The Absent One by Jussi Adler-Olsen

Carl and Department Q are back again.  This book is even better than The Keeper of Lost Causes.  Carl finds a cold case that is heating up...

Dutton Books sent me an ARC of this book for review (thank you).  It will be published August 21st, so put it on your TBR list.

I don't know if it's because I like to read mysteries and enjoy those that come from across the pond or not, but I find most of these writers have very good imaginations.  They create cold, cutting murder scenes and there is nothing cozy about their stories.  Sometimes I wonder if the person that wrote book has experienced anything like this in their life.  How can they write such convincing tales?  Are they murderers too? (Said in jest.)

What sends Carl into the case is a file left on his desk.  No one admits leaving it there, but there is a lot of information in it concerning unsolved cases and a hint that they might be related.  He has no clue just what this hunt is going to turn up.

It all began as schoolboys chumming around with a schoolgirl and doing drugs.  They soon discovered they could manipulate other people, especially if Kimmie (the female) used her body to do so.  They also discovered it gave them a high to beat other people.  Killing them was cool, too.

When they got out of school, they all went on their different ways in life.  They stayed in touch.  One confessed and went to jail.  One died.  And the remaining pals worried about Kimmie.  She was vengeful, feared and felt no pain, and they were afraid she'd come after them.  They were successful in their careers and always watched their backs, but she was a threat.

Carl and Assad end up in the middle of this. While they are lifting the leaves of time and looking at what they find, Kimmie is starting to stir...

This is an intense story that makes you wonder if people could really be like that.  You know they can, you see stories in the paper that are just as bad.  That's a sobering thought.

Mr. Adler-Olsen writes a very detailed story and pulls all the pieces together by the end of the book.  I found the ending of this book most appropriate; the bad people pay for their crimes.  Carl is a dedicated cop, but he's also a bumbler in many ways.  He finally gets a date with a woman he's been eyeing and then he falls asleep during dinner.  Poor Carl...

If you'd like my copy of this ARC, please leave a comment here on my blog and email me info at bookfaerie.com with your name and address and why you would like to read.

It was a good read.  I think mystery readers will enjoy it.

Happy reading.