The Absolution

Starred review from November 25, 2019
In Sigurdardóttir’s stellar third Children’s House thriller (after 2019’s The Reckoning), Freyja
, a frustrated child psychologist, joins forces with Huldar
, an problem-ridden Reykjavík police detective, to try to catch a serial killer. The killer posts horrific images on Snapchat to announce the torture-slaughter of adolescent cyberbullies. The fraught relationship between Freyja and Huldar adds emotional depth; since a passionate but ill-fated one-night stand in 2018’s The Legacy, Freyja has realized Huldar is the wrong man in the right body for her. The less conflicted Huldar remains attracted to her. Meanwhile, Freyja must gingerly tiptoe around Huldar’s boss, Erla
, who was once investigated for sexually harassing him. Sigurdardóttir indicts an education system that consistently lets its students down, parents who foster dysfunctional family life, and medical personnel who selfishly hide vital secrets. She also unflinchingly reveals the excruciating pain felt by bullies’ victims. This heart-wrenching story deserves a wide audience.

February 1, 2020

In Sigurdardóttir's third "Children's House" thriller (after The Reckoning), teenager Stella dies slowly and cruelly, begging for forgiveness. When her murder is shared with all her "friends" on Snapchat, the community is traumatized. Her body is found with the number "2" nearby, which begs the question: Could there be a number one? Pressure ramps up when the murder of a teenage boy, #3, is captured similarly. The only connection is they were both considered bullies. Meanwhile, appealing, rule-breaking Det. Huldar is strongly interested in Freyja, the child psychologist serving as a consultant on this case. Attraction simmers between them, although this thread never fully materializes, which is slightly disappointing. The tension surrounding these crimes, however, is top notch, and among parents, schools, teens, and the police, the race is on to find a well-organized, merciless killer. VERDICT Sigurdardóttir creates an intense focus upon and thorough examination of bullying, including issues of isolation, suicide, counseling, and inept prevention in this excellent, gritty thriller that will appeal to series fans and readers of Kimberly McCreight's Reconstructing Amelia. [See Prepub Alert, 7/21/19.]--Gloria Drake, Oswego P.L. Dist., IL

Copyright 2020 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.