Book Review | We Know You Remember by Tove Alsterdal

It’s been more than 20 years since Olof Hagström left town. Returning to his family home, he finds his father dead. He becomes the suspect due to his past, where he was found guilty of killing a local girl when he was 14. He was sent to a youth home and disowned by his family. But his father’s death resurrects long-forgotten secrets. For police detective Eira Sjödin, the investigation of this suspicious death brings back memories from her fear-tinged childhood. As she investigates, Eira realises that this case might be connected not just to Olof’s past but her own.

He didn’t remember his mother’s voice at all. A memory of being in the back seat of a car, turning around to see his home disappear through the rear window. No one standing outside.

We Know You Remember is a great example of Nordic noir – compelling characters, a moody setting, and an intricate crime. It deals with guilt and memories, peer pressure and abuse, online attacks, and botched police investigation. The book takes you on a twisty ride that doesn’t end neatly but with a tinge of regret. It shows how far people would go to save themselves.

Olof was driven out of town when he was 14 after he confessed to the rape and murder of a young girl. Yet through his perspective, the situation was more complex. Flashbacks show scenes of him being interrogated by the police, and how he spent hours in the room without support from the adults in his life. It’s a heartbreaking situation, and the book doesn’t hesitate to point out the ways in which he was failed by the justice system. On the other side, there’s investigator Eira, who wants to ensure the police catch the right people. She became interested in Olof’s case when she finds an important detail about his alleged murder victim. Everything is soon revealed in a suspenseful buildup that is a joy to read.

The writing is matter-of-fact but reflective at times, allowing you to take in every bit of information. While the pacing could have been quicker, I thought the way the book took its time helped to set the scene and introduce the large cast of characters, many of whom become persons of interest. I listened to the audio for some of the book during a road trip and it was strangely quite calming! There is a steadiness to the narration, whether from Olof’s or Eira’s POV, that lends the story a grounded quality.

We Know You Remember is the first book in a new crime fiction series, and I’m looking forward to reading more stories in this world.

About the author: Tove Asterdal

Cover photo by Pat Whelan