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4.05 AVERAGE
4.05 AVERAGE
*FYI: Less than $1 today (Dec. 18) on kindle for US/Canada
This is book #4 in a series featuring crime reporter Henning Juul & if you’re jumping in here, no worries. Plenty of back story is provided. Just to recap: two years ago, the biggest problem Henning & wife Nora Klemetsen had was trying to juggle their busy schedules while raising son Jonas. Then the unthinkable happened. Late one night as they slept, an arsonist came calling. Jonas did not survive.
Present day finds the couple divorced & living separate lives. But Henning can’t forget. He decides it’s time to find those responsible for setting the fire & takes a leave of absence. He believes it’s connected to a story he was working on at the time & begins by reconnecting with some unsavoury characters who were part of his original investigation.
Nora has tried to move on. She still works as an investigative journalist but struggles to put one foot in front of the other, despite beginning a new relationship. She’s approached by the husband of her old school pal Hedda Hellberg who has disappeared. He wants her to write a story in the hope it will generate some tips but as soon as Nora starts digging, it becomes clear Hedda was keeping secrets from her spouse.
Nora’s biggest challenge is breaching the united front presented by Hedda’s strangely uncooperative family. They’re a wealthy bunch used to all the privacy & deference money can buy & the last thing they want is some reporter asking sticky questions. In Henning’s case, some of the potential sources have died & those that remain tend to speak with their fists.
It’s a fast paced, engaging read as we follow each investigation in alternate chapters. Both are full of intricate twists & feature powerful people with more money than morals when it comes to keeping their secrets under wraps. There is no shortage of suspects but it’s hard to pick up a cold trail when few are willing to talk.
It ticks all the boxes in terms of action & intrigue but never at the expense of the characters. The author has chosen to make them the heart & soul of the story & I really enjoyed watching the subtle changes in Henning & Nora as they face increasing risks. He’s spent the last 2 years consumed by guilt & needs to know who killed his son if he’s ever going to find a little peace. Nora, too, has been going through the motions but the search for Hedda seems to light a spark that helps her remember who she used to be.
A literal race to the finish provides most of the answers & helps Henning & Nora come to terms with their shared past. But….Mr. Enger, if I can have a word with you regarding the last page….WHAT?!
All I can say is book #5 better be coming out PDQ.
This is book #4 in a series featuring crime reporter Henning Juul & if you’re jumping in here, no worries. Plenty of back story is provided. Just to recap: two years ago, the biggest problem Henning & wife Nora Klemetsen had was trying to juggle their busy schedules while raising son Jonas. Then the unthinkable happened. Late one night as they slept, an arsonist came calling. Jonas did not survive.
Present day finds the couple divorced & living separate lives. But Henning can’t forget. He decides it’s time to find those responsible for setting the fire & takes a leave of absence. He believes it’s connected to a story he was working on at the time & begins by reconnecting with some unsavoury characters who were part of his original investigation.
Nora has tried to move on. She still works as an investigative journalist but struggles to put one foot in front of the other, despite beginning a new relationship. She’s approached by the husband of her old school pal Hedda Hellberg who has disappeared. He wants her to write a story in the hope it will generate some tips but as soon as Nora starts digging, it becomes clear Hedda was keeping secrets from her spouse.
Nora’s biggest challenge is breaching the united front presented by Hedda’s strangely uncooperative family. They’re a wealthy bunch used to all the privacy & deference money can buy & the last thing they want is some reporter asking sticky questions. In Henning’s case, some of the potential sources have died & those that remain tend to speak with their fists.
It’s a fast paced, engaging read as we follow each investigation in alternate chapters. Both are full of intricate twists & feature powerful people with more money than morals when it comes to keeping their secrets under wraps. There is no shortage of suspects but it’s hard to pick up a cold trail when few are willing to talk.
It ticks all the boxes in terms of action & intrigue but never at the expense of the characters. The author has chosen to make them the heart & soul of the story & I really enjoyed watching the subtle changes in Henning & Nora as they face increasing risks. He’s spent the last 2 years consumed by guilt & needs to know who killed his son if he’s ever going to find a little peace. Nora, too, has been going through the motions but the search for Hedda seems to light a spark that helps her remember who she used to be.
A literal race to the finish provides most of the answers & helps Henning & Nora come to terms with their shared past. But….Mr. Enger, if I can have a word with you regarding the last page….WHAT?!
All I can say is book #5 better be coming out PDQ.
This series has truly blown me away! It starts off each book with a building momentum that literally explodes at the end, leaving you completely breathless & begging for the next installment!
