Thanks to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for an egalley in exchange for an honest review.

The second in a series starring Danish detectives Kaldan and Schafer, the novel begins with the disappearance of a young school child and one thing is for sure, many people are keeping secrets.

I felt that this remained a very slow burn of a novel even though I read the majority of the novel in one sitting. There was a little too much purple prose in some chapters and I really felt the novel worked best when it was just focused on the investigation. There was a lot of sub stories that ran alongside the mystery and I felt some ran perpendicular to a child's disappearance. I felt some of the relationships between characters was a bit strange. Yet I ask myself if it is a translation issue or the fact that I didn't read book one?

All in all, an okay book but not my favorite.

The Collector is the second in the Heloise Kalan and Eric Schafer series and it’s as good as the first. But don’t worry if you haven’t read the first, it can easily work as a stand-alone.
A young boy has gone missing and the search is on. The boy has a unique interest in pareidolia, or seeing faces in inanimate objects. The last person to see him was Heloise’s good friend, Gerda.
The story takes on the truth and our ability to trust others, even those closest to us. There’s a strong mix of Heloise’s personal life in this story, which worked very well. While I would characterize this as a police procedural, Heloise is actually a journalist. Eric is the investigator and their friendship provides the link.
I was engaged with this story from beginning to end. And that end! Wow, I did not see that one coming. While not fast paced, I found it hummed along and was believable from start to finish.
I’m not necessarily a big fan of the Nordic Noir genre. But this wasn’t overly dark. And Hancock gives us a good feel of the setting.
My thanks to Netgalley and Crooked Lane Books for an advance copy of this book.

Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of The Collector.

The second book in the series takes off right where we left off in the first book; journalist Heloise Kaldan is struggling with a new complication in her life and the police have been called in to locate a missing boy named Lukas.

Naturally, Heloise will be in explicably drawn into the investigation, as the police frantically locate Lukas.

I love police procedurals and this fit the bill pretty well; I enjoy following with detective Shafer as he investigated leads and interviewed the family and potential suspects.

I also liked that he's not a typical police detective; he smokes, but he doesn't drink or have lousy relationships with women. He's happily married to a wonderful woman and they love each other.

I remember I struggled with Heloise as a character in the first book; I found her aloof and standoffish and it still applies here.

I don't dislike her but I don't like her; as a character, she's not all that smart or street savvy. In fact, I don't see her as a very strong character. I wouldn't mind if the next book focused on Shafer's POV entirely.

The mystery wasn't bad; there are the usual subplots; veterans suffering from PTSD and a mentally disabled young man are thrown into the mix to mislead readers.

But, there are loose ends by the time you get to the last chapter:

What's the significance of Lukas' obsession with pareidolia?

What does the title have to do with the mystery?

I liked how the narrative ends with Shafer coming to a shocking revelation from what appears to be a random clue. Seriously, how did he miss that?

I'll check out the next book in the series.

Special thanks to Crooked Lane Books and Netgalley for the ARC of this book.

This book reads like a crime TV show. It has a slow burn but it picks up the pace and then you can't stop turning places.

Also I learned something and I love to learn. The boy Lukas who was kidnapped had an obsession with pareidolia , a phenomenon that makes people see faces in random things. Twists and turns and a shocker.

This is a second book in a series. Sadly, I did not know but it didn't matter. It works as a standalone! I really liked this. It was well worth it and now I'm dying to read The Corpse Flower, the 1st book in this series.

It hits the US November 8th! I totally recommend it.

Investigators from the police find that 10-year-old Lukas had a strange fascination with pareidolia, a condition that causes him to perceive faces in incongruous objects before he vanished from his Copenhagen school. Just hours before he vanished, he posted a picture on his phone of an ancient barn door that looks like a face. The journalist Heloise Kaldan believes she has seen the barn before, but where? When Luke’s jacket with blood stains is discovered in the moat of Copenhagen’s Citadel, DNA evidence suggests that Thomas Strand, an ex-soldier with severe PTSD, is the likely suspect. However, Strand later shows up shot to death at his apartment, lying lifeless. What happened that morning in the schoolyard that Lukas’ final observer saw? Was it Lukas or was it a trick of the eyes? Can you ever really believe what you see?

The novel is a quick page-turner due to the text’s brief and tantalizing chapters. There is also no shortage of drama, with parallax, addiction, and dysfunctional relationships at its core. Hancock’s characters are well-developed, and there are enough supporting people in the background to utterly surprise the reader with the solution to the mystery. The way the plot is intertwined makes for an extremely intriguing read that had my interest the entire time. There is true affection between Erik and Heloise, and I enjoyed watching their relationship develop. I hope there will be more books in this series. There are numerous contradictions, external pressure, and one main character battling their issues. Heloise’s personal life has been completely upended since she learned what happened to her father. It challenges everything, and the results can occasionally be quite nasty.

