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Thomas Enger
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Inborn Kindle Edition

by Thomas Enger (Author), Kari Dickson (Translator) Format: Kindle Edition
4.3 out of 5 stars 388 ratings

When a double murder takes place in a Norwegian village high school, a teenager finds himself subject to trial by social media … and in the dock. Bestselling, highly emotive and award-winning Nordic Noir…

'One of the finest writers of the Nordic Noir genre' Ragnar Jónasson

'Satisfyingly tense and dark' Sunday Times

'Spine-chilling and utterly unputdownable' Yrsa Sigurðardóttir

––––––––––––––––––––––––

What turns a boy into a killer?

When the high school in the small Norwegian village of Fredheim becomes a murder scene, the finger is soon pointed at seventeen-year-old Even. As the investigation closes in, social media is ablaze with accusations, rumours and even threats, and Even finds himself the subject of an online trial as well as being in the dock … for murder?

Even pores over his memories of the months leading up to the crime, and it becomes clear that more than one villager was acting suspiciously … and secrets are simmering beneath the calm surface of this close-knit community. As events from the past play tag with the present, he's forced to question everything he thought he knew. Was the death of his father in a car crash a decade earlier really accidental? Has a relationship stirred up something that someone is prepared to kill to protect?

It seems that there may be no one that Even can trust. But can we trust him?

A taut, moving and chilling thriller, Inborn examines the very nature of evil, and asks the questions: How well do we really know our families? How well do we know ourselves?

You loved Quicksand and We Need to Talk about Kevin, now read Inborn

––––––––––––––––––––––––

'A pithy, twisty, challenging tale with a cracking concept … The ending caught in my throat, piercing, then shattering my crime-sleuthing thoughts. Inborn is so very readable, it also provoked and sliced at my feelings, made me stop, made me think, it really is very clever indeed' LoveReading

'If you like your crime smart, dark and morally compelling then you'll absolutely love this book' 17 Degrees Magazine

'Clever plotting and thought-provoking premise. Another feather in Thomas Enger's cap' Crime by the Book

'Thomas Enger's novels are intelligent and emotionally aware and Inborn is no exception … an exciting and thought-provoking novel' New Books Magazine

'One of the most unusual and intense talents in the field' Barry Forshaw, Independent

'MUST HAVE' Sunday Express S Magazine

'Intriguing' Guardian

'Sophisticated and suspenseful' Literary Review

'Full of suspense and heart' Crime Monthly

'Inborn is a small-town murder mystery and courtroom drama with multi-faceted characters and compelling twists that will keep you guessing until the very end' Culture Fly

'A tightly plotted mix of thrillers and courtroom drama … compelling, twisty and full of emotion' Off-the-Shelf Books

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  1. Print length
    382 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    ORENDA BOOKS
  4. Publication date
    22 January 2019
  5. File size
    1.6 MB
  6. Page Flip
    Enabled
  7. Word Wise
    Enabled
  8. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
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Product description

Review

'Satisfyingly tense and dark … a deep and complex book.' Author: The Sunday Times

'One of the most unusual and intense writers in the field.' Author: The Independent

About the Author

David Shaw-Parker trained at RADA in 1975 and began his career at the Royal Shakespeare Company in 1977, appearing in over 25 productions by 1991. He went on to appear at the National Theatre in Oedipus Rex, The False Servant and My Fair Lady. He also appeared in numerous productions in London's West End, Shakespeare's Globe, St James Theatre and the Vaudeville Theatre. David’s film credits include Steven Soderbergh's Kafka, Uberto Pasolini's Still Life, The Man Who Knew Infinity and The Muppet Christmas Carol.

Audible is a seller and producer of spoken audio entertainment, information, and educational programming on the Internet.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B07F94YB33
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ ORENDA BOOKS (22 January 2019)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 1.6 MB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 382 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.3 out of 5 stars 388 ratings

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Thomas Enger

Thomas Enger

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4.3 out of 5 stars
388 global ratings

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Top reviews from other countries

  • Stoolie
    5.0 out of 5 stars Good story, good writing
    Reviewed in the United States on 15 November 2022
    Verified Purchase
    I really enjoyed this book.

    Interesting way of telling the story. I wasn't sure I'd like this format (now/then) at first but it worked extremely well.

    And you know when you read a book and the pacing is just right? This is one of those.
    Report
  • JenMedBookLover
    5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant blend of courtroom drama and YA thriller
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 22 February 2019
    Verified Purchase
    I knew from the very beginning that this was a book that was going to suck me right in. That from the tone of the narrative I was in for a real treat and, if placed in front of the right audience, i.e. one that enjoys mystery and tension all wrapped up in a young adult centred courtroom drama - or just a bloody good read - that this book could, and should, be absolutely massive.

The story opens in dramatic style - with the rather unexpected and unsettling murder of teenager Johannes Eklund. I say unsettling because of how the murder is portrayed. Not in graphic way - not in the slightest - but simply because of the matter of fact way in which the author explores all of the thoughts that are going through the victim's mind right before he meets his end. It adds a sense of urgency and tension to what you are reading, as well as providing a stark contrast between the simple needs of a young boy who is dreaming of girls and stardom, and the violent nature of the attack that ends his life. And that's just the first few pages ... We soon discover that Johannes is not the only victim, but who could possibly have the motive to murder teenagers, and why?

