Unhallowed Ground

During some garden work in the village of Øystese, the remains of a teenager are found buried in the earth – those of a young boy who was never reported missing. The subsequent murder investigation uncovers layer upon layer of guilt, shame and weakness, and threatens to reveal local secrets – with terrible consequences for many inhabitants of the tiny village.

District Sheriff Bengt Alvsaker must dig deep into the village’s misdeeds and widespread prejudices in order to find out the truth about what really happened thirty years before.

Foreign sales:

Germany, Droemer Knaur

Praise:

“Agnes Lovise Matre has done it again, delivering a suspenseful novel from a landscape she understands and with believable characters with whom we become increasingly familiar while, at the same time, a sinister atmosphere begins to dominate […] We warmly recommend it. Horror, human foibles, secrets, local colour and mighty landscapes […] She captivates the reader from the very first page.” 
Hardanger Folkeblad

“Great writing on gay hate in Hardanger. The pieces fall into place in this well-composed puzzle.”
Haugesunds avis, 5/6 stars

“Unsettling crime from Hardanger.” 
Stavanger Aftenblad