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Wounds: A Novel
From Denmark's bestselling suspense giants Sara Blædel and Mads Peder Nordbo comes the sizzling conclusion to this crime duology, perfect for fans of Jo Nesbø and Lars Kepler.
When a body is discovered in an abandoned building, Denmark police investigators Liam Stark and Dea Torp are called to the scene to investigate. They learn that the victim has several shallow wounds all over his body that were inflicted over the span of several weeks.
With a pile of open cases including two missing teenage girls, Liam and Dea are staggering under the weight of their already heavy caseload. Tension in town heats up when two more bodies are discovered with the same shallow wounds as the first victim and their suspects list has dried up. Liam and Dea come to the alarming conclusion that they have another serial killer on their hands. And it’s only a matter of time before they strike again.
As the investigation continues, Liam and Dea worry that the missing teens might be connected to the murders. As the clock ticks down, they have to uncover who is killing these victims and if they can bring the girls home before they’re next under the killer’s knife.
When a body is discovered in an abandoned building, Denmark police investigators Liam Stark and Dea Torp are called to the scene to investigate. They learn that the victim has several shallow wounds all over his body that were inflicted over the span of several weeks.
With a pile of open cases including two missing teenage girls, Liam and Dea are staggering under the weight of their already heavy caseload. Tension in town heats up when two more bodies are discovered with the same shallow wounds as the first victim and their suspects list has dried up. Liam and Dea come to the alarming conclusion that they have another serial killer on their hands. And it’s only a matter of time before they strike again.
As the investigation continues, Liam and Dea worry that the missing teens might be connected to the murders. As the clock ticks down, they have to uncover who is killing these victims and if they can bring the girls home before they’re next under the killer’s knife.
329 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 12, 2025
13 people are currently reading
51 people want to read
About the author
Sara Blaedel
36 books2,037 followersSara Blaedel is the author of the #1 international bestselling series featuring Detective Louise Rick. Her books are published in thirty-seven countries. In 2014 Sara was voted Denmark’s most popular novelist for the fourth time. She is also a recipient of the Golden Laurel, Denmark’s most prestigious literary award.
In 2016 she published the first book "The Undertakers Daughter" in a new trilogy set in Racine, Wisconsin:
Already widowed by the age of forty, Ilka Nichols Jensen, a school portrait photographer, leads a modest, regimented, and uneventful life in Copenhagen. Until unexpected news rocks her quiet existence: Her father–who walked out suddenly and inexplicably on the family more than three decades ago–has died. And he’s left her something in his will: his funeral home. In Racine, Wisconsin.
In 2016 she published the first book "The Undertakers Daughter" in a new trilogy set in Racine, Wisconsin:
Already widowed by the age of forty, Ilka Nichols Jensen, a school portrait photographer, leads a modest, regimented, and uneventful life in Copenhagen. Until unexpected news rocks her quiet existence: Her father–who walked out suddenly and inexplicably on the family more than three decades ago–has died. And he’s left her something in his will: his funeral home. In Racine, Wisconsin.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
September 29, 2025
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC in audiobook format
🔪 Wounds by Sara Blaedel & Mads Peder Nordbo
Narrated by Lila Newman
Trigger warning: animal lovers will find this book extremely hard to read, it literally gave me nightmares.
Now for my review...
In this taut, emotionally lacerating thriller, Sara Blaedel and Mads Peder Nordbo deliver a chilling Nordic noir.
The audiobook, voiced with haunting precision by Lila Newman, transforms the experience into something visceral, intimate, and devastating.
Set in Greenland, a landscape breathtaking yet brutal, the novel follows Ilona, a Danish police officer dispatched to investigate a series of murders that seem to bleed into the icy terrain itself. This is a psychological excavation. and Ilona carries her own wounds: grief, guilt, and a past that refuses to stay buried. As she navigates a community fractured by colonial legacy, cultural silence, and generational trauma, murders are unveiled which are horrifically and nerve-wrackingly brutal. Along the way there is a missing child - a case that hits far too close to home when it comes to Ilona's workplace.
