Literature and Fiction / Mystery and Crime2007 · 359 pp
Look at Me, Medusa
Torkil Damhaug
Axel Glenne runs his own successful surgery business. He is the son of a war hero and lives an apparently harmonic life with his wife and three children. The morning after a long night shift, something happens that will turn his life upside down. A shadow from the past re-awakens. At the same time he meets a young female student doctor and finds it difficult not to be attracted to her.
Not long after a woman’s body is found in Nordmarka. The discoveries by and near the body might suggest that the killer wants to tell something. While the death is being investigated, another woman is murdered. The similarities between the killings are too close to be coincidental. It appears that Axel Glenne has a connection to both victims. In a case that has aroused interest far beyond the country’s borders, the police are working under tremendous pressure. Chief Inspector Hans Magnus Viken suspects that an understanding of a sick mind is just as important as conventional police work, if they are to succeed in preventing further killings.
Se meg, Medusa is a thriller where faith and myths force their way into both the readers’ and police’s attempt at solving the puzzling murders. The story revolves and throws light on different issues: identity and jealousy, bestiality, unfaithfulness and revenge.
‘Se meg, Medusa is pure, despite its criminal aspects. Torkil Damhaug distinguishes himself through his attention-grabbing depictions of places and personalities. He has now taken his place in the top ranks of Norwegian crime fiction writers.’Aftenposten
‘An important message for the Norwegian Literary House: Make space where they hang the authors' portraits! ... one of the most well-written and nervewracking works of crime fiction in a long time.’Dagens Næringsliv
‘Torkil Damhaug sneaks right up to the cutting edge with his new thriller, Se meg, Medusa.’Dagsavisen
‘The book delivers surprises up to the very last moment ... Damhaug knows the art of telling a spellbinding crime story in which every component has a function within the world of the crime.’Jyllands-Posten, DK
‘It is brilliantly well written. As in his previous work, this novel carries the unmistakable imprint of Damhaug’s day job as doctor on a psychiatric ward and, hence, his insights into the most hidden aspects of the human mind.’Litteratursiden.dk, DK
“Torkil Damhaug’s Medusa features several victims who exit mauled by a bear. Doctor Axel Glenne believes his twin brother may be responsible but nothing is as it seems in this sleek and cunning thriller. The first in a series called the Oslo Crime Files, it is a more than promising debut”
Evening Standard, UK
