Pierced
A Novel
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4.5 • 8 Ratings
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- $10.99
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- $10.99
Publisher Description
The acclaimed author of Burned is back with more heart-stopping suspense in a gritty and thrilling sequel that pits Norwegian crime reporter Henning Juul against an international crime ring.
From the internationally bestselling author of Burned (“Possibly the best $15 you’ll spend on a mystery this year.” —Bookpage) comes a taut and riveting tale of secrets, betrayals, and a dangerous quest for the truth.
If you find out who set me up, I’ll tell you what happened the day your son died. That is the message crime reporter Henning Juul—back at work after being terribly burned and scarred for life in a fire that killed his son—receives from a jailed extortionist named Tore Pulli who’s been convicted for a murder he claims he didn’t commit.
Truth has never meant more for Henning Juul. And when Pulli is found dead in his prison cell—an apparent suicide—Juul decides to dig deeper. He knows the murders Pulli was convicted of do not bear his signature, and he’s convinced that Pulli would never have taken his own life. Striking up a fragile partnership with Iver Gundersen, a journalist now living with Juul’s ex-wife, Juul uncovers an internal power struggle in the gang world, where the desire for serious money is destroying the traditional, honor-based hierarchy. Uncovering more questions than answers, Henning soon realizes that he has to find not one but several killers . . . ruthless murderers who have never been more dangerous than they are now.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Henning Juul continues to bear the scars, both facial and emotional, from the death of his six-year-old son in an unexplained fire two years earlier in Enger's lethargic second novel featuring the Oslo investigative reporter (after 2011's Burned). But Henning may have hope of finding out why the fire was set. Convicted murderer Tore Pulli agrees to tell Henning what happened the night of the fire if the reporter can find out who set him up. Henning reluctantly teams with fellow journalist Iver Gundersen, who lives with Henning's ex-wife, to delve into Norway's mafia, whose members meet in gyms and strip clubs. Repetitious scenes and bland characters dilute the action, which finally kicks into gear more than halfway through with Iver's severe beating, which prompts Henning's reporter skills to shine at last. A sympathetic but weak hero will exasperate some readers. A generic view of Norway and too many loose ends don't help.
