Decompression: A Novel
Sven Feidler has abandoned the petty competitiveness of German society to establish a diving business in the Canary Islands. There, he and his girlfriend, Antje, have achieved happiness and a stellar reputation. Then, German soap-opera star Jola and her writer boyfriend, Theo, hire Sven to teach Jola advanced diving skills certain to win her the coveted role in a diving-centered blockbuster. But Sven soon realizes that there is something off-kilter about the couple. He catches them pushing each other into deadly situations, and Jola drops hints that abusive Theo is attempting to murder her. By then, Sven is obsessively attracted to Jola, even fancying himself in love, which ignites a dangerous, simmering jealousy in both Antje and Theo. Sven’s detached, self-absorbed version of the novel’s violent climax is mysteriously contrasted with Jola’s desperate journal entries that tell an altogether different story. Despite the temperate island setting, this crime novel is Scandinavian-style, couching incisive social commentary in a dark exploration of tainted love, obsession, and self-delusion. --Christine Tran