Mercy by Jussi Adler-Olsen

This thriller by Danish author Jussi Adler-Olsen is well-balanced, switching as it does between the victim, Merete, and the detective, Carl Mörck, giving equal attention to both. Like a painting, it is built up in layers, each layer handing out just a little more information while, at the same time, adding more anxiety to the overall story. As the horror of Merete’s situation becomes gradually apparent, the reader is at times a step ahead of the detective, at times miles behind. The ending is, as expected, dramatic. A great read if you are looking for something that will remove you from reality for a few hours. The title in Danish is Kvinden i buret, while in America the book is called The Keeper of Lost Causes.