Scarred

Henning Juul #3

by Thomas Enger, Charlotte Barslund (Translator)

For fans of Borgen, The Killing and the Wallander series, a thrilling novel of murder and political scandal in Oslo.

An elderly woman is found dead in a nursing home. Bjarne Brogeland, who heads up the investigation, soon realises that they are on the trail of a meticulous killer who has developed a keen taste for revenge. A killer who has only just begun...

Trine Juul-Osmundsen, Norway's Secretary of State and Henning Juul's sister, is accused of sexually harassing a young male politician. As the allegations cause a media frenzy, Trine receives an anonymous threat telling her to resign. If she doesn't, the truth about what she really did that night will be revealed.

Scarred reporter Henning Juul, finds himself torn between the two high profile cases. He wants to help his estranged sister, but as he digs into their past, he discovers memories that haunt them both. Memories of a broken home. Memories of a dead father.

As the two cases collide, both their worlds threaten to fall apart.

Scarred is the third novel in the acclaimed Henning Juul series, following Burned and Pierced, which was shortlisted for the 2013 Petrona Award.(less)

Genres: Thriller, Crime, Scandinavian Literature, Mystery, Fiction, Nordic Noir, Ebooks

408 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2013

About the author

Thomas Enger was born in Oslo in 1973, but grew up in Jessheim. He has an education in journalism, and has also studied sports and history. He worked at the Norwegian online newspaper Nettavisen for nine years.

He has composed music and written books since the age of 18. He is also working on a musical.

Enger's first book, Skinndød, was published in 2010. It is the first book in a series of at least six featuring crime journalist Henning Juul. The second installment, Fantomsmerte, was released in the fall of 2011; Blodtåke, the third book, is scheduled for a 2012 release.

Reviews

[Abby • Crime by the Book · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5/5 stars for this engaging, emotional Nordic Noir read!! I absolutely love the Henning Juul series, and this is an excellent series installment. Vivid characters and a compelling central mystery make for a fantastic read!!

Read my full review here: http://crimebythebook.com/blog/2017/5...

[Učitaj se! | Martina Štivičić · Rating 5 out of 5]

Svaki novi slučaj Henninga Juula sve je bolji od prethodnog! 'Opečen' je bio vrlo dobar, 'Proboden' jednako tako, a 'Unakažen', 3. po redu roman u serijalu s Henningom u glavnoj ulozi, najbolji je do sad.

U svom trećem slučaju Henning istražuje ubojstvo starice u kojem su značajnu ulogu odigrale pletaće igle. Teško je odgonetnuti tko bi jednoj mirnoj starici, koja se ni po čemu posebnom nije isticala iz mase, na tako stravičan način oduzeo život. Slučaj postane još zamršeniji s novim ubojstvom, koje je možda povezano s ovim.

Ubojstvo starice upadne u fokus javnosti u isto vrijeme kada u taj fokus upadne i nešto veće: politički seksualni skandal u kojem se pod optužbom nađe ministrica pravosuđa - Henningova sestra. Je li i ovaj skandal nekako povezan s ubojstvima? Puno toga je na Hennigu da otkrije, uključujući i vlastiti misterij vezan uz noć požara u kojem mu je stradao sin, a on zadobio strašne ožiljke.

Trostruki misterij smiksao je u ovom romanu Thomas Enger i namijenio Henningu Juulu da ga postupno otkrije. Henningova priča proteže se kroz svaki od romana i ono je što nas, uz dodatne misterije koje u svakom romanu otkrivamo, drži očiju čvrsto uprtih u stranice serijala. Tako je i ovdje, a misteriji koje ovaj roman skriva najnapetiji su i najzamršeniji do sad.

Sa svakim novim romanom doznajemo još ponešto o samom Henningu, njegovoj prošlosti i obiteljskim i inim vezama. Ovdje upoznajemo Henningovu sestru i neke detalje vezane uz njihov zamršen i sada prilično hladan odnos, dobivši time još jedan komadić slagalice Henningova karaktera, koju neprestano, dobivajući nove informacije, slažemo.

Sam Henning Juul je sjajan lik. Kompleksnog karaktera, tajnovite prošlosti. Svojim zanimanjem pomalo podsjeća na još jedan sjajan lik - onaj Larssonovog Mikaela Blomkvista - što je usporedba koju ne dajem olako, budući da je Blomkvist jedan od najdražih mi likova ikad. Mnoge skandinavske autore, pogotovo trilera, vole uspoređivati s Larssonom, no, po meni, samo je jedan koji ga je donekle dosegao - i to je upravo Thomas Enger.

Zanimljivom radnjom, posebnim (i posebno nam bliskim) likovima i napetom pričom, dotičući se aktualnih društveno-socijalnih tema, Enger zna, baš kao i Larsson, u potpunosti zarobiti čitateljevu pažnju i ne izgubiti je ni na trenutak sve dok priča ne završi. 400-tinjak stranica raspoređenih u kratka, ali vrlo napeta poglavlja, proleti u hipu, dok te istovremeno centralna priča koja okružuje glavnog lika ostavlja u vječnoj želji za još.

