What do you think?
Rate this book
The Moorland Murders
Some towns are built on lies. The dead boy was only the beginning.
Police detective Nelly Birkebæk and her teenage son, Matthias, leave Aarhus in search of a new—and hopefully quieter—life in the provincial town of Hedeborg in central Jutland. Nelly has purchased a run-down house in one of Hedeborg’s nicer neighborhoods, where her neighbor, the friendly—and a little too curious—Ejnar Skjold, quickly takes an interest in her.
But there’s no time to settle in. A missing teenage boy is found dead in a creek in a wooded area just outside town, and it soon becomes clear that the person who called it in was not the first to discover the body.
Hedeborg is a town with many layers. The local eccentric, Randi Bruun, keeps talking about a drone circling over her house. The powerful Eskelund family, who live near the forest, pull more strings than anyone dares admit. And then there are those who live out in the Village—those nobody really talks about.
The investigation takes Nelly Birkebæk and her trusted colleagues at the Hedeborg Police Department from quiet residential neighborhoods to the fringes of society, deep into the town’s most influential families, and out into the abandoned brown coal fields.
Police detective Nelly Birkebæk and her teenage son, Matthias, leave Aarhus in search of a new—and hopefully quieter—life in the provincial town of Hedeborg in central Jutland. Nelly has purchased a run-down house in one of Hedeborg’s nicer neighborhoods, where her neighbor, the friendly—and a little too curious—Ejnar Skjold, quickly takes an interest in her.
But there’s no time to settle in. A missing teenage boy is found dead in a creek in a wooded area just outside town, and it soon becomes clear that the person who called it in was not the first to discover the body.
Hedeborg is a town with many layers. The local eccentric, Randi Bruun, keeps talking about a drone circling over her house. The powerful Eskelund family, who live near the forest, pull more strings than anyone dares admit. And then there are those who live out in the Village—those nobody really talks about.
The investigation takes Nelly Birkebæk and her trusted colleagues at the Hedeborg Police Department from quiet residential neighborhoods to the fringes of society, deep into the town’s most influential families, and out into the abandoned brown coal fields.
314 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 1, 2026
About the author
Inger Wolf
32 books156 followersInspired by the Darkness
Inger Wolf is an International Bestselling Danish mystery and thriller writer.
Her first mystery novel, Dark September, for which she was awarded the Danish Crime Academy's debut prize, was published in 2006. Since then, her bestselling books have been translated into several languages.
She loves to travel and get inspiration to her books from all over the world, but lives in the outskirts of the town of Aarhus, the second largest city in Denmark, close to the forest and the sea. In this beautiful place, she got a degree in English and worked as a translator for many years.
Today, Inger Wolf works as a full-time author. The household also includes a dog called Harry Hole, named after one of her favorite detectives, and a cat called Mis (Kitty).
Books to date:
On the Side (Danish)
Dark September (Danish, Norwegian, Swedish, German, Dutch, French, Spanish)
Frost and Ashes (Danish, Norwegian, German, Dutch, Spanish)
The Song Bird (Danish, Dutch)
The Wasp Nest (Danish, French)
Evil Water (Danish, French)
Under a Black Sky (Danish, English)
The Perfect Place to Die (Danish)
Burned Souls (Danish)
The Crow Man (Danish)
Inger Wolf is an International Bestselling Danish mystery and thriller writer.
Her first mystery novel, Dark September, for which she was awarded the Danish Crime Academy's debut prize, was published in 2006. Since then, her bestselling books have been translated into several languages.
She loves to travel and get inspiration to her books from all over the world, but lives in the outskirts of the town of Aarhus, the second largest city in Denmark, close to the forest and the sea. In this beautiful place, she got a degree in English and worked as a translator for many years.
Today, Inger Wolf works as a full-time author. The household also includes a dog called Harry Hole, named after one of her favorite detectives, and a cat called Mis (Kitty).
Books to date:
On the Side (Danish)
Dark September (Danish, Norwegian, Swedish, German, Dutch, French, Spanish)
Frost and Ashes (Danish, Norwegian, German, Dutch, Spanish)
The Song Bird (Danish, Dutch)
The Wasp Nest (Danish, French)
Evil Water (Danish, French)
Under a Black Sky (Danish, English)
The Perfect Place to Die (Danish)
Burned Souls (Danish)
The Crow Man (Danish)
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
February 23, 2026
Ever since I read and enjoyed “Dark September” by Inger Wolf I have been following this Danish author.
I was delighted when I was made aware of her new project, translated into English, featuring Detective Nelly Birkebæk, set in the fictional community of Hedeborg. “The Moorland Murders” is the first in what potentially has the feel of an innovative and successful series.
I love police procedurals, especially set within in foreign countries; they have the potential to bring an interesting take on the crime novel. This book is all about the long hours and long questioning that any investigation requires for a clearer understanding of crimes and motives.
