The Marco Effect

A Department Q Novel

By: Jussi Adler-Olsen

Narrated by: Graeme Malcolm

INSPIRATION FOR THE NETFLIX SERIES DEPT. Q

A teenaged boy on the run propels Detective Carl Mørck into Department Q’s most sinister case yet in the fifth novel in Jussi Adler-Olsen's New York Times bestselling series.

Fifteen-year-old Marco Jameson longs to become a Danish citizen and go to school like a normal teenager. Unfortunately, his Uncle Zola forces the children of their former gypsy clan to beg and steal for his personal gain. When Marco discovers a dead body that proves the true extent of Zola’s criminal activities, he goes on the run. But it turns out his family members aren’t the only ones who want to keep Marco silent...forever.

Detective Carl Mørck wants to save the boy, but Marco’s trail leads him to a case that extends from Denmark to Africa, from embezzlers to child soldiers, from seemingly petty crime rings to the very darkest of cover-ups.

Critic reviews

Praise for The Marco Effect

“Engrossing...a roller coaster ride through Copenhagen's seedy underbelly.”—Publishers Weekly

“This series goes from triumph to triumph...This is the best book I've read in 2014 so far. Highly recommended.”—Deadly Pleasures Mystery Magazine

“Marco is a compelling hero, the villans are truly odious, and Mørck and his quirky, savvy subordinates ultimately carry the day.”—Booklist

“If you like the dark humor, wisecracking, and layered betrayals of Raymond Chandler, then read Adler-Olsen’s Department Q series.”—Men's Journal

“A tense, pleasurable read.”—USA Today

The fast pace, intricate plot, and gritty style will appeal to fans of Michael Connelly's Harry Bosch mysteries.”—Library Journal

More Praise for Jussi Adler-Olsen's Department Q series

“[A] sordid tale...inspired by actual events during a dark period of Danish history. Ah, but there is more, so much more in this frenzied thriller.”—The New York Times Book Review

“This book is not for the faint of heart, but for readers who enjoy dark humor and wisecracking heroes and heroines, you’ll love Department Q.”—Suspense Magazine

“It can be hard to distinguish Scandinavian crime writers—there are a lot of them, and their names have consonant clusters and umlauts and all that jazz—but Jussi Adler-Olsen is a name to know. In a crowded genre, Adler-Olsen is an outlier.”—GQ.com

“Adler-Olsen merges story lines...with ingenious aplomb, effortlessly mixing hilarities with horrors...This crime fiction tour de force could only have been devised by an author who can even turn stomach flu into a belly laugh.”—Publishers Weekly (starred review)

“This series has enough twists to captivate contemporary mystery readers and enough substance and background to entertain readers with historical and literary tastes.”—Library Journal (starred review)

“When your series relies on cold cases, it’s not always easy to craft plots that have both historical interest and an air of urgency, but it’s something Adler-Olsen is very good at.”—Booklist

The best Way book so far!

Absolutely the best Way book so far. Couldn't stop listening. The Marco Effect affected me!

Good book

Excellent story, well narrated!! Cannot wait for the next book in the series. Have enjoyed them all so far so good.

Confusing at first, fantastic throughout to the end

A lot of characters, a lot of office politics and a throwaway case to wade through before things got rolling at top speed. Great story teller. Great cast of characters. Stay with it.

Great series.

Loved this book. The whole series is totally enjoyable. Serious and funny, a wonderful listen.

Bullet Train!!!

Where does The Marco Effect rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

If you like J. Adler-Olsen then you must get this one!!! It's easily a 10 and on the very top of my list of favorites.It is fast paced, hurdling along the whole way with non-stop action and suspense.

What other book might you compare The Marco Effect to and why?

I am not sure if I have read anything so full of suspense and excitement- Maybe Gone Girl (?)but this story is much different, so incomparable at the moment.

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

Graeme's reading voice brings out the person you want to care for in Marco. In addition because of the great variation in his voice, the character's play out like more in a movie or real life, than a book.

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

Too many to count. When Marco was thrown out, by those he thought loved him, or when a stranger on the street asked if he was ok. There was much emotion but the graphic and suspenseful parts, moved me too in an edge of the seat way.

Any additional comments?

If it isn't already in the works, The Marco Effect would make an incredible movie.