Cover Image: The Boy in the Headlights

The Boy in the Headlights

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Member Reviews

Due to a sudden, unexpected passing in the family a few years ago and another more recently and my subsequent (mental) health issues stemming from that, I was unable to download this book in time to review it before it was archived as I did not visit this site for several years after the bereavements. This meant I didn't read or venture onto netgalley for years as not only did it remind me of that person as they shared my passion for reading, but I also struggled to maintain interest in anything due to overwhelming depression. I was therefore unable to download this title in time and so I couldn't give a review as it wasn't successfully acquired before it was archived. The second issue that has happened with some of my other books is that I had them downloaded to one particular device and said device is now defunct, so I have no access to those books anymore, sadly.

This means I can't leave an accurate reflection of my feelings towards the book as I am unable to read it now and so I am leaving a message of explanation instead. I am now back to reading and reviewing full time as once considerable time had passed I have found that books have been helping me significantly in terms of my mindset and mental health - this was after having no interest in anything for quite a number of years after the passings. Anything requested and approved will be read and a review written and posted to Amazon (where I am a Hall of Famer & Top Reviewer), Goodreads (where I have several thousand friends and the same amount who follow my reviews) and Waterstones (or Barnes & Noble if the publisher is American based). Thank you for the opportunity and apologies for the inconvenience.

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This was a brilliant read. As soon as I started reading this book I just knew I was going to love it. Highly recommended

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I didn't realise this was the third in a series when requesting, but found this to be well written, I liked hte characters and now want to read the first two books.
Recommended

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The Boy in the Headlights. Samuel Bjork. I found this book to be a bit of a struggle chopping back and forth and rather repetitive. I quite liked the story and would probably read another book by this author.

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3rd in a series about specialist, but idiosyncratic investigators. Unconnected people are killed in staged ways - why and who by? There are several red herrings, but the culmination is believable, but shocking. Recommended for fans of Scandic-noir.

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This is a fantastic scandinoir thriller, the third in the series featuring the detectives .Munch and Kruger. Interesting characters, a twisting narrative and excellent storytelling.

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The Boy in the Headlights is the third novel to feature Norwegian detectives Holger Munch and Mia Krüger.

Having read the first book in the series - I'm Travelling Alone - I was looking forward to reading this, so I was happy to dive straight in, despite not having been able to get around to reading book two, entitled “The Owl Always Hunts at Night.”

In winter 1996, an old man is driving home when his headlights catch a deer on the empty road up ahead, but it turns out to be a frightened, scared young boy with a set of deer antlers strapped to his head. Fourteen years later, a body is found in a mountain lake and within weeks, three people have died. Thought to be the handiwork of a serial killer, a clue has been left on each occasion, inviting Special Investigations Detectives Munch and Krüger to play a deadly game. To find the killer they must look deep within their own dark pasts, but how can you stop a murderer when you cannot begin to predict their next move?

Mia Krüger the inspired, now notorious, investigator is still in a bad place mentally, obsessing over the death of her twin sister. Given to occasional strokes of genius, death and suicide are never far from her thoughts as she continues to wrestle with her alcohol and prescription drug dependencies. Although Mia longs to join her dead twin Sigrid, there are small indications of hope in this novel. I could identify with her highs and lows and have maximum appreciation for her portrayal.

Mia's boss Holger Munch, is still, optimistically, hoping to reunite with his ex-wife whom he still loves.

The beginning of this novel perfectly sets the mood and atmosphere for the rest of the story, as does the discovery of a body in a lake – a young ballet dancer still in her dance costume. As the body count grows, Holger Munch becomes disillusioned by the involvement of outside agencies, and his lack of control in the case(s). Samuel Bjørk really keeps the pace rolling and he masterfully embraces all of the members of the team, not just Holger Munch and Mia Krüger. With excellent writing, there was an abundance of clever touches and interesting characters, and I particularly appreciated Curry’s greater participation. With mental illness a recurring theme, there were some troubling scenes of viciousness and an ever-present darkness to this story. Despite the bleak and and nasty subject matter, the book never felt depressing and the action moved swiftly, keeping me enthralled throughout.

