• February 01, 2011

Snow Angels by James Thompson (PB Release)

Snow Angels by James ThompsonOriginally released in January of 2010, Snow Angels marked the stunning English language debut of author James Thompson, and the first entry in the Inspector Kari Vaara series.

If for some insane reason you still haven’t picked up Snow Angels now is definitely the time to do it, as today marks its paperback release. And with the second book in the Inspector Kari Vaara series, Lucifer’s Tears, set for release on March 17, 2011, you need to get going now so you’ll be ready to hit the ground running when release day rolls around.

Set in Lapland, Northern Finland during Kaamos, the time of year just before Christmas when temperatures plunge to -40° and night never gives way to day, the exquisite descriptions of man’s crimes and nature’s beauty made Snow Angels one of the most hauntingly atmospheric books I’ve read in quite some time. In fact, it ended up being one of my top reads of the entire year. (Full review here.)

But don’t take my word for it, check out the video below in which Thompson himself talks about Snow Angels.

The paperback release of Snow Angels is available from Berkley Trade (ISBN: 978-0425238837).

Snow Angels is the first book in James Thompson’s Inspector Kari Vaara series. The second book in the series, Lucifer’s Tears, will be released on March 17, 2011. Thompson, American by birth, has lived in Finland for over a decade and currently resides in Helsinki with his wife. To learn more about James Thompson, visit his website.

– Author James Thompson on the inspiration for Snow Angels –

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20 Comments

  • Author Dialogue 3: Meeting Mysterious, Melancholy, Multi-Published James Thompson | Junyingkirk

    October 31, 2011 - 7:36 PM

    […] Snow Angel Review by Elizabeth White Photo Courtesy of Markus Schulte […]

  • Elizabeth A. White

    February 13, 2011 - 6:22 PM

    Congratulations to Denise, who was selected (by Random.org) as the winner. Thank you to everyone for your participation.

  • Sheila K.

    February 9, 2011 - 8:53 PM

    I would love to read this book—please enter me to win!

    skkorman AT bellsouth DOT net

  • Patricia Fultz

    February 5, 2011 - 4:54 PM

    Participants of an Amazon thread I read–NBIE III–have given SNOW ANGELS great reviews. Would really like to have it.

  • Edgar Award Nomination, Gold Stars, Book Giveaways Galore, Stieg Larsson and Me « Jimland

    February 4, 2011 - 8:58 AM

    […] examples: Murder Mystery and Mayhem—Snow Angels Book Giveaway Musings of an All Purpose Monkey—Giveaway There are other sites as well, just surf around to find […]

    • Elizabeth A. White

      February 4, 2011 - 11:30 AM

      Heads up, kiddies! Jim Thompson is giving away SIGNED copies of BOTH Snow Angels and Lucifer’s Tears. Go to his blog to learn more details.

  • Spooky Sean

    February 3, 2011 - 10:58 PM

    James Thompson is my grandfathers name.
    …
    Grampy, did you write a series of books?

  • JB Kohl

    February 3, 2011 - 9:43 AM

    I’m reminded of the film “Let The Right One In”–a vampire movie set in Norway in the 1980’s–as the Communist regime is beginning to wind down. The setting for the movie was powerful; the land both beautiful and daunting and I believe it was one of the reasons the movie stayed with me so long after I initially watched it.
    I will be getting a copy of this book without question. Thanks for the great post.

    • Elizabeth A. White

      February 4, 2011 - 11:29 AM

      Thank you for the great guest post. I think you’ll really enjoy Snow Angels.

  • C.A. Newman

    February 1, 2011 - 8:48 PM

    Sounds very cool. Puttin it on the list!

  • Catherine K

    February 1, 2011 - 12:46 PM

    Ever since the (original) 1997 Norwegian movie Insomnia and the Dragon Tattoo trilogy, I’ve felt that there is a certain darkness in Scandinavian movies/books that quite befits the climate… Would love to read this book!

    • Elizabeth A. White

      February 1, 2011 - 12:51 PM

      I agree wholeheartedly. There’s something about the location / atmosphere that’s so powerful it actually becomes a character in the story. Thanks for the comment. 🙂

  • Denise

    February 1, 2011 - 11:02 AM

    I’d love to read this book! Somehow I missed it when it was first published but it sounds like it is right up my alley. Crossing my fingers! Thanks!

  • jmanni32

    February 1, 2011 - 10:57 AM

    So glad I came across this posting, because I’d never heard of this series before. But with that type of setting (Finland in the -40s?) how can I resist? Thanks for the awesome giveaway…here’s hoping I win!

    • Elizabeth A. White

      February 1, 2011 - 12:54 PM

      The setting is sublime. The landscape is arguably the strongest “character” in the book. You get cold just reading it. 😉

  • Cathy

    February 1, 2011 - 10:55 AM

    Book sounds great! Thanks for the post and I would love to be entered in the giveaway!

  • Roxanne

    February 1, 2011 - 10:54 AM

    Sounds like a fantastic book. If I don’t win the contest, I’ll be looking for it at my bookstore. 🙂

  • sabrina ogden

    February 1, 2011 - 10:53 AM

    I love that you thought to remind people about the book now that it is available in paperback…read the original review and the book sounds great. No need to enter me in the contest…just wanted to let you know that I think you’re cool.

    • Elizabeth A. White

      February 1, 2011 - 12:56 PM

      If you think I’m cool you must not have a strong pool for comparison purposes. 😛

  • Charles Wingfield

    February 1, 2011 - 10:46 AM

    Thanks for the heads up on the book. Somehow I missed your initial review for this. Finland, what a great settting! Great that it’s out in paperback. Absolutely want to enter the contest. Thanks!