Jørn Lier Horst & Thomas Enger – Smoke Screen

‘Smoke Screen’ by Jørn Lier Horst and Thomas Enger is the second book in the Blix and Ramm series. This is my very first Horst and Enger book, so I went in with no expectations other than knowing I love a good Nordic Noir story. This book exceeded anything I could have expected!

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The book opens in Oslo, on New Year’s Eve a few months after the events of the first book which left Emma Ramm and Alexander Blix affected personally. We see Emma decide to attend the fireworks display at the quays in the city centre, something to prove to herself she can overcome the fear of something bad happening and it is irrational to think it will. That night there is an explosion on the quays ending with deaths and many injured. Emma’s boyfriend, Casper, is killed also. The city goes on high alert immediately thinking of terrorists. Police officer Blix is in duty that night and he attempts to save a woman who has suffered bad injuries. He discovers later the woman is the mother of a missing child, Patricia Sempliss who has been gone for ten years.

Blix and Ramm are and always will be connected by their past and now the fact they were both present during this event brings them together again. They both start to investigate deeper due to wanting the truth. Blix was involved in the original enquiry into Patricia Sempliss going missing and now her mother is under his nose and he can’t quite let it go.

The chapters are alternatively narrated by Blix and Ramm each in their own investigations but as their investigations begin to cross over they cooperate to solve the mystery in front of them. They both have their own interests to solve this as Emma needs to discover who killed Casper and Blix needs to solve the case that still hangs over his head to this day.

A book that is next to impossible to realise it is a translation by Megan Turney. It has translated brilliantly and is a credit to Megan’s translation skills, you would not realise it but for the title and authors. A Nordic Noir from the Swedish angle and for me it incorporates everything a thriller should. As the story evolves so do the twists, surprises and the action. The characters of Ramm and Blix definitely caught my attention, both with their issues and flaws that make them so realistic in this fast-paced book with a fantastic plot that has just solidified my interest in the Nordic Noir genre even more. The scenes throughout the story make me want to visit the country, well, if it wasn’t that cold! A book from a writing duo that definitely works and works excellently, for sure.

A massive thank you to Orenda Books as always for the copy of the book and my place on another fabulous Orenda Blog Tour! Here’s to the next!