The Nightmare (Joona Linna, Book 2)

By: Lars Kepler

Narrated by: Seån Barrett

‘One of the most exciting Swedish crime novels of recent years…’ Göteborgsposten

From the bestselling author of The Hypnotist comes the second high-octane thriller featuring Detective Inspector Joona Linna

He is an artist in terror
The lifeless body of a young woman is discovered on an abandoned boat. A man is found hanging alone in his apartment.

This is his masterpiece
Should the deaths be treated as suicide or murder? Four people know the answer. But a killer wants them dead.

And only one man can destroy it
Can Detective Inspector Joona Linna keep them alive long enough to find out the truth?

Perfect for fans of Jo Nesbo

Praise for Lars Kepler:

‘A high-octane, taut thriller’ Marie Claire

‘It doesn’t get much better than this’ Göteborgsposten

‘Intricate detective work and heart-ticking suspense’ Boston Globe

‘Kepler’s plots are always thrilling’ The Sunday Times

‘Hurtles along … full of nuanced detail which sets it far above the average thriller … You’ll be terrified’ Evening Standard

‘Taking Europe by storm…ferocious, visceral storytelling that wraps you in a cloak of darkness’ Daily Mail

‘Deeply scarifying stuff’ Independent

‘Kepler has a direct line to a very dark place in the human soul’ Lev Grossman, Time

‘The reader is ready to sell his own soul for the opportunity to read this book without interruption, at one sitting.’ Arbetarbladet

‘A creepy and compulsive crime thriller.’ Mo Hayder

‘Intelligent, original and chilling Simon Beckett

‘Kepler matches the great Jo Nesbo for gothic excitement.’ Weekend Australian

Critic reviews

Praise for The Nightmare:

‘A high-octane, taut thriller’ Marie Claire

‘One of the most exciting Swedish crime novels of recent years…It doesn’t get much better than this’ Göteborgsposten

‘Intricate detective work and heart-ticking suspense’ Boston Globe

‘Joona Linna is quietly assured and as smart as a bag full of Morses’ Metro

Praise for Lars Kepler:

‘Kepler’s plots are always thrilling, but The Sandman is one of the most hair-raising crime novels published this year’ The Sunday Times

‘Hurtles along … full of nuanced detail which sets it far above the average thriller … You’ll be terrified’ Evening Standard

‘Taking Europe by storm…ferocious, visceral storytelling that wraps you in a cloak of darkness’ Daily Mail

‘Deeply scarifying stuff’ Independent

‘Kepler has a direct line to a very dark place in the human soul’ Lev Grossman, Time

Favour for a nightmare.

Joona Linna investigates an illegal arms dealer after a corrupt government official commits suicide to avoid facing his worst nightmare. An incriminating photograph of an illegal arms deal is discovered and Joona Linna decides to investigate. A fantastic listen and read. Lars Kepler write brilliantly together and Sean Barrett gives an excellent performance as the narrator.

Vastly different narration to Book one

The different narration to Book one is not a positive shift. This is a long and quite complex storyline and although the narration is smooth, it needs a lot more dynamic delivery to entice the reader.

Thoroughly entertaining

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

This is a thoroughly entertaining scandi-crime tale. Very much in the Jo Nesbo mould (without the serial killers and with a more politically related storyline). There are some implausabilities every now and again but overall it is a rollicking and highly enjoyable story. Sean Barrett is one of my favourite narrators and he does another great job to boot.

"I suppose the the title held a clue"

I love my Scandinavian crime but had a to drop out of this one before the end.
Great main character, perfectly narrated by the master but too violent, too many extra characters introduced just so they could be tortured or done away with - too much Mr Kepler. It actually reduces the tension and increases the eye rolling. I suppose the title held a clue. Should have paid more attention.

Great narration and story

This is only my second Lars Kepler book and I enjoyed it thoroughly! So many things interlocking! And narration my Sean Barrett! Excellent combination! Loved it!