The Defenceless by Kati Hiekkapelto.

About the Book

When an old man is found dead on the road – seemingly run over by a Hungarian au pair – police investigator Anna Fekete is certain that there is more to the incident than meets the eye. As she begins to unravel an increasingly complicated case, she’s led on a deadly trail where illegal immigration, drugs and ultimately murder threaten not only her beliefs, but her life. Anna’s partner Esko is entrenched in a similarly dangerous investigation. As the two cases come together, it becomes clear that having the law on their side may not be enough.

My Review

The second book in the series to feature Anna Fekete, its main storyline concerns asylum seekers and gangs trying to gain control through drugs. As always there is a devastation where drugs are concerned and one of consequences here is Sammy. Sammy has been refused asylum and he fears that if he has to go back to Pakistan he will be killed for being a Christian. He takes drugs to relieve the stress not realising that he is making his situation worse. Anna really feels for him, she went through the process years earlier when it wasn’t as difficult but there is only so much she can do.
Initially at times it is hard to like her, she does come across as slightly abrasive but as the novel progresses more of her dedication to her family is revealed and how homesick and lonely she is. Gabrielle who she comes into connection with during an investigation seems to make it harder to handle. I thought Esko had mellowed at the end of the first novel but in this book he is vile! There were many times that I was cringing whilst reading. Thankfully I don’t know anybody like him.
There is no glamorisation of the consequences of drug abuse, I could see, smell and feel everything and it wasn’t a pleasant experience.
This is a series that I feel has great potential. Whilst the main characters are Anna and Esko there is plenty of room for the rest of the team. Nobody is portrayed as squeaky clean, they are normal people dealing with normal problems. They have their good points as well as their bad, although Esko doesn’t have many good points.
I’m looking forward to reading the third book in the series, ‘The Exiled’ for the blog tour soon.