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Kaldan og Schäfer #1
Ligblomsten
En skarp krimi om hævn, tilgivelse og retfærdighed.
Journalist Heloise Kaldan modtager en række kryptiske breve fra Anna Kiel, en kvinde, som på tredje år er eftersøgt for mordet på en ung advokat. Brevene kommer midt i en alvorlig krise på avisen: Heloise har stolet på en kilde i Erhvervs- og Vækstministeriet, som har fodret hende med falske dokumenter, og hun risikerer nu at miste sit job.
Sideløbende med Erik Schäfer fra København Politi begynder Heloise at grave i den gamle mordsag, da hun falder over endnu et mordoffer. Er Anna Kiel på spil igen, eller er der mere end én morder? Hvorfor leder alle spor i sagen pludselig til Heloise? Og er hendes eget liv i fare?
1. bog i spændende ny krimiserie skrevet af Anne Mette Hancock.
Journalist Heloise Kaldan modtager en række kryptiske breve fra Anna Kiel, en kvinde, som på tredje år er eftersøgt for mordet på en ung advokat. Brevene kommer midt i en alvorlig krise på avisen: Heloise har stolet på en kilde i Erhvervs- og Vækstministeriet, som har fodret hende med falske dokumenter, og hun risikerer nu at miste sit job.
Sideløbende med Erik Schäfer fra København Politi begynder Heloise at grave i den gamle mordsag, da hun falder over endnu et mordoffer. Er Anna Kiel på spil igen, eller er der mere end én morder? Hvorfor leder alle spor i sagen pludselig til Heloise? Og er hendes eget liv i fare?
1. bog i spændende ny krimiserie skrevet af Anne Mette Hancock.
308 pages, Paperback
First published April 1, 2017
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November 14, 2022
The Corpse Flower by Anne Mette Hancock (Author), Laura Jennings (Narrator)
When Danish journalist Heloise Kaldan starts getting letters from a woman named Anna Kiel, it feels like her life is going from bad to worse. She's already in trouble for using a questionable source for an exposé she wrote and now she is getting cryptic, disturbing messages from a woman who slashed a wealthy businessman's throat, three years ago. After Anna Kiel committed the crime she stood in front of a security camera, in all her bloody glory, so that there is no doubt who killed the man. But she also disappeared and hasn't surfaced until now.
Homicide detective Erik Scháfer investigated the case back then, and now the lead reporter for the case, when it occurred, has been found dead. It seems Kaldan might be able to help him solve the case but some clues point towards her having a connection to Anna Kiel that could lead to Kaldan being a suspect in the investigation. Kaldan has trust issues both because of the current trouble she is in due to trusting a questionable source and because of something dark and evil, in her past.
The story has it's clever and funny moments despite it's extremely dark and upsetting subject matter. I enjoyed the narration of the audiobook and look forward to more collaboration from the main characters of Kaldan and Scháfer. This is not an easy story to read as we see the depths of depravity of man. How can what is in the past, stay in the past, when the victim/s can never forget what was done to them?
TW: child abuse
Pub Oct 12, 2021
When Danish journalist Heloise Kaldan starts getting letters from a woman named Anna Kiel, it feels like her life is going from bad to worse. She's already in trouble for using a questionable source for an exposé she wrote and now she is getting cryptic, disturbing messages from a woman who slashed a wealthy businessman's throat, three years ago. After Anna Kiel committed the crime she stood in front of a security camera, in all her bloody glory, so that there is no doubt who killed the man. But she also disappeared and hasn't surfaced until now.
Homicide detective Erik Scháfer investigated the case back then, and now the lead reporter for the case, when it occurred, has been found dead. It seems Kaldan might be able to help him solve the case but some clues point towards her having a connection to Anna Kiel that could lead to Kaldan being a suspect in the investigation. Kaldan has trust issues both because of the current trouble she is in due to trusting a questionable source and because of something dark and evil, in her past.
The story has it's clever and funny moments despite it's extremely dark and upsetting subject matter. I enjoyed the narration of the audiobook and look forward to more collaboration from the main characters of Kaldan and Scháfer. This is not an easy story to read as we see the depths of depravity of man. How can what is in the past, stay in the past, when the victim/s can never forget what was done to them?
TW: child abuse
Pub Oct 12, 2021
February 19, 2023
Hmm well, okay, I think I’m standing in front of my Switzerland border : a book I didn’t adore but also I didn’t dislike so I’m staying in the middle territory : this is okay but not so soul crushing, mind spinning read I was expecting!
I loved Swedish thrillers a lot. I think this book has true promising, complex, rich storyline with eccentric characterization but it might have been lost its true essence during translation because I found the writing style a little flat.
I wish I knew the original language so I can write this review from another perspective, more objectively. Even though this is three starred read for me, I know there’s more potential of this book that I didn’t discover because of language barrier.
Let’s take a look at the story line: the rainy, dark, claustrophobic atmosphere of early September in Copenhagen reminds you of “Se7en “, the rain doesn’t stop for weeks and a killer is out there to hunt down his/ her preys.
Heloise Kaldan, a successful, 36 years old journalist can lose her job because one of her sources was caught lying. And in the meantime she finds herself in more complicated situation. An alleged killer starts sending her cryptic letters.
We’re also introduced to the officer Erik Schafer who investigates a lawyer’s fatal stabbing which happened three years ago and the prime suspect Anna Kiel has been fled when she’s been covered in blood. The investigators couldn’t find any trace of her and they also couldn’t find any motive to connect her with the murder.
Now a reporter who wrote about the case is found death at her apartment. This may bring two different options out: Anna Kiel is back to finish what she’s started or there is another killer on the run. But interestingly every clue points at Heloise Kaldan.
The letters Heloise are getting can indicate a connection between Heloise and Anna which push Heloise to write a story about her. But this intention forced her to face the dark parts of her past and reconnecting with someone she never want to see again!
As you may see it’s still promising reading! And I’d like to read more works of the author but I think I crashed into language barrier so hard and it turned into a bumpy reading journey for me.
Special thanks to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for sharing this digital reviewer copy with me in exchange my honest opinions.
I loved Swedish thrillers a lot. I think this book has true promising, complex, rich storyline with eccentric characterization but it might have been lost its true essence during translation because I found the writing style a little flat.
I wish I knew the original language so I can write this review from another perspective, more objectively. Even though this is three starred read for me, I know there’s more potential of this book that I didn’t discover because of language barrier.
Let’s take a look at the story line: the rainy, dark, claustrophobic atmosphere of early September in Copenhagen reminds you of “Se7en “, the rain doesn’t stop for weeks and a killer is out there to hunt down his/ her preys.
Heloise Kaldan, a successful, 36 years old journalist can lose her job because one of her sources was caught lying. And in the meantime she finds herself in more complicated situation. An alleged killer starts sending her cryptic letters.
We’re also introduced to the officer Erik Schafer who investigates a lawyer’s fatal stabbing which happened three years ago and the prime suspect Anna Kiel has been fled when she’s been covered in blood. The investigators couldn’t find any trace of her and they also couldn’t find any motive to connect her with the murder.
Now a reporter who wrote about the case is found death at her apartment. This may bring two different options out: Anna Kiel is back to finish what she’s started or there is another killer on the run. But interestingly every clue points at Heloise Kaldan.
The letters Heloise are getting can indicate a connection between Heloise and Anna which push Heloise to write a story about her. But this intention forced her to face the dark parts of her past and reconnecting with someone she never want to see again!
As you may see it’s still promising reading! And I’d like to read more works of the author but I think I crashed into language barrier so hard and it turned into a bumpy reading journey for me.
Special thanks to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for sharing this digital reviewer copy with me in exchange my honest opinions.
September 11, 2021
I love mysteries that take me to different locations. And I’m also a sucker for Scandinavian noir mysteries. The synopsis for this book compares it to The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. It’s an apt comparison in that it’s a very dark subject matter and parts of the book could upset a reader.
Anna Kiel was caught on camera outside the house of a murdered lawyer, Christopher Mossing, covered in blood. Now she’s sending cryptic messages to Heloise Kaldan, a reporter with a Copenhagen newspaper.
The story moves at a brisk pace, with short chapters from multiple PoVs. There are lots of characters but I had no trouble keeping track of them all. There’s also lots going on here with not much down time. And the pace picks up as the book goes along. The ending was perfect, especially for those who enjoy strong women protagonists.
I found Heloise an engaging character. Smart, but unable to connect with anyone but her best friend. As the book goes on, we learn the reason for her lack of trust. Eric Schafer, the detective in charge of the cold case, is another interesting soul. He’s got quite an attitude, one that I totally appreciated.
I loved the writing. “She pressed a pillow over her ear and waited until the roiling surf in her inner sea slowly but surely started to subside.” And the humor! This is my kind of dry, snarky humor.
The translation has a few glitches, but not anything major.
My thanks to Netgalley and Crooked Lane Books for an advance copy of this book.
Anna Kiel was caught on camera outside the house of a murdered lawyer, Christopher Mossing, covered in blood. Now she’s sending cryptic messages to Heloise Kaldan, a reporter with a Copenhagen newspaper.
