Another exciting Tuva Moodyson tale of journalistic investigation when the disappearance of a deaf young man naturally captures her attention. This time it’s not in her home town but further north in a spooky town accessible by a tunnel only at certain times as it’s narrow and controlled by a traffic light system plus it’s locked overnight! As bodies are found in the freezing snow the tension mounts not helped by a personal revelation that shocks Tuva . Full of twists it’s an excellent addition to the series and Tuva’s apparent shock news could mean a return to this strange location.

This is book 6 in the Tuva Moodyson series & is a welcome addition, but it could also be read as a standalone. Tuva is a journalist who is also deaf, which is why she finds herself drawn to the story of a missing deaf teen in Esseberg.

With her editor’s blessing, Tuva travels to Esseberg in search of her story. The town is only accessible through a tunnel which is closed at night & opened early morning. The population is small, & with only two main employers, the go to hotspot is Wrath, a bar frequented by heavy metal lovers & bikers. Tuva stays in a B & B(one too many Bs) with only two rooms; the hotel is at the top of the mountain & only accessible by ski lift. A body is soon discovered after Tuva’s arrival but it isn’t the missing boy; he now becomes a suspect. Other journalists join the hunt & more bodies are found. What is going on?

I don’t suffer from claustrophobia & I’m not particularly scared of heights. Needless to say, I felt very hemmed in by this town & the descriptions of the ski lift made me feel quite queasy. Tuva has recently lost her partner & her emotions are near the surface but she is a determined & canny investigator. Some great characters are found in this town & more than one provides unexpected twists. I’m off for a warming mug of soup. Fab book.

Thank you to NetGalley and ‎ Hodder & Stoughton for my copy of Ice Town by Will Dean.
I had never heard of journalist Tuva Moodyson before picking up this book, but it read very well as a standalone.

An 18 year old deaf boy has gone missing in Esseberg otherwise known as Ice Town way up in the north of Sweden.
The town is surrounded by mountains and can only be reached through a tunnel, that closes every night. No way in, no way out. And then the killing start. A really good atmospheric read, The thought of being lost in the dark with the batteries dead in my hearing aids sent shivers through me.

Ice Town is the sixth book in the fantastic Tuva Moodyson series of novels by Will Dean. Although part of a wider series, this book is very much a standalone novel as Tuva travels into the unknown in a chilling and atmospheric thriller that is, quite possibly, my favourite story in the series so far.

This time journalist Tuva Moodyson finds herself investigating the mystery of a missing teenager. Taking her beyond anything she has ever had to deal with before, this investigation feels personal as the missing young man is deaf – just like her. Feeling she will be able to communicate with him unlike anyone else can, Tuva is determined to join the search.

The isolated small town of Esseberg, otherwise known as ‘Ice Town’, lies on the other side of a mountain tunnel with only one way in and one way out. At the end of the day, when the town settles down for the night, the tunnel closes and the residents are left to fend for themselves. And as more people start to go missing, it soon becomes clear that there is a killer among them …

Tuva is a fascinating character, who I feel I’ve come to know very well over the course of the series so far. The fact the author has written a strong female character with a disability is a huge draw for me, and something that I feel we need to see even more of in fiction. Tuva’s deafness is a part of who she is, but there’s so much more to her than that. But now, with this case, and after everything she has been through, we begin to see a more vulnerable side to Tuva than we’ve ever seen before…

Will Dean’s writing is excellent as he brings the ice cold, claustrophobic and tense atmosphere of Esseberg chillingly to life as Tuva slowly begins to uncover the truth. With a strong cast of supporting characters and an underlying sense of fear rippling beneath the surface, Ice Town is a superbly plotted, exciting thriller that keeps you guessing right up until the final, thrilling page has been turned.

As someone who has loved every book in the series, I did wonder if this standalone story would be able to keep the momentum going, but I needn’t have worried as it is quite possibly my favourite book in the series so far.

