Runemaker: A Margit Andersson Mystery - Softcover

In this mystery whose roots go back to golden treasures cast into Danish bogs 1500 years ago, Nunnally, translator of many Scandinavian-language books, most notably Peter Hoeg's Smilla's Sense of Snow, introduces unlikely sleuth Margit Andersson, a freelance translator in Seattle. The drama begins when Andersson discovers the body?with a knife in the back?of 80-year-old Soren Rasmussen, a Danish emigre whom Andersson befriended while helping him with translations. Then Andersson receives a letter sent earlier by Rasmussen with sketches and runes that have some connection to the "Golden Horns," ceremonial drinking horns, all previous examples of which were melted down. Apparently Rasmussen, who was being hounded by an unscrupulous collector. While the historic background is intriguing, unfortunately the story relies greatly on "atmosphere" that is ultimately bland, the point of view jumps awkwardly at times and some of the tricks intended to build tension are merely irritating, such as Andersson's habit of resolving to give up the chase just before it becomes obvious she will discover another key clue.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Renowned translator Nunnally's first novel, Maija (1995), was a lovingly crafted family saga. Her first mystery is pure, unadulterated fun. Following that age-old adage, write about what you know, Nunnally has mined her experiences as a translator and passion for Scandinavian history to create Margit Andersson, a self-contained, wonderfully feisty translator living in Seattle. Margit's transformation from deskbound language maven into intrepid sleuth begins when she is summoned to a hospital to decipher the ravings of an 80-year-old man. Margit befriends the reclusive Dane and is rewarded for her kindness by being the one to discover his corpse. Could his inexplicable murder be related to a runic message she finds in her mail? As Margit stubbornly investigates, she is pursued by a knife-wielding assailant, nearly drives a handsome detective crazy, and ends up solving a centuries' old mystery about one of Denmark's national treasures. Not bad for a first case. Donna Seaman