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

Something missing

I was immediately disappointed when I didn't hear Eric Davies reading this second in Adler-Olsen's Q series. Whatever his background, Davies was perfect! I also missed the interplay between the protagonist and Assad, his under-appreciated right-hand man. Not sure if I'll pursue this series.

Great story, why a different narrator?

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

The characters are fabulous. You can't help but love Carl Morck and his assistant, Assad.

What three words best describe Steven Pacey’s performance?

Not Erik Davies. I don't want to complain about Steven Pacey... he's a talented narrator with lots of range in his reading. However, after listening to "The Keeper of Lost Causes" narrated by Erik Davies, it was jolting to hear a different voice. Yes, that's how good Erik Davies' reading was.
So, please bring Erik Davies back with his excellent understanding of Adler-Olsen's humor, as well as his Danish accent and wide range of other accents.
No disrespect to Steven Pacey, but there is a certain cadence to stories, and you get used to how a person sounds. I was comfortable with Carl Morck's voice as portrayed by Davies. But, Davies really gets the book and all of its subtle cleverness.

Bizarre, Funny, Dark, Engaging

If you liked the first Dept. Q book, you will like this one. The characters working with Carl are more finely drawn, and the "bad guys" part of the story is completely engaging.

I strongly recommend. GO IN ORDER.

I just love the main characters!

I can't put the book down! Fallen in love with Carl and Assad and now Rose.

Truly enjoy Dept. Q books

These books are so well written.Wonderful story and character development. Surprisingly humorous as well! I look forward to the next.

A delightful experience

I don’t write many reviews because, let’s face it, a review is so subjective and why would my opinion be any more valid then anyone else’s but I had to leave one for this book. Having been introduced to Jussi Adler-Olsen only recently with The keeper of lost causes, which was narrated by Eric Davies and was immensely enjoyable by the story and narration, I was a little put off with the new narrator of this book. Having made up my mind to wait it out, I was so happy I did. I writing is so enjoyable that I think anyone could narrate and it would be enjoyable but I don’t want to dismiss the excellent job Steven Pacey did making all of the characters come to life and suck you into the story so much that it’s hard to stop listening. I ended up devouring this book so fully enticed in the experience that I didn’t want it to stop. All I can say is, Thank you so much! I do not believe anyone could read or listen and not be fully entertained.

Needs a Nordic Accent!

No criticism towards the reader, but a heavy Nordic accent would be more appropriate for this series.

Dark and amazing

These are complex and intriguing stories. So many characters and so well constructed. Funny, dark, painful. I’m hooked.

Brutal . . . will have to continue another time

The first book was very good - and the darkness was relieved by the wonderful character of Karl's assistant and there was subtle humor throughout.

I bought this second book on sale, so may give it a try again later instead of returning it. But the brutal sex scene that I have already been exposed to, and feedback indicating horrific animal abuse to come farther along in the book make me want to go to some of the other books I just bought on sale instead.

The author is excellent, the numerous details added to the story, the insightful observations of human behavior, the assessment of how society is set up and people navigate their way . . . it's wonderful writing. But even though there really are cruel and abusive people in this world, sometimes time I spend on reading is for learning or entertainment. And abuse and cruelty . . . I don't want to spend my time or insert any more of that into my mind than I have to.

So, I'll put this book aside, and maybe I will finish it in the future, maybe not.

Narration: I preferred the first guy with the accents, they weren't perfect, but they had more life to them.

Excellent thriller

I found this book to be very entertaining from several aspects. First, it is a really good thriller as well as a good detective book. Second, it provides some insight into the Danish/Swedish culture. Though not the same quality, this book does have similarities to the books by Stieg Larson. Book does provide some sense of humor.

The story about the abuse, mental anguish and then revenge is very human as well as very touching. There are not many innocent characters in this book, even the victim are not all that innocent which makes this book very interesting.

Steven Pacey is one of my favorite narrators and he did an excellent job here as well.

I would recommend this book, and I can’t wait for the next book to arrive on audible.