Ice Town is very much a standalone thriller, but I would still highly recommend reading the previous five books in the series as, not only are they fantastic reads, but they also give a far deeper understanding of who Tuva is and what makes her tick.

Roll on book seven!

Highly recommended.

Scandi Noir with a twist. Tuva Moodyson is a deaf journalist who goes to isolated Ice Town following the disappearance of a deaf teenager because she feels a personal connection. Tuva gets more than she bargained for, including murder, several frightening experiences and unexpected discoveries. The descriptions of Sweden are good, as are the problems with hearing aids. I think you need to read the whole series to enjoy this book and appreciate Tuva properly.

I will admit right from the start that I am a huge fan of Will Dean’s Tuva Moodyson’s series. I was, therefore, giddy with excitement to have been chosen to receive an ARC by the publisher via NetGalley. Once I had downloaded it though I was strangely nervous to start it - I had such high expectations, how could they possibly be met! Well, how could I have doubted it for a moment - expectations met and exceeded!

This series just keeps getting better. The storytelling is exquisite. Every description in the story, whether it’s the town, its inhabitants, the extreme weather and environment, or Tuva herself, is just so beautifully written.

Although Ice Town can be enjoyed as a standalone I would recommend reading the whole series in order to fully appreciate the development of Tuva’s character. If you enjoy audiobooks I would strongly advise listening to this series as the amazingly talented Maya Lindh adds a further dimension to Will Dean’s wonderful storytelling.

I am so grateful to NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton for an eARC of this book.

I've started this book not realising it was part of a series. It wasn't a problem but I intend to read the earlier book. This plot had me intrigued , the disappearance of a deaf young man. As the investigation progressed I had a list of suspects. The intense plot had me engrossed throughout . I was completely wrong with my guesses as to whodunit. . A riveting read .

This was my first Tuva Moodyson book but not my first by the author.

The premise was really interesting and was what drew me to the book in the first place. A town, cut off from the rest of the world with access only by a tunnel that is not always open. It’s almost a locked room mystery on a huge scale.

There were some references to Tuva’s life that may have been clearer had I read others in the series but generally this could easily be enjoyed as a standalone without any need for further reading.

The book itself was enjoyable and an easy enough read that kept me intrigued but I didn’t fall in love with it completely. I’ve seen plenty of other excellent reviews that don’t have an issue with having not read others in the series so I don’t think that was it, it perhaps just didn’t land for me.

Fans of Will Dean, this series and anyone looking for a murder mystery with a unique setting should pick this up.

I’m a big fan of Will Dean and love his style of writing, with Ice Town being no exception.
This was a stunningly atmospheric read with the remote, isolating, freezing Swedish setting creating the perfect backdrop.
The premise was unique and very interesting with the perfect amount of tension, suspense and twists.
Another great read from a fantastic author.

Ice Town is the sixth book featuring deaf Swedish journalist Tuva Moodyson. This one is a standalone so if you haven’t read the previous books (though if not, why not….?!) this is a great introduction to a fabulous series - for Tuva fans it is another unputdownable read featuring this well-loved protagonist.

In this book, Tuva travels across Sweden, leaving her home town Gavrik for the remote town of Esseberg, reached only by a one-way tunnel that closes at night. She feels compelled to go as soon as she hears that a deaf teenage boy has gone missing - but when other residents start going missing and bodies are discovered, she finds herself in the midst of a town living in fear and she can’t help getting involved in the investigation.

What Dean does so brilliantly in this, and all his books, is build atmosphere - the remoteness of Esseberg, the snowy inhospitable climate and the somewhat eclectic residents all leap off the page. And as an enthusiastic skier myself, Dean hit on my greatest fear, being stranded on a chair lift, leaving me decidely uncomfortable every time Tuva travelled on it alone.

