Into the Dark by Ørjan Karlsson translated by Ian Giles

In Norway’s far north, something unspeakable is surfacing…

When a mutilated body rises from the icy waters off the jetty in Kjerringøy, it shocks the quiet coastal village – and stirs something darker beneath. Not long after, a young woman is found dead in a drab Bodø apartment. Suicide, perhaps. Or something far more sinister.

Detective Jakob Weber and former national investigator Noora Yun Sande are drawn into both cases. Then a hiker reports a terrifying encounter in the nearby wilderness: a solitary cabin… and a man without a face.

As the investigation deepens, the clues grow more disturbing – and the wild, wintry landscape closes in. Jakob is certain of one thing: if they don’t find the killer soon, he’ll strike again.

SECOND in the dark, addictive Nordic Noir series set in Norway’s unforgiving Arctic north.

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I really enjoyed Into Thin Air when I read it last year, although I unfortunately didn’t get around to reviewing it.  Upon discovering that a sequel was due, it went straight on to my “most wanted” list.

Into the Dark is set soon after the events of the first novel, and I personally think that you do need to read both books to get the most out of this series.  You could go into this one blind, but you’d be missing out some of the background to the characters that I think is vital for understanding their actions and decisions in this novel as well as the context for some of what occurs. 

One of the strengths of these two novels is the characters – I really like the ensemble of Jakob, Noora, Armann, and Fine and I like that we see them working their cases but also get insight into their personal lives as well – these are fully fleshed out characters that you feel like you get to know while reading.  And they work brilliantly together – there’s no lone wolf out for glory, and they help and support each other and have each other’s backs even when things don’t go to plan. 

Noora goes through a particularly difficult time in this novel.  Injured during the events of Into Thin Air, we see her trying to manage her injuries and the pain that they cause, hoping to get the all clear to return to active duty.  Except that she downplays how much those injuries are bothering her – overusing her pain medication as a result – not wanting to let anyone down and fearing that any sign of weakness will see her relegated to a desk job.  I love her grit and determination, but there are moments when her injuries hold her back, and I couldn’t help but wonder whether she’d struggle at a pivotal moment with dire consequences.  It adds another layer to the tension as things come to a head.

The investigations in this novel are typical of Nordic Noir – dark and atmospheric with some chilling details.  A young woman is found in a dingy apartment, a murder that’s barely disguised as a suicide.  Then a body surfaces in the water, missing a surgically removed patch of skin.  As evidence suggests that these two cases may be linked, our detectives have their work cut out for them as they must stop the killer from striking again.  It’s a cleverly constructed plot that will test even the most experienced armchair sleuths. 

One of my favourite aspects of the novel is the continued investigation into Iselin’s kidnapping from Into Thin Air.  The case is officially closed, but the team aren’t convinced that they have identified the right person and continue to investigate.  While I understand the need for closure in fiction, it’s a refreshing change from those novels that have everything neatly wrapped up by the final page.  By the end of the novel, it becomes clear why this narrative thread has been left open, and the ending strongly hints at a third instalment which I’m already eager to read.

Into the Dark is an excellent novel – tense and atmospheric with a setting that’s brought to life brilliantly for the reader.  It’s fast paced and the reader can feel how high the stakes are for those involved, and I couldn’t help but get swept up in the events.  And it ends on one hell of a cliffhanger – I can’t wait to see where the story goes from here.  Highly recommended.