Author: Katrine Engberg
Publisher: Gallery Books/Scout Press
Date Published: February 7, 2023
Katrine Engberg has written another atmospheric Nordic noir, this time set on the island of Bornholm. While this is part of a series, it’s completely readable as a standalone.
Anette Werner works for the police in Copenhagen but has a case that seems to have roots in Bornholm. She reaches out to her former partner Jeppe, who is on leave from the police force and has taken refuge doing some part time physical work in a sawmill. There is a parallel story about Esther, a writer compiling a memoir of a recently deceased anthropologist, Margarethe Dybris who has left an overflowing stash of letters and correspondence during her 30 years on the island.
The island is a place where there are many secrets, where each person Anette and Jeppe encounter add a little bit of a piece to the puzzle of a mysterious death. There is quite a bit of descriptive gore, but the manner in which the unknown corpse has died is crucial to the story, that plays out in unexpected ways.
It’s always nice to see Anette and Jeppe back together as they playfully banter with each other. Sadly, this is the last of the 5 part series, but I’m sure Ms. Engberg has more in store for us!
Thanks to NetGalley and Gallery Books for an advance reader’s copy.
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