Nelly has moved from Aarhus for a quieter life in a provincial town, free from gang violence and hard crime. Unfortunately, before she officially starts in her new role, the body of a missing teenager is discovered.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
The creative writing focuses the readers attention. The start to any murder case can be slow and repetitive. The author overcomes the potential of a sedentary pace by exploring a range of clues, witnesses and provides distractions through the diverse inhabitants of this complex community. I particularly enjoyed the separate investigations undertaken by local residents and meddling of intriguing characters.
The first book in a new series can be hard to introduce all the cast of characters and stay fixed on a plot. I feel the author has grown in her approach when starting out compared to the other title I previously read.
There is a good backstory established here, with plenty of scope to expand upon the lives of those involved in future novels. This shows the skill of an author already comfortable in this genre and able to maintain a series.
That the lead detective has issues and is struggling with some personal difficulties is a prerequisite for this kind of book. Moving to a new town is familiar trick to set the ball rolling but it is done with some skill here. Nelly’s problems are all ahead of her; a single parent, a teenage son, some intensive neighbours and serious health issues. Yet she is written with such humanity and spirit we quickly warm to her and are caught up in her life and want to spend time in her company.
I look forward to sharing her journey.
I was delighted when I was made aware of her new project, translated into English, featuring Detective Nelly Birkebæk, set in the fictional community of Hedeborg. “The Moorland Murders” is the first in what potentially has the feel of an innovative and successful series.
I love police procedurals, especially set within in foreign countries; they have the potential to bring an interesting take on the crime novel. This book is all about the long hours and long questioning that any investigation requires for a clearer understanding of crimes and motives.
Nelly has moved from Aarhus for a quieter life in a provincial town, free from gang violence and hard crime. Unfortunately, before she officially starts in her new role, the body of a missing teenager is discovered.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
The creative writing focuses the readers attention. The start to any murder case can be slow and repetitive. The author overcomes the potential of a sedentary pace by exploring a range of clues, witnesses and provides distractions through the diverse inhabitants of this complex community. I particularly enjoyed the separate investigations undertaken by local residents and meddling of intriguing characters.
The first book in a new series can be hard to introduce all the cast of characters and stay fixed on a plot. I feel the author has grown in her approach when starting out compared to the other title I previously read.
There is a good backstory established here, with plenty of scope to expand upon the lives of those involved in future novels. This shows the skill of an author already comfortable in this genre and able to maintain a series.
That the lead detective has issues and is struggling with some personal difficulties is a prerequisite for this kind of book. Moving to a new town is familiar trick to set the ball rolling but it is done with some skill here. Nelly’s problems are all ahead of her; a single parent, a teenage son, some intensive neighbours and serious health issues. Yet she is written with such humanity and spirit we quickly warm to her and are caught up in her life and want to spend time in her company.
I look forward to sharing her journey.
March 1, 2026
This is a gripping Danish noir mystery that introduces a new police detective, Nelly Birkebæk, who has recently moved from Aarhus, tired by the gang violence of Denmark’s second city to the provincial town of Hedeborg, a fictitional town in central Jutland. But provincial Hedeborg has its dark side. Nelly doesn’t have time to settle in before the body of a teenage boy is discovered and she becomes involved in a murder case. Nelly has her own teenage son Matthias, who would have been in the same class as the murder victim adding a poignancy to the case.
This is a solid police procedural, the investigation, navigating a web of secrets, red herrings, and overlapping personal dramas in an atmospheric Danish provincial setting. We watch invested as Nelly slowly draws out some leads and ties up the mystery. There is an interesting blend of characters.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily for this murder mystery which is due out today (1 March 2026).
A thoughtful police procedural with a typical Nordic noir blend of darkness, depth, and dry humor. I look forward to future novels with Nelly Birkebæk as I have enjoyed the novels with the writer’s previous detective Daniel Trokic.
My rating 4.5/5 (rounded up to 5)
This is a solid police procedural, the investigation, navigating a web of secrets, red herrings, and overlapping personal dramas in an atmospheric Danish provincial setting. We watch invested as Nelly slowly draws out some leads and ties up the mystery. There is an interesting blend of characters.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily for this murder mystery which is due out today (1 March 2026).
A thoughtful police procedural with a typical Nordic noir blend of darkness, depth, and dry humor. I look forward to future novels with Nelly Birkebæk as I have enjoyed the novels with the writer’s previous detective Daniel Trokic.
My rating 4.5/5 (rounded up to 5)
March 12, 2026
Having read Ms. Wolf's Daniel Trokic series, I was excited to learn that she had a new series starting. This one is just as good as the previous, and I can't wait to see what Ms. Wolf has in store. In my opinion, this series doesn't seem to be as dark and twisted as the previous one, but it's just getting started, so who knows for sure. What I do know is that Ms. Wolf's writing is just as good, flows just as easily, and wraps you up just as intently as before. There's no casual reading with Ms. Wolf. Her characters get their claws into you, and it is almost impossible to get loose until you have finished the entire story. The ending here is intense, taut, heart-pounding, and captivating. I think I must have devoured the last 5-6 chapters. It is a definite winner. I received a review copy from the author via BookSirens, and this review reflects my honest and voluntary opinion.
