BLOG TOUR: A Presence of Absence by Sarah Surgey & Emma Vestrheim

A Presence of Absence, Blog Tour, Bookstagram, brit crime, crime fiction, debut novel, nordic noir, Psychological Thriller, self published, suspense

A Presence of Absence

Sarah Surgey & Emma Vestrheim

I had the pleasure of reading this book last month and now have the honor of being today's spot on the blog tour! My RIC (readers-in-crime) team and I were lucky enough to get quoted! See below for Jessica, Sam of Clues & Reviews and my quote (how awesome is THAT?!) Continue for the synopses of both Book 1 AND Book 2 in The Odense Series, along with information on the authors, their social media and my review for A Presence of Absence.

Synopsis:

The Odense Series is a new Nordic Noir/Brit Crime series that blends humanist stories and family drama with gritty crime in the central Danish city Odense.

British detective Simon Weller escapes the fallout from the recent suicide of his Danish wife, Vibeke and heads out to her home city of Odense. But once there he is paired up with a local detective, Jonas, who is also about to hit rock bottom in his home life and they must overcome their differences and personal problems to try and catch one of the worst serial killers Odense has seen in many years.

The case takes them back into past decades as history starts catching up with some of the local inhabitants.

When Simon realises that his wife’s suicide may not be all it seems and her name appears in the case, his integrity within the case is compromised, how far will he go to find out the truth of Vibeke’s past and hide it from his already troubled police partner?

Back home in London Simon’s family are struggling with their own web of lies and deceit and the family is falling apart.

With one family hiding a dark secret, the whole case is just about to reach breaking point.

My Review:

A solid blend of Nordic Noir and Brit Crime - we get involved in a murder case set in Odense. Simon is a British detective still reeling from the suicide of his wife, Vibeke. Heading to Odense, her hometown, he pairs up with a local detective, Jonas, to help catch a serial killer. The past comes back to haunt him and while families fall apart around them, the case comes to a breaking point that threatens to tear them all apart.

As the first book in The Odense Series, character development is key and the authors do a great job of building up each of the characters. There were a couple moments that had me scratching my head, but it all made sense once you got towards the ending. For me, there were times where it felt a little bit choppy but I think the introduction of so many characters and their complex lives were a lot to keep track of. However, when it all came together, the build up was worth it. If you're looking for a hit you in the face, fast paced, typical crime novel, this would probably not be your cup of tea. If you are looking for the slow burn, build up that feels right when the last pages come together, it is most definitely worth the read. The epilogue! Absolutely threw me for a loop! With the characters built and the setting set, I can only see the series getting better and better with more action and endings that leave you wanting. Bring on the next book! I need it!

Let's meet the ladies who self published and co-wrote this thrilling debut novel.

Sarah Surgey

Sarah Surgey is a 36 year old British feature writer for various magazines. She lives in the UK with her husband and 4 daughters.

She has had an interest in all things Nordic for many years and has written about many genres within this subject for publication. Although British, she has Danish family and enjoys exploring Denmark and its culture whenever the opportunity arrives.

Sarah was brought up with crime books and inevitably has always had crime story scenarios going around inside her head. After interviewing many famous authors for different magazines within the Nordic literary circle and always knowing the answer to her question of "why did you start writing?" she felt now was her time to get her stories out there, for people to read!

Emma Vestrheim

Emma Vestrheim is the owner and editor-in-chief of Cinema Scandinavia, a Nordic film and television journal that analyses popular Nordic titles. Part of her work includes working with directors, actors and filmmakers, and her numerous interviews with the biggest names in Nordic film and television have given her a privileged access to what makes Nordic narratives so successful. Cinema Scandinavia publishes bimonthly and is available in major Nordic film libraries.

Stalk them here:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheOdenseSeries

Twitter: https://twitter.com/OdenseSeries

Instagram: Sarah: https://www.instagram.com/the_wormcatcher/

Emma: https://www.instagram.com/emmavestrheim169/

Website: www.theodenseseries.com

Book 2! The Enlightened:

Synopsis:

The Enlightened is the second novel in the Odense Series.

When a young girls body is discovered in a burnt-out church, the Odense police initially conclude that it’s nothing more than a tragic accident involving a runaway. However, when British detective Simon Weller digs deeper, he finds a link between the girl and a cult up in the most northerly parts of Norway.

As more evidence arises, the arson attack on the church quickly becomes a murder investigation, and sees the detective travelling to Norway to work on the case alongside a young and eager Norwegian counterpart. Everything is not what it seems and they find themselves looking back over the history of Norse Mythology and how the past occult is once again fighting its way into modern day society. Meanwhile, in Odense Simon’s colleague Jonas Norgaard discovers an element to the case that puts Simon’s life in danger.

As the case unfolds across the corners of Scandinavia, in London Simon’s family is falling apart. With her husband, Michael, missing, Simon’s daughter Sanne spirals into depression and self-loathing, while her brother Thomas takes care of her children. Frustrated, Thomas starts investigating Michaels disappearance and comes across information that may answer why his mother committed suicide two years ago.

Intended release date: December 2017