The beast

Johannes Kaasa’s The Beast is a Gothic crime novel.
The book was purchased by the Norwegian Cultural Council (Kulturrådet) in 2024 and nominated for the 2024 Maurits Hansen Prize.
"Nail-biting and disturbing crime debut!" – Culture journalist Simen Ingemundsen, Randaberg24.no, who gave the book the top rating (dice roll 6).

A group of guests has gathered at the hunting estate of Orceval. The estate lies within a park surrounded by an impenetrable thorn hedge. The only way in or out is through a gate in the hedge, guarded by a mysterious gatekeeper. Beyond stretch vast forests, where a beast roams and kills innocent shepherds.

Everyone at Orceval harbors secrets – some darker than others. Years ago, a gruesome event took place here – hidden, but not forgotten.

Professor Buffon has been sent to the estate by King Louis XV of France. Together with his assistant, the young student Tristan, he is to organize a hunt for the beast. But it soon becomes clear that evil is not only lurking outside the hedge…

HansaText has translated The Beast into German. The rights to The Beast for the German book market can be acquired through HansaText. Please contact HansaText directly for inquiries.

HansaText has sold the rights to The Beast to a Danish publisher.
The Norwegian edition of the book can be ordered from norli.no or forlagshusetivestfold.no.

Nomination
The book was nominated for the Maurits Hansen Prize Nytt Blod for Best Crime Debut 2023!
The jury wrote, among other things:
“The Beast is a powerful book that captures and conveys the era both linguistically and in terms of content. The author is not afraid to use strong devices. Among other things, we find several macabre depictions that may be hard to stomach, but he never crosses the line in this respect. Rather, they help to strengthen the book’s authenticity.”

Dice roll 6

“It unsettles you, captivates you, and is truly a boost for Norwegian Gothic crime literature. (…) If you’re going to read a debut this year, then this one should be strongly considered.”

– Simen Ingemundsen, Randaberg24

Dice roll 5

“The Beast is a well-written and nerve-wracking crime novel with a historical touch.”

– Reviewer Ernst Stenberg