Those of you who saw my review of The Killing by David Hewson will know how much I enjoyed it. The risk with any sequel is that it won't live up to the expectations set by the first. Well, in The Killing II David Hewson surpasses himself and blows any expectations out of the water. Also based on the screenplay by Soren Sveistrup, this is the second of three novels featuring detective Sarah Lund.
Starting with the unsolved murder of a lawyer, it isn't long before the police in Copenhagan call Sarah Lund back to help investigate. With Hewson's usual mix of complex plots and subplots, and twists and turns on every page, there was simply no way to know who was guilty nor, in this book, quite what they were guilty of. Pitting the skills of the police, with their unique detective, against the military, the political elite and a terrorist threat, this is a beautifully written book.
The murder of that lawyer is, of course, just the start and it is for Lund to work out the pattern between the deaths. It soon becomes clear that the truth is hard to face, and that it will only be found when the dark reality behind a recent mission in Afghanistan is uncovered.
The detailed descriptions make the locations in the book come to life, and I feel I have met and know the characters. From the determined Lund and her new partner Strange, to the General, Colonel and elusive Raben, each one is brought to life and their fears and motivations explored. Every little detail is included, and key clues aluded to giving a continuous thread of evidence through the story - if you are able to spot it!
This is a fast-paced book, and almost impossible to put down. Definitely worth picking up!
Just as in the previous book, the ending wasn't completely clean. But all the loose ends are tidied up and the dirty truth revealed.
The Killing II, by David Hewson is published by Pan Macmillan and available to purchase from their website.
Disclosure: Pan Macmillan sent me this book to keep for the purposes of review. All opinions are our own.
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