A dark and chilling story of a hunt for a brutal serial killer.
The Chestnut Man by Søren Sveistrup
Genres:Published: 10th January, 2019
Goodreads
Series: N/A
Rating: 5
One Tuesday in October, Rosa Hartung is returning to her job as minister for social affairs following a year’s leave of absence – granted after the dramatic disappearance of her twelveyear-old daughter. Linus Bekker, a mentally ill young man, confessed to her killing, but is unable to remember where he buried the various parts of her dismembered corpse.
On the same day Rosa returns to Parliament, a young single mother is found brutally murdered at her home in the suburbs of Copenhagen-she’s been tortured, and one hand has been cut off. Thulin and Hess, the detectives sent to investigate the crime, arrive at the address to find a figure made of chestnuts hanging from a playhouse nearby.
When yet another woman is murdered-this time with both hands missing-and another chestnut figure is found, Thulin and Hess begin to suspect a connection with the Hartung case. But what is it?
Thulin and Hess are racing against the clock, because its clear that the murderer is on a mission that is far from over…
The Chestnut Man was not what I’m used to when it comes to Scandinavian crime. If you’d read a few, you probably noticed that in addition to the twisty mystery, there’s always a lot of focus on how all the gruesomeness and brutality affects people, and how they feel. I didn’t get same vibes reading this one, but it was nevertheless a totally addictive thriller, filled with vibrant details. Written by the man who wrote one of my favourite TV series, The Killing, I just knew this will be an outstanding book.
If there’s one thing that stands out in this book it’s how cinematic it is; there’s a lot to “see”. Reading this story is quite a visual experience. Snow, vast landscapes, blood, chopped off body parts, there’s something for everyone!
Thulin is a stubborn woman, whose aspirations lie in cyber crime. She likes to play by the book, even when it doesn’t bring results fast enough. A single mum, he relies a lot on the help of her daughter’s honorary grandpa. I found this quite a lovely parallel to The Killing where the detective’s son was often looked after by an older lady to whom they were not related.
Hess, the man with the mysterious past is also quite headstrong, but he’s way more imaginative and doesn’t shy away from questioning his colleague’s actions, which obviously doesn’t earn him too many brownie points with the team.
To say that Thulin and Hess had clashing personalities would be the understatement of the year. Yet, their differences were just as important in solving the case as their undeniable skills. Their relationship could be summed up as…
Hess: So, I had an idea.
Thulin: Nope.
Hess: But I was thinking –
Thulin: Don’t.
Hess: But we could try –
Thulin: Ain’t happenin’, mate.
Hess: But, how about…?
Thulin: Don’t get creative.
Unraveling the twisted mystery surrounding Rosa Hartung’s daughter was an absolute delight. How is she connected to the bizarre little chestnut figures popping up on each new crime scene?
A fast paced and gripping thriller, The Chestnut Man will appeal to fans of Nordic Noir with a touch of graphic violence.
Hihi that conversation really reflects their relationship so well. I loooved this novel too (I do like a bit of gruesome combined with a complex plot)! Fab review doll!
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Thank you!
Book was pretty awesome, glad you enjoyed it too 🙂
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Oh, that sounds really, really good! I’m yet to explore Scandi crime and am making a note to check The Chestnut Man out. I feel like my fantasy stage might be coming to an end and I can’t wait diving into the world of thrillers again. Fab review! 🙂
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Oh, i hope you will enjoy this ❤
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Oh, I love this review, Norrie, and that pic! Oohhh! And five stars? Definitely adding this to my shelf. I’d like to read more Nordic thrillers.
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Thank you ❤
I think this is defo a good addition to the Nordics list 🙂
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This sounds like something I’d love. I haven’t read much Scandinavian noir but maybe it’s time! Thanks for your review😁
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Oh, this would be a good choice to get into the genre. Has everything, from snow to tricky murder 😀
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I’ve been seeing this one all around the blogosphere. Sounds intriguing and I love unraveling twisted stories!
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It was so good! Hope you give it a try 🙂
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This sounds like an excellent thriller- glad it was so addictive! And it’s awesome that it was so cinematic. Great review! 🙂
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Thank you 🙂
Now i’m just waiting for it to be turned into TV series 😀
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Aaaand this is now on my TBR! I’ve not read much crime before (usually fantasy) but I want to change that and this sounds like a really gripping read. I love that you describe it as ‘cinematic’ – there’s something special about a book that not only allows you to follow the book page by page but also really ‘sees’ it. Great review!