Thomas Enger has the knack for writing multi layered intriguing Scandi Noir and his Henning Juul series is evidence of his skill as an author. “Cursed” is the 4th installment in this series and I can feel the threads of the previous 3 books coming together in a tantalizing and distinctly moody and Nordic kind of way.
Henning Juul is a tragic character, tortured by the death of his son, Jonas, in an apartment fire, ultimately started to kill Juul who has been investigating a story that is connected to the Norwegian underworld.
Each story has standalone elements but builds a bigger story that must be read in order to fully appreciate or understand. While some elements of the plot of “Cursed” follow a predictable Nordic Noir formula, it’s place within the entire series creates a unique and intriguing story that is easy to read and comes together in a satisfying way. The characters of Juul, his ex wife, Nora and fellow journalist Iver, are the principal characters and have a strong connection that feels slightly cliche and I’m guessing how it will turn out when I get to book 5, the final one in the series.
“Cursed” finishes on a cliff hanger that leaves the reader keen to get to book 5.
4 star read.
Henning Juul is a tragic character, tortured by the death of his son, Jonas, in an apartment fire, ultimately started to kill Juul who has been investigating a story that is connected to the Norwegian underworld.
Each story has standalone elements but builds a bigger story that must be read in order to fully appreciate or understand. While some elements of the plot of “Cursed” follow a predictable Nordic Noir formula, it’s place within the entire series creates a unique and intriguing story that is easy to read and comes together in a satisfying way. The characters of Juul, his ex wife, Nora and fellow journalist Iver, are the principal characters and have a strong connection that feels slightly cliche and I’m guessing how it will turn out when I get to book 5, the final one in the series.
“Cursed” finishes on a cliff hanger that leaves the reader keen to get to book 5.
4 star read.
Cursed is written by Thomas Enger and is the fourth book in the Henning Juul series (but the first one I have read which should come as no surprise to regular visitors!). I do love nordic noir and have previously indulged in the literary delights of Gunnar Staalesen, Agnes Ravatn and other talented Scandinavian authors. So with this in mind, I was excited to read Cursed.
I wasn’t disappointed. Thomas Enger has created a mesmerising tale which draws you in from the opening pages and keeps you glued to the story throughout; all the way to the thrilling conclusion. And what a way to end a novel! I’m already champing at the bit for book five in the series.
My heart really went out to Henning Juul who I immediately liked. Henning isn’t your usual crime thriller hero as he’s an investigative crime journalist and not a harried detective. It was a refreshing change for me to be reading a novel which wasn’t set in the midst of a major police investigation. The relationship between Henning and his ex-wife, Nora Klemetsen broke my heart at times. And the tragedy suffered by the estranged couple I found a hard read. Henning’s all-consuming desire to discover who was responsible for his young son’s death had me riveted and cheering him on from the comfort of my sofa. Particularly with the introduction of Nora’s new partner, Iver and their earth shattering news.
There are many different threads to the story and it’s hard at times to see how they will all come together. But come together they do in an explosive finale. The pictures painted by the author are so clear that you can’t but help feel you’re there, living the action with them.
I loved the different characters of the Hellberg family. Each one individual and each with their own secrets. But how far are they prepared to go to keep those secrets? Well, you’ll have to read Cursed for yourself and find out!
Would I recommend this book? I would. If you’re anything like me and love to read books where at the centre of the crime you find a wealthy, secretive and controlling family then you will love Cursed. Fantastic, believable characters…some you will love, some you will loathe. Beautifully atmospheric, completely gripping and full of intrigue. Orenda Books, you have another gem of a novel on your shelf and I can’t wait for book five.
Four out of five stars.
I chose to read and review an ARC of Cursed. My thanks to Orenda Books for providing me with a copy. The above review is my own unbiased opinion.
I wasn’t disappointed. Thomas Enger has created a mesmerising tale which draws you in from the opening pages and keeps you glued to the story throughout; all the way to the thrilling conclusion. And what a way to end a novel! I’m already champing at the bit for book five in the series.
My heart really went out to Henning Juul who I immediately liked. Henning isn’t your usual crime thriller hero as he’s an investigative crime journalist and not a harried detective. It was a refreshing change for me to be reading a novel which wasn’t set in the midst of a major police investigation. The relationship between Henning and his ex-wife, Nora Klemetsen broke my heart at times. And the tragedy suffered by the estranged couple I found a hard read. Henning’s all-consuming desire to discover who was responsible for his young son’s death had me riveted and cheering him on from the comfort of my sofa. Particularly with the introduction of Nora’s new partner, Iver and their earth shattering news.
