Stigma by Jørn Lier Horst & Thomas Enger (translated by Megan E Turney)

Today's blog tour stop is for Stigma, the fourth book in the Blix and Ramm series, by Jørn Lier Horst and Thomas Enger and translated into English by Megan E Turney. Thanks to Anne Cater at Random Things Tours for the invitation and to the publishers for my review copy.

 

The Blurb

Alexander Blix is a broken man. Convicted for avenging his daughter’s death, he is now being held in one of Norway’s high-security prisons. Inside, the other prisoners take every opportunity to challenge and humiliate the former police investigator.

On the outside, Blix’s former colleagues have begun the hunt for a terrifying killer. Walter Kroos has escaped from prison in Germany and is making his way north. The only lead established by the police is that Kroos has a friend in Blix’s prison ward. And now they need Blix’s help.

Journalist Emma Ramm is one of Blix’s few visitors, and she becomes his ally as he struggles to connect the link between past and present, between the world inside and outside the prison walls. And as he begins to piece things together, he identifies a woodland community in Norway where deeply scarred inhabitants foster deadly secrets … secrets that may be the unravelling of everyone involved.

Stigma is published by Orenda Books and comes out this Thursday.

 

My Review

Stigma is the fourth in the series featuring policeman Alexander Blix and journalist Emma Ramm following Death Deserved, Smoke Screen and Unhinged. I've read all the books in the series (you can see my reviews by clicking on the titles) and enjoyed them all.

After the events at the end of the last book, Blix is in prison awaiting his appeal. Being a policeman behind bars is not ideal, and although Blix tries to keep himself to himself, trouble still seems to find him. He's not a man with many friends at the best of times. In fact, his only regular visitor is young journalist Emma Ramm. So Blix is surprised when his boss comes to see him... to ask for his help. A dangerous criminal has escaped from custody in Germany who seems to be heading to Norway. And he has links with a prisoner in Blix's corridor. Naturally, he asks Emma to look into both men, and this sets them both on an unexpected path. 

So this is a change of background scenery from previous novels, given that Blix is in prison. And we're shown how tough it is for him to be a policeman behind bars, how isolating. Being asked to work on a case helps him I think, gives home something to focus on. Of course, there's only so much he can do behind bars but he is tasked with trying to get information about the plans of Walter Kroos from someone in the prison they believe might have that information. Trouble is, it's someone that Blix has already locked horns with. 

The main storyline is told in a dual timeline between Walter Kroos's teenage years and his movements in the present day, alongside the investigations of Emma and Blix. I really liked how we move backwards and forwards between people, places and across time, until everything dovetails together. The scene setting is excellent too - the isolation of life in prison and the very different isolation in the cabins of the holiday park which features heavily in the story. 

I've always loved the relationship between Alexander Blix and Emma Ramm because it's a dynamic you don't see very often. Him, a world weary, brow beaten policeman getting on a bit and her, a twenty something journalist just starting to make her mark on the world. But these two have found each other, in fact, their connection goes back a long way, and formed a solid friendship, perhaps, for both of them, something akin to a father daughter relationship. And that relationship is solid, they are there for each other and have been through adventures and tragedies, it's a joy to read.

The storyline cuts deep as the authors peel back the details. Tragic events and abused of trust with long-lasting consequences resurface and we meet some truly damaged individuals, all of whom are well drawn. Samantha was a standout character for me. There is serious danger for Emma, and concern for Blix.  Stigma is a tale of violence, damage and hate, but also one of love and friendship. I don't know if there will be more Blix and Ramm, as things look set to change for our pair, but I hope so. I've really enjoyed this series. 

The Authors

Jørn Lier Horst and Thomas Enger are both internationally bestselling Norwegian authors. Jørn Lier Horst first rose to literary fame with his no. 1 bestselling William Wisting series. A former investigator in the Norwegian police, Horst imbues all his works with an unparalleled realism and suspense. Thomas Enger is the journalist-turned-author behind the internationally acclaimed Henning Juul series. Enger’s trademark is his dark, gritty voice paired with key social messages and tight plotting. Besides writing fiction for both adults and young adults, Enger also works as a music composer. Death Deserved, the first book in the bestselling Blix and Ramm series, was Jørn Lier Horst and Thomas Enger’s first co-written thriller and was followed by Smoke Screen and Unhinged.