The Boy in the Headlights is unsettling, imaginative and well written with characters that are beginning to feel real, as opposed to being mere acquaintances. I look forward to reading more in this series and recommend this instalment highly.

I received a complimentary digital copy of this novel, at my own request, from Random House UK via NetGalley. This review is my own unbiased opinion.

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This starts off with an elderly man driving in 1990 , at night, who thinks he is going to hit a deer but sees a young boy with antlers on his head. The story changes to 2013 where a man and his son out fishing find the body of a dead girl .
Holger Munch and Mia Kruger investigate what turns into a serial killer storyline.
This is a really good Scandi Noir book, the third in the series - would recommend going back and reading the other two if you have the chance.
Well written, fast paced thriller. Really enjoyed and would recommend.

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I loved the previous two books in this series, this as an excellent addition. Great characters, gripping storyline. I will be recommending this series to everyone.

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A really good book which has a complicated plot line but stick with it and as the story unfolds it becomes absolutely gripping. Slowly the many parts merge and develop into an excellent story right to the very last sentence. Highly recommended.

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And they are back for the third book in the series, Holger Munch is still hoping that he and his wife will get back together, not going to happen, and Mia Kruger is still totally obsessed with her dead twin sister. But aside from that they have another case to solve. Having read the first two books in this series I knew I was in for a good read from Samuel Bjork and I wasn’t disappointed.

A gripping read, beginning in 1999 as an old man is driving home on the cold, icy roads, he had hoped to be home before dark, but this didn’t happen, he is clearly uncomfortable driving In these conditions, and you feel tense for him, all of a sudden there is something ahead in the road, at first he thought it was an animal, but as he slammed on his breaks and stopped he realised it was a young boy with antlers stuck to his head, what a start! But will this be linked to anything later in the book and how?

We jump fourteen years, and a father and son out fishing make a gruesome discovery, the young boy hooks a dead body on his fishing line, that of a young girl, a ballet dancer in full costume, a needle mark on the body but no clue as to how she ended up there. Within weeks, three more people are dead, the killer has left a clue, inviting Munch and Kruger to play a deadly game, but is it a game they have any chance of winning?

This is another tightly plotted book by Samuel Bjork, the story is told through numerous viewpoints. A good overview of police procedural detail, and the brilliant working of the mind of Mia who is always insightful. The atmospheric settings work brilliantly with the story. At times very complex, with characters thrown in as red herrings but threads that bind to knit the plot together with ease.

This is another successful book by Samuel Bjork if you like Nordic Noir. I recommend this book and the two previous books, although this can be read as a stand-alone novel it does help to know the quirks and mannerisms of Munch and Kruger. Gripping from start to finish.

Thank you to netgalley and Doubleday for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest, fair and unbiased review.

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First of all, the boy in the headlights is one drop in this ocean of a novel. It’s not a novel about a missing child, kidnapped boy and he’s certainly not the focus, so take the title with a pinch of salt, open the book and be prepared to be surprised.

Detectives Munch and Krüger have their work cut out here.(work that will be even more fleshed out if you’ve read the earlier novel) This is a story about a very unique team of police investigators who all have a unique talent. Combined, they will hopefully have the mix to solve some really tough cases. This novel has a series of strange killings throughout! The first one is a pretty ballerina found in a remote lake. All very creepy from the off but it’s the scenery and scene setting in and around Oslo with the remoteness and the hinterland that really helps set the atmosphere and pace of the novel to come.

There’s lots of procedural here and lots of inward thinking, investigation processes and characters thinking about what on earth is going on. You really have to read the book before to truly appreciate what the team are coming up with and why.

Holger and Mia are really an odd couple who shouldn’t work but they do - as they find clues at each scene, they find themselves drawn the killer’s game of cat and mouse. There are some really gripping moment and what a tug of war they go through! This isn’t just their present nightmare either but also has stains on their past and future.

