Anne Holt is no newcomer on the literary scene: Her books have sold over three million copies, gaining her a worldwide audience and a reputation as one of Scandinavia’s foremost crime writers.
Gruesome murders
Her American debut, “What Is Mine”, was published last year, and introduced readers to the popular crime-solving team of Adam Stubo and Johanne Vik. Back then, they were working on a case of kidnapped and murdered children in Norway.
In “What Never Happens”, a new series of gruesome murders is terrifying Oslo. Stubo and Vik are caring for their newborn child, and are reluctant to take on the case. But drawing on a lecture she heard as a profiler for the FBI years before, Johanne evolves a theory that she and Stubo might be the murderer’s next victims.
In-depth knowledge
Holt’s first American publication received remarkably enthusiastic reviews. Booklist wrote: “Holt proves herself worthy of being known as the Norwegian Henning Mankell … Exceptionally well-drawn characters … Essential for all mystery collections;” while Kirkus Reviews called the book “a savvy, sharply delineated suspense novel … immensely rewarding.”
One of Holt’s strenghts as a crime writer is her in-depth knowledge of the law and the police occupation. A former minister of justice, lawyer, TV anchor and journalist, Holt’s books offer not only chilling mysteries, but also a glimpse into a world often hidden to the public sphere. Holt has also spent several years in the U.S., in Dallas; Farmington, Maine; and Harwichport, Massachusetts.
“What Never Happens” was published by Grand Central Publishing in February 2008. “What Is Mine” is now available in paperback, and the next book in the series is due to be published in 2009 or 2010.