Henningov 3. slučaj napet je, uzbudljiv, iznenađuje zapletom i motivacijama likova, te tvori pravi fast-pacing triler od kojeg vam u pojedinom trenutku adrenalin naraste do vrhunca. Najzamršeniji slučaj do sad i Henning u svojem najboljem izdanju. S nestrpljenjem čekam njegov idući slučaj.

[Judy Collins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Scandinavia’s best crime writer, Thomas Enger’s SCARRED, (Henning Juul #3), is an intense, riveting, and suspenseful page-turner, a crime and political thriller which reiterates why this talented writer and series is so "talked about" and popular.

I would urge readers, especially in the US, to spend time reviewing Enger’s website. Norway’s sensation, is not only a talented writer, quite witty, and in addition, a successful composer (listen to his music – quite divine! Christian's theme is my favorite).

As usual, I get hooked on the new releases and devour previous books in a series. I have already purchased Burned (#1) and Pierced (#2), and look forward to reading more of this engrossing six –part book series.

Henning Juul, Thomas Enger's main protagonist, is a tortured, yet mysterious Norwegian internet newspaper reporter. He recently lost his son Jonas in a fire, burning down his flat and severely injuring Henning’s face. (a lot of background surrounding this yet to be unfolded). He is scarred both inside and out, and ridden by guilt.

Juul has just returned to work after the tragedy. In addition, there is a lot of other action going on around him. One being his (the golden child) sister; they are estranged and he is not certain why, and a mother who blames him, an alcoholic. He still loves his ex-wife, but there is too much tragedy and memories in the past. He is intuitive and very observant, and perfect for an investigative reporter and he knows how to get to the root of problems and the story. (enjoyed how he draws out people, especially children).

In the meantime, he is in the middle of several cases which overlap. Henning is about to resume his investigation into the fire that killed his son two years ago when his editor asks him to cover the murder of a demented woman, retired school teacher, in a nursing/care home.

The murder is being investigated and led by Inspector Bjarne Brogeland who has little information to offer when Henning uses their long acquaintance to gain insight into the case. He knows they are on a dangerous trail of a meticulous killer who has developed a keen taste for revenge.

The murder is very mysterious, with the brutal way in which she was killed and connection with pictures, and knitting needles. There are several suspects, however, the motive? Possibly a score to settle with a bad student-teacher relationship? Wow, some bad pent up anger and revenge. When more bodies wind up dead and more taken hostage, the cases collide for an explosive outcome.

Then there is his estranged sister,Trine Juul-Osmundsen, Minister for Justice Norwegian Government is accused of sexual misconduct, who goes into hiding. Norway is rocked by scandal and of course he cannot write about her, but wants to reach out and help if she will allow. She believes she has been set up, as she has a secret and has to figure out how to handle and still keep in her marriage and reputation intact.

However the case closest to his heart and one he cannot forget is the fire set in his flat which killed his son, a plot developed in the previous novels in the series. Henning continues to follow up on the information provided by gangland enforcer Tore Pulli, and attempts to have a closer look at why the police files relevant to the fire may have been doctored.

A riveting crime thriller, and one you cannot put down; however, there is much more to come, as we have to wait patiently for Books 4-6 to learn all the secrets surrounding the mysterious tragedies of books 1-3, and dark childhood of brother and sister duo. There is also a human interest side as readers explore Henning’s personality which ties in nicely with the investigative side. According to the author’s website, the rights to each of his six Henning Juul novels have been purchased by Norwegian film production company 4 ½.

Fans of John Grisham, James Patterson, and Harlan Coben will want to read this one. There are two crime thriller authors, which I am all about currently: Thomas Enger (Norway) and internationally bestselling author Paul Cleave (New Zealand) with his latest winner: Five Minutes Alone (10/21/14) Christchurch Noir Crime Series. Both talented male authors, about the same age, and oh so sexy (move over US authors) making room for two of the finest of crime thrillers and ones to follow!

Now, I have to find time between all my ARCs to read all their previous books I have purchased. Thank you, NetGalley and Atria for introducing me to these award-winning and talented authors!

My wish list: Audible, please offer these in audiobook format, as nice for traveling.

A special thank you to Atria Books and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

JDCMustReadBooks

TOP 30 BOOKS OF 2014

[Paul · Rating 4 out of 5]

Scarred – Another brilliant Scandi Thriller

Scarred by Thomas Enger is the third book in his Henning Juul series but my first of his books and an excellent and very welcome introduction has been made. The cover says for fans of Borgen I would also add with a dash of The Killing thrown in for free. This is part murder mystery and political thriller combined the best of both worlds put together with a well thought out plot and well written or in my case well translated in to English.

Henning Juul is an investigative reporter who has just returned to work after being on a house fire in which his young son was killed who has a famous sister whom he never speaks to and a mother who likes the drink and smoking. He has few to no real friends to name, he still loves his ex-wife but gets lonely and when depressed watches football on the local park. Not so much a defective detective but definitely a loner who likes to get to the bottom of a story.

