The Boy in the Suitcase by Lene Kaaberbøl
Published by Soho Crime
Publication Date November 8, 2011
Source: Library
Genres: Mystery
Goodreads
Nina Borg, a Red Cross nurse, wife, and mother of two, is a compulsive do-gooder who can’t say no when someone asks for help—even when she knows better. When her estranged friend Karin leaves her a key to a public locker in the Copenhagen train station, Nina gets suckered into her most dangerous project yet. Inside the locker is a suitcase, and inside the suitcase is a three-year-old boy: naked and drugged, but alive.
Is the boy a victim of child trafficking? Can he be turned over to authorities, or will they only return him to whoever sold him? When Karin is discovered brutally murdered, Nina realizes that her life and the boy’s are in jeopardy, too. In an increasingly desperate trek across Denmark, Nina tries to figure out who the boy is, where he belongs, and who exactly is trying to hunt him down.
This book started off with great pacing and potential, but it also had its issues. Nina Borg was too much of a goody-too-shoes constantly helping people and questioning what is the right thing? Like a girl scout earning merit badges. This sounds like an awful criticism (oh you’re too nice) but it started to get on my nerves. Although, on the other side of the coin, she was very neglectful of her family during this whole charade and decided not to tell her family or notify the police. How fucked up is that? You find a naked boy in a suitcase who could be a victim of human trafficking and you decided to take it into your own hands? You are not Nancy Drew!
From there, it only got weirder, the mob gets involved and organ donations are needed, and don’t even get me started on the cat and mouse chase. Although, I’m not sure you could as by that time I was so confused and frustrated that I didn’t care. I was impressed with myself that I finished the book.
Awww the dreaded started out strong and then poof! Been there, done that—hated it!