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

very entertaining, lots of twists and turns.

I really liked the reader, the characters were quite distinct. Intriguing story line, the resolution is one you won't guess

Too violent

Too much suffering and violence for my taste. Good writing and good performce and good story

Accent atrocity!

As a half-Swede, the narrator’s bizarre, belabored, mangled interpretation of a Scandinavian accent was almost a deal-breaker for me. He sounded like a satirist doing early Arnold Schwarzenegger, i.e., “Vi gonna pahmp you up!” What the HECK people, Scandinavian languages — especially Danish! — are the closest languages to English in the world!! Hence, a Scandinavian accent is one of the easiest to lose, often it’s so light it takes a while to notice. It seems like a REALLY TERRIBLE oversight to not bother doing the research on that, and to hire a narrator who does such an AWFUL job!!! The only reason I kept slogging through is because I was unable to leave a review earlier. That having been said, the story itself was great and totally on-par with the new Scandi-Noir genre that’s so popular now on TV and in books. I’d happily read another by this author—“READ” being the operative word here. Hey Audible, if you’re THAT desperate for narrators, I’ve got the Swedish accent down pat; hit me up for your next Scandi-Noir novel!

A very enthralling story.

The young MP that is imprisoned and the growing relationship between Carl Morck and his new assistant, Assad. I have been reading some nordic noir writers lately and find their work fascinating. I now have a new crime series to enjoy.

Great Mystery

It’s very well written but extremely long. I’m going to give the author another go. It’s not bad at all.

hang in there!

When I started listening to this book, I considered chucking it. But I hung in there mainly because I didn't have access to the internet. So I persisted. I came to really love the characters. Well done. I would have given it 5 stars but for the somewhat unsatisfying conclusion. Nevertheless, I did enjoy the book.

Very dark story, like most lost clauses

Compelling. But not for the faint of heart nor for someone looking for a Obvious happy Ending.

Department Q fan, for sure!

I tested out this book since it's part of a series and it had gotten good reviews by and large. Well, I'm a major fan now! Have already purchased the next and have others in my wish list. The characters were so marvelously developed - such a range of different types. Can't wait to start the next one in the series this coming week!

The only thing I'm worried about is that there's a different narrator. So sorry that Erik Davies didn't continue. I thought he was ideal for this role. I'll be hopeful, however.

Great experience- fantastic plot, fantastic reader

What did you love best about The Keeper of Lost Causes?

The story was just intricate enough - some complexity, but could be followed.

What did you like best about this story?

Marvelous characters. They were very different and all seemed quite real. The plot was very involving, even gripping. It kept drawing me back to it.

What about Erik Davies’s performance did you like?

He has a tremendous ability to do various accents and inflections and both genders. Excellent timing and phrasing. He added much to it while, at the same time, remaining in the background himself.

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

The specifics escape me now, but it had to do with the main detective observing a little girl, and his assessment and reaction to the situation.

Any additional comments?

I'd recommend this very highly.

Good book, off putting accent

If you could sum up The Keeper of Lost Causes in three words, what would they be?

Character, drama, timing

Any additional comments?

Great believable story with physiological twist but really grating accent that frequent sounded like a cross between English gentleman and German aristocracy.