by Johanna Mo
SYNOPSIS
You've got no idea what you're dredging up. You're going to ruin everything.
The past is not going to stay buried in this unputdownable crime novel, the first in a series featuring Detective Hanna Duncker. Fans of Ragnar Jonasson and Ann Cleeves will be gripped by this moving and atmospheric crime novel, already a bestseller in Sweden.
Hanna Duncker has returned to the remote island she spent her childhood on and to the past that saw her father convicted for murder. In a cruel twist of fate her new boss is the policeman who put him behind bars.
On her first day on the job as the new detective, Hanna is called to a crime scene. The fifteen-year-old son of her former best friend has been found dead and Hanna is thrown into a complex investigation set to stir up old ghosts.
Not everyone is happy to have the daughter of Lars Duncker back in town. Hanna soon realises that she will have to watch her back as she turns over every stone to find the person responsible...
REVIEW
The Night Singer is the first book in the Island Murders trilogy from Johanna Mo. This Scandinavian Crime series follows Police Detective Hanna Duncker who has returned to the small town where she grew up on the island of Öland and has joined the local Police Force. Returning home will be a difficult task for Hanna, as this is the place where her father was convicted of murder sixteen years earlier. This is not only a cause of conflict in the close-knit island community – but her new boss was also one of the Detectives involved in her father’s arrest.
On the first day of her new job, Hanna is called out to investigate the discovery of a body. As the investigation unfolds, she discovers that the boy who has been murdered is the son of her childhood best friend. This puts Hanna in an uncomfortable position, torn between wanting to support her old friend while at the same time, she is determined to find the killer and make a good impression on her new colleagues.
The story is told in a dual timeline format and through a series of flashbacks, we gradually piece together what happened to Joel in the 24 hours leading up to his death. This type of narrative, switching between the two timelines, built up the tension as it got closer and closer to the big reveal and finding out who the killer was.
I was surprised at how different The Night Singer felt from other Scandi Crime Thrillers. It had a lot of the more typical elements that I love; a detailed police procedural, strong lead characters and a dark and chilling atmosphere. Despite this, I felt like it differed as the story had quite an emotional element, dealing with a very contemporary and thought-provoking issue (I won’t say any more as this would be a major spoiler for the investigation).
All aspects of the murder case were resolved thoroughly, but there were many questions that I had regarding Hanna and her past which were left unanswered. I’m hoping that this is because they will be explored further in subsequent books.
If you are looking for a new author to add to your Scandi Crime libraries, I would highly recommend this addictive, intriguing and unexpected introduction to the Island Murders trilogy.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Johanna Mo was born in Kalmar, Sweden, and now lives with her family in Stockholm. She has spent the last twenty years working as a literary critic, translator, and freelance editor. The Night Singer is her English-language debut.
Thanks to @HeadlineFiction and @Emily_JP or the opportunity to read and review.
Fiction: Scandi Crime / Police Procedural / Thriller
Format: Hardback
ISBN: 978-1472281128
Pages: 464 pp
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