To Cook a Bear

Set in 1852 in Sweden's Arctic Circle, this historical crime novel features Læstadius, a charismatic preacher whose sharp investigative skills uncover dark secrets lurking beneath his community’s surface. Joined by the young Sami boy Jussi, Læstadius uses early forensic techniques to pursue a dangerous killer amidst tensions over social change and superstition. With themes of community, language, and the unveiling of hidden evil, the story offers a compelling exploration of how violence and belief intertwine in a remote, tense setting.