The Tenderness of Wolves is one of my all time favourites, so I'm always happy to see a new Stef Penney. This one is set in the Norwegian Arctic, and involves the search for a missing teenage boy. The writing is so atmospheric, and the plot is so gripping, that I flew through this highly enjoyable book so quickly.

The introduction here sets the scene nicely. In remote Norway - Nordland - Sami territory and close to Sweden, the landscape and history of the area is described. It used to be a major mining areas but the mines have been closed for some years now. Svea, 79, has been resident there for some time and knows the area well. She lives with her puffin hound Asta and starts telling her story in a conversational way. I was drawn to her immediately. The story then passes to Elin (Svea's granddaughter) and Benny who are both 16 and good friends. Elin, whose father is the local priest, has decided she is gender-fluid and Benny is gay. It is close to "russ" time when the about to be school leavers party and push whatever boundaries they can. A boy, Daniel, who Elin and Benny know in passing disappears after one of the parties.

Over the course of the book more than one body is found and secrets emerge. You get to know Svea and her friend Odd Emil as well as Elin and Benny. Their families and friends become clearer too. Backstories gradually emerge and sometimes they felt rather long and convoluted to me - probably my only slight criticism of this. In the case of Svea her narrative is really very conversational. I did find this a little odd initially however the more I read the more I got into, and enjoyed, her character. While she is not as connected with Daniel as the young ones her story is still a very powerful one. I found Benny's story very good too. Indeed all the characters played their parts well in this to my mind.

The setting was well used in this narrative. The feel of remoteness and different ways of life. The tensions in this are past and present ones and the writing for me was excellent. I've read some of Stef Penney's work before and I do enjoy her work generally. This was maybe a slow burn read however I was always drawn back into this story. The gradual reveal means it is a while before some aspects of this become apparent (and only then are you likely to start to understand what the outcome might be). Even then aspects of the ending I hadn't worked out and I found this a really enjoyable read.

Stef Penney came to attention with the brilliant The Tenderness of Wolves. The Long Water is a return to writing about a northern hemisphere location but in stead of 1860s Canada, this time the story is in modern day Norway.

The book primarily focuses on the disappearance of a popular 18 year old teenage called Daniel living in a small town arctic town who is just about to complete his education. But as the investigation proceeds another body is discovered- a person who has been dead for many years found in a former mine.

The 'will they / won't they' find Daniel element of the story provides the undercurrent and key hook to the book but it is the reactions and relationships between certain members of the community that make this book so gripping as the investigation develops and individuals reflect on their own and other's actions

The story is partly narrated in the first person - with the 'third wall' being broken as it feels it is directed to the reader through the thoughts of Svea- an older resident whose personal life in the region and subsequent younger years are recounted. She has been affected by past events in the town and even fifty years later the ramifications are evident. Old secrets and family troubles are revealed.

It is the thoughts and fears of Svea's granddaughter Erin and her best friend Daniel that are the most fascinating - the challenge of two young people trying to ' work out' who they are in their modern society against the backdrop of the disappearance. The angst of the two youngsters is palpable.and moving.

In some senses it is hard to categorise the novel- yes, it is part crime story however it is also a reflection or dissection of modern lives but in a small isolated community; exploring the ways in which relationships evolve and the methods and manners by which people communicate- the text speak between the younger characters does raise questions about emotions and personal interaction.

"If you constantly express love as a red tiny heart - 'bounceable' and unbreakable - does that diminish the complexity and subtlety of your feelings?"

Stef Penney has written a thoroughly enjoyable and fascinating book that seems to be holding a mirror up to contemporary life exploring how all age groups navigate their way whether it be through their past histories or trying to work out where their future self lies.

This is a novel about families - the damage that can be done within and between , the heartbreak, the isolation and the love that comes, goes and ultimately binds people together.

Penney is known for her novels which have a hint of ice. This one is of that genre, it’s a spacious, dark piece of writing which looks and walks like a crime novel, but is something much bleak and thoughtful than that.

In a small Norwegian town, a high school student goes missing, during the end of term ‘Russ’ (a mixture of teenage rampage/hazing). Our omnipotent, omniscient narrator is Svea Hustoft who finds the disappearance brings back painful memories from her past.

The book is full of brilliant characterisations and Hustoft is one of them. She’s the daughter of a woman who had a relationship with a German officer, suffered an abusive relationship with her mother, which she then continued with her own children. There’s also that sense of regret, in her unspoken, slow-burning relationship with a neighbour; plus keeping up with an ever-changing world.

There’s also that sense of connectedness here, a small town where everyone knows everyone/everyone’s business. If the novel has one major fault, the disappearance is a red herring, plus that is compounded by the discovery of another body. Plus, if I can nitpick a little more, this novel is perfect for cold nights, rather than late-Summer heat.

However, it’s a book with a glacial, unsettling pace. It’s published by Quercus on July 4th and I thank them for a preview copy. #thelongwater

I do like a small town story, where everyone knows each other, and knows the rumours, but few know the truth.
Whilst I could have done with a few less emoji because I'm too old to understand, I thought the two main teenagers were excellently done.
Their ideas in who they were, or were not. Their beliefs... gave me hope for the next generation.
This book has real Beartown vibes, and I say that in the most complimentary way.


The copy I have ends so abruptly I can only imagine its a file problem, not the actual book ending.
If it is indeed where the book ends, it leaves too many unanswered questions, but I'd stand by my 4 stars for quality of writing.