When the Devil Holds the Candle

An Inspector Sejer Mystery, Book 4

By: Karin Fossum

Narrated by: David Rintoul

When the theft of a purse from a stroller results in an infant's death, two teenagers are in trouble. Unaware of the enormity of their crime, Zipp and Andreas are intent on committing still another. They follow an elderly woman home, and Andreas enters her house with his ever-reliable switchblade. Motionless in the dark, Zipp waits for his friend to come out.

Inspector Konrad Sejer and his colleague Jacob Skarre see no connection between the infant's death and the reported disappearance of a local delinquent. And so while the confusion in the world outside mounts, the chilling, heart-stopping truth unfolds inside the old woman's home.

Unflappable as ever, Sejer digs below the surface of small-town tranquility in an effort to understand how and why violence destroys everyday lives. Another brilliantly observed, precisely rendered psychological mystery from the highly acclaimed Karin Fossum.

©1998 J. W. Cappelens Forlag, A.S; English translation copyright 2004 by Felicity David (P)2023 Tantor

My favorite Nordic noir writer

Someone rated this with two stars, and I disagree. Eva's Eye is an excellent way to start the Inspector Sejer series. This book is a little more gory than previous in the series, but not too bad. The intricate braiding of the subplots is deft and nimble, and the narrator is perfect.

Also a good one!

I thoroughly enjoyed Book One of this series, not so much Book Two, but this Book Three installment was another page turner. I love it when a mystery/thriller makes me cringe and shake my head at actions of the characters, fascinated yet afraid to find out the results of those actions, satisfied when there is some resolve, but not a perfectly happy ending, as often that is more realistic. Once again, interesting characters, as well as plot, and excellent narration.