I am not a huge fan of translated fiction, but oh boy, I think Girls Who Lie has just shifted my perspective. This clever storyline had me hooked from start to finish. I simply must get my hand on the previous book in the series: Creak on the Stairs.

This story does not end the way you want it too, and with me saying that, you are simply going to have get your hands on a copy of this book to find out what I mean.

This book is a refreshing, creative police procedural that opens you up to a completely new world. I do not think I have ever read a book based in Iceland before, and this was a brilliant introduction that has left me eager to read more book from this author. The story is gripping, and at time I wasn’t sure who’s story I was reading, but as you turn the pages, the piece fall into place leaving you amazed at where the author has ended up taking you.

The pronunciation of some of the names where beyond me, despite the pronunciation guide at the beginning of the book – I was way to caught up in the story to return to that start of the book to check the correct pronunciation. Needless to say, my inability to figure out how to pronounce some of the names did not affect my enjoyment of this story at all.

When fifteen-year-old Hekla reports her mother missing, police quickly decide that Marianne, a neglectful mother has taken her own life. Until, seven months later her battered body is discovered. As the missing persons case turns into a homicide investigation it is up to Elma and the CID team to find the truth.

As the suspect list grows, it becomes clear that not everyone is being honest with Elma and she is forced to dig deeper and deeper into Marianne’s past too try and piece the puzzle together.

This is the second book I have read this year about a mother battling to bond with her baby. Turning these pages my heart broke for the little girl, but very soon it becomes clear that this little girl is not all she appears to be. I was drawn into this story eagerly trying to fit the pieces together and battle to drag myself away. I loved the characters and found myself trying to imagine the scenery of Iceland which is so far removed anything we have in South Africa. The author did convince me that I would never survive the cold.

As I flipped the pages, I found myself drawn to Hekla and Tinna – these young girls we creatively crafted and extremely realistic. However, the more I read the more I had my doubts. Early in the book you know something is not quite how it seems, this knowledge left me eager to find out what was being hidden.

The Girls Who Lie is a fantastically creative story and brings an ending you do not see coming. I am not happy with the ending, but at the same time I found it refreshing that the author chose to not be predicable, she left you with something different which makes this book more enjoyable. No, if I tell you anymore, I will be giving to much away. Get a copy and read the book…. It’s good and I promised you will not see the ending coming.

Girls Who Lie is a creative psychological thriller that will leave fans craving more. I enjoyed how it wasn’t drowned in police procedure and gave you just enough to keep you intrigued. While reading the Unnamed women’s account of events you might feel a little unsure, but keep reading, the puzzle soon fits to together to reveal a shocking story. I loved this book and cannot wait to read Creak on the Stairs, by the same author.