Christoffer Petersen

Authentic Arctic Crime books and Thrillers

maratse

Maratse milestones!

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So… I’ve written a few Maratse stories. That might be a bit of an understatement, and I suppose I know it is when I look at a the above image of the omnibus editions. So far, I’ve written 24 novellas about Maratse. I tend to think of the novellas as behind the scenes or background stories, written primarily to get to know Maratse and to help me write the novels. I relax when writing a Maratse novella. It’s like coming home and visiting an old friend. We’re both getting on a bit now. Maratse’s birthday is July 3rd, 1979, so he’s a few years younger than me (six, but who’s counting?).

He’s a quiet fellow, passionate and unstoppable when suitably incited into action, but reluctant to engage or be engaged in conversation. He grunts more than he speaks, and I love him for that. Of course, choosing the right “voice” for Maratse is difficult when he says so little. However, he has been known to be unnaturally loquacious in one or two novellas, often when talking about dogs and ice.

Typical.

The question I often ask myself is will there be more Maratse novellas in the future? The answer is yes, and probably, and then definitely, when I feel a story coming on. Who knows? It might just be that the cheeky teaser covers for future omnibus editions might be published in the future… especially as novella #25 is already “in production”. 😉

I use covers as inspiration and motivation to produce stories, so you’ll have to forgive this glimpse into the future. Number 25 might be “in production” but three more omnibus editions is 12 more novellas!

I’m useless at maths but that’s… ah, that will be 26 novellas…

… deep breaths…

I guess I’ll be spending a lot of time with an old friend!

Chris

Valentine’s Day – four years later!

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So this is pure indulgence, but before Seven Graves, One Winter, this happened:

“Konstabel Brongaard,” the officer said and stepped forward. “My name is Premierløjtnant Vestergaard. I’m the investigating officer for your case and you are now in my custody,” Vestergaard said and waved the policeman forward. “Cuff her, Maratse.”

Fenna watched the Greenlander as he walked towards her. About the same height as Fenna, he wore the classic Greenlandic look of casual indifference together with a matching swagger. Fenna studied him as he approached. She glanced at Vestergaard and then flicked her eyes back to the policeman. He is Greenlandic. He understands this place. She allowed herself a breath as Bahadur let go of her arm. He might understand me.

This is from Chapter 2 of The Ice Star, and it is Constable David Maratse’s first appearance in any of my books. He was a side character, but things took off from there.

I feel as though we’ve known each other a while now, but he’s still rather aloof, and still not very talkative. Although, every now and again, he has one of his loquacious moments, usually when I’m trying to describe something Greenlandic, and Maratse takes over and talks about it.

Anyway, four years ago on Valentine’s Day 2018 I self-published Seven Graves, One Winter, and the rest is history.

Damn, that sounds cheesy, but it’s true. 🙂

Talking of cheesy romantic stuff… cue silly “Arctic couples” selfie.

 

Témpano de sangre

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Témpano de sangre (Blood Floe), book two in the Greenland Crime series, comes out today in Spain.

Here’s the teaser in English:

David Maratse is settling into early retirement in the remote Arctic settlement of Inussuk, when an expedition yacht is discovered at the edge of the sea ice. Patches of blood have frozen to the decks. Three of the crew in the cabin are unconscious but alive, the rest are dead or missing.

Blood Floe has a bit more action than Seven Graves, One Winter, and sets the scene for the much darker We Shall Be Monsters.

I’m still making it up to Petra for “Monsters” with the Greenland Missing Persons series.

The Greenland Crime series has always been a bit darker, a bit bloodier, and in the case of “Monsters” … well, not so nice to be honest.

Prefer your books in Portuguese? Blood Floe can also be read as À Flor das Águas.

Chris

 

Upcoming releases – February 2022

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I’m still putting things together for January, and hope to put out a couple of short stories on the fly. However, two books are scheduled for release in February, including:

The American Artisan (novella)

When ghosts from an old case haunt an American artist as he walks the streets of Nuuk, Constable David Maratse is recalled to Greenland’s capital to investigate.

The American Artisan is the twenty-third in a series of novellas to feature Constable David Maratse in Greenland.

This is a fun one as one of the main characters is named after a backer of a recent Kickstarter campaign. The tone, however, isn’t fun, as that character is in peril, of course.

The Crocodile Beat* (novel)

In Australia’s vast and desolate Northern Territory, Constable Petra ‘Piitalaat’ Jensen’s most southerly missing persons case might just be her last.

Forced to take some well-earned leave, Petra searches for solace in the Australian Outback, only to find herself caught up in the search for a missing police sergeant.

The Crocodile Beat is the thirteenth in the Greenland Missing Persons series of novellas and novels normally set in the harsh, unpredictable Arctic, rich in tradition, myth and culture.

Both books will be posted to Amazon on the day of release, but may take up to a day to be visible.

However, The Crocodile Beat will be available in more stores as I try something new. It won’t be available in Kindle Unlimited, but it will be available for streaming in Kobo Plus. I’m trying new things in 2022 in the hope to gain more exposure.

We’ll see what happens.

Chris

*Edit (February 5, 2022): The Crocodile Beat will be a stand-alone novel. Sigh. 🙂