At the center of this case is someone who views herself as a retired artist, however her "art" is repellent to society as a whole, which led to her retirement.
Newman’s narration is a masterclass in restraint. She doesn’t dramatize—she inhabits. Her voice captures Ilona’s quiet determination, the brittle tension of Greenlandic locals, and the creeping dread that permeates every scene. There’s a cold beauty to her delivery, mirroring the novel’s setting: stark, unforgiving, and strangely poetic.
What sets Wounds apart from standard Nordic noir is its refusal to offer easy catharsis. Blaedel and Nordbo weave a narrative that’s morally ambiguous and emotionally raw. The violence is not sensationalized; it’s contextualized—rooted in history, isolation, brutality and the slow erosion of trust. The audiobook format amplifies this, allowing pauses, breath, and silence to speak louder than exposition.
My only complaint is that this book/audiobook a central character tortured animals supposedly from a twisted view of conservationist viewpoint to get humans to wake up to the harm they do to the world. Throughout the book, I kept being pulled out of the story wondering why the author decided to portray conservationists (or at least one very twisted example) in this vein, what was her point, or was it merely the author writing a clever mystery? In today's current political environment here in the United States, there is almost no one defending conservationism, therefore I found this particular portrayal disconcerting.
For listeners drawn to psychological depth, cultural complexity, and atmospheric storytelling, Wounds is a slow burn that leaves scars. It’s not a whodunit—it’s a “why did we let it happen?” And in that question lies its power.
🎧 Recommended for fans of Jo Nesbo, Karin Fossum, and those who believe that the most compelling mysteries are the ones that unravel the self. Personally these are among my favorite authors!
🔪 Wounds by Sara Blaedel & Mads Peder Nordbo
Narrated by Lila Newman
Trigger warning: animal lovers will find this book extremely hard to read, it literally gave me nightmares.
Now for my review...
In this taut, emotionally lacerating thriller, Sara Blaedel and Mads Peder Nordbo deliver a chilling Nordic noir.
The audiobook, voiced with haunting precision by Lila Newman, transforms the experience into something visceral, intimate, and devastating.
Set in Greenland, a landscape breathtaking yet brutal, the novel follows Ilona, a Danish police officer dispatched to investigate a series of murders that seem to bleed into the icy terrain itself. This is a psychological excavation. and Ilona carries her own wounds: grief, guilt, and a past that refuses to stay buried. As she navigates a community fractured by colonial legacy, cultural silence, and generational trauma, murders are unveiled which are horrifically and nerve-wrackingly brutal. Along the way there is a missing child - a case that hits far too close to home when it comes to Ilona's workplace.
At the center of this case is someone who views herself as a retired artist, however her "art" is repellent to society as a whole, which led to her retirement.
Newman’s narration is a masterclass in restraint. She doesn’t dramatize—she inhabits. Her voice captures Ilona’s quiet determination, the brittle tension of Greenlandic locals, and the creeping dread that permeates every scene. There’s a cold beauty to her delivery, mirroring the novel’s setting: stark, unforgiving, and strangely poetic.
What sets Wounds apart from standard Nordic noir is its refusal to offer easy catharsis. Blaedel and Nordbo weave a narrative that’s morally ambiguous and emotionally raw. The violence is not sensationalized; it’s contextualized—rooted in history, isolation, brutality and the slow erosion of trust. The audiobook format amplifies this, allowing pauses, breath, and silence to speak louder than exposition.
My only complaint is that this book/audiobook a central character tortured animals supposedly from a twisted view of conservationist viewpoint to get humans to wake up to the harm they do to the world. Throughout the book, I kept being pulled out of the story wondering why the author decided to portray conservationists (or at least one very twisted example) in this vein, what was her point, or was it merely the author writing a clever mystery? In today's current political environment here in the United States, there is almost no one defending conservationism, therefore I found this particular portrayal disconcerting.
