Cursed

Henning Juul #4

by Thomas Enger, Kari Dickson (Translator)

When Hedda Hellberg fails to return from a retreat in Italy, where she has been grieving for her recently dead father, her husband discovers that his wife’s life is tangled in mystery. Hedda never left Oslo, the retreat has no record of her and, what’s more, she appears to be connected to the death of an old man, gunned down on the first day of the hunting season in the depths of the Swedish forests. Henning Juul becomes involved in the case when his ex-wife joins in the search for the missing woman, and the estranged pair find themselves enmeshed both in the murky secrets of one of Sweden’s wealthiest families, and in the painful truths surrounding the death of their own son. With the loss of his son to deal with, as well as threats to his own life and to that of his ex-wife, Juul is prepared to risk everything to uncover a sinister maze of secrets that ultimately leads to the dark heart of European history.

Genres: Thriller, Crime, Mystery, Nordic Noir, Fiction, Mystery Thriller, Scandinavian Literature

342 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 2014

About the author

Thomas Enger was born in Oslo in 1973, but grew up in Jessheim. He has an education in journalism, and has also studied sports and history. He worked at the Norwegian online newspaper Nettavisen for nine years.

He has composed music and written books since the age of 18. He is also working on a musical.

Enger's first book, Skinndød, was published in 2010. It is the first book in a series of at least six featuring crime journalist Henning Juul. The second installment, Fantomsmerte, was released in the fall of 2011; Blodtåke, the third book, is scheduled for a 2012 release.

Reviews

[Chelsea Humphrey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Full Review:
Ever since I started my blog last May, I've found myself opening up to new experiences I thought I'd never try. One of those would be accepting books to review in the middle of an ongoing series; I am a Type-A, need to have all the facts and be 100% in control of my reading monster or I get antsy. What if I missed out on something important? What if I'm not getting all the little subtle, inside jokes? What if I'm not familiar with enough of the characterization and a bomb is dropped and MY LIFE IS RUINED?!?!?!?! *Gasp* Can you believe people say I'm dramatic? I never broke this cardinal rule until Karen Sullivan began tempting me with shiny, pretty, deliciously perfect books. Orenda Books is one of those diamond in the rough publishers that started small and is growing exponentially due to the high quality reads they offer. If you are ever going to trust someone enough to jump into a series midway, let it be Karen. Here's why...

Once again, I've picked up an Orenda Book to review because they are like crack. I'm loving the selection of nordic noir that they have to offer; each book keeps to the same characteristics I love in the genre but has their own personal quirks that make them individually so delectable. Cursed was my first read by Thomas Enger and certainly won't be my last. Guess who is the proud "owner" of his first 2 books in the series via her library? :) While I feel confident anyone can pick this book up to read as a standalone, the engaging writing style and suspenseful plot immediately caused me to crave going back and seeing what all I'd missed involving Henning Juul and Nora. I'm sure if you've read any other reviews surrounding this book you'll realize there is a huge WOW moment in the last few sentences. The hype for once is worthy; the ending shocked me to the point I actually gasped out loud. Well done!

I think the hardest aspect to digest and most worthy plot point is not even the mystery surrounding Hedda Hellberg's disappearance, but the conflict and suffering amongst Henning and Nora in the recent loss of their son. I believe most parents would agree that to lose a child is the greatest horror imaginable, and the reader can taste the despair and anguish this complex pair are experiencing. I found the multiple threads of storyline all highly entertaining, but this intimate and almost sacred suffering is what brought me to my knees while reading this book. Writing about such a heartbreaking subject can't have been easy, but the author does it well and installs a firm sense of humanity and mortality to turn this simply from reading a book into having an experience. The plot was steady; I would say it focused more on characterization than high octane action. This gave the novel a meaty, hearty sense of fulfillment that more detail oriented readers will appreciate.

Overall I was highly impressed with my first Enger experience. I've heard from multiple fans that each book in the series is fantastic and easily devoured in their own way. From the stunning cover, to the atmospheric descriptions, all the way to that final page, I felt engaged and drawn into the story. The translation flowed very well and I did not feel anything was lost from one end to the other. I've lately been savoring these dark, emotional nordic noirs and think it's due to the fact they have all come from the same fabulous publisher! If you are thinking of giving this series a try but aren't sure where to begin, feel free to pick up Cursed (book #4) like I did, or start at the beginning of the series with Burned (book #1); you can't go wrong with either route. Just know if you pick this one up, you'll be insanely covetous for book #5 like the rest of us! Maybe we can start a support group for readers with Henning Juul Hangover? That's a thing right?

*As always, many thanks to Karen Sullivan at Orenda Books for hooking me up with the absolute highest quality fiction. It was an absolute pleasure to take place in the blog tour!

Original Thoughts:
Beard of Moses- that last page!! *gasp*

[Sandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

*FYI: Less than $1 today (Dec. 18) on kindle for US/Canada


This is book #4 in a series featuring crime reporter Henning Juul & if you’re jumping in here, no worries. Plenty of back story is provided. Just to recap: two years ago, the biggest problem Henning & wife Nora Klemetsen had was trying to juggle their busy schedules while raising son Jonas. Then the unthinkable happened. Late one night as they slept, an arsonist came calling. Jonas did not survive.

Present day finds the couple divorced & living separate lives. But Henning can’t forget. He decides it’s time to find those responsible for setting the fire & takes a leave of absence. He believes it’s connected to a story he was working on at the time & begins by reconnecting with some unsavoury characters who were part of his original investigation.

Nora has tried to move on. She still works as an investigative journalist but struggles to put one foot in front of the other, despite beginning a new relationship. She’s approached by the husband of her old school pal Hedda Hellberg who has disappeared. He wants her to write a story in the hope it will generate some tips but as soon as Nora starts digging, it becomes clear Hedda was keeping secrets from her spouse.

Nora’s biggest challenge is breaching the united front presented by Hedda’s strangely uncooperative family. They’re a wealthy bunch used to all the privacy & deference money can buy & the last thing they want is some reporter asking sticky questions. In Henning’s case, some of the potential sources have died & those that remain tend to speak with their fists.

It’s a fast paced, engaging read as we follow each investigation in alternate chapters. Both are full of intricate twists & feature powerful people with more money than morals when it comes to keeping their secrets under wraps. There is no shortage of suspects but it’s hard to pick up a cold trail when few are willing to talk.

