Book Review: The Chestnut Man by Søren Sveistrup
The Chestnut Man by Søren Sveistrup
Published: January 1, 2019
Rating: ★★★★☆ (4 stars)
Genres: Fiction, Crime, Thriller, Mystery
Quick Thoughts: Dark, suspenseful, and sharply written, The Chestnut Man delivers a chilling police procedural that hooks you from the first chapter. With short, fast-paced scenes, and disturbing twists, it’s a standout thriller especially for fans of Nordic noir.
I purchased this book myself. There was no obligation to post/give this book a certain rating. All views are my own. I remain entirely impartial.
READER INFORMATION:
Recommended for adult readers due to graphic violence, murder, and disturbing themes. Ideal for fans of crime fiction, Scandinavian thrillers, and detailed investigative plots. Content warnings include child harm, gore, and psychological trauma. Best suited for readers who enjoy high-stakes mysteries with a dark edge.
ABOUT THIS BOOK:
Set in Copenhagen, The Chestnut Man follows two detectives, Naia Thulin and Mark Hess, who are partnered to investigate a series of brutal murders. At each crime scene, the killer leaves behind a small handmade doll crafted from chestnuts and matchsticks. As the investigation unfolds, Thulin and Hess begin to suspect that these killings may be tied to a high-profile disappearance from the previous year--one that the police may have mishandled entirely.
As secrets begin to unravel and new connections emerge, the detectives are forced to confront both the horrors of the crimes and the failures of the system that was supposed to prevent them.
FIRST THOUGHTS
This was the first thriller I picked up in 2020, and it set the bar high. Even though I figured out part of the twist around the halfway mark, the book still kept me glued to the pages. It’s long but thanks to its short, cinematic chapters and fast-paced narrative, it never felt like a slog. The tension never dips.
MY BOOK REVIEW
The Chestnut Man delivers everything I want from a thriller: atmospheric writing, layered suspense, and a mystery that unfolds in just the right increments. The story is intricately plotted, and the pacing is masterful. Despite its complexity and length, it reads quickly, and every chapter ends with a reason to keep going.
One thing that stood out was how skillfully Søren Sveistrup handles the darker elements of the story. There are moments that are genuinely horrifying, but never gratuitous. The crimes, the investigation, the emotional toll–it all feels grounded in reality, which makes the stakes that much higher.
My only wish was for deeper character development, particularly with the two leads. Thulin and Hess are an intriguing pair with a lot of potential, but I found myself wanting more insight into their backstories and motivations. There were moments when it seemed like Sveistrup might go deeper, especially with Thulin, but those threads were never fully explored. That said, their dynamic was still compelling and balanced the procedural plot nicely.
This book reads like it was made for the screen, which makes sense given Sveistrup’s background as the creator of The Killing. I wouldn’t be surprised if this turns into a series or at least a sequel. And if it does, I’ll be first in line to read it. The Chestnut Man is smart, brutal, and expertly crafted. Whether you’re a longtime fan of Nordic thrillers or just looking for a gripping, high-stakes mystery, this one is worth the read. Keep the lights on though.