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Oh, this would defo be a good start into the genre 🙂 Hope you’ll enjoy it too!
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With both you AND Inge shouting out the praises of this one, I’ll make sure to put at the top of my wish list! I do like a good bit of Scandi-Crime as they don’t shy away from the details. And I do love me a good set of sparring characters, and these two sound like a pair!
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Oh, they were a great pair!
I hope it won’t disappoint you either 🙂
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Nah, you two never disappoint! You always do intriguing reviews.
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❤
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Bwahahaha I love your idea of dialog between these two!
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They were hilarious!
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Such a fantastic book!
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Oh this guy wrote the Killing I bet this book is cinematic! Not sure about the gruesome bits however 🙂
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Hah, yes. He didn’t shy away from all those gory details!
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Brilliant review! I’ve heard so many great things about this book so it’s moving further up my TBR list!
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Thank you!
Hope you’ll enjoy it too once you have the time to read it 🙂
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Definitely want to read this one!! I wish the cover photo would be added on Goodreads though. 😂
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Haha 😀
I think they have it for the kindle version? Well, for one version anyway.
It was soooo good. Hope you’ll enjoy it too 🙂
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Your reviews make it really hard to ignore a book- I totally want to read this now, too! *le sigh* XD This book sounds perfect, the dialogue is perfect, the snow and bodyparts- yep, yep!
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Haha 😀
I can defo recommend it!
And i’m really hoping this will be turned into a tv series too and i can experience it again 🙂
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Ooooh I like. I need!! You’ve completely sold me on this – fantastic review!! 🤗
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Haha, thank you!
I hope you’ll enjoy it too once you get to it 🙂
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Haha I loved the “Snow, vast landscapes, blood, chopped off body parts, there’s something for everyone!” part of your review. That and your conversation you posted to sum up how the 2 characters interact. Definitely gave me a laugh. 😛
This book sounds really good. I’m adding it to my TBR list now and when I get to host for my book club next I’m nominating it as one of the options. It sounds like one that would be fun to discuss with a bunch of people after reading it.
Awesome post!
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Oh, i hope you & your book club will enjoy it.
I love it when a detective duo just doesn’t seem to like each other. Kinda adds to the tension 😀
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Love, love, love your review, Norrie! Between you and Inge, I’m probably going to have to get this book. That passage between Thulin and Hess is classic.
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Haha 😀 I hope you’ll enjoy it too!
They were a great pair, always arguing 😀 I kinda hope there will be more books with them. Or a telly series… or you know. Anything!!
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Absolutely brilliant review and I love the picture you took! It’s soooo atmospheric, just like most Scandinavian crime novels! This one sure does sound like it nailed it both in characters and plot! 😮
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Thank you 🙂
Yes, the atmosphere is great. I love books set in the Scandi countries with all the snow. Even though i don’t actually like being in snow, personally. 😀
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That dialogue makes me want to meet the two characters. This sounds like such an awesome read. Love the pic that you used. Brilliant review.
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Ah, they were so cool! Kept thinking how much it sucks when you have to work with someone you don’t like / always argue with, especially when you are a detective, but at the same time it was so entertaining 😀
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Faboo review! I’m off to add it to my TBR. The cover is a bit creepy, which appeals to me as well.
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Oh, yay 🙂 Hope you’ll enjoy it too!
Agree on the cover! I got the physical copy, and those splashes on it look really cool. The BF, who has no artistic inclination said “it looks dirty”, but then again, murder is dirty, so makes sense 😀
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I hadn’t even noticed the dirty bits. Now I like it even better.
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Sounds a lot of fun! 😍
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It was indeed! ❤ 🙂
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“Snow, vast landscapes, blood, chopped off body parts, there’s something for everyone!” OMG, I can´t anymore. HAHAHAHA. Please tell me you smiled while you typed that line. Great review! ❤ Oh, and great feature pic you did for the book. Love that.
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I may have smiled 😀
Thank you ❤
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😂🤜🤛💓
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Great post!
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Thank you 🙂
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