Published
by Mantel, 22 September 2016.
ISBN: 978-5098-948-6 (HB)
978-5098-949-3 (TPB)
Published by Pan,
9 March 2017.
ISBN: 978-1-5098-0950-9
March 1972. A boy arrives at the
door of Oslo detective Kolbjorn Kristiansen (K2), with a blood-stained knife in
his pocket. The police are hot on his trail, but he insists he’s innocent of
the stabbing of politician Per Johan Frederiksen. Soon we find out there are
plenty of other people who wanted the politician dead: a business rival, his
family, his mistress, and the party and country he was about to betray ...
Hans
Olav Lahlum writes in the ‘puzzle’ tradition of Agatha Christie, and the novels
are narrated by K2 himself, the Hastings to Patricia, the Poirot of the series,
a rich young woman who has been confined to a wheelchair since the accident in
which she lost her parents. The novel’s narrated in a naive style which
reflects K2’s plodding and sometimes simplistic thought processes – an adult
Adrian Mole without the humour – and I did find this got tedious in a novel of this
length, almost twice as long as a genuine Agatha Christie. In part this was
because there was a double puzzle to solve – as well as the present-day murder,
Frederiksen was also involved in murder in 1932, the unexplained death of his
sister-in-law. The suspects are numerous, and there are numerous twists and
surprises as the body-count mounts. K2’s relationship with Patricia is
complicated by his engagement to Miriam, and he has difficulty in juggling the
two women in his life, especially as Miriam wants to take Patricia’s place in
helping him with the investigation.
A
classic-style puzzle set against the backdrop of Norway’s EU vote in 1972.
------
Reviewer:
Marsali Taylor
Hans
Olav Lahlum born 12
September 1973, is a Norwegian historian, crime author, chess player and
organizer, and politician. He has written biographies on Oscar Torp and Haakon
Lie, and a history book about all the Presidents of the United States.
Marsali Taylor grew up near Edinburgh, and came to Shetland as a
newly-qualified teacher. She is currently a part-time teacher on Shetland's
scenic west side, living with her husband and two Shetland ponies. Marsali is a
qualified STGA tourist-guide who is fascinated by history, and has published
plays in Shetland's distinctive dialect, as well as a history of women's
suffrage in Shetland. She's also a keen sailor who enjoys exploring in her own
8m yacht, and an active member of her local drama group. Marsali also does a regular monthly column
for the Mystery People e-zine.
www.marsalitaylor.co.uk
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