The story moves at a brisk pace, with short chapters from multiple PoVs. There are lots of characters but I had no trouble keeping track of them all. There’s also lots going on here with not much down time. And the pace picks up as the book goes along. The ending was perfect, especially for those who enjoy strong women protagonists.
I found Heloise an engaging character. Smart, but unable to connect with anyone but her best friend. As the book goes on, we learn the reason for her lack of trust. Eric Schafer, the detective in charge of the cold case, is another interesting soul. He’s got quite an attitude, one that I totally appreciated.
I loved the writing. “She pressed a pillow over her ear and waited until the roiling surf in her inner sea slowly but surely started to subside.” And the humor! This is my kind of dry, snarky humor.
The translation has a few glitches, but not anything major.
My thanks to Netgalley and Crooked Lane Books for an advance copy of this book.
October 26, 2021
Anna Kriel is in Paris but why does she flee when a tourist with a camera spots her? The tourist is Danish and she takes her picture to Detective Erik Schäfer on her return home because Anna is wanted for the murder of lawyer Christoffer Mossing. Meanwhile, Heloise Kaldan a journalist for Demokratisk Dagblad is sent a series of cryptic letters from Anna in which she talks in riddles and amongst others things she says they are connected. What the investigation reveals is something as rotten as the Corpse Flower (Amorphophallus Titanium) which when flowering emits a foul stench.
This is a debut of great promise and a duo I definitely want to read more about. Heloise is as fascinating as her name, she seems straightforward but actually she complex and therefore intriguing. Schäfer is also interesting, unafraid, loyal and intelligent and I really like the banter between the two of them which works so well. There is plenty of humour interjected throughout though on a few occasions it feels a bit of a place. A journalist/detective combination as central protagonists allows for a lot more plot potential than a detective duo as the journalist has more ‘latitude’! Initially, the storytelling is a bit convoluted, there’s a lot going on in multiple storylines but once it gets going and the complex threads begin connecting, the plot thickens and it becomes hard to put down. The deeper you go into the well paced novel the darker and more sinister it gets. It reveals a heartbreaking, grim wickedness which is very shocking and it makes sense of so much that happens in the earlier part of the book. It also allows greater understanding of Heloise as she has buried part of her past in the interests of self preservation.
Overall, I really enjoy this one and I look forward to reading the follow up books and hopefully it’s not too long before they are available to us.
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Swift Press for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.
This is a debut of great promise and a duo I definitely want to read more about. Heloise is as fascinating as her name, she seems straightforward but actually she complex and therefore intriguing. Schäfer is also interesting, unafraid, loyal and intelligent and I really like the banter between the two of them which works so well. There is plenty of humour interjected throughout though on a few occasions it feels a bit of a place. A journalist/detective combination as central protagonists allows for a lot more plot potential than a detective duo as the journalist has more ‘latitude’! Initially, the storytelling is a bit convoluted, there’s a lot going on in multiple storylines but once it gets going and the complex threads begin connecting, the plot thickens and it becomes hard to put down. The deeper you go into the well paced novel the darker and more sinister it gets. It reveals a heartbreaking, grim wickedness which is very shocking and it makes sense of so much that happens in the earlier part of the book. It also allows greater understanding of Heloise as she has buried part of her past in the interests of self preservation.
Overall, I really enjoy this one and I look forward to reading the follow up books and hopefully it’s not too long before they are available to us.
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Swift Press for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.
September 30, 2021
I don’t like the title of this. I don’t think it does the book any favours. It makes it sound creepy which it isn’t. Corpse flower is simply the common name of Amorphophallus titanium - a giant flower that is native to Sumatra and is so called as it has the distinction of smelling of rotting flesh when it flowers, which it does very rarely.
The story itself, set mainly in Copenhagen, was totally awesome and I absolutely loved it. This was a very convoluted murder mystery or police procedural. I had no hope if solving it but the clues were tantalising. The story, when it was finally revealed, was as dark and bleak as you could hope for. It was totally immersive and I was glued to the pages until I finished.
Heloise Kaldan is a journalist with the Demokratisk Dagblad paper. She starts getting cryptic letters from a woman alleging to be Anna Kiel. But Anna Kiel is wanted in connection with the brutal murder of Christoffer Mossing - a lawyer in his mid 30s about 5 years ago. She has fled Denmark and the letters are postmarked in France. Heloise is naturally keen to investigate but it is a dangerous endeavour as anyone who gets close to his story ends up either dead or close to it. Heloise is mystified why Anna is writing to her and how she knows so much about her. The truth behind that is a painful reminder of things Heloise had tried hard to forget.
Heloise is lured to Paris and learns the awful truth and is gifted the means to bring down some very powerful, very evil men. I don’t want to say any more. The lead police officers Erik Schäfer and Lisa Augustin are clever and totally dedicated to solving this rat’s nest of crimes. It was complex. It was plausible. The characters were spot on and very well defined. The pace was cracking and I needed to finish this today. I think this was the author’s debut work. It looks like there are 2 more instalments but they have not yet been translated. I can hardly wait! Many thanks to Netgalley and Crooked Lane Books for the much appreciated arc which I reviewed voluntarily and honestly.
The story itself, set mainly in Copenhagen, was totally awesome and I absolutely loved it. This was a very convoluted murder mystery or police procedural. I had no hope if solving it but the clues were tantalising. The story, when it was finally revealed, was as dark and bleak as you could hope for. It was totally immersive and I was glued to the pages until I finished.
Heloise Kaldan is a journalist with the Demokratisk Dagblad paper. She starts getting cryptic letters from a woman alleging to be Anna Kiel. But Anna Kiel is wanted in connection with the brutal murder of Christoffer Mossing - a lawyer in his mid 30s about 5 years ago. She has fled Denmark and the letters are postmarked in France. Heloise is naturally keen to investigate but it is a dangerous endeavour as anyone who gets close to his story ends up either dead or close to it. Heloise is mystified why Anna is writing to her and how she knows so much about her. The truth behind that is a painful reminder of things Heloise had tried hard to forget.
Heloise is lured to Paris and learns the awful truth and is gifted the means to bring down some very powerful, very evil men. I don’t want to say any more. The lead police officers Erik Schäfer and Lisa Augustin are clever and totally dedicated to solving this rat’s nest of crimes. It was complex. It was plausible. The characters were spot on and very well defined. The pace was cracking and I needed to finish this today. I think this was the author’s debut work. It looks like there are 2 more instalments but they have not yet been translated. I can hardly wait! Many thanks to Netgalley and Crooked Lane Books for the much appreciated arc which I reviewed voluntarily and honestly.
September 28, 2021
4,5 Sterne, aufgerundet auf 5
Ein toller Serienstart! Ich denke, diese Reihe werde ich weiterverfolgen, denn der Auftakt war sehr spannend.
Es geht um die Journalistin Heloise, die von einer seit Jahren gesuchten Mörderin seltsame Briefe zugeschickt bekommt. Dabei weiß besagte Mörderin persönliche Dinge über Heloise, die ihr eigentlich nicht bekannt sein dürften… Heloise beginnt nachzuforschen…
Ich fand die ganze Story sehr spannend und rätselhaft, und das mag ich immer sehr gerne. Ich möchte mir Gedanken machen und rätseln können, was wohl passiert sein könnte. Auf diese Auflösung und Verbindung zwischen Heloise und der unbekannten Täterin wäre ich nicht gekommen. Es ist auch definitiv nichts für schwache Nerven, denn das Thema geht schon sehr unter die Haut…
Auf jeden Fall aber hat mich die Geschichte gefesselt; ich fand keine Seite langweilig. So werde ich sicherlich auch Band 2 der Reihe bald lesen!
Ein toller Serienstart! Ich denke, diese Reihe werde ich weiterverfolgen, denn der Auftakt war sehr spannend.
Es geht um die Journalistin Heloise, die von einer seit Jahren gesuchten Mörderin seltsame Briefe zugeschickt bekommt. Dabei weiß besagte Mörderin persönliche Dinge über Heloise, die ihr eigentlich nicht bekannt sein dürften… Heloise beginnt nachzuforschen…
Ich fand die ganze Story sehr spannend und rätselhaft, und das mag ich immer sehr gerne. Ich möchte mir Gedanken machen und rätseln können, was wohl passiert sein könnte. Auf diese Auflösung und Verbindung zwischen Heloise und der unbekannten Täterin wäre ich nicht gekommen. Es ist auch definitiv nichts für schwache Nerven, denn das Thema geht schon sehr unter die Haut…
Auf jeden Fall aber hat mich die Geschichte gefesselt; ich fand keine Seite langweilig. So werde ich sicherlich auch Band 2 der Reihe bald lesen!
January 11, 2022
This is being compared to The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo and there are many similarities. A journalist, Heloise, who gets involved in a story about a wealthy man, a ringleader who it is believed has done or compelled many illegal activities, though proof is elusive. A young murderer, a woman who is being hunted by the authorities and who will eventually tell her story to the reporter. Both books contain the sexual abuse of children, but in this book, as in most Nordic novels, the writing is stark, spare not as cluttered as in Dragon tattoo. The pace is quicker and the main character, Heloise, has an interesting back story that comes to play. So though the similiarities are there, this is still its own story and it's a good one.
