Mystery and Crime · Hardback

The Anthill Murders

Norwegian title: Maurtuemordene

Hans Olav Lahlum

In my mind I've been standing here waiting every evening for weeks. But tonight, Monday the 24th of April 1972, is the first time I've actually done it. Of course I've stood waiting for women before, but never out here – and never like this. My watch shows ten to eleven. It's a dark, drizzly night. The rain further increases my excitement. When I left home I still doubted whether I would and

could go through with this.

Maurtuemordene is the seventh book about K2 and Patricia. There's a serial killer on the loose in Oslo. Young women are being found strangled in different parts of town. The killer leaves a strange, child-like drawing of an ant next to every body. The first victim is a pretty theology student, the next a somewhat flamboyant jazz singer and then, an heir to one of Norway's

largest fortunes. But soon there'll be more. K2 gropes blindly for a link between the victims, but can't find anything other than the obvious – that they've all been murdered. Even Patricia's sharp mind and non-traditional reasoning falls short. K2 is in danger of losing his title as Oslo's undisputed best detective. His boss is anything but pleased, and the pressure grows with every hour that passes. This year's novel by Hans Olav Lahlum is an astounding psychological thriller.

Previous books in the series have been sold to Denmark, Korea and the UK.

‘Despite having written many crime novels, he is still to receive the prestigious Riverton Prize for Best Crime Novel of the Year. Maurtuemordene should be one of the candidates for the prize in 2014.’

6 out of 6

TVEDESTRANDSPOSTEN

‘Maurtuemordene is a very thoughtful and gripping story where brutality leads the way into a cold society where individuals often cannot find their footing.’

GJENGANGEREN