Meditative. Dark. Really, really cold . . . This is a worthy successor to Larsson's Millennium trilogy . . . This first installment in Kallentoft's crime series is a splendid representative of the Swedish crime novel, in all its elegance and eeriness. * Booklist Starred Review *
Don't bother with Stieg Larsson, Kallentoft is better * Magnus Utvik, Sweden's leading critic *
One of the best-realised female heroines I've read by a male writer * Guardian *
The highest suspense * Camilla Lackberg, international bestselling author of The Stonecutter *
He has a completely unique style, an exquisite narrative that you drink in with pleasure . . . I'm convinced: a crime novel doesn't get much more beautiful than this * Kristianstadsbladet *
A gripping opening gambit . . . Investigating inspector Malin Fors is a feisty single mother, whose flaws are intriguing and endearing . . . The chillingly suspense-filled story works up to a truly stunning finale. * Easy Living *
Sharp writing and original insights add spice * Literary Review *
Kallentoft is gifted . . . He has a knack for characterisation and describing the slow burn of police work. * The Age (Australia) *
A cleverly crafted . . . dark multilayered murder mystery * Courier Mail (Australia) *
Engaging * Manly Daily (Australia) *
Malin Fors is an intriguing and complex heroine . . . MIDWINTER SACRIFICE shows the hidden life under the picturesque surface . . . Kallentoft is an outstanding writer * Nordic Bookblog *
More very impressive input from another Scandinavian writer with something refreshingly different to say and with a different way of saying it . . . the background of Sweden in the grip of a cruel and punishing winter is brought vividly to the page. His illustration of the complex character of his heroine is also impressive . . . An impressive book. * Tangled Web *
Gripping * New Books Magazine *
Delivers in spades * Sunday Herald Sun (Australia) *
Most successful as an in-depth exploration of small-town life in a country which is theoretically democratic and egalitarian, but only on the surface. * Canberra Times *
An all-round chilling read, and an interesting beginning to what will be a fascinating five-part series of crime fiction page turners featuring the policewoman. * Sunshine Coast Daily (Australia) *
The prose is spare and the dead man whispers to the detective which she seems to hear and transform into an unerring instinct for the truth. * South Coast Register *
[Kallentoft] is rightly praised for his skill at plotting, as well as his ability to create strongly-realised female protagonists . . . The author's sequence featuring his wonderfully rounded female protagonist Malin Fors is rapidly acquiring a devoted following. * Good Book Guide *