Selected for ITV's Zoe Ball Book Club and shortlisted for the Guardian's Not the Booker prize

A Daily Telegraph Book of the Year

'Will Dean's atmospheric crime thriller marks him out as a talent to watch. Dark Pines is stylish, compelling and as chilling as a Swedish winter.' Fiona Cummins, author of Rattle

'Atmospheric, creepy and tense. Loved the Twin Peaks vibe. Loved Tuva. More please!' C.J. Tudor, author of The Chalk Man

For fans of Gillian Flynn's Sharp Objects and Peter Hoeg's Miss Smilla's Feeling for Snow, a brand new debut crime writer introduces a Scandi-noir Tuva Moodyson Mystery

SEE NO EVIL

Eyes missing, two bodies lie deep in the forest near a remote Swedish town.

HEAR NO EVIL

Tuva Moodyson, a deaf reporter on a small-time local paper, is looking for the story that could make her career.

SPEAK NO EVIL

A web of secrets. And an unsolved murder from twenty years ago.

Can Tuva outwit the killer before she becomes the final victim? She'd like to think so. But first she must face her demons and venture far into the deep, dark woods if she wants to stand any chance of getting the hell out of small-time Gavrik.

Five villagers. Six hundred square kilometres of Swedish forest. One reporter. Two bodies...

About the Author

WILL DEAN grew up in the East Midlands and now lives at the centre of a vast elk forest in Sweden. Collectively the Tuva Moodyson books have been selected for Zoe Ball's ITV Book Club, shortlisted for the Theakston Old Peculier Crime Novel of the Year Award, shortlisted for the Guardian Not the Booker prize, and won Best Independent Voice at the Amazon Publishing Readers' Awards. The series is optioned for television by Red Planet. Will is also the author of The Last Thing to Burn (Hodder) and First Born (Hodder). You can find him on Twitter and Instagram @willrdean and on TikTok as will_dean_author, and he posts regularly about reading and writing on YouTube as Will Dean - Forest Author. #TeamTuva

Reviews

'I LOVED Dark Pines. Loaded with atmosphere, brilliant on setting, and Tuva Moodyson just rocks. A fantastic debut.'

* Mark Billingham, author of the Tom Thorne Novels *

'The tension is unrelenting, and I can't wait for Tuva's next outing.'

* Val McDermid, author of Splinter the Silence *

'The best thriller I've read in ages.'

* Marian Keyes, author of Anybody Out There *

'Memorably atmospheric, with a dogged and engaging protagonist, this is a compelling start to what promises to be an excellent series.'

* Guardian *

'New author challenges the Scandi crime giants on their home soil with this strong contender set in wintry Swedish countryside.'

* The Times and the Sunday Times Crime Club *

'Will Dean's impressive debut shows that Nordic noir can be mastered by a Brit.'

* The Times *

'[Dark Pines] crackles along at a roaring pace... This is the first in a series, and Moodyson, whose deafness is handled sensitively by Dean, is a character whose progress is worth following.'

* Observer Thriller of the Month *

'A refreshingly different approach to Nordic Noir with a soupcon of Twin Peaks.'

* Sunday Express *

'[A] brilliantly written debut.'

* HEAT *

'A dark and gripping debut...an intriguing and distinctive addition to the Scandinavian Noir landscape...Dean is definitely an author to look out for in the future.'

* Big Issue *

'A murder mystery and a compelling one...a gripping read that will have you guessing to the end.'

* Press Association *

'Bravo! I was so completely immersed in Dark Pines and Tuva is a brilliant protagonist. This HAS to be a TV series!'

* Nina Pottell, books editor for Prima Magazine *

'This reads like a classic murder mystery, a nod to old school style books and I thought the pacing was spot on... I was totally caught up in this one, it had a quiet ferocity that reminded me of Ragnar Jonasson and fans of his work should definitely give this a try!'

* Novelgossip *

'Quite simply this is a brilliant novel and one that gripped me from page one.'

* Crimenovelreader *

'Evoke[s] the sinister atmosphere of the elk-haunted pines.'

* Country Life Magazine *

'An elegant and tautly written story, with a great sense of place, a likeable protagonist and a thrilling climax. I hope we hear a lot more of Tuva Moodyson in future.'

* Bluebookballoon *

'A haunting and visceral read. It is a book that oozes atmosphere and I loved it... I could almost smell the pine trees.'

* Irish Mail on Sunday *

'Will Dean brings the woods alive to the point that they're almost like another character in the book...This has to be the book you start 2018 waiting for, it's everything you want from Nordic Noir... Get Will Dean on your list of authors to watch out for, this is a name you don't want to forget!!'

