Mercy by Jussi Adler-Olsen
Mercy, written in 2007 by the Danish author Jussi Adler-Olsen, is a very well-balanced thriller, switching as it does between the victim, Merete, and the detective, Carl Mörck.
At the beginning of the book, Mörck is going through a very rough patch, having been involved in an incident where one of his
colleagues died and another was seriously injured, and he lacks the confidence to return to his job as senior detective.
colleagues died and another was seriously injured, and he lacks the confidence to return to his job as senior detective.
As the horror of Merete’s situation (without giving away too much, she is confined in a very small and unbelievably horrible place)
becomes gradually apparent, the reader is at times a step ahead of the detective, at times miles behind.
becomes gradually apparent, the reader is at times a step ahead of the detective, at times miles behind.
Like a painting, Mercy is built up in layers, each layer giving a little more information, but at the same time adding more anxiety to the overall story. The ending is, as expected, extremely dramatic. A great read if you are looking for something that will remove you
from reality for a few hours. Also published as The Keeper of Lost Causes, the book was made into a film in 2014 (The Keeper
of Lost Causes).
from reality for a few hours. Also published as The Keeper of Lost Causes, the book was made into a film in 2014 (The Keeper
of Lost Causes).
Photo of Jussi Adler-Olsen from Wikipedia