Cold Fear by Mads Peder Nordbo

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Greenland book 2. Translated by Charlotte Barslund. Text, 2019. ISBN: 9781911231301. 400pp.
(Age: Adult) Recommended for lovers of dark Nordic noir, Cold fear takes the reader on a cold and grisly trip through Greenland as Matthew Cave tries to solve the mystery of his sister's abduction and father's disappearance. Cave first appeared in The Girl Without Skin and while Cold Fear could be read as a stand-alone, it continues the story that had been hinted at in the first novel. Matthew is faced with the question of why his father disappeared so many years ago, and why he was accused of a double murder. Now that his cold case has been reopened on the suspicion that he is still alive, it becomes imperative to work out what happened. But more immediate is the urgency of finding what has happened to his sister. Tupaarnaq, the woman with many tattoos, returns to help find his sister, while on her own quest for revenge.
Not for the faint hearted, Cold fear has many horrifying scenes of child abuse and imprisonment, grisly murders and dangerous attacks all set against the cold bleak landscape of Greenland which Nordbo describes so well. There are many twists and turns to keep the reader guessing as old secrets are brought to light. Readers will be fascinated by the role that Greenland has to play in international politics and could find themselves looking up locations found in the book.
Throughout all the nail biting events Matthew Cave's determination and persistence in carving through the lies and treachery lends authenticity to the story as he works out what has happened with skilful investigation. And what a thrilling and unexpected ending!
Pat Pledger

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