For listeners drawn to psychological depth, cultural complexity, and atmospheric storytelling, Wounds is a slow burn that leaves scars. It’s not a whodunit—it’s a “why did we let it happen?” And in that question lies its power.
🎧 Recommended for fans of Jo Nesbo, Karin Fossum, and those who believe that the most compelling mysteries are the ones that unravel the self. Personally these are among my favorite authors!
April 30, 2025
My Rating: 2.5 stars out of 5
This book was a struggle for me to get through for a few different reasons. To begin with, I'm going to be honest here, with the exception of Monika, Liam and Helene, I had absolutely no idea how to pronounce any of the other names in the book. This is entirely due to the fact that I am an American and these names are Danish. While this didn't take me out of the book entirely, it did lead to a few moments of confusion when the author would occasionally switch from calling someone by their first name to calling them by their last.
Moving on to the plot, while there were some moments of urgency near the end, I felt like it took entirely way too long to get there (and that is overlooking the fact that most police work I would imagine is pretty tedious). For example there is one story-line that has absolutely nothing to do with the rest of it, but when taken in the context of the story would have made sense for the chief of police to react more urgently when the same thing appeared to happen to someone she cared about. Yet it didn't. It took almost two days (or longer) for her to even admit there was a potential problem. Then there is a break-up that seemingly comes out of the blue, and the reveal of the perpetrator shortly thereafter, which was shocking only because there had been nothing, not even subtly hinted at, to make you even look at this character twice.
On the plus side, while there are two authors listed for this one, I could not tell which one had written what part, that is how seamlessly their styles blended together and I liked that. However, I will say that (and hopefully this was revised before the publication date as I am reviewing an advanced reader copy) there were some glaring errors with the way a restraining order was handled. At one point it says that one of their victims had gotten a five year restraining order against Monika, only Monika was the one who was being harassed and therefore she would have been the one to take out the restraining order. And while this is mentioned once, it quickly reverts back to "this is why the victim got his restraining order". Even though he was the one that violated it and was subsequently fined for said violations.
Overall, I feel like I will definitely be in the minority with my thoughts on this one, but that's fine. I learned a long time ago that not every book is geared towards every reader. So if this one sounds interesting to you, I recommend checking it out for yourself.
DISCLAIMER: I received a complimentary copy of this novel from the publisher. This has not affected my review in any way. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are 100% my own.
This book was a struggle for me to get through for a few different reasons. To begin with, I'm going to be honest here, with the exception of Monika, Liam and Helene, I had absolutely no idea how to pronounce any of the other names in the book. This is entirely due to the fact that I am an American and these names are Danish. While this didn't take me out of the book entirely, it did lead to a few moments of confusion when the author would occasionally switch from calling someone by their first name to calling them by their last.
Moving on to the plot, while there were some moments of urgency near the end, I felt like it took entirely way too long to get there (and that is overlooking the fact that most police work I would imagine is pretty tedious). For example there is one story-line that has absolutely nothing to do with the rest of it, but when taken in the context of the story would have made sense for the chief of police to react more urgently when the same thing appeared to happen to someone she cared about. Yet it didn't. It took almost two days (or longer) for her to even admit there was a potential problem. Then there is a break-up that seemingly comes out of the blue, and the reveal of the perpetrator shortly thereafter, which was shocking only because there had been nothing, not even subtly hinted at, to make you even look at this character twice.
On the plus side, while there are two authors listed for this one, I could not tell which one had written what part, that is how seamlessly their styles blended together and I liked that. However, I will say that (and hopefully this was revised before the publication date as I am reviewing an advanced reader copy) there were some glaring errors with the way a restraining order was handled. At one point it says that one of their victims had gotten a five year restraining order against Monika, only Monika was the one who was being harassed and therefore she would have been the one to take out the restraining order. And while this is mentioned once, it quickly reverts back to "this is why the victim got his restraining order". Even though he was the one that violated it and was subsequently fined for said violations.
