As much as I appreciate a thriller set in Sweden (one of my favorite countries) This book was not for me. I’m not sure if it was the writing style or the characters but I did not care for it and found it a bit of a slog to get through.

Blaze Me a Sun by Christoffer Carlsson is a gripping and thought-provoking novel that delves into the complexities of identity, memory, and the impact of the past on the present. The pacing of the novel is expertly handled, with moments of tension and introspection balanced beautifully. As the story unfolds, suspense builds, keeping readers engaged and eager to uncover the truth behind the protagonist's struggles.

Christoffer Carlsson is a highly recognized, award winning crime writer whose book has been translated from Swedish.

This novel takes you into the heart and mind of Detective Sven Jorgensson who is consumed by a serial killer who jabs him with the promise that he won’t stop.

The first victim was brutalized and murdered the same evening that the prime minister was murdered. The media was obsessed with the national news, while Sven became obsessed with the murder in the small town, and a couple more follow. Until the end of his days, the obsession led to depression and failing health. The obsession consumed his son Vidar as well, who became a detective in the same Town of Tiarp.

The story is narrated by an author who researches the story, while in a deep dive to escape his own darkness. He discovers uncovers additional clues, involving Vidar in the search after he’s retired.

This novel has many moving parts, with an undertone of fear and darkness. The intensity captures your psyche and you need to pay attention, it’s slow moving and covers a couple of decades. The payoff is worth it.

Slick story. I like the writing as well as the story and characters. Few surprised. Overall a good yarn. Wish I read the 1 st though. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher!

This is a complex murder mystery which captivates and keeps you guessing.
This is book 2 of a series and I was unable to obtain an English version of book 1 so I am unsure what background in character development that might have added to this book. I found there was enough information for me to not feel like I was too confused.

This story is narrated by a struggling writer who returns to Halland County in Sweden decades after an unsolved mystery of a man who claiming to a serial killer. He is desperate for distraction to revive his career after his marriage to Sara failed. He had remembered a cold case of a possible serial killer that seemed to occupy many investigators as a call comes in the same night the prime minister is murdered. This would become an obsession for Sven Jorgensson, an investigator who tries to make a connection between the self-proclaimed serial killer and the murder of the prime minister. After he retires, he encourages and assists his son, Vidar, who enters law enforcement as well to bond with his father.

When the writer returns home he finds that not much has changed except Vidar, who he finds disshelved in a bar looking very different than the man he knew 30 years ago. He had always admired him in high school who had called him "book moth" back then. He reflects the past when Vidar's father, Sven was a police officer. As he begins to dig up information from the past he speaks to retired police officer, Evy Carlen, 80 years-old and on her deathbed. She wanted to confide what happened many years ago to Sven and Vidar while investigating the unsolved mystery. What she reveals puts the writer on a path to uncover some hidden secrets and information surrounding the chaotic and rather botched investigation.

"BLAZE ME A SUN a serial killer in a small Swedish town commits his first murder the same night the prime minister is assassinated. This is a haunting, cinematic novel about the legacy of violence and a community's collective guilt by one of Scandinavia's most celebrated young crime writers."

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Random House for providing access to this book for review consideration. All comments expressed in my review are my honest and unbiased opinion.

A Swedish policeman is tasked with the investigation of a serial killer. The case is still unresolved when he retires. Decades later, when his son is now working on the cold case, a writer comes to town with new information. The build-up of suspense is quite exciting and the resolution a surprise. My thanks to the author and NetGalley for a complimentary copy of this book.

Very very slow moving murder mystery. A little disjointed when skipping from present to past when it finally gets to the actual crime that was committed many years ago. If you like a slow burn, tiKthiss one will fit the bill. I was provided an advanced reader copy and was under no obligation to write a review. The opinions expressed are my own. Thanks to the author,publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.

The prime minister of Sweden is assassinated on the same night a serial killer calls the local sheriff's office to let them know he committed his first kill, but plans on more. The local Sheriff Sven Jorgensson is consumed with the case until he retires. Years later, an author comes to the area to try to get a new story started. He ends up writing about the crime that happened years ago, unlocking the secrets along the way.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in return for my honest review.

I enjoyed the book. The telling of similar and very difficult incidents in the life of the father be son was interesting

I became a fan of Scandinavian mysteries and crime novels decades ago when I first discovered Per Wahloo's and Maj Sjowall's excellent Martin Beck series. (Many current Scandi authors credit this writing team as the inspiration for their works). As the years have gone by I have found many more Scandi authors to enjoy so I was delighted to have the chance to read Blaze Me A Sun by Christoffer Carlsson who is new-to-me. I was not disappointed and look forward to reading more of his novels.

