When sense of place is not enough

I tried reading a book by a much-lauded Scandinavian author a few weeks ago (not my usual fare of crime fiction). Her novel has been much praised by some big names and in the opening pages the sense of place (snow, ice, biting winds) was brilliant.
Trouble is, nothing happened and, increasingly bored, I put the book down after 30 pages and will not go back.
Maybe I am shallow/impatient but it does show that sense of place is crucial but in itself is not enough.
John Dean