Hide And Seek

Author: Søren Sveistrup
Genre: Thriller, Crime Fiction, Nordic Noir
560 pages
U.S. Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers, English version 2026

Synopsis
Count to one, count to two . . . A strange voice from inside the woods, repeating a child’s counting rhyme.

Count to four, count to five . . . A body discovered in the water.

You’re trying to go home. Will you make it alive?

Thirty years later, a woman begins receiving a string of anonymous text messages, repeating that same rhyme.

Found you. Then she disappears . . .

On Valentine’s Day, detectives Naia Thulin and Mark Hess are searching to find the missing woman. But when they uncover links to a decades-old cold case, their investigation takes a terrifying turn.

A violent killer is on the loose. Can Hess and Thulin catch them, before they strike again?

My review
The Chestnut Man by Søren Sveistrup is one of my all-time favorite Nordic Noir novels and I had high expectations for this sequel, Hide and Seek. While I don’t think it quite reaches the same heights as the first book, Sveistrup once again delivers a dark, atmospheric thriller featuring two of my favorite detectives in crime fiction. This is a slow-burn suspense novel packed with intricate plotting, relentless tension, and plenty of suspicious characters. Once I got pulled into the mystery, I couldn’t put it down. Creepy, intense, and expertly crafted, Hide and Seek is another fantastic example of why I love Nordic Noir!

One of the things I loved most about The Chestnut Man was its unforgettable characters, and Hide and Seek continues to build on them without slowing the story. Detective Naia Thulin remains a standout protagonist. She’s intelligent, determined, and willing to push herself to the limit to solve the case, even while dealing with her own personal struggles. Her reluctant partner, Mark Hess, is just as compelling. His world-weary attitude and dry personality balance Thulin perfectly, and together they’re one of my favorite detective duos. The supporting cast is equally well developed, from the victims’ families to the suspects and witnesses, making every interaction feel meaningful.

The pacing strikes a great balance, giving the story room to build its eerie atmosphere and develop the characters while never losing sight of the central mystery. Once the investigation gains momentum, the story turns into a wild ride with several edge-of-your-seat moments. The creepy nursery rhyme woven throughout the novel adds another layer of dread, and the countdown to the killer’s next move creates a constant feeling of looming disaster.

Sveistrup’s attention to detail is outstanding, and he has a real talent for creating believable characters in chilling, immersive settings. Hide and Seek blends an intricate mystery, strong character development, and gripping suspense into a thoroughly engaging read. While The Chestnut Man is still my favorite, this is a worthy sequel that delivers everything I look for in a Nordic Noir thriller.

My recommendation: read it! A worthy sequel to The Chestnut Man.