Mikael Niemi blends fact with fiction in this historical mystery set in Sweden's remote north in the Arctic Circle in 1852, revolving around the actual charismatic Revivalist pastor, Lars Levi Laestadius, a towering figure with an all encompassing inquiring mind, a remarkable botanist, engaging in philosophical and theological discussions, including the position of women and a man who turns out to be a astonishing detective for the era, applying much of the cutting edge forensic science, such as fingerprints, in a terrifyingly dangerous murder investigation. The pastor takes under his wing a Sami boy, Jussi, of 10 or 11 years of age, bringing him into his family and treating him as a son. He teaches him to read and write, opening doors that allows Jussi to appreciate the power of the written word, the permanence it lends, and a conduit through which he can tell his own story, written in his own words, virtually unheard of when it came to the Sami people, discriminated against, and the target of racist scientific theories and practices.

The storytelling is deeply embedded in rural community, the divisions, the gossip, the prejudice, the judgements, the church and religion, ways of living, the unrest and uprisings. The pastor has powerful enemies, particularly due to his implacable opposition to alcohol, arousing the ire of those who profited from its sale, such as the innkeepers, and those who wanted to drink, with many addicted to it. Jussi, from an impoverished and abused background, is socially awkward, inclined to not mix with others, a loner not given to speaking, and is regarded with suspicion and shunned, even by the person he is obsessed. He regards her as his beloved, given to following her, and not put off in the slightest by her lack of interest in him. When Hilda, a maid, is found murdered, Sheriff Brahe and the constable attribute it to a bear killing, a conclusion the pastor, aided by Jussi, disagrees with, after close examination and analysis of the crime, taking in factors such as blood spatter, certain the perpetrator is far more human in form. The pastor and Jussi underestimate the forces arraigned against them, as further attacks and murders take place.

This is Swedish historical fiction that firmly draws on and embedded in the more contemporary Scandi-Noir tradition, with the gruesome brutality and horror associated with the genre. There really is a bear that is cooked as suggested by the title, hunted down, trapped and killed, along with its cubs, by locals who mistakenly believe it was guilty of killing Hilda. It is hard to stomach the injustices that arise in the narrative, particularly those aimed at Jussi, the lies and deception, and a pastor who understands far too late how far a killer is prepared to go to remain undiscovered, and the price that is to be paid for his pursuit of the truth. This is a great read, one that those interested in this particular period of Swedish history will enjoy, wide ranging in its scope with a twisted mystery at its heart. Readers who liked The Wolf and the Watchman by Niklas Natt och Dag are likely to love this too. Many thanks to Quercus for an ARC.

To Cook a Bear is an unusual murder mystery set in pre-industrial Sweden. A Lapp boy, Jussi, and his botanist mentor Pastor Læstadius investigate to see if the disappearance and death of a local milkmaid was caused by a killer bear or a more human predator.

The descriptions of landscape and place are well done, with the harsh conditions of perishing cold in winter contrasting with the long blackfly-filled days of summer. Jussi’s journey from a deprived and abusive childhood to security and learning with the pastor was a compelling story. Jussi’s frequent hunger and hardships along the way show just how close life was to the edge in that time and place.

This book may not be for the squeamish as there is quite a bit of bloodshed and, not surprisingly considering the title, a literal cooking of an actual bear. I enjoyed it, but felt sad at the end because although the ending felt realistic, justice wasn’t quite served.

Well worth a read as a refreshing change from the standard murder mystery.

Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for providing a review copy in exchange for honest feedback.

The story following Laestadius and Jussi in the northern parts of Sweden in the mid 1800 was an enjoyable read, but didn't pull me in.
I really enjoyed the descriptive language of what life was like at that time and how divided swedes, finns and the sami people were.
The mystery left me guessing for a long time, but by the end I was a bit disapointed by how quickly it was wrapped up.

Thank you to Mikael Niemi for writing such a belter of a story. And then a thank you to Deborah Bragan-Turner who accomplished to do justice to a book of such beautiful melody and intense feeling. Whilst Niemi’s previous book “Popular Music from Vittula” was lighthearted and humourous, this one is dark, a true Scandi Noir and fairly violent.
Northern Sweden, mid 19th century is a rough and austere place. I fell for Jussi, the young protagonist, from the very beginning as he watches his beloved from afar. Jussi, having grown up in the wild after a rough childhood, is taken in and schooled by pastor Laestadius, a polymath with a keen analytic mind. When a young cow-maid disappears and the villagers suspect her to be the victim of a bear, Jussi and the pastor find clues that do not support this theory.
The descriptions of both sweeping, austere landscapes and intricately observed people populating this era of violent religious dissent are simply breathtaking. Absolute bliss to read!!

Oh I loved Jussi, I loved the Pastor, and I just got lost in this book. I found I was preoccupied during the day because I was worrying about these characters I'd come to care so much about. The passages exploring language were thoughtful and beautiful, opposite the passages of anger and violence. I didn't see the end coming at all. I will happily recommend this to my customers as their next 'something completely different' read.

This book is not for the fainthearted - it's a mix of romance and thriller and detective and history and while I never got a handle on everyone's names, their characters and stories were so fascinating that it didn't really matter.

This adds a new look at the traditional detective book.
Featuring a real life priest from the 1800s,and his Sami sidekick,they try to prove that a girl wasn't attacked by a bear,but by a man.
You don't really expect people in the 1800s to be thinking about distance between claw marks and how blood splatters... at least I didn't.
Enjoyable read,if a bit slow in parts.