Guilt

Department Q, Book 4

By: Jussi Adler-Olsen

Narrated by: Steven Pacey

Length: 16 hrs

Publisher's Summary

Following the international No 1 bestsellers Mercy and Disgrace, Guilt is the fourth heart-stopping Department Q novel from Jussi Adler-Olsen, and a gripping treat for all fans of the Scandinavian crime thriller.

1987. Nete Rosen thought she'd put her traumatic youth behind her. Her caring foster parents and loving husband helped her start again. However, when a man from her past reappears one night, Nete's new life could be shattered. But she won't be drawn back into that nightmare - she won't be a victim again...

2010. Detective Carl M'rck from Copenhagen's cold case division is looking into the disappearance of Rita Nielsen, an escort agency owner. The investigation reveals that Rita is only one piece of the puzzle. Because this is not a one-off incident - but part of a disturbing pattern which has been hidden from prying eyes for over twenty years...

Jussi Adler-Olsen was born in Copenhagen and worked as a magazine editor and publisher before starting to write fiction. Mercy and Disgrace are the first two in currently four novels in the Department Q series. He holds the prestigious Glass Key Award, given annually for a crime novel by a Scandinavian author, and is also winner of the Golden Laurels, Denmark's highest literary accolade.

©2014 Jussi Adler-Olsen (P)2014 Penguin Audio

Critic Reviews

"Gripping storytelling" ( Guardian)
"Engrossing" ( Sunday Express)
"As impressive as it is unnerving" ( Independent)

This is the Book "The Purity of Vengeance" Renamed

This has happened to me previously. Audible brings another narrator's version of the story online, changes the title for the North American audience, and I end up buying it, unaware that I have already listened to the novel. I am a bit torqued over this because now I have to go through the hassle of returning the book. I have purchased 1257 audio books and I want to be able to rely on Audible to get this stuff right the first time.

Buy the "Purity of Vengeance," narrated by Graeme Malcom…he is a much more compelling narrator.

Same book as Purity of Vengeance, just renamed!

What disappointed you about Guilt?

I didn't buy "The Purity of Vengeance" on Amazon.uk. I bought it here, I was thrilled when I saw a new book in the Dept Q series... didn't need to read the summary, just bought it. Then as I got ready to download it, I read the the synopsis and thought it sounded awfully familiar! There should be something in Audible's database that detects a purchase like this. Yes, I was able to return it, but why waste my time?!

What other book might you compare Guilt to and why?

Um ... The Purity of Vengeance!

Who would you have cast as narrator instead of Steven Pacey?

Irrelevant

What reaction did this book spark in you? Anger, sadness, disappointment?

Disappointment

Any additional comments?

I think my feelings are obvious at this point!

I've heard this and once was enough.

Audible - you don't have to include my rating. I'm using this as a way to ask for $ back. I couldn't sleep last night and needed a book to listen to. This seemed to be brand new but as soon as it started I realized that I had heard it before, that I didn't want to hear it again, and in no event was it a good book to use to help with sleep! In the past I think I've been told by my library when I try to buy a book I've already got. I think there have been problems with the name of this one. Thanks, Brian Burke

Skip this one

I have so been enjoying Department Q, the third one (ie the one prior to this) being a particular cracker of a story. This story is an absolute derivative mess and could not be saved by Steven Pacey's always impeccable narration.

Lazy detective and his funny devoted team

Again, don’t expect any brilliant detective work nor thrilling story. It is just probe into guilty party mind. Similar to the previous installment. I am not sure whether to continue with this series.

Good

I'm really enjoying this series. Unusual characters, humour and mystery - what more could you ask for.

Excellent book

Where does Guilt rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Beware of title changes. This Book is presently being offered as The Purity of Vengance

Lacked the Usual OOMP

Not sure what didn't work on this book--reader? plot? I love Jussi-Olsen series and the fine characters....but this one --well, it was disappointing. I hope next is better.

Utterly Brilliant!

What can I say? Olsen's gritty, yet quirky and often humorous Department Q books married with Steven Pacey's top quality narration are pretty much a perfect combination. The sardonic world of Carl M'rck and his sidekicks Assad and Rose continues in the fourth installment with a new self-contained story that builds on the previous books.

This series achieves the impressive mix of generating significant tension, sympathy for many of the characters involved and some genuinely humorous commentary seen through a jaded detective's eyes.

This story seemed to jump around in time just a little more than the others so took a little bit more concentration would be my only observation.

