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

wonderful book.

loved it wonderfully suspenseful never expected it to end as it did. will finish the series.

Good Scandi crime novel, some weak points

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

Yes, this book was entertaining and had my brain working for most of it. It offers good mystery and plot development. Also, I could listen to it as I drove or worked.

Who was your favorite character and why?

The main detective was the most rational and relatable character, given his situation in the book. He was likable, but as the reader/listener I could see ways for him to grow/develop in the next books.

What aspect of Erik Davies’s performance would you have changed?

His voice for many of the female characters was a bit too husky/masculine, so it wasn't always obvious when they were talking vs the men in the scenes. He should have softened his tone for those. He did a great job with the Swedish accent and pronunciation (I thought) and I really liked his enunciation, tone, and pauses for certain statements in the book - it added a profoundness.

Could you see The Keeper of Lost Causes being made into a movie or a TV series? Who should the stars be?

Yes, the starts would be difficult to cast. The main detective should be a hardened, rugged man though,

Any additional comments?

This was a good read (listen), but parts of the book weren't relatable. It was difficult to get a sense of the imprisoned woman's perception of time, because her situation was only touched on at lengthy intervals. Also, certain details seemed to not be linked to the rest of the story, which left a feeling of loose ends that wouldn't be addressed. Overall, the author does a good job of setting up the characters for a sequel, and the book was gripping and a bit creepy. Good read!

Dark, dark, obsessive revenge

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

It's kind of a depressing , wierd story, so I would be very careful who I recommending it. better not be too squeamish.

What other book might you compare The Keeper of Lost Causes to and why?

I thought about the "Dragon Tattoo" books, because of the similsr sounding words, dark subject matter, etc, but it is totally different.

What about Erik Davies’s performance did you like?

The narrator was effective because I was unaware of him, the story was the star.

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

Some people never forgive, or forget.

Any additional comments?

I liked the book very much.

This one grabbed me and wouldn't let me go!

Perhaps what impressed me most was the narrator's dialect, which was quite pleasing and helped to place the reader within the scene. While the villain and story were hardly credible, the other characters were very well described and quite believable. I liked the book and was looking forward to the next one. While Book 2 is now available on Audible, it didn't have Erik Davies as the narrator, and the narrator in the sample audio is too annoying for me.

Good Start to a Series

Well, I loved the story and the characters.
Well written and lots of details to think and ponder about.
The narrator needs to go. I don't think he did a good job with the main character, I mean who talks like that and when you listen you are thinking that is NOT how he would be saying that.
That aside it was a good book.

good

really enjoyed this one. took a while for the plot to pick up but the characters were mostly well drawn (the men anyways) and the end was pretty satisfying

Relisten

I love these characters so much. Decided to start at the beginning and enjoy the series one more time.

Very well done

So good. I highly recommend this story. I can't wait for the next. The book kept me engaged and interested throughout.

Fantastic beginning to end

The narrator was absolutely perfect. Big Werner Herzog vibes. The story was thrilling and disturbing. Not too violent and yet quite harrowing. A+

Do it for Denmark!

A better alternative to Jo Nesbo

"Lost Causes" is about a detective who is placed as head of the newly minted "Dept. Q" - if only to keep him, and his brash manners, away from everyone else. The Force won't fire him, however, because of his exemplary past...and he knows it.

So, he is instead relegated to a tiny basement office in a such a way that one cannot help feeling a humorous empathy with the aging detective. Cold-case files, and Dead-ends are his company... that, and a Middle-eastern man with fire and talent, and umm, a Transylvanian accent (sorry, couldn't help it).

Detective Carl Morck's past is anything but funny, and serves to bring gravity to the story.
The mystery to be solved leads to a harrowing conclusion, with real-life consequences. The ending is not as happy as most 'western' endings, but not as dark as some Scandinavian books. All-in-all Olsen did an admirable job of eliminating gratuitous and tasteless filth, and what was included was handled in such a way as to not glorify it needlessly.

Det. Morck was a likable protagonist. The Antagonist, when he was discovered, was despicable in equal measure. It was a good versus evil in the end, which can add so much to a mystery. It wasn't the greatest book I've ever read in this genre, but it was enjoyable, and I will likely read another Olsen novel.

Bottom Line: recommended to fans of the genre.