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A review by markhoh
Dark Secrets by Hans Rosenfeldt, Michael Hjorth
4.0
Dark Secrets is the first installment in the ‘Sebastian Bergman chronicles’, a series of books centred around a Swedish criminal psychologist. The authors Hjorth and Rosenfeldt have created a character who I didn’t find particularly likeable however, I found myself identifying with so many aspects of his nature and way of being. I’m not sure if that’s a good or bad thing - the authors have crafted Sebastian to be representational of aspects of humanity that we don’t always discuss or give rise to. He’s emotionally bereft, doesn’t care what others think of him, a loner who won’t let anyone in to his inner space, seeks sexual conquests like an addiction, and harbours deep unresolved grief. I love all this about him and see aspects of what these characteristics represent in myself.
This excerpt resonated with me:
“He had been able to touch the possibility of a different life. This was both frightening and tempting at the same time. There was something safe and secure about the life he had known for so long. However negative it might be, there was a comfort in the routine. It was an affiliation which he had somehow chosen himself, and which appealed to his innnermost being” p383.
So aside from my own psychological confrontations, this book is a fantastic read with a plot that builds in a logical and way maintaining reader interest. I find that some of the themes of the book are similar to some other scandi noir books that I have read however this is sufficiently different. The authors masterfully build suspense and mete multiple layered endings that are extremely satisfying and the clincher on the last page was quite a jaw dropping moment.
Looking forward to the rest of these chronicles and going on a journey with Sebastian.
This excerpt resonated with me:
“He had been able to touch the possibility of a different life. This was both frightening and tempting at the same time. There was something safe and secure about the life he had known for so long. However negative it might be, there was a comfort in the routine. It was an affiliation which he had somehow chosen himself, and which appealed to his innnermost being” p383.
So aside from my own psychological confrontations, this book is a fantastic read with a plot that builds in a logical and way maintaining reader interest. I find that some of the themes of the book are similar to some other scandi noir books that I have read however this is sufficiently different. The authors masterfully build suspense and mete multiple layered endings that are extremely satisfying and the clincher on the last page was quite a jaw dropping moment.
Looking forward to the rest of these chronicles and going on a journey with Sebastian.