Overall, I feel like I will definitely be in the minority with my thoughts on this one, but that's fine. I learned a long time ago that not every book is geared towards every reader. So if this one sounds interesting to you, I recommend checking it out for yourself.
DISCLAIMER: I received a complimentary copy of this novel from the publisher. This has not affected my review in any way. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are 100% my own.
September 18, 2025
This is a dark, chilling, and atmospheric thriller that pulls you straight into a world of missing teens, murder, and secrets that refuse to stay buried. From the very beginning, the story establishes a haunting tone that only deepens as the investigation unfolds, making it impossible to look away.
The plot is carefully constructed, with an investigation that feels authentic and deeply detailed. Every clue, every lead, and every dead end keeps the tension building and the reader second-guessing what will come next. Blaedel and Nordbo masterfully create a sense of unease, weaving together a narrative that feels not only suspenseful but also disturbingly real. You can almost feel the weight of the case pressing down on the investigators, and that sense of urgency transfers to the reader with every chapter.
What makes Wounds stand out is how immersive it is. The darkness isn’t just in the crimes themselves—it’s in the atmosphere, the setting, and even the relationships between characters. There’s a chilling undercurrent that keeps you on edge, and yet you can’t help but turn the pages faster to see what disturbing discovery will come next.
It’s a story that thrives on its creepiness, delivering not only shocking twists but also an emotional weight that lingers. The authors balance the intricacies of a police procedural with the raw tension of psychological suspense, creating a thriller that is both intelligent and haunting.
For fans of Nordic noir and dark crime fiction, Wounds is a gripping and memorable read. It’s unsettling in the best possible way—an atmospheric page-turner that leaves you both disturbed and impressed long after the final reveal.
The plot is carefully constructed, with an investigation that feels authentic and deeply detailed. Every clue, every lead, and every dead end keeps the tension building and the reader second-guessing what will come next. Blaedel and Nordbo masterfully create a sense of unease, weaving together a narrative that feels not only suspenseful but also disturbingly real. You can almost feel the weight of the case pressing down on the investigators, and that sense of urgency transfers to the reader with every chapter.
What makes Wounds stand out is how immersive it is. The darkness isn’t just in the crimes themselves—it’s in the atmosphere, the setting, and even the relationships between characters. There’s a chilling undercurrent that keeps you on edge, and yet you can’t help but turn the pages faster to see what disturbing discovery will come next.
It’s a story that thrives on its creepiness, delivering not only shocking twists but also an emotional weight that lingers. The authors balance the intricacies of a police procedural with the raw tension of psychological suspense, creating a thriller that is both intelligent and haunting.
For fans of Nordic noir and dark crime fiction, Wounds is a gripping and memorable read. It’s unsettling in the best possible way—an atmospheric page-turner that leaves you both disturbed and impressed long after the final reveal.
September 13, 2025
I received an Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.
I recommend this novel for readers looking to ease into crime fiction. You don't need to read the first book, "Dissolved," to enjoy this one. I found this second installment significantly more compelling and well-crafted.
The story kept me engaged by revealing early on that the victims were connected, though the exact relationship remained mysterious until later on. I appreciated not having to wait until the final chapters for the plot to gain momentum. Instead, carefully placed clues appear consistently throughout, leading to a genuinely surprising plot twist. The authors introduce victims and suspects gradually, keeping them consistently present throughout the story rather than merely mentioning them once only to disappear. Each character serves a meaningful purpose, and the multiple perspectives add rich layers to the narrative. The result is a remarkably cohesive story. The narration was straightforward. The neutral tone appropriately reflected the law enforcement perspective.
I rarely gravitate toward crime fiction as I need likeable protagonists, and law enforcement characters often come across as joyless. This book, however, features several genuinely engaging characters. The pace effortlessly kept the suspense. This book has exceeded my expectations in every aspect.
I recommend this novel for readers looking to ease into crime fiction. You don't need to read the first book, "Dissolved," to enjoy this one. I found this second installment significantly more compelling and well-crafted.
