In suburban Copenhagen, a killer leaves a small doll made of chestnuts and matchsticks at every bloody crime scene. Forensics discover a fingerprint on one doll belonging to the missing daughter of Social Affairs Minister Rosa Hartung, a girl presumed dead for a year. Detectives Naia Thulin and Mark Hess team up to track the murderer while navigating police bureaucracy and Hartung's political grief. They follow a trail of child abuse cases and systemic failures in the Danish foster care system to identify the killer before the body count rises further.
Fans of Nordic noir read this book for its bleak atmosphere and technical procedural detail. It suits readers who appreciate intricate puzzles where clues are hidden in cold cases and forensic anomalies. The narrative provides an unvarnished look at how institutional gaps allow trauma to persist across generations. Readers finish the story with a clear understanding of the tension between public policy and private vengeance, alongside a gritty depiction of the psychological toll exacted on investigators in high-stakes capital crimes.
Escapist; an easy read.
Best for readers like The Escapist Adventurer. Which reader are you?
- Published
- 2019
- Language
- EN
