Title: The Witch Hunter
Author: Max Seeck
Series: Jessica Niemi, #1
Published: October 2020, Berkley
Format: Paperback, 400 pages
Source: Personal copy
Summary:
A shocking murder in an affluent Helsinki suburb has ties to the occult in this thrilling US debut from Finnish author Max Seeck.
A bestselling author’s wife has been found dead in a gorgeous black evening gown, sitting at the head of a formally set dinner table. Her most chilling feature—her face is frozen in a ghastly smile.
At first it seems as though a deranged psychopath is reenacting the gruesome murders from The Witch Hunter, the bestseller written by the victim’s husband. But investigator Jessica Niemi soon realizes she’s not looking for a single killer but rather for dozens of believers in a sinister form of witchcraft.
They know her every move and are always one step ahead. As the bodies start piling up, Jessica knows they won’t stop until they get what they want. And when her dark past comes to light, Jessica finds herself battling her own demons while desperately trying to catch a coven of killers before they claim their next victim.
My thoughts:
Another Nordic Noir crime fiction book that I devoured! I literally read this book in an afternoon and am thrilled that it is also the start of a new series. I am on a roll with these new crime fiction series and could not be happier.
This book grabbed me from the start and did not let up. Yes, it was dark and disturbing. Hello, a serial killer mirroring crimes that are based on someone’s books – but that is totally what hooked me. I also loved that the book gives us a little history on investigator Jessica Niemi. The flashbacks into Jessica’s past really are full of interesting tidbits, yet it is jarring when put side by side with what is going on in the present. How does it all fit together?
This book is so dark and twisty and incredibly atmospheric. I loved the short chapters because it just begs you to keep reading and this one is just so gripping and intense that you just cannot put the book down. I love police procedurals and this one is so expertly written that it keeps you engaged all the way through.
This one kept me guessing until the very end and I was totally fine with that. It was totally creepy and binge-worthy – my favorite kind of read! I am definitely looking forward to reading book 2, which I hope will be released in the US sooner rather than later.
