The Exception

Description

Four women work at the Danish Centre for Genocide Studies. When two of them start receiving death threats, they suspect they are being stalked by Mirko Zigic, a Bosnian torturer and war criminal. But perhaps he is not the person behind the threats - it could be someone in their very midst. Much of the drama created revolves not only around the scary sense of a killer prowling in the shadows but also around the manipulative games being played between the women in the office as they come under pressure and turn on each other. The irony is that these betrayals and persecutions are taking place amongst professionals who daily analyse cases of appalling cruelty. Now and again, the narrative is broken with extracts from 'articles' dealing with crimes against humanity and the pyschology of evil. Whilst the women apply this to their work with genocide (and the killer), there are parallels to their own behaviour.

It's a fabulous pacy read - a real page-turner that resonates with deeper questions.

Promotion info

'Wise and disturbing, Jungersen's grippingly intimate dissection of betrayal, paranoia and human atrocity heralds him as a brave and gifted observer of the psyche - and a masterful storyteller. But beware: after reading The Exception, you may never look at your colleagues in quite the same way again... ' Liz Jensen Rights sold in 14 countries. In top ten for over a year in Denmark and has sold over 120,000 copies (population only 5 million!) Winner of the Danish Booker Prize - the "Golden Laurels" No 12 in Publishing Trends International bestsellers of 2005 Massive film interest including Fox, Warner Bros, Working Title etc Perfect blend of a literary novel and a page-turning thriller Author lives in Dublin and speaks perfect English

Author description

Christian Jungersen's first novel, Krat, won the Danish Best First Novel of the Year Award. The Exception is his second novel and has been a huge bestseller in Denmark with rights now across Europe. He lives in Dublin.