Mystery and Crime · Hardback

First there was darkness

Norwegian title: I begynnelsen var mørket

All that's heard in the silence, is the knife when it's dragged over the steel in long motions.

First there was darkness is the fourth book about police detective Eddie Feber.

It's early August, and a dry wind is blowing. Ruben Kornell spends the night in an old community centre, hidden behind some chairs. He awakes to the sounds of voices, and overhears a conversation between two men. Ruben has a burning passion for true crime, and he's convinced that the men are planning to commit a crime. He eyes the opportunity to become an important witness in a criminal case. If he can convince the police to take him seriously.

Bloody crime with poetic elements«Lean back and let yourself be enveloped by the Fossum universe [...] A surprising, recognisable and magnificent novel by Karin Fossum.»Dagsavisen

No one writes crime like Fossum«Her tone of voice and character gallery set her apart from all other Norwegian crime.»Stavanger Aftenblad

«Karin Fossum, currently, is our unrivalled Queen of Crime, and she is showing no sign of abdicating.»NRK, five/six stars

«Unforgettable crime, which meets all my expectations.»Randaberg24, six/six stars

«First there was darkness has several highlights, and is far above what many other Norwegian crime writers publish.»VG

Material available

  • ✓ Synopsis & author CV
  • ✓ Full manuscript (Norwegian)
  • ✓ Sample translation on request

Original publisher

Cappelen Damm

Publication

2024

Length

288 pages

Format

Hardback

Genre

Mystery and Crime

Foreign rights

Sold to 3 territories

  • Denmarkcontract signed 2026Lindhardt og Ringhof
  • Germanycontract signed 2026Saga Lindhardt & Ringhof
  • Swedencontract signed 2025Saga Lindhardt & Ringhof

Series

Eddie Feber

6 titles in this series

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