It ticks all the boxes in terms of action & intrigue but never at the expense of the characters. The author has chosen to make them the heart & soul of the story & I really enjoyed watching the subtle changes in Henning & Nora as they face increasing risks. He’s spent the last 2 years consumed by guilt & needs to know who killed his son if he’s ever going to find a little peace. Nora, too, has been going through the motions but the search for Hedda seems to light a spark that helps her remember who she used to be.

A literal race to the finish provides most of the answers & helps Henning & Nora come to terms with their shared past. But….Mr. Enger, if I can have a word with you regarding the last page….WHAT?!

All I can say is book #5 better be coming out PDQ.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

All of my reviews can be found on www.novelgossip.com


This is the fourth book in Enger’s Henning Juul series but my first book and man do I want to go back and catch up now! I wasn’t confused by jumping in at this point, but the characterization was so great in this book that I just know I’m missing out by not reading the first three.

Henning is the ultimate flawed protagonist with so much baggage. He’s currently on leave from his job as a journalist and he’s haunted by the death of his six year old son, Jonas. My worst fear is losing one of my children, I just cannot imagine it, so seeing him so desperately searching for answers as to who set the fire that killed his son was something I could completely understand and respect. The only thing that keeps him going most days is that he’s getting so close to getting justice for Jonas. As he continues to follow leads, he’s dealing with his ex wife and Jonas’ mother, Nora. These two broke my heart, their grief is heavy and palpable and their relationship is so complex. Nora is also a journalist and she’s investigating the disappearance of Hedda, an old friend from school. When their two separate investigations collide, shocking betrayals and secrets are revealed.

There were several threads running throughout this book and I was hard pressed to see how they would all fit together, but Enger brilliantly weaves them together in the end. I’ve come to love the gloominess and oppressive feelings associated with Nordic Noir and Enger hits on both levels. The pacing here was fantastic, it wasn’t too fast or too slow, it kept me engaged and turning pages like a maniac. The tension kept mounting and mounting until things all came to a head in a spectacular conclusion. Then there was the very end, I’m talking about the last line, oh my God did that throw me for a loop!! I’m frantic for the next book, well done.

[Joanne Robertson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although this is the fourth book in the Henning Juul series, this is the first I have read and it didn’t feel like I had missed anything (apart from some very gritty and suspenseful writing of course!) as the author makes sure we are aware of plot details that have occurred previously.

The opening sequence in Cursed was a breathtakingly dark and disturbing murder which has a dramatic effect on the reader throwing up many questions. Who was this man, shot in cold blood while out with his dog in a Swedish forest?  What possible reason could have lead to his murder? And it does take a while before we realise the connection with the main storyline but what a wonderfully twisted and complex path we are lead down before it’s revealed.

I loved Nora and Henning, their relationship is over by the time me we meet them here, torn apart by events in the past and the tragic loss of their son. Nora becomes involved in the case of missing Hedda due to their past friendship at university. Henning is chasing down possible leads in the threats against his life but it seems the two cases may be entwined as Nora peels away the dirty secrets of a well regarded wealthy family.

This is fantastic series to grab hold of if you are a fan of Nordic Noir. I got the same goosebumps that I experienced the first time I read The Girl with The Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson and if you’re a fan of his then you will absolutely adore this series too. It’s gripping from the first page, pulling you in and slowly building the tension whilst unravelling the secrets and lies of a family who seem to be hiding past indiscretions which could have far reaching consequences. The last few chapters were brilliant as it becomes a fast paced race to the final denouement with an unexpected development at the end.

I have only recently become a fan of translated crime novels but the standard now is incredibly high. I am adding Thomas Enger to my list of favourite authors in this genre and can’t wait to read the next instalment now. A tightly controlled plot, which is deeply moving at times, this is highly recommended by me.

[Raven · Rating 4 out of 5]

So we’ve been  Burned, Pierced  and  Scarred  so now prepare to be Cursed by the latest instalment in Thomas Enger’s superlative Henning Juul series. Focussing on our dogged, emotionally and physically damaged reporter, Juul, Enger has carved out an exceptional niche in the current Scandinavian crime fiction market. Juul is still endeavouring to find those responsible for the fire which led to the death of his young son, and the physical injuries to himself. This continues to lead him to some  dark places, and into the crosshairs of some very dangerous people indeed. Coupled with this are the concerns raised by his changing relationship with his ex-wife, and fellow journalist, Nora and her involvement in a missing persons case at great danger to herself, which sees both their investigations become inextricably linked.
Hennning Juul himself, is a compelling character, in whom Enger balances an equal amount of empathy and exasperation on the part of the reader. We can sit back and admire his dogged determination to avenge himself on his son’s killers, and his integrity and professionalism as a reporter. However, I am increasingly struck by the fact that Juul never gives himself an emotional break, and lives his life in a constant state of maudlin despair. He is understandably grieving for the loss of his child and seeking emotional closure for this, but is in a state of denial that Nora will return to his warm embrace, particularly as she is now involved with another man. Indeed, I fear that such is his closed off state that he will fail to feel a warm embrace from any quarter. Like Enger’s assured characterisation of Juul’s estranged sister Trine in previous books, Nora is a well formed and believable character. Torn between two lovers as it were, and not without personal flaws, she possesses  a steely glint in her eye when it comes to uncovering the events surrounding the mysterious disappearance of her former friend. She has an equanimity of character that allows her to drift between different social worlds, nagging away at the truth, although there is one exceptionally foolhardy action she takes that had me sighing in despair, the only kink in an otherwise perfect narrative.
Having favourably reviewed Enger’s previous three books, I am always struck with the control of pace and plot that is a standout feature of his writing. There is a real feel of storytelling in its purest form, and his books are always plainly delineated into a balanced beginning, middle and end, so consequently the reader is quickly drawn into the storyline, and carried along at a smooth and satisfying pace to the final denouement. There is always an element of surprise and wrongfooting in Enger’s plots, and a feeling of darkness as to what leads people to act and think in such malignant ways, played out against Enger’s pitch perfect��use of socio-historical detail. I will issue my normal proviso that even if you are joining this series at this later point, Enger roundly and concisely brings the reader up to speed with previous events in Juul’s tortured personal history. Being a bit  fly by night, and sometimes a sporadic follower of series, I have been totally consistent with Enger’s series to date, and by working a little bit of teasing magic at the very close of this one, I’m pretty darn sure that the next one will be a bit of a must read too. All in all another fine example of engaging Scandinavian crime fiction that ticks all the boxes for this reader. Recommended.

