Description

‘A master of suspense’ – Sunday Times

When Inspector Gunnar Barbarotti returns to work after a personal tragedy, his boss hands him a cold case to ease him back in. But the case doesn’t stay cold for long . . . The Axe Woman is the fifth Inspector Barbarotti novel from bestselling author Hakan Nesser.

Five years previously, Arnold Morinder simply vanished. His partner claimed he had travelled abroad, never to return. But Arnold’s partner was Ellen Bjarnebo: one of Sweden’s most notorious killers, having served over ten years in prison for killing her first husband and dismembering his body with an axe. And when Barbarotti seeks to re-interview Ellen, she is nowhere to be found . . .

With neither a body nor a prime suspect, Barbarotti must use all the ingenuity at his disposal. And as the cold case begins to thaw and he finally begins to make progress, he realizes that nothing about Ellen Bjarnebo can be taken for granted . . .

Publisher Review

One of the best Nordic Noir writers * The Guardian * One of Sweden's best crime writers * The Mail on Sunday * A master of suspense * The Sunday Times * The godfather of Swedish crime * Metro * Some aficionados would argue that the Swede Hakan Nesser is the most accomplished writer in the [Nordic noir] field today, and The Axe Woman is choice fare -- Barry Forshaw * Financial Times *