This book is different to most crime novels, as the main thread is the escape of a convicted killer, and not the murders and subsequent man hunt. This makes it an interesting read. It is part of a series, but would work equally well as a stand alone book. The characters are well developed, and the book is nicely paced. I thoroughly enjoyed it and will look out for the next episode.

Wow, this is certainly a page turner that you won't want to put down. It'll certainly put you on the edge of your seat. My only criticism is that it all seemed a bit obvious and most of the readers will be able to consider themselves cleverer than all the so called professionals in the book. You know who seemed obvious right at the begining? Yes you're correct. You know when you're thinking 'surely they're not going to make that mistake'? Yes they did. If you're going to lead us down the obvious path, it's a good idea to subvert the reader's expectations with a twist.

Sharp and complex, Horst’s criminals are worse than the worst - in this case a prisoner escapes - he is a serial killer doing gruesome things to female victims - and it is the collaborator who is free the police try to capture. The police themselves are targeted as Wist tries to get to the bottom of his motivations, and how he manages to elude them all on a day out when the criminal is thoroughly encased in handcuffs etc - he is relieved of them momentarily and he’s off ... we observe fellow police - one gets fatally caught up - and a film maker who tracks all their moves. I guess I’m tired of the fixation that is a trope in these hard core Scandies of the brutalised female body - but setting that aside, it is how the police move toward their goal of capture that is the focus. Expert and driving narratives gives it all that extra edge.

This is the third Wisting book that I have read. Wisting is a great character and this is the real strength of these books, that and the excellent depiction of police procedure. In this one, a murderer already in jail, Tom Kerr, has confessed to another killing and has said he will show the police where her body is buried. During this expedition he escapes and it becomes clear that some people knew he had planned this all along and had hoped to lure out 'the other one' his accomplice. Of course this doesn't work and not only does Kerr escape but 'the other one' has laid a false trail for the police to follow. Wisting as the operational chief gets the blame. Unfair as he knew nothing of what was going on.

At times I felt the plot was very obvious and I felt there could have been a bit more subtlety throughout. However as already mentioned the characterisation is really what makes these books. The other thing I didn't like was the graphic depiction of sexual and other violence. I didn't; feel it was necessary to go into such gruesome detail. This isn't a huge part of the book so if you have a stronger stomach than me you might be able to thole it. For me though it's a real turn off and the reason I've given it three rather than four stars. Thanks to the publisher and Net Galley for the ARC.

Wow. Brilliant. This is a page turner. The characters and the plot make this a riveting read. The whole book is very cleverly written and definitely worth reading.

Thank you to Netgalley for my copy.

I enjoyed this book, it was easy to read and though I've read the other Wisting novels so knew about his daughter, Line and his colleagues I think it could easily be read as a stand alone thriller and be enjoyed. When convicted killer Tom Kerr escapes whilst being accompanied on a visit to a site where he claims a body is buried Wisting is initially placed in charge of the hunt to find him. The only problem is that Wisting hadn't been made fully aware of the fact that Kerr had been expected to escape and the plan was that his partner in crime "the other one" would be flushed out. When things go wrong and Kerr evades the trap that had been set for his recapture, Wisting is made the scapegoat even though he hadn't been involved in the planning. There are twists and turns in the book that keep the reader involved and wanting to read on and the action goes on until almost the last page. Highly recommended.

Thanks to Penguin UK - Michael Joseph and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Nordic-noir at its very best! Horst is a class act and his books just keep getting better and better and better. I have said this before, but I'll say it again, if you want fantastic storytelling and an absorbing read then look no further than the master of the detective genre, Jorn Lier Horst. There are no gimmicks in Horst's evocative tales of the dark underbelly of atmospheric Norway; there again, he doesn't need to rely on contrived plot devices to hook his readers from the get-go. A combination of crisp, immaculate prose, meticulous research, and twisty, pitch-perfect plotting, is a winning formula that Horst reproduces again and again. This book is slightly different in tone and structure to the author's other Wisting books. For a start we know the identity of our killer from the early stages of the book. But this is just the beginning of this enthralling read. What concerns Wisting and of course, we, the readers, is the identity of Tom Kerr's accomplice, 'The Other One'. So begins the search for a killer of perverse imagination and chilling efficiency in the execution of his deadly tasks. After some blind alleys, red herrings and general confusion, Wisting gets there in the end and the reader is left with a satisfying mystery solved. Case Closed. I can't wait for the next instalment in the series. Bravo!

