I’m in Norway with the police investigating some strange crimes

Anne Holt is a Norwegian writer and her detective novels featuring Hanne Wilhelmsen are set in Oslo. I have read at least one of these in the past (see my review here) and so I picked this one up as it is in the same series – I note that I have yet another waiting to be read. Blessed are those who Thirst is an early book in the series with Hanne as a detective leading a small team. It was translated from Norwegian by Anne Bruce.

In this story the Oslo police are finding crime scenes covered in blood but with no body – strange numbers are daubed on the wall near the scenes in blood. There is also the rape of a young woman to investigate which appears to have no clues to the perpetrator. Hanne and her team cannot seem to find a way forward on any of these crimes. Meanwhile, the rape victim’s father is independently investigating the attack on his daughter and finding clues that have evaded the police, but his aim is not to prosecute but to kill and Hanne and her team have to act quickly to prevent the revenge.

This isn’t a very long book but it’s well constructed and fast paced. Hanne and her team are sympathetic characters but also well aware of how little they can often achieve. The father of the rape victim is an interesting person and the story examines why he might feel that he has to act and the problems that that would cause.

Because the book is set in Norway it reflects the Norwegian law enforcement and legal system in the plot. This appears to be different from the British way of doing things so you just have to go along with the action in the book – it didn’t impede my understanding of the story. The book also includes a description of Constitution Day which is an annual holiday in Norway, celebrating the country, which is interesting. This is an excellent crime novel which I enjoyed. I found the police characters, especially Hanne, sympathetic and liked the glimpse into Hanne’s personal and romantic life.

I’m not collecting this series (too many books, too few shelves) so, as it is in excellent condition, I shall pass it on to Oxfam to resell. Have any of my readers read books from this series or do you know of books by Norwegian authors that I should try ? Pop any recommendations in the comments.