I actually got to see the corpse flower at the Botanic Gardens, though I viewed it as it was opening on my computer. So, saw the flower without encountering the horrible death smell.
I actually got to see the corpse flower at the Botanic Gardens, though I viewed it as it was opening on my computer. So, saw the flower without encountering the horrible death smell.
September 26, 2021
Danish journalist Heloise Kaldan has been receiving cryptic letters from a woman wanted for murder and she doesn’t know why. The suspect, Anna Kiel, was last seen on CCTV three years ago outside the dead man’s door covered in his blood, before she disappeared. So far the Danish police have not been able to find her or discover her motive for killing lawyer Christoffer Mossing, the son of a powerful real estate tycoon. Anna’s letters to Heloise suggest they have a close connection, but at first Heloise has no idea what she is hinting at. It takes some sleuthing and other events before the penny drops for Heloise, pointing back to an earlier dark and heinous crime.
This slow burning Scandi noir thriller takes a little time to get going, but this is time well spent getting to know the well written characters. The narrative is mostly seen from Heloise’s point of view but also from that of DS Erik Schaefer, head of the murder investigation, and occasionally from Anna herself. As Heloise investigates the murder case, the pace picks up, setting up a suspenseful climax where Anna’s motives and need to connect with Heloise will all become clear.
The Corpse Flower is Anne Mette Hancock’s debut novel, the first of a series of three featuring Heloise Kaldan and DS Schäfer and the first to be translated into English so far. It’s an impressive debut and I hope it won’t be too long before the next two books in the series are available in English.
With many thanks to Crooked Lane Books and Netgalley for a copy to read
This slow burning Scandi noir thriller takes a little time to get going, but this is time well spent getting to know the well written characters. The narrative is mostly seen from Heloise’s point of view but also from that of DS Erik Schaefer, head of the murder investigation, and occasionally from Anna herself. As Heloise investigates the murder case, the pace picks up, setting up a suspenseful climax where Anna’s motives and need to connect with Heloise will all become clear.
The Corpse Flower is Anne Mette Hancock’s debut novel, the first of a series of three featuring Heloise Kaldan and DS Schäfer and the first to be translated into English so far. It’s an impressive debut and I hope it won’t be too long before the next two books in the series are available in English.
With many thanks to Crooked Lane Books and Netgalley for a copy to read
August 20, 2021
First and foremost, a large thank you to NetGalley, Anne Mette Hancock and Crooked Lane Books for providing me with a copy of this publication, which allows me to provide you with an unbiased review.
Having never read anything by Danish author Anne Mette Hancock, I leapt at the chance to get my hands on this, her first book published in English. The title alone pulled me in, though once I got into the story, I found other facets that kept me intrigued until the final page. After a Danish journalist is close to losing her job, she finds herself in an awkward position. Soon thereafter, Heloise Kaldan begins receiving cryptic letters from a woman who claims to be a sought-after suspect in the slaying of a high-profile lawyer. What follows is a chance for Kaldan to piece the crime together and try learning what the elusive Anna Kiel might want with her. By the end, the chilling truth is revealed. A great debut novel and one that had me pining for more of Hancock’s work!
The autumn rains may be refreshing for the people of Copenhagen, but journalist Heloise Kaldan is too busy worrying about her future. One of her sources has be revealed to be fabricating all they offered up, making Kaldan’s reporting look not only flimsy, but completely unreliable. It’s an issue, as reporting is what Kaldan does best and it is about to be taken away from her.
While she wallows in her own self-pity, a mysterious letter arrives for Kaldan, one that she cannot fully understand. The sender, Anna Kiel, does not try to conceal herself, but rather greets the harried reporter with open arms. Kiel has been on the lam for three years, a key suspect in the murder of a lawyer back in Denmark. Hiding somewhere in France, Kiel tries reaching out to Kaldan and expresses that she is not the evil person many have made her out to be.
With little to lose and curiosity fuelling her desire for the truth, Kaldan begins poking around the murder case and tries to decipher what might have happened. Along the way, using the cryptic letters sent to her, Kaldan learns that there is more to the story than meets the eye. Throughout the sleuthing ordeal Kaldan is sidetracked when someone in whom she confides is brutally murdered. Might Kiel be sending a message not to get too close?
It is only after Heloise Kaldan travels to see her father that all the pieces come together and the truth about Anna Kiel can be discovered. The story gets highly personal and past truths about the Kaldan family come to light. While there is chaos around her, Kaldan seeks the truth and to pacify things once and for all, as if knowing it will serve as a... lullaby. A brilliant thriller that will have the reader on the edge of their seat by the end.
I quite enjoy Scandinavian thrillers and this was no exception. Anne Mette Hancock has a way of pulling the reader into the middle of the story and leaving them to piece things together. It’s a wonderful journey, filled with many tangents and learning moments. With a deeper theme running through the story, there are a number of impactful moments the reader is forced to digest, as awkward as they may be.
While it took a while for me to connect with Heloise Kaldan, I am pleased that I did. She is both a straightforward and complicated character, one that the reader will enjoy getting to know throughout the novel. Her passion for reporting comes to light, as does her thirst for the truth. However, it all comes crashing down when she discovers a family secret that her father kept, something that will surely shape Kaldan as the series progresses. I am eager to see how Hancock uses these truths to shape the protagonist moving forward.
There are a number of strong secondary characters, many of whom help prop up the story in needed ways. The police element serves to inject some needed crime solving, though Kaldan does well to uncover things on her own. There are those in the upper echelon of Danish society who offer their own truths, as well as some of those who inhabit the lower rungs of the society ladder. All are needed to provide the full picture of this complicated story. Hancock does well to bind them together in this piece, providing the reader with something well worth their time.
While I have a long history with Scandinavian crime thrillers, I would not call myself an expert. I can say that they tend to take some time to process, which could be related to the translation from their mother tongue into English. I did struggle with connecting to the narrative for the first portion of the story, feeling that it was all over the place and did not pull me in as I would have liked. However, once I got a feel for Anne Mette Hancock’s style and way of conveying things, I was intrigued. The narrative moved along well after a bumpy start and the chapters began to gather momentum, revealing truths and leaving the reader wanting more. By the end, there was that needed plot twist that turned the entire experience on its head and had me needed more information. While this is the only book published in English, I see there are a few more in the series. I hope this is rectified soon, as I am intrigued to see where Heloise Kaldan finds herself in the coming years and how this family secret might shape her future reporting.
Kudos, Madam Hancock, for a stellar debut. I cannot wait to get my hands on more of your work, just as soon as they are translated into English.
Be sure to check for my review, first posted on Mystery and Suspense, as well as a number of other insightful comments by others.
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Having never read anything by Danish author Anne Mette Hancock, I leapt at the chance to get my hands on this, her first book published in English. The title alone pulled me in, though once I got into the story, I found other facets that kept me intrigued until the final page. After a Danish journalist is close to losing her job, she finds herself in an awkward position. Soon thereafter, Heloise Kaldan begins receiving cryptic letters from a woman who claims to be a sought-after suspect in the slaying of a high-profile lawyer. What follows is a chance for Kaldan to piece the crime together and try learning what the elusive Anna Kiel might want with her. By the end, the chilling truth is revealed. A great debut novel and one that had me pining for more of Hancock’s work!
The autumn rains may be refreshing for the people of Copenhagen, but journalist Heloise Kaldan is too busy worrying about her future. One of her sources has be revealed to be fabricating all they offered up, making Kaldan’s reporting look not only flimsy, but completely unreliable. It’s an issue, as reporting is what Kaldan does best and it is about to be taken away from her.
While she wallows in her own self-pity, a mysterious letter arrives for Kaldan, one that she cannot fully understand. The sender, Anna Kiel, does not try to conceal herself, but rather greets the harried reporter with open arms. Kiel has been on the lam for three years, a key suspect in the murder of a lawyer back in Denmark. Hiding somewhere in France, Kiel tries reaching out to Kaldan and expresses that she is not the evil person many have made her out to be.
With little to lose and curiosity fuelling her desire for the truth, Kaldan begins poking around the murder case and tries to decipher what might have happened. Along the way, using the cryptic letters sent to her, Kaldan learns that there is more to the story than meets the eye. Throughout the sleuthing ordeal Kaldan is sidetracked when someone in whom she confides is brutally murdered. Might Kiel be sending a message not to get too close?
It is only after Heloise Kaldan travels to see her father that all the pieces come together and the truth about Anna Kiel can be discovered. The story gets highly personal and past truths about the Kaldan family come to light. While there is chaos around her, Kaldan seeks the truth and to pacify things once and for all, as if knowing it will serve as a... lullaby. A brilliant thriller that will have the reader on the edge of their seat by the end.
