Freyja 💙
By Margrét Ann Thors.
What really happened on that black sand beach twenty years ago?
That question sits at the heart of Freyja by Margrét Ann Thors, an atmospheric psychological thriller that blends Icelandic folklore with an intriguing cold case mystery. Set between Reykjavík and Iceland's dramatic coastline, this debut keeps its secrets close, constantly shifting your perspective until the final pieces fall into place.
Unnur has spent years trying to distance herself from the disappearance of her childhood friend, Freyja. Living under an assumed surname and raising her daughter in Reykjavík, she has built a quiet life designed to keep the past firmly buried. But when a reopened investigation collides with the return of her ex-husband and his unsettling new partner, the memories she has spent decades trying to suppress begin to resurface.
One of the aspects I enjoyed most was how unpredictable the story became. Every time I thought I had worked out what had happened to Freyja, another revelation completely changed my perspective. The story constantly encourages you to question not only the people around Unnur but also Unnur herself, making it impossible to settle on one explanation for very long.
The author makes excellent use of Unnur's fragmented memories. Rather than presenting a straightforward unreliable narrator, we follow someone who is painfully aware that she cannot trust her own recollections. Watching her question whether she was responsible for her friend's disappearance, or whether years of trauma and repeated police interviews have distorted the truth, creates a constant sense of unease.
The Icelandic setting adds another layer to the atmosphere. The isolated coastline, black sand beaches and touches of folklore create an eerie backdrop that perfectly complements the mystery. It never feels as though the landscape is simply there for description. Instead, it becomes part of the story itself, adding to the growing sense that something unseen is influencing the lives of everyone involved.
Loa's arrival also adds an immediate feeling of tension. From the moment she appears, there is an underlying sense that she knows far more than she should, and I found myself constantly questioning her motives. The relationship between the present-day investigation and the events of twenty years earlier is handled particularly well, with each timeline revealing just enough information to keep the mystery evolving.
Although I occasionally found myself having to pause and reassess everything I thought I knew, this ultimately became one of the book's biggest strengths. By the time the truth emerged, the twists felt earned, and the ending brought clarity to a mystery that had continually shifted throughout.
Dark, atmospheric and full of psychological suspense, Freyja is a compelling debut that combines an absorbing mystery with Icelandic folklore, keeping readers guessing until the very last pages.
Thank you to Jessica and the team at Spiegel and Grau for sending a copy of the book to celebrate publication week!
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