Critically acclaimed crime story with a historical twist based on a true story.

When a former officer of the Danish Security and Intelligence Service is found murdered in the US, his body staged as Edvard Munch’s famous painting The Scream, a team of Danish investigators is sent to assist the FBI in solving the murder. Wunderkind Maya Winther – a young, ambitious and lippy police sergeant specialising in criminal psychology – is part of the team headed by deputy assistant commissioner Peter Arendt.

Barely has she stepped off the plane when Maya starts being challenged and tested by the attractive and charismatic FBI agent Jack DeLuca, who doesn’t think much of criminal psychology or profilers. At the same time, Maya is trying to bury the ghosts of her past.

The investigation takes another eerie turn when a member of the team is found murdered. Once again, the body and the crime scene are staged as a famous painting, and they soon realise they are facing a cunning and intelligent serial killer with a motive that is somehow connected to a forgotten and sombre chapter of American history.

By The Rivers Of Babylon is a thrilling page-turner that has all the ingredients of a nail-biting crime novel: murder, suspense and romance. The gallery of characters is crammed with interesting, strong-willed personalities, not least FBI agent Jack DeLuca – who, like Maya, is scarred by the past. The book is well written with a twist of humour, and touches on several important and relevant topics including racial segregation, abuse and the sorrow of losing someone you love.

This crime novel’s point of departure is an authentic narrative that unfolds in the setting of the small Malaga Island, off the coast of Maine in the US. Debut author Malene Klein has done some amazing research digging out all the uncanny historical details that form the basis of the book.

By The Rivers Of Babylon is the first part of a planned series about police sergeant Maya Winther. The second book in the series will be released in 2023.

About the book

• Captivating, unpredictable plot
• Fascinating, edgy characters
• Critically acclaimed
• Based on true events
• Interest from the movie industry