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

First Adler-Olsen book and it was entertaining

I'll start with the negative, which is pretty simple and straightforward. The crime and the motive are far fetched (which actually do not actually reveal themselves until late in the book).

If you can get past that and accept the premise of the crime, then the book is put together quite nicely. The characters are interesting, and overall the book is entertaining.

The narrator did a fine job. If you don't mind hard to follow names, cities and the accents, you'll enjoy the listen!

I am not sure I'll seek out another Adler-Olsen book. I gave this one a try as a change of pace. I've been trying Norway, Sweden and Denmark based authors lately as I really liked the Stieg Larrson books, and have enjoyed the diversion - This one is one of the better listens of the bunch so far. Overall recommended!

Great story, awful narration

The story is gripping and enjoyable, and not predictable nor totally unbelievable. However, the narration significantly detracted from my enjoyment of this book. The narrator portrayed each character as if they were speaking in English with a heavy Dutch or other accent. Thus, each character speaks very slowly and deliberately. This was a continual distraction.

Arnie Accent Detracts From Excellent Story

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

Yes, excellent story, and very refreshing to have a book not written from the mold so many other detectives spring from.

What did you like best about this story?

Main character is not your typical hero, as in many books written by US authors, and is all the more human and recognizable for it

How did the narrator detract from the book?

Apparently (according to the narrator), all people in Denmark speak with an accent much like Arnold Schwarzenegger. This really detracts from the story. Why accents are necessary at all is not clear to me.

Any additional comments?

Accents are not necessary; readers will understand the story is set in Denmark without the heavy-handed Austrian accents. But if you want to do accents, you should at least find out how to properly pronounce 'Peugeot' :-p

Interesting story but accents were annoying

I enjoyed this story a lot. It kept me engaged and guessing. I didn’t like the Dutch accented English. It was like Schwarzenegger talking to Dracula. Perhaps it was a perfect presentation but my ears got tired of it in a hurry. The names and places were difficult to understand but that’s just the way it is when you listen to stories set in foreign lands. I think I will continue with the next story but I will have to give my ears a rest for a while first.

Too macabre for me

No spoilers here. The crime was too macabre for me. I listened to the end because I knew who did it from early on (and if I could figure it out, nearly anyone could). There is one loose end that wasn’t explained in this book — who IS Morck’s new assistant? He’s clearly not just an immigrant taxi driver; he’s got mad detective and law enforcement skills. The interactions between Morck and his assistant provide levity and add spice to the investigation. It’s well written but I doubt I can listen to another one from this author.

I'm so glad I found this author.

This book surpassed my expectations. The tension and pace of the book kept building until I was begging for the detective to find the girl. Will Department Q grow? I'm going to find out I'm the next book.

I'm only Rating The Narration

What did you like best about The Keeper of Lost Causes? What did you like least?

I've not finished this book. That said, the narration is irritating. I don't need characters to speak in accents. I really don't need, or want, Danish characters to sound like Arnold Schwarzenegger. He's from somewhere else. I loved book 3, Conspiracy of Faith. Will take more than faith to get through this one.

Glad I kept listening

My Initial dislike of the narrator's monotone almost caused me to quit listening. I am glad I did not. I thoughly enjoyed the story, the characters and story line are well developed, and there are multiple areas available for expansion in the series. Looking forward to thge next book, and have my fingers crossed that Audible gets distribution rights for "Guilt" before I reach that point in the series.

Would have enjoyed it more..

if I had not figured out who did it 1/4 of the way into the book. I was really liked the main character though so I kept listening to see what would eventually happen to him, but I do typically like more difficulty in guessing "who done it"!

Great read

Wonderful book for a long car trip as it is hard to put down. Great narration, great plot and interesting characters.