SON- Blog Tour

 

Author: Thomas Enger and Johana Gustawsson

Publisher: Orenda Books 

Publishing Date: 27th March 2025 

Many thanks to the publishing team and Random Things Tours for my physical copy of the book and a spot on the tour

Blurb 

Everyone here is lying...

Expert on body language and memory, and consultant to the Oslo Police, psychologist Kari Voss sleepwalks through her days, and, by night, continues the devastating search for her young son, who disappeared on his birthday, seven years earlier.

Still grieving for her dead husband, and trying to pull together the pieces of her life, she is thrust into a shocking local investigation, when two teenage girls are violently murdered in a family summer home in the nearby village of Son.

When a friend of the victims is charged with the barbaric killings, it seems the case is closed, but Kari is not convinced. Using her skills and working on instinct, she conducts her own enquiries, leading her to multiple suspects, including people who knew the dead girls well...

With the help of Chief Constable Ramona Norum, she discovers that no one – including the victims – are what they seem. And that there is a dark secret at the heart of Son village that could have implications not just for her own son's disappearance, but Kari's own life, too...

My Thoughts 

This is the first book in the Kari Voss series, and it sets up what promises to be a gripping and atmospheric series.

I’ve always found it particularly interesting when two authors come together to write a novel, and here that collaboration really pays off. The blend of French and Nordic noir influences feels seamless, creating a dark, brooding tone that runs consistently throughout the story. The writing never feels disjointed, which can sometimes happen with co-authored books—instead, it flows naturally and keeps you fully immersed.

Kari Voss is a strong and compelling central character. She is thoughtfully developed, with a balance of resilience and vulnerability that makes her feel authentic. As the plot unfolds, we see her grow stronger, but she is never portrayed as flawless—her imperfections and emotional struggles add depth to her character. She is attempting to maintain control in her professional life as a psychologist, while her personal life has been deeply shaken by the loss of her partner and child. This grief lingers beneath the surface and influences how she approaches both her work and the case at hand.

The central investigation—the brutal murder of two teenage girls—is chilling and sets the tone for the novel. When a suspect confesses early on, it introduces an immediate sense of unease. Kari’s instinct tells her something isn’t right, which leads to a deeper and more complex mystery. The question of why someone would confess to such a crime becomes just as important as uncovering the identity of the real killer, adding an extra psychological layer to the narrative.

One of the strengths of this book is its cast of characters. Each person introduced plays a meaningful role in the unfolding story, which makes the reading experience more engaging and intense. As a reader, you are constantly trying to connect the dots, questioning motives and relationships, which is exactly what you want from a strong crime thriller.

The use of multiple points of view works particularly well here, allowing the story to be told from different angles and giving insight into various characters’ thoughts and actions. Combined with the shifting timelines, this adds depth and complexity without becoming confusing. Instead, it enhances the pacing and helps to gradually reveal key pieces of the puzzle.

This is very much a slow-burn read, but in a way that builds tension effectively. There’s an underlying sense of unease that grows as the story progresses, keeping you engaged and eager to uncover the truth.

Overall, this is a dark, sinister, and thought-provoking crime novel that delivers both on atmosphere and character development. If you enjoy layered mysteries, psychological depth, and page-turning plots, I would definitely recommend giving this book a try.