What a thrilling read!! I just love foreign books that have been translated for our benefit, and the way their landscape and stories come to life. Great read, entertaining and thrilling from beginning to end. Recommended.
TB

This is the third of John Lier Horst’s books I have read, and - sad to say - it has marked a significant departure from the previous adventures of Wisting, Horst’s detective. Sure, the setting is again the well-described Scandinavian coast, town and countryside, and many familiar characters are present and correct. The plot, too, is for the most part cleverly developed and woven into a credible narrative with a satisfying tying together of the leads in the final pages. However, Horst’s decision - and it must surely have been a conscious one - to introduce a heavy and repeated element of explicit sexual deviance and misogynistic sexual violence makes for jarring episodes in what would have otherwise been a thoroughly enjoyable book.

Some readers may think the descriptions are necessary to portray the depravity of the perpetrators. However, in this reader’s firm opinion, the best writers leave this aspect to the skill of their narrative that uses more limited explicit description whilst leaving hint and implication to fill in the gaps. On a minor note, it really is time that Wisting persuades his daughter, Line, to change her career as she is in danger of being a potential victim in every Wisting outing.

If it weren’t for the issues highlighted above this would have been a five star review. It is tempting to mark this down to three stars on a personal basis, but objectively it’s probably right to give four stars.

Another Wister book which thoroughly enjoyed. The main character and his daughter well defined and relatable and the story line is credible and intriguing.
Will look out for the next one in the series!

This is the third of a planned ‘cold case quartet’ and all the qualities that made the first two books so enjoyable are once again on display – fine writing, excellent translation and in-depth characterisation. Like the classic Sjowall and Wahloo series which I think these books so closely resemble, this is a short novel and Horst does not waste his words, yet still finds space to provide some everyday detail which adds to the authentic feel of the book and a sense that the reader is following a genuine investigation.

The first two books were very much ‘slow burners’ but the action starts early in this one and is then followed by the meticulous investigation that characterises the author’s novels and is based no doubt on his own experience as a police investigator.

So this is another fine novel and I shall be very much looking forward to the conclusion of the series. If I have one minor quibble, it concerns Line’s role. Much as I like her as a character and welcome the father-daughter relationship rather than the standard boss and side-kick one, it is becoming increasingly difficult to understand exactly how Line gets so closely involved in police investigations (and invariably ends up in trouble). For novels whose great strength is their authenticity, it’s a little hard to swallow.

However, in no way did that spoil my enjoyment and many thanks to Netgalley and the publishers, Michael Joseph, for an ARC in return for an honest review.

I will be posting a full review on my blog closer to the new publication date in November.

However, as I have read this book and wished to give some comment here’s a quick review.

This is a wonderful book well worth reading. I’m very much enjoying these books in the ‘cold case’ series. Well written and translated. Horst writes in a very calm, understated way often seeming to move slowly - perhaps this is enhanced or should that be hindered by the way in which the police have to work - and yet he still builds up to a pacy, tense climax. I enjoy reading this style even if I sometimes I want to shout ‘just do it!’ and Wisting is, at times, considered a bit of a ‘wildcard’ by others when really he has a love for the law and sticking to it that is almost naive and can, as in this story, be manipulated. Wisting also has a sense of justice which often manifests into the need to finish what he started, to help those who are in scary situations and that is clearly shown in this story. I am looking forward to more from this series. I like Wisting, Line and the rest - with all their foibles! I want to see where some of these (working) relationships will go.

It’s well worth a read.

Another great plot from Jorn Lier Horst with enough red herrings to keep the reader engrossed and guessing right to the end. A very dramatic police drama with some stomach churning detail at times.