This tale begins in the present and is narrated by an author down on his luck both professionally and personally. He has retreated from Stockholm to the small southern Swedish town where he grew up, living in his childhood house. He begins to write about a local father (Sven Jorgensson) and son (Vidar) both of whom were police officers. The father becomes obsessed with a series of related and unsolved murders during his career. The first of these murders happens on the very night that PM Olof Palme is assassinated in Stockholm. The country is rocked to its very core even in the small town where Sven polices. The fact that none of the murders are solved during his lifetime impacts his life in many ways.

There is an unidentified body called the Tiarp Man, local superstitions, secrets galore and complex mysteries to solve as the author tries to unravel the story. Christoffer Carlsson seems to have taken a cue from Wahloo and Sjowall's social commentary/mystery foundation and has written a crime novel that is hard to put down. If Scandi mystery/crime novels are your taste this author provides much to relish. If you are new to Scandi mysteries this might be a good place to start reading the genre.

Thanks to NetGalley and Random House for an early opportunity to read one of my favorite genres.

This had an interesting tone where everyone seemed to be possibly involved in the killings occurring. It was while Sven was on duty, that he discovered the first victim of the serial killer. He becomes involved in ways he wishes he wasn’t. He spends the rest of his career trying to find out who the killer is. This was very suspenseful. I enjoyed the characters and their stories.

A serial killer in a small Swedish town and the troubled detective tasked with solving his latest murder?? SIGN ME UP!!!!!! Except for some reason, I totally could not get into this. I think I was both confused and bored. I would love to try this author again, but DNF at 20% for this one.

I enjoyed this Swedish author's 1st English translation.... I thought it kind of 'in line' with other Scandinavian thrillers that I've read/enjoyed. I actually thought it started out kind of slow, but soon came to think that the author was just 'setting the hook'! And that he did! The author uses a couple time lines, & several character's different perspectives to weave a tale of a killer in a small town in Sweden....& how that all plays out over time. Non Swede's may have to 'adjust' to the uncommon Swedish names & towns, but I found it to be a pretty quick/easy adjustment. I look forward to reading more from this author, who is actually a leading criminologist in Sweden...so he probably has some relevant knowledge about this subject.... It's a real good solid read!
I received an e-ARC from Random House Publishing Group-Random House/ Hogarth via NetGalley....in return for reading it & posting my own fair & honest review.

Thank you to netgalley.com for this ARC.

I loved this book. I am a big fan of Nordic mysteries and this did not disappoint. A good story with well developed characters and a great sense of the place and times.
The story shifts between time periods and characters but ties together very nicely and without giving away the ending too early.

I am hoping this author has more books translated into English, because I would definitely read them.

Blaze Me a Sun tells the story of a crime writer who has moved back to his hometown in Sweden. He decides to re-investigate some murders that happened back in the 1980s when he was a kid and involved people that he knew and grew up with.
I really liked the dual timelines and the way the story was told and laid out. I have not read any Swedish noir books before, but after this one I definitely well. Once I started the bookand got a feel for who all the characters were I could not put this book down. The main themes were secrets, family ties, and small towns. I look forward to more books by the author. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

It’s dark and very much fits other Swedish/Scandinavian thrillers I’ve read in the past. I do wish the time jumps were a little easier to follow but overall it wasn’t bad. I was curious about what happened to Sven’s wife as she isn’t mentioned again once the story moved to Vidar’s perspective. The culprit was pretty easy to figure out but I did like how the story led to the conclusion. Solid 3 stars for me.

“The pursuit of truth could go on forever, or until all the survivors forgot there was any truth to be found. The truth was a fantasy. The truth never ended.” That is the long and short of Blaze Me A Sun. This is a story about a serial killer, his murders, those trying to piece it together, those who believe they have the answers and those who question the conclusions. It is a journey to find the truth about a Swedish crime drama examined from many angles and perspectives. Too many angles and perspectives and too many pages but a good story, expose, narration, obsession and a few other simulations. With some serious editing it could have been a great story.

Thank you Hogarth, Random House and NetGalley for a copy

This is the best mystery novel I've read in a long time. Well written, excellent plot. I couldn't put it down.

It took me awhile to get into this book. It was slow but did pick up speed towards the end. Great story line and characters.

Blaze Me a Sun is well written, the characters are well developed. It started quickly and chapters were short so it was a "just one more chapter.," book. However the book felt too long, with too much angst and back stories. I am still glad I read it but do wish it had been a little shorter.
Thanks to NetGalley for my review copy of this book.