Both this novel and its predecessor, The Corpse Flower, were good to me. The author offers cleverly plotted mysteries and psychological thrillers that pique your interest and keep you on the edge of your seat. I can only suggest this thriller to everyone. You should read the trigger warnings before reading this book as well. The book contains some dense content that may be difficult for some readers to read. The Scandinavian flavor completes the reading experience in this wonderful delight. The two characters’ continued growth also brings the fantastic plot to a close. I’m interested to watch how Heloise and Erik’s relationship develops.

First and foremost, a large thank you to NetGalley, Anne Mette Hancock, and Crooked Lane Books for providing me with a copy of this publication, which allows me to provide you with an unbiased review.

After her series debut piqued my interest, I returned for another ARC by Anne Mette Hancock. A Danish psychological thriller, the story works in ways that force me to look outside my traditional expectations for novels in the genre. Full of local flavouring, Hancock develops a piece that is sure to intrigue many readers, though I am not sure if the original Danish was more impactful from a linguistic point of view.

After the disappearance of a young boy from his school, the authorities in Copenhagen are on high alert. Lukas was gifted in ways that exceeded academia; he obsessed over pareidolia, where one sees faces in inanimate objects. After scouring Lukas’ possessions, they discover a photo of a barn door with what could be a face in the shadows. Might this be a clue to his whereabouts? Journalist Heloise Kaldan thinks that she might be able to help, but struggles with locating the source of the barn.

After the grisly discovery of Lukas’ jacket, the forensics points to a former soldier with a mountain of issues all his own. Could Thomas Strand have abducted Lukas for some twisted reason? What was the endgame in all of this and how did it all take place? While Heloise Kaldan works with the authorities, including Detective Erik Schäfer, little comes together, However, once Strand is found executed in his apartment, the case takes on deeper and more sinister panic.

A missing child, an executed soldier with mental health issues, and this lingering pareidolia. How did it all come together so swiftly? While Schäfer and Kaldan try to piece it all together, they have some personal demons that must come to the surface or risk ruing their ability to successfully manage the case. In a gripping piece that has moments where the reader will surely gasp aloud, Hancock creates a chilling tale with a tense ending for all to enjoy!

While I do read a number of Scandinavian thrillers, I would not call myself an expert, That said, I know what I like and which books I am happy to push to the side. Anne Mette Hancock has all the ingredients for a strong piece, though there were times I felt it lacking. I contemplated what it could be and wonde if the translation was not as crisp as I would have liked. I know that with many books that face the translation mountain, I cannot tell where the seams are located. However, with this one, they were all too apparent, leaving things slightly jilted.

The key to a strong thriller is to begin with a bang. Hancock does that with the disappearance of a young child, as well as some of the subplots related to the protagonists. She pulls the reader in and uses her narrative abilities to build on the story from there. Once things are strong from a foundational point of view, Hancock is able to incorporate strong characters and key plot twists to keep the story moving. I felt as though I were on the streets of Copenhagen throughout and never left the scene of the crime, which exemplifies Hancock’s abilities. I am eager to see if there will be more to this series, which I may give one more chance, as the translation proves a yoke to my overall enjoyment.

Kudos, Madam Hancock, for another intriguing piece. I am curious where things are headed now.

I haven't read the first book in this series, but you don't need to. I had no trouble following what was going on.

A young boy named Lukas has disappeared... Seemingly he was dropped off at his school but never made it to any classes. This is definitely a slower-burn mystery. As Detective Schafer and the other police detectives begin searching for Lukas they discover his obsession with pareidolia—something that makes people see faces in random things. While the police aren't sure how this might connect to his disappearance, Kaldan knows that she has seen one of the places Lukas has a photo of, and she's seen it somewhere very recently. This sets her off on a bit of an adventure trying to track this place down.
When the police start finding evidence it leads them down a twisty path, which leads them to another body, and a whole new set of suspects, are these two things connected, or just coincidences?
The cop and the reporter don't really work together at all, but they each work in parallel. It was a slower burn story, but once all the pieces begin sliding into place, everything picks up and I couldn't stop flipping the pages to find out what happened to Lukas.

I would be very interested in reading the first book in the series and reading any others in the future.

