A Conspiracy of Faith

Department Q, Book 3

By: Jussi Adler-Olsen

Narrated by: Graeme Malcolm

Length: 15 hrs and 27 mins

Publisher's summary

The New York Times and internationally best-selling Danish crime writer Jussi Adler-Olsen returns with the third thriller in his exhilarating Department Q series.

Detective Carl Mørck has received a bottle that holds an old and decayed message written in blood. It's a cry for help from two young brothers, tied and bound in a boathouse by the sea. After floating in the ocean for years before turning up, the bottle sat forgotten, unopened, on a police department windowsill, before the seal was cracked and the gruesome message, written in Danish, was analyzed. Could it be real? Who are these boys, and why weren't they reported missing? Could they possibly still be alive?

Carl's investigation will force him to cross paths with a woman stuck in a desperate marriage: Her husband refuses to tell her where he goes, how long he will be away, what he does while he's gone - or even what he does for a living. Isolated after choosing him over family and friends, she waits for days on end, and when he returns she must endure his wants, his moods, his threats. But enough is enough. She will find out the truth, no matter the cost to him - or to herself.

In this heart-pounding thriller, Carl and his colleagues Assad and Rose must use every resource available to uncover the horrifying truth set adrift in that bottle all those years ago.

©2012 Jussi Adler-Olsen (P)2013 Penguin Audio

Darkly Good. Best Dept. Q So Far!

Detective Carl Mørck is as poorly served by everyone around him as he serves them back. Every member of this ensemble has a conscience, and an agenda that coates their ability to act like molasses. But then... that's what life does to all of us, it's just that Jussi Adler-Olsen pours more of the stuff over his stories than most of us wade through. That's what dramatic license's all about, right? And what builds tension and the slope of a story arc. Graeme Malcom's voices make the climb up the arc easy as levitating. Start this series at the beginning... but enjoy "A Conspiracy Of Faith".

A fine listen.

This is a bit relentless

What made the experience of listening to A Conspiracy of Faith the most enjoyable?

I haven't finished it, and it's very well-written, but each hope seems to be crushed.... Over and over again.

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

Yes, and no. I kept wanting to go forward, because I want an okay ending

Which character – as performed by Graeme Malcolm – was your favorite?

Karl is always my favorite

Wonderfully complicated and exhausting

Things don't always go right for these characters but because they are the good guys you know they will find way. This series is a relief from the typical detective formula that make you feel like you're drinking weak lemonade. Each book has so many twists and turns that by the end I am exhausted.

The main character is more optimistic than Harry Bosch, a bit more social but equally flawed. The plot arcs spanning the series become more fascinating with each book. I can't wait for the next one.

Great characters, great reading!

Hate for them to end! These books are the perfect marriage between author and narrator.

Very good, suspenseful and funny

What did you love best about A Conspiracy of Faith?

It was a very good story, detailed, with great characters.

Have you listened to any of Graeme Malcolm’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No I haven't

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

It made me kind of stressed!

Aaamazing book! Third book on the mark!

Searches for a good detective series after finishing Pendergast, Matthew Corbett , and Cormoron Strike series had ended. Many revirws say you can start with this but you should really begin with the first book, Keeper of lost causes dept Q.

Love this series; this one the best so far

I love this series. I've only listened to them, and only the first 3. Erik Davies narrated the first, and he is much better. I suppose the differing narrators for each of the three is my only real quibble. Malcolm and Pacey each have English accents and make no effort to give any of the Danish characters any hint of an accent.

The actual police work in this one is reasonably realistic and well presented. The characters are what really drive this series. Carl is his normal irascible self, Assad maintains his quirky charms (and Rose seems to have gotten to him, no more "then" verbal tics) and Rose has quite a surprise in this one.

One TERRIFIC Book!

This is one of the best if not the best mystery I have listened to. The combination of offbeat eccentric heroes and heroines and totally believable and extremely evil criminals is masterful. The plot is immaculate and the narration superb!

Not as compelling as the first two

Perhaps it's because I heard 2 and 3 almost back to back, but I found the third installment not as engaging as the first two. I love the Morck character and his sidekick Assad. I find the Rose/Ursa extra character less interesting. The plot here is also less plausible than the first two and leaves a number of ends loose in ways that are dissatisfying. It's well read, and did serve as a great distraction on a long and dull road trip.

What a wild ride! Hang on to your seat!

What did you love best about A Conspiracy of Faith?

The overall story and unexpected twists and turns! The character development was excellent as was the insight into the mind of the killer! Very disturbing...This was written by a Scandanavian author who people are comparing to Henning Mankell. This book is just as good as Mankell, if not better.

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

Just when I think I figured out what was coming next, the author proved me wrong time and again. The plot twists are what will keep you on the edge of your seat and up late at night!

Which scene was your favorite?

I don't want to give away any of the scenes, just enjoy!

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

This wasn't really that type of a book..

Any additional comments?

I can't wait to read the rest of the series. I only hope the other books are this good.