The Midnight Witness is by Denmark's favorite author.

She may be Denmark’s favorite author, but the latest entry in her series of detective novels is disappointing. The Midnight Witness is a police procedural, and like so many other stories in that category, the cast is large. Other authors such as Michael Connelly, Ian Rankin, and Joseph Wambaugh manage to keep a tight focus on their protagonists. However, they don’t fall into the trap of implying the principals do all the investigative work.

Estimated reading time: 3 minutes

Sara Blaedel only confuses. Her Department A in the Copenhagen Police is full of sketchily drawn characters. And, of course, they all have Danish names that are hard for an American to keep straight. The dialog is sometimes confusing as well. It’s difficult at times to tell who’s talking. Unfortunately, then, Denmark’s favorite novelist disappoints.

The Midnight Witness (Louise Rick #9) by Sara Blaedel (2018) 336 pages ★★★☆☆

The latest in the Louise Rick series by Denmark’s favorite author

Louise Rick, Blaedel’s protagonist, had been in the Criminal Investigations Department of the Copenhagen Police. One especially brutal case still haunted her. “It took a year before Louise stopped worrying about literally bursting into tears when notifying family members of a death.” Now she is with Department A, the special function of which appears to be homicide although the unit also handled rape cases, violent crime, and vice. The investigation Louise is working now involves her closest friend, Camilla Lind, who had “dreamed about becoming a famous war correspondent . . . But something always seemed to sidetrack Camilla, and she had yet to reach any of the world’s hot spots.” But when a fellow journalist is murdered, Camilla sees a chance to make a name for herself. And Louise is drawn into the murky and dangerous circumstances surrounding the murder.

About the author

Sara Blaedel is the author of the #1 international bestselling series featuring Detective Louise Rick. Her books are published in thirty-seven countries. In 2014 Sara was voted Denmark’s most popular novelist for the fourth time. She is also a recipient of the Golden Laurel, Denmark’s most prestigious literary award. She lives in New York City.

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