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Burned

Thomas Enger
Atria (2010)
ISBN 9781451616453
Reviewed by Enid Grabiner for RebeccasReads (1/12)

This arresting Norwegian thriller is a fun and fast but intriguing read.   In his debut novel, "Burned," Thomas Enger introduces physically scarred and emotionally damaged Juul Henning, an investigative crime reporter for internet newspaper 123News.  Hesitantly returning to work after a long absence following a fire which left his face badly burned, his young son dead, and his marriage dissolved, Juul has much trepidation facing old colleagues and old routines in the workplace.  Unsure if he still has the impetus to succeed, he quickly finds himself thick into the investigation of what appears to be a radical Muslim ritual death of a young white woman.  He is unfortunately paired to work with Iver Gunderson, the handsome and revered reporter who happens to be ex-wife Nora’s new lover.  Conflicting work style and personal jealousy heighten the tension.
The unclear “honor killing” echoing Sharia law draws attention to the Muslim community, but the unlikely victim and the implausible motive of the crime seem to draw Henning in other directions.  With tips from a resurrected source and good old fashioned gumshoe reporting, he sets out to solve the crime. The reader is provided with surprising and often incredulous twists and turns. 

Like Larrson’s "Blomkvist," Juul Henning is a reporter with a troubling past out to unravel the unsolvable case.  Also a bit of a loner, he attempts to maintain journalistic integrity and avoid pulp reporting. Driven by past damage, each is set on a quest.  Both explore social issues as the basis of their stories. Enger regrettably does not develop his locale with rich description of Norway as Larrson did Stockholm, nor does he develop the tension within the complicated relationships of his major characters.  It may seem a bit unfair to compare the authors, but the obvious similarities help create that association.  With that said, Henning is really a very heartbreaking but likeable character.  He has to deal with personal demons but we root for him to succeed, to take that step closer to recovery.  He has the potential to become a recurring central character in more books to come.

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