It’s no secret than scandi-noir is one of my favorite genres. I can’t get enough of the frosty, inhospitable climate, a culture that normalizes 4 cups of coffee a day and a tortured detective with a dark past. And I am no stranger to some of the heavyhitters either- I’m a big fan of Jo Nesbø and I’ve read Staalesen, Mankell, etc. So did The Keeper of Lost Causes live up to the legacy of its predecessors? An emphatic yes!
The Keeper of Lost Causes follows detective inspector Carl Morck, who, after a grievous incident of violence befalls him and his fellow cops, is promoted to head of Department Q so he can make a fresh start. Carl and his clever assistant Assad, soon find themselves entangled in a notorious cold case- the kidnapping of a popular and controversial Danish political figure.
I will keep this review short and sweet to avoid spoiling all of the fun and intrigue. But suffice it to say this is one of the most exceptional mysteries I’ve read in a long time. I immediately recommended it to my mom who also enjoyed it immensely. Make no mistake, the story is certainly dark and it really flirts with being too heavy at times, but luckily the author punctuates the tension with an incredible sense of humor that made my ribs hurt.
The Keeper of Lost Causes is the type of book that ramps up and up and up until you are absolutely white-knuckling it. The ending is b-a-n-a-n-a-s!! Honestly, you need this one in your life now and there is apparently even a movie- how cool is that?! So excited to continue my journey with Department Q #2: The Absent One
My Rating: 5/5 Stars
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