The Absent One

By: Jussi Adler-Olsen

Narrated by: Steven Pacey

In The Keeper of Lost Causes, Jussi Adler-Olsen introduced Detective Carl Mørck, a deeply flawed, brilliant detective newly assigned to run Department Q, the home of Copenhagen’s coldest cases. The result wasn’t what Mørck—or readers—expected, but by the opening of Adler-Olsen’s shocking, fast-paced follow-up, Mørck is satisfied with the notion of picking up long-cold leads. So he’s naturally intrigued when a closed case lands on his desk: A brother and sister were brutally murdered two decades earlier, and one of the suspects—part of a group of privileged boarding-school students—confessed and was convicted.

But once Mørck reopens the files, it becomes clear that all is not what it seems. Looking into the supposedly solved case leads him to Kimmie, a woman living on the streets, stealing to survive. Kimmie has mastered evading the police, but now they aren’t the only ones looking for her. Because Kimmie has secrets that certain influential individuals would kill to keep buried . . . as well as one of her own that could turn everything on its head.

Every bit as pulse-pounding as the book that launched the series, The Absent One delivers further proof that Jussi Adler-Olsen is one of the world's premier thriller writers.

Critic reviews

“Adler-Olsen, Denmark’s leading crime fiction author, outdoes his outstanding debut, The Keeper of Lost Causes, with his second Department Q novel.”
—Publishers Weekly, (starred review)

"Adler-Olsen's humor and his portrayal of Kimmie's sad life make The Absent One stand out among today's flood of Nordic mysteries."
—Kirkus Reviews

"The Copenhagen-set sequel to The Keeper of Lost Causes is quirky and wry."
—The Sacramento Bee

"Adler-Olsen has created a wonderful addition to the detective fiction genre...Readers of detective fiction, international crime fiction, and suspense fiction will highly enjoy this thriller."
—Library Journal (starred review)

“The pages fly by as the twisty puzzle unfolds. Stieg Larsson fans will be delighted.”
— Publishers Weekly (starred review) on The Keeper of Lost Causes

“[An] absorbing psychological thriller.”
— Library Journal (starred review) on The Keeper of Lost Causes

“Comparisons [to Stieg Larsson] are inevitable and, while he may lack a Salander, Adler-Olsen’s prose is superior to Larsson’s, his tortures are less discomfiting, and he has a sense of humor.”
— Booklist (starred review) on The Keeper of Lost Causes

“Plan on putting everything else in your life on hold if you pick up this book.”
— The Oregonian on The Keeper of Lost Causes

“A relentless thrill ride of surprise, shock and terror.”
— The Sacramento Bee on The Keeper of Lost Causes

“The new ‘it’ boy of Nordic Noir.”
— The Times, London on The Keeper of Lost Causes

"The Keeper of Lost Causes is the one I'd be most eager-and most reluctant-to loan."
— The Boston Globe on The Keeper of Lost Causes

"The Keeper of Lost Causes is dark, atmospheric, and compelling. Those who loved The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo will devour this book."
— C.J. Box

Great story done justice by a great reader

Would you listen to The Absent One again? Why?

Yes! Steven Pacey does a great job of bringing to life the world of Department Q.

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

The plot is smart and twisted and brought to life by quirky and complex characters.

Have you listened to any of Steven Pacey’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

This is my first Steven Pacey book.

Any additional comments?

Erik Davies read the first book in this series, Keeper of Lost Causes. It was an adjustment to switch to Steven Pacey, but he did the book justice. I think you really have to read the first book to truly appreciate the second one.

Not as good as the first.

Slightly depressing story. Ok characters. Solid writing.

The narrator was good, except perhaps some of the female characters. However, an English narrator with occasional Scotch accents felt all wrong for this Scandinavian thriller.

My first Department Q, but not my last

The Silent One is translated from Danish. It is a modern detective novel with elements of a dark psychological thriller. The interplay between the detectives is especially interesting. It is a very worthwhile listen that barely fails at earning 5 stars. I look forward to listening to the other novels in the series.

Very, very good!!!

What did you love best about The Absent One?

Well-crafted, never boring. You don't have to wait for the good parts.

Have you listened to any of Steven Pacey’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Excellent narrator. I will look for him again.

Better than the 1st book!

This story was very good, well written...but it was too "messed" up for me, meaning it was really gruesome. My husband loved it! I know there are people in the world like those in the book and it was disturbing to me, but my husband says "it's just a good story, by a clever minded author". I know my hubby will read the sequence of Department Q...I'm not sure I will. The reader was very good, the plot was enthralling.

Good book, Ok reader

I’d listened to this book a year or 2 years ago. This version was totally different. What a difference a reader makes!
Realizing I had listened to this book once I tried to find it in my library but couldn’t find it. So I listened again. For me the reader makes or breaks a story. This reader didn’t apply the humor nearly as well as the last reader. This reader called Assaud “Ass-ad” and was annoying. The book itself was good and I like the author’s characters. Their personality’s have been developed well and are consistent. I like this series a lot.

Awesome book

There is so much in this story. I love the main characters and the continuing story line. This particular book really reached me emotionally the author did an awesome job with the characters and the events you could really feel emotions and depth

Totally hooked!

Would you listen to The Absent One again? Why?

Probably not, but I don't do that with any book, I would, however, recommend this to anyone who loves a good murder mystery.

Any additional comments?

These books are great

Awesome!!

This is my new favorite series! Absolutely different and exciting. I devoured this book in less than 2 days! Could not stop listening. Last night I ended up going to bed at 2 am because it was so good & today I called in sick for the better half of the morning just to finish it. I'm downloading the next one! Characterization was on point and the story was twisted and dark.

The worst narration

If this book took place in Dickensian London the narration would be spot on. Please tell me book 3 has a new narrator.