The Girl without Skin
4 journalers for this copy...
I got this softcover from an online seller. It's a Nordic-noir mystery with a somewhat unusual setting: it takes place in a small village in Greenland, where the discovery of a frozen mummy that's clearly European raises scientific hopes that it might be an early Viking explorer. But when journalist Matthew arrives to cover the story, events start to go pear-shaped: the mummy goes missing, and the police officer left on watch is found dead and flayed, in a truly gruesome scene.
Even more gruesome: that's not the first such slaying in the area. Some decades back, several local men were found similarly butchered - tortured, flayed, and gutted. And as Matthew delves into the past, a journal from a policeman at that time - one who disappeared shortly after the old murders - provides a view of that investigation. It seems that the widespread plague of child abuse in the community caused police attention to focus on a handful of men whom the officer was certain were abusing their own daughters, and as each of those men was found slaughtered, it became clear that some power behind the scenes was invested in quashing the investigation.
There's a lot of pain and darkness here, from Matthew's own personal loss to the cases of the abuse victims, and spreading to the nightmarish truth behind the crimes against the children. While I did feel at times that the author was reaching a bit to keep all the plot-threads intact, the setting and the long-standing social and political issues did explain how such things might happen.
There were some effective twists and turns along the course of the investigation, and some intriguing characters, including the "wild woman" Tupaarnaq - recently released from prison - who becomes a touchy but fascinating ally to Matthew. I believe there's a sequel; might check it out...
Even more gruesome: that's not the first such slaying in the area. Some decades back, several local men were found similarly butchered - tortured, flayed, and gutted. And as Matthew delves into the past, a journal from a policeman at that time - one who disappeared shortly after the old murders - provides a view of that investigation. It seems that the widespread plague of child abuse in the community caused police attention to focus on a handful of men whom the officer was certain were abusing their own daughters, and as each of those men was found slaughtered, it became clear that some power behind the scenes was invested in quashing the investigation.
There's a lot of pain and darkness here, from Matthew's own personal loss to the cases of the abuse victims, and spreading to the nightmarish truth behind the crimes against the children. While I did feel at times that the author was reaching a bit to keep all the plot-threads intact, the setting and the long-standing social and political issues did explain how such things might happen.
There were some effective twists and turns along the course of the investigation, and some intriguing characters, including the "wild woman" Tupaarnaq - recently released from prison - who becomes a touchy but fascinating ally to Matthew. I believe there's a sequel; might check it out...
I'm sending this to BCer J4Shaw for the US/Canada wishlist-tag game. Enjoy!
*** Released for the 2021 Heads Shoulders Knees Toes challenge. ***
*** Released for the 2021 Heads Shoulders Knees Toes challenge. ***
This Norden suspense-thriller found its way onto my Wishlist a couple of years back when I was searching for interesting reads for the 666 An around the world reading challenge
Looking forward to reading it, thanks GoryDetails
My Review:
Read in March 2022
Really enjoyed this engrossing mystery thriller, although at times it is really rather dark.
Grisly murders and brutality appears to be somewhat of a trademark of the Scandi-Noir genre. That aside, I found the pace brilliant and the characters very well rounded.
A very enjoyable read.
Looking forward to reading it, thanks GoryDetails
My Review:
Read in March 2022
Really enjoyed this engrossing mystery thriller, although at times it is really rather dark.
Grisly murders and brutality appears to be somewhat of a trademark of the Scandi-Noir genre. That aside, I found the pace brilliant and the characters very well rounded.
A very enjoyable read.
Released in the Around the World Bookbox.
Selected from the Around the World Bookbox.
The Girl Without Skin is an edge-of-your seat type of Nordic Noir that keeps you guessing until the end. While quite gruesome at times, the story quickly evolves and mysteries from the past are linked to present-day crimes. Matthew Cave, an investigative reporter, while trying to get to the bottom of the story, finds he knows too much (yet he still doesn't have the pieces to the puzzle) and now his life is on the line.
Releasing in the Winter Bookring.
Got from the Winter Bookring, looking forward to read it!