[Thebooktrail · Rating 5 out of 5]

Visit the locations in the novel: Cursed

Thomas Enger you are one of my authors to watch and to read again as this was a book which dragged me into that forest, made me jump and tied me up in a series of lies and danger. Why do I read novels set in the woods late at night? I really should learn but I never do as the urge to read anything recommended by Karen Sullivan always goes to the top of the TBR pile. Nora and Henning were very multilayered and fascinating and there’s another story in that couple alone – their background seeps into this present day storyline and weaves a web of its own.

What really freaked me out is the missing woman and the trail to find her. Didn’t arrive at the retreat? Didn’t even leave Oslo? Husband concerned? Well I had my own theories but I was happily proven more than wrong and that ending pulled the rug from under me very hard indeed.

I may still be battered and bruised from this novel but as I recover, it’s a very satisfying feeling I have now.

[Emma · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cursed is written by Thomas Enger and is the fourth book in the Henning Juul series (but the first one I have read which should come as no surprise to regular visitors!). I do love nordic noir and have previously indulged in the literary delights of Gunnar Staalesen, Agnes Ravatn and other talented Scandinavian authors. So with this in mind, I was excited to read Cursed.

I wasn’t disappointed. Thomas Enger has created a mesmerising tale which draws you in from the opening pages and keeps you glued to the story throughout; all the way to the thrilling conclusion. And what a way to end a novel! I’m already champing at the bit for book five in the series.

My heart really went out to Henning Juul who I immediately liked. Henning isn’t your usual crime thriller hero as he’s an investigative crime journalist and not a harried detective. It was a refreshing change for me to be reading a novel which wasn’t set in the midst of a major police investigation. The relationship between Henning and his ex-wife, Nora Klemetsen broke my heart at times. And the tragedy suffered by the estranged couple I found a hard read. Henning’s all-consuming desire to discover who was responsible for his young son’s death had me riveted and cheering him on from the comfort of my sofa. Particularly with the introduction of Nora’s new partner, Iver and their earth shattering news.

There are many different threads to the story and it’s hard at times to see how they will all come together. But come together they do in an explosive finale. The pictures painted by the author are so clear that you can’t but help feel you’re there, living the action with them.

I loved the different characters of the Hellberg family. Each one individual and each with their own secrets. But how far are they prepared to go to keep those secrets? Well, you’ll have to read Cursed for yourself and find out!

Would I recommend this book? I would. If you’re anything like me and love to read books where at the centre of the crime you find a wealthy, secretive and controlling family then you will love Cursed. Fantastic, believable characters…some you will love, some you will loathe. Beautifully atmospheric, completely gripping and full of intrigue. Orenda Books, you have another gem of a novel on your shelf and I can’t wait for book five.

Four out of five stars.

I chose to read and review an ARC of Cursed. My thanks to Orenda Books for providing me with a copy. The above review is my own unbiased opinion.

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had read the first Henning Juul book, Burned, before I started blogging so Thomas Enger was a familiar name to me. When I heard that he was being published by Orenda Books, I knew immediately that I was going to have to read Cursed as I’m such a huge fan of Scandi crime novels.

I hadn’t read books 2 or 3 before reading Cursed, so I went into it not really knowing what was happening, which is great if you ask me. Cursed was a really great read with a cracking plot. It’s made me eager to go back and read the books in order!

Henning Juul is an excellent character. After all the trauma and despair in his life, he is still working. And in Cursed, he is still trying to find out who was involved in his son’s tragic death. A parent’s pain when something happens to their child is raw and visceral, all consuming, and Enger has captured the emotions brilliantly.

I really enjoyed the storyline too. Following Nora, Henning’s ex-wife, as she tries to find her missing friend, Cursed goes deeper into family secrets and lies with every page. Nothing tears apart families faster than the unsaid, and Cursed demonstrates this really well.

Highly recommended!

[Linda Strong · Rating 5 out of 5]

Henning Juul is an investigative journalist in Oslo. Once upon a time he had it all .... a terrific job, a beautiful wife, Nora, also a journalist and a wonderful young son. The marriage didn't survive and one night while his son was spending the night with him, someone sneaked into the house and started a fire. Henning was severely burned trying to save his son. More tragically, his son didn't survive.

He has made it his life's goal to find who was responsible for the arson. He knows it has something to do with a lowlife he was interviewing for a story. The man is in prison, and unfortunately was poisoned before he could give any information to Henning.

Meanwhile, Nora has a visitor who states his wife has been missing for 3 weeks. The police don't seem to be too concerned, but the husband suspects something untoward has happened to her. She appears to be connected to the death of an old man.

As Henning and Nora each follow their own story, the players and circumstances seem to be getting closer and closer.

Someone tries to kill Nora ..or at least scare her off. A body found in the woods is related to the family of the missing woman. And another relative of the same family is found murdered.

What is tying all these people, especially this family, together? It's a maze of lies, secrets, and skeletons in the closet that Henning and Nora have to work their way through to find the truth ... hopefully before anyone else dies.

This is the 4th in the series and CURSED is a welcome addition. I would recommend starting with book 1, but this one serves well as a stand alone. There are some references to the very beginning, but nothing that would blunt reading the very first.

The book is craftily written and the translation is near perfect. The characters are fascinating with credible back stories. I can't wait to see the next book in this series!

Many, many thanks to the author / Trafalgar Square Publishing / Netgalley for the advanced copy of CURSED. Opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.

[Eva · Rating 5 out of 5]

All my reviews can be found at noveldeelights.com

If you've been following my blog and reviews, then you know that I am cursed myself by a little something I call Dee-Logic, which dictates I start a series from the very beginning. So why did I now start in the middle, you ask? Well, I will tell you. First of all, because I'd seen this book around so much that I got too curious for my own good. And secondly, I didn't actually know the previous ones had been translated to English. It's okay, you may laugh.

This one actually reads pretty well as a stand-alone as you get a lot of information from events that happened in the previous books. Nevertheless, I did buy the other books and will be reading those at some point too. It'll be another thing I've never done before, go backwards in a series. I'm obviously all about broadening my horizons these days.

What I really enjoyed was the fact that the main characters are journalists. It made a nice change from having detectives investigating cases.

Henning Juul's job as a crime reporter has led to devastating consequences. He lost his son in an arson attack and he and his wife have gone their separate ways. Juul is determined to find out who was responsible.

Meanwhile, Nora is approached by the husband of an old friend. She's gone missing and the police aren't much help. Nora sets out to investigate and quickly realises her friend's husband may not have known her as well as he thought he did.

