"THE NIGHTMARE," by Lars Kepler, Sarah Crichton Books, $27, 512 pages (f)
“The Nightmare” by Lars Kepler is a fast-paced book that is impossible to put down. It has a thrilling plotline that is unique, creative, and entertaining. However, it it has foul language and explicit sexual scenes.
Joona Linna is a detective inspector living in Sweden. Linna is well known for his ability to read people and crime scenes. He is a worthy contribution to the police force and is often asked to investigate strange or complicated cases.
Recently, a dead woman is discovered in an abandoned boat. She appears to have drowned without having a trace of water around her. Shortly thereafter, a well-known Swedish official is found dead in what looks like an apparent suicide.
Are these cases connected?
Detective Linna is determined that these deaths were no accident. Upon further investigation, a series of disturbing events start to unravel — one of which involves a professional hit man that seems to disappear without leaving a single trace.
A literary couple that lives in Sweden wrote “The Nightmare.” They are also the authors of the best-selling book “The Hypnotist.”
What is so refreshing about this book is the fact that it takes place in Sweden. Kepler puts the spotlight on a country that is relatively quiet and peaceful. Kepler also puts in little interesting details about Sweden. They describe popular food, places and people.
There is foul language and sexual references made throughout the book. Nonetheless, the plot is very intriguing that it is difficult to stop reading after a certain point.
“The Nightmare” is a clever piece of fiction. It has so many cryptic twists that the reader will want to turn on their nightlight to avoid having their own nightmares.
Shelby Scoffield is a graduate of Brigham Young University and a graduate student at California State University, Stanislaus.