SON

SON SON

Kari Voss #1

Everyone here is lying…

Expert on body language and memory, and consultant to the Oslo Police, psychologist Kari Voss sleepwalks through her days, and, by night, continues the devastating search for her young son, who disappeared on his birthday, seven years earlier.

Still grieving for her dead husband, and trying to pull together the pieces of her life, she is thrust into a shocking local investigation, when two teenage girls are violently murdered in a family summer home in the nearby village of Son.

When a friend of the victims is charged with the barbaric killings, it seems the case is closed, but Kari is not convinced. Using her skills and working on instinct, she conducts her own enquiries, leading her to multiple suspects, including people who knew the dead girls well…

With the help of Chief Constable Ramona Norum, she discovers that no one – including the victims – are what they seem. And that there is a dark secret at the heart of Son village that could have implications not just for her own son’s disappearance, but Kari’s own life, too…

“When two excellent writers collaborate you know it’s going to be good, but SON surpassed expectations. Great premise, great characters and, simply put, a great book.”
–Yrsa Sigurdardottir

“Twisty and moving, with abundant psychological insight, this investigation of blood ties, in all meanings of the word, is superb crime writing.”
–Antti Tuomainen

“A pacy, gripping read that marks the start of an exciting new series. The best Nordic noir I’ve read in ages. Spectacular!”
–Tariq Ashkanani

“A potent reminder of just how powerful crime fiction can be. An absorbing, original and deeply affecting novel that grips with a fierceness and masterfully drags the reader into the darkest places. Brilliant in all senses of the word”
–Rob Parker

“SON had me gripped from the first page to the last. A perfect slice of Scandi Noir, and that ending! More, please!”
–Lisa Hall

Reviews

  • “Kari is a memorable heroine, and Gustawsson and Enger bring the proceedings to a stunning crescendo.”

    Publishers Weekly, US

  • “Gustawsson and Enger’s creation of Voss is perfectly pitched. There’s a lot of science and psychology at play behind her that could easily turn into an academic thesis, but the writing duo make Voss utterly compelling. A woman attuned to every gesture, the sheer wave of unfiltered human emotion is vividly painted and at times threatens to overwhelm the consultant, but for the reader, it provides a real depth of detail that convinces and keeps readers hooked. There’s more to Son though than just Voss, and every character here is fully fleshed out to bring this story to life. /…/ Together it all creates a fully formed world that gives a solid background for a thrilling plot resplendent with plenty of twists and turns to make this a compelling page-turner. /…/ [T]he plot hits the ground running and doesn’t release its grip on the reader until the last unexpected final line. /…/ With a cliffhanger on the final line, there’s already eager anticipation for the next instalment of what, if this debut offering is anything to judge by, is set to become a must-read Nordic Noir series.”

    Nordic Watchlist, UK

  • Son by Johana Gustawsson and Thomas Enger is the start of an exciting Norwegian crime thriller series that will have readers hooked. /…/ The story is fascinating with plenty of red herrings to throw you off. The body language angle and discussion of memory and its unreliability adds an interesting element to true crime. ”

    Booklist, US

  • “SON is a great and macabre thriller set near Oslo. /…/The combination of the two authors really works well. /…/ The explanation of the motive is well handled and convincing. /…/ This is an involving and well crafted story. SON is the first in a new series featuring Kari Voss. I look forward very much to the next one”

    Tripfiction, UK

  • “SON is a triumph and should be sought out by anybody who enjoys intelligent, hauntingly memorable thrillers.”

    Alfred FM Radio, UK

  • “[A] superlative example of Scandi noir. /…/ [A] haunting tale that concludes with a sickening double twist. SON is everything a crime novel should be – and more.”

    The Times, UK

  • “[B]reathtakingly good.(…) Its appeal is truly international.”

    Daily Express, UK

  • “Written by one of France’s leading crime writers and one of Norway’s best-selling authors, [SON] introduces a truly original character that we will hear much more of.”

    Daily Mail, UK

  • “This is a taut, chilling psychological drama. The intensity of youth, relationships and beliefs heighten the tension. The small town life and secrets locked away feel really claustrophobic. The unusual nature of Voss’s expertise and the haunting uncertainty of the loss of her son, which resonates with the title of the novel, make her a fascinating character. There’s a pathos and an ironic twist to the story that will hit home when you discover it and the ending will make you gasp or even cry. The moment you think it’s all over, another sock to the jaw gives an already intriguing and emotive tale something extra that you will never forget. /…/ You will be totally absorbed by the story and have empathy for the characters caught up in tragedy, both the recent murders and Vetle going missing. /…/[A] powerful tale (…) that may usher in one of the most talked-about collaborations of the next few years.”

    ★★★★★

    Paul Burke, Crime Fiction Lovers, UK

  • “A breathtaking thriller with a complex plot and twist to die for. Simply brilliant.”

    Express, UK

  • “[C]onjoins two prime exponents of international crime fiction. Johana Gustawsson is generally regarded as the queen of French noir, while Thomas Enger demonstrates that in terms of its crime writers, Norway has undoubtedly punched above its weight. /…/ [Son] is Franco-Nordic noir delivered with total authority.”

    Financial Times, UK

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Author
Thomas Enger & Johana Gustawsson
Published
2025
Genre
  • Crime
Pages
298
Reading material

English edition

Rights sold

Arab World, Al Arabi

Czech Republic, Argo

Denmark, Lindhardt og Ringhof

Estonia, Varrak

France, Calmann-Lévy

Germany, Blanvalet

Hungary, Animus

India, DC Books (Malayalam)

Latvia, Zvaigzne

Lithuania, Lectio Divina

Netherlands, Cargo

North Macedonia, Bata Press

Norway, Cappelen Damm

Portugal, Dom Quixote

Romania, Crime Scene Press

Serbia, Vulkan

Slovakia, Ikar

Spain, RBA

Sweden, HarperCollins Nordic

UK, Orenda (World English)

Ukraine, KM Books

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