I didn't know what to expect but I was hooked from the first page. This is one brilliantly constructed plot with various threads and layers that will keep you gripped right until the end. Thomas Enger has a beautifully descriptive writing style. I've never been to Norway but I could visualise it without a problem. The characters are truly realistic and believable, flaws and all. There's also a reference to events in European history that I knew very little about.

It's fair to say my first introduction to Scandi-Noir went well and I see another book in this genre in my near future. I should also mention that I don't normally read translated books as I always have this feeling some things get lost in translation, but that wasn't the case here at all.

And so now, I shall rather impatiently await book 5. Can't wait! Although, hopefully I'll have enough time to read the other ones first.

[Paul · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cursed – A Tense Layered Thriller

Cursed, by Thomas Enger, is a tense layered thriller that will keep you gripped from beginning to end wanting more. Yet another brilliantly translated thriller from the exciting publisher Orenda Books who seem to be picking up some of the best Nordic Noir available at the moment.

This like many Nordic Noir thrillers is like a firework, it is a slow burner to begin with before exploding at the end that will leave you breathless. Even though there may have been others printed in the series in Enger’s original language, but it certainly works as a standalone thriller in English, that is atmospheric and touches on the stories some families in countries that had been occupied during World War Two, would rather be left in the dark.

Nora and Henning were once a couple, even happy, but events had changed that, and life has moved on, or has it? Both are still investigative journalists, both like asking the questions people would do anything to avoid answering, but would it ever go as far as murder?

Henning has taken time off to investigate who set the fire that killed his son, left him scarred and broke up his relationship with Nora. Meanwhile Nora has been asked to investigate the disappearance of her former college friend Hedda Hellberg, who had set off Italy but never returned, when investigated she had not even entered the airport, but gone missing from there.

While they are moving forward with their own investigations and moving well outside their normal boundaries they do not realise they could be possibly putting their own lives in danger. Not realising that they may even be moving in similar circles, especially when their different investigations takes them outside of Oslo and takes them places on the coast where they are strangers.

What seem likes two different stories start coming together and the atmospheric darkness works well in this thriller. At times, it seems like you are being taken to a dark place and then being pulled back again, but while at times it seems like a slow burn there is certainly a bang at the end. This really is an exciting thriller that stands up well for the Nordic Noir genre. Like all great thrillers it is based on the one thing we families like to do and that is keep are secrets to ourselves, but things never quite workout like that.

[Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cursed is the 4th book in Thomas Enger's superior Henning Juul series. The series begins with Burned, then Pierced, Scarred, Cursed and finally ending with just published Killed. These are books that I personally feel need to be read in order. Throughout the series the main protagonist, internet news reporter Henning Juul, searches for the people he feels are responsible for the fire in his flat that left him deeply scarred, both emotionally and physically, and that claimed the life of his 6 year old son, Jonas. Although each book stands alone in terms of the main story, this arc is always running in the background, with breadcrumbs (and bloody great loaves of bread) laid though each book. It is this element that makes this series so compelling to read. Henning is a highly likeable and sympathetic character, a man driven to extremes to discover the truth.

In Cursed, Henning continues his search for answers, delving further into the shadowy Oslo underground crime scene - a course of action that brings further physical pain and attempts on his life. Meanwhile his ex-wife, Nora, is investigating the disappearance of an old friend, Hedda Hellberg, which appears to be linked to the murder of a Swedish man at the time of her disappearance. Over the course of the book their two separate investigations appear to have more and more in common, bringing them closer together once again.

Thomas Enger is a master of the drip feed suspense. He tells you, the reader, just enough to ensure that you continue reading. Nothing is superfluous; everything matters. Along the course of the four books so far Henning has grown as a character, as have the supporting characters around him. Some come and go more than others; I missed Henning's booming, Tourette suffering boss Kare Hjeltland this time around, and Detective Bjane Brogeland barely gets a look in either, but other characters who have been less prominent such as Geir Gronningen, Vanessa Nansen and Nora, are given their time to shine.

As with every book so far Enger leaves you on a cliff edge. The very last sentence dragging you kicking and screaming into the next book. I'll tell you what, I'm very glad that I've come into this series late, because if I had to wait for months between books I would have strung someone up!

Cursed is a fantastic book; dark, thrilling and suspenseful. It takes its time, it doesn't rush, but the last 100 pages or so are a real thrill ride as everything comes together and Nora, Henning and Iver....well, I'm not going to spoil it here, am I? ;)

5/5 Highly recommended.

[Abby • Crime by the Book · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved this book. It's layered and heart-wrenching, and has an intriguing mystery at its core. Full review to come!!!

[Učitaj se! | Martina Štivičić · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kroz prva tri romana u kojima glavnu ulogu ima Henning Juul, istraživački novinar kojeg sam kroz spomenute romane zavoljela, Thomas Enger upoznao nas je ne samo sa samim Henningom i tragičnim događajem u kojem je Henning izgubio sina i zaradio strašne ožiljke, već i - malo-pomalo - s ljudima u Henningovom životu, od kojih je s nekima više, a nekima manje povezan.

Prateći slučajeve o kojima mu je zadatak pisati, Henning kroz sve ove romane malo-pomalo otkriva pozadinu tragedije koja je dovela do smrti njegovog sina, a ta se pozadina samo sve više komplicira. Sa svakim novim romanom ljudi oko Henninga u Henningovoj priči dobivaju značajniji udio, prvo njegov kolega Iver, zatim Henningova sestra Trine, a sad je došao red i da malo bolje upoznamo Henningovu bivšu ženu - Noru.

Nora, i sama novinarka, počne istraživati misteriozni nestanak stare prijateljice s faksa, Hedde, na zahtjev Heddinog supruga. Slučaj se zakomplicira mogućom vezom s ubojstvom starijeg čovjeka, kojeg je netko upucao u šumi, a istražujući Heddin nestanak i ovu poveznicu, Nora sve više zakoračuje na vrlo opasan teritorij. Henning, koji neumorno istražuje sinovljevu smrt, uskoro je primoran Nori priskočiti u pomoć, što će od njih oboje zahtijevati ne samo prevladavanje opasnosti koje sa sobom nosi posao istraživačkih novinara, već i savladavanje osobnih prepreka i privatnih tragedija.

