Nurse Nina Borg has a habit of getting herself in
trouble, mostly because she can't abide injustice, but
this time trouble found her. Six months ago, her ex-
husband took her along to the Philippines in a valiant
attempt to save their marriage. Her recklessness and
selfish behaviour in her attempts to save the world has
taken its toll on their family life. Nina has more or
less started a relationship with a police and
intelligence officer of the unlikely name of Søren
Kirkegaard, who is on temporary leave from his job. While
in the Philippines, a disaster occurred, and Nina rushed
to the rescue, her skills being much appreciated.
However, a dying man told her something, which she didn't
quite grasp, but nevertheless put her life in danger, and
thus begins a descent into hell, dragging along Søren in
the whole mess.
THE CONSIDERATE KILLER by Lene Kaaberbol and Agnete Friis
is a
very dark book, darker even
than the two previous instalments, in my opinion. The
relationship between the young Filipinos, who are an
integral part of the story, reminded me of the characters
in Patricia Highsmith's The Talented Mr. Ripley,
inasmuch
as the disaster waiting to happen is only a question of
time and circumstances, and one charismatic player will
ineluctably drag carefree and insouciant youths into the
pits of hell. THE CONSIDERATE KILLER starts four years
before Nina's involvement, when the young Filipinos met,
and although their relationship is essential to the
story, if captivating, I felt some details superfluous,
and it could have been shortened, even though it does
offer a clear insight into life in the Philippines. THE
CONSIDERATE KILLER is told alternatively from Nina's and
the young Filipinos' sides, bringing the past into
present Denmark, and the chapters seamlessly converge
towards the chilling and startling denouement.
Nina is a fascinating character; she is not easy to like,
but her irresponsible behaviour makes for great
storytelling. On the other hand I adore Søren, if only
for his angelic patience and understanding. Expertly
translated by Elisabeth Dyssegaard, the writing is
flawless and quite lyrical at times, in sharp contrast to
the grim events. A very satisfying conclusion to a
gripping series!
The thrilling final installment of the New York Times
bestselling Scandinavian crime series
In an attempt to save their
marriage, Nina Borg and her husband traveled to a beach
resort in the Philippines for a dream vacation. Only now,
six months later, does Nina begin to understand the
devastating repercussions of that trip—repercussions that
have followed her home across the globe to Denmark. On an
icy winter day, she is attacked outside the grocery store.
The last thing she hears before losing consciousness is her
assailant asking her forgiveness. Only later does she
understand that this isn’t for what he’s just done, but for
what he plans to do to.
As Nina tries to trace the origin of sinister messages she’s
received, she realizes the attempt on her life must be
linked to events in Manila, and to three young men whose
dangerous friendship started in medical school. Time and
circumstance have forced them to make impossible choices
that have cost human lives.
It’s a long way from Viborg to Manila, and yet Nina and her
pursuer face the same dilemma: How far will they go to save
themselves?