Skåne, 1986: On the night of Walpurgis, the eve of May Day, where bonfires are lit to ward off evil spirits and preparations are made to celebrate the renewal of spring, a sixteen-year-old girl is ritualistically murdered in the woods beside a castle. Her stepbrother is convicted of the terrible deed and shortly after, the entire family vanishes without a trace.
Spring, 2019: Dr Thea Lind moves into the castle. After making a strange discovery in an ancient oak tree on the grounds, her fascination with the old tragedy deepens. As she uncovers more and more similarities between her own troubled past and the murdered girl, she begins to believe that the real truth of the killing was never uncovered.
What if the spring of 1986 claimed more than one victim?
Rites of Spring was a highly addictive mystery, the kind that has the past/present vibe that I always enjoy.
Thea moves to her husbands home village where he is opening a new restaurant hoping to bring prosperity to the area. Thea gets obsessed with an old murder, that of a young girl, Elita, known as the spring sacrifice and long hidden secrets start to emerge.
This was a joy to read, tense and atmospheric with an unpredictable edgy feel and oft truly creepy moments that make it really haunting.
The plot is twisty as you like and Anders De La Motte weaves his web intelligently and with genuine atmosphere. I really had no idea where it would end up, I love when that happens.
Scandi Nour at it’s best. Recommended
You can purchase Rites Of Spring (Zaffre) Here.
Happy Reading!
I’ve read a few good reviews of this book – it’s absolute murder trying to pick what to read next at the moment! Decisions, decisions…