Book Review | Reptile Memoirs by Silje O. Ulstein

Can you ever truly shed your skin?

One fateful night, Liv see a python on TV and becomes obsessed. She adopts Nero, a baby Burmese python. As Liv bonds with Nero, she feels an overwhelming sense of protection, yet she is also struck by a dark desire.

13 years later, Mariam gets into an argument with her 11-year-old daughter, Iben, at a supermarket. Angry, Mariam storms off, expecting Iben to make her way home on her own. Hours later, Mariam arrives home only to discover that Iben never made it back. Detective Roe Olsvik is assigned to investigate Iben’s disappearance. As he delves deeper into the case, he uncovers a thread that may link to his own past. Where is Iben, and what secrets are Mariam and Roe hiding?

I so wish to be timeless, placeless, free from the meaningless laws of physics. It isn’t the house, the town or my family that traps me – it’s my body. I wonder how long it would take for somebody to find me were I to disappear completely into this dark water. But I’m not brave enough, don’t mean it enough. There’s something that stops me, some insistent force.

Reptile Memoir is a dark, disturbing, intense read! While there is a procedural aspect, this book is far from a typical Nordic noir. It offers a character study of a man and a woman with traumatic pasts whose lives intersect. Plus, there’s a snake involved, and we even get the snake’s POV. But it’s not just a quirky addition; it adds to the story’s sinister atmosphere. Liv’s obsession with Nero has a domino effect, disrupting the lives of everyone she meets. Mariam’s trauma hinders her ability to be a good mother, while Roe’s past unresolved case affects his current judgment. This book presents fascinating character studies, but its mystery is just as intriguing.

I thoroughly enjoyed the story despite being shocked at almost every turn it takes. Nobody, and I mean nobody – animals, children, or elderly people – is safe! The writing is descriptive and immersive, pulling me into the lives of these characters. They yearn to move on from their past, searching for a fresh start in a new setting and even different identities. They are all seeking rebirth, trying to shed their old skin. But without confronting their pasts, they can’t drain the poison inside. Sooner or later, the past will strike and leave a wound. (Is that enough snake puns yet?)

Reptile Memoirs is a stunning exploration of guilt, fear and redemption. Don’t miss it!

About the author: Silje O. Ulstein

Photo by Jan Kopřiva