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

5 stars minus 1 star for lost audio problem

Having just listened to The Year of Living Danishly, this book provided a jarringly different view of Denmark. I enjoyed the story and characters. Unlike other listeners, I have no complaints about the narrator. My only gripe is the missing audio towards the end of the book.

I enjoyed this but

I enjoyed the book and I'm glad they had a few mysteries going on because I did figure out the main on with in 4 hrs.

That plot, interesting characters, neck of a good story

I just discovered this series, and, having read this book, I know I will read many more of the collection. I think my headline on this review clearly conveys my reaction this is a book to read several times. There are so many nuances in the plot and subplots, in the interactions of the characters that I know I will find something new every time I read it.

Not an A-List Story

It's an OK book. Not great. Not horrible. The narrator's accent is just weird. It sounds like someone from the South doing a bad imitation of a Dane accent. So bad it made me laugh in places.

Aside from the narration, the plot is implausible. I have nothing against that, in principle. If the author can make you believe it, that's good writing. This author cannot.

The premise of the book--Department Q--is interesting. It could be a great story line.

Not an A-list book. I might pick up another if it's on sale or if I'm bored, but not something I'd go out of my way to buy.

Kept Me Listening!

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

I have already recommended this book (audio and hard copy) to friends. It was a great story, had me hooked from the beginning.

Who was your favorite character and why?

I liked the main detective. He was seemed like a real person.

What does Erik Davies bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Loved the accents, I wouldn't have come up with them on my own.

okay

Very slow start. The pieces of the story were not well tied together outside of the police case about Merete.

Awesome story

Really great main characters and great mystery story. Loved it. Gotta get the next one now!!

Awful narration

If he just used his normal speaking voice, it might have worked out much better.

Danish accents

The Danish accents are maddening. Plus, it's hard to tell the characters apart. I won't buy any more books narrated like this.

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!