Detective Inspector Huss

Author: Helene Tursten
Publisher: Soho Press 2003

I have discovered several Nordic writers and their novels over the years, and I have been impressed and enjoyed with almost all of those books.  Niklas Natt Och Dag’s outstanding work, “The Wolf and the Watchman” stands out as a definite gem.  Henning Mankell and his Inspector Wallander series, along with Jo Nesbo and some of his books, also comes to mind.  While I hesitate to label them as “great,” except the “The Wolf and the Watchman,” I consider them very good novels.

Helen Thursten is my latest discovery.  This is the first book in her “Detective Inspector Huss” series, and it is also very good.

The story unfolds with a very rich and well known businessman falling or jumping from the top apartment of a building.  His wife and his son arrive on the scene just as his body lands in front of an old lady on the street.  It is Soon determined to be a murder rather than a suicide.  The police team, led by Detective Superintendent Sven Anderson, is working to determine how he was murdered and who is behind his killing.  Detective Inspector Irene Huss plays an integral role in this police team.

The team slowly and methodically collects information and investigate every lead.  Sometimes they fallow false leads but mostly they piece together the puzzle in a professional manner.  

Helen Tursten’s writing reminds me of Henning Mankell, but she brings a feminine touch to the Police force that Mankell does not.

I read this book (and few others) whenever I needed a break from the project that I was engaged in.  I thoroughly enjoyed reading it.