Book Review - The Night Man - Jørn Lier Horst
‘The Night Man' by Jørn Lier Horst is a nordic noir thriller with enough twists and turns to take you right up to the last page. But for me what raised it above other books in the genre is how rooted it is in modern social issues such as migration, trafficking, and drug networks.
Scandinavia
The book begins in the quiet town of Larvik when a woman on her way to work suddenly comes across a human head on a stake. The police and journalists set off to investigate the young girl's identity. Various motives and suspects arise, each discovery seemingly bringing up yet more questions than answers.
Although set in Scandinavia, ‘The night man’ could be about any European country, with many similar problems such as migration and international drug smuggling networks. Subjects and headlines that are never off the front pages. What puts it above other many other thrillers is perhaps the detail it goes into in the background of the crime. Whether that's international drug supply routes, the growing threat of the far right, migrant children - there's a lot in here.
Honor killings, narcotics policies, and organised crime - this is a complex case with international connections. Nothing comes easy in this investigation, which is very much rooted in uncovering modern criminal networks and methods.
Wisting
I also liked the interesting dynamic between the chief investigator William Wisting and the up-and-coming newspaper reporter Line being father and daughter. They don't butt heads as much as I thought they would, each going their own way with their leads but intersecting along the way. They may be in different roles, but they share a tenacious nature.
This is a well-plotted book with a pace that doesn't flag, and even when progress is slow, there is a feeling of momentum, of good investigative work being carried out. There are enough blind alleys to make it realistic and it never goes too fast, as it doesn't need to. I won't spoil it but the final part Horst takes you in a completely new direction in terms of solving the case and it certainly ratcheted the tension.
Parts of the book are not for the faint at heart - it’s a gritty, realistic tale I think.
I got this book via NetGalley, so wasn't aware it was part of a series, so I’ll be checking out some of the earlier titles. There are references to other characters and events that had me intrigued. Also, a word for the translator, as the text flowed seamlessly.
Thanks to Netgalley and the published for the Advanced Reader Copy.
Published November 24, 2022 by Michael Joseph
Book review - The night man - by Jørn Lier Horst
352 Pages