THE KILLING FOREST

Beginning with the pulse-pounding disappearance of a teenage boy, narrator Christine Lakin delivers the suspense in this dark mystery. Danish detective Louise Rick, head of the Special Search Agency, quickly realizes this disappearance is just one piece of a sinister puzzle centered on an impenetrable brotherhood bound by an ancient religion. Rick is a complicated character who is motivated by righteousness as well as a personal vendetta. Lakin confidently portrays her steely nerve, often in the face of male antagonists filled with contempt. Though her accents don't always hit the mark, Lakin's voices are distinct, and her delivery is compelling as she masterfully ratchets up the tension in scenes of conflict and revelation. Fans of Scandinavian crime fiction will find much to enjoy. A.S. [Published: JANUARY 2016]