THE LOST VILLAGE (2021)

The Lost Village by Camilla Sten
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Every once in a while you read a book that creates such strong visual images that you feel you are watching a movie. Comparisons to "The Blair Witch Project" (1999) and "Midsommar" (2019) confirm the idea.

FIRST LINE: "August 19, 1959 - It was a stiflingly hot August afternoon, so much so that the breeze coming in through the open windows did almost nothing to lift the swelter inside the car."

THE STORY: Written in the first person (with flashbacks), we follow Alice Lindstedt and her four urban explorers as they set out to scout the location for a documentary they hope will discover why the residents of Silvertjärn, a small mining town, mysteriously disappeared in 1959. Growing up, Alice's grandmother had told her stories about the town where she was born and the family she lost.

Things start out well enough. The author sets up the story by laying out the project description complete with references to special benefits one would get for financially backing the documentary. Supplies are loaded into several vans and the group heads off on a preliminary exploration. There are some personality issues on the crew, but it isn't until unexplained events occur that things go from uncomfortable to nerve-wracking.

WHAT I THOUGHT: One reason the story works so well is because there is a disconnect between the decayed but once charming village and the ominous atmosphere achieved through careful choice of emphasis and description. The writing is colorful and the author creates a creepy atmosphere that keeps everything slightly off-kilter. Kudos to translator Alexandra Fleming for doing an outstanding job.

BOTTOM LINE: Keep the lights on while you're reading and beware of shadows. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

DISCLAIMER: A copy of was provided to me by Minotaur Books/Net Galley for an honest review.

Publisher: Minotaur Books; 1st edition (March 23, 2021)
Hardcover: 352 pages
ISBN-10: 1250249252
ISBN-13: 978-1250249258

THE AUTHOR: Camilla Sen has been writing stories since she was a young girl and is famously one of the most important sounding boards for her crime-writing mother, Viveca Sten. Best known for her internationally bestselling novel "The Lost Village", which has sold to 19 countries, Camilla has written books ranging from YA fantasy to contemporary thrillers. She lives in Sweden with her American boyfriend and two fluffy, evil cats.

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