I like and admire Wisting and do not think the television programmes do him justice but his daughter Line is another matter, Her antics usually end in trouble and can be very frustrating, I think she will need to start putting her daughter before her career if her exploits in this book are anything to go by.

When you read the synopsis for this book, you get a pretty good idea of how it all kicks off. Convicted killer Tom Kerr escapes custody & does so in spectacular fashion. Poor Chief Inspector William Wisting…instead of wrapping up an old case, he’s organizing a massive manhunt.

I was initially a bit worried as I thought the blurb sort of gave the game away. Even as you’re reading about events leading up to Kerr’s escape, you already know what happens. Boy, was I wrong. Several elements combine to make this a story that pulls you in & keeps you squirming in your seat.

First, there’s Kerr’s character. Congratulations are due as I formally nominate him for my annual COTY Award (Creep of the Year). Seriously, this guy made my skin crawl from the get-go. Sociopathic & intelligent…..it’s a deadly combination.

Then there’s the author ability to tell a story. As with all these books, the plot is layered & smart. It ticks along at a good pace with several scenes that will test your fight-or-flight response. But it’s Wisting who makes it such a pleasure to tag along. No flash or OTT drama here. Just a quiet, decent man who also happens to be a good cop.

Among the returning characters is Wisting’s daughter Line. As usual, she’s a bit too smart for her own good & watching her story line develop was the cause of at least one of the knots in my stomach. Also back is the shifty Adrian Stiller. He may be handy in a crisis but I wouldn’t trust him with my lunch money.

Kerr’s impressive bid for freedom marks the onset of a low lying tension that slowly builds as the story progresses. We know what Kerr is capable of & the thought he may be back in business is chilling. But the real question is who’s helping him? Chapters alternate between Wisting & Line & their very different POV’s compliment each other as the story unfolds.

This is a straight up police procedural with several twists that may make you second guess how it all pans out. And if you arrive at the final few chapters just before bedtime, good luck getting to sleep anytime soon. Your reading tool kit for this book should include: a bowl of snacks, night vision glasses, water wings, & Tums.

An elaborate prisoner escape under the watchful eye of the police leaves many questions and concerns for Wisting. Tom Kerr is not someone they want back on the streets but catching him is becoming a wild goose chase. It was long suspected that he had a partner who was never caught and Wisting is determined to find this ‘Other One’. But time is running out as it look like Kerr’s bloodlust is returning and internal affairs are lurking around the investigation.

Jorn Lier Host has done it again, he’s crafted yet another addictive case for the readers to delve into. With the right amount of tension sprinkled throughout it keeps you wanting to read just a few more pages. I love the characters of Wisting and his cohorts so it’s wonderful to see that the author has more stories to share with us that feature one of my favourite detectives without diminishing the quality of the writing.

Absolutely compelling.

My thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for my ARC of The Inner Darkness, the third book in The Cold Case Quartet series. I have read all of Horst's books that have been translated into English, which has provided a comprehensive background concerning characters and events that enhances the enjoyment of The Cold Case series. Jørn Lier Horst's earlier career as a senior police officer in the Norwegian force adds a significant level of credibility to police procedures. These books are first class examples of Scandi Noir at its best.

Tom Kerr is a convicted serial killer, imprisoned for two murders. He has agreed to lead the police to a third burial site in the belief that it will help him with future parole hearings. Or does he? En route to the location he makes an audacious escape and William Wisting finds himself held responsible by senior officers. The hunt is on to find Kerr before he strikes again, apparently being helped by The Other One...

Line Wisting, William's daughter and an investigative journalist, was invited by Adrian Stiller of Kripos (the Norwegian Cold Case group) to make a video record of Kerr's journey to the 'burial site'. As the plot progresses and as is almost inevitable, Line once again puts herself in harm's way and her interference at times becomes irritating.

It is another fast-paced read helped by Horst's use of short chapters. The last 20% or so is full of heart-stopping moments and the twist come the end had me totally blindsided.

The Inner Darkness is another great read from Jørn Lier Horst.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the ARC in return for an unbiased review.
Second publication I've read by this author.
Possibly not as good as the other one (The Cabin) but a decent read nonetheless.
Number of red herrings along the way but ultimately the ending was as I thought it might be fairly early on in the story. Looking forward to reading more by this author.

