Synopses & Reviews
The body of an unidentified woman has been discovered in a remote forest. A large, unique scar on one side of her face should make the identification easy, but nobody has reported her missing. Louise Rick, the new commander of the Missing Persons Department, waits four long days before pulling off a risky move: releasing a photo of the victim to the media, jeopardizing the integrity of the investigation in hopes of finding anyone who knew her.
The gamble pays off when a woman recognizes the victim as Lisemette, a child she cared for in the state mental institution many years ago. Lisemette was a "forgotten girl", abandoned by her family and left behind in the institution. But Louise soon discovers something even more disturbing: Lisemette had a twin, and both girls were issued death certificates more than thirty years ago.
Louise's investigation takes a surprising turn when it brings her closer to her childhood home. And as she uncovers more crimes that were committed — and hidden — in the forest, she is forced to confront a terrible link to her own past that has been carefully concealed. Set against a moody and atmospheric landscape, The Forgotten Girls is twisty, suspenseful, emotionally intense novel that secures Sara Blædel's place in the pantheon of great thriller writers.
Review
"[T]his outing by Denmark's "Queen of Crime" offers...a tough detective and a very grim
mystery. Blædel is incredibly talented at keeping one reading even as
one wants to look away from the graphic scenes." Library Journal
Review
"A sharp protagonist who
wrestles with her own failings and fears, in a skillfully told story that
is typically dark in the manner of Nordic crime fiction." Booklist
Review
"[The Forgotten Girls] is gripping when it depicts some horrific crimes....[An] uncompromising realism...distinguishes this novel at its best." Washington Post
Review
"Chilling...[a] swiftly moving plot and engaging core characters." Publishers Weekly
About the Author
Sara Blædel is the author of the #1
international bestselling series featuring Detective Louise Rick. Her
books are published in thirty-eight countries. In 2014 Sara was voted
Denmark's most popular novelist for the fourth time. She is also a
recipient of the Golden Laurel, Denmark's most prestigious literary
award. She lives in New York City.