Fate of Ravens

The book Fate of Ravens, which is written by Tiina Nunnally, has to be one of the greatest mysteries written. Although there was another book written before this, Runemaker, which was also a Margit Andersson mystery, I didn't read it so I don't think you need to read it to understand Fate of Ravens. I'm not going to start summarizing the book since this is a review, but just so you get the main point of what happens in the book I will explain a little. There are a couple murders that have recently happened in Seattle, and a regular woman who is a translator gets caught up in everything. By the looks of what is going on this woman, known as Margit Andersson, believes that the deaths were tied to things that happened in Nazi-Occupied Denmark during World War II. While reading the book, you feel that you are living in this world, waiting for the next bit of evidence. There were absolutely no downfalls in this book and everything was always entertaining. Yes, finally a book with no boring parts! These are some of the reasons the book is what it is. It is a great way to learn about the Scandinavian culture.

Good news/bad news: You discover a fantastic new mystery series. Yay! Then you find out there are only two books in the series, and the author has no immediate plans to write more. Boo! If you haven't yet met Seattle translator Margit Andersson, you're in for a treat. "Fate of Ravens" and its predecessor, "Runemaker," are delightful, suspenseful amateur sleuth tales, featuring, as a bonus, lots of insight into Scandinavian history and culture. What really made these books come alive for me were the characters. Margit and her friends are so well-rounded and real that I half-expect I'd run into them if I stopped by a certain Seattle coffee shop. I enjoyed Margit's cat, Gregor, too. Recommended to all amateur sleuth/cozy fans, but particularly those with an interest in Scandinavia! I'll be keeping my fingers crossed that Tiina will decide to put her translation work aside and bring Margit back some day...

This is the perfect book to curl up with and forget about the dark winter evenings that have arrived. Every chapter makes you want to continue reading because there is just one more thing to figure out. The characters feel real, and the environment fits the story which allows the reader to feel relaxed and not have to fight to make the story work. The WW II stories, which are true, give an amazing view into a part of history that has not been shared with many.This is a book to be shared with anyone who enjoys siting down and reading a book until you reach the back cover. It is a good one night stand.

Margit Anderson is working as a translator of Scandinavian languages at Sea-Tac Airport when she watches a senior citizen fall down an escalator, crying "not him!" in Swedish. Though the incident bothers her, Margit becomes concerned when she learns that another elderly Scandinavian fell from a high rise balcony. The police believe the second victim was pushed and ask Margit to help them translate into English items found at the murder scene. Margit soon realizes that the deaths of the two women were not coincidence, but linked by their work as conductors on the WW II European underground railroad that sent many people to safety. Eventually, Margit meets an elderly Dane, who believes that the women's deaths have to do with their activities five decades ago. As she becomes deeply involved with the case, Margit does not recognize the danger posed to her by an individual who wants his dark secrets from the big war to remain hidden. FATE OF RAVENS is a well-written regional and ethnic mystery that will please fans of Northwest tales and those who enjoy Scandinavian stories. Margit is a fascinating character and the Seattle-Tacoma area is always fun to visit while reading a good detective novel. Additionally, the historical tidbits add much flavor to the story line. Still, like its predecessor, RUNEMAKER, the charm of this novel lies in the insight to the Scandinavian culture.Harriet Klausner