First published 1982
Detective Perry Trethowan finds himself far from London's familiar streets when duty calls him to Norway. The harsh Nordic winter provides an unforgiving backdrop as he navigates unfamiliar territory both literally and culturally. A death in this remote, snow-covered setting demands his attention, but the cold climate proves to be more than just a meteorological challenge. Trethowan must adapt his investigative methods to a foreign environment where local customs and bitter temperatures complicate every lead. The detective work becomes a test of endurance as much as intellect. As Trethowan pursues the truth through Norway's stark beauty and social complexities, he discovers that solving crimes requires more than procedural knowledge when operating outside one's home turf. The case forces him to confront how place and culture shape both criminal motivation and detection methods.
Genres: mystery, crime, thriller, detective
Vibes: atmospheric, suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: fish-out-of-water, procedural
Setting: London, Norway
Period: 20th-century
330 pages · Hardcover · G.K. Hall