The Chestnut Man

Author: Søren Sveistrup
Genre: Thriller, Crime Fiction, Nordic Noir
516 pages
Publisher: originally published by Politikens Forlag, 2018
U.S. Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers

Synopsis
The Chestnut Man by Søren Sveistrup is a dark and gripping thriller set in Copenhagen, Denmark. The novel opens with the discovery of a young woman’s body, brutally murdered and left with a chestnut doll beside her. Detective Naia Thulin is assigned to the case, reluctantly partnered with Mark Hess, a disgraced investigator from Europol.

As Thulin and Hess begin their investigation, they uncover a series of gruesome murders linked by the presence of the chestnut dolls at each crime scene. The killer is dubbed the Chestnut Man.

As the body count rises, Thulin and Hess race against time to decipher the cryptic clues left by the killer before he strikes again. Their investigation takes them into the dark underbelly of Copenhagen, where they encounter corruption, betrayal, and long-buried secrets that threaten to unravel the case.

As Thulin and Hess close in on the truth, they find themselves facing a ruthless and cunning adversary who will stop at nothing to achieve his twisted goals. With its intricate plot, well-drawn characters, and relentless suspense, The Chestnut Man is a riveting thriller that will keep readers guessing until the very end.

My review
The Chestnut Man by Søren Sveistrup is an absolute masterpiece of Scandinavian crime fiction, delivering a dark and atmospheric tale that kept me on the edge of my seat from start to finish.

I’m a huge fan of Nordic Noir, and from the very first page, I was completely engrossed in the chilling world of Copenhagen, where a series of gruesome murders sets the stage for an intense and complex investigation. Sveistrup’s writing is masterful, and drew me in with vivid descriptions and razor-sharp dialogue, crackling with tension.

One of the things that impressed me most about The Chestnut Man is the depth of its characters. Detective Naia Thulin is a compelling protagonist, with her sharp intellect and unwavering determination to solve the case, even as she struggles with personal demons of her own. Her reluctant partner, Mark Hess, brings a sense of world-weariness and complexity to the story, adding depth to their dynamic partnership. It’s not just the detectives who shine in this novel – the supporting cast is equally well-developed, from the victims’ families to the suspects and witnesses they encounter along the way.

As the investigation unfolds, Sveistrup keeps the suspense dialed up to maximum, with twists and turns that left me constantly guessing and second-guessing my theories about the killer’s identity. The pacing is relentless, with each chapter ending on a cliffhanger that made it impossible to put the book down.

And then there’s the atmosphere – Copenhagen comes alive on the page, with its dark streets, ancient buildings, and looming sense of menace providing the perfect backdrop for the grisly events unfolding within its borders. Sveistrup’s attention to detail is impeccable, creating a world that feels both familiar and utterly terrifying.

The Chestnut Man combines intricate plotting, rich characterization, and spine-tingling suspense to create a masterful and engrossing narrative. It’s a shining example of Nordic Noir and a thriller I highly recommend to anyone who loves a chilling and haunting mystery.

My recommendation: read it! This one was so good, I keep watching for a sequel.