From here, we meet Even Tollefsen, our main protagonist and the narrative voice that will guide us through the lion's share of the action from here on in, both within the courtroom and the investigation. He is not the only narrator, the action being balanced out between that which Even is privy to and the police investigation where we hear from Chief Inspector Yngve Mork. Even is just about to enter the dock to give testimony, and this forms the foundation for the whole story, with a slow unveiling of events as we flit between the courtroom (now) and the investigation (then).

I don't want to say much more about the story other than the fact that the central story does not end at the school, and that there are more victims to come, but to find out who and how they relate to the case, you're going to have to read the book. And believe me when I say that you really do want to do that as this book is fabulous. I loved the way in which Thomas Enger manipulates our understanding, using suspicion, misdirection and uncertainty to drive your attention to any number of suspects. The only thing that is clear is that Even is involved, but you will never really be certain as to what happened and why until you reach the closing chapters of the book. You may think you know but don't get comfortable. Just as you settle back in your chair and point your finger at a reason, or perhaps even a suspect, Mr Enger will whip that seat from under you, setting your mind whirling and your butt slamming to the floor. 

As always with a Thomas Enger book, you will find brilliant characterisation, and he has captured in Even the spirit of a young man struggling to come to terms with what is happening and the impact that it has on his life. The perfect portrayal of the way in which Even manages his anger, fighting against suspicion, both that cast about him, and that which he holds against others. He has a kind of naive determination to prove his own innocence but no idea of how to start. And with his so called school friends quick to point the finger on line, and holes emerging in his own testimony, it's an uphill battle to convince even the reader, never mind a jury, that he is innocent. Contrast this naivety against the older and more capable investigator, Yngve Monk and you have a perfect balance of narrative perspective. 

I grew to like both characters very quickly. Even, because I was hoping, seemingly against all hope, that he was actually innocent, and there was just something very engaging about his character. Monk, because he was battling his own demons, distracted to a degree by the loss of his wife, someone who never left his thoughts and informed all that he did. The author is so accomplished at creating emotional depth within his characters, as well as expressing their intelligence and fortitude, whilst still keeping them believable and relatable. 

Setting is as important in these stories as the characters themselves and without question the author has brought to life the community of Fredheim. Be it the school in which a large part of the action happens, the homes of Even and his Uncle Imo, or even the wider community, you get a real sense of place when reading, and it puts you, as the reader, right at the heart of the action. He perfectly captures the feeling of the small town mentality which leads to Even being placed at the centre of gossip and speculation, but also gives the reader a clear image of the intricate network of pathways which feed throughout the story, all unique, each one leading in different directions, but finally converging and bringing the reader to the ultimate destination - the truth.

This book was pretty well perfect for me. A brilliant blend of great characters, compelling story-telling, tension, mystery and murder. It had the heart of a young adult novel, set against a background of police investigation and courtroom drama. This is a story which challenges the ideas of friendship, family, and loyalty, riddled with deep rooted secrets and laced with betrayal and a myriad of lies. It had me gripped from the off and didn't let me go until the very last page. I loved it.
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  • Montcler
    4.0 out of 5 stars A REAL PAGE TURNER
    Reviewed in Canada on 25 August 2024
    Verified Purchase
    Definitely one of the best thriller I've read.
    Report
  • polly
    4.0 out of 5 stars Kills and thrills
    Reviewed in Canada on 11 April 2022
    Verified Purchase
    This was an excellent read.I found it hard to put down.I love it when I find a book that keeps me that interested.Lots of twists and turns.Thanks for keeping me up at night.
    Report
  • TapTheLine
    4.0 out of 5 stars Half courtroom-drama, half murder mystery.
    Reviewed in the United States on 30 January 2019
    Verified Purchase
    After the exquisite Henning Juul series, Thomas Enger returns with ''Inborn'' a standalone crime novel worthy of the author's talent. ''Inborn'' is a fine blend of two genres and the narrative is unfolded in two different timelines, the past and the present, the protagonist being a teenager, Even, living in the Norwegian countryside, in the small town of Fredheim.
    The book begins with Even being on trial for the murder of his two classmates, Mari and Johannes. The reader witnesses the interrogation by the prosecutor of the case at the present and in the second chapter he is transferred to the time just after the murders took place. This chronic switching is working perfectly and the chapters are short in length and many of them are ending in small cliffhangers which make the book irresistible to the reader who, literally, remains glued to his seat in order to see what really happened and who the killer is.
    As the story evolves, each and every -main- character is briefly (or not) suspected by the local police and the officer in charge of the double murder case, Yngve, who very recently dealt with a personal tragedy as his wife died of breast cancer. The body count raises quickly and the investigation team always seem to end up in square one, as every suspect is proved to be innocent.
    The plot of ''Inborn'' is intricate and tightly-knit, and the reader never feels dull. This is, in some part, also due to the relatively short length of the novel (under 300 pages) which adds to the fast -but not frenetic- pace of the book. The ending chapters constitute a roller coaster of plot twists, all plausible and well-put.
    The characters are all shady and interesting enough, though some of them seem to only serve the story. Perhaps this is natural for a crime novel which is, as a genre, not so character-oriented as e.g. literary fiction is but, personally, I relish some nice character development in every book I read. This was the only ''flaw'' of an, otherwise, excellent crime novel, recommended for the Nordic Noir fans and all quality crime fiction aficionados.
    Report

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