Reviews

• “She’s Scandinavia’s answer to Val McDermid, writing dark and unsettling crime novel with more than a little wire in its blood. There’s certainly a chill to this story about a talk-show star being found murdered in her home – with her tongue removed and left cleaved in two on her desk. Former FBI agent Inger Johanne Vik sees similarities to a case from her past, and if she’s right there will be four other victims to follow. Gripping stuff.”

• “Set in Oslo, this excellent thriller begins with the discovery of the body of a popular talk show host with her tongue removed and split in two before matters heat up with the crucifixion of a right-wing leader. Holt keeps the plot and dialogue tight.”

• “A follow-up to writer Holt’s Punishment, [What Never Happens] shows she really knows her stuff.”

• “Much sharper and indeed, much darker than [Punishment]. Holt appears to have stepped up her game with her writing.”

• “Anne Holt has created a suspenseful intrigue, where unexpected events propel the pursuers – and the reader – through constant new ideas, and a highly unforeseen ending.”

• “Anne Holt has constructed a story which is completely fascinating, and an outcome that feels perfect. I’ve been going through withdrawals since finishing it. I want more, more Yngvar Stubø.”

• “What Never Happens is an unusually suspenseful and well-written crime novel.”

• “Can’t-put-down alert.”

• “Not only is the novel suspenseful, but features deep, authentic portrayals and gives the reader a great deal of entertainment.”

• “Read and enjoy. This is Anne Holt’s thirteenth novel and in my view one of her very best.”

• “Unbearably suspenseful!”

• “A crime novel of high quality.”

• “What Never Happens is an important and interesting commentary to the increasing pessimism and misery of our time.”

• “It is truly terrifyingly good.”

• “Anne Holt is an ambitious queen of crime, who knows how to get a good grip of the readers and hold on tight.”

• “Anne Holt’s second novel in the Inger Johanne Vik series simply cries out for a follow-up, and it gave me the same feeling as when I read Patricia Cornwell’s latest novel. The difference being that Anne Holt completely overtrumps her American colleague. This is a much more realistic crime story and first and foremost, it has a very good plot. What Never Happens is one of the best crime novels I’ve read in a very long time. It features a delicious meta-effect that I presume pleases its inventor no end. While Cornwell’s Kay Scarpetta is more or less finished, you can look forward to a whole series of new stories featuring Inger Johanne Vik.”

• “Surely the most well-written and efficient crime story so far from Norway’s bestselling crime writer. /…/ Anne Holt writes better and more efficiently than before. The story is clever and logically constructed and delivers from the first page to the last. The action is a perfect fit, frequently moving forward through dialogues.”

• “This is very good crime writing craftsmanship, a harsh and well-told story about a studied murder among Oslo celebs. /…/ As a criminal case the book is excellently brought about, a clever start and a highly thrilling end. /…/ To finish where we started, Holt indeed manages to surprise her readers and this happens towards the end – the last 30-40 pages are simply amazing.”

• “An extraordinarily clever plot with a built-in meta-element.”