The tension builds as the body count rises - and in a town as strange as Esseberg there is no shortage of suspects. And Tuva is an extraordinary protagonist, so very real in her mixture of toughness and genuine vulnerability. There are plenty of plot twists - and just when your jaw has hit the floor as the truth is revealed, Dean throws in a final and unexpected emotional ending for those who have followed Tuva’s journey.

I have to be honest, Dean can do no wrong at this point for me - Tuva or standalones, I love them all! He has a remarkable ability to create the most ridiculously atmospheric stories, whether on land or sea, and they are always unputdownable.

This was a very atmospheric book which made me feel cold as I was reading it. It's part of a series but, can be read as a standalone. The story was brilliant and creepy with the tunnel one way in and one way out. I enjoyed this book a lot. My thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.

Ice Town by Will Dean is the first Tuva Moodyson novel I have read and it was a compelling tale, Journalist Tuva is a complex character determined to get heer story no matter what, and the setting in the snowy wastes of Esseberg a small Swedish town that is only accessible through a tunnel that is closed at night, so no one can escape gives the novel a true scandi noir vibe.
When Tuva hears that a deaf teenager has gone missing , Tuva who is also deaf, feels an infinity with him so she sets out to get the story and hopefully find the boy. but then bodies start being found and Tuva is in the thick of it before she knows it. Although this story works as a standalone novel, I will definitely think be going back to the begining to get a little more insight on Tuva.

Is it weird that every time I read one of these books I end up wanting to move to Sweden despite the abnormally high death rate? ⁣
⁣
I am a longtime fan of author Will Dean and in particular the Tuva series. The previous books had Gavrik as such a central part of the storylines - looking in depth at the small community and their idiosyncrasies as well as focusing on a crime or murder investigation. Ice Town is slightly different, it’s a standalone and in this story, Tuva ventures to the Alaskan North of Sweden when an eighteen-year-old deaf boy goes missing. This new setting really gives you a better understanding of just how vast and dangerous the country can be. It also emphasises how isolated you would be if you found yourself in trouble - the fact that Peter might be in desperate need of help but because of his deafness was not able to hear the search party calling for him was quite powerful, and the way the investigation had to be adapted in the freezing conditions was quite an eye-opener!⁣
⁣
Will Dean described this book as having a Twin Peaks vibe, and I can definitely see that in some of the characters and the isolated mountain setting. The red-haired man looking for the squirrel could be Ice Town’s very own log lady, there is an eccentric hotel, and Tuva would be Cooper - the outsider trying their best to integrate with the locals to help solve the murders. ⁣
⁣
I loved the way that this story was an extreme take on a closed circle or locked-room mystery - once the tunnel is shut every night, the residents of Ice Town are left to fend for themselves in the brutal winter conditions knowing that there is a possible murderer amongst them. I also really enjoyed Tuva’s character development, seeing how she copes with the stress of an investigation which hits close to home while still dealing with the loss of Noora. ⁣
⁣
Ice Town is hands down my favourite of the Tuva Moodyson mysteries since Dark Pines. Will Dean just keeps getting better and better, and I cannot wait to see the TV crime drama based on this series!

Tuva Moodyson is the protagonist of several of Will Dean’s thrillers. She is a deaf reporter who lives in a remote part of Sweden. In Ice Town she is made aware of a deaf teenager who has gone missing and decides that she should investigate. She soon becomes embroiled in a far reaching murder case in a town which is highly insular and cut off, to the extent that the tunnel that leads to it is shut every night. Will Dean’s writing is brilliantly atmospheric and you can feel the freezing temperatures and lack of daylight, which all adds to the creepiness and sense of foreboding. He keeps you guessing and turning the pages. I certainly didn’t guess what was happening until the end.
This is the first of his Tuva books that I’ve read, though I’ve read the stand alones. You don’t need to read the others but I’m going to be reading them, absolutely loved Ice Town.

I love a Tuva Moodyson mystery! I've not read them all yet but this latest instalment has definitely reminded me of why I need to prioritise this series more!