There are many different threads to the story and it’s hard at times to see how they will all come together. But come together they do in an explosive finale. The pictures painted by the author are so clear that you can’t but help feel you’re there, living the action with them.
I loved the different characters of the Hellberg family. Each one individual and each with their own secrets. But how far are they prepared to go to keep those secrets? Well, you’ll have to read Cursed for yourself and find out!
Would I recommend this book? I would. If you’re anything like me and love to read books where at the centre of the crime you find a wealthy, secretive and controlling family then you will love Cursed. Fantastic, believable characters…some you will love, some you will loathe. Beautifully atmospheric, completely gripping and full of intrigue. Orenda Books, you have another gem of a novel on your shelf and I can’t wait for book five.
Four out of five stars.
I chose to read and review an ARC of Cursed. My thanks to Orenda Books for providing me with a copy. The above review is my own unbiased opinion.
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
So we’ve been Burned, Pierced and Scarred so now prepare to be Cursed 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. Juul is still endeavouring to find those responsible for the fire which led to the death of his young son, and the physical injuries to himself. This continues to lead him to some dark places, and into the crosshairs of some very dangerous people indeed. Coupled with this are the concerns raised by his changing relationship with his ex-wife, and fellow journalist, Nora and her involvement in a missing persons case at great danger to herself, which sees both their investigations become inextricably linked.
Hennning Juul himself, is a compelling character, in whom Enger balances an equal amount of empathy and exasperation on the part of the reader. We can sit back and admire his dogged determination to avenge himself on his son’s killers, and his integrity and professionalism as a reporter. However, I am increasingly struck by the fact that Juul never gives himself an emotional break, and lives his life in a constant state of maudlin despair. He is understandably grieving for the loss of his child and seeking emotional closure for this, but is in a state of denial that Nora will return to his warm embrace, particularly as she is now involved with another man. Indeed, I fear that such is his closed off state that he will fail to feel a warm embrace from any quarter. Like Enger’s assured characterisation of Juul’s estranged sister Trine in previous books, Nora is a well formed and believable character. Torn between two lovers as it were, and not without personal flaws, she possesses a steely glint in her eye when it comes to uncovering the events surrounding the mysterious disappearance of her former friend. She has an equanimity of character that allows her to drift between different social worlds, nagging away at the truth, although there is one exceptionally foolhardy action she takes that had me sighing in despair, the only kink in an otherwise perfect narrative.
Having favourably reviewed Enger’s previous three books, I am always struck with the control of pace and plot that is a standout feature of his writing. There is a real feel of storytelling in its purest form, and his books are always plainly delineated into a balanced beginning, middle and end, so consequently the reader is quickly drawn into the storyline, and carried along at a smooth and satisfying pace to the final denouement. There is always an element of surprise and wrongfooting in Enger’s plots, and a feeling of darkness as to what leads people to act and think in such malignant ways, played out against Enger’s pitch perfect use of socio-historical detail. I will issue my normal proviso that even if you are joining this series at this later point, Enger roundly and concisely brings the reader up to speed with previous events in Juul’s tortured personal history. Being a bit fly by night, and sometimes a sporadic follower of series, I have been totally consistent with Enger’s series to date, and by working a little bit of teasing magic at the very close of this one, I’m pretty darn sure that the next one will be a bit of a must read too. All in all another fine example of engaging Scandinavian crime fiction that ticks all the boxes for this reader. Recommended.
Hennning Juul himself, is a compelling character, in whom Enger balances an equal amount of empathy and exasperation on the part of the reader. We can sit back and admire his dogged determination to avenge himself on his son’s killers, and his integrity and professionalism as a reporter. However, I am increasingly struck by the fact that Juul never gives himself an emotional break, and lives his life in a constant state of maudlin despair. He is understandably grieving for the loss of his child and seeking emotional closure for this, but is in a state of denial that Nora will return to his warm embrace, particularly as she is now involved with another man. Indeed, I fear that such is his closed off state that he will fail to feel a warm embrace from any quarter. Like Enger’s assured characterisation of Juul’s estranged sister Trine in previous books, Nora is a well formed and believable character. Torn between two lovers as it were, and not without personal flaws, she possesses a steely glint in her eye when it comes to uncovering the events surrounding the mysterious disappearance of her former friend. She has an equanimity of character that allows her to drift between different social worlds, nagging away at the truth, although there is one exceptionally foolhardy action she takes that had me sighing in despair, the only kink in an otherwise perfect narrative.
