The Seven Doors Blog Tour

 

TITLE: The Seven Doors

AUTHOR: Agnes Ravatn

PUBLISHER: Orenda Books

PUBLISHING DATE: September 17, 2020

SYNOPSIS: University professor Nina is at a turning point. Her work seems increasingly irrelevant, her doctor husband is never home, relations with her adult daughter Ingeborg are strained, and their beautiful house is scheduled for demolition. 

When Ingeborg decides to move into another house they own, things take a very dark turn. The young woman who rents it disappears, leaving behind her son, the day after Nina and Ingeborg pay her a visit. 

With few clues, the police enquiry soon grinds to a halt, but Nina has an inexplicable sense of guilt. Unable to rest, she begins her own investigation, but as she pulls on the threads of the case, it seems her discoveries may have very grave consequences for her and her family

MY THOUGHTS:  As the book begins, the reader is introduced to Nina and her husband Mads are having to move because their current home is set to be demolished due to a new rail being built.  They own another home which is being rented by another woman and her son and the day after visiting them to inquire about the residence, the resident, Mari, disappears, leaving her child behind.  What unravels is a tale which finds Nina concerned so she takes it upon herself to find out what happened to Mari.

This was a great read and it kept me captivated to the end.  While I felt Ingeborg a tad jolting, I really liked Nina and enjoyed seeing her navigate her way through figuring out Mari's disappearance.  Many of the characters in the novel are quite flawed which makes the story much more intense and believable and I will warn you, you will be introduced to some characters you may not like - I know I felt that way.  This also isn't a very action packed book but instead relies heavily on atmosphere and details so if that is something that interests you, then definitely check it out.

RATING: 3 PAWS

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Agnes Ravatn (b. 1983) is a Norwegian author and columnist. She made her literary début with the novel Week 53 (Veke 53) in 2007. Since then she has written three critically acclaimed and award-winning essay collections: Standing still (Stillstand), 2011, Popular Reading (Folkelesnad), 2011, and Operation self-discipline (Operasjon sjøldisiplin), 2014. In these works, Ravatn revealed a unique, witty voice and sharp eye for human fallibility. Her second novel, The Bird Tribunal (Fugletribuanlet), was an international bestseller translated into fifteen languages, winning an English PEN Award, shortlisting for the Dublin Literary Award, a WHSmith Fresh Talent pick and a BBC Book at Bedtime. It was also made into a successful play, which premiered in Oslo in 2015. Agnes lives with her family in the Norwegian countryside.