The Fire Witness

May 13, 2013
Insanity and evil pervade the pseudonymous Kepler’s gripping third novel featuring Stockholm Det. Insp. Joona Linna (after 2012’s The Nightmare). At a facility for troubled girls, a resident and the nurse in charge have both had their skulls crushed. One of the inmates, Vicky Bennet, has gone missing, a bloody hammer left in her bed. Although Vicky seems incapable of murder, she becomes the only suspect. Vicky’s theft of a car results in the accidental kidnapping of four-year-old Dante Abrahamsson, who’s asleep in the back of the car. When Linna discovers the missing car in a river, both Vicky and Dante are presumed dead, and the investigation is closed. Linna, though, is certain that they’re both still alive and continues his search. False leads, administrative difficulties, and hints of a case involving Linna’s own family keep the pages flying by. Agent: Jonas Axelsson, Bonnier Group Agency (Sweden).

September 2, 2013
While technically on administrative leave, detective Joona Linna is assigned to a case in a Swedish town where a young girl at a residential program has been found dead. He checks and double checks the curious circumstances of the death and tries to find information from the victimâs housemates, but Linna is also willing to hear what Flora Hansen, a local medium of questionable skill, has to say. This dark mystery is rendered even more haunting by Mark Bramhallâs performance. His deep and crackling voice not only heightens the bookâs significant suspense but also grabs listenersâ attention and refuses to let go. Bramhall practically growls at times, but despite speaking in lower registers, he manages to ably convey a range of voices, including those of women, young and old. A Sarah Crichton hardcover.