Two teenage girls have been murdered in the Norwegian town of Son. Kari Voss investigates and ruffles a few feathers as she does so. She is a body language and memory export, super skilled at spotting a lie. She can't be fooled, can she? Or is the fact that the 7 year anniversary of her sons disappearance is coming up, affecting her ability to think clearly?
I enjoyed that there were many layers to this story and that Kari Voss herself was not perfect. She was battling her own demons as well as trying to help solve a murder which made her feel more human and likeable. The memory and body language knowledge that Kari Voss demonstrated was fascinating and made me want to look into more, outside of this novel.
And the ending! There had better be a follow up or I'm putting in a complaint!!!!

ARC Review! “Son” by @author_thomas_enger & @johanagustawsson 3.75/5⭐️

This mystery novel is set in Norway and focuses on Kari Voss AKA The Human Lie Detector. Known for her expertise in body language and memory, Kari assists local police with crimes throughout the area. Dealing with the disappearance of her own son, she is determined to find the killer of her son’s former best friends.

The book started a little slow for me and jumped around quite a bit. But it found its footing as the investigation progressed and I was hooked! The plot shines when focusing on Kari Voss and her investigatory skills.

While the ending felt a tiny bit rushed, I cannot wait for the next book as it’s listed “Kari Voss #1” on Goodreads!! Give me the family drama and mystery!! What is going to happen?!?!

Thank you to NetGalley , Trafalgar Square Publishing and the authors for this advanced copy! The book releases on August 25, 2025 and you won’t want to miss out on this series!!

Gripping, Dark, and Hauntingly Clever

Son by Johana Gustawsson is a chilling and intricately woven thriller that had me hooked from the first chapter. Gustawsson masterfully blends historical crimes with modern-day investigations, creating a dual-timeline narrative that’s as disturbing as it is compelling. The pacing is tight, and her ability to build suspense kept me flipping pages late into the night.

What stood out most was her talent for making every detail matter, seemingly small clues resurface later with shocking weight. The emotional depth, especially when exploring generational trauma, adds a layer of complexity that elevates this from a standard crime novel.

The only reason I’m not giving it five stars is because, at times, the transitions between timelines felt a bit abrupt, and I had to reorient myself more than once. Still, this is a minor gripe in an otherwise gripping read.

If you enjoy dark psychological thrillers with a historical twist and don’t mind diving into some truly harrowing subject matter, Son is well worth your time. I’ll definitely be reading more from Gustawsson.

**First Person ARC Review: *SON* by Johana Gustawsson**

*SON* shook me in ways I didn’t expect. I went into it thinking I was ready—expecting a gripping crime thriller with dark twists—and while I definitely got that, I also got a story that was so much more emotionally devastating and psychologically intense than I anticipated.

From the first page, there’s this relentless tension that refuses to let up. The structure is sharp, cutting between timelines and perspectives with precision, and it creates this layered experience where the past and present feel like they’re collapsing into each other. Every chapter felt like peeling back a scar, exposing something raw and deeply unsettling underneath.

What truly haunted me was how much of this book is rooted in trauma—both inherited and inflicted. It’s brutal at times, not just in its violence but in its honesty. Gustawsson doesn’t look away from the ugliness of what people are capable of, and yet she still manages to find slivers of humanity in the wreckage. That balance is what kept me hooked.

This isn’t just a crime novel—it’s a psychological excavation. Dark, complex, and emotionally charged, *SON* left me feeling like I’d been through something. It’s the kind of story that lingers, not because of the horror on the surface, but because of the deep, aching truths buried beneath it.

Wow!!! I did not expect such a good thriller, so full of surprises and tension! Also interesting on a psychological level, this novel is really fascinating. The characters are relatable and likeable. The plot is indeed very complex with many could-be-murderers... And the conclusion, well I did not see that coming!!! I would have started on the next book straight away if I had had it! I really enjoyed it! Highly recommended!
I received a digital copy of this novel from NetGalley and I have voluntarily written an honest review.

I’ve been let down by so many of my favorite authors lately, that finding this new series made me happy (as Kari Voss would surely notice by the smile that reaches my eyes). I loved so many things about this. Kari, she is strong, smart and trying to rebuild her life after the disappearance of her son. Her support network, her retired policeman father and cop best friend are immensely likable. The cast of suspects is intriguing. You meet someone you think is a horrible person but then realize that maybe they’re just hurt and lashing out. Others, you originally feel sorry for, only to find out that they’re monsters. But, even the darkest secrets that Kari uncovers are not always related to the case. And what a horrible case: two teenage girls are murdered in a grisly, bloody way. The police find their suspect right away and it’s up to Kari to figure out who’s telling the truth. Being an expert in body language and known as the human lie detector should make it easy, right? The exposition about this fascinating field, as well as how memories work is very well illustrated with examples pertinent to the plot. How two people can tell two conflicting stories, neither showing signs of deceit because they both believe that they’re telling the truth. There is suspense, emotion and an ending that has me Googling desperately when we’ll get a second volume. Five enthusiastic stars.
I chose to read this book and all opinions in this review are my own and completely unbiased. Thank you, NetGalley/Trafalgar Square Publishing | Orenda Books.

This book was an excellent read and was a division between Johana Gustawsson and Tomas Enger. I think that they should due several books together because they are quiet the team. They actually made this book noir with the return of the father finding Vetle and Kari didn't know! But seven years later after her son could be dead she doesn't want to believe it. What we're trying to find out is who killed the girls, Eva Eek-Svendsen and Hedda Bülow, who are sixteen years old. Vetle, Jesper, Eva, and Hedda were best friends growing up. Jesper was found guilty and Kari was the person who tried to prove he wasn't guilty. Kari was almost killed by a driver and was in the hospital because of it. different people had several scenarios which to consider but Kari found the killer. It turns and twists with characters and you'll have to wait to find out the whole story as you read it.

Psychologist and expert on body language and memory, Kari Voss investigates the murder of two teenaged girls in the small Norwegian town of Son, as suspicion is cast on multiple suspects. A mesmerizingly dark, twisty start to a nerve-shattering new series by two of the world's finest crime writers…. Great thriller! Great start to a new series! It did not seem like a cliffhanger either!! This book had chilling suspense, murder, mystery, intriguing, interesting characters and a few Jaw dropping twists! The story was very interesting! Can’t wait for more! I highly recommend reading this book and series! Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for sharing this book with me!

I can’t recommend this highly enough. It has everything - a challenging and complex plot, well-rounded characters with intertwined back stories and plenty of details about the investigative process to make the resolution truly satisfying. There are many strands to the plot and the ending opens up new questions while resolving the core mystery, leaving hope of more books to come. The setting is just beautiful and so well described that you feel you are experiencing the snow and beauty of the Norwegian Winter. The author does an incredible job of bringing the teenage characters to life, making their angst and confusion all to real as they contend with matters far beyond their usual experience. Seeing how Jesper’s story evolves and resolves is particularly heartbreaking,