The Star Child is the first novel by Katrine Engberg, recently published by Fleuve Editions, a journey to Copenhagen where fiction turns into reality…
Jeppe and Anette are called to the scene of a crime in a downtown Copenhagen building. Upon their arrival, they discover the victim, Julie Stender, brutally murdered with a strange pattern carved into her cheek with a knife. The building belongs to a retired university professor, Esther de Laurenti, who is in the process of writing a crime novel that describes in detail a murder similar to Julie’s. Is it mere coincidence or part of a diabolical plan? Jeppe and Anette will delve into this small microcosm and uncover all its secrets.
With this debut novel, author Katrine Engberg makes a successful entrance into the world of Nordic crime fiction, offering a classic yet effective thriller. The detective duo proves interesting; usually, partners get along quite well, but that won’t be entirely the case here… Jeppe is rather depressed and gloomy, while Anette is cheerful and enthusiastic, resulting in a partnership that sometimes sparks. Appointed as the lead investigator, Jeppe stands out as the central character in his duo with Anette, and the author takes care to share certain details of his private life with us.
The well-structured plot will lead readers astray while introducing them to strong and intriguing characters. In addition to Jeppe and Anette, they will meet Kristoffer, the enigmatic and pretentious artist Erik Kingo, Julie’s father, Christian, other detectives in the squad (Clausen, Sara…), the endearing Gregers, and especially Esther de Laurenti, another very interesting central character.
The city of Copenhagen, as described by Katrine Engberg, complements this Nordic crime novel and offers a truly exotic journey.
The Star Child is a promising debut novel whose detective duo, Jeppe and Anette, will soon return in a forthcoming volume.
