The Murder of Harriet Krohn (Inspector Sejer Book 7)

Karin Fossum transcends the familiar concerns of mainstream crime fiction and once again offers an original and fascinating novel of psychological suspense and proves herself the heir apparent to the late Ruth Rendell. Translated out of order and appearing belatedly as the seventh outing for Inspector Konrad Sejer, this is an atypical investigation for the series and has markedly more in common with the standalone novel, I Can See In The Dark, meaning that it serves as a poor introduction to a continuing series for potential new readers. Inspector Konrad Sejer is largely a periphery figure for almost two-thirds of this novel, appearing in person at approximately two-hundred pages in and alluded to initially on page seventy-seven. Added to the fact that there is little investigative work on show and Fossum tells this story through the eyes of a murderer, The Murder of Harriet Krohn is a powerful expose of a very desperate man but most definitely not a standard police procedural. In short, this story focuses on living with a crime, atoning for ones sins and the uncharted waters of coping with the fear that pervades every moment thereafter. If the scales of good and evil are unbalanced, is there any chance of righting this and can a murderer ever be absolved?The Murder of Harriet Krohn opens with despairing middle-aged father Charles Olav Torp (“Charlo”) writing another letter to his estranged daughter, sixteen-year-old sixth former student, Julie. In it he acknowledges his failings as a father, his addiction to gambling and his fondness for alcohol which has left him in a wretched state, unemployed after embezzling funds in his former job and in debt by several hundred thousand krone. With loyal wife, Inga Lill, succumbing to leukaemia two years preciously he does not expect forgiveness of sympathy from Julie, but merely a chance to make amends with his daughter and restore their relationship. For as Charlo states in his letter, he believes he can change the course of destiny with willpower and imagination and the beginning of the story details the execution of his heinous plan to rob a defenceless elderly woman as she approaches the age of seventy-six. Armed with a bouquet of flowers as a means of gaining entry and an unloaded World War II revolver, the pilfered cash and value of the silver is enough to pay off his creditors and see him reunited with Julie. Except Charlo had never planned to murder Harriet Krohn, he certainly wasn’t expecting her to fight back and her vociferous response sees him battering her skull with the butt of the gun. Evidently the actions of a very disturbed man, but also a frightened and panicking one, yet a callous and deranged Charlo’s first concern is making a quick exit and there is a total absence of remorse on his part.Despite the daily onslaught of reality setting in and fresh realisation, Charlo appears ambivalent and remote from his action and opts for the perspective that the crime and Harriet Krohn’s fury trapped him. His fear is one of discovery and although his conscience does not trouble him unduly, the threat of a shadowy detective looking over his shoulder continually weighs. As he watches fearfully from his window and sets in action his own attempt at making recompense to his daughter, newspaper coverage of the murder hints at the tenacious Inspector Konrad Sejer, a man who has never overseen an unresolved murder in his lengthy career. Nevertheless, Charlo’s life does begin to improve, making redress to his daughter and being duly rewarded with a steadily improving relationship and his days filled with a part-time job that means he finally feels he is able to give something back to her. Demonstrating genuine resolve for his work and having a reason to live, it is easy to see how a feckless Charlo transforms into a worthy man. Yet as he does so, he feels his body breaking down and is afflicted by a strange array of medical ailments and continually losing weight fretting over the fear of exposure that has the potential to destroy the fragile relations between a parent and child. Fossum’s sensitivity and unparalleled characterisation gradually led me to warm to Charlo and as he begins to adds some credits to his failed life, his adoration for Julie and his love for his deceased wife is evident. However, perhaps more poignantly it is Fossum’s study of a man losing his mind that brings the reader closer to an understanding of a severely disturbed man and his warped logic. Notably, sixteen-year-old daughter Julie is similarly well-drawn and her fears and concerns about a possible relapse have left her sceptical, yet longing to be proved wrong as to her fathers past. Alert to the first sign of a return to the nightmare of his past and the disappointment that it will bring leaves a suitably suspenseful feeling of trepidation in the mind of Julie and most definitely the reader.As Konrad Sejer finally steps out of his grey Volvo that has been keeping an eye on Charlo, the patient and authoritative detective exerts an uncomfortable pressure with his painstakingly detailed questioning. It is this as opposed to an overt menace that ultimately draws the details from Charlo and it is the empathy of his audience that sees him incriminate himself and finally explain what drove him to such deplorable action. The Murder of Harriet Krohn is an understated novel which takes a compelling look at a man labouring under the toll of his guilt, weighing his life events on the scales of justice and seeking absolution to begin his life with a clean slate. Heartbreaking for both its look at man who went off the straight and narrow and became a murderer, it is the shattering dismay of a mortified Julie that saddens me the most. A brilliant display of Karin Fossum’s psychological insight but the sedate build-up and lack of police focus may potentially frustrate those with an urge for action.For readers who are keen to see more insight from the mind of a man who turns violent criminal and a similar background investigation, I can highly recommend Hour of the Wolf by Håkan Nesser.Review written by Rachel Hall (@hallrachel)

As usual, Karin's book was brilliantly written, very descriptive, gave an in-depth look right into the 'killer's' mind - amazingly so actually in this case. However, I only gave it 3 stars because I didn't get my Seyer 'fix', it was all told from the killer's point of view, Seyer didn't really get a mention until around chapter 11! You were treated to the 'ping- pong' style interrogation with the killer and various little snippets of Seyer's life were dropped in - the dog situ being one (which I loved) but I did miss more involvement with the main man. Still a great book, and heading for No.8 now - with the hope that I get to delve back into the detective's world again...

I have really enjoyed most of Karin Fossum's novels, however this novel is somewhat dull. Charlo is the main character and we learn of his crime early on and then his thoughts and feelings in relation to what he has done and how he justifies this to himself. It is all a little run of the mill on the storyline and I expected something exciting to happen but it never did.

Not my cup of tea at all. I think I have read all of the Inspector Sejer books and have liked them all. They essentially are police procedurals, but in this book we don't meet the police until the last two chapters. The earlier chapters are an account of a crime from the perpetrators viewpoint. It was in these where I lost interest, there were pages and pages of introspection by the perp which did,t move the narrative along very much if at all. I was going to say I read the book in one sitting, however that wouldn't be true, I scanned it stopping where there was movement in the story. To me this is a vanity project for the author written to see could she do it. That's fine, if I could get my money back.

Found the story a bit slow, and couldn't take to the main character or his daughter. Sejer didn't come into the story soon enough for my liking. Not sure why it took so long for police to get involved. Not as good as some of her previous in this series. Enjoyed last 1/4 of book best.

A nice twist here, you already know the character of the detective involved, but this time you see the story through the eyes of the offender. His viewpoint is self centred and self pitying and does not take on responsibility for his actions. Having interviewed hundreds of people myself I found this a rare literary insight into some offenders characteristics. Well written. When you have finished the book it is fun to go back and read the prologue.

I love Karin Fossum, have read all her books and couldn't wait to read this one. Not disappointed with the narrative, all the usual interesting psychological pull, and the protagonist was sufficiently creepy. But not enough of Sejer (or his latest dog). I love Sejer, he's my second favourite cop (after Vargas's Adamsberg, always excellent) and less is certainly not more in this case!

Definitely cheated of one of my favourite detectives here. A good tale which I saw through despite longing for the tall man's presence. Assumed 'I Can See in the Dark' was Sejer last year... not doing too well with Fossum lately.