Now You See Me by Karin Fossum

 

This book opens with a chilling scenario.  A six year old girl gets in a man's van when he offers to let her see and pet his bunnies.  When she doesn't arrive home, panic ensues and the town turns out to look for her.  That event turns out well but in the process of looking for her, a teenage girl's body is discovered.

Annie had lived on a small street where all the families knew each other.  She had been the street's babysitter and all the children and their parents loved her.  Who could have done this?  Was it the mentally challenged man who was interested in women although he had never had a girlfriend?  Was it the parents of a small child who died at age four and who Annie had spent time with?  Was it a random stranger?

The case is given to Inspector Sejer  He is an older man, grieving the recent loss of his wife.  He investigates by getting to know all the individuals involved in the case and talking to them and comparing their stories against each other.  

This is the second of thirteen Inspector Sejer novels.  It's interesting to see how a murder investigation differs in a small town where everyone knows everyone else as opposed to a city where few know anything about their neighbors.  Although this is a police procedural, it differs from an English or American one where forensic evidence and cameras are the main investigative tools.  Karin Fossum is a Norwegian author and this novel won the Glass Key award.  It is recommended for mystery readers.