Anne Mette Hancock

Anna’s got an unsavory secret. Detective Sergeant Erik Schäfer has just received a new tip on an old murder case. And Heloise has recently published a piece of libelous journalism. These three characters are quickly introduced in the first three chapters of The Corpse Flower, and things continue to move briskly along. These three characters’ paths will, of course, eventually cross, but there are many twists and turns before we discover what really connects them.

We soon find out that show more Anna is the prime suspect in Detective Schäfer’s cold case, and Heloise gets an enigmatic letter from Anna, despite Heloise not having covered the case or apparently having anything to do with it. There are several fresh corpses that also don’t appear at first to have any connection to the original case.

The short, fast-paced chapters kept introducing new surprises, so I was soon hooked and kept sneaking in just one more chapter, so this was one of my quickest reads this year. The fast-moving plot kept me guessing, and I certainly didn’t see the end coming, though maybe if I’d read more slowly I would have paid more attention to the clues that were planted. I had one small quibble: I felt that I was outright misled about one plot development, but it was not a major point. I also wish Sergeant Lisa Augustin had a bigger role—she seemed like a potentially interesting character that deserved more play time. Can I hope to see more of her in future sequels?

I’m a fan of Scandinavian noir, but although this was originally published in Denmark and includes some very dark deeds (so dark that I’d mention a trigger warning if it wouldn’t also be a spoiler), it seemed too sun-drenched to be noir. But it was still altogether a very satisfying thriller. show less

In "The Corpse Flower," Heloise Kaldan's career in journalism is in danger of imploding. A source fed her a false story that she submitted to the Danish newspaper where she works. Despite her experience as a reporter, Heloise did not check her facts carefully enough, and her boss is furious at her. In the aftermath of this fiasco, she is eager to redeem herself, and an unexpected series of events may provide her with a way to salvage her reputation. Three years after slaughtering an attorney show more in his home, Anna Kiel is still at large. She sends Heloise a series of letters that, at first, make little sense. Kaldan contacts the police, and Detective Sergeant Erik Schäfer hopes that, with Heloise's assistance, he will find and arrest the fugitive. Anna implies that she and Kaldan have a hidden connection, but Heloise cannot imagine what it could be.

"The Corpse Flower," by Anne Mette Hancock, is a humdinger of a psychological thriller that grabs our attention from the opening chapter and, as it proceeds, grows ever more suspenseful and harrowing. Although the author provides a few subtle clues about what is going on, we are initially as puzzled as Heloise. This complex tale, like so many others from Scandinavia, is a disturbing exploration of some of the worst aspects of humanity. Hancock shows the damage that dysfunctional adults inflict on vulnerable youngsters. In addition, she depicts the smugness of entitled people who believe that they can break the law with impunity.

Although there are passages that are awkwardly phrased, they do not detract markedly from Hancock's well-constructed, hard-hitting, and suspenseful plot. Heloise is a fascinating character—intelligent, ambitious, and in love with a man she is reluctant to trust. Anna is a bitter and damaged individual whose desire for revenge is unrelenting. Readers who pick up "The Corpse Flower" should brace themselves for distressing scenes in which sadistic people commit deplorable acts. Anne Mette Hancock's impressive debut demonstrates that she is a talented author who is unafraid to tackle emotionally charged subjects. show less

Fuck yeah! Ahem, excuse me but I love the way this book ended.

I'm currently ignoring the pleading eyes of my dogs who are clearly starving so I can write this quick review. It took me a few starts to get into the story but once I did, I couldn't put it away.

I love a mystery that has me clueless more than halfway through. And the predictions I did come up with were way off. That doesn't happen very often, unfortunately. Along with some nice twists and turns, The Corpse Flower is also very show more dark. Which I didn't expect. I don't remember what the blurb said when I requested it on NetGalley, but I'm pretty sure it didn't give away anything of substance because I might not have given it a shot if I'd known what brought the killer and the journalist together.

To be honest, I see myself giving this one a reread at some point. I'm sure there are bits here and there that I missed. As well as keeping an eye open for the next in the series.

Big thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for hooking me up with the audiobook. Oh! The narrator was very good, too. Bonus! show less

Review of eBook

Copenhagen journalist Heloise Kaldan stands in danger of losing her position with the newspaper “Demokratisk Dagblad” when the truth reveals that inaccurate information was the source of her story regarding a fashion mogul. She’d trusted her source, the man who provided the information, but now that the newspaper published the story, it seems as if he’d lied.

Then Anna Kiel, wanted by the authorities in connection with the high-profile murder of Christoffer Mossing some show more three years earlier, begins sending enigmatic letters to Heloise. Although the journalist has no connection to the woman, her letters seem to suggest that she knows personal details of Heloise’s life. Intrigued, Heloise begins investigating, ultimately tracking down Ulrich Andersson, the reporter who’d originally covered the story of the young lawyer's brutal murder. She arranges a meeting and he warns her to stay away from the story.

At the same time, Detective Sergeant Erik Schäfer and his partner, Sergeant Lisa Augustin, are working on the same murder case, seeking to bring in Anna Kiel. Ultimately, their investigation will cross with Heloise’s involvement in searching for answers in the case.

And then another person dies . . . .

Well-defined, nuanced characters populate this thriller/police procedural while an atmospheric sense of place anchors the narrative. Short chapters keep the suspense building and the narrative keeps moving along at a brisk pace. The tangled, tension-filled plot twists and turns with unexpected revelations keeping the reader invested in the telling of the tale.

Although told primarily from two perspectives . . . those of Heloise and Erik . . . Anna occasionally steps in with her point of view; ultimately, the unfolding story chronicles a horrific revelation that promises to change everything readers thought they knew about the accused murderess.

This riveting tale, sure to keep the pages turning and the readers on the edge of their seats, is dark and, at times, extremely disturbing. But the astonishing denouement is perfect for this gritty, compulsive tale of connections and murder and revenge.

Highly recommended.

I received a free copy of this book through the LibraryThing Early Readers program show less