Zanimljiv, napet i zamršen, te podijeljen u relativno kratka poglavlja - što su, uostalom, uobičajene karakteristike Engerovih romana o Henningu Juulu - ovaj roman adrenalinska je avantura koja se jako brzo čita. Atmosfera je, kao i uvijek, pomalo mračna, Henningov slučaj zagonetan, a novi slučaj oko kojeg se roman vrti još zagonetniji. Kod Henninga mi je uvijek zanimljivo to što njegov lik, kao novinar, ide nekim drugačijim putevima i na različite načine otkriva stvari no što bi to radio da je policijski istražitelj ili privatni detektiv. A osim samog Henninga, roman obiluje i drugim, jednako zanimljivim - i na vlastite načine pomalo slomljenim - likovima, čije priče žudite otkriti.

Na neizbježno pitanje - čitati po redu ili ne - moj je odgovor gotovo uvijek isti: čitajte po redu. Henning uvijek ima neke repove koje vuče za sobom iz prethodnih romana, a koji se sa svakim idućim dodatno kompliciraju. A i vjerujte mi kad vam kažem, Henning je lik čiji ćete svaki korak zbilja željeti pratiti, stoga zašto si uskratiti ijedan? Krenite redom, i pročitajte sve!

[Ronnie Turner]

I’m writing this review, struggling to find the words to express quite how good this book is. WOW! I haven’t read the other books in the Henning Juul series so I didn’t know what to expect when I started reading – but I can say now, whole-heartedly, that this is one BRILLIANT book and I will be purchasing the rest of the series immediately!

“Daniel Schyman knew that people would talk about this day.”

This story opens with Daniel Schyman’s murder. Deep in the forest, he is shot in the chest and dies a quiet death with his beagle Lexie by his side. Enger’s beautifully written narrative is imbued with irresistible tension and heart-pounding, breathing-taking emotion that builds and builds with each sentence.

Nora Klemetsen, journalist at the Aftenposten, is visited by Hugo Refsdal, the husband of Hedda Hellberg – who left for a clinic in Italy after the death of her father but didn’t return. And when Hugo called the clinic, they told him she never booked in. Now, Hedda has been missing for just over a month and Hugo is desperate for help. Nora, an old friend of Hedda’s, is the only other person, aside from the police – who have assumed she committed suicide – he can think of to ask for help.

As Nora investigates the mystery of Hedda’s disappearance, her old partner, Henning Juul, is delving into the dark secrets that encompass the death of his and Nora’s son. Who set fire to his house and in doing so murdered young Jonas? Who is responsible? Who is at the centre of this mystery?

At the heart of this web of secrets, lies the groundbreaking truth. And it’s going to change everything…

Nora and Henning are just a brilliant investigative duo. Oh, I absolutely loved Nora – strong-willed, strong-minded. I loved following her through the chapters as she sieved through the clues in search of the pieces of the puzzle. I found myself marvelling at how much depth and character they both possess. Amazing work from Nordic Noir genius Thomas Enger.

Layered with darkness and deceit, Cursed will flood your mind with its twisted plot and engrossing narrative and prove impossible to remove. What a book! And the ending!!! Amazing!

A masterful depiction of what sits in the murky and sometimes frightening background of family lives.

Dark. Twisted. Engrossing.


I received my review copy via the publisher.

[Meggy Chocolate'n'Waffles · Rating 4 out of 5]

I haven't felt any pressure reviewing for a while, but this particular book had me on edge, looking for the right way to convey just how I felt, without going into details, without missing important points, or without forgetting all I wanted to say. Okay, I can hear you from here. What's the difference with every other review? The book is different. That's the key!

Sometimes the less you say, the better it is. I believe this is how you should enter Cursed, and this is why I decided to make this review a lazy one. I won't go into details, I won't delve into the plot, I will only scratch the surface and I am sure it will catch your attention. Cursed is a book that doesn't need words, the book speaks for itself.

The first thing you notice is the cover. Those cold colors, the grandiose details of the trees and birds, it gives a familiar yet ominous feeling I had no choice but to fall for!

Then you have the title. I remember thinking “This is a fantasy book title!” I was fooled. Curses don't only run in fantasy worlds, and the threat contained in this choice of title feels real. Extremely real.

In fact, everything feels extremely real in Cursed. The characters, the cold, the setting, the danger, the mystery. You don't need to force your head around ideas, the perfectly spotless and cutting writing style naturally brings you into the middle of the story with no apparent effort. Kari Dickson's work, just as real, is smooth and spot-on, making me believe that I wasn't really reading a translation.

My favorite element: the journalistic side. But not your average ratings-greedy bag of smelly thing journalism. No, I mean real old school, stay up all night, dig up every detail, jump over fences journalists looking for the truth. Two different sides, parallels narrations I was waiting to see collide. A slow mystery starting in the most mundane way that hides a brilliantly gripping search filled with red herrings, curveballs, bad surprises, and a building tension that I hadn't suspected at first. The plot is a ball that keeps rolling, dragging with it everything and everyone it touches until all pieces fit, for better or for worse.

Last but not least: the characters. I always emphasize the need for a strong plot, but no story can keep me hooked without the right protagonists. Cursed offers a heavy background you only get a taste of but feel the weight of. It wraps itself around the characters, around the story, around the whole book, and gives it a desperate and bittersweet taste. Fortunately, Nora and Henning both have broad shoulders and each has a reason for surviving in this grey world. Neither are super-heroes, nor do they try to be. They are driven people coping with intense, delicate, harrowing feelings and it taints every thought, every decision, and every action they take. The more you read, the more you get to know them, the less you want this book to end.

This book is Nordic crime at its best. I can only recommend Cursed to everyone; big fans of the genre, laymen in mystery, dragon lovers, the guy waiting in line at the butcher's. I want to push the book on everyone. There's a spell between those pages, and its power stems from the sophisticated writing style contrasting with the chilling and riveting crime it holds prisoner.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher, I'd like to thank Orenda Books.

[Calzean · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book is a danger to the reputation of Nordic Noir. Too many implausible coincidences, some brain-numbing dialogue and characters to forget.

[Sooz (P.Turners Book Blog) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m starting to wonder whether Orenda are capable of releasing “okay” fiction. This is the fourth book of theirs I have read in 2017 and I am not exaggerating or embellishing the truth when I say I have enjoyed every one! CURSED was no exception!

Firstly, CURSED is the fourth installment following our leading character, Henning Juul. Again, I was dubious in starting a series so far down the line – but after some encouragement from Abby over at Crime By The Book (and also with some homework on the characters) I jumped in!.

