Ruthless by Anne Mette Hancock (Crooked Lane Books)

Anne Mette Hancock releases her third novel, and fans of Scandinavian mystery fiction will not be disappointed.

Journalist Heloise Kaldan immediately recognizes there is a deeper tale to be revealed when Jan Frischof, an elderly man who is dying, makes a deathbed confession that is simply too impossible to be real. Jan quickly backtracks and cautions her that if she asks any more questions, both of them would be in danger, confirming that her gut instinct was correct. Could this gentle, elderly man be a murderer in cold blood?

Heloise instantly understands that this is a much darker and more difficult case. It is obvious that Jan is terrified of something, but it may be risky for Heloise to try to figure out what or who he is afraid of. Heloise finds out that Jan's confession is related to several decades-old disappearances as she continues her investigation. 

She is constantly being misled by the police and next of kin, and she has no idea what else Jan might be concealing. Heloise, who is unsure of what she will find, enlists her friend, detective inspector Erik Schäfer, and starts her journey into the past.

The plot has many twists and turns, and she discovers a surprising reality. Heloise is persistent in her search and will even put her own life in danger. On the other side, Schäfer acts as a father figure for the occasionally overreacting Heloise, always being understanding. Because the author does not shy away from graphic violence, the work may not be suited for all readers. It is dark and harrowing.

Until the very end, this novel has you on the edge of your seat.

3,5/5