Dark Pines: ‘The tension is unrelenting, and I can’t wait for Tuva’s next outing.’ - Val McDermid

Reviews

'I LOVED Dark Pines. Loaded with atmosphere, brilliant on setting, and Tuva Moodyson just rocks. A fantastic debut.'

‘The tension is unrelenting, and I can't wait for Tuva's next outing.'

'The best thriller I've read in ages.'

‘Memorably atmospheric, with a dogged and engaging protagonist, this is a compelling start to what promises to be an excellent series.'

'New author challenges the Scandi crime giants on their home soil with this strong contender set in wintry Swedish countryside.'

‘Will Dean's impressive debut shows that Nordic noir can be mastered by a Brit.'

'[Dark Pines] crackles along at a roaring pace... This is the first in a series, and Moodyson, whose deafness is handled sensitively by Dean, is a character whose progress is worth following.'

‘A refreshingly different approach to Nordic Noir with a soupcon of Twin Peaks.'

‘[A] brilliantly written debut.'

‘A dark and gripping debut…an intriguing and distinctive addition to the Scandinavian Noir landscape…Dean is definitely an author to look out for in the future.'

‘A murder mystery and a compelling one…a gripping read that will have you guessing to the end.'

‘Bravo! I was so completely immersed in Dark Pines and Tuva is a brilliant protagonist. This HAS to be a TV series!'

‘This reads like a classic murder mystery, a nod to old school style books and I thought the pacing was spot on... I was totally caught up in this one, it had a quiet ferocity that reminded me of Ragnar Jonasson and fans of his work should definitely give this a try!'

‘Quite simply this is a brilliant novel and one that gripped me from page one.'

‘Evoke[s] the sinister atmosphere of the elk-haunted pines.'

'An elegant and tautly written story, with a great sense of place, a likeable protagonist and a thrilling climax. I hope we hear a lot more of Tuva Moodyson in future.'

‘A haunting and visceral read. It is a book that oozes atmosphere and I loved it… I could almost smell the pine trees.' 

‘Will Dean brings the woods alive to the point that they're almost like another character in the book…This has to be the book you start 2018 waiting for, it's everything you want from Nordic Noir... Get Will Dean on your list of authors to watch out for, this is a name you don't want to forget!!'

‘Dark Pines is a gripping, tantalising, beautifully written thrill ride that heralds an extremely talented writer. Can't wait to read his next book just doesn't seem to cover it! Loved this wonderful book!' 

'A haunting example of stylish storytelling set in the northern wilds of rural Sweden... The heroine is Tuva Moodyson, a deaf young female reporter on the small town's local paper, who is as superbly evoked as the forest she is forced to investigate when a man is found shot dead in its midst... Dean never lets the tension drop as his story grows ever more sinister.'

'Will Dean is a British author who now lives in a forest in rural Sweden so he's perfectly placed to write an atmospheric Scandi thriller - and, boy, does he deliver... Dark Pines is a 'just one more chapter' page-turner with bags of atmosphere, and a brilliant protagonist that I hope to see more of in the future.'

'A dark, compelling and character-driven thriller set in the wilds of Sweden - Dark Pines goes above and beyond the standard crime book, inviting the reader to a small Swedish town with brilliantly drawn characters and an intriguing mystery at the heart of events.'

'This has to be made into a TV series.'

‘Moodyson is one of the most relatable and smart protagonists in crime novels in recent years.'

'A brilliant, gripping read! Beautifully written and atmospheric. Highly recommended.'

‘Will Dean's atmospheric crime thriller marks him out as a talent to watch. Dark Pines is stylish, compelling and as chilling as a Swedish winter.'

‘I loved Dark Pines and highly recommend this gorgeous slice of Nordic noir.'

‘Terrific thriller, vivid imagery and characters. My heart was pounding at the end - really great read!'

‘I think this is an astounding and confident debut. Superbly plotted and beautifully written. The characters jump from the page in perfect 3D. The tension builds exquisitely all the way through to the dramatic end. From the first page you know you're in the hands of a major new talent.'

‘Dark Pines is the kind of thriller I've been waiting to read for a long time. Claustrophobic, creepy and completely compelling, it feels both classic and fresh at once. I adore Tuva - a gorgeously drawn character I want to see more adventures with. I loved it!'

‘Haunting, immersive and beautifully written, I loved every page of Dark Pines. Will Dean is a major talent.'

