My husband read this book recently and he thought that I might like it.

It’s set in Denmark and Greenland. Smilla, the main character is a product of both countries. As she lived in Greenland until she was a teenager she has a good knowledge of the various types of snow and ice. She’s a bit of a loner really but has formed a close relationship with her neighbours’ young son, Isaiah. When he ends up “falling” from their snow covered roof Smilla decides that it must have been murder rather than an accident because of how his footprints on the roof look, and she sets out to prove the case.

The storyline is quite convoluted and eventually moves from Copenhagen to a ship bound for Greenland, at which point it changes from a domestic whodunnit into something a lot darker and more violent and veering towards science fiction.

However, I did enjoy the book although I don’t think it is one which I would like to reread in the future. I found the central character Smilla Jaspersen to be really likeable, which always helps.

I recently heard from Judith, Reader in the Wilderness that this book has been made into a film. I think it can’t have been very true to the book as I can’t imagine a film being able to deal with all the detailed twists.

I read this book as part of the Thriller and Suspense Reading Challenge.