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A review by rcriii
Norwegian by Night by Derek B. Miller
4.0
The murder is not the mystery in this book. The mystery is whether Sheldon Horowitz is who he says he is, or suffering from demetia and delusions. Sheldon is in his 80s, a Korean war vet. If we believe him, he hid his medals and war experience on his return, telling his family he was a clerk. When he told his story late in life his family did not believe him, thinking him suffering the onset of dementia. It is not entirely clear whether we should either. In a telling scene, the detective investigating the crime reads Sheldon's military records (obtained from America to help in the search), but we are not told what is in them.
Sheldon takes in his neighbor and her son, as they flee the man who raped her. The man strangles her while Sheldon and the boy hide in a closet, prompting Sheldon to flee with him on a journey across Norway.
The book is a serviceable thriller. The author at least avoids the common mistake of making superheroes of his characters. Sheldon is clearly an 80-year-old man, resourceful but also fortunate to be underestimated on account of his age.
Sheldon takes in his neighbor and her son, as they flee the man who raped her. The man strangles her while Sheldon and the boy hide in a closet, prompting Sheldon to flee with him on a journey across Norway.
The book is a serviceable thriller. The author at least avoids the common mistake of making superheroes of his characters. Sheldon is clearly an 80-year-old man, resourceful but also fortunate to be underestimated on account of his age.