He is sent to cover a gruesome murder of an elderly woman who was close to death any way but the knitting needles in the eyes may be over kill. As the investigation seems to be going nowhere another murder happens and there are links between the two murders but it is hard to see the link.

While this is happening his famous sister is Justice Secretary in the Norwegian Government but her world comes crashing down when she is accused of sexual harassment of a young male politician. While he and his sister have problems between them he still wants to help her out and give her support but cannot really investigate as his hands are tied by his relationship to his sister.

It is when his sister’s world is falling apart that what is happening to her collides with the murder cases that things become interesting. Like Borgen there are plenty of political twists and turns that come out at the end with surprising and interesting developments. Can the Justice Secretary bring her problems to a peaceful closure while helping the murder investigation out? Will these colliding worlds and cases be the making or breaking of her and those around her. Henning Juul is there guiding her even from a distance while being able to report from the front line of the murder.

This is a well written plot with two very different but colliding worlds and different characters with the noir that we expect from Scandi thrillers. Juul is a tenacious investigator not jumping to conclusions but follows the clues and the evidence to see where it will take him, having a photographic mind helps. This is a good book and a pleasure to read and a series I want to read.

[Mark · Rating 4 out of 5]

Scarred is the third instalment in the Henning Juul series by Norwegian author, Thomas Enger. The series centres around an investigative journalist, Henning Juul, who plays a role in the resolution of a range of crimes through his capacity to dig deeply into the stories that he is following in the course of his work.

Thomas Enger has essentially created a tragic character in Juul, who is plagued by the loss of his son, Jonas, in a house fire, working through the resultant deep grief coupled with the suspicious circumstances surrounding the fire. The thread of this story continues to play out in each of Enger’s books in this series and the reader is provided with cumulative clues as to the events surrounding this tragedy.

Scarred essentially has two storylines running parallel throughout. There is a major story line around Juul’s sister, Trine, and a serial killer dealing with his own vengeance and revenge and unresolved neglect. These two storyline’s do intersect by the end of the story in a way that was a bit cliche for me. Juul’s sister’s involvement in this story pave the way for some further family secrets to be exposed in book number 4.

The aspect of this read that holds it together for me is Juul himself. I like the way Enger enables me to feel his grief. This is real and believable and not overdone. It’s a 3.5 star read for me which I round to 4 based on this character.

[Laura Wonderchick · Rating 4 out of 5]

This series gets better with each book! Getting a further look into Henning Juul's story combined with another makes for awesome entertainment

[Raven · Rating 5 out of 5]

Okay so we’ve been Burned and Pierced so now prepare to be Scarred by the latest instalment in Thomas Enger’s superlative Henning Juul series. Focussing on our dogged, emotionally and physically damaged reporter, Juul, Enger has carved out an exceptional niche in the current Scandinavian crime fiction market. In this book in particular, there is more than a nod to the Borgen phenomena, as Juul’s estranged sister Trine, Norway’s Secretary of State becomes the focus of some unwelcome press attention…

I thoroughly enjoyed the way that this book in particular changed the direction of the series somewhat with the aforementioned development of Juul’s sister Trine in the overall plot. She is a complicated and layered character, as is Juul, and the tentative re-establishment of contact between the two in the wake of their previous estrangement, is handled with a deft touch and delicacy by Enger. Trine’s life is spiralling out of control with a malicious sex scandal story, in much the same way as Juul’s did in the wake of the events and his personal loss of the previous books, and Enger is pitch perfect in his depiction of the baying wolves of the press and her fellow politicians as her political career unravels. What unfolds is not only a brutally honest tale of political intrigue, but how the bonds of family can sometimes be an enormous burden and source of sadness to those involved, as events of the past sometimes refuse to rest in peace as Henning and Trine discover.

In a parallel story, regular police protagonist Inspector Bjarne Brogeland, is investigating a particularly brutal murder at an old people’s home of a curmudgeonly ex-schoolteacher. Having recently had an operation on my eye, I extend a note of thanks to Enger for highlighting the use of knitting pins and orbital crevices! Anyway, I digress, so, the collective intelligence of Brogeland, and by extension his professional relationship with Henning Juul forms the crux of this investigation, and there is normal bandiage and grudging professional respect between them once more in evidence. I enjoyed the way this plotline played out and the use of misdirection and red herrings that Enger employs. Set against the political storyline, there was a good balance throughout, and both plots were of equal interest and emotional intensity to hold my attention throughout.

I think it is a testament to the strength of Enger’s writing that all three of his books to date, have been incredibly enjoyable. He seems to combine the very best aspects of the current Scandinavian crime table in terms of characterisation and plot as well as his razor sharp eye on the social and political trends at work in Norway, thus providing an added layer of interest to his crime fiction. A great read, and I would urge you to try the whole series.

[Mieke Schepens · Rating 4 out of 5]

Het boek begint met een indrukwekkend kijkje op de beleveniswereld van een man. Een man die je door het hele boek heen zijn ijselijke aanwezigheid zal laten voelen.