I quite enjoy Scandinavian thrillers and this was no exception. Anne Mette Hancock has a way of pulling the reader into the middle of the story and leaving them to piece things together. It’s a wonderful journey, filled with many tangents and learning moments. With a deeper theme running through the story, there are a number of impactful moments the reader is forced to digest, as awkward as they may be.
While it took a while for me to connect with Heloise Kaldan, I am pleased that I did. She is both a straightforward and complicated character, one that the reader will enjoy getting to know throughout the novel. Her passion for reporting comes to light, as does her thirst for the truth. However, it all comes crashing down when she discovers a family secret that her father kept, something that will surely shape Kaldan as the series progresses. I am eager to see how Hancock uses these truths to shape the protagonist moving forward.
There are a number of strong secondary characters, many of whom help prop up the story in needed ways. The police element serves to inject some needed crime solving, though Kaldan does well to uncover things on her own. There are those in the upper echelon of Danish society who offer their own truths, as well as some of those who inhabit the lower rungs of the society ladder. All are needed to provide the full picture of this complicated story. Hancock does well to bind them together in this piece, providing the reader with something well worth their time.
While I have a long history with Scandinavian crime thrillers, I would not call myself an expert. I can say that they tend to take some time to process, which could be related to the translation from their mother tongue into English. I did struggle with connecting to the narrative for the first portion of the story, feeling that it was all over the place and did not pull me in as I would have liked. However, once I got a feel for Anne Mette Hancock’s style and way of conveying things, I was intrigued. The narrative moved along well after a bumpy start and the chapters began to gather momentum, revealing truths and leaving the reader wanting more. By the end, there was that needed plot twist that turned the entire experience on its head and had me needed more information. While this is the only book published in English, I see there are a few more in the series. I hope this is rectified soon, as I am intrigued to see where Heloise Kaldan finds herself in the coming years and how this family secret might shape her future reporting.
Kudos, Madam Hancock, for a stellar debut. I cannot wait to get my hands on more of your work, just as soon as they are translated into English.
Be sure to check for my review, first posted on Mystery and Suspense, as well as a number of other insightful comments by others.
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August 19, 2022
A promising premise that only partially lives up to its hype as the Danish version of "insert your favorite American mystery series here." I enjoyed, in no particular order, the anti-reconciling-family subplot, the ambiguous villain, and being able to follow a journalist, a welcome respite from all the police procedurals.
However, I found the plot thin, and ended up power-reading through the second half of the novel to see how the pieces fit. This is, in part, due to the mystery flipping from intentionally confounding to readily apparent in a very short period of time. With mystery novels, I want the clues to slowly emerge: motives competing with hard facts, timelines sketched and then disrupted, sketchy suspects pinned down before they wriggle away (even if, of course, this is rarely how a murder investigation plays out--in fact, we need this in mystery because we rarely get it otherwise).
This interpretation of the novel could easily be my own thickness, as well, and not picking up on foreshadowing early in the novel. But, hey, I can only comment on my own reading experience!
However, I found the plot thin, and ended up power-reading through the second half of the novel to see how the pieces fit. This is, in part, due to the mystery flipping from intentionally confounding to readily apparent in a very short period of time. With mystery novels, I want the clues to slowly emerge: motives competing with hard facts, timelines sketched and then disrupted, sketchy suspects pinned down before they wriggle away (even if, of course, this is rarely how a murder investigation plays out--in fact, we need this in mystery because we rarely get it otherwise).
This interpretation of the novel could easily be my own thickness, as well, and not picking up on foreshadowing early in the novel. But, hey, I can only comment on my own reading experience!
July 23, 2024
Me ha tenido de lo más entretenida. Es un thriller nórdico diferente de lo que solemos esperar de este género. El ritmo es ágil, los personajes bastante normales y el argumento genera una intriga que va a más y no decae.
La trama tiene su punto original. Está bien desarrollada, sin fisuras y con los giros bien colocados. Los dos protagonistas quedan bien perfilados para el género que es.
El final correcto. Es la primera de una serie y, aunque cierra lo fundamental, deja algún cabo suelto para la siguiente. La leeré seguro. Recomendable.
La trama tiene su punto original. Está bien desarrollada, sin fisuras y con los giros bien colocados. Los dos protagonistas quedan bien perfilados para el género que es.
El final correcto. Es la primera de una serie y, aunque cierra lo fundamental, deja algún cabo suelto para la siguiente. La leeré seguro. Recomendable.
March 22, 2023
UPDATED RE-READ REVIEW 3/21/23: Before I read book 2 in this series I decided to do a reread of The Corpse Flower just in case there would be things I had forgotten that I needed to know, and I ended up loving it even more the second time around! This time I listened to the audiobook which is narrated by Laura Jennings and that was the way to go. Even though it was a quick and engrossing read the first time, on audio it was even better and Jennings's narration completely sucked me in. So much so that I ended up listening to it all in one sitting. This is a traumatic read to some extent so I highly recommend checking out triggers prior to going into it, but if you like dark and mysterious, it is a must-read for Nordic Noir fans.
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I have quickly learned that I am a huge fan of Nordic noir, and I found another author to love when I read The Corpse Flower by Anne Mette Hancock. I loved Heloise's viewpoint as well as the other character switches, and the mystery regarding Anna Kiel was absolutely captivating. I really like to listen to audiobooks, but I didn't want to wait to read this and I am really glad I didn't because I loved it! The pacing was on point, and once I got a little ways into it, I didn't want to put it down. I read this as a buddy read with a friend which is why it took me a bit to finish at first (we started this and other books at the same time), but I quickly decided I had to finish it ASAP so I could know what was going to happen. Once I actually sat down and really got into it, I was done in a matter of a couple of days. I am really impressed that this is a debut, and I REALLY hope the rest of the series gets published in English very soon because I am going to have a hard time waiting for the next book. It doesn't end on a cliffhanger though, so I am really interested to see where Hancock takes Heloise and Anna's characters from here.
There is a nice revenge aspect to the story, and that is something I always love to see in a plot for some reason. There is just something about a woman getting revenge that I can really get behind, and while I did see part of the story coming, there were other things that shocked and surprised me. The Corpse Flower even managed to bring tears to my eyes a couple of times, and I was just heartbroken over Anna's story. I had no idea that there is an actual corpse flower, so that was something new that I learned, and it was very fitting to the story. Besides Heloise's journalist viewpoint, the book is also heavy on the police procedural aspect as well, so I would recommend reading if you are a fan of them. I love getting this peek into what police do and I am a huge fan of police procedurals, so I loved everything about those parts. This does get pretty dark and I wasn't expecting it so best to prepare yourself for that. Crime fiction/Nordic noir/police procedural lovers will definitely need to get their hands on The Corpse Flower.
I received a complimentary digital copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
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I have quickly learned that I am a huge fan of Nordic noir, and I found another author to love when I read The Corpse Flower by Anne Mette Hancock. I loved Heloise's viewpoint as well as the other character switches, and the mystery regarding Anna Kiel was absolutely captivating. I really like to listen to audiobooks, but I didn't want to wait to read this and I am really glad I didn't because I loved it! The pacing was on point, and once I got a little ways into it, I didn't want to put it down. I read this as a buddy read with a friend which is why it took me a bit to finish at first (we started this and other books at the same time), but I quickly decided I had to finish it ASAP so I could know what was going to happen. Once I actually sat down and really got into it, I was done in a matter of a couple of days. I am really impressed that this is a debut, and I REALLY hope the rest of the series gets published in English very soon because I am going to have a hard time waiting for the next book. It doesn't end on a cliffhanger though, so I am really interested to see where Hancock takes Heloise and Anna's characters from here.
There is a nice revenge aspect to the story, and that is something I always love to see in a plot for some reason. There is just something about a woman getting revenge that I can really get behind, and while I did see part of the story coming, there were other things that shocked and surprised me. The Corpse Flower even managed to bring tears to my eyes a couple of times, and I was just heartbroken over Anna's story. I had no idea that there is an actual corpse flower, so that was something new that I learned, and it was very fitting to the story. Besides Heloise's journalist viewpoint, the book is also heavy on the police procedural aspect as well, so I would recommend reading if you are a fan of them. I love getting this peek into what police do and I am a huge fan of police procedurals, so I loved everything about those parts. This does get pretty dark and I wasn't expecting it so best to prepare yourself for that. Crime fiction/Nordic noir/police procedural lovers will definitely need to get their hands on The Corpse Flower.
I received a complimentary digital copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
October 13, 2021
I listened to the audiobook of The Corpse Flower by Anne Mette Hancock and was surprised at how much I ended up liking it. It was well written and fast paced. I felt that it was quite impressive for a debut novel. The audiobook was well narrated by Laura Jennings. She was easily able to transition from one character to the next.
