What is Mine (47 page)

I don’t know Judge Beer, and as far as I know I have never met her. Alvhild Sofienberg in this book is, like all the other characters in the book, entirely fictitious. However, Alvhild’s experience of Aksel’s case is, on several points, very similar to the experiences of Judge Beer in relation to the Ingvald Hansen case.

The way in which I have “solved” the mystery of Aksel Seier in this book is purely imagination. I have
absolutely no
grounds for saying anything whatsoever about what happened when Ingvald Hansen was first sentenced and then later released under peculiar circumstances.

I have had invaluable help from many people while working on this book. I would particularly like to mention my brother, Even, who gave me a frightening recipe for murder when writing his medical doctorate. Berit Reiss-Andersen is a very dear friend and wise critic. My thanks also to my editor and most important advisor, Eva Grøner, and to my Swedish publisher, Ann-Marie Skarp, for their enthusiastic and valuable support. I would also like to thank Øystein Mæland for his useful contribution. And I am particularly grateful to Line Lunde, a loyal mainstay since
Blind Goddess.
She told me the exciting story that was the inspiration for
What Is Mine.

And finally, a big thankyou to you, Tine.

Anne Holt

Cape Cod, April 18, 2001