The Keeper of Lost Causes

Department Q, Book 1

By: Jussi Adler-Olsen

Narrated by: Erik Davies

Length: 15 hrs and 36 mins

Publisher's summary

Get to know the detective in charge of Copenhagen's coldest cases in the first electrifying Department Q mystery from New York Times best-selling author Jussi Adler-Olsen.

Carl Mørck used to be one of Denmark’s best homicide detectives. Then a hail of bullets destroyed the lives of two fellow cops, and Carl - who didn’t draw his weapon - blames himself. So a promotion is the last thing he expects. But Department Q is a department of one, and Carl’s got only a stack of cold cases for company. His colleagues snicker, but Carl may have the last laugh, because one file keeps nagging at him: A liberal politician vanished five years earlier and is presumed dead. But she isn’t dead...yet.

Darkly humorous, propulsive, and atmospheric, The Keeper of Lost Causes introduces American listeners to the mega-bestselling series fast becoming an international sensation.

©2011 Jussi Adler-Olsen (P)2011 Penguin

Entertaining

Good, fun story with interesting and original characters. i hope to read more of Mork (spell?). Not as depressing as some Nordic writers. the only fault was the Danish accent assumed by the reader. If they are all conversing in Danish, why would they have an accent? The setting, names and places are enough to give the foreign flavor.

Loved it!

After pouring through The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo series I kept trying to find another series that would captivate me as much. It has taken awhile but so glad I found the Department Q series.
It is dark and witty and will keep you listening. I usually listen while I am working in my studio, but with this book I found myself listening every chance I got right up till the last minute!
The narrator was great and the author does a great job of revealing just enough about the main characters to keep you curious.

5 stars despite my annoyance at the end

Where does The Keeper of Lost Causes rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

This is a very talented author. In my view, rivaling Lee Child at his best. No problem building out characters, a riveting plot that moves right along. Their styles are quite different but my enjoyment is the same.

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

I thought the start of the book was slow. But once I was into it I was hooked. The author is very observant. And, he makes interesting observations and reflections. I also liked that the plot make sense, nothing too unbelievable up until the end where I became frustrated.

Which character – as performed by Erik Davies – was your favorite?

Well the lead character and star investigor Mork.

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

Yes I was so annoyed at the end it almost overshadowed my previous enjoyment. To clarify without spoiling the book for you I just disagreed with the actions of the main character(s) at the end. I hate it when seemingly bright characters do things that I feel are obviously, well stupid. I also got the sense that the ending seemed a little sloppy and hastily wrapped up. I just didn't enjoy it. And, it is so nice to finish a book you've enjoyed so much on a high note (happy with the writing). Then again, maybe the ending is consistent with the fact that while clearly a bright guy, he's flawed and he makes mistakes that he sometimes regrets.

Any additional comments?

If you enjoy thrillers I very highly recommend. As another audible reader put it it's the best I've heard in a while in this genre. I feel like a lot of great authors' work goes down hill with celebrity status. Lee Child has gone downhill. Preston & Child ditto. Karen Marie Moning went way downhill after a great start to her Fever series (not exactly the same genre). I also have enjoyed Michael Conelly. I enjoyed Police at the Station and they don't look friendly. Nelson de Mille is great. Also I really enjoyed The First Deadly Sin by Lawrence Sanders... So that's what I like. If you like what I like, try this series!!!

Gruesome but Compelling

Well written book. I think this book was probably easier to follow in the audible format than it would have been in the written form, due to the Danish names and locations. The narrator did an excellent job. The main two characters I the book are flawed but likable. I will definitely be reading the other books in the Q series.

It takes a while to get into this book but it’s worth it!

I had to listen to the first few chapters a couple/few times to get everything straight but keep with it because the book is excellent. You will get used to the accent after a while and it’s almost funny at times. But overall a fine read/listen!

I have just found my newest crime writ$4er! mvç

I read some of the reviews in 4 the revie+wer writes of ";dark Nordic mysteries! " I don't agree. There is nothing dark an foreboding about this mystery. I could not put this book down. I listened while I was at the ban+, while I shopped at the grocery, while I shlepped the groceries inside and while I put them away. Didn't want it to be over, but all good must come to an end!

Narrator is awful but Dept Q is AMAZING

Not only does he read painfully slowly, the narrator mimics the Danish accent in a very poor way. BUT Jussi Adler OLSEN and the Dept Q books are amazing.

Great selection

Really great, original story. As good as any "nordic noir" but with an actual sense of humor. The performance was OK but using across the board Danish accents seemed silly and distracting for a English translation. Assad's accent was not Syrian.... he sounded more like Dracula.

Terrific

Read it listen to it great story
Tell your friends and family about it they will like it

Engaging

A great introduction to Carl and Assad, the unlikely but great detective pair. I’ve now binged all the Department Q series after I got hooked.