The Chestnut Man: A Novel

NOW A NETFLIX ORIGINAL SERIESIf you find one, he's already found you ....From the creator of The Killing, “a full-throttle thriller in the tradition of classic Stieg Larsson” (A.J. Finn, author of The Woman in the Window).Winner of the Barry Award for Best First Mystery/Crime Novel * A New York Times Book Review Best Book of the YearA psychopath is terrorizing Copenhagen.His calling card is a “chestnut man”—a handmade doll made of matchsticks and two chestnuts—which he leaves at each bloody crime scene.Examining the dolls, forensics makes a shocking discovery—a fingerprint belonging to a young girl, a government minister’s daughter who had been kidnapped and murdered a year ago.A tragic coincidence—or something more twisted?To save innocent lives, a pair of detectives must put aside their differences to piece together the Chestnut Man’s gruesome clues.Because it’s clear that the madman is on a mission that is far from over.And no one is safe.

New York Times Book Review

“Cunningly plotted  . . . . Although it’s hard to look away from Sveistrup’s fiendish villain, the good guys are also worthy of your attention.”

Financial Times

“A tension-charged debut. . . . Incendiary.”

good and bad

“This might just be the thriller of the year. The Chestnut Man grips you from the opening page and never lets go, as we’re pulled into a haunting whirlwind of secrets, deception and the dark side of the soul. The policing is top-notch, of course, and the characters

A.J. Finn, author of the The Woman in the Window

“A full-throttle thriller in the tradition of classic Stieg Larsson, drenched in atmosphere and charged with adrenaline. Buckle up. You’ll gulp down every word. I loved this book.”

Publishers Weekly, starred review

“A stellar debut.”

Kirkus Reviews, starred review

“This is a page-turner that will make you hesitate before turning the page, so unnerving is the violence. One of the best and scariest crime novels of the year, it adds to its rewards by promising us at least one sequel. A tantalizing, un-put-down-able novel by an instant master of the form.”

Library Journal, starred review

“Superb… Sveistrup creates a plot so intricately woven that even a seasoned crime reader won’t guess the ending. This book is the best kind of terrifying.”

Booklist

“A complex procedural deepened by gut-wrenching social commentary.”

and, for that matter, as a must-read for any reader who just wants a gripping thriller to sink their teeth into.”

“A big, bold, spend-all-day-reading thriller.... In his debut crime novel, Søren Sveistrup instantly establishes himself as a must-read author for fans of Nordic Noir legends Jo Nesbø and Lars Kepler

Red Carpet Crash

“A thrilling page-turning story with lots of twists and turns that will keep you reading right to the last page.”

About the Author

Søren Sveistrup is an internationally acclaimed script writer, creator and film producer of several TV series. From 2007 to 2012 he was the creator and writer of THE KILLING, which has won several international awards, been sold to more than a hundred countries all over the world and remade for AMC by Fox Television Studios in the US. He lives in Copenhagen.

Reviews

News