The only Norwegian war history I knew had been gained from the film, The Heroes of Telemark, but after reading book one of the Falck saga, The Sea Cemetery, I was further educated and became immersed in this story about a family reeling from accusations of war time treachery, and collaborating with the Nazi regime. There were some eye opening hard truths and scandals revealed, but the question is always, what happened next?
Book two doesn’t suffer from the curse of the second novel, it picks up seamlessly from the conclusion of Book one and runs with it.
This story is again dual time lines and the modern day story has a great relevance to world issues and concerns today.
Sasha Falck has been investigating her late grandmother’s diary, and has discovered a secret that will undermine the entire family legacy as they have known it. Matters that have been hidden for decades are now coming to the surface, and mainly concern SAGA, the family enterprise, and questions will be asked about who will be in control.
Ice melting in the Arctic means that new trade routes will open and will bring closer encounters with Russia. The family are making plans to keep their business in Norway under home control, but other more powerful nations are looking for a slice of the action. More damaging is the unverified rumour of a mole, spreading secrets to interested parties, could this be too close to the family?
There are some quite complex themes and political power struggles in this novel. Family members are fighting for dominance against a background of complicated war time secrets that impact strongly upon the present day. It is a deeply engrossing and enjoyable story that is so relevant to world issues today, especially the war in Ukraine and the threats to Greenland and Canada in the name of protection.
Is this book warning us about the dangers of history repeating itself, or is it an imitation of life today? It is a powerful read, no matter what views the reader holds about the state of the world at this present time.
I am so looking forward to Book three, there has been so much backstabbing involved, it will be so interesting to see who finally gains the trust and power in this deeply troubled family.
Both books are lengthy and very detailed. They start as slow burners but they are well worth persevering with. Historical fiction has been well blended with actual events and characters. I found that access to a map was very useful, for knowing where the settings of event’s occurred.
A well deserved five star read.
My thanks to Netgalley and the publishers Quercus Books for my advanced copy, freely given in exchange for my honest review. I will leave copies to Goodreads and Amazon UK upon publication date.
Already recommended to my local library and book groups.

Aslak Nore has written a worthwhile sequel to 'The Sea Cemetery'. It continues the story of the Falck family in both business and political machinations, some of which - being set in the High Arctic - are extremely topical. It is well-written, with excellent characterisation - some are likeable, others not, and others sometimes one or the other.

Recommended.

With thanks to NetGalley and MacLehose Press for an ARC.

This second book in the Falco family Saga follows on with the reading of a will upending problems for the whole family. Family relations are further complicated by invidious relationships between members of the family and links between Norway, Russia and surreptitiously the USA. The high profile family operating in an insular secretive manner are rocked to the core by suggestions that they have a spy operating in their midst.This powerful family with connections to high profile prominent individuals find family relationships descending into feuds and open warfare compounded by complicated historical estrangements , illicit love affairs and hugely damaging power struggles. A complicated enthralling story leading towards awareness of ongoing worldwide issues and shocking family secrets and lies. Many thanks to author, publisher and Netgalley for ARC.

Second in the Falck series. This is quite an epic read as there are quite complex themes and a geopolitical power play at stake here. I do think you have to have read book one to really understand and appreciate it. Interesting to see how one powerful Norwegian family can have so much influence and power and how they have to change and adapt to the world around them as Europe goes through some of the biggest changes it has ever experienced.