The story kept me engaged by revealing early on that the victims were connected, though the exact relationship remained mysterious until later on. I appreciated not having to wait until the final chapters for the plot to gain momentum. Instead, carefully placed clues appear consistently throughout, leading to a genuinely surprising plot twist. The authors introduce victims and suspects gradually, keeping them consistently present throughout the story rather than merely mentioning them once only to disappear. Each character serves a meaningful purpose, and the multiple perspectives add rich layers to the narrative. The result is a remarkably cohesive story. The narration was straightforward. The neutral tone appropriately reflected the law enforcement perspective.
I rarely gravitate toward crime fiction as I need likeable protagonists, and law enforcement characters often come across as joyless. This book, however, features several genuinely engaging characters. The pace effortlessly kept the suspense. This book has exceeded my expectations in every aspect.
July 26, 2025
Wounds by Sara Blaedel and Peter Nordbro
The story opens with the discovery of a body covered in odd wounds. At the same time, they are busy with a case of a missing teenager (run away? kidnapped? Coerced into leaving?), another victim and another disappearance. Are they all tied?
After finding another victim with similar wounds, they identify a commonality as they appear to be online bullies. And now, the daughter of the chief of police is missing. She, like the victims, is an animal rights activist. And, they find in her social media, she is also a bully. Complicating the cases, the taxidermist, whose exhibition was canceled early due to negative reactions (the animals had similar wounds to the victims) was involved in a car wreck and in a coma. Her message (for the exhibit) was that we need to think about how we treat animals; she hadn’t mistreated the animals (although this is debatable IMO - hence the downgrade to the 4 stars).
This was a hard to put down book as I wanted to know how this all tied in – the wounds of the victims and the taxidermist (unable to provide any evidence as a result of a car accident).
Thank you to Sara Blaedel, Peter Nordbro, NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for an advanced copy of this e-book.
The story opens with the discovery of a body covered in odd wounds. At the same time, they are busy with a case of a missing teenager (run away? kidnapped? Coerced into leaving?), another victim and another disappearance. Are they all tied?
After finding another victim with similar wounds, they identify a commonality as they appear to be online bullies. And now, the daughter of the chief of police is missing. She, like the victims, is an animal rights activist. And, they find in her social media, she is also a bully. Complicating the cases, the taxidermist, whose exhibition was canceled early due to negative reactions (the animals had similar wounds to the victims) was involved in a car wreck and in a coma. Her message (for the exhibit) was that we need to think about how we treat animals; she hadn’t mistreated the animals (although this is debatable IMO - hence the downgrade to the 4 stars).
This was a hard to put down book as I wanted to know how this all tied in – the wounds of the victims and the taxidermist (unable to provide any evidence as a result of a car accident).
Thank you to Sara Blaedel, Peter Nordbro, NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for an advanced copy of this e-book.
September 8, 2025
If you like Scandinavian noir or thrillers and police procedurals in general, pick up a copy of Danish novelist Sara Blædel’s Wounds. While the police do have bodies to contend with, each found at a different location, and each with similar but unusual inflicted injuries, not all wounds are physical. Some are psychological, whether related to bullying, job stress, or other personal issues.
As police search for a missing teenage girl and begin to investigate the death of a man whose body was discovered by two teenage boys, their workload continues to grow. Another body is found with suspiciously similar wounds. Another teenage girl goes missing. A person of interest, a controversial taxidermist, falls into a coma after running into a tree at high speed. Strange things are happening in the Danish city of Odense and in the surrounding rural area, and the police are stretched thin, holding press conferences and investigating the cases to which they are assigned--cases that increasingly overlap, raising even more questions, posing more and more danger. Little is what it seems.
Thanks to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for an advance reader egalley of this latest page-turner from Sara Blædel.
As police search for a missing teenage girl and begin to investigate the death of a man whose body was discovered by two teenage boys, their workload continues to grow. Another body is found with suspiciously similar wounds. Another teenage girl goes missing. A person of interest, a controversial taxidermist, falls into a coma after running into a tree at high speed. Strange things are happening in the Danish city of Odense and in the surrounding rural area, and the police are stretched thin, holding press conferences and investigating the cases to which they are assigned--cases that increasingly overlap, raising even more questions, posing more and more danger. Little is what it seems.
