CRIME THRILLER REVIEW: She's Never Coming Back - Hans Koppel

Release Date: 05/01/12

SYNOPSIS:

Mike Zetterberg lives with his wife Ylva and their daughter in a house just outside Helsingborg. One evening, Ylva isn't home as expected after work. Mike passes it off as a drink with a work friend, but when she's still missing the next day, he starts to worry.

As Mike battles suspicion from the police and his own despair, he is unaware that Ylva is still alive, just a stone's throw from his own home. Ylva has been drawn into a twisted plot of revenge and tragedy that leads back into her and her abductors' shared past…


REVIEW:

When you’ve never read an author before the reader usually suffers from one of two reactions (or rather I do to be honest.) First of all that thrill of excitement at not knowing what to expect and secondly that cold chill down your back that says, but what if it doesn’t live up to my expectations and for me wastes my time and money? So which is this title going to do? And with such an early launch for the new year, is it a book that they hope will do well or just tacked in to get the season off to a start when people may spend without realising what they’re getting.

All of which are pertinent questions and of course I’ll do my best to answer them. First of all, this book by Hans is a story of firstly the human spirit and the strength that it can demonstrate when evil things are thrust their way, not by way of a creature but by way of the evil that others do unto us and for me, it’s a story of crime.

Its cunningly crafted, it’s addictive and the way that the pages meld you really can’t find a convenient place to put the book down for the night as you promise yourself just a few more pages. Add to this solid characterisation and people that you can believe in, great prose and of course a storyline that really will keep you gripped as you follow the actions and reactions as they unfurl. Finally add to this an author who likes to add some sleight of hand (you’ll find this out towards the books culmination) and a wicked twist or two that will leave you wanting more. Cracking all round and a great way to start the new year.