I absolutely loved the Corpse Flower when I read it last year, and I was happy to see that The Collector brings back the characters from that book. This was a really addictive read, I ended up staying awake until midnight to finish it. As with the Corpse Flower, there is so much going on all the time, and we have chapters from different characters points of view. It is another dark crime fiction book, and this crime lover could not get enough.

This time we see journalist Heloise and Detective Schafer working together to find a missing child. Lukas is only 10 and disappears from the school gate. And nobody saw a thing. Soon, the boy's jacket is found in a park with blood on it. The race is on to find Lukas alive.

There are some triggering subjects covered in The Collector. Themes of PTSD, childhood abuse and a lot more, but I don't want to give anything away.

Another great Nordic Noir read, and I hope we see more from these characters again.

Thanks to Crooked Lane Books and Netgalley for my advanced copy of this book to read. Published November 8th.

The Collector by Anne Mette Hancock is the second book in the Kaldan and Shafer series and having loved the first book I was excited to see that the detective & journalist were back for another Scandi mystery.
This time a local young boy disappears from his local school…too many unknown factors and too many pieces that didn’t fit making it an interesting and twisty unraveling for detective, Erik Shafer and journalist, Heloise Kaldan.
I do love this series, great writing and storytelling by Anne, who knew that there was such a thing as pareidolia and avisodomy? Not sure why the book was titled ‘the collector’ though as there is no obvious link, although there maybe a very tenuous link which I’d say didn’t really encompass the story…’troubled’ may be more fitting!
Big thanks to Anne Mette Hancock, Crooked Lane Books and NetGalley for this eARC which I chose to read in return for my honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley and Crooked Lane for inviting me to view this title in exchange for an honest review!

A ten year old boy named Lukas is missing, and nobody has any idea who would have taken him from his school. When evidence surfaces that indicates that he may have been hurt, perhaps fatally, police increase their presence and investigative focus. Heloise Kaldan, journalist, has to cover the story, but she can't help but get a bit involved too. Who would want to hurt a young boy?

A very interesting story, but definitely could be triggering for those with past trauma. That isn't to say it isn't enjoyable, but rather that there are some dark turns. I did not expect the book to play out the way it did, and even at the end, it was still leaving me guessing. If you love detectives mixed with nosy journalists solving crime, this is perfect for you!

CW: kidnapping, blood, physical violence, alcohol, physical abuse, pregnancy, pregnancy loss, death, suicide

Thank you to the author, her publisher, and NetGalley for a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
I loved reading The Collector, it's well-written, and there is a good plot and well-rounded-up characters that kept me guessing till the end. It's an easy read and provides great entertainment for a few hours. Hopefully, there will be a new book by Ms.Hancock shortly!

The Collector is the sequel to @annemette.hancock’s book The Corpse Flower and it is another fantastic Nordic Noir thriller! It pairs up journalist Heloise Kaldan and Copenhagen Detective Schafer for another investigation; this one involving a missing child. I am really enjoying this series and hope that there is another book in the works!

Thank you to @crookedlanebooks and @netgalley for allowing me to read this book ahead of publication in exchange for my honest review.

The Collector by Anne Mette Hancock
My rating:
3/5
⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you @netgalley for the ARC of this book!

When a 10 year old boy goes missing, a detective and journalist are out to figure out what happened to him.

Overall I liked this book but there was times where I was a little bored and was confused trying to remember all of the characters introduced. Now that I have finished the book, I think that one of the main plots was unnecessary and didn’t quite support the story. I really enjoyed the two main charters, Kalyan and Schaffer and the relationship they have with each other: friends but can they trust each other when it comes to work?

The end of the book was quite suspenseful and the last couple of pages had me shocked. That part was redemption for the book in my opinion.

If you like a who-dun-it mystery with true crime, this book is for you! You can read this one when it is published in November 2022!

#thecollector #netgalley

I could not get into this story/story line. It was just not for me. I hope this book finds the right audience.

Thank you Crooked Lane Books and Netgalley for letting me read and review The Collector.

When 10-year-old Lukas disappears from his Copenhagen school, police investigators discover that the boy had a peculiar obsession with pareidolia—a phenomenon that makes him see faces in random things. A photo on his phone posted just hours before his disappearance shows an old barn door that resembles a face. Journalist Heloise Kaldan thinks she recognizes the barn—but from where?

I enjoyed it and felt like it includes what you expect for when it comes to a crime read and I always enjoy nordic noir.
It is a slow burn read, but I stayed curious but yet a bit sad through it and when it comes to kids...it always triggers me. I think that's why I ended up giving it a 3 star rating.

