This is the last book I am reading this year for the European Reading Challenge. It is #2 in the Department Q series, set in Copenhagen, Denmark. In the first book, Detective Carl Mørck was promoted, or demoted, depending on your point of view, to head the new Department Q which goes back and tries to close old cold cases. There are two people in the department and Carl and his assistant have offices in the basement.
Description from the back cover of The Absent One:
In The Keeper of Lost Causes, American audiences were finally introduced to Copenhagen’s Detective Carl Mørck and his creator, number-one international bestselling author Jussi Adler-Olsen. Now, Mørck is back. He’s settled into Department Q and is ready to take on another cold case. This time, it’s the brutal double-murder of a brother and sister two decades earlier. One of the suspects confessed and is serving time, but it’s clear to Mørck that all is not what it seems. Kimmie, a homeless woman with secrets involving certain powerful individuals, could hold the key—if Mørck can track her down before they do.
After Mørck returns from his summer vacation, he and his assistant Assad find that a new file for a cold case has been given to them, except that the case was closed. When the crime was commited, a gang of students at a boarding school was suspected. Recently, a list has been compiled other similar cases that were similar and could be attributed to the same gang of people. Most of the people in the gang are now successful, rich businessmen with influence in the community. When Mørck and Assad make progress on investigating the original case and the newer unsolved cases, they are told to stop work and close the case. Of course, they ignore this and keep investigating.
Assad, who started out as the janitor, continues to be proactive and impulsive as he takes part in investigations. We see new sides of his personality in this story.
A new member of Department Q is introduced. Rose Knudsen trained to be a police officer but failed her driving test, which keeps her from performing the duties of the job. She chooses to work as a personal assistant in the department, in order to continue on with police work. Thus Mørck is able to give her complicated assignments, finding information on suspects and witnesses.
I liked this book a lot. It moved at a good pace and the author kept me interested throughout. Plus the characterizations are very well done. I plan to continue reading this series.
But... the crimes involved are brutal, and are featured throughout the story. The criminals are sadistic. It wasn't an easy read. This is also a mystery where you know who the perpetrators are from the beginning, although much more about the group is revealed in later parts of the story.
17 comments:
It's hard to explain to people who think we should be used to violence if we read so much suspense; however, I sometimes feel this way too. For example, Val McDermid's crimes are so sadistic and the characters discuss them so much while trying to solve the mystery that it can become quite unpleasant. There was a horrible book once - girl gets attacked and practically killed, boyfriend dumps her, she moves away and rebuilds her life with the help of psychiatrist, then realizes the psychiatrist is her assailant, and she can now get her revenge. I was on a plane trip and I had been looking forward to it but it was so sadistic it made me physically ill. But I couldn't stop reading because my other book was in my checked luggage! Pre-Kindle, flying was dangerous that way!
Constance, if I know in advance that a book will have too much violence or brutality for me, I avoid it, but it is a quandary how to handle one that is too much after you get started. I have just stopped reading, but I don't like to do that.
Interesting story about being stuck with a book on a flight. I used to carry two or three books to have some choice. You never know when you will have to stay overnight because of flight delays. It happened to me years ago. But now I don't fly, so no problem.
The first three have filmed versions of them. I liked them but they are violent. Not a series to binge.
I do like this series, Tracy, so I have to admit I'm glad to hear you enjoyed this. Still, there is brutality in this one, which is hard to take. To me, anyway, that part of it wasn't unreadable, but it was difficult.
I will have to look into the filmed versions, Patti. I can imagine that they would be very violent.
Margot, I really like the characters in this series, I will have to see how I handle the emphasis on brutality if it continues in future books.
One of our mystery book group members loves this series and has recommended it several times. I've not yet tried it. One day...
I really wish this series had less violence, Kay, but the story and characters are very well done and draw me in.
I haven't read much in the way of Scandi Noir but I've watched quite a few which have been dramatised for TV - sometimes viewing through my fingers!
It can be that way, Katrina. Scandinavian crime fiction tends to be dark and violent.
I read the first two in the series and then none for several years. I have read the next two this year. I find them vivid portrayals of Danish life. The interactions between Carl, Assad and Rose is a strong attraction for me.
Bill, I had forgotten that you had read some of these books. I do remember now commenting that I needed to catch up with you. I am glad to hear that you continue to enjoy the books, and that the Carl / Assad / Rose team continue to work together well.
I read this under another name, it was called Disgrace in the UK. My notes say 'good, but too violent misogynistic and gruesome'. I thought I was going to love this series - the characters and their interactions were very much the kind of thing I enjoy, they were clever and well-written and funny: but in the end the violence was too much for me and I gave up on them. A real shame.
But... the crimes involved are brutal, and are featured throughout the story. The criminals are sadistic.
That's the reason I stopped reading contemporary crime fiction. I know it sounds weird but I prefer the crime fiction of the past where people kill for comprehensible reasons rather than for the mere joy of killing.
I agree, Dfordoom. The investigation is not even as interesting if the killers are insane and twisted. I don't know if I would entirely stop reading new ficton but vintage mysteries are my top priority.
Another author I keep intending to read, but never get around to.
Col, this is definitely an author you should try. Maybe it is too violent / gritty for me to fully enjoy, but the characters are great.
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