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

A solid "page turner"

This second installment of the Carl Morke series is great. It kept me well-engaged throughout the whole thing. It was a little to fantastical to be believable at a number of points, but that didn't really matter in the end. It was well read.

Great listen

As usual Steven Pacey steals the show. Good story, would highly recommend this one!!!!!!!

If only it weren't so creepy.

I guess it must be seen as his trademark. In the first book we were treated to a successful woman's torture in a pressure chamber. Here we are exposed to the minds of psychopaths. I don't normally read\listen to horror but this is mild-if such a beast is possible. Adler-Olsen set up the book the same way as book 1 with an insight into the victim as an opening hook. The case builds slowly and inexorably towards a riveting climax. We were on the edge of our seats. What I appreciate about dept Q is the interplay among the characters and the evolution of their personalities. A bored bitter detective is becoming a more caring individual because of his experiences. Steven Pacey tells the story adroitly without getting in the way. Yes! Good Book

Caught in Valley Girl Hell

Protect us from teenage girls! Story is interesting, however, I didn't like any of the characters except for the two investigators. Narrator does an incredible job with the story and is the reason I stuck with it!

Adler-Olsen my new favorite Nordic crime writer!

Would you consider the audio edition of The Absent One to be better than the print version?

Yes, because the narration is simply that good.

What did you like best about this story?

Carl Mørck is a great character. He is not AS flawed as many of the detectives in other Nordic crime series. I would call him a less messy Harry Hole (Jo Nesbo).

Which scene was your favorite?

Any time Mørck interacts with his co-workers. He's hysterical.

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

None.

Any additional comments?

None.

Is this Denmark or England??

What did you love best about The Absent One?

The suspense and the development of Carl and Assad. I am hooked on this series now and am about to download the next in line.

What three words best describe Steven Pacey’s voice?

Whiny and British.

Any additional comments?

As many of the other reviews state, I don't think this was a good narrator for this book. He would be a fine choice for a book set in England but not Denmark. I spent the first couple of hours or so struggling because all the voices were different and the pronunciation of the names have changed. I have not read the book so I don't know if he is reading it word for word but it seems like there was a lot of British slang in this book. It was hard for me to create Denmark in my mind listening to the book when I hear British voices and words thrown around.

I LOVE Department Q and can't wait for next one!

I read the very first book and was totally hooked on Department Q and Detective Carl or is it Karl and especially his middle-eastern sidekick Assi (?) What a great story and great quips! Love the author! Keeps you guessing right up to the end!

Very Very Good

I loved it and I am looking forward to listening to the book number 3.

Carl and the crew are awesome

This wasn't as good as the 1st in the series, but very good none the less... This is quickly becoming one of my favorite mystery series thanks to a superb new writer on the scene... The cold case theme has become popular, and perhaps overdone, but this series is one of the outstanding examples of the trope... The narration is magnificent and will not disappoint...

Wonderful Book

I love these characters! The first in the series was excellent and this one did not dissappoint. The narration was perfect. Thanks Audible!