The Water's Edge. Karin Fossum (Writer), Charlotte Barslund (Translation). Vintage (2010)

A deeply engaging and pessimistic crime story where the ripples for a terrible crime spread destruction through numerous lives. In Norway, a couple out for a walk in a local wood discover the body of a young boy, clearly he has been murdered. The police launch an investigation lead by Inspector Sejer and they work carefully and competently following the possible leads as they arise. The disappearance of a second young boy adds to the pressure on the investigation and on the inhabitants of the small town. The story unwinds carefully, showing the widening impact of the murder and the disappearance of a large cast, the investigation is thoughtful and well managed, the reveals are well staged and the bitter conclusion is natural and horribly credible.
Karin Fossum has an wonderful confidence as a writer, there is a large cast in the story and the crime itself is less important that huge impact that it has on the cast. The victims are never overlooked, their absence is a vital as their presence as the rest of the cast reshape their lives.
The couple who found the body, the wife who is horrified and her husband who becomes obsessed by the crime. The fault lines in their relationship steadily become more are more unavoidable as the wife starts to come to life altering realizations about their marriage.
The mother of the boy found in the forest who finds that she has lost far more than her son.
The mother of the boy who disappears, a young obese boy who is vividly established before he vanishes, cling to the wreckage the mother finds that even that may be not what she thinks it is.
The gay teacher in the school where the two boys went, he is caring and thoughtful and manages to be willfully blind to the possible reactions and interpretations of his actions by people who are frighted at the events.
The murderer himself, a pathetic man who is caught in the storm of his own desires and the results of his actions, alternately self pitying and defiant.
All of them are treated with sympathy and none are spared, there is no judgement of them, there is a pessimistic unfolding of events that allow for the worst to happen in the most natural of ways. The story is quiet with a carefully controlled storm wreaking havoc in lives that will not recover. Karin Fossum's astonishing skill is developing her cast and allowing them to present themselves to the reader is why the book is not a grinding catalogue of destruction. It is grim and ultimately bitter, it is never depressing or dispiriting.
Charlotte Barslund's translation is transparent and natural, the whole sense of the cast and context is delivered with care and confidence, the setting is fully Norwegian, it is never foreign or awkward. This is superb crime fiction, a deep,very dark pleasure.

Family Man. Jerome Charyn (Writer), Joe Staton (Art). It's Alive (2017)

A gripping and very engaging noir crime story. In a crumbling New York City -"One hour into the future" a war between the mafia families has brought destruction upon them. Alonzo, a top assassin for one of the families is being hidden by his brother , Charles, the Monsignor to the New York Police Department. Alonzo, whose wife and children were murdered, chafing at the restrictions decides to visit some old friends. New York city is in turmoil as police and gangs fight over the spoils. Alonzo is given the task by his Don to find the killer of the other Don's and Alonzo sarts to look and finds that there is something very nasty going on and that Charles is up to his neck in it. The story unfolds carefully, the reveals are very nicely set up and the layers are steadily uncovered as the struggle for control of the future of the city emerges.
Jerome Charyn has created a very strong context for his vivid and determined cast to move in, New York city, steadily crumbling but still a vast prize is a looming presence in the story. It is the background and the foreground for the story. From the Mayor in Gracie Mansion and his rich supporters to the homeless destitute rooting in the garbage for scraps, the city hold everyone in its grip. The mafia families were a powerful force in the city, now they are waiting to be captured, the police have more ex-officers prowling the streets than active officers. In the middle of this there are those who are ready to seize an opportunity to  assert their control. Alonzo and Charles are playing and being played in this game for the city.
They are not alone, Jerome Charyn has a gift of creating characters instantly so the walk on parts are all full of life and demand the readers attention as much as the leading players. With the leading players the determination to be themselves and take control of their lives pushes them forward with tremendous force and when they collide with each other it is always a full speed. This gives the story great forward energy and depth as the cast move and maneuver to survive and gain the advantage they seek. The multiple possible meanings of Family are quietly explored as loyalty is tested and pushed to the limits.
Joe Staton's art is a joy to read. It creates the context vividly and the cast move through it naturally and effectively. The cast are all eloquent in their body language and their actions while they use words to hide and disguise.  From quiet conversation to savage action the art is confident and powerful, the every nuance of the writing is brought forth naturally and clearly. This is great crime fiction, there is a colossal crime at the hear of it with a cast that is bound together and pulled apart by loyalty, family ties and greed. The cast are never less than true to themselves and that gives the drama a cutting edge.