Dead Joker: Hanne Wilhelmsen Book Five

Once again, I am starting in the middle of a series and wondering how I never ran across this series since it was first published in the 90s. This is Norwegian crime fiction, starring Hanne Wilhelmsen, Detective Inspector. Chief Public Prosecutor Sigurd Halvorsrud's found covered in blood and his wife decapitated in the next room. He is obvious the primary suspect and he comes up with a fantastic story claiming a man he's never met killed his wife. Yet he knows the man's name and address. Things get real interesting when someone reports that this man committed suicide days before Halvorsrud's wife is murdered ... yet his body cannot be found. And then there is another beheading. Hanne and her colleague, Billy T, are called in to investigate ... quietly. This has a very complicated plot with a lot of complex characters. It's slow moving, but very thorough. Being a translation, some things seem a little off, but if you have patience, the story is quite good. Hanne is not a nice person, at least what she presents to the outside world. Inside, there is some softness, but she's more dedicated to her job than to anything else. The woman she has lived with for many years is critically ill ... yet Hanne misses all the signs. Her best friend, Billy T, is just about to reach the end of his rope dealing with her. I would like to read the beginning of this series, if only to see how these characters have grown and changed over the years. My thanks to the author / Scribner / NetGalley who provided a digital copy in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.

Sam crews