The Rust Forest – Asker Series #3

Author: Anders de la Motte
Genre: Crime Fiction, Nordic Noir
432 pages
Publisher: Atria/Emily Bestler Books, December 2026
Translator: Alex Fleming

Synopsis
In the heart of the Rust Forest, where ancient whispers and forgotten secrets lie buried, Leo Asker faces her most daunting challenge yet.

On the brink of a well-deserved promotion, Asker’s ambitions are threatened by Jonas Hellman, a figure driven by vengeance. Hellman presents entices her with a cold case that seems designed to shatter her resolve—a murder from a decade ago in an abandoned barn, eerily mirroring a two-thousand-year-old burial in the same forest. A case that recently took a shocking turn when a disoriented young woman, clutching the severed finger of the murder victim, stumbled upon two urban explorers at the crime scene.

Determined to unravel the mystery, Asker enlists the help of her old friend, Martin Hill. Together, they plunge into the Rust Forest’s dark past. As Asker and Hill navigate the forest’s secrets, they confront not only the enigma of the murders but also the personal vendettas that threaten to unravel their investigation.

My review
Anders de la Motte is back with the third installment in the Leo Asker series, The Rust Forest, and once again delivers exactly the kind of dark, atmospheric Nordic Noir I love. Drawing from his background as a former police officer, de la Motte brings a level of authenticity and investigative detail that makes the story realistic and believable. Across all three books in this series, that attention to detail has remained consistently impressive. This latest installment blends folklore, old grudges, and both personal and professional struggles into a creepy, unsettling, and haunting crime thriller. Curling up with this book was easily the highlight of my week.

Leo Asker, head of The Department of Lost Souls, returns as one of the most compelling protagonists in crime fiction right now. Her team is made up of police department outcasts and misfits who have been pushed aside because of past mistakes, accusations, or scandals. Just as Asker is on the verge of finally reclaiming her career and earning a promotion, she’s handed a cold case by her longtime nemesis after new evidence surfaces. Meanwhile, her childhood friend Martin Hill, a successful author and professor, is still struggling with the trauma of surviving the terrifying events involving The Glass Man in the previous novel. When Asker pulls Hill into the investigation, what follows is a complex story that unfolds through multiple perspectives and timelines that weave together seamlessly. De la Motte’s writing is immersive from the very first chapter, and I was instantly pulled into the mystery. The vivid descriptions and eerie atmosphere made it feel like I was right there alongside the characters.

De la Motte continues to excel at character development. Asker is strong, driven, and fiercely independent, but the emotional scars from her past still shape many of her choices. I especially appreciate that de la Motte avoids the tired damaged alcoholic detective trope. Hill is equally interesting. His background in urban exploration adds a unique layer to both his character and the investigation itself. Still, the real standout for me remains The Department of Lost Souls. This ragtag group of overlooked investigators continues to prove just how capable and talented they really are, despite their unconventional reputations, and I look forward to seeing how this group continues to evolve.

The chapters shift effortlessly between perspectives and timelines, and while the plot is layered and complex, every storyline, clue, and detail serves a purpose. Watching everything slowly come together was perfect.

The Rust Forest is an immersive, slow-burning crime fiction puzzle filled with melancholy, suspense, and that signature Nordic Noir atmosphere. With its straightforward prose, haunting tone, and carefully constructed plot, this series continues to be a strong example of modern Nordic Noir crime fiction. And that epilogue? Just a glimpse into what’s in store in the next installment! De la Motte is already hugely popular in Sweden, and I really hope more readers in the US and beyond discover this outstanding series and talented author.

Many thanks to NetGalley, Atria/Emily Bestler Books, and Anders de la Motte for an advance copy. All opinions are my own!

My recommendation: absolutely worth the read!