Saturday, June 23, 2012

THE KEEPER OF LOST CAUSES

Author:  Jussi Adler-Olsen
Genre:  Thriller, Department Q Series #1
Published:  2011
Personal Rating:  4.25/5 (very good +)
Format:  Audiobook
Yearly Count:  57


From NetGalley:

The Keeper of Lost Causes, the first installment of Adler-Olsen's Department Q series, features the deeply flawed chief detective Carl Morck, who used to be a good homicide detective-one of Copenhagen's best. Then a bullet almost took his life. Two of his colleagues weren't so lucky, and Carl, who didn't draw his weapon, blames himself.


So a promotion is the last thing Carl expects.


But it all becomes clear when he sees his new office in the basement. Carl's been selected to run Department Q, a new special investigations division that turns out to be a department of one. With a stack of Copenhagen's coldest cases to keep him company, Carl's been put out to pasture. So he's as surprised as anyone when a case actually captures his interest. A missing politician vanished without a trace five years earlier. The world assumes she's dead. His colleagues snicker about the time he's wasting. But Carl may have the last laugh, and redeem himself in the process.


Because she isn't dead . . . yet.

The audioread of this book is another case of the second in the series (ARC) landing in my hands.  That prompted a jumpstart on the first, and once again, I'm so happy to have gotten that push because this was a winner.  Originally I received the ebook from NetGalley, but wasn't able to get to it in time.  Since then, I purchased the book, but actually ended up listening to the audiobook.  Go figure!

The two main characters, Carl and his assistant Assad, are flawed, quirky, interesting and intriguing.  After some bumbling, they begin to find their way as a team.  The police department has its own ups and downs with Carl, but both characters have backgrounds that I'm looking forward to being exposed. 

The cold case of Merete, the missing politician, was told in present time (2007) as Carl and Assad investigate old and new leads, as well as, in the past (2002) when Merete first disappeared.  The flashback was done very well, and I was eager to get back to both parts of the plot.  Thankfully, I have The Absent One (Series #2) already in my possession, because I'm ready for more!  



         


My thanks go to Penguin Group and NetGalley for sending me this eGalley.

14 comments:

  1. Replies
    1. Bermudaonion ~ I think it's a very good beginning.

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  2. I absolutely loved this too! I've also got the 2nd book sitting here waiting for me to get to it too and I am sooo looking forward to it, except I have the penguin (UK) editions, different titles #1 Mercy, #2 Disgrace.

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    1. Nicola ~ I hope the relationship between Carl and Assad continues to have a quirky ring to it. I don't want them to get too comfortable.

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  3. Anonymous2:28 PM

    One of my mystery group friends has been telling me that I need to read this one. Seeing your rating, I'm suspecting that she is right. Sounds good and isn't it nice to have the next in the series ready to go? :-)

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    1. Kay ~ I think you'll like it. And, yes! I don't know when I would have gotten to it had I not received the next in the series. Sad, but true.

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  4. I enjoyed this one as well. I did not know the second book is out and will have to look for it.

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    1. Nise' ~ You won't have to look long! :)

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  5. Hmm. This one never really appealed to me when I read the synopsis, but now that I've read your review, I may have to add it to my list. Do you think I'd enjoy it??

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    1. Les ~ I'm surprised it didn't appeal to you. Hmm is right. :) And, yes, I do think you'd enjoy it. It actually has its thriller moments, but in general I found it to be quieter in nature. (Scandinavian crime fiction tends to feel that way to me.)

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  6. Anonymous10:49 PM

    Love to get in at the beginning of a great new series!

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    1. Stacybuckeye ~ As long as they are good! ;)

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  7. Very cool that you finally got around to it and I had to chuckle at you buying it but then listening to it!! I have an ARC of this one somewhere and never got to it...one of these days!!

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    1. Staci ~ It turns out that I'm glad I have it on my shelves, even though I didn't read it. I'll be reading the second one soon. And, yes, that is reading not listening. :)

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