As usual in my reviews, I will not rehash the plot - you can find plenty of other reviews of that sort already.

I haven't read any of the other books in this series - but having watched the Wisting TV series on BBC4, I wish I'd read this beforehand; although the plot doesn't exactly match any single episode in the series, I was able to guess some of the book's twists.

However, it's still a good - yet at times brutal - read. The plot unfolds and leads us in pursuit of a few red herrings - like all good crime novels! There are some well-drawn characters, some of whom are not entirely likeable but who are key to the plot. Some of the descriptions of Tom Kerr's crimes are graphic and uncomfortable to read, but again, key to the plot.

As with many other crime novels, one is left wondering why some characters decide to follow courses of action that are likely to lead them into trouble... (but I guess those characters haven't read as many scary novels as some of us!)

I will look out for more by this author.

My thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for an ARC. All opinions my own.

I watched the recent BBC series recently, and that and the books really live up to the expectations of a wonderful Nordic Noir thriller. They are so well researched, well considered, and events are conveyed in real time, we find out at the same time as the Police do. The only complaint I have is the very annoying daughter, Line, a combination of journalist and photographer, who interferes, hinders and puts both herself and her daughter in danger, and hugely compromises her father in his investigations. That would never happen in any police force in this country, journalists are treated as an necessary evil. She is so dangerous, but unfortunately the device by which we find out so much information, so , must be tolerated!
The story concerns convicted murderer, Tom Kerr, who murders and tortures young women, dismembers and then buries them. He has decided to tell the police where the last body is hidden, but then escapes, with the assistance of The Other One. We are then left to follow a bewildering trail of red herrings, which sorely tests the wannabe detectives who read these books!. I take notes as I read, and upon reaching the conclusion, I basically suspected everyone, bar the accomplice! Agatha Christie is a piece of cake, a veritable walk in the park, compared to these books! My notes were just a set of scribbled out names and justifications, all wrong!.
Gruesome, but a real page turner. It moves at a cracking pace, is logical and well reasoned. I throughly enjoyed this addition and highly recommend this series to all fans of the detective genre. A worthy five star read. I will leave reviews on NetGalley.

I would like to thank Netgalley and Penguin Random House UK - Michael Joseph for an advance copy of The Inner Darkness, the third novel in the Cold Case Quartet to feature Norwegian detective William Wisting.

When serial killer Tom Kerr decides to reveal the burial site of one of his victims Wisting is drafted in to supervise. It’s not his case but the site is in his region and then it is his case when Kerr makes a well planned escape. The hunt is on to find Kerr and his accomplice.

I thoroughly enjoyed The Inner Darkness which is a compelling read, told in A no frills tone. It is told from Wisting and his daughter Line’s point of view. Line, a former journalist, was the videographer during the escape. This means that the reader has the same information as the investigators and is free to interpret it in any way. My interpretations led me to suspect just about everyone except the perpetrator so I won’t be giving up the day job any time soon! I like a well camouflaged perpetrator as it sustains the interest and whets the appetite for more information. The escape of a violent offender is not a unique plot line but how he does it probably is and the ensuing investigation is fascinating with reveals and more questions in every chapter.

What I really like about this novel and the other books in the series is the realistic portrayal of the Police, their professionalism, the tools they have available and the sheer weight and relentlessness of their investigation. Sure, there are personality issues and a cumbersome bureaucracy but on the whole it is a fearsome machine when used correctly. I also find the no nonsense tone and attitude very appealing. There are descriptions of horrible violence but there is no dwelling on them, it’s more a case of “it happened, what can we do to make sure it doesn’t happen again?”.

The juxtaposition of narratives between Line and her father is interesting. He keeps much of what he’s thinking to himself and has a cool, logical approach. Lina is more emotional, rash and impetuous in her approach. I can see certain stereotypes in this description but it comes across in the novel as more experience versus youth.

The Inner Darkness is a good read that I have no hesitation in recommending.