If you enjoy crime thrillers, there's a lot to enjoy about this series. Mostly, I love the snowy, desolate landscapes. Will Dean (a British author who has moved to rural Sweden) knows the setting well! It's atmospheric, creating more tension, adding more dangers, and the mountain tunnel in this book only adds more pressure!

And then there's Tuva, one of my favourite main characters! She's a journalist rather than a detective so she has different boundaries and she has different means of getting information. She's also just very likeable in general, down to earth and relatable, so it's always easy to be in her company.

The crime is also very gripping. It begins with a missing teenager, but that soon becomes the least of the town's problems. And with it being a small town with limited access, there are only a few people to point the finger out, so it was entertaining trying to figure out who had a motive.

If you're a fan of detective series with a Scandi twist and a brilliant female lead, this is definitely a series you need to get into! If you're already a fan of this series, it won't disappoint!

I do like Will Dean as author. The Last thing To Burn still stays with me. The Tuva books remind me a bit of Miss Smila's Feeling For Snow (I loved). Not fast paced but your interest is held and you really want to know what happens. Tuva is a great character.

I had read other Will Dean books but none of the Tuva Moodyson series. This is the 6th but fortunately this can be read as a standalone.

The main character is an award-winning journalist based in Sweden who happens to be deaf. A case of a missing deaf teenager grabs her attention and with the blessing of her editor, she travels far into the north (thinking nothing of a 8-9 hour road trip in increasingly poor conditions) to help with the search and get the story for an in-depth article - the type for which she is well-known and respected. The small town of Esseberg (Ice Town) is a formerly popular skiing resort, surrounded by mountains and it happens to be accessible through a single track tunnel which is only open at certain times of day.

Soon, several bodies are found buried in the snow and suspicions are cast on the missing teenager as well as others. The fear of the townspeople is meticulously drawn as they realise there is a spree killer (different from a serial killer) on the prowl. There are many suspects for the killer and I didn't guess the culprit until the big reveal towards the end.

The book is full of red herrings and scary situations. It is extremely atmospheric and the characters, even minor ones, are well presented. The coldness is palpable and the daily life of the inhabitants - all the precautions they must take to survive in below zero temperatures - seems very authentic, presumably because the author lives in Sweden. A definitely 'yes' from me; highly recommended.

I am a huge fan of Will Dean and of the Tova Moodyson series and this definitely didn’t disappoint. Once I started reading I couldn’t stop, nobody does atmosphere like Will Dean!
I love that the twists aren’t obvious and they do keep you guessing until the very end!

Another excellent book by Will Dean!

This story gave me a strong sense of claustrophobia!
Imagine a town isolated from the outside world by a tunnel that closes at night from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. No one can enter or leave during those hours. What if there is an emergency and you cannot get out?

An 18-year-old deaf boy named Peter Hedberg has gone missing from Esseberg (Ice Town).
Tuva is a full-time reporter at Gavrik Posten in Gavrik and is immediately drawn to the case. As a hearing-impaired individual, she understands the feeling of being cut off from the world, and she also knows that Peter's hearing aids will not last indefinitely. She is determined to tell his story, uncover the truth, and in doing so, finds herself in Esseberg.

A body is discovered, raising concerns about whether it is the missing boy. As more bodies are found, the safety of the community becomes a paramount concern. The identity of the perpetrator and the motive behind these murders remain unknown, creating an atmosphere of fear and uncertainty.

Meanwhile, Tuva grapples with personal challenges following the loss of her partner. Amidst her grief, she stumbles upon a startling revelation that further complicates her situation.

A great read!!

Atmospheric, chilling, isolating - the author does well imbuing his words with a strong sense of place, and hitting all the suspense buttons.
The plot is an unusual one, and the premise interesting. Some good ideas and diversions, and well written.
I hadn’t read any of the other Tuva books and it didn’t seem a problem with my understanding of the background or plot.