WOW. Wow. Wow! Those who know me know I reserve my 5 Stars for truly outstanding writing and a book that makes me feel incredibly giddy thinking about it and turns my reviews into waffling nonsense. CURSED. IS. THAT. BOOK! We are only on 15th February. There are 319 days left of 2017 and I’ve already given TWO five star reviews! CURSED deserves this rating wholeheartedly.

CURSED is a prime example of a story that ideally should be enjoyed as part of a series, as you then have that deeper understanding of the characters and what they have been through and how they have ended up in their current situation. However, saying that – CURSED can also be enjoyed as a standalone novel (as I have) as Enger has written this book in a way that gives a new reader enough information to aid the flow of the story.

This is a wonderfully written book from Enger highlights how even the most polished looking families can harbor deep secrets that eventually tear them apart. Each member of the family in question was given their own “15 minutes of fame” so there was no leaning to one character or the other until the end of the book. When the drama comes to a head, the story of how each family member plays their individual part is intricately weaved together like a piece of fine tapestry, it makes you stand book and admire what has been created.

Once again, Orenda are responsible for my ever growing TBR, my lack of sleep, but more importantly introducing me to some exceptional authors.

My aim is to now visit the first novels in this series – start from the beginning and understand more about Henning and Nora’s relationship and how it went so terribly wrong for them.

Do we also need to talk about that ending though?!

[Darlene · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is book four in the five book series of Juul Henning. Wow, this is a tremendous series. All I can say is that this book is leading to, what I assume is going to be, one heck of an exciting ending. The series takes place in Oslo, Norway. In book one we find out that Juul’s son was killed in a horrific fire at their flat, two years prior to the beginning of the book. Juul is disfigured from the burns he received in the fire while attempting to save his son. Now he’s back on the job as a reporter/journalist and is determined to discover who was behind starting the fire. Each book is filled with so much tense excitement, not only with his personal search, but also other stories taking place in Oslo which Juul investigates. Each book gives Juul clues to the puzzle, and with those clues he gets closer and closer to finally solving who killed his son.

[Mark · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thomas Enger has the knack for writing multi layered intriguing Scandi Noir and his Henning Juul series is evidence of his skill as an author. “Cursed” is the 4th installment in this series and I can feel the threads of the previous 3 books coming together in a tantalizing and distinctly moody and Nordic kind of way.

Henning Juul is a tragic character, tortured by the death of his son, Jonas, in an apartment fire, ultimately started to kill Juul who has been investigating a story that is connected to the Norwegian underworld.

Each story has standalone elements but builds a bigger story that must be read in order to fully appreciate or understand. While some elements of the plot of “Cursed” follow a predictable Nordic Noir formula, it’s place within the entire series creates a unique and intriguing story that is easy to read and comes together in a satisfying way. The characters of Juul, his ex wife, Nora and fellow journalist Iver, are the principal characters and have a strong connection that feels slightly cliche and I’m guessing how it will turn out when I get to book 5, the final one in the series.

“Cursed” finishes on a cliff hanger that leaves the reader keen to get to book 5.

4 star read.

[Sam (Clues and Reviews) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Check out all my reviews on Clues and Reviews
www.cluesandreviews.wordpress.com

I have been lucky enough to read several Orenda titles since Clues and Reviews was born and I have never been disappointed. This novel did not end that streak. What a fantastic book!

When a woman goes missing, Henning Juul, reeling from his own personal tragedy, is dragged into the case of a missing woman when his ex-wife, Nora, joins the search.
As the pair becomes immersed in the case, they find themselves entangled with one of Sweden’s most prominent families and, as the truth comes to light, Juul is willing to risk everything for answers.

I was initially worried I would not be able to follow, as this is the fourth in a series, but I found that I was able to easily catch on to Henning Juul and his backstory. Engel does a phenomenal job at giving the reader enough information to fill in the blanks, while leaving it vague enough to make the reader want to go back and read the series for themselves!

Aside from the main mystery, a second arc develops (and from what I understand is a key component in other novels) in which Juul tries to hunt down those he believes to be responsible for the death of his son. I would read a book solely about this; Enger’s ability to capture Henning Juul’s ferocity, pain and desperation on each page was enough to send shivers down my spine.

I am never disappointed with the character development in a Nordic Noir novel and this one lived up to my expectations. Each character in this novel was tightly woven and developed. I loved Henning. I loved Nora. I loved them together. I will absolutely be going back to read the others in the series so I can see the full development of these characters and their journey.

And the end??!! The last few lines? I needed to pick my jaw up off the floor. Please Thomas Enger. Write quickly. My heart can’t take it!!!

I feel like any fan of Nordic Noir, or any reader who enjoys their characters developed and pronounced, will love this novel. 4/5 stars.

[Nicole Lara · Rating 2 out of 5]

Too many characters and too many storylines that I just didn’t care about. I’m not sure if this is because I haven’t read the earlier books in the series or if it was just that bad. I really struggled to even finish this book.

[Ingstje · Rating 4 out of 5]

The characters as well as the story itself are incredibly and beautifully mastered in this novel and were able to impress me on both counts. Nora and Henning were once a happy couple. They both still have warm feelings for each other and especially the latter still acts and feels as if he’s a star-crossed lover throughout the story. It was so believable even I thought it was a shame they weren’t together anymore. After a tragedy took their little boy away from them they dealt with their loss in their own way and Nora was better at finding a way forward in life than Henning was so their separation was understandable in a way. This personal story is definitely a bonus and I really liked getting to know these characters in their thoughts and feelings in the aftermath of their personal tragedy.

While Henning is still searching for whoever is responsible for their son’s death, Nora is asked to investigate the disappearance of an old college friend. Hedda told her husband she was going away to some spa retreat but never reached her destination. Neither Henning nor Nora is working as a police officer – they are both journalists – yet the story still reads like a full-fledged investigation. They are both working separately and in very different circles, Henning trying to establish contacts with criminals and Nora with Hedda’s wealthy family members where she senses some of them may be lying and there are definitely secrets being kept. But who's keeping them and who has knowledge of them?

I kept on wondering if these storylines would come together at some point. It seemed unlikely and I couldn’t imagine how or when. Neither did I understand why this novel opened with a chilling scene of some lonely dog walker who walked right into a trap, an event that seemed so unrelated to the rest and was not spoken of again, until the right moment finally presented itself and shows this is actually the crux of the story. I can only conclude that the plot was wonderfully complex. Both threads do have a hand in the other one believe it or not and there’s even more mystery added when one of their investigations leads to the uncovering of another past disappearance. Mystery upon mystery isn't that the best of the best?! Both Henning and Nora will get themselves in some serious danger too, and it’s definitely coming from where you least expect it. There's also a big cliffhanger ending but it's not a bad one, just makes me even more curious about the next novel!

