Kalmann by Joachim B. Schmidt

Name of Book: Kalmann

Author: Joachim B. Schmidt 

ISBN: 9781913394684

Publisher: BitterLemon Press

Type of book: Iceland, shady business, murder, mystery, thriller, secrets, neurodivergent protagonist, independence, taking care of self, friendship, family 

Year it was published: 2022

Summary:

This atmospheric crime thriller laced with humor—described by some as an Icelandic Fargo—is set in the village of Raufarhöfn in the far north of the country.

Kalmann Odinsson is the self-appointed Sheriff of his town. Day by day, he treks the wide plains which surround the almost deserted village, hunts Arctic foxes and lays bait in the sea — to catch the gigantic Greenland sharks he turns into the Icelandic fermented delicacy, hákarl. There is nothing anyone needs to worry about. Kalmann has everything under control.

Inside his head, however, the wheels sometimes spin backwards. One winter, after he discovers a pool of blood in the snow, the swiftly unfolding events threaten to overwhelm him. But he knows that his native wisdom and pure-hearted courage will see him through. There really is no need to worry. How can anything go wrong with Kalmann in charge? He knows everything a man needs to know about life – well, almost. 

Characters:

Main characters include Kalmann, a neurodivergent 30 something man who desires a wife and a child and who is extremely capable of taking care of himself as well as providing a living. He is loyal, devoted to his grandfather and his friends and is good at keeping necessary secrets. He often sees himself as a sheriff because of his father who happens to be an American and is accepting of his situation. Grandfather Odin is Kalmann's maternal grandfather who has taught Kalmann everything he knows and is now in a retirement home. He makes the best hakarl in Iceland and refused to give up on Kalmann. There is also the dead businessman who has a lot of illegal and racy activities that could get him killed as well as a police officer who becomes determined to root out the murder. 

Theme:

Everyone has secrets 

Plot:

The tale is told in first person narrative from Kalmann's point of view and begins with Kalmann finding mysterious blood on the snow. As the tale continues on, the readers get to see the small village of Raufarhofn and meet a lot of wonderful characters, in particular Kalmann's wonderful grandfather who has taught him how to survive as well as giving him wonderful skills of shark hunting and making a special delicacy called hakarl. The author also introduces the readers to a lot of aspects of Icelandic culture be it a special fish quota system, or the view of outsiders or how they protect their own no matter what. There are also plenty of twists and its amazing at what one can't know when they have little inkling as to what is going on. 

Author Information:
(From goodreads)

N/A
Opinion:

I honestly hadn't read a thriller/mystery similar to Kalmann, and boy am I glad I did! I actually hadn't ever saw a neurodiverse narrator leading mystery (from what I could tell his issues isn't autism but instead a slight mental delay). While there is thriller and mystery, at the same time the author presents the readers of life in Iceland through Kalmann's eyes as well as teaching us concerns and worries that Icelanders worry and experience on a daily basis. Definitely recommend it for someone who loves thrillers and mysteries as well as someone who desires to know more about Iceland. Also, be prepared for a lot of twists at the end and to continue rooting for Kalmann and his family. 

This was given for review 

4 out of 5
(0: Stay away unless a masochist 1: Good for insomnia 2: Horrible but readable; 3: Readable and quickly forgettable, 4: Good, enjoyable 5: Buy it, keep it and never let it go.)