Cursed by Thomas Enger

Translated by Kari Dickson

Hands up if you are like me a fanatic reader of crime Nordic Noir? I thought there would be many. But how many have come across the name of Thomas Enger? Ok I will admit I had not up to this point, but thanks to the amazing Karen Sullivan the owner Orenda Books we can now add a new name to the long list. Thomas Enger’s latest novel Cursed deserves to be added to the list of the very best in Nordic crime writing.

Cursed is an ambitious novel in that I found it was a bit of a slow burner like waiting for a firework to go off and then when it does it just knocks you off your feet, but then it does get quite explosive through this twisty thriller that packs so much into nearly 350 pages that I raced through and even abandoned sleep to get to the end, and what an ending.

This being the fourth novel for Henning Juul but do not be concerned if like me you have not read the previous three, this really does stand out as a standalone read and once you have read Cursed you may then want to explore the previous outings. Nora and Henning once lived a happy married couple but after the tragic death of their son their marriage was put under so much strain as any marriage would do. A personal tragedy and a couple trying to take their own steps forward in their lives.

Both Nora and Henning are journalists, neither are serving police officers, while Henning is still looking for answers to his son’s Nora is now investigating the disappearance of Hedda Hellberg after she failed to return home from a trip to Italy, now Hedda’s life is being looked into as she never reached Italy and something about her life has shocked her husband. Was Hedda living a double life.

Something about this novel when reading Cursed told me that despite both Nora and Henning investigating on two completely different levels, there was a feeling both were going to connect the dots at some point. What are Hedda’s wealthy family hiding from this inquiry. Secrets and lies. How many times have we heard that in a crime novel? This is a thrilling crime read that is so multi-layered that at times especially through the first chilling opening pages makes you wonder what really is going on, then it explodes in your hands. It is complex and that is why it really appealed to me. As chilling as a freezing Norwegian winter this will keep guessing as to what really is at the heart of this book. Both Nora and Henning will face real personal danger in their quest to get to the truth. With an ending that will make your jaw drop and is a breath-taking climax. Roll on book five. A powerful new Nordic crime writer.

Thank you to Karen Sullivan for the advanced review copy.

Cursed by Thomas Enger is published by Orenda Books and is available through Waterstones, Amazon and all good bookshops.