Heloise Kaldon, the female protagonist in The Corpse Flower, was an investigative reporter for a well known Danish newspaper. She had recently been the recipient of bad publicity for an article she had written. Her source had fed her incorrect information. Heloise trusted her source so she did not bother to confirm the information that was given to her. Now, Heloise faced the consequences of possibly loosing her job and of feeling guilty for dragging her newspaper’s reputation down as well. At the insistence of her bosses at the newspaper, Heloise was asked to take some time off until this all blew over. Before leaving the newspaper office, Heloise found a cryptic letter addressed to her. It had been written by Anna Kiel, a woman that had been accused of murdering Christoffer Mossing, a young and prominent attorney. Anna Kiel just disappeared after the murder. She had evaded the police for many years. Why was she writing to Heloise? Had Anna Kiel surfaced and if so why now? Although, Christoffer Mossing’s murder occurred several years ago, the case against Anna Kiel had never been closed. Detective Erik Schafer was in charge of it and still was. Can the detective and Heloise find Anna and finally close the case?
I enjoyed listening to the audiobook of The Corpse Flower by Anne Mette Hancock and look forward to reading more books by her. There were twists and turns and parts where I literally held my breath. The ending was perfect and quite riveting. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good suspense novel.
Thank you to Dreamscape Media for allowing me to listen to this advanced copy of this audiobook through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Heloise Kaldon, the female protagonist in The Corpse Flower, was an investigative reporter for a well known Danish newspaper. She had recently been the recipient of bad publicity for an article she had written. Her source had fed her incorrect information. Heloise trusted her source so she did not bother to confirm the information that was given to her. Now, Heloise faced the consequences of possibly loosing her job and of feeling guilty for dragging her newspaper’s reputation down as well. At the insistence of her bosses at the newspaper, Heloise was asked to take some time off until this all blew over. Before leaving the newspaper office, Heloise found a cryptic letter addressed to her. It had been written by Anna Kiel, a woman that had been accused of murdering Christoffer Mossing, a young and prominent attorney. Anna Kiel just disappeared after the murder. She had evaded the police for many years. Why was she writing to Heloise? Had Anna Kiel surfaced and if so why now? Although, Christoffer Mossing’s murder occurred several years ago, the case against Anna Kiel had never been closed. Detective Erik Schafer was in charge of it and still was. Can the detective and Heloise find Anna and finally close the case?
I enjoyed listening to the audiobook of The Corpse Flower by Anne Mette Hancock and look forward to reading more books by her. There were twists and turns and parts where I literally held my breath. The ending was perfect and quite riveting. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good suspense novel.
Thank you to Dreamscape Media for allowing me to listen to this advanced copy of this audiobook through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
November 8, 2021
This is my second or third Nordic Noir read, and I generally enjoy them. This one, while I still think is worth the read, is only one good twist away from mediocre. It should also most definitely come with a strong trigger warning regarding crimes against children.
I must say that the translation into English was very good. Sometimes there are glaring discrepancies with translated works, but I did not find many in this one. Danish journalist, Heloise, has been receiving strange letters from Anna, a young woman on the run, who is accused of brutally murdering a prestigious lawyer several years prior. The detective on the case, Erik Schafer, has no idea where she may be and no idea as to her motive for the murder either. The trail goes cold until Heloise contacts him with the letters and coincidentally, the first journalist who reported on the case is found murdered. You know there is a connection between Anna and Heloise but putting the pieces together is a murky web of twists and turns, many of which I did not expect in the least.
The book is told from three POVs: Heloise, Anna, and Detective Erik Schafer. I was intrigued by all three characters - especially Heloise. She had perseverance, which I liked, although she also made a lot of very stupid, eye-rolling decisions. The plot though takes a dark turn in the final third of the book that is extremely unexpected and quite disconcerting honestly. I will say that I was off base with most of my hunches, for which I give Hancock props, but getting there was slow going, and I'm still unsure how I feel as to the "shock factor" of the turn. I have read other reviews that loved the ending, but I wasn't wowed by it. Not awful by any means, but not shocking either.
Overall, a solid, middle-of-the-pack, 3-star read. The most interesting thing about it is the back story of the corpse flower. I can't believe people really go out of their way to find a flower that is phallic-shaped and smells like a decaying body, but to each their own, I guess. I'll take a hard pass though.
I must say that the translation into English was very good. Sometimes there are glaring discrepancies with translated works, but I did not find many in this one. Danish journalist, Heloise, has been receiving strange letters from Anna, a young woman on the run, who is accused of brutally murdering a prestigious lawyer several years prior. The detective on the case, Erik Schafer, has no idea where she may be and no idea as to her motive for the murder either. The trail goes cold until Heloise contacts him with the letters and coincidentally, the first journalist who reported on the case is found murdered. You know there is a connection between Anna and Heloise but putting the pieces together is a murky web of twists and turns, many of which I did not expect in the least.
The book is told from three POVs: Heloise, Anna, and Detective Erik Schafer. I was intrigued by all three characters - especially Heloise. She had perseverance, which I liked, although she also made a lot of very stupid, eye-rolling decisions. The plot though takes a dark turn in the final third of the book that is extremely unexpected and quite disconcerting honestly. I will say that I was off base with most of my hunches, for which I give Hancock props, but getting there was slow going, and I'm still unsure how I feel as to the "shock factor" of the turn. I have read other reviews that loved the ending, but I wasn't wowed by it. Not awful by any means, but not shocking either.
Overall, a solid, middle-of-the-pack, 3-star read. The most interesting thing about it is the back story of the corpse flower. I can't believe people really go out of their way to find a flower that is phallic-shaped and smells like a decaying body, but to each their own, I guess. I'll take a hard pass though.
March 23, 2021
Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a free, electronic ARC of this novel received in exchange for an honest review.
Expected publication date: October 12, 2021
Fans of Stieg Larsson’s “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo” will enjoy this Swedish police procedural, full of action, family secrets, intrigue and investigation.
*This story may be a trigger. Child sexual abuse and trafficking are discussed*.
Journalist Heloise Kaldan is desperately trying to save her career, after a once-trusted source is caught lying, putting Heloise’s integrity and professional ethics (as well as her job) on the line. When she starts to receive letters from Anna Kiel, Heloise begins to wonder if she has found a way to rejuvenate her career. Three years ago, Anna brutally killed a young lawyer in his home, and has been on the run ever since. But in her correspondence to Heloise, she claims they have a connection, and she will come out of hiding to speak with Heloise about what really happened. But Heloise has to make a deal, one that she is reluctant to make. Can Heloise risk her career, and her life, in order to tell Anna’s story?
“The Corpse Flower” is the newest novel by Swedish author Anne Mette Hancock. The majority of her other novels are in their original language, and “Corpse” seems to be the first one translated to English for the mass market.
Initially, I was overwhelmed when reading this novel. There are a lot of characters, and a lot of intertwining plots. I really didn’t get into this novel right away. I wasn’t sure who was whom, and I had to pay close attention in order to follow the interconnected plotlines. Not only is the story told from Heloise’s perspective, but Erik Schaefer (the lead investigator) takes a turn as well, and of course, we do hear periodically from Anna. I am so glad I persevered though- once the connection between Anna and Heloise was made, I was hooked.
The author definitely has a way with character development. Right off the bat, I was unsure about Anna, not convinced of her guilt, and as the story played on, I rooted for her and wanted to see her succeed. The horrifying details of the events leading up to her violent crime emotionally wrecked me and my gears shifted, immediately leaving me feeling empathy for young Anna.
I enjoyed this novel (especially the latter half). Powerfully written with a satisfying conclusion, “The Corpse Flower” will definitely leave you pensive, emotional and drained, but in all the right ways.
Expected publication date: October 12, 2021
Fans of Stieg Larsson’s “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo” will enjoy this Swedish police procedural, full of action, family secrets, intrigue and investigation.
*This story may be a trigger. Child sexual abuse and trafficking are discussed*.
Journalist Heloise Kaldan is desperately trying to save her career, after a once-trusted source is caught lying, putting Heloise’s integrity and professional ethics (as well as her job) on the line. When she starts to receive letters from Anna Kiel, Heloise begins to wonder if she has found a way to rejuvenate her career. Three years ago, Anna brutally killed a young lawyer in his home, and has been on the run ever since. But in her correspondence to Heloise, she claims they have a connection, and she will come out of hiding to speak with Heloise about what really happened. But Heloise has to make a deal, one that she is reluctant to make. Can Heloise risk her career, and her life, in order to tell Anna’s story?
“The Corpse Flower” is the newest novel by Swedish author Anne Mette Hancock. The majority of her other novels are in their original language, and “Corpse” seems to be the first one translated to English for the mass market.
Initially, I was overwhelmed when reading this novel. There are a lot of characters, and a lot of intertwining plots. I really didn’t get into this novel right away. I wasn’t sure who was whom, and I had to pay close attention in order to follow the interconnected plotlines. Not only is the story told from Heloise’s perspective, but Erik Schaefer (the lead investigator) takes a turn as well, and of course, we do hear periodically from Anna. I am so glad I persevered though- once the connection between Anna and Heloise was made, I was hooked.
The author definitely has a way with character development. Right off the bat, I was unsure about Anna, not convinced of her guilt, and as the story played on, I rooted for her and wanted to see her succeed. The horrifying details of the events leading up to her violent crime emotionally wrecked me and my gears shifted, immediately leaving me feeling empathy for young Anna.
