... an accomplished piece of storytelling. A deftly plotted and perfectly paced mystery, it’s a tale that smoulders rather than explodes, but that allows the emotional impact of the topic to hit home even harder. The writing is taut and the dialogue sharp as befits a genuine classically styled hardboiled detective novel ... The quality of Staalesen’s writing shows in the way he makes it clear how devastating child abuse is without revelling in nastiness. Still, it’s heart-breaking and scary ... I savoured the novel’s smooth, easy style ... Clearly translator Don Bartlett has an excellent understanding of Staalesen’s writing ... Haunting, dark and totally noir, a great read.
Veum is tenacious in his investigation, visiting protagonists repeatedly with more questions, à la Columbo ... Although this 20th 'Varg Veum' mystery, only some of which are available in English, stands alone, reading the backstory from its predecessor would be helpful. Action takes place primarily in the denouement, but the series’ signature strengths of well-developed characters and a engaging story line are on full display.
Clever, straight-shooting Veum gains depth here as he struggles against the albatross of his arrest. A strong dose of noir best enjoyed after reading Staalesen’s Wolves in the Dark (2017).
... it becomes a bit challenging for the reader to follow suit, and at times the plot weave feels a bit overcomplicated ... With an expositional style that is all but invisible, Staalesen masterfully compels us from the first pages. We follow Veum and his relentless yet thankless endeavours to whatever dark corner they may lead, buoyed by the sardonic PI’s dry humour and wry characterisations of all manner of humanity he encounters. Told in first person, we see the world through Veum’s eyes, but you’ll have to keep guessing who the culprit is. The detective keeps his cards close to his chest for purposes of suspense, but he is generous with his observations of the town folk, their dialects and the transformation of Norway’s historical urban landscape ... f you’re a fan of Varg Veum, this is not to be missed, and if you’re new to the series, this is one of the best ones. You’re encouraged to jump right in, even if the Norwegian names can be a bit confusing to follow.
... searing ... Eventually, Veum discovers who’s lying—nearly everyone—in this bleak parable of disintegrating Norwegian cultural values. Raymond Chandler fans won’t want to miss this one.