The Scandi elements are there - tight team, interesting back stories, and a truly gripping and icy setting. Mountain paths, lakes, the city of Oslo - it’s all here!

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great book, i am happy to have discovered the series of Munch and Mia investigation. i will definitely catch up with the two other previous ones. great thriller, nice characters and interesting storyline.

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This was an easy 5 star rating for me as I loved the two previous books in the Holger Munch and Mia Kruger series which started with the outstanding ‘I’m Travelling Alone’ which was a real jaw thunker. Whilst my jaw didn’t hit the decks quite so many times it was still an absolutely amazing read. This was a bit like a symphony with either Mia or Holger taking the individual instrument parts in the action then the full ensemble comes together to reach a crescendo and the storyline rises and falls effortlessly. This was so cleverly written with twists , turns and misdirections and some incredibly powerful moments that made your eyes pop and your jaw drop. I don’t want to give much away but the plotting and pace was excellent from the first dramatic moments where car headlights caught the antler wearing young boy and couldn’t put this down.
I really liked the characters- poor Holger remained in love with his ex wife although the new forensic pathologist Lillian Lund could become a distraction! Munch was struggling with guilt from the injuries his daughter suffered in book 2 - The Owl always hunts at night. Whilst Mia was still suffering many years on with the death of her twin sister Sigrid from a heroin overdose and this became relevant to this storyline. There was a serial killer who carefully posed his victims in a number of different ways and left a series of bizarre clues which challenged and taunted the brilliance of the unit led by Munch. Mia had to use all her analytical skills, insight and determination ably assisted by the likes of Gabriel Molk whilst Munch worked doggedly to unveil the killer. The storyline had so many intriguing elements to it including links to an Astrid Lindgren book ‘The Brothers Lionheart’ and to a case of arsonist Jon Ivar Salem which made Mia’s reputation. The story reached an exciting climax as yet again Mia was in danger. The book ultimately finished on an optimistic note for both of the lead characters.
Overall, another terrific book from Samuel Bjork and an excellent translation too. Whilst this book can definitely be read as a stand-alone it helps to have read the previous two.

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This book is an actual masterpiece.

The twist in the book made me physically gasp. You cannot put this down even if you wanted to. It grips you and pulls you deep into the story. You think you have worked it all out about half way through but you honestly have no Idea how wrong you are.

The reveal of who the killer is... Its thoroughly shocking. The crime scenes, the detail, the atmosphere in this novel are truly a work of art.

What I love about Bjork is there are never any chapters there to simply fill space. Every word is important even when you think it isn't.

Wow I honestly can't give this novel enough praise. A disturbing, thrilling read which will terrify you to your core.

Absolutely excellent.

I can't wait for the next installment in this series.

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I didn't work it out either! Keeps you guessing as the police go down blind alley after blind alley with a totally unexpected unraveling right at the end.. Good suspense thriller with a dramatic quickening of pace as time starts to run out.

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Another great story in the Scandinavian crime noir genre, which seems to be the most intriguing genre at the moment. Look forward to catching up with Munch and Kruga in Samuel Bjork other novels in this series. Well recommended

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How do you stop a murderer when you can’t predict their next move? Special Investigations Detectives Munch and Krüger face the ultimate challenge in Samuel Bjork’s new thriller, as a serial killer is choosing his victims at random. Clever and gripping, with plenty of twists and turns, The Boy in the Headlights is a chilling tale that Jo Nesbo readers will love.

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I am a massive fan of the Munch and Kruger series and this instalment did not disappoint! I will be posting a full review on my blog on Saturday, so will come back and post the link.
Absolutely love this book! I think it may actually be the best in the series so far! I'm eagerly waiting number 4!

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I have not read the previous titles in this series so was unaware of the backstory between Mia and Munch, I found the story a bit disjointed and wonder if the fact that it was a translation was the reason I felt this. Not the easiest of tales to feel totally engaged with.
Many thanks to Netgalley/Samuel Bjork/Random House UK for a digital copy of this title. All opinions expressed are my own.

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