6 June 2013.
ISBN: 978-1-40881601-1
Two children starting the new term find five horribly mutilated bodies hanging from the roof of their school gym. Detective Chief Superintendent Konrad Simonsen and his team from the Copenhagen Murder Squad soon find links to an anti-paedophile group, who are intent on rousing Denmark in their cause...
What I really liked about this Scandinavian noir was the way that child abuse was placed so firmly centre stage, instead of being the ‘surprise’ motive for the killer. Here, the writers look hard at the crime of paedophilia, the effect on the victims, and the lack of police and public motivation to catch the killers of people who’ve raped children – soon Simonsen’s squad finds itself divided, and with the general public unwilling to help them catch their murderers, vital information is being kept from them. Simonsen is an amiable character, in the best detective tradition (overweight, drink problem, poor communicator, daughter), and his squad includes interesting characters like the young, uncertain Pauline Berg, gambler Arne Poulson, and Simonsen’s love interest, the countess. I did feel some contradictions in behaviour, but that’ll even out as the authors get to know their characters better. This isn’t a conventional whodunnit, as you know the killers from the start, but the tension of the hunt for the killers keeps the interest up.
If you’re a Scandie fan, this is a good addition to your
bookshelf.
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Reviewer: Marsali
Taylor
Lotte Hammer (born 1955) finished her training as a nurse in 1977. She has since worked and lived many places, such as Greece, Germany, the North Sea’s oil rigs and the American air force bases in Greenland. From 1995 to 2010 she was head of the Public Eldercare in Halsnaes, Denmark. From 2006 to 2010 she was actively involved in local politics and has been writing full time since 2010
Soren Hammer (born
1952) holds a teaching degree, but has primarily been working as a programmer
and a lecturer at Copenhagen University College of Engineering. Like his sister
Søren is also politically active and has been writing full time since 2010.
Marsali
Taylor grew up near Edinburgh and
came to Shetland as a newly-qualified teacher. She is currently a part-time
teacher on Shetland's scenic west side, living with her husband and two
Shetland ponies. Marsali is a qualified STGA tourist-guide who is fascinated by
history, and has published plays in Shetland's distinctive dialect, as well as
a history of women's suffrage in Shetland. She's also a keen sailor who enjoys
exploring in her own 8m yacht, and an active member of her local drama group. Marsali also does a regular monthly column
for the Mystery People e-zine.
Click on the title to read a review of her recent book
A
Shetland Winter Mystery
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