Having favourably reviewed Enger’s previous three books, I am always struck with the control of pace and plot that is a standout feature of his writing. There is a real feel of storytelling in its purest form, and his books are always plainly delineated into a balanced beginning, middle and end, so consequently the reader is quickly drawn into the storyline, and carried along at a smooth and satisfying pace to the final denouement. There is always an element of surprise and wrongfooting in Enger’s plots, and a feeling of darkness as to what leads people to act and think in such malignant ways, played out against Enger’s pitch perfect use of socio-historical detail. I will issue my normal proviso that even if you are joining this series at this later point, Enger roundly and concisely brings the reader up to speed with previous events in Juul’s tortured personal history. Being a bit fly by night, and sometimes a sporadic follower of series, I have been totally consistent with Enger’s series to date, and by working a little bit of teasing magic at the very close of this one, I’m pretty darn sure that the next one will be a bit of a must read too. All in all another fine example of engaging Scandinavian crime fiction that ticks all the boxes for this reader. Recommended.
I received an Advanced Review Copy of 'Cursed', from NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.
I don't usually read books from the crime/detective genre. However, the description for 'Cursed' intrigued me
enough to give it a try.
The story, without giving away too much, centers on two separate story lines: Henning is trying to get to the bottom of a fire that killed his young son, while his ex-wife (and the mother of their now deceased child), Nora, is approached to dig deeper into what appears to be the 'missing persons' case of an old college friend.
As the story begins, a seemingly arbitrary event becomes the unwitting catalyst for a lot of familial drama. Drama that not only effects the trajectory of Nora's search, but Henning's as well.
The pacing of the story is wonderful. The flow is easy, entertaining, and riveting. Every line is rich with just enough detail to tell the story.
By the time I was 10 percent in, I was completely enthralled and couldn't wait to see what would happen next.
The way everything finally came together was nothing short of brilliant. On the other hand, it was also the final piece of the story that led me to the 3* rating. Everything was making perfect sense, but then the author jumped off a cliff and left you with no additional explanation.
Prior to that, the book was a strong 4.
End of the day, it was a wonderful read for roughly 99.9% of the book. But that last .1% made me want to throw the book out the frickin window--that last .1% was a doozy.
I don't usually read books from the crime/detective genre. However, the description for 'Cursed' intrigued me
enough to give it a try.
The story, without giving away too much, centers on two separate story lines: Henning is trying to get to the bottom of a fire that killed his young son, while his ex-wife (and the mother of their now deceased child), Nora, is approached to dig deeper into what appears to be the 'missing persons' case of an old college friend.
As the story begins, a seemingly arbitrary event becomes the unwitting catalyst for a lot of familial drama. Drama that not only effects the trajectory of Nora's search, but Henning's as well.
The pacing of the story is wonderful. The flow is easy, entertaining, and riveting. Every line is rich with just enough detail to tell the story.
By the time I was 10 percent in, I was completely enthralled and couldn't wait to see what would happen next.
The way everything finally came together was nothing short of brilliant. On the other hand, it was also the final piece of the story that led me to the 3* rating. Everything was making perfect sense, but then the author jumped off a cliff and left you with no additional explanation.
Prior to that, the book was a strong 4.
End of the day, it was a wonderful read for roughly 99.9% of the book. But that last .1% made me want to throw the book out the frickin window--that last .1% was a doozy.
emotional
informative
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Hedda Hellberg has disappeared, and her husband has decided to ask for help at her journalist friend Nora Klemetsen, Henning Jul ex-wife. Nora, that has a lot of perseverance and know how to make the good questions, discovers that one of the wealthiest families in Norway is involved in the disappearance...
On the other hand, Henning Jul has lost everything he loved, his son and his wife, the only thing that motivates him to live is to discover who set the fire that killed his son. He doesn't have fear to be killed, he just wants the truth.
With an oppressive atmosphere full of mystery and secrets, Thomas Enger has created a psychological thriller that will leave you stunned from the beginning till the end. It's not enough that we don't know how the relation between Nora and Henning ends, the last chapter is so stunning that I had to read it 3 times to believe it!
This is the 4th book of the Henning Jul series, I don't recommend to read it alone, there are a lot of characters and you will miss some of the connections between them, and the book is so good that you will want to start reading from the first book of the series.
Investigate one of the wealthiest family in a country is never a good idea, because if they have to choose between their money or going to prison... your life could be in danger!
I loved Nora and Henning as a characters, they still have chemistry even if they are not together, and after all the things they have passed together the respect and friendship is still there. That's one of the things that makes this book so good, the plot is interesting but the characters are complex and you connect with them since the first page.
