The author, Carin Gerdhausen, delivers a fast-paced thrilling crime story and gradually brings down the veil of a damaged soul involved in a series of murders.
At a very young age Tomas becomes a victim of bullies from the kindergarten. He faces vicious torment and brutality every day for a long time. On top of that, the teacher who in charge of the kids, hardly does anything to stop the violence.
The novel offers a unique insight into a serial killer’s mind. Carin Gerdhausen has astonishingly sharp approach and her style stuns with originality. Moreover, she shows a remarkable sense for the details. Her drama touch can be compared only to one other queen of Nordic Noir, Camilla Lackberg.
Gerdhausen also demonstrates a very good of understanding of the human psyche and the psychological complications that occur in people who have experienced troubled childhood. Perhaps, this is why the characters are crafted full-blooded and true-to-life. The book examines the subject of damaged mental health after repeated acts of aggression at early age.
I strongly recommend “The Gingerbread House” for book lovers who are into Scandinavian crime fiction. This a gripping read, mostly for it deals with some serious problems of our modern society – violence among young children and adults who choose to turn a blind eye instead of looking for solution.
