The Purity of Vengeance by Jussi Alder-Olsen

Mystery

In the forth book of the Department Q series, Detective Carl Mørck and his rag tag crew of Assad and Rose are back to solve cold cases. This time, they are investigating the disappearance of a few people from many years ago. They search for other similar crimes in the same time and find that there's actually a handful of people that went missing all within a few days of each other, and on investigation even further, that there are some connections between them. One of the connections is the head of a new political party called the Purity Party that has some rather conservative views.

As Mørck learns more, strange things start to happen around him. Someone tries to blow his house up, and Mørck knows he is getting close. He has to piece together how all these disappearances are connected.

In addition to Mørck, we also get the view from Curt Wad of the Purity Party and what he is willing to do to protect his legacy, plus we get the view of Nete Hermansen, who is involved with the disappearances. At first, it was difficult to see how these three stories all fit together and I was having problems getting through the book. After about a third of the book I had a better handle on it and enjoyed the story much more.

I don't think this is the best in the series but it was still good. We learned a tiny bit more about Assad, who is definitely the best character in the book.

First Line: "The feeling could get the better of her in an unguarded moment."

Rating:
(3.5/5)

A Conspiracy of Faith by Jussi Adler-Olsen

Mystery

In this third book of the Department Q series, we're back with Detective Carl Morck and his assistants Assad and Rose, sorting through old unsolved crimes in Denmark. Scottish police send them a message in a bottle that's been sitting around and forgotten about by the Scottish police for years. By blowing up an image of the message, the team works on trying to sort out what the message, written in blood, says aside from "HELP ME" at the top.

This book spent a lot of time with the suspect himself. It explained his background and some of his past crimes as well as how he tried to build a life to make him look normal. Because I find Morck and the crew so entertaining, I missed them. More than half of the book was not them investigated the crime. Even though the other piece was well written and engaging, I would have preferred more time with Morck.

In the past two books, the author has touched on Morck's psychological problems with his partner getting shot but he never seems to hit the nail directly on the head. It was discussed for a total of about one chapter but really needs more exploring in the next book.

I really enjoy the books in this series and this was no different. I found the ending exceptionally well done. Highly recommended!

First Line: "It was the third morning, and the smell of tar and seaweed had got into his clothes."

Rating:
(4.5/5)

The Absent One

The Absent One by Jussi Adler-Olsen
Mystery

This is the second in the series that features Detective Carl Mørck, a deeply flawed, brilliant detective newly assigned to run Department Q, the home of Copenhagen’s coldest cases.

A brother and sister were murdered 20 years ago and a criminal confessed to the crime but all is not what it seems. The crime involved a group from a privileged boarding school. Morck sets off to investigate this group and finds they belong to a exclusive hunting club with the exception of Kimmie.

Kimmie is now a homeless woman living off the streets and avoiding her friends and evading the police because she has all the secrets.

Back once again is the assistant Assad who takes a bigger hand in helping with the investigation and added to the mix is Rose who has created a stir in another department and been shifted to Dept Q and out of the way.

This is another great story but should be read in series order for greater insight into the characters. There was not quite as much humour in this one and I did miss that.


First Line: "Another shot echoed over the treetops."

Rating:
(4.0/5)

The Keeper of Lost Causes

The Keeper of Lost Causes by Jussi Adler-Olsen
Mystery

Carl Mørck is a Danish homicide policeman. He was considered one of the best. In his last case he was shot in the head, another officer died and his partner is paralyzed and suicidal. He is feeling guilty. Mørck is now disgruntled, morose and abrasive. The other officers want nothing to do with him.

Copenhagen police have been instructed to set up a Department Q which will look at cold cases of national interest. Mørck is promoted and set up as the department chief in the basement of headquarters. Mørck thinks this is his dream job where he does not have to do anything but put his feet up, smoke and dream his life away.

Mørck finds out that along with the creation of the new department is a large budget which the homicide department is intending to use. He bargains and gets an assistant, Assad, a car and some needed equipment. Ah, life is so easy!!

However, Assad who is really the janitor prods Mørck to actually do his job. Mørck selects the five year case of Merete Lynggaard who is missing and presumed killed. Lynggaard was the head of the Social Democrat party and a bright and shining star on the political scene.

In a parallel story the novel traces Lynggaard who is held in a pressure chamber and her torture over the past years.

Mørck is be-leaguered, difficult and disliked by his colleagues but the reader sees through this and understands his flaws which makes this protagonist one of my favourites. There is an aura of mystery surrounding Assad which I hope will be probed further as this series progresses.

An excellent read.

First Line: "She scratched her fingertips on the smooth walls until they bled, and pounded her fists on the thick panes until she could no longer feel her hands."

Rating:
(4.5/5)