The first in a new series featuring Danish PI Gabriel Praest. Quite unlike other thrillers I have read, Gabriel is rough in spirit but polished in appearance with a raw and honest character. He admits fear and is humane in his doubts as he takes on a ‘miscarriage of justice’ case but the danger and threats seep into his immediate circle of family and contacts.
Set in modern day Denmark, the nation grapples with the brutal murder of Danish MP Sanne Melgaard in the face of immigration policy and a deportation case that is ‘less than tidy’. MP Sanne is blonde, beautiful and committed to the narrative of anti-Muslim policy. On the surface it looks like an open-shut-case but as Praest delves deeper into leads, things become more dangerous and no one is safe. His ‘nose for truth’ drives him on despite the threats and pressure.
Rather than being a pacey, cliche page turner, I admired Gabriel’s nature that admits fear and he has doubts when those close to him are harmed or threatened. He is smart, turning to research, police tactics of interviewing and following a lead. Instead of instinctively shooting from the hip that is so often the case in a rowdy action thriller, Gabriel admits his discomfort to bearing arms and is reluctant to enter the gun fight.
Praest is an admirable character and his refreshing traits make this a worthy read, So I eagerly anticipate Malladi’s next instalment!