Thomas Enger's Henning Juul series is one of my favorites, and Orenda Books has just released Book 4 in the series—CURSED. To help new readers who want to dive into the series with this new installment, I've written up an unofficial character guide that will introduce you to Enger's series! You'll also find all my coverage of Enger's books linked at the bottom of this post.
CBTB's Unofficial Character Guide: The Henning Juul Series
HENNING JUUL - A journalist for 123news, and the series protagonist. Two years before the series began, Henning’s young son was killed in a fire while under his care. Henning now bears the emotional and physical scars from this tragedy: his face is scarred from burns sustained in the fire, and he is plagued by guilt, always wondering what he could have done differently to save his son. Before Jonas died, Henning loved to play piano; following Jonas’ death, he has been too paralyzed by grief to do so. Alongside his work, Henning continues to pursue any lead involving his son’s death. Henning is convinced that someone intentionally set the fire that killed his son, and he’ll go to any lengths necessary to track that person down.
NORA KLEMETSEN - A journalist for Aftenposten and Henning’s ex-wife. Henning and Nora were separated before Jonas’ death, and that tragedy drove a permanent wedge between them. Henning is the love of Nora’s life, but following their family’s tragedy, she can’t be with him again. He reminds her too much of Jonas.
JONAS - Henning and Nora’s son. Jonas was only six years old when he died in the fire at Henning’s apartment. Readers never meet Jonas, as he died two years before the series begins, but Henning and Nora both keep his memory alive throughout the books.
IVER GUNDERSEN - one of Henning’s coworkers at 123news and Nora’s new boyfriend. Henning and Iver have had a tense relationship throughout the series, but have slowly warmed to one another. Iver now finds himself in the odd position of being friends with his girlfriend’s ex-
husband.
DETECTIVE INSPECTOR BJARNE BROGELAND - a former classmate of Henning’s, now working as a police officer. Henning and Bjarne often trade information on ongoing police cases; Bjarne has insider intel, and Henning’s sharp mind helps Bjarne put all the facts together.
TORE PULLI - an ex-enforcer and prominent member of a local gang. Pulli enlisted Henning’s help in PIERCED (Book 2): in exchange for information about Jonas’ death, Henning helped to clear Pulli’s name on a murder charge for which Pulli was serving jail time. Pulli was ultimately murdered while still in jail.
GEIR GRØNNINGEN - Tore Pulli’s best friend. Grønningen works as a bouncer at a nightclub, and has formed an unlikely friendship with Henning, thanks to the work Henning did to clear Pulli’s name.
TRINE JUUL-OSMUNDSEN - Henning’s sister, and Norway’s former Secretary of State.
PIA NØKLEBY - Oslo’s Assistant Police Commissioner.
6TIERMES7 - Henning’s anonymous source within the Oslo police. Henning communicates with 6tiermes7 over a secure computer program, where Henning uses the name “MakkaPakka.”
I highly recommend Enger's Henning Juul series for readers looking for gripping, endearing Scandinavian crime books! You can find all of my coverage of Enger's series (thus far) linked below.
Author Interview: Thomas Enger
Book Review: BURNED by Thomas Enger (Book 1)
Book Review: PIERCED by Thomas Enger (Book 2)
Book Review: CURSED by Thomas Enger (Book 4)