Het verhaal speelt zich af in september 2009. Het behandelt een week in dit boek. Een week in het leven van de karakters van zondag tot en met zaterdag. Het boek is onderverdeeld in een proloog en 94 hoofdstukken.
De auteur gebruikt korte hoofdstukken waardoor er vaart blijft zitten in het verhaal terwijl de verschillende verhaallijnen aan de orde komen. Soms moet je even terug in het verhaal om een naam op te zoeken, maar het ik heb dat niet als hinderlijk ervaren.
Er gebeurt enorm veel in dit boek van Thomas Enger, maar niets staat er zonder reden.
Aan het eind zijn de verhaallijnen op een mooie manier samengekomen en snak je naar meer!

De hoofdpersoon Juul Henning lukt het steeds beter om zijn werk als journalist weer op te pakken, je merkt wel dat alles wat heeft plaatsgevonden een enorme inpact heeft gemaakt op deze man en zijn omgeving. Alles is voor hem veranderd, maar dat zou ook voor mezelf zo zijn, bedenk ik me.

De minister van Justitie (bovendien de zus van de hoofdpersoon) Trine Juul-Osmundsen maakt het een en ander duidelijk. De lezer wordt meegenomen in een politieke wereldje waarin niets is zoals het lijkt. Een klein stukje van het verleden wordt duidelijker, maar ik zou graag nog meer willen weten. Wat is er vroeger gebeurd in dat gezin?
Waar blijft het volgende deel???

Op het eind is het duidelijk dat we nog niet het laatste gezien hebben van Tore Pulli. Deze onderwereldfiguur uit Oslo werd eerder al in verband gebracht met de brand in de woning van Henning, waar zijn zoon Jonas bij om het leven kwam.
Een cliffhanger van de eerste orde!

Ik waardeer dit boek met 4 vette sterren ****

[Gea · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ik heb dit boek ontvangen van hebban/crimezone en Em. Querido’s Uitgeverij om te lezen voor de leesclub en ik was aangenaam verrast. Ik heb Schijndood en Fantoompijn wel als e-boek maar ik ben er nooit aan toegekomen om ze te lezen. Ik heb genoten.

[Yvonne (It's All About Books) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Finished reading: May 21st 2022

"You can stand in the sea with water up to your knees and tell yourself you'll stay where you are, even if a giant wave comes toward you. But no matter how strong you are, that wave will knock you over."

I'm determined to finish the Henning Juul series before the end of 2022, and Scarred is already book number three following the life of the reporter Henning Juul. What I like of this series that it gives us a different angle to a crime story than your usual detective thriller, although we have plenty of that POV as well in Scarred. In fact, this story uses a multiple POV structure and not only has many different voices, but also three separate storylines. On the one hand we have the murder investigation with both the detective angle and Henning Juul looking for input for this articles. Then we have Henning's sister Trine being accused of sexually harassing a young male politician... And last but not least, Henning is still looking into the fire in his flat that resulted in the death of his son. This might seem like a lot and the story could have been a tad sharper in points, but as a whole the different POVs and storylines make sense and switching between them only adds to the suspense. There are many hints made at Henning's past that will make you want to pick up the next book even more... And that is definitely what I will be doing soon myself. All in all Scarred turned out to be another successful Nordic noir sequel that provides you with a journalism angle as well as a political scandal on top of your dose of detective thriller.


P.S. Find more of my reviews here.

[Darlene · Rating 5 out of 5]

Norwegian author, Thomas Enger, sure knows how to get your attention with his writing. This is the third novel in the Henning Juul series, and it has a lot going on: murder in a nursing home and a political scandal involving Henning’s estranged sister, Trine. Henning is a reporter, with a smart detective mind. Unlike some reporters who just hurry to get a story out, Henning won’t put something in print until he has all the facts and knows they are true.
I strongly recommend this series and please read the series in order, the first being ‘Burned’.
Kudos, Mr Enger, for another excellent book.

[Emina]

Jedan korak naprijed, dva koraka nazad

[Katarina Krajnović · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5

[Kelly Van Damme · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 rounded up

[Sebastian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Als der Osloer Journalist Henning Juul von der Online-Zeitung „123nyheter“ für einen Bericht in ein örtliches Pflegeheim geschickt wird, ahnt er noch nicht, was für ein grausiges Verbrechen sich dort abgespielt hat: Die 83-jährige Erna Pedersen wurde brutal ermordet, zudem hat der Täter der wehrlosen und dementen Frau zwei Stricknadeln in die Augen gestochen. Nicht nur die Heimbewohner und -mitarbeiter sind fassungslos, auch Henning Juul kann sich diese sinnlose Gewalt gegen eine alte Frau nicht erklären – auch wenn der Reporter bei ersten Ermittlungen herausfindet, dass Pedersen in ihrer aktiven Zeit als Lehrerin ein äußerst strenges Vorgehen an den Tag gelegt hat, das ihr an der Schule eine Menge Feinde einbrachte. Doch dies liegt bereits Jahrzehnte zurück, woher kommt also ausgerechnet jetzt dieser scheinbar grenzenlose Hass gegen das Opfer?