Thanks to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for an advance reader egalley of this latest page-turner from Sara Blædel.
September 17, 2025
As a Scandinavian thriller, this police procedural by Danish authors Sara Blædel and Mads Peder Nordbo delivers a dark, fast-paced story. Wounds is the second in the series featuring detectives Liam Stark and Dea Torp. When Odense police discover two bodies with unusual wounds at different locations, Liam and Dea search for the thread that connects the crimes. The investigation soon entangles their Chief Constable, Margrethe Dybbøl, whose daughter has gone missing.
The novel weaves together a layered plot of crime, personal struggles, and family tensions. It shows how bullying pushed to extremes can have devastating consequences and raises questions about parents’ awareness of their children’s online lives. True to the Nordic noir tradition, the story is bleak, unsettling, and filled with moments of genuine danger for its characters. Set in and around Odense, the book offers a compelling look at police work in a smaller Danish city. The audiobook version was especially helpful in guiding pronunciation of Danish names, adding to the immersive experience.
The novel weaves together a layered plot of crime, personal struggles, and family tensions. It shows how bullying pushed to extremes can have devastating consequences and raises questions about parents’ awareness of their children’s online lives. True to the Nordic noir tradition, the story is bleak, unsettling, and filled with moments of genuine danger for its characters. Set in and around Odense, the book offers a compelling look at police work in a smaller Danish city. The audiobook version was especially helpful in guiding pronunciation of Danish names, adding to the immersive experience.
September 23, 2025
One of my favorite detective duos is back! Denmark police investigators Liam Stark and Dea Torp are looking for the killer on the loose while trying to establish a connection between the murders and disappearances of a couple of teenage girls.
I love this author duo as much as I love their main characters. This Nordic Noir read brings some darkness to the narrative which pairs really well with a suspenseful storyline and a big twist at the end. The novel touches on the topics of animal rights, bullying and mother- daughter relationships, and I really enjoyed how the authors explored those issues. Besides being a fantastic crime fiction read, this book really makes you pause and think.
I am not ready for this to be a duology, because I want so badly for the two main characters to rekindle their old flame.
This novel works perfectly as a stand-alone, but I hope you like the characters as much as I do to read the first book too.
I love this author duo as much as I love their main characters. This Nordic Noir read brings some darkness to the narrative which pairs really well with a suspenseful storyline and a big twist at the end. The novel touches on the topics of animal rights, bullying and mother- daughter relationships, and I really enjoyed how the authors explored those issues. Besides being a fantastic crime fiction read, this book really makes you pause and think.
I am not ready for this to be a duology, because I want so badly for the two main characters to rekindle their old flame.
This novel works perfectly as a stand-alone, but I hope you like the characters as much as I do to read the first book too.
April 7, 2025
In looking at who is who, in this story, I would say that Chief Constable Margrethe Dybbøl was more of a character than Liam Starker or Dea Torp, although everyone was important Dybbøl had her daughter kidnapped during her tenure. Terrible things happened to Liam, his wife filed for divorce and he ended up getting shot. Dea was told by her lover, Rolf that they were over and ended up in an hot oven an then in the hospital with 1st degree burns, 2nd degree burns and 3rd degree burns. Sara and Mads made everything interesting with trying to figure out who was killing all these people. Finally you figured out who was the killer when they finally showed who the killer was. You can read the story and find this out for yourself and see if it fits Scandinavian noir.
April 28, 2025
Another twisty thriller from my favorite Danish author!
Liam and Dea are with the Denmark police and a body has been found. The shallow cuts on his body are puzzling, with some almost healed and others fresh.
Liam is already stretched thin with a missing teenager and the fact that he is now living back home with his parents after his wife informed him she is divorcing him, and it’s because of the job.
