The body of a young boy is discovered by an unhappy couple on a weekend walk. As Sejer and Skarre investigate the events leading up to the murder, a small town goes into shock, and another boy vanishes, the couple’s relationship hits crisis point as both react in very different ways.

There are many things I like about Karin Fossum, but the things I like most are her willingness to tamper with the formula, and to be observing and non-judgemental no matter how heinous the subject. Her mysteries are quite different from most other writer’s work and always beautifully written and translated, with each book a departure in style from the last. If you read this and like it, and you’ve not read her before, may I humbly suggest the poignant Calling Out for You, translated into English in 2005.