Gets better as it progresses. This is quite a dark atmospheric novel which is very well written and translated. The characters are so well depicted that I felt Liv’s despair, grubby clothes and fear. Not a cheery or light hearted read, but a great sense of dark, cold winters, oppressive, controlling behaviour and human struggle. Liam and Liv are both trapped and controlled by domineering family members; this and the love for their children are a key focus here. The pace does accelerate after the murder and there are a few twists in store.