When more bodies with similar markings are found, the dead seem to have one thing in common.
When the Chief’s daughter also goes missing, the workload and the tension really ramp up.
AS they close in on the killer, Drea is taken as well. Things could get very nasty.
Brilliant, as usual.
NetGalley/ August 12, 2025 Crooked Lane Books
Liam and Dea are with the Denmark police and a body has been found. The shallow cuts on his body are puzzling, with some almost healed and others fresh.
Liam is already stretched thin with a missing teenager and the fact that he is now living back home with his parents after his wife informed him she is divorcing him, and it’s because of the job.
When more bodies with similar markings are found, the dead seem to have one thing in common.
When the Chief’s daughter also goes missing, the workload and the tension really ramp up.
AS they close in on the killer, Drea is taken as well. Things could get very nasty.
Brilliant, as usual.
NetGalley/ August 12, 2025 Crooked Lane Books
August 18, 2025
Wounds is a dark novel about bullying taken to the extreme and revenge. It also points out that sometimes parents no so little about their children activities and behavior, especially when dealing with computer/phone activities. The story starts when a man is found dead with intriguing cuts in his torso. As the investigation progresses people related to the bullying of a suicide victim start to disappear, including the daughter of the Police Chief Officer. The story is fast-paced, full of action and with lots of questioning regarding life choices, parental behavior, working life x home life - the importance of each one. If you enjoy reading dark Nordic novels this one is a must-read!
I thank the authors, their publisher, and NetGalley for this ARC.
I thank the authors, their publisher, and NetGalley for this ARC.
September 11, 2025
Creepy murder to kick things off, along with a missing girl. Politics of policing and limited resources play a role, then the chief's daughter goes missing. When the chief gets over her denial, she throws good police practices out the window (which is probably realistic) to prioritize finding her daughter. Keeping the characters straight was a bit tricky at times, and there was absolutely no hint about who the murderer was. The end was fast and furious as Liam and Thorbjorn scramble to save people. I thought the plot was good, but I didn't really connect with Liam. He spent a lot of time feeling sorry for himself because his wife left him. At the end, most of the police force was injured or quitting, and you can't really blame them.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 25, 2025
3 stars
🌕🌕🌕
🧠 My thoughts
For me, this book wasn't really a thriller, more like a crime mystery book. The details were laid out as if I were watching a Nordic crime TV episode. The book didn't emphasize the forensic part, but more on the police procedures.
The pacing was great. However, for some reason, the book didn't grip my attention as much as I expected, which I couldn't pinpoint. Probably the execution was too monotone for my taste. I wish the ending had hit harder than this because the story was very forgettable.
👍 What I like
- Police procedures in crime solving
👎 What I don't like
- Monotone execution
- Forgettable
- The ending is so and so
🌕🌕🌕
🧠 My thoughts
For me, this book wasn't really a thriller, more like a crime mystery book. The details were laid out as if I were watching a Nordic crime TV episode. The book didn't emphasize the forensic part, but more on the police procedures.
The pacing was great. However, for some reason, the book didn't grip my attention as much as I expected, which I couldn't pinpoint. Probably the execution was too monotone for my taste. I wish the ending had hit harder than this because the story was very forgettable.
👍 What I like
- Police procedures in crime solving
👎 What I don't like
- Monotone execution
- Forgettable
- The ending is so and so
September 15, 2025
Follow up from first book by these two authors.
Liam
Dybbol (Margariete) big boss`daughter is an activist and she gets kidnapped b/c of the bullying she did to a girl who committed suicide.
The father of this girl is Rolf who is the guy in the police that has the dogs who had a relationship with one of the detective supervisors. Dea is old and is having a relationship with him but he is just using him and he starts killing off people who were connected with the kid's suicide.
This book is getting better with the stories.
Murder by taking chunks of skin off: taxidermist who went into art of this skin patchwork style.
Liam
Dybbol (Margariete) big boss`daughter is an activist and she gets kidnapped b/c of the bullying she did to a girl who committed suicide.