Jede Menge Arbeit für Journalist Henning Juul

„Verleumdet“ von Thomas Enger ist der dritte Kriminalroman um den norwegischen Journalisten Henning Juul und stellt diesen gleich vor drei große Herausforderungen: Beruflich bekommt es Juul mit dem oben geschilderten Mord im Pflegeheim zu tun, der nicht nur aufgrund der ungeheuren Brutalität Rätsel aufgibt, auch das Motiv für die Tat ist zunächst völlig ungewiss. Die beiden weiteren Baustellen liegen vorrangig im privaten Bereich des Reporters, denn nach wie vor strebt Henning nach der Aufklärung des Todes seines Sohnes, der vor zwei Jahren bei einem Wohnungsbrand ums Leben kam. Juul hat inzwischen zahlreiche Hinweise dafür gesammelt, dass der Brand absichtlich gelegt wurde und will den oder die Verantwortlichen dafür nun endlich zur Rechenschaft ziehen. Und auch der letzte Handlungsstrang betrifft den Journalisten persönlich, denn seine Schwester wird der sexuellen Nötigung bezichtet. Besonders brisant an der Angelegenheit: Trine Juul-Osmundsen ist Norwegens amtierende Justizministerin, sodass die die Vorwürfe einen landesweiten Skandal auslösen.

Drei spannende Storylines in einem Buch

Es kommt also ein Haufen Arbeit auf Thomas Engers Hauptfigur zu und wer die ersten beiden Bände der Reihe kennt, dürfte nun vielleicht das schlimmste befürchten, denn es war auch ohne drei parallel verlaufende Erzählstränge immer schon nicht leicht, dem Autor zu folgen, da in Engers Krimis immer sehr viele Nebencharaktere auftreten. Das ist zwar auch in „Verleumdet“ wieder so, trotzdem lassen sich die drei Fälle diesmal recht gut auseinander halten, da diese zumindest in der ersten Hälfte inhaltlich doch recht klar voneinander abgegrenzt sind. Für den Subplot um Hennings verstorbenen Sohn empfiehlt es sich aber, die Vorgänger gelesen zu haben, schließlich erstreckt sich diese Story nun schon über das insgesamt dritte Buch hinweg und es ist in dieser Angelegenheit zuvor schon eine ganze Menge passiert.

Sehr guter Norwegen-Krimi mit kleinen Makeln bei der Auflösung

Bis ins Schlussviertel hinein ist „Verleumdet“ der meiner Meinung nach bisher stärkte Band der Reihe, was ganz einfach daran liegt, dass wirklich alle drei Handlungsstränge großen Reiz haben und überdies packend geschrieben sind. Zudem wird das Erzähltempo dadurch auf einem sehr hohen Niveau gehalten, sodass zu keiner Zeit Langeweile aufkommt. Allerdings fallen die letzten Kapitel für mich dann doch etwas ab, da es Enger nicht in jeder Hinsicht überzeugend gelingt, die losen Fäden zu einem stimmigen Gesamtbild zusammenzufügen. Außerdem nimmt Henning Juul bei der Aufklärung eher eine Nebenrolle ein und wird fast schon in die Zuschauerrolle gedrängt, was schade ist, da gerade die guten Ermittlerfähigkeiten des Journalisten die Reihe für mich in den ersten beiden Büchern ausgezeichnet haben. Zudem wird es langsam etwas nervig, dass der Autor beim Schluss seiner Romane immer den gleichen Kniff einsetzt und auch Band Nr. 3 wieder mit einem Cliffhanger abschließt. Dagegen ist zwar grundsätzlich nichts einzuwenden, allerdings ist sich dieser in allen drei bisherigen Büchern auch inhaltlich sehr ähnlich, sodass sich Engers Masche langsam etwas abnutzt. Dennoch ist auch „Verleumdet“ wieder ein sehr guter und cleverer Kriminalroman geworden, der Fans der Reihe sicher nicht enttäuschend wird. Dafür sorgt auch Oliver Siebecks wieder einmal tadellose Lesung der Hörspielfassung.

Fazit:
Inhaltlich der bisher spannendste Teil der Reihe, allerdings trübt das etwas bemüht wirkende Ende den ansonsten hervorragenden Gesamteindruck.

[Anne-Jan · Rating 4 out of 5]

#ThomasEnger #Bloedmist

Scandinavië, het brengt ons een overvloed aan topauteurs.
Ook Thomas Enger komt hier vandaan. Hij debuteerde met Schijndood, het eerste deel in de serie met journalist Henning Juul.
Hierna volgde Fantoompijn en pas geleden verscheen het derde deel in de serie : Bloedmist.

"Henning slaat zijn blik neer en kijkt in een verleden dat als een veelkleurige mist van de tafel opstijgt. En daar middenin...een éénzame waarheid."

Een gruwelijke moord op een oude vrouw in een verpleeghuis. Wat is het motief van de dader om deze onschuldige vrouw op leeftijd te vermoorden?
Dan is er de zus van Henning Juul, Trine. Ze heeft een hoge functie als de minister van justitie en wordt beschuldigd van seksuele intimidatie.
2 zaken die Henning Juul bezig houden en dan wordt er nog een moord gepleegd!

