The Butterfly House

By: Katrine Engberg

Narrated by: Graeme Malcolm

Detectives Jeppe Kørner and Anette Werner race to solve a series of sordid murders linked to some of the most vulnerable patients in a Danish hospital in this sequel to the #1 international bestseller The Tenant that is “brimming with personality, eccentric characters, and plenty of mystery and intrigue” (Crime by the Book).

Hospitals are supposed to be places of healing. But in the coronary care unit at one of Copenhagen’s leading medical centers, a nurse fills a syringe with an overdose of heart medication and stealthily enters the room of an older male patient.

Six days earlier, a paperboy on his route in central Copenhagen stumbles upon a macabre find: the naked body of a dead woman, lying in a fountain with arms marked with small incisions. Cause of death? Exsanguination—the draining of all the blood in her body.

Copenhagen investigator Jeppe Kørner, recovering from a painful divorce and in the throes of a new relationship, takes on the case. His partner, Anette Werner, now on maternity leave after an unexpected pregnancy, is restless at home with a demanding newborn and an equally demanding husband. While Jeppe pounds the streets looking for answers, Anette decides to do a little freelance sleuthing. But operating on her own exposes her to dangers she can’t even begin to fathom.

As the “thrillingly nerve-racking” (Shelf Awareness) investigation ventures into dark corners, it uncovers the shockingly depraved greed that festers beneath the surface of caregiving institutions—and what Jeppe and Anette discover will turn their blood as cold as ice…

Critic reviews

"Graeme Malcolm brings an English accent and a fine performance to this Danish mystery. People are dying, drained of their blood through tiny cuts. The victims' other commonality is Butterfly House, a facility for teens with mental health issues. Detective Jeppe Kørner is assigned to the case; his partner, Anette Werner, is at home with a new baby and is thoroughly bored. Slowly, she begins to inject herself into the proceedings. Malcolm's voice is naturally deep and rather smooth. His narrative tone often differs from his dialogue delivery. The former is more relaxed and rhythmic, which is especially appropriate when Engberg focuses on the domestic lives of her two protagonists and the backgrounds of the other characters in this compelling audiobook."

Intriguing plot

Enjoyed listening to this book very much. I enjoyed her other book, The Tenant, too.

Lovely true crime thriller

Moves quite quickly, the narrator navigates the danish sensibilities deftly and the story featured a slew of likable characters

Love Katrine Engberg!

So good! Graeme Malcolm is perfect. I am going to go re- listen to The Tennant now.

Good story, terrible narrator

The reading of this novel was awful. The narrator was monotone, offered no transition from one chapter to the next and made it very difficult to follow the story. The story itself was pretty good which is the only reason why I endured the narration.

Great Pace from Start to Finish!

Great story and the pace was perfect as events unfolded. The twists are there but not so sharp that the reader rolls eyes when revealed. And the narrator does a fantastic job!