Review of BOYS WHO HURT by Eva Björg Ægisdóttir (New Release)

 4 Stars

This is the fifth book in the Forbidden Iceland series set in Akranes. Once again I enjoyed visiting with Elma and her colleagues and family members.

While Sævar is on paternity leave, looking after their young daughter Adda and getting them settled into their new home, Elma has returned to work at the West Iceland CID. The case that awaits her is the brutal killing of Thorgeir Reynisson, the son of Elma and Sævar’s neighbour. Thorgeir’s body was left with an ominous message scrawled on a nearby wall. Meanwhile, a chance discovery has Sævar reading the diary of a young boy which details events at a Christian summer camp in 1995. The writer of the diary and Thorgeir were neighbours and attended the camp together along with other friends. Could the events of the past have a bearing on the current case? As Elma and Hörður investigate, it is quickly obvious that many people have secrets they wish to remain hidden.

The book, like the previous ones in the series, shows that the author excels at red herrings and misdirection. Early on, I identified a suspect, though I felt I was missing information. Everything is not as it seems so, while reading the book, I was right but wrong and then right again. It speaks to the writer’s skill that I was fully engaged in trying to solve the case.

There’s a dual timeline. The investigation is set in the present – December of 2020. The focus is on the investigative team, but occasionally the perspectives of other characters close to the case are included as well. There is no shortage of suspects as the thoughts of these characters reveal hidden pasts. Then there are sections set in the weeks leading up to the murder; these sections are from Thorgeir’s perspective and also from the viewpoint of someone who emerges as a major suspect. The brief spotlights on characters connected to the case make readers feel they are sometimes a few steps ahead of the investigating team, but there are dangers in over-confidence.

Elma is a likeable character. Her traits are consistent with her portrayal in previous books. She’s intelligent, determined, and hard-working. Seeing her in her role as a mother adds another dimension. What I especially appreciated is her not jumping to conclusions; she keeps an open mind until there is sufficient evidence to warrant further inquiries.

The many connections between so many of the characters struck me as almost unbelievable, but then I had to remind myself that Akranes has a population of about 8,000 so it is inevitable that people will know each other. That being said, it has to be admitted that the killer does have more than one fortuitous chance meeting with people. What also bothered me is the number of abuse victims. Does Iceland really have so many overbearing or absent or abusive fathers?

The title is perfect because “hurt” can be either a verb or an adjective. Boys who hurt others? Boys who are hurt? Or is it a case of hurt boys hurting others? I love it!

Oh and then there’s the ending! It suggests ramifications because of what has been discovered in this investigation. I assume the personal repercussions for Elma and Sævar will be addressed in the next installment. I can’t wait.