Kalmann and the Sleeping Mountain by Joachim B. Schmidt

Seismic events occur in Raufarhöfn, a fishing village on the Icelandic coast, when Kalmann returns home after a visit to the USA. He has been deported because he innocently followed his American birth father to the assault on the Capitol on 6th January 2021. Fortunately, Kalmann is not facing criminal charges, because a sympathetic FBI officer realised he has learning difficulties. However, during the investigation he found out that his Icelandic grandfather was suspected of spying for the Russians. This sparks off a strong reaction in Kalmann, who has appointed himself Sheriff of his home village. Previously he suspected his grandfather was murdered. Now he is sure of it.

Kalmann is an engaging character who is occasionally overwhelmed by his emotions, and does not always understand the effect of his actions on others. For example, he takes a pocketful of rotting shark meat to his grandfather’s care home, hoping the disgusting smell will revive the old man, and is surprised when a nurse confiscates it. But Kalmann is aware of his weaknesses and tries hard to manage them. He has a mantra, ‘no reason to worry,’ which he applies to all kinds of situations. 

Kalmann and the Sleeping Mountain is packed full of lively and interesting characters, described from the point of view of a young man with a kindly but eccentric view of the world. Joachim B. Schmidt sets Kalmann’s adventures against a background of historic international events, of which he is blissfully unaware. The conclusion of his hunt for his grandfather’s supposed murderer is both stunning and totally believable. Schmidt’s love of the dramatic Icelandic landscape informs his storytelling. I am looking forward to reading Kalmann, the first book in the series.

I was given a copy of Kalmann and the Sleeping Mountain in return for an honest review. I can honestly say I enjoyed it very much.