I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.  All opinions are my own. 

A fall fair at the height of tourist season turns a sauna opening into a visceral murder investigation in author A.L. Jensen’s “Murder by Nordic Design.”

The Synopsis

Lakewood’s Fall Fair is fast approaching, but when Minna finds a dead body, can she catch a killer before the town’s biggest event becomes its deadliest?

Hygge House kicks into high gear for Lakewood’s most popular annual event. Minna Halonen and her best friend and business partner Christie Andersson prepare for the onslaught of tourists while James’s crew works to finish their new sauna in time. As part of the fair’s planning committee, Elsi buzzes around town, while Sofia’s social media side hustle is turning into a real job.

On the day of the Fall Fair, Minna invites her guests to christen the newly built sauna, only to be stunned when she discovers the corpse of a carpenter. A fair’s opening has never been so foul.

Murder by Nordic Design is the third book in the delightful Hygge House Mystery series—where murder meets Nordic comfort in a rustic northern town.

THE REVIEW

This was another compelling, engaging crime-meets-murder-mystery novel. This series continues to enthrall readers with its unique cultural insights into Nordic life while also delivering shocking murders the protagonist must solve. I always love how the author balances witty dialogue and humorous interactions with the more chaotic, haunting aspects of the murder investigation itself, tapping into a crime-thriller genre that has become popular again in recent years, thanks to films like Knives Out.

The protagonist’s journey evolves in a unique way, as their business takes on an even more prominent role tied to the tourist season. The mystery unfolds with the discovery of the body, and the way the protagonist’s mind works through each clue hones in on the detective-mystery atmosphere readers expect in this style of storytelling. The mounting tension as the event kicks off highlights small-town life, as well as the secrets and lies that often overshadow events like this murder, giving readers more world-building to sink their teeth into in this third entry in the series.

THE VERDICT

Mysterious, thought-provoking, and entertaining, Author A.L. Jensen’s “Murder by Nordic Design” is a must-read crime thriller that blends murder mystery with gripping suspense. The story’s twists and turns, along with its balance of relatable, heartfelt character development and shocking small-town secrets, revelations, and murder-mystery intrigue, will keep readers invested as the story unfolds and engaged with the series overall. If you haven’t yet, please be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

A. L. Jensen is a Finnish Canadian author and certified book coach. An empty nester, she lives with her husband Michael on a serene lake in the small town of Naughton in Greater Sudbury, Ontario. When she’s not writing and sipping chai lattes at her local coffeeshop, you’ll find her reading in her gazebo, or walking nearby trails with her mini Goldendoodle Emmy, while dreaming of her next travel adventure. She is inspired by her Finnish heritage and the northern landscape she calls home.

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