I enjoyed this novel (especially the latter half). Powerfully written with a satisfying conclusion, “The Corpse Flower” will definitely leave you pensive, emotional and drained, but in all the right ways.
October 14, 2021
What a great book! I listened to The Corpse Flower on audio, thanks to Libro.fm and I powered through it in a day. Completely sucked into the story, I had to know more and I am glad that I did. Being an avid crime reader I was fine with the dark and disturbing content, but it will not be for everyone. I did feel really uncomfortable at times but it was needed for the story.
Set in Denmark, this was a gritty and cleverly written police drama. Helosie is a journalist and starts receiving cryptic letters from a woman wanted from the murder of a prominent lawyer 5 years ago. Why her and what do the letters mean? The investigator in her cannot help but try to find out. It takes her into dangerous and at times personal territory to find the truth.
Crime readers will love the story and the great characters.
Set in Denmark, this was a gritty and cleverly written police drama. Helosie is a journalist and starts receiving cryptic letters from a woman wanted from the murder of a prominent lawyer 5 years ago. Why her and what do the letters mean? The investigator in her cannot help but try to find out. It takes her into dangerous and at times personal territory to find the truth.
Crime readers will love the story and the great characters.
September 30, 2021
Published in 2017 and finally translated into English, comes this Scandian-noir by Anne Mette Hancock. The Corpse Flower begins with each of the three first chapters focusing on a different character. Firstly, a woman in France awakens, strolls around the market and at the sight of a woman suddenly flees. Next, we meet a pair of detectives Erik Schafer and Lisa Augustin gently chiding each other, before a woman asks to see Erik. Thirdly, Heloise Kaldan is a journalist in Copenhagen, who relied on a source, only to be misled. As the narrative unfolds, the three stories interlink as the police and journalist investigate the missing murder suspect. The mystery deepens, Heloise is attacked and the twists and turns leads to a riveting climax – a four-star rating. Interestingly, The Collector is the second book in the series, published in 2018 and hopefully will also be translated soon. With many thanks to Crooked Lane Books and the author, for an uncorrected proof copy for review purposes.
October 20, 2021
Journalist Heloise Kaldan (the h is silent!) receives a series of cryptic letters from an alleged killer. Wanted in connection with the fatal stabbing of a young lawyer three years previously, Anna Kiel hasn't been seen since she left the crime scene covered in blood. The reporter who first wrote about the case is found murdered in his apartment and homicide detective Erik Schafer starts to investigate. Each of these characters becomes linked as the story progresses and it progresses at a rapid pace.
This novel is translated from the Danish and is really well written with short chapters that just seemed to fly by. The culmination of this twisty story was a real jaw-dropper for me but very well done. I enjoyed the characters, especially Heloise (did I mention the h is silent?!). I understand there are two more books in this series so far and I'm looking forward to their translation. I feel it's necessary to issue a trigger warning but I don't want to give anything away so just be prepared. Highly recommended.
The book contains some interesting information about the corpse flower although the flower doesn't really have a lot to do with the plot other than the statement that "... the corpse flower pretends to be something it isn't ...", much like some of the characters in the book.
Appreciation to Crooked Lane Books via Netgalley for the opportunity to read an uncorrected proof of this novel. All opinions expressed are my own.
Published October 12, 2021
This novel is translated from the Danish and is really well written with short chapters that just seemed to fly by. The culmination of this twisty story was a real jaw-dropper for me but very well done. I enjoyed the characters, especially Heloise (did I mention the h is silent?!). I understand there are two more books in this series so far and I'm looking forward to their translation. I feel it's necessary to issue a trigger warning but I don't want to give anything away so just be prepared. Highly recommended.
The book contains some interesting information about the corpse flower although the flower doesn't really have a lot to do with the plot other than the statement that "... the corpse flower pretends to be something it isn't ...", much like some of the characters in the book.
Appreciation to Crooked Lane Books via Netgalley for the opportunity to read an uncorrected proof of this novel. All opinions expressed are my own.
Published October 12, 2021
August 1, 2024
People in the English speaking universe will soon appreciate what most of Europe have known since her debut in 2017. Anne Mette Hancock writes a cracking crime thriller.
Firstly, a nod to the translation; no-one is credited for turning Danish into English so I am sure it is the author herself which ensures that the words are on point and faithful to the primary text.
Secondly, while there are echos of Henning Mankell and familiar notes, with a journalist working alongside the investigation, like in the Millennium Trilogy. This is not an imitation, this is original creative writing at its best.
So let me introduce you to an author who makes her own entrance in this compelling and brilliantly insightful book. Remember the name as she will become the talk of this year in this genre as a fresh and innovative writer.
The opening chapters take us briefly into the world of the three main characters. Lifting a veil that leaves each in an intriguing situation and sets up a mystery that unravels in a cleverly told story. This sets a pace that you are determined to maintain in this different approach to understanding violent crime and wider conspiracies.
As a first novel, a writer has a void which their imagination strives to fill, introducing characters into 3D personalities that hopefully lift from the page. Often the process is almost choreographed and unfolds in traditional ways.
“Failed protagonist living with issues and a checkered past that mean we have a reluctant, flawed hero to get behind.”
Not here. Everything is bright and pristine new. Bold and courageous, with edgy considerations given to motive, relationships and an approach to justice. Consequently this a breathe of fresh air and a demonstration of a writer who is thoughtful and engaging with a distinctive voice.
We are presented with a cold case; a seemingly senseless random murder where the perpetrator made no attempt to conceal her identity. On the run in France, she has a stray photographer capture her image so that those after her still may be able to pick up her trail. But all is not lost as she plans to break cover for her own reasons which involve her contacting a journalist via airmail with cryptic words and unclear motives. She hints they have a connection which initially makes Heloise Kaldan more of a suspect than an impartial reporter to detective sergeant Erik Schäfer and raises his expectations that he will bring suspect Anna Kiel to justice.
Strong opening which maintains a sense of threat to all parties throughout. Crime and punishment seems out of step where knowledge of guilt doesn’t mean proof can be demonstrated beyond reasonable doubt. Danish courts and sentencing also are flagged up as to why some might seek to take the law into their own hands. While the sense of omertà, a code of silence among criminals can frustrate the most diligent of detectives.
Can’t praise this book and author highly enough. A wonderful find and I can’t wait for the next translation in the series MERCEDES-SNITTET – THE COLLECTOR by Anne Mette Hancock.
Firstly, a nod to the translation; no-one is credited for turning Danish into English so I am sure it is the author herself which ensures that the words are on point and faithful to the primary text.
Secondly, while there are echos of Henning Mankell and familiar notes, with a journalist working alongside the investigation, like in the Millennium Trilogy. This is not an imitation, this is original creative writing at its best.
So let me introduce you to an author who makes her own entrance in this compelling and brilliantly insightful book. Remember the name as she will become the talk of this year in this genre as a fresh and innovative writer.
The opening chapters take us briefly into the world of the three main characters. Lifting a veil that leaves each in an intriguing situation and sets up a mystery that unravels in a cleverly told story. This sets a pace that you are determined to maintain in this different approach to understanding violent crime and wider conspiracies.
As a first novel, a writer has a void which their imagination strives to fill, introducing characters into 3D personalities that hopefully lift from the page. Often the process is almost choreographed and unfolds in traditional ways.
“Failed protagonist living with issues and a checkered past that mean we have a reluctant, flawed hero to get behind.”
Not here. Everything is bright and pristine new. Bold and courageous, with edgy considerations given to motive, relationships and an approach to justice. Consequently this a breathe of fresh air and a demonstration of a writer who is thoughtful and engaging with a distinctive voice.
We are presented with a cold case; a seemingly senseless random murder where the perpetrator made no attempt to conceal her identity. On the run in France, she has a stray photographer capture her image so that those after her still may be able to pick up her trail. But all is not lost as she plans to break cover for her own reasons which involve her contacting a journalist via airmail with cryptic words and unclear motives. She hints they have a connection which initially makes Heloise Kaldan more of a suspect than an impartial reporter to detective sergeant Erik Schäfer and raises his expectations that he will bring suspect Anna Kiel to justice.
Strong opening which maintains a sense of threat to all parties throughout. Crime and punishment seems out of step where knowledge of guilt doesn’t mean proof can be demonstrated beyond reasonable doubt. Danish courts and sentencing also are flagged up as to why some might seek to take the law into their own hands. While the sense of omertà, a code of silence among criminals can frustrate the most diligent of detectives.
Can’t praise this book and author highly enough. A wonderful find and I can’t wait for the next translation in the series MERCEDES-SNITTET – THE COLLECTOR by Anne Mette Hancock.
September 16, 2021
I love a good story about revenge. Thanks so much to Crooked Lane Books and Anne Mette Hancock for this wonderful book. It’s about Heloise, a Danish journalist who is receiving strange letters from Anna, a woman known to be an escaped murderer. Anna knows a lot about Heloise and seems to be trying to communicate something with her. At the same time, the reporter who first wrote about the murder is found dead in his apartment. Is it the same murderer, or is there something much deeper going on? Heloise keeps receiving letters from Anna and is hinting that they may be connected in a much deeper way.
