A review by andrew61
The Caveman by Jørn Lier Horst
4.0
I tend to be a bit compulsive about crime novel series liking to want to read from book 1 in chronological order and whilst generally this allows the reader to learn about the characters and develop a relationship it can also mean the earlier novels sometimes are not as strong as the later ones, persistence is needed, and also important threads are missed and motives for characters actions unclear.
It's therefore enjoyable to pick up a book mid series for the first time and enjoy it as a stand alone thriller. This is the ninth in the series although the fourth to be translated but it was none the less an excellent read and deserving of having recently won the Petrona award.
The two main characters are detective Wisting from the Danish police and his journalist daughter Line. A close neighbour is discovered in his home sat in his armchair clutching the TV remote, his body dried out having sat there for some six months. With no apparent suspicious circumstances Line decides to write a piece on why someone can die so alone in modern society. At the same time A body is discovered under a Christmas tree in a tree plantation similarly having lain there for some months but in very suspicious circs and a fingerprint is found that leads Wising and his team into a wide ranging investigation beyond the Danish borders as Christmas approaches and the snow arrives.
This was a really good read, perhaps enhanced by the short chapters and the focus being on plot although not to the detriment of character development. It was well paced with a strong feeling of threat and some good false leads. At the moment I seem to be reading a lot of Scandi crime and this stands out from many I've read, however it is always strange going backwards in a series rather than forwards but I am definitely going to look out 'Dregs' the first to be translated.
It's therefore enjoyable to pick up a book mid series for the first time and enjoy it as a stand alone thriller. This is the ninth in the series although the fourth to be translated but it was none the less an excellent read and deserving of having recently won the Petrona award.
The two main characters are detective Wisting from the Danish police and his journalist daughter Line. A close neighbour is discovered in his home sat in his armchair clutching the TV remote, his body dried out having sat there for some six months. With no apparent suspicious circumstances Line decides to write a piece on why someone can die so alone in modern society. At the same time A body is discovered under a Christmas tree in a tree plantation similarly having lain there for some months but in very suspicious circs and a fingerprint is found that leads Wising and his team into a wide ranging investigation beyond the Danish borders as Christmas approaches and the snow arrives.
This was a really good read, perhaps enhanced by the short chapters and the focus being on plot although not to the detriment of character development. It was well paced with a strong feeling of threat and some good false leads. At the moment I seem to be reading a lot of Scandi crime and this stands out from many I've read, however it is always strange going backwards in a series rather than forwards but I am definitely going to look out 'Dregs' the first to be translated.