Dregs

By: Jørn Lier Horst

Narrated by: Saul Reichlin

Length: 9 hrs and 55 mins

Publisher's Summary

Four feet…from four different victims?

In Stavern around midsummer a severed left foot in a training shoe is washed up on the shore. Then another, and yet another. Altogether four left feet in the course of one week.

Police Inspector William Wisting has many years of murder experience behind him, but he has never examined evidence like this. Four feet…from four different victims?

©2010 Jørn Lier Horst (P)2014 W F Howes Ltd

Critic Reviews

“Jørn Lier Horst has once more written a well-founded and tense crime novel, with space for both the expected and the downright surprising.” ( Aftenposten)

Good Norwegian Procedural

What a macabre beginning! Why are all these left feet showing up on Norway's shore? Steig Larsson's legacy continues as we get exposed to more Scandinavian mysteries and procedurals that are worthy of our listen. Horst has written a good book that includes lots of details about Norwegian life, criminal system, banking and other topics. I thought this police procedural was well paced and the reveal of information made sense. Kudos to Horst on his writing and well developed characters. I struggled with keeping up with the numerous names. Fortunately, the chapters are short in case you have to listen a second time.

I feel very neutral about the narrator. He did a fine job with the pronunciation of difficult language. He voice did not distract or enhance -- just neutral.

Whenever I listen to a Scandinavian book, I find myself spending lots of time on the internet researching vacations in Norway and Sweden. I will get there some day.

Worst narrator of all time - Story? Who knows

The narrator gives a boring, grinding read. The story is probably interesting, but I’ll never know
One credit wasted.

Dissatisfied

very slow moving, no action till the last 15 minutes total waste of time dud.

Intriguing

I loved the narrator! Its a ood story! I will tread new from this author!

It did not live up to expectations – very slow!

Unfortunately, I did not enjoy this book.
It was so very, very slow that I thought of giving up quite a few times. Even when it started to pick up it wasn’t as exciting as I hoped it would be.
I did not feel connected to the characters this time and they seemed to be stumbling around with nothing gained and nothing done until chapter 44. After that it was OK but if it weren’t an audiobook and if I hadn’t had it on in the background while driving, I would have given up so much earlier.
I’m sorry but this one did not live up to expectations.

Good detective novel

I like the way the father-daughter, journalist-detective stories intertwine. And it's quick paced and exciting.
The narration is excellent.
Ready for the next book.

Scandanavian Crime Genre at it's Best

An interesting and unusual plot, combined with believable characters makes this a must read for anyone who enjoys this genre. I have listened to three of Horst's books and plan to lirten to all that have been translated into English. Narration is spot on.

Great

Well written and quite gripping. The only thing I would mention is that the language sometimes hits a bit of a grammatical oddity. Due to the book being originally written in Norwegian, it contains some Norwegian grammatical structure from time to time. Although it might just be because I myself am Norwegian that I noticed it at all. If you are Norwegian, I'd recommend giving it a listen in its original language.

Complicated, but Satisfying

I should have gotten a white board to write out the names of all the characters just to keep up. It takes a long, long, long time to solve the case. However, the final scene of life and death is climatic and enthralling. I like the main character—he is understandable and personable.
If you have the time and need something to occupy your thoughts—you really need to concentrate—it’s a good read.
I’m on to the next installment. Enjoy!

Not a Good Ad for Athletic Shoes

Name brand running shoes on severed feet, washing up on the shore . . . each LEFT feet, from four different victims . . . it has the Stavern police department turned upside down and Inspector Wisting befuddled . . . at first thought to be a boating accident, when there was only ONE foot . . . now known to be something much more sinister, Wisting and his team of investigators can't seem to find the common thread between the victims . . . meanwhile Line, Wisting's daughter, a journalist for a popular Norwegian newspaper is writing a piece on convicted murders and whether their years on incarceration has been beneficial in rehabilitating them . . . I found this thinking rather strange and naive . . . and very opposed to American thinking on crime and punishment . . . while allowing that Line is still young and idealistic . . . the prison sentences in Europe are ridiculously low, even for murder . . . and those convicted come out, only to repeat their crimes . . . the mystery of the murders, the severed feet and even Line's involvement with convicted murderers makes for an excellent story . . . I enjoy the details that this author goes in to . . . details about Norway, its people, Detective Wisting and his family . . . makes one think throughout . . . great resolution . . . I am on to the next in the series . . .

Brilliant read

I enjoyed listening to this book. it left me windering and looking forward to the next instalment. Never a dull moment. Very believable characters and wonderful descriptions

Great read

Enjoyable. Good story, took time to get into it but once in great, brilliantly narrated by Saul wonderful voice.

Stilted and weak story

I am very disappointed with this story. The writing was very poor, the leading detective was about a much use as a chocolate fireguard. The whole story didn't seem to follow any logic, and then all of a sudden there it is, there's the murderer!

Definitely not my taste in writers.

Dull

I’ve very much enjoyed other books in this series but this one was incredibly boring and I’m afraid I lost patience and gave up with it about two thirds of the way in. Shame!

Awful narrator!

I find Reichin’s voice patronising. In my view, he spoils every book he narrates even if the story is good.

Great story. Loved it!

Get over the town and people's names and this is a great story that had me hooked from the start. Moving on to the next book in the series now.

Good start to a series

Saul Reichlin does an excellent job (as usual) of narrating a good story with strong characters.

Mind numbing

I’ve never left a book review before now but felt I needed to on this one. I’ve have just wasted 10 hours of my life, I finished at the same place I started, confused, the characters had no character, the story line was bland and and the full pronunciation of the names throughout the story only made it more confusing and impossible to get a connection with any of the characters, and sort out who was who, I kept on going with it until nearly the end as I was waiting for the light switch moment, unfortunately it never arrived.

Good but...

Good with satisfying conclusion, however, the names of the many victims were hard for me to understand, so I had to keep going over chapters to digest the narrative. Well worth it though.
Hope there’s more books on Wisting.

Not great

Unfortunately I wasn't gripped or curious even once during this 9 hour audio book. Very flat.

The narration voice is cut-glass and would be perfect for a documentary about high society. I'm not sure, but I think it might have taken some of the mystery air or suspense from this book. I found myself wondering if I would enjoy it more were I reading it.

In my humble opinion, it is ok to pass this one over.

I listen to about two a week and will review some more for you. If you listen predominantly to crime and thrillers check out my other reviews....when I've done them...