Are you ready to risk your life for the truth?
On the other hand, Henning Jul has lost everything he loved, his son and his wife, the only thing that motivates him to live is to discover who set the fire that killed his son. He doesn't have fear to be killed, he just wants the truth.
With an oppressive atmosphere full of mystery and secrets, Thomas Enger has created a psychological thriller that will leave you stunned from the beginning till the end. It's not enough that we don't know how the relation between Nora and Henning ends, the last chapter is so stunning that I had to read it 3 times to believe it!
This is the 4th book of the Henning Jul series, I don't recommend to read it alone, there are a lot of characters and you will miss some of the connections between them, and the book is so good that you will want to start reading from the first book of the series.
Investigate one of the wealthiest family in a country is never a good idea, because if they have to choose between their money or going to prison... your life could be in danger!
I loved Nora and Henning as a characters, they still have chemistry even if they are not together, and after all the things they have passed together the respect and friendship is still there. That's one of the things that makes this book so good, the plot is interesting but the characters are complex and you connect with them since the first page.
Are you ready to risk your life for the truth?
All my reviews can be found at noveldeelights.com
If you've been following my blog and reviews, then you know that I am cursed myself by a little something I call Dee-Logic, which dictates I start a series from the very beginning. So why did I now start in the middle, you ask? Well, I will tell you. First of all, because I'd seen this book around so much that I got too curious for my own good. And secondly, I didn't actually know the previous ones had been translated to English. It's okay, you may laugh.
This one actually reads pretty well as a stand-alone as you get a lot of information from events that happened in the previous books. Nevertheless, I did buy the other books and will be reading those at some point too. It'll be another thing I've never done before, go backwards in a series. I'm obviously all about broadening my horizons these days.
What I really enjoyed was the fact that the main characters are journalists. It made a nice change from having detectives investigating cases.
Henning Juul's job as a crime reporter has led to devastating consequences. He lost his son in an arson attack and he and his wife have gone their separate ways. Juul is determined to find out who was responsible.
Meanwhile, Nora is approached by the husband of an old friend. She's gone missing and the police aren't much help. Nora sets out to investigate and quickly realises her friend's husband may not have known her as well as he thought he did.
I didn't know what to expect but I was hooked from the first page. This is one brilliantly constructed plot with various threads and layers that will keep you gripped right until the end. Thomas Enger has a beautifully descriptive writing style. I've never been to Norway but I could visualise it without a problem. The characters are truly realistic and believable, flaws and all. There's also a reference to events in European history that I knew very little about.
It's fair to say my first introduction to Scandi-Noir went well and I see another book in this genre in my near future. I should also mention that I don't normally read translated books as I always have this feeling some things get lost in translation, but that wasn't the case here at all.
And so now, I shall rather impatiently await book 5. Can't wait! Although, hopefully I'll have enough time to read the other ones first.
If you've been following my blog and reviews, then you know that I am cursed myself by a little something I call Dee-Logic, which dictates I start a series from the very beginning. So why did I now start in the middle, you ask? Well, I will tell you. First of all, because I'd seen this book around so much that I got too curious for my own good. And secondly, I didn't actually know the previous ones had been translated to English. It's okay, you may laugh.
This one actually reads pretty well as a stand-alone as you get a lot of information from events that happened in the previous books. Nevertheless, I did buy the other books and will be reading those at some point too. It'll be another thing I've never done before, go backwards in a series. I'm obviously all about broadening my horizons these days.
What I really enjoyed was the fact that the main characters are journalists. It made a nice change from having detectives investigating cases.
Henning Juul's job as a crime reporter has led to devastating consequences. He lost his son in an arson attack and he and his wife have gone their separate ways. Juul is determined to find out who was responsible.
Meanwhile, Nora is approached by the husband of an old friend. She's gone missing and the police aren't much help. Nora sets out to investigate and quickly realises her friend's husband may not have known her as well as he thought he did.
I didn't know what to expect but I was hooked from the first page. This is one brilliantly constructed plot with various threads and layers that will keep you gripped right until the end. Thomas Enger has a beautifully descriptive writing style. I've never been to Norway but I could visualise it without a problem. The characters are truly realistic and believable, flaws and all. There's also a reference to events in European history that I knew very little about.
It's fair to say my first introduction to Scandi-Noir went well and I see another book in this genre in my near future. I should also mention that I don't normally read translated books as I always have this feeling some things get lost in translation, but that wasn't the case here at all.
And so now, I shall rather impatiently await book 5. Can't wait! Although, hopefully I'll have enough time to read the other ones first.