"Dan duiken ze op, de ogen, intens en uitnodigend, groot als van een trol. En de snelheid, die neemt niet af, de rails komen steeds meer tot leven, ze sidderen, sissen, worden duister en gevaarlijk, hij komt nog een stap dichterbij, voelt met zijn voet de rand van het beton. De trein nadert, nu toetert hij ook, de machinist heeft hem misschien gezien. Maar dat houdt hem niet tegen zijn ene voet op te tillen. Hij laat hem over de rand bungelen, het is maar een meter tot aan de knetterende rails, tot het licht in de mooie, grote ogen hem zal verzwelgen."

Heerlijk om weer te lezen hoe het verhaal met Henning verder gaat en weer te genieten van Enger zijn heerlijke vertellende schrijfstijl. Henning Juul is als een goede vriend, die je tijdens het lezen van deze geweldige serie steeds beter leert kennen. Elk boek is weer beter dan het vorige deel. Diepgang, snelheid, spanning en stuk voor stuk geweldige karakters.
Ook het einde van het boek doet je absoluut weer verlangen naar het volgende deel, want net als bij de vorige delen laat Enger ons weer achter met een behoorlijke cliffhanger. Op naar #HenningJuul4!

★★★★½

[Viktorija · Rating 4 out of 5]

Many thanks to Atria Books for the ARC via NetGalley.

A fine, wonderfully paced thriller. The use of the present tense makes the action immediate and suspended right before our eyes. The chapters are short, like pieces of flash fiction, and the swift switches between points of view set the pace and make the book very hard to put down.
The insight into police procedures is enjoyable, and the various characters and different plots come together eventually in a rather satisfying way.
What is particularly pleasing is how the main quest of journalist Henning Juul is interwoven throughout the current investigation, so that there is insight into the big picture even for readers (myself included) who haven't yet read the previous books in the series.
Not only does the course of the investigation seem extremely plausible, but the inner monologues of the characters portray their personal and professional struggles with a gritty realism, an effect stunningly complemented by the rainy, grey, urban atmosphere of Oslo.
With a proper dose of red herrings, deduction, and moments of revelation, the eventual resolution is relatively rewarding and the loose ends are few and related to the desire to know what happens to the characters afterwards, and not to the case at hand.
A gripping, entertaining read that successfully combines the themes of crime and investigation and the cruel world of politics and incorporates them into an enticing whole.

[Sharon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Scarred, Henning Juul #3, 2014. Thomas Enger, Norway.
Third in the series of five. This book was very well constructed with a scandal involving his own sister and series of murders. Links of past to present. Henning still trying to unravel the mystery of his son's death. Very good reading! Excellent characters.

[Ken Fredette · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a pretty good story about a journalist who was looking for the people who Killed his son in a fire which he got burned in. Plus the murders of several people who were victims of one person. Plus Henning Juul's sister gets blackmailed. Comes out fairly good.

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another exciting crime thriller- I just have to be patient for the next book in the series to become available here!

[Jen · Rating 5 out of 5]

So, this is it. The final book to complete the series. Totally out of order, admittedly, but completed nonetheless. And now I can honestly say that so many of those little unknowns, the teeny questions that arise when reading the later books in a series, have been answered and I am left feeling truly satisfied. And a little sad. Because now it really is over and there is no more Henning Juul. Unless I read them again. In order. A distinct possibility.

This book follows two distinct threads. One is a murder case - the brutal killing and mutilation of an old woman resident in a care home. A former teacher she had few visitors and no apparent enemies, so who would seek to hurt her in that way. Secondary to this investigation, but no less important to the plot Henning finds himself face to face with his estranged sister, now embroiled in a political scandal. But why is she running away and not using the clear evidence she has to clear her name?

I have loved this series for the simple fact that, as a reporter and not a police officer, Henning has so much more freedom to ask the questions other's can't ask and to challenge the expected course of events. He also has seemingly more freedom in his day, letting him track down not only his sister but leads in the case as to who set the fire that killed his son.

Thomas Enger is a truly skilled writer, infusing the story with a perfect balance of intrigue, mystery, and threat. We are fed many potential suspects in the murder of the old woman, many possible reasons for her demise too. But the killers true identity is kept hidden for quite some time, even though we are treated to their perspective throughout the story. And with the narrative focus moving from Henning, to the lead Detective, Brogeland, and even to Trine, I found myself well and truly on the hook with a story that was perfectly paced to drive the story onward.

Setting has always been a key part of these books and as the story moves from the hustle of the city to a remote cabin that Trine retreats to whilst she contemplates her next step, Thomas Enger is able to capture each location so clearly that you can feel the wind on your face, smell the essence of the sea, and feel as much a part of the action as the characters themselves. There is still that overwhelming sense of melancholy that dominates Hennings life, but also a sense of passion that his quest to find answers is bringing him, and us, ever closer to the truth. Add in the intensity of the final showdown, where not only a killer but Trine's accusers are cornered, and it make s=for one hell of a read.