March 9, 2026
I enjoyed the author's other series and was eager to see what this new series was like. It's off to a great start.
Nelly and her son relocate from the city to a small town but she doesn't get a chance to settle in when she is asked to come in early when the body of a missing boy is found. I really liked the procedural side to this as well as all the personal side of things. The characters in the new location are interesting with several seeming to be keeping their own secrets. I liked how the story seemed to veer in one direction while building up to a terrific climax. I look forward to reading more in the series in the future.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Nelly and her son relocate from the city to a small town but she doesn't get a chance to settle in when she is asked to come in early when the body of a missing boy is found. I really liked the procedural side to this as well as all the personal side of things. The characters in the new location are interesting with several seeming to be keeping their own secrets. I liked how the story seemed to veer in one direction while building up to a terrific climax. I look forward to reading more in the series in the future.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
April 6, 2026
I don't think Inger Wolf could write a book that I would not like hahahaha
I love a police procedural, the intricacies of every little thing being investigated, questioned, looked at in connection to all the other little things, is so very satisfying. From this angle, The Moorland Murders delivers big time. The narrative is well built and full of details, leading the reader to the murderer in a very gripping way!
But for me is also Wolf's writing style. There's a darkness lurking just under the surface, that keeps me on edge all the way through! The Moorland Murders is not as gruesome and graphic as her Daniel Trokic series, but it still delivers on the edginess! I am really looking forward to the next installment.
Novel from BookSirens with many thanks for the opportunity!
I love a police procedural, the intricacies of every little thing being investigated, questioned, looked at in connection to all the other little things, is so very satisfying. From this angle, The Moorland Murders delivers big time. The narrative is well built and full of details, leading the reader to the murderer in a very gripping way!
But for me is also Wolf's writing style. There's a darkness lurking just under the surface, that keeps me on edge all the way through! The Moorland Murders is not as gruesome and graphic as her Daniel Trokic series, but it still delivers on the edginess! I am really looking forward to the next installment.
Novel from BookSirens with many thanks for the opportunity!
May 18, 2026
Intelligent & Interesting
The story was interesting and well presented. An e per is deep olive detective and her teenage son move to a small town. She is hoping for a less chaotic work e,perished and a safe place for her boy. But ugly secrets and dark lies contaminate the most Placido of places. The murder of a tern is somehow linked to the disappearance of a young girl years before. A neighbor's quest for redemption distances him.from a horrifying occurrence.
This book was engrossing. Although not action packed it demonstrated how the characters used their intelligence, instincts and experience to solve the crimes. Although it took a bit to become acclimated to the Danish names, the characters were well nuanced. Satisfying read.
The story was interesting and well presented. An e per is deep olive detective and her teenage son move to a small town. She is hoping for a less chaotic work e,perished and a safe place for her boy. But ugly secrets and dark lies contaminate the most Placido of places. The murder of a tern is somehow linked to the disappearance of a young girl years before. A neighbor's quest for redemption distances him.from a horrifying occurrence.
This book was engrossing. Although not action packed it demonstrated how the characters used their intelligence, instincts and experience to solve the crimes. Although it took a bit to become acclimated to the Danish names, the characters were well nuanced. Satisfying read.
May 2, 2026
I was absolutely over the MOON, when I saw this author had another series coming out. I love Trokic's stories so much, so I couldn't wait to see what Nelly was going to be like. I was not disappointed. At all! I can't wait for the next book already! This is going to be another amazing series. I love the characters, everything. Nelly is another great lead character you can't help but fall in love with. I highly recommend anything by this author.
April 12, 2026
Very Good
I love this author. She knows how to lure the reader in with the mystery of unsolved crime. This was no exception. I look forward to reading more of her novels in the future.
I love this author. She knows how to lure the reader in with the mystery of unsolved crime. This was no exception. I look forward to reading more of her novels in the future.
April 22, 2026
Good fastread
Better book.than I expected. Have it only 4 stars because I want to see if the next book is better. A comp!cited series of plots with likeable characters. A very good understanding of addiction and things of changing.
Better book.than I expected. Have it only 4 stars because I want to see if the next book is better. A comp!cited series of plots with likeable characters. A very good understanding of addiction and things of changing.
May 6, 2026
a well written mystery
This is one of those books I want to start reading you don’t want to stop! But it was time for bed so I had to wait till the next day to finish it. which is today!
If you like mysteries, I can definitely recommend this author
This is one of those books I want to start reading you don’t want to stop! But it was time for bed so I had to wait till the next day to finish it. which is today!
If you like mysteries, I can definitely recommend this author
April 15, 2026
The moorland murders
Another well written read.I am hoping this will be another series with detective Nelly Birkedaek It keeps you guessing till the end.
Another well written read.I am hoping this will be another series with detective Nelly Birkedaek It keeps you guessing till the end.
May 17, 2026
This book was so intricate in its storytelling, and the way the threads slowly connected made the ending totally worth it. I'll probably check out more of her stuff.
May 18, 2026
A really great recommendation from BookBub, for a change.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews