An intense, dark, and often disturbing novel, "The Killing Forest" is a great example of 'Nordic Noir'. Originally published in Danish, and set in Zealand, Denmark, this crime thriller was an enthralling read.

The novel features Lousie Rick, an officer on a Missing Persons task force with the Danish police. Formerly a homicide detective, Louise has brought her many years of experience with her to her new role. She lives with her adopted teenage son, Jonas in Copenhagen, but the setting of the novel is predominantly a small Danish town called Hvalsø, Louise's childhood hometown.

Louise is tasked with finding Sune, a fifteen year old boy who has gone missing. The reader is made aware of what happened to the boy very early on in the novel. On his fifteenth birthday he was taken into the forest by his father and other men for his Asatru initiation ritual into manhood. He witnessed something terrible and is now traumatized and fearful for his life. Complicating that, his mother, whom he is very close to, is dying. He longs to see her.

When the body of a young single mother is found in an amateur forest burial, Louise suspects that this case and her missing teenager case could be connected. She is a driven and skilled investigator who will stop at nothing to attain justice. Her familiarity with the area aids her in her investigation.

Louise's friend Camilla Lind plays an important role in this novel, because Camilla and her new husband, Frederick, own the land on which the 'killing' forest stands. Also, her police partner, Eik Nordstrom plays a central role both as her work partner and a man who Louise is beginning to have feelings for.

Along with the present day investigations, Louise discovers new information about her boyfriend Klaus's death many years previously.

The novel delves into Nordic legend and myth along with the modern day Asatru, a Norse pagan sect. The Old Religion. Blood sacrifices. Blood vengeance.

With a ramp up of tension and danger near the end, "The Killing Forest", was an adrenaline fuelled thriller.

This is the eighth book in the Louise Rick series. Normally, I would never entertain the idea of reading a series out of order. That aside, the book can be enjoyed without reading all of the previous novels, though I highly recommend you read the seventh, "The Forgotten Girls" before this one. It holds much of the backstory for this novel. In my opinion, these books are two halves of the same story, Part A and Part B.

"The Killing Forest" is an excellent example of compelling Nordic Noir. Recommended to all crime and mystery fans!

I really enjoy Scandinavian mysteries and thrillers and so when I saw Sara Blaedel's name pop up in one of my book newsletters, I immediately added her books to my TBR. The publisher was kind enough to offer me two to read and review for my blog. I am looking forward to getting to know the characters more in upcoming installments, but don't feel you need to start at the beginning to enjoy. I was easily able to sort out the characters and relationships by coming in the middle of the series. The Killing Forest is part of the Louise Rick series. She is a detective in the National Police Department in Denmark. It seems they are in a smaller town outside Copenhagen. Louise gets involved in the case of a missing 14 year old boy who comes from the town where she grew up. It appears there may be a connection to the death of Louise's boyfriend many years ago and a tie in to a type of religious cult. The problem is everyone is keeping quiet about everything and Louise has to work extra hard to unearth the clues to solve both cases. Ms. Blaedel offers a multilayered story with lots of bits and pieces, but expertly ties it all together for a satisfying ending.