The sharp edge of a snowflake by Sif Sigmarsdottir

Hachette, 2019. ISBN: 9781444935301.
(Age: 15+) Recommended. Themes: Nordic mystery, Thriller, Iceland, Murder, Social media, Sexual abuse. Lovers of Nordic noir and mysteries will be thrilled to pick up this gripping thriller set in the snowy cold of Iceland. Hannah has been sent to live with her father, a man she barely knows after the death of her mother. She is to work as a trainee journalist at her father's paper. On the way from the airport she witnesses the body of a man who has been murdered and becomes embroiled in finding out what has happened.
Meanwhile Imogen Collins is also coming to Iceland. She is a social media influencer and works for a company that manipulates sales. She is also haunted by the man she calls the Beast. Hannah and Imogen meet and secrets start to spill out as the action speeds up.
This book was very hard to put down. It ticks all the boxes on many levels - the mystery of the murder is quite riveting, and is central to the story, but the background of both Hannah and Imogen give the story depth and interest. What has happened to Imogen in her past? Will Hannah inherit the mental problems that plagued her mother? Both young women are feisty characters that readers will identify with, while the manipulative aspects of social media are thoroughly explored and Hannah's comments on Instagram are amusing and relevant.
This is a really engrossing mystery with psychological overtones and is sure to appeal not only to teens but to adult mystery readers as well. And the unexpected cliff-hanger at the end suggests that readers may see more of Hannah's investigative powers in the future.
Pat Pledger