The Heart Keeper

Starred review from May 6, 2019
Told by two suffering mothers, this sad, wild, alarming tale from Norwegian author Dahl (The Boy at the Door) is all too plausible. Alison and her husband are grieving over the drowning of their five-year-old daughter, Amelie. Alison is close to losing it, despite therapy and her heavy use of pills and alcohol. Meanwhile, Iselin, a single welfare mother, has waged a seven-year battle caring for her daughter, Kaia, who was born with a life-threatening heart problem. Then Kaia receives a new heart from a girl who drowned. As she begins to blossom into a happy, active child, Iselin’s burdens lift. When Alison hears about the phenomenon of cellular memory whereby organ recipients can take on characteristics of donors, she becomes obsessed with finding the bearer of Amelie’s heart. On learning it’s Kaia, she quickly insinuates herself into Kaia and Iselin’s life, as best friend, benefactor—and keen observer of Kaia’s emerging Amelie-isms. To Alison it’s clear: Kaia is more her child than Iselin’s, and she alone deserves the girl. This psychological thriller may also be a horror story, but one that feels natural—if utterly unhinged. Agent: Jill Marsal, Marsal Lyon Agency.