HARBOUR by John Ajvide Lindqvist

Quercus, p/b, £7.99

Reviewed by Selina Lock

Setting off for a family day out Anders, Cecilia, and their six year old daughter, Maja, ski across the ice to visit Gavasten lighthouse, just off the coast of their Swedish island home. The visit goes horribly wrong when Maja disappears. She vanishes into thin air with no sign of broken ice and her body is never found.

Anders returns to the island several years later when his marriage has broken down and he’s become an alcoholic. Upon his return he is haunted by memories of Maja and incidents from his own childhood.

Meanwhile Simon, a non-native resident of the island, finds a strange creature just after Maja’s disappearance, which has special significance to him as an illusionist.

The novel draws you in using the tragedy of Anders’ life and the intrigue of Simon’s find before introducing the other residents of the island. It then delves back through the generations to show how the strands of history have led the residents to their current predicament.

Lindqvist provides a gripping portrayal of the devastating effect that the loss of a child can have on a parent. He shows how Anders’ attempts to reconnect to the past through possessions and comics Maja left behind lead him into danger. The mystery deepens with the melding of illusion and magic, weaving throughout the story the way that magic and superstition have become a normal part of life on the island, and leaving both the characters and reader unsure of what is real and what is not.

As a British reader, it was also amusing to see how far our pop music had penetrated into Swedish culture during the teenage scenes set in the 1980s.

One of the main themes is the atrocities people are willing to commit upon each other in their own interests, or to give themselves power over others. Water is ever-present in the book; the island is surrounded by and depends on it in many ways. How it is essential for life but still so very dangerous.

Highly recommended to those who like eerie mysteries with flawed, believable characters and a strong plot.

The next BFS Open Night is on Friday 2 March 2012 at The Mug House, 1-3 Tooley Street, London Bridge, London SE1 2PF (tel. 020 7403 8343). If you are travelling by public transport to London Bridge station, look for the exit that says “Duke Street Hill” or “Tooley Street”. The evening starts at 6pm. There are two main events happening. These are: An Eibonvale Press launch and a silent charity auction run by Quercus Books.

Further details:
Eibonvale Press are launching a brand new anthology edited by Allen Ashley, entitled Where Are We Going? Several authors including Allen Ashley, Joel Lane, Douglas Thompson, Marion Pitman, Terry Grimwood, Jet McDonald, Andrew Kirby, Gary Budgen and cover artists David Rix are expected to attend and sign copies of the book. Where Are We Going? will be selling at the special low price of £7 paperback and £16 hardback on the launch evening.

At some time between 6.30pm and 7pm, Allen Ashley will be announcing a “Postcard Competition”. This is a free to enter competition with simple rules – write an interesting postcard and win an Eibonvale prize. Postcards and pens will be provided on the night. The competition will be judged by Allen Ashley and the results will be announced at approximately 9pm.

Eibonvale will also be launching Jeff Gardiner’s debut collection A Glimpse of the Numinous.

Nicola Budd from Quercus Books will be running a silent auction on a selection of desirable Quercus publications from approximately 6.30pm onwards. Nicola will announce the start of the auction and how to take part. The books will be displayed on a couple of tables and people are invited to write their bids on a sheet of paper. The winning bidders will be announced at approximately 9.30pm. The auction is in aid of the charity Have A Heart.

The night will finish at about 11pm or when the BFS has drunk the bar dry (don’t laugh – it happens quite a lot).

So, get along to The Mug House on 2nd March. Buy a book or three. Give some money to a good cause. Meet up with pals old and new. Have a great time.

Further details: email Allen Ashley on editorwherearewegoing [at] hotmail [dot] co [dot] uk

The first BFS London Open Night for 2012 has been booked for 2 March 2012 at The Mug House – just under London Bridge, opposite the London Dungeon.

Doors officially open Friday night from 6pm onwards. Festivities planned so far include a book launch for author/editor Allen Ashley‘s new anthology Where Are We Going from Eibonvale Press. Also, Quercus Books will be hosting a charity auction – Nicola Budd, Editorial Assitant at Quercus Books, explains:

“As part of the BFS open night on 2nd March 2012, we will be hosting a silent auction to raise money for the charity Have A Heart, supporting children’s hospices in the UK.

The auction, in conjunction with Jo Fletcher Books, will include signed first editions from across the SF, Fantasy and Horror genres, as well as some signed original artworks.

All the money contributed will be going to help build a better future for children who are vulnerable, face adversity or live with a disability or illness, so prepare to dig deep! For more information on the charity go to www.heart.co.uk/have-a-heart/ “