When a woman?s body is discovered at a lighthouse in the Icelandic town of Akranes, investigators discover shocking secrets in her past. First in the disturbing, chillingly atmospheric, addictive new Forbidden Iceland series.
**WINNER OF THE CWA JOHN CREASEY NEW BLOOD DAGGER**
**WINNER of the Storytel Award for Best Crime Novel 2020**
**WINNER of the Blackbird Award for Best Icelandic Crime Novel**
**SHORTLISTED for the Amazon Publishing Readers Award for Best Independent Voice**
**SHORTLISTED for the Amazon Publishing Readers Award for Best Debut Novel**
**LONGLISTED for the CWA New Blood Dagger**

?Eva Björg Ægisdóttir?s accomplished first novel is not only a full-fat mystery, but also a chilling demonstration of how monsters are made? The Times

'Fans of Nordic Noir will love this moving debut from Icelander Eva Björg Ægisdóttir?s. It's subtle, nuanced, with a sympathetic central character and the possibilities of great stories to come' Ann Cleeves

?An exciting and harrowing tale from one of Iceland?s rising stars? Ragnar Jónasson

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When a body of a woman is discovered at a lighthouse in the Icelandic town of Akranes, it soon becomes clear that she?s no stranger to the area.

Chief Investigating Officer Elma, who has returned to Akranes following a failed relationship, and her collegues Sævar and Hörður, commence an uneasy investigation, which uncovers a shocking secret in the dead woman?s past that continues to reverberate in the present day ?

But as Elma and her team make a series of discoveries, they bring to light a host of long-hidden crimes that shake the entire community. Sifting through the rubble of the townspeople?s shattered memories, they have to dodge increasingly serious threats, and find justice ? before it?s too late.

For fans of Yrsa Sigurdardottir, Ruth Rendell, P D James, Sarah Hilary and Camilla Lackberg

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?Elma leaves Reykjavik CID for a job with the police in her hometown of Akranes, deeming it ?every bit as quiet as it appeared to be? ? until the discovery of a murdered woman starts to unravel a thread of long-buried crimes hidden deep in the community. Elma is a fantastic heroine? Sunday Times

?We?re used to Icelandic writers lowering the temperature ? in more ways than one ? and Ægisdóttir proves to be adept at this chilly art as any of her confrères (and consoeurs). Elma is a memorably complex character, and Victoria Cribb?s translation is (as usual) non-pareil? Financial Times

?A deserted lighthouse and a murdered woman set the scene for this haunting and compelling mystery where the dark secrets of a small town are shockingly exposed. As chilling and atmospheric as an Icelandic winter? Lisa Gray, author of Thin Air

?The setting in Iceland is fascinating, the descriptions creating a vivid picture of the reality of living in a small town. The Creak on the Stairs is a captivating tale with plenty of tension and a plot to really get your teeth into? LoveReading

?At each stage, Ægisdóttir is not giving us information but asking things of us. She?s getting us to think through the implications: what if it?s him, what if it?s her, what would it mean? We?re involved, we?ve got skin in the game and we can?t ask for more as readers? Café Thinking