Part of Department Q, book 5
First published 2012
Marco has lived his entire fifteen years under the absolute control of his uncle Zola, forced into a life of crime and slavery within their clan. When he discovers that Zola plans to mutilate him to increase his earning potential and ensure complete obedience, Marco achieves what seemed impossible: he breaks free from the clan's iron grip. For a brief moment, freedom seems within reach as Marco survives using his quick wit, special abilities, and fierce will to live. But when he accidentally uncovers a horrifying secret that Zola and the clan will kill to protect, Marco finds himself fighting desperately for his life. He faces impossible choices: should he use his knowledge to settle accounts with Zola and the rest of the clan, including his own father? Can he trust the police? Does he have any proof? What Marco doesn't realize is that his family isn't the only group that wants him dead. This becomes clear to Carl, Assad, and Rose as they slowly get pulled into a case that connects to banking corruption, ministerial fraud, and stretches deep into the African jungle.
Genres: suspense, mystery, crime, thriller
Vibes: dark, fast-paced, suspenseful
Tropes: enemies-to-lovers, found-family
Setting: Africa, African Jungle
Period: Contemporary
505 pages · Paperback · Politiken
Content warnings: abuse, violence