For fans of Department Q I can't add much more. To those yet to enter their basement world I can only urge you to walk down those stairs and start with "Mercy" which is book one in the series.

Then you can join me in wishing for more!

Absolutely love Jussi Adler Olsen

Would you listen to Guilt again? Why?

I listen to all the series again which very rarely happens with me.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Easily.

Any additional comments?

This author is wonderful. Probably my favourite crime writer at present. I thoroughly enjoy the characters, the story lines and whilst sometimes slightly unbelievable the entertainment value and narration make up for it. I think Steven Pacey is an excellent narrator and rate him as one of the best

Scandi crime - gritty and intelligent

Would you consider the audio edition of Guilt to be better than the print version?

No. I believe different formats each have their own characteristics. Having said that, I don't actually have the print version.

One advantage for me of the audio edition is that I don't trip over the pronunciations of the unfamiliar names. The disadvantage being that I have no idea how to spell them!

What other book might you compare Guilt to, and why?

This is the fourth 'Department Q' series novel and I've listened to all the others too. Obviously this one compares to the preceding three. In addition, I had a niggling feeling most of the way through this book that it's rather too similar in concept to 'The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo' - disadvantaged girl has bad start in life and is badly let down by authority figures who should actually be helping her.

Which scene did you most enjoy?

I enjoyed the whole book.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Yes. Very close to the end the doctor is told to introduce himself properly to the lady next to him. The realisation of the lady's identity I found particularly moving. Not from the narrative, but from what I as the reader could infer and emote from all I'd learned before.
Apologies, that sounds rather cryptic but I don't want to give anything away!

Any additional comments?

One of the aspects I am drawn to with this series is that each book has its own case, completed within the book. But running through all the books is the aftermath and continuation of a different case which happened prior to the start of the first book. I want to keep reading the books so I find out how it resolves!

I'm also a little bit in love with the quirkiness of the three main characters, Mørk, Assad and Rose, as well as the secondary characters of Mørk's household, ex-wife, and girlfriend.

I enjoy the scandi crime genre and the fact that the author is very clever in the way he weaves the various elements of the story together.

Just one final point - I'd strongly recommend you read this series in order. It'll make far more sense if you do.

Aitchooo!

Having read the other 3 Department Q books I was really waiting for this one and I wasn't disappointed it was just as good as the other 3.

The same well thought out plot the same dry wit.. the same excellent narration by Steven Pacey but I'm going to be picky here... having your main characters begin the book with a cold which brings with it a dodgy tummy o.o and lasts the entire book may work in print but as an audio-book not so much!

Great stuff yet again.

The Purity of Vengeance issue on audible.com aside, this is a superb story, expertly read.

The balance of humour and honest to God tragedy is extremely well done. The core subject matter exposes the brutality and narrow minded self serving attitudes of a long gone time. That is to say, I sincerely hope those attitudes have no grounding anywhere on earth any more.

If you've enjoyed his previous dept Q books, I'm sure you'll love this. If you haven't had the pleasure of any of them, crack on!

Guilt

The final book in the department Q series I must admit I have enjoyed every one on these book and I am so glad they have kept the same narrator for all 4 books.
I was hooked with this story too extremely gripping and very twisty it surprised me I must say .if you start this series please do all the 4 books, I must admit I was a little sad for the series to end.

Loving Department Q

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

It's engaging police drama, but also amusing and clever.

Who was your favorite character and why?

I love Assad - the classic antihero.

What does Steven Pacey bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you had only read the book?

His voices are great, despite using South African/Welsh/English regional accents for a Scandinavian book... it really helps bring the characters to life. He's very talented.

Love these books

I've just listened to the four Dept Q books all in a row and now I'm finished I feel desolate. I'm really going to miss Carl, Assad and Rose. The stories are brilliantly developed, the characterisation is excellent and the narrator is superb.

Good but not the best of the 4

I eagerly waited for this, and the story is very good but the 3 main characters have turned into a comic act. Not withstanding this, I did enjoy the story, it was gripping, and when the characters played up, I just rolled my eyes and carried on listening because I know them so well from the other books. The first of the 4 is the best, but I do recommend this book for the drama and storyline. The beginning when everyone has a cold, is not easy if using earphones, but do enjoy.

Worth a listen

Where does Guilt rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Middling

If you’ve listened to books by Jussi Adler-Olsen before, how does this one compare?

First time but would look for another Adler-Olsen

What does Steven Pacey bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you had only read the book?

I enjoyed his narration

Any additional comments?

I found myself wanting to know more about the island mentioned in the book, learned something new. Bonus for me.