Thoughts: This book captivated me from the very beginning. I love Scandinavian fiction and this book transported me to Denmark. Heloise was a dynamic and interesting character that I loved to learn about. She was easy to root for and much more complex than she first appeared. I also enjoyed the police procedural aspect of this book because it was pretty straightforward and didn’t get bogged down with too many details.
I enjoyed the flow of the story, even though it did seem a bit disjointed at times. There was a lot going on and it could be a bit difficult to keep track of, but it all came together at the end. Be aware there are a lot of very triggering themes in this book and it is a lot to read about. Nevertheless, this book makes a wonderful first book in the series and I can't wait to see what is next for the characters. 4-stars.
Thoughts: This book captivated me from the very beginning. I love Scandinavian fiction and this book transported me to Denmark. Heloise was a dynamic and interesting character that I loved to learn about. She was easy to root for and much more complex than she first appeared. I also enjoyed the police procedural aspect of this book because it was pretty straightforward and didn’t get bogged down with too many details.
I enjoyed the flow of the story, even though it did seem a bit disjointed at times. There was a lot going on and it could be a bit difficult to keep track of, but it all came together at the end. Be aware there are a lot of very triggering themes in this book and it is a lot to read about. Nevertheless, this book makes a wonderful first book in the series and I can't wait to see what is next for the characters. 4-stars.
October 15, 2021
For fans of Steig Larsson and Jo Nesbo, a gritty, less gory psychological thriller featuring a smart female lead and an intricate puzzle. Ultimately, the story leads to a very dark place, but Ms. Hancock handled a triggering subject with as much sensitivity as she could in the circumstances. If you like novels featuring sympathetic villains, then you might find yourself rooting for the villain in this one. I know I did. A quick read.
February 15, 2022
I generally write my reviews about two weeks after I’ve completed a book. This gives me time to reflect. When the time came to appraise THE CORPSE FLOWER, I found that I could not remember anything about it — after only two weeks.
I read the blurb, but this didn’t help. I had to read several other reviews before I remembered the plot. It was an okay book, one that was an easy, quick read, but contained nothing that stood out. This was probably because the main character, Heloise, is as dull and dreary as the rainy autumn weather in Copenhagen, the primary setting for this novel. She has a secret, which was eventually revealed, but her personality and actions didn’t motivate me to attempt to uncover her secret. A secondary character, Anna, was more interesting. She was a killer on the run who was writing cryptic letters to Heloise. Unfortunately, she only appeared sporadically in the book. The story focused mainly on Heloise and her attempts to uncover why Anna had killed the son of a wealthy man.
The book is titled THE CORPSE FLOWER and there is a detailed description of this plant. Plus, Heloise goes to a greenhouse to see one. Thus, the author must have meant it to serve symbolically for some aspect of the plot. Yet I was unable to see what it symbolized. Not Heloise, not Anna, not even the villain seemed to resemble a corpse flower. I believe that something was lost during the translation into English.
This was an okay read, with an interesting plot, and even interesting secondary characters, but the main character, Heloise, wasn’t inspiring.
I read the blurb, but this didn’t help. I had to read several other reviews before I remembered the plot. It was an okay book, one that was an easy, quick read, but contained nothing that stood out. This was probably because the main character, Heloise, is as dull and dreary as the rainy autumn weather in Copenhagen, the primary setting for this novel. She has a secret, which was eventually revealed, but her personality and actions didn’t motivate me to attempt to uncover her secret. A secondary character, Anna, was more interesting. She was a killer on the run who was writing cryptic letters to Heloise. Unfortunately, she only appeared sporadically in the book. The story focused mainly on Heloise and her attempts to uncover why Anna had killed the son of a wealthy man.
The book is titled THE CORPSE FLOWER and there is a detailed description of this plant. Plus, Heloise goes to a greenhouse to see one. Thus, the author must have meant it to serve symbolically for some aspect of the plot. Yet I was unable to see what it symbolized. Not Heloise, not Anna, not even the villain seemed to resemble a corpse flower. I believe that something was lost during the translation into English.
This was an okay read, with an interesting plot, and even interesting secondary characters, but the main character, Heloise, wasn’t inspiring.
December 7, 2022
I really enjoyed this one! It's a Nordic Noir that's part psychological thriller, part police procedural (the main characters are a journalist and a detective). The plotting is impeccable, and the ending is surprising in a way that doesn't feel forced (it's also, like most Nordic Noir, very dark). If you like to travel through books, then the Copenhagen setting is a major boon. And, maybe best of all, there's a newly released sequel titled THE COLLECTOR which is rumored to be even better.
September 24, 2021
I picked this book up because I like Nordic thrillers. Also, I found the title interesting as I have heard of the corpse flower and its rotting, corpselike odor. This one is set in Copenhagen, Denmark. It was told from three different points of view: Detective Sergent Erik Schafer, who is a detective on the Anna Kiel case; Anna Kiel, who is wanted for murder and is a fugitive; and Meloise Kaldan, a journalist who is afraid she's going to lose her job because one of her sources has lied. The homicide happened three years ago. Now Meloise starts getting strange letters from Anna. Meloise starts to uncover secrets that puts her and those she cares about at risk.
A pretty good mystery that kept my attention. There was a surprise I didn't expect - always good. This was a dark thriller and a good read.
Thanks to Crooked Lane Books through Netgalley for an advance copy. This book will be published October 12, 2021.
A pretty good mystery that kept my attention. There was a surprise I didn't expect - always good. This was a dark thriller and a good read.
Thanks to Crooked Lane Books through Netgalley for an advance copy. This book will be published October 12, 2021.
March 25, 2021
Heloise, a journalist, is getting messages from being an alleged killer, Anna. There is a connection between Anna and Heloise, but Heloise can't figure it out until she talks with her father, a paedophile. This is a sick story, but a great thriller.
Thanks to NetGalley for this book.
Thanks to NetGalley for this book.
October 20, 2021
My first foray into Nordic Noir and I loved it. I have been intrigued by this genre since I saw one of my book besties, Javi, talk about his love for the genre. Now I see all all the hype is about.
Anna is a wanted fugitive, likely a killer of a prominent lawyer. Years after his murder, Anna sends letters to a reporter, Heloise. What is Anna's connection to Heloise? That's what the cops want to know. Shafer, the original detective from the murder is back on the cold case.
This is a plot driven story, however I felt the characters were sufficiently developed. I especially loved Shafer's character, a tough cop with a soft spot for his wife 💞
This is a dark thriller, with some very nefarious players, but perfectly done
Anna is a wanted fugitive, likely a killer of a prominent lawyer. Years after his murder, Anna sends letters to a reporter, Heloise. What is Anna's connection to Heloise? That's what the cops want to know. Shafer, the original detective from the murder is back on the cold case.
This is a plot driven story, however I felt the characters were sufficiently developed. I especially loved Shafer's character, a tough cop with a soft spot for his wife 💞
This is a dark thriller, with some very nefarious players, but perfectly done
October 13, 2021
The Corpse Flower is the first instalment in the Heloise Kaldan and Homicide Detective Erik Schafer Mystery series, set against the backdrop of Copenhagen, Denmark. It is a captivating and compulsive tale of Scandinavian noir about revenge, forgiveness and the search for justice and is filled with psychological elements. Journalist Heloise Kaldan has problems at work because she has referred to incorrect documents in an article. She tries to fight back when she receives a letter from Anna Kiel. Kiel has been wanted for three years for the murder of a young lawyer. She was discovered in front of the lawyer's house, smeared in blood with a knife in her hand. Heloise does not remember Kiel from other contexts but later receives a letter with another hint. She finds it mysterious and interesting and begins to investigate the matter herself. However, she does not share her information with anyone. At the same time, the police are investigating the case of bestial murder, of which Schäfer is the head of the investigation. Their tracks cross and the matter becomes more complicated. Heloise in particular is afraid of what will come to light when Kiel is found.
This is an enthralling and compulsively readable thriller with many interesting themes throughout the narrative and an eminently readable and difficult to put down plotline. The intrepid pair of sleuths must uncover a pack of deceitful lies and betrayal to ensure they get to the heart of the matter and achieve justice, but that's often easier said than done. The city of Copenhagen and its people vividly grind to life within these pages offering not only an absorbing, pacy and exciting mystery-laden procedural but an accurate and richly atmospheric sense of time and place, too. It's grisly, gritty and full of danger lurking just out of view and is an original and rock-solid crime thriller that is both award-winning and an instant bestseller in its native Denmark. A cracking and nerve-wracking page-turner from start to denouement, this well written and beautifully plotted procedural featuring two strong females as the central characters, one protagonist and one antagonist, is unusual and I loved every second of it. Filled with palpable and ever-rising suspense and a poisonous charm, like the flower of a corpse, as ephemeral as it is toxic. Highly recommended.
