Anna-Maria Mella’s vulnerability at a time when she and her partner,Sven Erik Stålnacke’s working relationship is on the rocks.
There are some great scenes in this book. The title draws it’s inspiration from the biblical phrase from the book of Job that reads: “O that thou wouldest hide me in the grave, that thou wouldest keep me secret, until thy wrath be past.” There is another quote I loved from Psalms that was also quoted in the book: “Therefore is my spirit overwhelmed within me; my heart within me is desolate.”
The themes are about secrecy and shame along with familial obligations and loyalty. There is religious overtones but it is never preachy. Then there is Rebecka’s love life that’s an interesting side note. I like how the characters continue to grow and change. There’s an added entanglement that I find interesting in Rebecka’s personal life and I’m curious to see how that is explored. I look forward to reading the next book in the series. The change in translators didn’t cause any hiccups with Laurie Thompson taking over where Marlaine Delargy left off. UNTIL THY WRATH BE PAST is my first A read of the year. Other notable reviews: Maxine’s review at Euro Crime and she’s the one who introduced this author to me.
Source: I bought this book after reading Sun Storm, the first book in the series
What a great start to your reading year, it’s a terrific book. Those brothers are very memorable characters, i felt so sorry for Hjalmar – no wonder he turned out as he did.
My heart broke for Hjalmar.
I enjoyed this a lot. I can imagine in a small town a family dominating the life there and I liked the way the WW2 element was done. She is a good writer and one whose new books I always look out for.
Asa Larsson has a successful writing career ahead of her if she continues to crank out consistently original characters and stories. I think she is awesome. I just need the rest of the readers out there to discover how wonderful she is too.
So glad you liked this one after finding The Black Path disappointing. Lucky you though to read them so close together as it meant you could remember why Sven-Erik and Anna-Marie fell out which I had long since forgotten. Thanks also for the link to my review. I liked the brothers, and the way you were tricked into thinking one thing about them when the reality was different. I also liked a lot of other things about this book. Reading your excellent review makes me so keen to read the next one! Hope the wait will not be too long.
Loved that too.