Title: SON
Author: Johana Gustawsson, Thomas Enger
ISBN: 9781916788527
Publisher: Orenda Books
Pages: 420
Source: Review copy from the Publisher
Blog Tour Organised by Random Things Tours
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…
Official Summary
05 March 2025
Right from the blurb, Son promises a dark, twisty thriller packed with secrets, deception, and deeply buried trauma. And it delivers. This Scandinavian crime novel weaves together psychological depth and atmospheric suspense, creating an unsettling yet utterly compelling reading experience.
At the heart of the story is Kari Voss, a psychologist specializing in body language and memory, whose personal tragedy—her son’s disappearance seven years ago—continues to haunt her. Kari is a fascinating protagonist, navigating her grief while using her expertise to untangle a brutal double murder case. The interplay between her personal demons and professional instincts adds an extra layer of tension, making her one of the most intriguing crime fiction characters I’ve encountered in a while.
The murder of two teenage girls in Son, a seemingly quiet Norwegian village, opens up a Pandora’s box of secrets. When a suspect is quickly arrested, Kari isn’t convinced. As she digs deeper, the story twists and turns, revealing that no one—not even the victims—are who they appear to be. The novel masterfully plays with the theme of deception, constantly making the reader question who to trust.
What I loved most was the eerie, almost claustrophobic atmosphere Gustawsson and Enger created. The setting of Son, with its dark undercurrents and hidden histories, feels like a character in itself. The writing is taut and evocative, with just the right balance of psychological introspection and pulse-pounding action.
The pacing is sharp, though the multiple layers of the story demand attention. Just when you think you have a grasp on what’s happening, the book throws another curveball. The connection between the current murders and Kari’s missing son adds a deep personal stake, keeping the emotional weight high throughout.
If I had one minor critique, it would be that at times, the sheer number of secrets and suspects can feel overwhelming. But for fans of intricate, character-driven crime fiction, this is exactly what makes Son such a rewarding read.
Son is an engrossing, chilling thriller that kept me on edge until the very last page. If you enjoy atmospheric Nordic noir with psychological complexity, this book is a must-read.
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About The Author
Author bio from the author’s site
Known as the Queen of French Noir, Johana Gustawsson is one of France’s most highly regarded, award–winning crime writers, recipient of the prestigious Cultura Ligue de l`Imaginaire Award for her gothic mystery Yule Island. Number–one bestselling books include Block 46, Keeper, Blood Song and her historical thriller, The Bleeding. Johana lives in Sweden with her family. A former journalist, Thomas Enger is the number–one bestselling author of the Henning Juul series and, with co–author Jørn Lier Horst, the international bestselling Blix & Ramm series, and one of the biggest proponents of the Nordic Noir genre. He lives in Oslo. Rights to Johana and Thomas’ books have been sold to a combined fifty countries and, for the first time, two crime writers, from two different countries, writing in two different languages, have joined forces to create an original series together.
Thank you to Anne Crater from Random Things Tours and Orenda Publishing for this review copy. Kari Voss is an intriguing character and the ending of this book left me very eager to see what comes next. I would love to hear your thoughts on this one, please leave a comment below. Until next time…. Happy Reading!
Sounds like a good read!