This is a decent sequel to Hancock’s new Kaldan and Scháfer series. Although, arguably, it should be called Scháfer and Agustin, since both cops carry the procedural weight of the story and Heloise’s involvement this time is to add more personal drama. The plot is a little convoluted, but still solid and propulsive. Now that we are familiar with the characters and their backstories, it’s easier to root for them. I’m not one to enjoy heavy personal side stories, but I was invested in Heloise’s life. All the clues and side stories converge nicely and the suspects and red herrings are doled out to keep up the interest. At the center of it all, Lukas, a missing boy whose happy life may not be real. The ending is great and unexpected. I’m looking forward to the next one.
I chose to read this book and all opinions in this review are my own and completely unbiased. Thank you, #NetGalley/#Crooked Lane Books!

A team of detectives and a journalist both searching for the boy that disappeared. The investigations run parallel, each finding different clues that eventually bring the story to a chilling finale. A well written, fast paced, exciting read set in realistic surroundings.

Thank you Netgalley and Anne Mette Hancock for the ARC.

The Collector is the second book in a Danish noir series following Detective Eric Shafer and journalist Heloise Kaldan.

I love this genre of Scandi/Nordic noir, police procedural and crime/ physcological thriller and this book really grabbed my attention with the title and the tagline: "Can you ever really trust your eyes?"

I probably went in with too-high expectations.

The main story focuses on the investigation into a missing young boy called Lukas, who suffers with Pareidolia which is defined as follows -

the tendency to perceive a specific, often meaningful image in a random or ambiguous visual pattern 

The scientific explanation for some people is pareidolia, or the human ability to see shapes or make pictures out of randomness*

In Lukas' case, he sees faces in various places and photographs them.

Unfortunately, this is just something that is mentioned and is not really a major part of the novel, although one of the photos in Lukas' collection does play into the plot.

There are lots of other sub-plots/arcs that include the themes of PTSD, domestic abuse/violence, alcohol addiction, child abuse, abortion and more.

Because of this, and the sheer amount of characters that are threaded throughout, there are lots of connections to follow and keep in order, and for me, it made this quite a difficult read. I also feel that some things may have been lost in translation.

All in all though, the writing is fabulous, and the intrigue in this tale kept me turning pages. I wasn't a fan of the characters, the overall plot was good and there was a very interesting ending which left me wondering if it would be explored at a later time - perhaps the next book in the series. The pacing was slow, and I read over a few days because of that.

I can really see the potential of this author, and as I said the writing here is not my issue, it just didn't grab me enough to make me really enjoy it - it was just okay.

The Collector publishes on 8th November 2022


Star Rating: 3.5

CAWPILE Rating: 7.71/10

Characters: 7/10
Atmosphere: 7/10
Writing: 9/10
Plot: 7/10
Intrigue: 9/10
Logic: 8/10
Enjoyment: 7/10

Many thanks to the author, Crooked Lane Books and Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

What a powerful story.

A child Lukas Bjerre is missing. Time is of the essence to find him. Erik Shafer is heading up the investigation into the childs disappearance. Heloise is a very close friend of Erik Schafer as well as the investigative reporter assigned to the story.

Heloise has a past that is disturbing to the point Heloise feels she is broken, Her boyfriend Martin Duvall, does not realize the extent of the deep pain Heloise has inside her.

The parents of Lukas, Jen and Anne Bjerre also have hidden pasts.

This story has it all, mystery, love among friends, PTSD due to soldiers in battle.

What I liked best about this book is the description of the characters and the location which draws you in. I would recommend this book for those that want a different flair. The mystery of what happened to Lukas takes you on a journey which makes this book hard to put down.

4.5/5 stars
I loved this book. It’s a bit of a slow burn in that it takes a bit for all the pieces to connect and some don’t fully connect until the end of the book. However, I didn’t want to put the book down and I read it in one day. There are multiple surprises at the end that I didn’t see coming and those endings always bring me joy!
The Kaldan and Schäfer series have quickly become one of my favorite police procedural crime books and I’m hoping to see more in the future!

I knocked the book down from 5 stars due to the following: It reads a little politically incorrect or out of touch at times.
Sometimes I feel like it’s a character flaw in someone like Schäfer who is from an older generation and used to “the old ways”. Or maybe it’s a translation issue where the sentiments don’t fully translate from Danish to English or like a cultural difference where sayings or things don’t always translate well.
I’m also not sure why the book is called the Collector. That’s not revealed in the book that I noticed.

This is another book where you should read trigger warnings before reading. There’s some heavy material in the book that could be hard for some readers to encounter.

Thank you to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for this eARC.