Title: Ashes to Strength: Criminals Never Forget
Author: Steinar Kruse (translated into English by Janice Kruse)
Publisher: AuthorHouse
ISBN: 978-1-5462-9498-6
Pages: 410
Genre: Mystery, Thriller, Suspense
Reviewed by: Jennifer Weiss

Read Book Review

Nils Henrik Elefsrud’s was turned upside down when he finds out that his cabin on Patricia Lake has exploded and burned down. To make matters worse, his wife and son are now missing and his daughter is assumed to be the only survivor of the explosion. He finds himself sitting at his daughter’s (TJ) hospital bed wondering what had happened. While Nils comes to terms with his new life he reflects on the past; when wanderlust got the best of him and he traveled to America from Norway hoping to achieve his dreams. During this he remembers a strange, dark conversation he had had in New York. Now he begins to wonder if there is a connection between the conversation and the cabin explosion. Nils begins a journey of self-reflection hoping this dark path leads him to the answers he craves. Will he be able to find out the truth before his own demise?

Ashes to Strength is a novel that is difficult to put down. Steinar Kruse grabs the reader’s attention with small everyday life making you immediately connect and care for the characters. Kruse begins the novel with background on what had happened, and who Nils is to give readers insight for what will happen later in the book. We gain a deeper understanding of Nils through the beginning sections of the story. Kruse’s technique is an interesting way to build his characters and progress the story. It keeps the reader interested throughout the novel, at times at the edge of their seats.

Ashes to Strength is a thrilling, chilling tale of one man’s journey to finding the truth of his past and how it connects to his present and future. It is an interesting thing to do to reflect on one’s past and how minor things effect one’s life, but when it includes a tragedy like a cabin explosion makes for a compelling tale. Steinar Kruse does a phenomenal job at presenting the story and keeping his audience engaged and anticipating what will happen next. There are well developed characters that appear to have depth that goes beyond what we read within this book. He makes you want to know more about the characters.

When looking for a great thriller/suspense novel there is a certain quality reader’s look for, a quality that is difficult to put into words. Steinar Kruse has that quality in his book/writing. His words have the ability to draw you into the setting as if you are a fly on the wall watching as the scenes play themselves out. This is a novel is everything a mystery, thriller, and suspense reader would enjoy reading. This is a story that will get everyone talking and recommending.