If I was honest, I would truly advise that you read. the books in order. The last two in particular, Pierced and Scarred, are key parts of this very dark and emotional journey for Henning and really do set readers up for what is to come, especially in the final book Killed. But whichever book you start with, I'd just recommend you read them as they are absolutely brilliant. Loved them all.

[Elizabeth Sulzby · Rating 4 out of 5]

My review of Henning Juul, #5, KILLED.
This is the final Henning Juul book by Thomas Enger and really brings this character Henning Juul and his relationships to a climax. It is dark because almost all of the people in Juul's life have either died or been killed. Henning and his sister Trine reveal the family secret that Trine remembers from their childhood with their father who died young. Henning shows signs of starting to let go of some of his obsessions.

This series of five books is very unusual. It appears from what he has written that Enger planned this just to be five books and they are ALL centered around the mystery of who set the fire in Juul's apartment that killed his young son Jonas. In book one BURNED Henning Juul is just recovering from 2 years therapy to the burn wounds on his face and the mental burns to his soul. In each of the books which are given a one word past tense very for the titles (BURNED, PIERCED, . . . KILLED) the reader is taken into more and more facets of how JUUL investigates this question and also side investigations and relationships.

One example of the relationships is with his co-worker at his news place, Iver Gunderson. Iver has started a relationship with Juul's former wife (and the mother of his son Jonas) Kate Klemetsen.
Kate is pregnant with Iver Gunderson which is a shock to Henning and he wrestles with how to relate to Iver. By the time of KILLED, they are pretty trusting allies but it took a long time to get there.

Two other aspects of these books appeals to me. First is the social commentary that is revealed in largish paragraphs from time to time. Second is Enger's humor as exposed by Henning's interior monologues and also with his taking comical swipes at other characters. (An example is in book two, PIERCED, when Iver begs him to explain why people are always mentioned "Mrs. Blom," and Henning tells him that it was an ad-lib that a character made on stage in Carousel and that became incorporated into a throw-away line in the play thereafter. It has now become a way of people creating throw-away lines by always adding "Mrs. Blom" in their lines. Iver doesn't get it before the explanation and seems offended by it after it has been explained. THEN, Enger adds that Henning decided NOT to explain the other redundant lines that people use to embellish their conversation. (One I would love him have Henning explain is "for all intents and purposes," which almost all writers use but which I think is useless and trite.)

Well, that's enough for now. I have already gone on to Enger's collaboration with Jorn Lier Horst. Their acknowledgements at the END of their books are hilarious.

[Martin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Scarred is the third in the series of books featuring Norwegian journalist Henning Juul (Burned and Pierced precede this with Cursed and Killed completing it), and it is another great read. This book follows on just a week or so after the end of Pierced with Henning still reeling from the events of that book. He's still no closer to discovering who caused the fire in his flat that left him severely scarred and claimed the life of his young son, Jonas. This mystery is the overreaching arc throughout this series, but Scarred takes a slight step back from this and instead focusses on the murder of an elderly ex-teacher in a retirement home and the apparent blackmailing of Justice Secretary, and Henning's estranged sister, Trine. Henning is supposed to be covering the murder, but the plight of his sister draws him away. Henning and Trine are estranged and have been for many years, Henning has no idea why this is, but Trine harbours a truth that Henning has clearly forgotten (I'm hoping I haven't also, lol. I don't think I've missed anything from a previous book. At least I hope I haven't ;)). This memory prevents her from reuniting with Henning, despite his willingness to help her.

Anyway, without spoiling too much, that is the basic story of Scarred. It is written in Enger's usual style - a kind of first person present tense thing - and with his usual eye for detail and character. Over the course of the three books so far the story is slowly revealing itself whilst leaving plenty more for the reader to discover over the next two books. Enger likes to leave his readers dangling at the end of each book, the git ;) The last sentence giving you a real "Whhaaaaaaa....?" moment, driving you to buy the next instalment. I'm fortunate that I've come into this series at the end because I don't think I could take the wait between books as they are published!

I can't recommend this series highly enough. With only two books left in Henning's story, I'm very sad to be coming to the end, but I'm equally excited to see what Thomas Enger will come up with next. :)

[Judith · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the first of this series that I have read. I think I would have benefitted some from reading the earlier novels first.

Henning Juul is an investigative reporter in Norway. He has had some bad turns in his life, most notably the burning of his home, causing scarring to his face, and the loss of his young son in that fire. Back on the job after some time off, he is investigating the murder of an elderly woman in a nursing home.

Of course the police are investigating it, too. Mainly Bjarne Brogeland, a friend. Henning frequently acts as an unofficial source for Bjarne, when he finds out things that can help solve the mystery. In this novel the two pursue it independently, only connecting a few times. Those connections are crucial, however.

While Bjorne and Henning are looking into who could have gotten into the old woman's room and killed her so dramatically, a scandal breaks out. Henning's sister, Trine Juul-Osmundsen, is accused of abusing her power as Secretary of State to engage in sex with a young man. Henning and Trine have not spoken for years, for reasons that are not clear to Henning.

