Victim 2117

A Department Q Novel, Book 8

By: Jussi Adler-Olsen, William Frost - translator

Narrated by: Graeme Malcolm

Length: 14 hrs and 15 mins

Publisher's summary

In the heart-pounding next installment of the New York Times and number one internationally best-selling Department Q series, a terrifying international investigation reveals the complex backstory of one of the department's own - the enigmatic Assad.

The newspaper refers to the body only as Victim 2117 - the 2117th refugee to die in the Mediterranean Sea. But to three people, the unnamed victim is so much more, and the death sets off a chain of events that throws Department Q, Copenhagen’s cold cases division led by Detective Carl Mørck, into a deeply dangerous - and deeply personal - case. A case that not only reveals dark secrets about the past, but has deadly implications for the future.

For troubled Danish teen Alexander, whose identity is hidden behind his computer screen, the death of Victim 2117 becomes a symbol of everything he resents and the perfect excuse to unleash his murderous impulses in real life. For Ghaalib, one of the most brutal tormentors from Abu Ghraib - Saddam Hussein’s infamous prison - the death of Victim 2117 is the first step in a terrorist plot years in the making. And for Department Q’s Assad, Victim 2117 is a link to his buried past - and the family he assumed was long dead.

With the help of the Department Q squad - Carl, Rose, and Gordon - Assad must finally confront painful memories from his years in the Middle East in order to find and capture Ghaalib. But with the clock ticking down to Alexander’s first kill and Ghaalib's devastating attack, the thinly spread Department Q will need to stay one step ahead of their most lethal adversary yet if they are to prevent the loss of thousands of innocent lives.

©2020 Jussi Adler-Olsen (P)2020 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

"Adler-Olsen supplies everything you could possibly want from a thriller and much, much more." (Kirkus)

Another Dept. Q Gem

I follow the release of Jussi Adler-Olsen’s Department Q series like a rabid collector. I mark the dates on my calendar so I won’t forget. I have become so fond of this group of odd, damaged and brilliant detectives. In this latest book we finally have some answers about Assad’s past. A wonderfully satisfying story.

This Department Q is an Action Packed Masterpiece

Department Q as always is full of wit, irony, drama, and outstanding detective work. What makes Victim 2117 unique is a remarkable tale full of action and suspense. It focuses on two storylines mysteriously connected and two ingenious hunts by Department Q. At the same time, it answers the questions we all have regarding Assad.

It’s a page turner, as remarkably read as it is written. It stands on its own merits, so if you haven’t read any of the series you will not be lost. Believe me, the Department Q series is one of top 5 Mystery series on Audible.

Here are a few of my favorite police procedural series on Audible, in no particular order.
Three Pines
Department Q
Harry Hole
Girl With the Dragon Tattoo

Fantastic Book!

I have been a Dept Q fan for years and loved all of the books but this one is the best! My only disappointment is that I have to wait for the next book. Jussi Alder-Olsen is amazing!!!

Meh - Too Much

I'll start by saying I have thoroughly enjoyed every other Department Q novel and looked forward to each new release. Unfortunately, I found Victim 2117 to be a great disappointment. The story is convoluted, over-ambitious, and nonsensical. Assad's backstory is literally beyond belief as is the way the characters get involved in the terrorism case. I waited it out until the end but it felt like even Graeme Malcolm (who I usually enjoy) got bored with the nonsense.

A disappointment

I love Dept Q but almost couldn’t get through this one. It was silly, over the top, almost cartoon-like with all the characters being transformed from their former wonderful personalities to boring soap opera figures. I can’t believe the same author actually wrote this book. An endless litany of desriptions of torture, evil, and gnashing of teeth and tearing of hair. Not interesting.

Sad

While I did enjoy finding out about how Assad lost his wife and children this book was predictable and disappointing. I’m so sad because I have absolutely loved each book in the department q Series. If there is a new book in the series I will another but if the next book is as disappointing as this was I will not continue.

So great!

Jusi Adler-Olsen and Dept. Q never disappoint! My absolute favorite crime series. As each character takes the stage in this new book I got so excited to see where that had been since the last series!

Boring

Can't listen to. Moves so slow it puts me to sleep. It sounded better before purchasing.

Far grimmer than other series books

Hi..
I enjoy the somewhat odd humor of the other books, none to be found here.
Because of storyline none would be expected. I found about the first 1/3 of book to be rather slow and confusing ...maybe it's me that's slow and confusing. I did find after that the pieces fell into place and was eager to keep listening as the plot steamrolled forward.
I really like this series and think the narration is superb. The only reason I give it 4 stars not 5 is as I mentioned the storyline is very intense and I missed the usual banter between characters.

Dark and violent

Great writers can’t rewrite the same story over and over, but changing a central recurring and appealing character into someone entirely different didn’t work for me. I didn’t like the graphic descriptions of violence and suffering. The secondary story line was more interesting.