Women are dying and on their mutilated bodies are placed a primitive doll made from a chestnut. The deaths seems to have begun with the kidnapping of a Danish government official's child. Although the body of that child has not been found, it is assumed she is dead. As the official returns to work, the killings begin. They seemed linked to child abuse cases. And oddly, fingerprints on each chestnut man are from the kidnapped child.
Two Danish cops are assigned to the case and both are quirky and thus have trouble forging a team. They are fun to watch in action and give some respite from the horrors of the case.
This is a page-turner but a very long one. I think some judicious cutting would have made a stronger book. But I did keep turning the pages so I certainly recommend it to those brave enough for Nordic Noir. I am sure this will be on TV before you can finish the book though.
For more Wednesday reviews, see Barrie Summy.
9 comments:
Hmm..sounds like a good 'un, Patti. An author who can keep you turning pages, even through a long book, has got some skill. Glad you enjoyed it.
I read THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON series and some Joe Nesbo mysteries. That's about the extent of my Nordic Noir experience.
I sometimes tire of books where women die in troubling numbers. As Diane says, "They always kill the woman."
I tried to comment on the phone but it doesn't seem to have posted. I've read a fair amount of Scandinavian crime fiction and for the most part, dark is the first word that comes to mind. There are some exceptions, I guess, and there is some humor (though often black humor), but it is dark most of the time. Arnaldur Indridason's Icelandic series about Erlendur is a prime example. I've read the first couple of Harry Hole books by Jo Nesbo - granted, neither is set in Norway - and found them less heavy than others. I liked the first Ragnar Jonasson book (also Iceland) but haven't tried another. I really liked the Martin Beck series by Sjowall and Wahloo in the late '70s. THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO was fascinating (if too long), but I gave up after the second book. I read the first Jussi Adler-Olsen book set in Denmark. Henning Mankell was hugely successful. I've only read his first. There are at least two or three others I've sampled and mean, someday, to get back to.
I've tried quite a few. THe Adler-Olsen are also films on Netflix. The Beck series was the best for me.
And yes, the women die.
I love Nordic Noir!!! Also, I'm looking for a new series to watch on TV and will try the Beck series, since you enjoyed it. Thank you for reviewing!
We watched the first movie on Netflix.
I've never heard the term Nordic Noir, but I do enjoy them. I'll have to try this one. You sold it!
Sounds like the book is well-written, but I'm not much into noir of any kind. I'll have to pass. Glad you liked it.
I really enjoy this type of story so I'll check it out. Thanks for the review. - Margy
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