The father of this girl is Rolf who is the guy in the police that has the dogs who had a relationship with one of the detective supervisors. Dea is old and is having a relationship with him but he is just using him and he starts killing off people who were connected with the kid's suicide.
This book is getting better with the stories.
Murder by taking chunks of skin off: taxidermist who went into art of this skin patchwork style.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 23, 2025
As a fan of Scandinavian dark thrillers, Wounds by Sara Blædel and Mads Peder Nordbo delivered a lot of what I enjoy — a bleak, moody atmosphere, morally grey investigators, and a disturbing case involving missing teens and strange injuries. The Odense setting added a chilly, isolated vibe that worked really well. While the story dragged a bit in places and juggled a few too many threads, the core mystery kept me engaged, and the darker psychological elements gave it some real weight. Not perfect, but a solid, compelling read overall.
Thank you Netgalley for the ARC audiobook in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you Netgalley for the ARC audiobook in exchange for an honest review.
September 17, 2025
If Nordic thrillers & psychological suspense is your thing then Wounds: A Novel by Sara Blædel and Mads Peder Nordbo is a must read!
Danish police investigators Liam Stark and Dea Torp are investigating multiple cases which include missing teenage girls and dead bodies where the victims have clearly been mistreated. As the investigations progress it seems clear to them that these two very different cases are connected. And now they’re in a race against time to identify and bring a killer to justice.
Danish police investigators Liam Stark and Dea Torp are investigating multiple cases which include missing teenage girls and dead bodies where the victims have clearly been mistreated. As the investigations progress it seems clear to them that these two very different cases are connected. And now they’re in a race against time to identify and bring a killer to justice.
September 29, 2025
I love a good thriller, I'm not gonna lie and this one delivers. Idk what they put in the water in Denmark, but damn. Lately any thriller written by an author from Denmark has been a home run. I think I will have to look into learning their language just so that I can consume more of their stories. If you enjoy a good mystery with some decent subplots you should definitely check this one out.
Thank you Sara Blaedel, Dreamscape Media, and NetGalley for this opportunity. I received a copy of this book to review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Thank you Sara Blaedel, Dreamscape Media, and NetGalley for this opportunity. I received a copy of this book to review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
March 31, 2025
Another excellent entry by a Danish author I enjoy reading very much. A complicated case or I should say cases, with the mixture of human emotions and the intricacies of police work. A very detailed explanation of the effects of cyber bullying and in intransigence of activists with fatal results.
Did I mention the perpetrator in this narrative? Oh, I didn’t see this one coming!
Highly recommended!
Did I mention the perpetrator in this narrative? Oh, I didn’t see this one coming!
Highly recommended!
October 21, 2025
Just for full disclosurer.... I did not read/listen to the first book and hinestly, it was fine! Worked as a standalone for me but I wish I had done book 1 first haha.
Wow just wow. This book was fast paced and clever. I loved the plot. It was darkkkkk and gritty. I was really drawn in and because its nordic... I am so glad I did the audio (which was amazing) so I knew how to pronounce all the names...
I really enjoyed it. Clever.
4 stars
Wow just wow. This book was fast paced and clever. I loved the plot. It was darkkkkk and gritty. I was really drawn in and because its nordic... I am so glad I did the audio (which was amazing) so I knew how to pronounce all the names...
I really enjoyed it. Clever.
4 stars
November 4, 2025
This is a dark story based in Denmark about bullying, suicide, and revenge. I almost stopped reading it as the characters did not resonate with me. The action got more intense just when I was ready to return this book to the library. I did finish but do not want to read more of this series. Many people did love this book which got me interested in the first place.
May 27, 2025
A satisfying conclusion to this crime duology. If you like dark, twisty Nordic fare this book is for you. I highly recommend this book, especially after reading Dissolved, the first book in the set.
September 19, 2025
I think this is a part two so I need to find the first one! Another Denmark crime fighting duo with too much going on with their cases. Fun pair and great read.
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