Literature and Fiction / Mystery and Crime · Hardback

Hellfire

Norwegian title: Helvetesilden

Karin Fossum

A rusty old caravan sits in a forest grove. The door is open and a four or five year old child lies inside. The child's body has been chopped into pieces and is nearly drained of blood. An adult woman, presumably the child's mother, lies on a sofa, also stabbed to death.This is brutal even for Konrad Sejer. The deceased are Connie, who works as home help for the elderly, and Simon, her son. There are many characters in this book, but the central figures are Connie and Simon as well as Mamma Mass and her 21-yearold son Eddie. Both are single mothers not in contact with the fathers of their children. As Connie works as home help, we also encounter many other people and their destinies in the homes she visits. The author switches deftly between chapters set in 2004 and chapters set in 2005, or rather, before and after the murders. This increases the tension, and the reader is able to participate in solving the mystery of who the killer is. There are many clues leading in different directions.

Helvetesilden deals with topics such as poverty in a wealthy Norway, the situation of the elderly and the absence of a father. But above all it makes for very exciting reading.

‘Helvetesilden is one of Karin Fossum’s best crime stories. … In her writing, Fossum expertly captures the nuances of everyday life and the way in which living people struggle to make sense of life. She does it with a subdued tone and an unwavering dedication to her characters. … In Helvetesilden, the story approaches a point which is heartbreaking rather than thrilling. This novel shows that Karin Fossum is in a class of her own as a crime writer.’DAGSAVISEN

‘Here she delivers what must be one of her most penetrating and moving novels. An author at the height of her creative ability. … The composition is almost a stroke of genius in itself, as for a long time we are at a complete loss as to how Fossum intends to fuse the parallel storylines. … The way she does it demonstrates both her mastery of her trade and her formidable ability to portray tormented minds without diminishing them through inconsequential platitudes about insanity and other dissociative diagnoses.’AFTENPOSTEN

‘The opening scene showcases Fossum at her best – the dank camper van, the heat and the brutal murders. The detailed, subdued tone; the grotesque in the middle of the everyday.’DAGBLADET

‘A really high-grade crime novel should delve deep into human motivation, both that of the main characters and the supporting characters, so that the hero and antagonist are not merely presented in black and white. And not least, the language should be functional, precise and efficient. There are not many people who write like this within the extensive crime genre. Karin Fossum is one of few who can. She writes high-quality crime of the best, international standard. She has now focused her attention on a novel which, in my opinion, has to be one of her very best. It is called Helvetesilden. So disturbing, riveting and painful that you can’t help but be drawn in.’TØNSBERG BLAD

‘And just like Ibsen, Fossum’s use of language is beautiful - precise, expertly calling to mind images without ever employing a single superfluous word… it is a sheer joy to reunite with old companions Sejer and Skarre ... Their best attributes are put to the test, and yet again they pass with flying colours. The same can be said for Karin Fossum.’DRAMMENS TIDENDE ‘Intricate and surprising.’VARDEN‘Karin Fossum is the most literary of the Norwegian crime writers ... The novel is skilfully composed, and several of the characters from Helvetesilden will remain with the reader long after the final page has been turned.’ADRESSEAVISEN‘Karin Fossum has mastered the art of describing the exhausting everyday lives of individuals. We come to understand how a monstrous double-murder can occur, and Fossum writes with a wonderful and affectionate eye for detail and the bonds that connect people.’OPPLAND ARBEIDERBLAD‘It is a joy to observe the weaving together of the three parallel stories contained within the novel - the author is in her element in this respect. The way in which she describes the crime and that which is hidden in the shadow of madness reveals an empathetic logic from which many members of society can learn a great deal. Karin Fossum is truly a writer unlike all others.’TRØNDER-AVISA‘The tight focus on the protagonists and the tempting darkness lurking beneath the surface makes this no typical tale of murder and police investigation. Instead, this is a story of human destiny, buried history and painful feelings that grip the reader and refuse to let go until long after the book has ended.’TELEMARKSAVISA‘Helvetesilden is a strong sequel to Fossum’s earlier psychological novels - glittering prose situated within a framework that both fascinates and inspires the reader.’GJENGANGEREN‘Yet again, Karin Fossum delivers an impressive piece of work - one would expect no less...’LO-MEDIA