* Tattoo Stars *

'Dark Pines is a gripping, tantalising, beautifully written thrill ride that heralds an extremely talented writer. Can't wait to read his next book just doesn't seem to cover it! Loved this wonderful book!'

* Ronnie Turner *

'A haunting example of stylish storytelling set in the northern wilds of rural Sweden... The heroine is Tuva Moodyson, a deaf young female reporter on the small town's local paper, who is as superbly evoked as the forest she is forced to investigate when a man is found shot dead in its midst... Dean never lets the tension drop as his story grows ever more sinister.'

* Daily Mail *

'Will Dean is a British author who now lives in a forest in rural Sweden so he's perfectly placed to write an atmospheric Scandi thriller - and, boy, does he deliver... Dark Pines is a 'just one more chapter' page-turner with bags of atmosphere, and a brilliant protagonist that I hope to see more of in the future.'

-- Lisa Gray * Daily Record *

'A dark, compelling and character-driven thriller set in the wilds of Sweden - Dark Pines goes above and beyond the standard crime book, inviting the reader to a small Swedish town with brilliantly drawn characters and an intriguing mystery at the heart of events.'

* The Bookbag *

'This has to be made into a TV series.'

* Prima Magazine *

'Moodyson is one of the most relatable and smart protagonists in crime novels in recent years.'

* The Skinny Mag *

'A brilliant, gripping read! Beautifully written and atmospheric. Highly recommended.'

* Claire Douglas, author of Local Girl Missing *

'Will Dean's atmospheric crime thriller marks him out as a talent to watch. Dark Pines is stylish, compelling and as chilling as a Swedish winter.'

* Fiona Cummins, author of Rattle *

'I loved Dark Pines and highly recommend this gorgeous slice of Nordic noir.'

* Holly Seddon, author of Try Not To Breathe *

'Terrific thriller, vivid imagery and characters. My heart was pounding at the end - really great read!'

* Mary Torjussen, author of Gone Without A Trace *

'I think this is an astounding and confident debut. Superbly plotted and beautifully written. The characters jump from the page in perfect 3D. The tension builds exquisitely all the way through to the dramatic end. From the first page you know you're in the hands of a major new talent.'

* Imran Mahmood, author of You Don't Know Me *

'Dark Pines is the kind of thriller I've been waiting to read for a long time. Claustrophobic, creepy and completely compelling, it feels both classic and fresh at once. I adore Tuva - a gorgeously drawn character I want to see more adventures with. I loved it!'

* Miranda Dickinson, author of Fairytale of New York *

'Haunting, immersive and beautifully written, I loved every page of Dark Pines. Will Dean is a major talent.'

* Chris Whitaker, author of Tall Oaks *

'Atmospheric, creepy and tense. Loved the Twin Peaks vibe. Loved Tuva. More please!'

* C.J.Tudor, author of The Chalk Man *

'Ace! Tuva is a fascinating character in a sinister world. Highly recommended.'

* Adam Hamdy, author of Pendulum *

'Intended on an early night but couldn't put #DarkPines down. Hurrah @willrdean - smart, modern writing, atmospheric, cracking plot, loved it.'

* Holly Cave, author of The Memory Chamber *

'Claustrophobically atmospheric and spine-tingly tense, Dark Pines kept me enthralled to the very last page. A stunning debut from a major new talent.'

* Steph Broadribb, author of Deep Down Dead *

'Astonishingly good.'

* Peterborough Telegraph *

'Dark Pines, with its abundant atmosphere and compelling protagonist, is a taut, gripping debut.'

* Kate Mayfield, author of The Parentations *

'A remarkably assured debut, Dark Pines is in turn, tense, gripping and breathtaking, and marks out Will Dean as a true talent. Definitely one to watch.'

* Abir Mukherjee, author of A Rising Man *

'It's incredible. Exceptionally well written, thought provoking and deeply unsettling. Bravo.'

* Rebecca Tinnelly, author of Never Go There *

'Loved this atmospheric book. A dark, tense, and vivid piece of Nordic noir. Bravo. Can't wait to read more of Tuva!'

* Amanda Jennings, author of In Her Wake *

'I read Dark Pines last night. It's spectacular. The writing's classy, the character's full, the plot gripping. It will pull you in.'

* Hayley Webster, author of Jar Baby *

'Great work. Creepy cast, terrifying trolls, sinister setting... Those pines are dark!'

* S.R. Masters, author of The Killer You Know *

'Compulsive Scandi Noir! Highly recommended.'

