Beyond the Truth: A Hanne Wilhelmsen Novel

The quadruple homicide of shipping magnate Hermann Stahlberg; his wife, Turid; their elder son, Preben; and a publishing consultant with no apparent ties to the family kicks off Edgar-finalist Holt’s solid seventh Hanne Wilhelmsen novel to be published in the U.S. (after No Echo). Suspicion falls on Preben’s surviving siblings, Hermine and Carl-Christian, as they’ve been battling with Hermann and Preben for control of Norne Norway Shipping. But while the duo has motive, means, and opportunity, Hanne is convinced that the mysterious fourth victim is the key to solving the crime. Despite intense pressure from the public and her superiors to quickly close the case, the Oslo chief inspector launches her own investigation. Meanwhile, Hanne’s best friend and colleague, Billy T., fights temptation in the face of money problems. Realistically flawed characters, nuanced relationships, and thematically resonant subplots complement the central mystery, while Hanne’s housekeeper—an irreverent former prostitute—adds unexpected humor and heart. (Dec.)