This is an enthralling and compulsively readable thriller with many interesting themes throughout the narrative and an eminently readable and difficult to put down plotline. The intrepid pair of sleuths must uncover a pack of deceitful lies and betrayal to ensure they get to the heart of the matter and achieve justice, but that's often easier said than done. The city of Copenhagen and its people vividly grind to life within these pages offering not only an absorbing, pacy and exciting mystery-laden procedural but an accurate and richly atmospheric sense of time and place, too. It's grisly, gritty and full of danger lurking just out of view and is an original and rock-solid crime thriller that is both award-winning and an instant bestseller in its native Denmark. A cracking and nerve-wracking page-turner from start to denouement, this well written and beautifully plotted procedural featuring two strong females as the central characters, one protagonist and one antagonist, is unusual and I loved every second of it. Filled with palpable and ever-rising suspense and a poisonous charm, like the flower of a corpse, as ephemeral as it is toxic. Highly recommended.
November 9, 2021
THE CORPSE FLOWER is Nordic Noir at its finest!
I admit that I probably would have passed right by this book had I not heard about it from a friend. It’s a bit misleading, because the “corpse flower” in the title does not refer to actual corpses, but to a large Indonesian plant (Amorphophallus titanium) which emits a stench similar to that of rotting flesh, thus attracting flies and carrion beetles to its flowers to pollinate them. In the book, the flower has a certain significance to one of its characters. So if you were put off by the images of rotting corpses the title evokes, fear not!
The story may start off innocently enough, a bit slow even. But don’t be fooled! As with any mystery that involves a whole investigative team – in this case Danish investigative journalist Heloise Kaldan and homicide detective Erik Schäfer – there is a bit of character building to set the scene, as was the case here. We also have an elusive killer, a woman named Anna Kiel, who is on the run after brutally murdering a lawyer in his home. When she contacts Heloise by writing her cryptic letters, she is as much in the dark as we are! Who is Anna Kiel? Why did she kill a man? And what is her connection to Heloise?
As the story unfolds, Heloise will not only put herself in the path of danger, but she will uncover a dark, horrible secret that fits in well with the genre. I really liked Heloise as the lead. She is enigmatic, fearless and suitably flawed herself to give her a good backstory. Ditto with Erik Schäfer – I would love to see them both back in future books. Because Heloise is the person we get to hear most from, this is not your typical police procedural, which perhaps made the path to the final reveal more relatable as Heloise has to use her own incentive and investigative skills without the privilege of police databases and resources.
All in all, THE CORPSE FLOWER had all the dark elements I love in the Nordic Noir genre, plus two enigmatic lead characters who I would love to see back in future books. Once the story gets rolling, it will lead you into murky waters and topics troubled enough to haunt you in your nightmares. With an overall theme of justice and revenge, the story gradually built tension until I could not tear myself away and had to read late into the night until I had all the answers. A great book from a new voice in Danish crime fiction!
4.5 stars
Thank you to Netgalley and Swift Press for the free electronic copy of this novel and for giving me the opportunity to provide an honest review.
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I admit that I probably would have passed right by this book had I not heard about it from a friend. It’s a bit misleading, because the “corpse flower” in the title does not refer to actual corpses, but to a large Indonesian plant (Amorphophallus titanium) which emits a stench similar to that of rotting flesh, thus attracting flies and carrion beetles to its flowers to pollinate them. In the book, the flower has a certain significance to one of its characters. So if you were put off by the images of rotting corpses the title evokes, fear not!
The story may start off innocently enough, a bit slow even. But don’t be fooled! As with any mystery that involves a whole investigative team – in this case Danish investigative journalist Heloise Kaldan and homicide detective Erik Schäfer – there is a bit of character building to set the scene, as was the case here. We also have an elusive killer, a woman named Anna Kiel, who is on the run after brutally murdering a lawyer in his home. When she contacts Heloise by writing her cryptic letters, she is as much in the dark as we are! Who is Anna Kiel? Why did she kill a man? And what is her connection to Heloise?
As the story unfolds, Heloise will not only put herself in the path of danger, but she will uncover a dark, horrible secret that fits in well with the genre. I really liked Heloise as the lead. She is enigmatic, fearless and suitably flawed herself to give her a good backstory. Ditto with Erik Schäfer – I would love to see them both back in future books. Because Heloise is the person we get to hear most from, this is not your typical police procedural, which perhaps made the path to the final reveal more relatable as Heloise has to use her own incentive and investigative skills without the privilege of police databases and resources.
All in all, THE CORPSE FLOWER had all the dark elements I love in the Nordic Noir genre, plus two enigmatic lead characters who I would love to see back in future books. Once the story gets rolling, it will lead you into murky waters and topics troubled enough to haunt you in your nightmares. With an overall theme of justice and revenge, the story gradually built tension until I could not tear myself away and had to read late into the night until I had all the answers. A great book from a new voice in Danish crime fiction!
4.5 stars
Thank you to Netgalley and Swift Press for the free electronic copy of this novel and for giving me the opportunity to provide an honest review.
*blog* *facebook* *instagram*
April 2, 2021
What does a corpse flower and Anna Kiel have in common? The carnivorous flower rarely blooms, attracting dung beetles and flies with its odor of rotting flesh. Anna is not a flower, but one could say she has yet to bloom, and seems to attract a more devious predator than bugs. As she describes the flower to Heloise, she is also revealing herself: “It’s not the plant’s fault that it’s been furnished with the need it has. It didn’t choose to smell like a morgue. It’s just playing the hand it was dealt by nature, and it’s playing it well. It’s about survival.” Anna is who she is because of the choices of her parents, the ignorance of her childhood community, and the actions of evil adults. Since the age of six, her only goal has been survival.
Four years ago, Anna Kiel was seen bloodied as she left the apartment of Christofer Mossing. Since then, she has been evading capture by hiding out in another country. In the present, Heloise Kaldan starts receiving cryptic letters signed by Anna. These missives—sent from various cities in France--hint at a connection between the two, and end with the same last line: “Give me at least through your words some sweet semblance of yourself”.
Heloise uses her investigative skills and contacts as a journalist at the Demokratisk Dagblad, in Copenhagen, to look into the letters from Anna, and the murder. Her investigation and letters brings her in contact with detective sergeant Erik Schafer, who worked on the Cristoffer Mossing murder, and Ulrich Andersson a reclusive journalist who may have gotten too close to the truth.
One of the things I enjoyed is the author’s ability to write characters that are actual people. I wound up feeling like I entered into the lives of already existing people. I could feel the backstory and personality of each character without her resorting to exposition. We got to know people by their interactions with others; and how and what they converse about. As they grew, so did the story; we only learn information as they do. This added a welcome layer to the story.
I recommend this book!
I would like to thank NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for the opportunity to read and review this book.
Four years ago, Anna Kiel was seen bloodied as she left the apartment of Christofer Mossing. Since then, she has been evading capture by hiding out in another country. In the present, Heloise Kaldan starts receiving cryptic letters signed by Anna. These missives—sent from various cities in France--hint at a connection between the two, and end with the same last line: “Give me at least through your words some sweet semblance of yourself”.
Heloise uses her investigative skills and contacts as a journalist at the Demokratisk Dagblad, in Copenhagen, to look into the letters from Anna, and the murder. Her investigation and letters brings her in contact with detective sergeant Erik Schafer, who worked on the Cristoffer Mossing murder, and Ulrich Andersson a reclusive journalist who may have gotten too close to the truth.
One of the things I enjoyed is the author’s ability to write characters that are actual people. I wound up feeling like I entered into the lives of already existing people. I could feel the backstory and personality of each character without her resorting to exposition. We got to know people by their interactions with others; and how and what they converse about. As they grew, so did the story; we only learn information as they do. This added a welcome layer to the story.
I recommend this book!
I would like to thank NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for the opportunity to read and review this book.
March 23, 2021
I delighted in this one! It unquestionably has a dull, contorted, and frightening vibe! Heloise is a fruitful columnist who is essentially near the precarious edge of losing her employment since one of her sources lied. With the entirety of that pressure going on, she likewise begins to get hidden messages. Presently, these enigmatic messages are not simply from anybody. They are from a supposed executioner. At that point, we have Officer Erik. He is as yet chipping away at a deadly cutting from three years earlier. While he has his great presume Anna, he can't associate her to the homicide nor discover intention in her. Notwithstanding, a significant number of his hints are pointing him towards Heloise as his executioner. At that point, Heloise begins delving into Anna's set of experiences and found a portion of her covered-up past fires springing up. Presently, she conversed with somebody she guaranteed that she wouldn't talk with until the kingdom came.
I will caution perusers there are a ton of exciting bends in the road in this book, and large numbers of them are bent and extremely dim to the point I figure the perusers of John Marrs and Caroline Krepnes would appreciate this book! I unquestionably prescribe it to any individual who enjoys dull twisty thrill rides!
Thank you, NetGalley for approving me for this book.
#TheCorpseFlower #NetGalley
I will caution perusers there are a ton of exciting bends in the road in this book, and large numbers of them are bent and extremely dim to the point I figure the perusers of John Marrs and Caroline Krepnes would appreciate this book! I unquestionably prescribe it to any individual who enjoys dull twisty thrill rides!
Thank you, NetGalley for approving me for this book.
#TheCorpseFlower #NetGalley
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