This is the fourth novel in the series but it works perfectly as a standalone. There’s so much shared about the main characters' personal lives that, even though I hadn’t met them before, I couldn’t help but feel connected.

If this is Nordic Noir then I’m definitely a fan. I’ve always been a bit afraid that the unpronounceable Nordic names would put me off or stop the flow of a story and there would be too many scenic descriptions in such a genre but I can’t believe I held it off for so long; my fear was entirely unfounded and these issues were completely irrelevant in this novel. If you’re new to the Nordic Noir genre, this must be the perfect novel to ease into it.

[Yvonne (It's All About Books) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Finished reading: June 10th 2022

“She so wished she could look into a crystal ball and see the future. There was no set answer. The certainty that there was no certainty made her heavy. Sad. Despondent.”

I've been having a excellent time with this series, and Cursed is already book number four... Thomas Enger has a writing style that is both engaging, great at creating suspense and very easy to read. He is also great at creating the right atmosphere and his stories really do have that Nordic noir vibe with the setting and descriptions. In Cursed, we even cross briefly to a Swedish forest, but the majority of the story is set in Norway. We get both the city and the countryside; the best of both worlds and I liked how especially the Tønsberg area setting played a role in the plot. The story once again has a multiple POV structure, and this time around we also get to see a lot of Henning's ex-wife Nora.  Henning and Nora are investigating different cases; Henning the fire that caused the death of their son and Nora the disappearance of an old friend. It was intriguing to follow both on their journey towards the truth, and there are plenty of twists and secrets along the way to keep you entertained. The last page of Cursed came as a complete shock; I never would have seen that development coming at all! It's a cliffhanger ending that definitely makes me want to pick up the final book ASAP.


P.S. Find more of my reviews here.

[Jen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am going to be entirely honest here – I came to this book a little blind. This was the first book in this series that I had read, despite it being the fourth one, however as it was being released by Orenda, there was this implicit trust that this was going to be good. I was not left disappointed. I didn’t even manage to get half way through before I stopped to purchase the first three books in the series. Henning and his friends and colleagues were so intriguing, the promise and lure of the backstory so great that I knew I needed to read them all. That is not to say that you can’t read this book as a stand alone. The story is unique to this book and the back story explained enough that you absolutely could. I just want to know more and, assuming you don’t already, I think you will too.

This is a very cleverly written story. Opening with a scene set in Sweden where a man is murdered whist out hunting, I was unsure about how and where this was going to fit in. The man had ties to Norway, although it was not explained what these were, and his untimely death left a lot of questions unanswered. And this is where our real tale begins.

When Henning’s ex-wife Nora is approached by the husband of an old school friend, Hedda, she has no idea of how much of an impact this is going to have on her life. With her current relationship on rocky ground, she is glad to have something to immerse herself in, and the mystery of the woman who left for a retreat in Italy following her father’s death and never returned is an intriguing one to say the least. Nora hadn’t seen Hedda since university, but she remembered her family, especially her father, as being formidable, one of the richest families in Norway with an established real estate business and many deep rooted commuity ties. Despite being worried for Hedda, the family seem reticent to help Nora; the more she learns of Hedda, the less the story makes sense, and the more it seems that someone is determined to stop her.

Back in Oslo, Henning is making waves of his own, trying desperately hard to find out who was behind the fire at his apartment which ruined his life. Taking a sabbatical from work, Henning is using the time to track down some very shady characters, people who may know more about the fire than they are letting on. His investigations take him on some surprising trails, and someone seems determined to stop him, even if it means taking his life. But this is the only thing keeping Henning going, the quest for the truth. With evidence leading his search ever closer to Nora’s investigation, there is nothing that can prepare Henning for what he is about to uncover at the books jaw-dropping conclusion.

I loved this book. Being taken from two investigative journalist’s points of view gave it a different slant on a normal mystery or thriller. These are people who, rightly or wrongly, can go places, ask questions and follow trails that the police are judicially not allowed to do. Neither Nora or Henning is afraid to put themselves in jeopardy, in fact their willingness to take risks, while it may seem foolhardy, actually makes them all the more endearing. There is still clear chemistry between the two and yet circumstance has forced an irreparable crack in their relationship. They have endured great loss, the kind which often kills a marriage, and while Nora is trying to move on, Henning is lost in the past, unable to press on until he has answers. Answers he is more than willing to die to obtain.

The pacing in this book is varied, ebbing and flowing as the narrative directs it. Even the opening chapter seems calm, considered, right up until the moment that the old man is shot. And that simple, cold act of violence leaves a myriad of questions which I was just desperate to get an answer to, sometimes I’ll admit, more than I was desperate to know why Hedda disappeared. Outside of our protagonists Henning and Nora, and a handful of their closest friends, there is no-one in this book who isn’t duplicitous, who doesn’t have something to hide. There is a feeling of not being able to trust anyone, especially not the missing Hedda. And while the investigation itself may seem to take a slower pace, there are moments of real high-stakes tension where both Nora and Henning are targeted in separate attacks. But are they just being warned off or is it a real attempt upon their life? And those final heart-pumping chapters where Nora begins to uncover the truth about Hedda and her family really had me holding my breath, desperate to learn everyone’s fates as even the elements seemed to conspire against them.

The imagery created in this book, the descriptions of Oslo and the Norwegian landscape, the creation of individual character, are all brilliant. I have limited knowledge of this wonderful country outside of what I have seen on TV and yet I could picture it all perfectly, and it has made me interested to learn more, even to visit the country for myself. I got a real feeling for the city, for the climatic and cultural changes in the country as you step foot outside of Oslo’s confines. Of the difference in class and culture and the impact this had upon the story itself. The book drew me in and almost consumed me, to the point I didn’t want to walk away from it. I became entranced by both the setting and the characters contained within.

Nora and Henning both captured my imagination and my heart as I read about them. In spite of her internal pain, Nora is a strong independent woman, intelligent and astute. Henning is a man driven by anger, motivated by his need for answers. Both are extremely likeable but for very different reasons. Enger has written about them and their love so beautifully, the tragedy of their story so evocatively, that I simply must know more. And more importantly, I cannot wait to find out what happens to the irrepressible Henning next. Although the book suggests a certain sense of finality, maybe even closure, for Henning and Nora’s relationship, it is clear that Henning’s personal quest is far from over. He is a man full of pain and I wouldn’t want to be the person who caused it when he finally catches them.

