crime novel by Nina von Staffeldt

translated title: The Black Angel

Elo Josefsen shuddered in the cool morning; a thin, dense layer of icy fog across the quiet sea was sharply delineated in the horizon by a pale blue sky. So far the autumn had been relatively mild, probably due to global warming, he mused to himself; the fish, too, were reacting to the rising sea temperatures. He closed the door to the wheelhouse, buttoned the top of his boiler suit, and wiped his nose on the back of his hand. It would be some time before he reached the fishing banks.
He narrowed his eyes. The fishing boat to starboard had been stationary for some time; had something happened?

translated by Charlotte Barslund

the book

A fisherman is found dead at a drifting fishing boat. In the cargo furs from polar bear and teeth from narwhale and walrus are discovered. Are they contraband to be smuggled out of Greenland and into Canada? Greenpeace objects in the media, and Sika Haslund and the rest of the team from Go Greenland must try and control the situation before it gets out of hand in international media. This could have serious consequences for the reputation of Greenland. But there are more, who are interested in the nation’s resources.
The Black Angel is an independent sequel in the series of Sika Haslund’s adventures and the challenges she faces in her personal and professional life.

the author

Since 1997 Nina von Staffeldt has lived, worked and travelled all over Greenland with assignments for the Greenlandic Government as well as within the tourism sector. At present she divides her time between writing and doing tasks for Danish Government offices, the EU and in Greenland. Frosne beviser is her novel debut for which she has been awarded ‘Best Danish crime novel debut 2016’ by The Danish Crime Fiction Academy.

reviews

The book is well-written and comes alive in its great love of Greenland, its realism and the calmness that balances with the ominous plot. In Greenland you take your time. You drink coffee (lots and lots of coffee). You enjoy nature. And you are sceptic of the Danes’ and other foreigners’ well-meaning patronizing.
Politiken, a Danish newspaper that gave the book 4 hearts

A translated sample is available.