Geiger by Gustaf Skördeman

Thirty years after the Berlin Wall fell, some of us still have chunks of rock in perspex boxes. We keep them with other items we no longer value but feel bad about throwing away. Back in 1990, every gift shop had a supply of ‘stones from the Berlin Wall’. These were presented to children because the destruction of the Wall was seen as having massive historical significance. In 2021, how many people remember the political events leading to the Wall’s demolition, or the reasons why it was built in the first place?

In Geiger, his debut thriller, Gustaf Skördeman shines a spotlight on a fascinating period of recent history that is at risk of being forgotten. He revisits the concept of ‘sleepers’ in the world of spies and secret agents. A ‘sleeper’ is an agent who is trained to fight and kill in support of a political cause, then sent away to lead a normal life until their handler reactivates them. Geiger opens with Agneta being woken from her long ‘sleep’ and springing into action.

The landline rings as Agneta is waving off her grandchildren. Just one word comes out of the receiver: 'Geiger'. For decades, Agneta has always known that this moment would come, but she is shaken. She knows what it means. Retrieving her weapon from its hiding place, she attaches the silencer and creeps up behind her husband before pressing the barrel to his temple. Then she squeezes the trigger and disappears - leaving behind her wallet and keys.

The extraordinary murder is not Sara Nowak's case. But she was once close to those affected and, defying regulations, she joins the investigation. What Sara doesn't know is that the mysterious codeword is just the first piece in the puzzle of an intricate and devastating plot fifty years in the making.

Agneta is a unique personality, because very few thrillers feature an old woman as a violent anti-hero. I found the early stages of her campaign enthralling, and was disappointed when the focus shifted to Sara later in the novel. At first sight, Sara Nowak is a familiar character in fiction; a detective undermined by past traumas who tries to combat hidden weakness by obsessing about her job. In Sara’s case, the obsession is understandable. She works with prostitutes, trying to protect them and help them to escape from the clutches of controlling pimps and abusive clients. She especially loathes men who lead respectable lives with their families, but think nothing of paying to abuse girls who are the same age as their children.

Skördeman examines every aspect of Sara’s experiences as a mother, wife and detective in minute detail, creating a well-rounded portrait of a conflicted woman. Her behaviour as a police officer is often difficult to justify, and the reasons she gives for her actions are unconvincing. As the plot develops, the reader begins to realise that Sara has never grown out of her admiration for her childhood idols. Gradually, those idols are exposed as having feet of clay. When Sara learns the devastating truth about certain people she loved and respected, her world is turned upside down and she is forced to re-evaluate her entire value system.

History buffs will enjoy Geiger, as will those who are keen to increase their understanding of the origins of modern Europe, by means of an exciting story. Close focus is essential in order to keep up with the historical references.

One thing concerned me about the content of Geiger. It includes detailed descriptions of much older men committing rape and sexual assault on girls who are under the age of consent. In my opinion, descriptions of this kind are unacceptable in fiction. Sadly, not all readers will find them disgusting.