The Crow Girl

Author: Erik Axl Sund
Genre: Thriller, Nordic Noir, Psychological Thriller
767 pages – Victoria Bergman Trilogy Published As One Book
Publisher: Vintage, 2017
Translator: Neil Smith

Synopsis
It starts with just one body – the hands bound, the skin covered in marks.

Detective Superintendent Jeanette Kihlberg is determined to find out who is responsible, despite opposition from her superiors. When two more bodies are found, it becomes clear that she is hunting a serial killer.

With her career on the line, she turns to psychotherapist Sofia Zetterlund. Together, they uncover a chain of shocking events that began decades ago – but will it lead them to the murderer before someone else dies?

My review
The Crow Girl is a dark and disturbing Nordic Noir crime fiction/psychological thriller novel by Erik Axl Sund, the pen name of Swedish author duo Jerker Eriksson and Hakan Axlander Sundquist. Originally published in Sweden as a trilogy (The Crow Girl in 2010, Hunger Fire in 2011, and Pythia’s Instructions in 2012), this series has been translated into English and republished as a single, sprawling volume. The plot weaves a tangled, complex web involving child abuse, cults, mental health issues, child trafficking, and PTSD, to name just a few of the harrowing themes. The scenes are graphic, and the darkness is unrelenting, but the complexity and psychological depth of the story completely drew me in.

This book has been sitting on my TBR for years, partly because of its length and partly due to its reputation for unrelenting darkness. Without a doubt, this is a disturbing novel and unlike anything I’ve read before. I can understand why some readers didn’t finish it. It’s not an easy read and won’t appeal to everyone, even some fans of Nordic Noir.

While The Crow Girl is often violent and deeply unsettling, none of it feels gratuitous. Every disturbing detail feels intentional, adding depth and urgency to the story. It was an unflinching dive into generational trauma and the devastating reality of forgotten children. At the heart of the story is a detective I couldn’t help but root for – relentless, compassionate, and willing to take on a broken system in the pursuit of justice.

The novel begins with the discovery of a mummified young boy found in a trash bag, This dark image sets the tone for what’s to come. Detective Superintendent Jeanette Kihlberg leads the investigation, aided by her colleague Jens Hurtig. Kihlberg is a compelling protagonist: a third-generation police officer juggling the pressures of her demanding job, a failing marriage, and a son she barely sees. As the case progresses, Kihlberg turns to psychotherapist Sofia Zetterlund for help. Zetterlund, has her own troubled past and is hiding secrets that slowly unfold throughout the course of the narrative. The connection between these two women deepens as the story unfolds, both professionally and personally. The female leads are at the heart of this novel, and their character development is exceptional. The writing is intense and the translation by Neil Smith captures every nuance beautifully.

The Crow Girl is told through multiple perspectives and shifting timelines, and I’ll admit, it was a bit disorienting at first. Once I settled into the rhythm, it became clear how intentionally crafted the structure is. This is a book that demands your full attention, and it more than rewards that effort. The layered, non-linear storytelling beautifully reflects the complexity of the characters and the heavy themes at the heart of the novel.

The Crow Girl is a brilliant, deeply unsettling, and skillfully woven psychological thriller that had me in its grip from page one to the very end. It’s a raw, unflinching look at trauma, mental illness, and how violence can echo across generations. The chilling atmosphere, complex characters, and persistent look at the darkest corners of the human psyche make it a novel that I won’t soon forget.

My recommendation: definitely worth the read and not one I’ll soon forget!