* Syd Moore, author of Strange Magic *

'Beautiful, beautiful writing, totally immersive from the very first page with a main protagonist that you just fall in love with and an atmospheric, haunting sense of things that will linger for a long time. This is DEFINITELY one to watch...Highly HIGHLY recommended.'

* Liz Barnsley, book reviewer at Liz Loves Books *

'This is going to be a biggy! Great protagonist. *pre order alert*'

* Nina Pottell, writer for the Guardian, Prima and Waterstones *

'I read his wondrous Nordic thriller #DarkPines on an inflatable flamingo in Lanzarote and STILL felt chilly, that's how good it is. Wish I could raise a glass this evening.'

* Erin Kelly, author of The Poison Tree via Twitter *

'Atmospheric and original with an engaging heroine...and trolls. Ugh, those trolls! Thanks for the nightmares, Will.'

* Mark Edwards, author of Follow You Home via Twitter *

'Atmospheric and tense Nordic thriller - grotesque, creepy and dark.'

* Julie Cohen, author of Dear Thing via Twitter *

'Dark Pines is deliciously menacing, with a gutsy and intelligent heroine in Tuva. I can't wait to meet her again. Never has beautiful countryside felt quite so hostile!'

* Elizabeth Haynes, author of Into the Darkest Corner via Twitter *

'#DarkPines is definitely dark, but it's also terrifyingly beautiful, and I LOVED it.'

* Joanna Cannon, author of The Trouble with Goats and Sheep via Twitter *

'Engaging Scandi-noir with more interest in characters than body-count, and an oppressively atmospheric sense of place. Recommended!'

* Francesca Haig, author of The Fire Sermon *

'Brilliant! Atmospheric and addictive. Love Tuva as a character too.'

* Irenosen Okojie, author of Speak Gigantular *

'Such a fabulous thriller - add this one to your TBR pile.'

* Isabel Ashdown, author of Glasshopper *

'The end of this was terrifying. Atmospheric, no nonsense female protagonist and two brilliant troll making sisters.'

* The Writes of Women blog *

'This is Nordic noir for everyman. It seizes the core concepts of Scandinavian crime fiction and amps them up with a quarter-million volts of electric energy.'

* Murder Mayhem &More blog *

'Will Dean has crafted an excellent dark and compelling thriller. The books oozes with atmosphere; I swear that at times I could actually smell the woods and feel those pesky mosquito bites *scratches*.'

* The Beardy Book Blogger *

'The writing is stunning, with the depth of detail enhancing the story without detracting from it. Not only does the small cast of characters give the book a claustrophobic vibe, but vivid descriptions of the dark pine forests, and also the climate, create a chilling setting.'

* Off The Shelf Books *

'Dark Pines is a haunting, atmospheric, and beautiful book that I could taste and smell as well as phyiscally see. And what a protagonist Tuva Moodyson is... This was everything I look for in a crime novel'

* Louise Beech, author of Maria in the Moon *

'CLAUSTROPHOBIC. TENSE. ENTHRALLING.'

* Crime Thriller Girl, aka Stephanie Marland, author of My Little Moon *

'I was instantly engrossed in the mossy, rotting, claustrophobic Swedish forest. All this plus a deaf, bisexual protagonist - I loved it.'

* Kirsty Logan, author of The Gracekeepers *

'Tuva is a great new character.'

* James Stansfield, author of Anaconda Vice *

'Such a fabulous thriller.'

* Isabel Ashdown, author of Beautiful Liars *

'Sleek, immersive and atmospheric.'

* The Skinny *

'A gritty, thrilling and worthwhile read.'

* Liam, National Deaf Children's Society's Families magazine *

'Atmospheric and original with an engaging heroine...and trolls. Ugh, those trolls! Thanks for the nightmares, Will.'

* Mark Edwards, author of Follow You Home *

'Different, fresh and worth pushing, particularly with the great jacket which Point Blank has come up with.'

* Bookseller Editor's Choice *

'So atmospheric. Deaf Swedish reporter Tuva faces personal demons while investigating ghastly crimes connected to her local town.'

* Essie Fox, author of The Somnambulist via Twitter *

'Dean ramps up the gothic horror in a thrillingly frightening novel, peopled by misfits and elks and soundtracked by the ominous patter of pine needles dripping with rain.'

* Metro *



Book Information
ISBN 9781786072535
Author Will Dean
Format Paperback
Page Count 336
Imprint Point Blank
Publisher Oneworld Publications
Dimensions(mm) 225mm * 146mm * 24mm

Goodreads reviews

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