SYNOPSIS Five years ago, serial killer Tom Kerr was imprisoned. Today, he's out to reveal the resting place of his final victim.
However, Detective Wisting is taking no chances. Kerr is chained and handcuffed. The police have dogs and guns.
But minutes after entering the forest, Wisting's officers lie broken and bleeding. And Kerr has vanished into the woods.
Too late, Wisting realises their error. What's worse, Kerr had an accomplice who was never caught . . .
Now two murderers are on the loose - and Wisting has just hours to find them . . .
REVIEW The Inner Darkness is the third book in the 'Cold Case Quartet' featuring the Norwegian lead detective William Wisting. The previous two books being 'The Katharina Code' and 'The Cabin'. In this instalment, the serial killer Tom Kerr has been allowed out of prison on a site visit, to show police officers where he supposedly buried his only missing victim. As they approach the site, Kerr manages to escape, leaving the police in a desperate search, not only for the dangerous killer, but also his forgotten accomplice.
The Inner Darkness is a stellar example of a police procedural. The level of detail surrounding the investigation is incredible, which is to be expected from an author who spent twenty years working as a police inspector. The story is a classic hunt for a serial killer, mixed with all the elements of a fantastic Scandi Crime novel - high intensity and high on tension from start to finish.
Every single page kept my interest and any deviations from the main storyline were both necessary and also helped to build a clearer picture of the inner workings of the police and legal departments, as well as the role journalists play in these types of investigations.
As with the other Wisting novels, I was intrigued by the relationship between Wisting and his daughter Line. I have always found her character frustrating, but the conflict of interest between detective and journalist continues to create interesting circumstances for the pair to navigate.
The book finished with a sneak peak of the next in the series 'A Question of Guilt ' and even the first chapter had me hooked. I've now got a very long wait until November comes around and I can find out what happens!
I am a huge fan of Scandi Crime / Nordic Noir novels and in my opinion Jørn Lier Horst is right up there with the most celebrated authors. His storylines are complex, exhaustive and atmospheric and the meticulous level of detail shown is in a different league altogether.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Jørn Lier Horst is one of Norway’s most experienced police investigators, but also one of Scandinavia’s most successful crime writers. He writes engaging and intelligent crime novels that offer an uncommonly detailed and realistic insight into the way serious crimes are investigated, as well as how both police and press work. His literary awards include the Norwegian Booksellers’ Prize, the Riverton Prize (Golden Revolver), the Scandinavian Glass Key and the prestigious Martin Beck Award.
Thanks to @MichaelJBooks and @LierHorst for the opportunity to read and review.
Fiction: Police procedural / Psychological Thriller / Nordic Noir
Product format: Paperback
ISBN: 978-1405941631
Pages: 400 pp
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