‘Atmospheric, creepy and tense. Loved the Twin Peaks vibe. Loved Tuva. More please!'

‘Ace! Tuva is a fascinating character in a sinister world. Highly recommended.'

‘Intended on an early night but couldn't put #DarkPines down. Hurrah @willrdean - smart, modern writing, atmospheric, cracking plot, loved it.'

‘Claustrophobically atmospheric and spine-tingly tense, Dark Pines kept me enthralled to the very last page. A stunning debut from a major new talent.'

‘Astonishingly good.'

‘Dark Pines, with its abundant atmosphere and compelling protagonist, is a taut, gripping debut.'

'A remarkably assured debut, Dark Pines is in turn, tense, gripping and breathtaking, and marks out Will Dean as a true talent. Definitely one to watch.'

‘It's incredible. Exceptionally well written, thought provoking and deeply unsettling. Bravo.'

‘Loved this atmospheric book. A dark, tense, and vivid piece of Nordic noir. Bravo. Can't wait to read more of Tuva!'

‘I read Dark Pines last night. It's spectacular. The writing's classy, the character's full, the plot gripping. It will pull you in.'

‘Great work. Creepy cast, terrifying trolls, sinister setting… Those pines are dark!'

‘Compulsive Scandi Noir! Highly recommended.'

‘Beautiful, beautiful writing, totally immersive from the very first page with a main protagonist that you just fall in love with and an atmospheric, haunting sense of things that will linger for a long time. This is DEFINITELY one to watch…Highly HIGHLY recommended.'

'This is going to be a biggy! Great protagonist. *pre order alert*'

‘I read his wondrous Nordic thriller #DarkPines on an inflatable flamingo in Lanzarote and STILL felt chilly, that's how good it is. Wish I could raise a glass this evening.'

‘Atmospheric and original with an engaging heroine…and trolls. Ugh, those trolls! Thanks for the nightmares, Will.'

‘Atmospheric and tense Nordic thriller - grotesque, creepy and dark.'

‘Dark Pines is deliciously menacing, with a gutsy and intelligent heroine in Tuva. I can't wait to meet her again. Never has beautiful countryside felt quite so hostile!'

‘#DarkPines is definitely dark, but it's also terrifyingly beautiful, and I LOVED it.'

‘Engaging Scandi-noir with more interest in characters than body-count, and an oppressively atmospheric sense of place. Recommended!' 

‘Brilliant! Atmospheric and addictive. Love Tuva as a character too.'

‘Such a fabulous thriller - add this one to your TBR pile.'

‘The end of this was terrifying. Atmospheric, no nonsense female protagonist and two brilliant troll making sisters.'

‘This is Nordic noir for everyman. It seizes the core concepts of Scandinavian crime fiction and amps them up with a quarter-million volts of electric energy.'

‘Will Dean has crafted an excellent dark and compelling thriller. The books oozes with atmosphere; I swear that at times I could actually smell the woods and feel those pesky mosquito bites *scratches*.'

‘The writing is stunning, with the depth of detail enhancing the story without detracting from it. Not only does the small cast of characters give the book a claustrophobic vibe, but vivid descriptions of the dark pine forests, and also the climate, create a chilling setting.'

‘Dark Pines is a haunting, atmospheric, and beautiful book that I could taste and smell as well as phyiscally see. And what a protagonist Tuva Moodyson is... This was everything I look for in a crime novel'

‘CLAUSTROPHOBIC. TENSE. ENTHRALLING.'

‘I was instantly engrossed in the mossy, rotting, claustrophobic Swedish forest. All this plus a deaf, bisexual protagonist - I loved it.'

‘Tuva is a great new character.' 

‘Such a fabulous thriller.'

‘Sleek, immersive and atmospheric.'

'A gritty, thrilling and worthwhile read.'

'Atmospheric and original with an engaging heroine...and trolls. Ugh, those trolls! Thanks for the nightmares, Will.'

‘Different, fresh and worth pushing, particularly with the great jacket which Point Blank has come up with.'

‘So atmospheric. Deaf Swedish reporter Tuva faces personal demons while investigating ghastly crimes connected to her local town.'

'Dean ramps up the gothic horror in a thrillingly frightening novel, peopled by misfits and elks and soundtracked by the ominous patter of pine needles dripping with rain.'