It was a cold, dark Sunday evening in January in Bergen, Norway when private investigator Verg Veum was almost run over outside his client’s house. While it was possible the driver did not see him, Veum had a worrisome thought. Included in a group of four men arrested for distributing child pornography (the charges against Veum were subsequently dropped) Veum wonders whether there is a connection, since two of the men recently died under suspicious circumstances. Although forensic reports ruled out murder, Veum draws a different conclusion. He requests local police, with whom he is familiar, to reopen the death investigations, while he investigates as well. Much of the book deals with Veum visiting the deceaseds’ ex-wives, children, current partners and associates, along the way discovering that pornography was the tip of a more dangerous and disgusting iceberg. Veum is tenacious in his investigation visiting protagonists repeatedly with more questions, a la Columbo.

VERDICT: Although this twentieth Varg Veum mystery (Wolves in the Dark), only some of which are available in English, stands alone, the back story from its predecessor would be helpful. Action takes place primarily in the denouement. The character and story are strong entries in this series. ( )