A wonderfully twisted and family-secret laden 5 stars.

[Laura Wonderchick · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series has truly blown me away! It starts off each book with a building momentum that literally explodes at the end, leaving you completely breathless & begging for the next installment!

[Tripfiction · Rating 4 out of 5]

Noir thriller set in and around OSLO

Nora Klemetsen and Henning Juul (both journalists) used to be married. The had a son, Jonas – for whose sake they maintained a civil relationship until they eventually split. Jonas was killed in a fire in the apartment where he was staying with his father – who had perhaps drunk a little too much on the evening in question before he fell asleep. The fire was, though, deliberately set. Henning takes a sabbatical from his work to probe who had killed his son… He suspects the involvement of Tori Pulli – a somewhat dubious property developer with an unsavoury criminal past. Henning was investigating him, and the fire could have been his ‘revenge’. Pulli denies he set the fire, but does a deal with Henning. He was falsely imprisoned for a murder he did not commit – and offers the name of the person who ordered the fire in return for Henning establishing the truth about his imprisonment. Henning fulfils his side of the bargain, but Pulli is murdered in prison. Henning carries on his investigation with the ‘help’ of the enforcers of the Oslo underworld – a far from savoury bunch.

Meanwhile Nora is approached by Hugo Refsdal, the husband of Hedda Hellberg – with whom she had shared a flat at university several years previously. Hedda has planned a three week retreat in Italy, but has never caught her flight – and indeed, as it turns out, has never made any bookings. She has simply disappeared on the arrival at Oslo Airport – supposedly to check in. The police suspect an elaborate suicide plot, but Hugo says this would have been completely out of character. He asks Nora to publicise the disappearance in her paper – and to ask questions on his behalf.

Nora gets involved with the Hellberg family in the course of her investigation. Hedda’s father, Oscar, had died recently – and many family tensions had come to the fore. It turns out there had been an extra-marital affair (within the family) and a dispute over his will. Had, in fact, Hedda’s aunt Ellen (who had died a few years’ previously at the family’s summer house) committed suicide as was thought at the time, or had she been killed? And what, if anything, was the family connection with Daniel Schyman who had recently been murdered with a hunting gun in Sweden? And, important question, how did Hellberg Property (the family firm) start off in life? Were its beginnings somewhat murky?

Nora’s and Henning’s investigations come together when it is established that Tori Pulli has been an enforcer for Hellberg Property in its early days. They work with local police inspector, Cato Løken, to get to the bottom of Daniel Schyman’s death and Hedda’s disappearance. The book moves to a thrilling and scary conclusion. No more for fear of a spoiler.

No doubt that Cursed is a very well written (and very well translated) book in the best traditions of Nordic noir. Thomas Enger is up there with the very best.

[Anne-Jan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Na Schijndood, Fantoompijn en Bloedmist zijn we met Familiewapen aangekomen bij het vierde boek van Thomas Enger.
De hoofdrol in deze serie is weggelegd voor Henning Juul.

De familie Hellberg, een familie met een behoorlijke geschiedenis die vele jaren terug gaat. Hedda Hellberg gaat op een dag naar Italië om haar verdriet te verwerken na de dood van haar vader. Ze is er echter nooit aangekomen en niemand weet waar ze is. Dan is er nog de raadselachtige moord op een man in de bossen. Hebben de twee zaken iets met elkaar te maken?

Na het lezen van het derde deel schreef ik al dat elk deel in de serie weer beter is, is dat met deze ook weer het geval?

Een grote rol in Familiewapen is naast Henning Juul ook weggelegd voor zijn ex-vrouw Nora. Beiden worstelen ze nog steeds met de vraag wat er gebeurd is op de dag dat hun zoontje Jonas om het leven kwam tijdens de brand in hun appartement.

Familiewapen is ontzettend spannend, moet het boek het eerst hebben van de enorme dosis onderhuidse spanning, het laatste deel van het boek is zo ontzettend spannend dat je op het puntje van je stoel zit. Enger kenmerkt zich wederom door zijn prachtige schrijfstijl die bijzonder gedetailleerd is. De dood van Jonas die als een rode draad door de serie loopt, speelt in dit boek ook weer een grote rol, maar hiernaast lopen ook andere verhaallijnen die de auteur op een gegeven moment weer naadloos in elkaar samen laat vloeien. De serie met Henning Juul zal in totaal 5 delen worden. Enorm knap hoe Enger blijkbaar tijdens het schrijven van Schijndood het complete verhaal al van begin tot eind in zijn hoofd had. Want in eerste instantie zou je niet zeggen dat een op het eerste oog klein lijkend detail, (Dood Jonas/Brand appartement) uit kan groeien tot zoiets groots. Thomas Enger weet hier een verhaal van te schrijven als geen ander!

Zelden overkomt het mij dat ik tijdens het lezen van een verhaal kippenvel op mijn armen krijg. Thomas Enger is dit gelukt. Ik kan dan ook niet anders dan dit 4e deel in de serie de volledige 5 sterren geven! En ik weet niet hoever de auteur is met deel 5, maar ik zou bijna Noors gaan leren zodat ik het direct bij verschijnen kan lezen.

Kom op met dat 5e deel, i want more!!!!! Als die nóg beter is, kan die niet anders dan 6 sterren scoren.

[Elite Group · Rating 5 out of 5]

Why did Helga Hellberg fail to come home??

Hedda Hellberg fails to return home after being away for three weeks. Her husband asks Nora, Juuls ex-wife to try and find her and she and Henning soon get embroiled in the murder of an elderly man as well as a family’s deeply buried secrets that only murder can keep secret.

This book started off quite slowly but soon ramped up into a fantastic finale. I liked this book very much. I am never sure about reading a book that is part of a series but the author explains everything you need to enjoy this book as a stand-alone.

There is a sad subplot in which Henning is looking for the person responsible for the death of his and Nora’s son. This plot doesn’t have a conclusion in this book but NOW I must read the next book as it’s left as a cliff hanger.

Helen

Breakaway Reviewers received a copy of the book to review.

[Lone Knudsen · Rating 5 out of 5]

en super spændende bog af Thomas Enger, og med en overraskende slutning.