The Absent One

By: Jussi Adler-Olsen

Narrated by: Steven Pacey

Length: 14 hrs and 12 mins

Publisher's summary

In The Keeper of Lost Causes, Jussi Adler-Olsen introduced Detective Carl Mørck, a deeply flawed, brilliant detective newly assigned to run Department Q, the home of Copenhagen’s coldest cases. The result wasn’t what Mørck - or readers - expected, but by the opening of Adler-Olsen’s shocking, fast-paced follow-up, Mørck is satisfied with the notion of picking up long-cold leads. So he’s naturally intrigued when a closed case lands on his desk: A brother and sister were brutally murdered two decades earlier, and one of the suspects - part of a group of privileged boarding-school students - confessed and was convicted.

But once Mørck reopens the files, it becomes clear that all is not what it seems. Looking into the supposedly solved case leads him to Kimmie, a woman living on the streets, stealing to survive. Kimmie has mastered evading the police, but now they aren’t the only ones looking for her. Because Kimmie has secrets that certain influential individuals would kill to keep buried... as well as one of her own that could turn everything on its head.

Every bit as pulse-pounding as the book that launched the series, The Absent One delivers further proof that Jussi Adler-Olsen is one of the world's premier thriller writers.

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

Narration makes the story less enjoyable

I saw reviews in which people loved the narration. I couldn't disagree more. The narrator uses the same voice for all of the characters, making it difficult to follow the story. I'm only about 4 hours into The Absent One and I look forward to finishing it so I can move on to the next one. The story would be far more interesting with a different narrator,especially when compared to the first Department Q novel.

The worst narration

If this book took place in Dickensian London the narration would be spot on. Please tell me book 3 has a new narrator.

What a difference a reader makes!

I listened to the first of the series and found it tedious because the of the ponderous reader. Was glad I gave the second book a try because Adler-Olsen is good writer and it only needed a good reader to bring it to life.

Not up to the level of others in the series

Narrator and plot were disappointing. Loved all the other audio recordings in the Department Q series except this one. Carl, Assad, and their police work take a back seat to the unbelievable antics of multiple morally challenged bad guys and gals.

What A Difference

I loved being introduced to the characters in "The Keeper of Lost Causes" and Erik Davies portrayal of each one was great. I did not enjoy Steven Pacey's acting nearly as well and thus did not enjoy this book as much as the first one in this series.

Best one of his so far

Where does The Absent One rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

It is up there for certain. Really like Assad (not sure if spelled correctly since I was listening and not reading print). Can't wait til we find out more about his past

What other book might you compare The Absent One to and why?

Well any detective novel. Most of the good ones are about flawed detectives and how their past influences how they work a case or even which cases they deem important.

Which scene was your favorite?

Spoiler Alert - when Kimmie accomplishes her task.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

WOW good question. WHERE IS NORDIC PETA WHEN YOU NEED THEM!

Any additional comments?

Although Kimmie was 'a bad person' she had so many evils done to her that you still rooted for her to get justice.

Great story, bad narration

If you could sum up The Absent One in three words, what would they be?

Well written, intricate plot

What did you like best about this story?

Variety of characters.

Would you be willing to try another one of Steven Pacey’s performances?

Yes, if it was a British story with British characters.

Any additional comments?

After reading the first Q novel, "The Keeper of Lost Causes", I fell in love with the characters and the Danish accents. The narrator of "The Absent One" not only changes the voices and accents, but changes the nature of the characters. For example, Assad turns from a smart, curious and ambitious assistant to an obnoxious, babbling idiot. Similarly, the main character Carl goes from thoughtful and somewhat composed to very excitable and somewhat hot headed. Other characters similarly are made to be more bombastic than their original presentation. Overall, this narration ruined the novel for me.

FANTASTIC SERIES

What did you love best about The Absent One?

Only Jussi can tell you the answer in the beginning of the book and keep you on the edge of your seat.

What other book might you compare The Absent One to and why?

I'm new to this genre so I don't have anything to compare it with.

Any additional comments?

I love the relationships between Carl and the gang!

Enjoyed the story, loved the narrator

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes

What about Steven Pacey’s performance did you like?

Steven Pacey is the best. He has ruined me for every other narrator. He makes each character unique and likeable.

Excellent suspense

What made the experience of listening to The Absent One the most enjoyable?

This is one of those books that will pop into your mind out of nowhere. Loved it!