What Is Mine by Anne Holt. © 2007 Warner Books. ISBN 0-446-57802-9. Hardback. 391 pages. $24.99 US. [ Purchase ]
A translation of the original Norwegian novel, What Is Mine is a suspense-thriller about a child serial killer stalking a usually low-crime town in Norway. With one child missing, and another dead, lead detective Adam Stubo turns to the only help he knows, Johanne Vik, a former FBI profiler. Yet, Johanne is apprehensive to join being already absorbed in another investigation where the suspect has fled to America. But when more children go missing, Vik (a mother of a six-year old) can no longer turn a blind eye to what’s happening in her own country and joins the local police investigation. Could the cold case and the new have something in common?
This is the first suspense-thriller I’ve read, normally they are only good to me in film form, but this was a pleasant surprise. It’s fact-paced and rather enjoyable and I could over look the few seemingly short chapters (something of a peeve of mine). Her characters are believably human and fascinating. The struggle of the small girl is heartbreaking. These characters pull you in and truly make you feel as though you are a part of this well-composed story.
This is a great introduction to the genre and a sure to be pleasurable read for crime story veterans.
