This is the fourth in a series of novels penned by this author
(the others being Burned, Pierced, Scarred, respectively) and features
recurring characters from the series, not least the two protagonists, Henning
Juul and his ex-wife Nora. Obviously, the concern with a series is whether one
can enjoy it as a newbie. I came to Cursed having not read any of Enger’s
previous work, and while there is backstory that I feel I would have benefitted
from, enough is explained in this novel when need-be for it not to have spoilt
my enjoyment.
Henning and Nora are both journalists. In Cursed, they both
end up working on the same story: the disappearance of Hedda Hellberg, a woman
from one of Sweden’s wealthiest families. Hedda booked a few weeks at an
Italian retreat but never arrived. What’s more, the retreat has no record of
her ever booking. The last that was seen of Hedda was when her husband dropped
her off at the airport. The husband asks Nora for help as she and Hedda were
college roommates. This Nora does, but the case soon becomes murky as it
appears that Hedda is somehow connected to the death of an old man gunned down
in the forest.
Henning, meanwhile, is pursuing those he believes are
responsible for the death of his son (he and Nora broke up after an arson
attack on their home which killed him) which leads him to immerse himself in
Sweden’s organised crime syndicates. His case leads him to Nora’s which prove
to be intertwined.
One of the strong points in this novel is Henning and Nora’s
relationship, both wracked with grief by the death of their son, an event which
understandably rent their relationship in two. They still care for each other
deeply, perhaps still love each other, but tragedy has left a chasm between
them.
The plot is handled adroitly, though the backstory of the
threats to Hennings life, the different organised crime figures he’s
investigated in previous books, people who were sent to prison, died, might
have had reason to target him resulting in the fatal arson attack on his home,
did get a little confusing at times.
That said, Cursed is a gripping novel with strong characters
and if anything, this complex backstory, rather than put me off, has had me
buying Enger’s previous volumes.
4 out of 5 stars.
No comments:
Post a Comment