Reviews

• “[An] outstanding series launch. /…/ A devilishly complex plot, convincing red herrings, and well-rounded characters help make this a winner. Scandinavian noir fans will eagerly await the sequel.”

• “[A] psychological serial killer thriller steeped in the mold of a British TV drama. [Horst & Enger] craft a summer crime novel with a break-neck pace. /…/ The transitions are elegant, the prose understated and without frills. /…/ This is, quite simply, lovely summertime entertainment that a wonderful mix of British crime and Nordic Noir.”

• “A successful criminal partnership. The crime fiction written in tandem by the two seasoned old foxes is a hit. /…/ [Jørn Lier Horst & Thomas Enger] tell the story well and efficiently, there’s a nice momentum and a wonderful suspense level.”

• “Striking and thrilling. Thomas Enger and Jørn Lier Horst’s crime fiction collaboration is as if custom-made for the great reading masses.”

• “There’s breakneck action, intriguing characters and sympathetic morals in Horst and Enger’s first joint opus.”

• “[Death Deserved] is resoundingly thrilling – and not solely thanks to the many cliff-hangers, but also because the authors know how to scatter (mis)information, making both the protagonists and us seduced readers turn our suspicions to various secondary characters. All in all, I’d like to call this novel a new high point in Norwegian crime fiction – one of this year’s best as far as I’m concerned.”

• “To be seen, to be recognized and to be famous. Those are the themes that are treated in Death Deserved, and together they build a solid crime novel.”

• “A classical crime novel and a great start to an exciting partnership.”

• “A novel that won’t be soon forgotten, both because it is well-written and thrilling, and because its theme is quite relevant and topical.”

• “These authors know how to construct a solidly crafted suspense narrative and a definite page turner. The chemistry between the protagonists Ramm and Blix is promising and the portrayal of Emma, in particular, delves deeper. ”

• “A spine-chilling story by two accomplished authors. /…/ What do you get if you take two successful Norwegian crime writers and have them collaborate? A flawless success! Now I’m just waiting to get my hands on the next installment of the Blix and Ramm series.”

• “What happens when you put two of the most distinguished writers of Nordic noir in tandem? Death Deserved by Thomas Enger and Jorn Lier Horst suggests it was a propitious publishing move.”

• “A new star duo crafts a page-turner. /…/ Both [Jørn Lier Horst and Thomas Enger] are well established in their own right, and can be said to belong to the crème de la crème of Nordic crime writers. Sure enough, [the plot] is unconventional. But it’s likewise thoroughly thrilling, and has a rare and somewhat unlikely duo of problem solvers as its protagonists, the seasoned police Alexander Blix and the young news blogger Emma Ramm. The authors are experienced enough to know what grabs the reader, and employ every trick in the book. But they do so with finesse and good humor.”

• “Death Deserved is a wonderful highlight.”

• “Death Deserved is a polished thriller – intelligent and emotionally switched on. I wouldn’t have expected anything less from the collaboration of two of Europe’s finest crime writers.”

• “A delightfully devious serial killer thriller. /…/ Horst and Enger team up to deliver a story that draws on both of their strengths, blending Horst’s knowledge of and eye for police procedure with Enger’s skill at crafting engaging, endearing characters. /…/ Cleverly plotted and seriously entertaining, Death Deserved is an excellent new serial killer thriller and strong series launch. /…/ Compulsively readable. /…/ All entertainment value, this book will reward readers with a gripping, ever more complex mystery. /…/ A clever, gripping crime novel with personality, flair, and heart. ”

• “A thrilling first case for Blix and Ramm. But be careful: It’s addictive!”

• “A story full of wild twists and familiar genre ingredients. Crazy, fast-paced and definitely thrilling.”

• “With Thomas Enger and Jørn Lier Horst, two great Scandinavian crime writers have teamed up and created a first-class novel.”

• “There’s an excellent momentum in the book that Jørn Lier Horst has written together with Thomas Enger. It’s hard to put down. /…/ What’s most striking about this collaborative work of 430 pages, is that it never, ever gets boring. There’s not one dull part.”

• “Two of Norway’s greatest crime and thriller writers have teamed up and written a high-powered, excellent crime novel. The two’s teamwork is successful right from page one. Death Deserved will obviously be one of this year’s best Norwegian crime novels. Horst and Enger craft a drama and a momentum throughout all 400 pages, making the book difficult to put down. It engages the reader, and you’re carried from page to page. /…/ The novel holds international standard.”

• “I don’t know how they divided up the work, but the result is stunning from start to finish. (…) Very well constructed. (…) you’ll turn the pages of this thriller with dread and delight, wondering how on earth it will unravel. ”