The novel then follow both stories, with Henning the link between them. The murder, unfortunately, is not the only one. It is followed by others, equally mysterious. We get glimpses into the mind of the killer in a few chapters, but they don't reveal who it is. As if often the case in such mysteries, the killer is obsessive.

The book kept me reading rather quickly, so makes good escape reading, pretty decent. I didn't get exactly attached to Henning so I am not sure I will want to seek out others in the series.

[Shirley]

Third in the Henning Juul series. As usual there is the background story of Juul trying to find out who torched his flat, killing his young son and now he wants to know why Torre Pulli was watching his building on the week leading up to the fire.
Meanwhile there are two deaths, one of an old woman in a residential home and one of a young woman in her flat, which police begin to believe are linked.
And Juul's sister Trine, the justice minister, is being accused of sexuallly harassing and assaulting a younger man. She has an alibi she was in Denmark at the time the offence was supposedly committed. But she doesn't want anyone to know what she was really doing.
While Juul's boss wants him to focus on the murders, he wants to help his sister, who has disappeared not even telling her husband where she is or if she's OK. Trine rejects his offer and he cannot remember why she thinks so badly of him, or why his mother loves Trine, who hardly ever visits, but loathes him.
Juul sets out to help Trine anonymously and still manages to work on the murders and be there at the conclusion.
But the only way he can find to break through the blockages in his memory about what happened before the fire, and what happened in childhood, is to expose himself to the flames he fears so much.

[Virginia · Rating 3 out of 5]

This 5-book series is a must-read for mystery buffs, and Scandinavian-noir fans especially! 3 stars in my scale means – OK it’s genre fiction, not lit – but absolutely top-notch genre fiction. The protagonist Henning Juul is a prominent Oslo crime journalist. Henning’s sister, a politician, is also periodically a main character in this series which involves intertwined financial and gang crime as well as political dirty tricks and complex family relationships. In Burned, Henning is recovering from a horrific physical trauma and personal loss, drawn back into work to begin pulling himself out of depression, and to help a less-experienced reporter cover a tricky investigative series. As we enter Pierced, he is talked into pursuing a dubious lead by a felon’s hint that there’s more to learn about the accident that nearly took his life. That story becomes a web that gradually pulls past and present crimes and investigations together.

[Tony Nielsen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nordic noir has long been my go-to favourite genre, and Thomas Enger is my latest discovery. "Scarred" is the third Enger crime thriller featuring journalist Henning Juul.


As usual Thomas Enger's plot takes us in a number of mostly disconnected directions at once. Firstly we are delivered the unusual murder of an elderly woman in a rest home, a challenge for the local police and for Henning Juul. Another thread involves Henning's sister Trine who is accused of sexual harassment which threatens her high profile position as the Minister for Justice.


Somehow "Scarred" takes us down these disparate story lines without a false step, and he keeps us fully engaged. Henning is also driven by his desire to find out the details of the fire that badly scarred him and took the life of his adored son Jonas. Eventually some of the balls in the air land in his lap, but not all. Again this is clever writing and sets up his next episode in the Henning Juul series.

[Kristi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I AM ADDICTED!! I am a fan of Scandinavian mysteries and stumbled upon this series. I am fortunate in this fact because I can read the series in rapid succession and not lose track of preceding events. Enger is amazing in how angry he can make me because just when an important exposure or confrontation is about to occur, the book switches to another storyline. I say angry, but only because I am so involved in the characters that I do not want to wait..... If I were not so engagd, I would not be so frustrated. This technique is not a bad characteristic as it keeps me reading and reading and reading. I highly recommend this Norwegian series. Kristi & Abby Tabby p.s. the book keeps switching to Norwegian despite my efforts to select the English version. Shame on Goodreads!!

[Peter Morell · Rating 2 out of 5]

Enger kan godt give op. Han bliver aldrig en af nordens bedste krimiforfattere. Nu har jeg læst de tre første bøger i denne serie på 6 bøger, som i mellemtiden er krympet til 5 bøger. Nummer tre er kun til 2 stjerner, hvilket betyder, at jeg ikke gider at beskæftige mig med nummer 4 og 5. Bøgerne er amatøragtige med latterlige forsøg på dumme cliff-hangers. I hver bog er der desuden en cliff-hanger til sidst, som skal få læseren til at købe den næste bog. Og denne kendsgerning betyder så, at jeg gør det modsatte! Bøgerne er ikke gode nok, og plottet ikke interessant nok til at jeg har lyst til at læse de to sidste bøger.

[Sheila Howes · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the third book in the Henning Juul series, but only the second I've read. Whilst it works fine as a standalone, there is a thread which carries between the whole series so I'd recommend starting at the beginning.

I enjoyed the two main stories - the death of a pensioner, and the political scandal, but was left a little disappointed in the ending of the political scandal.

As ever, I loved the character of Henning Juul.

I did find that the story occasionally dragged, and felt it could have done with being a little shorter.