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Forkynderen
To myrdede kvinder, to hemmelige liv, et chokerende psykologisk spil.
Thorkild Christensen er præst i den lille landsby Roslinge, og en morgen findes hans kone, Karen, myrdet. Hendes død sender ham på opdagelse gennem hendes liv – et liv, som han hurtigt indser, han overhovedet ikke kender noget til. Da Frank Andersens søster, enspænderen Sanne, også bliver myrdet, forsøger Frank at finde ud af hvem hans søster egentlig var. Han opdager dimensioner, han ikke var klar over hun havde, og han fortæres af tanken om hævn.
Thea Krogh er kriminalinspektøren, der forsøger at optrævle mysteriet om de to mord. Hun fordyber sig i sagen og landsbylivet, men sandheden bliver ved med at være lige uden for rækkevidde. Hvad er det, hun ikke kan få øje på? Er der en forbindelse mellem de to mord og i så fald, hvad går dette dødelige spil ud på?
Forkynderen udforsker kærlighed, skyld, skam og tilgivelse, landsbylivet, sammenholdet og ensomheden. Den udforsker, hvordan en fortælling kan have indflydelse på et menneskes liv; hvordan vi ser os selv, hvordan andre ser os, om vi overhovedet virkelig kender hinanden, og om hvordan det er muligt at miste forbindelsen til nogen, som vi ser hver eneste dag.
Thorkild Christensen er præst i den lille landsby Roslinge, og en morgen findes hans kone, Karen, myrdet. Hendes død sender ham på opdagelse gennem hendes liv – et liv, som han hurtigt indser, han overhovedet ikke kender noget til. Da Frank Andersens søster, enspænderen Sanne, også bliver myrdet, forsøger Frank at finde ud af hvem hans søster egentlig var. Han opdager dimensioner, han ikke var klar over hun havde, og han fortæres af tanken om hævn.
Thea Krogh er kriminalinspektøren, der forsøger at optrævle mysteriet om de to mord. Hun fordyber sig i sagen og landsbylivet, men sandheden bliver ved med at være lige uden for rækkevidde. Hvad er det, hun ikke kan få øje på? Er der en forbindelse mellem de to mord og i så fald, hvad går dette dødelige spil ud på?
Forkynderen udforsker kærlighed, skyld, skam og tilgivelse, landsbylivet, sammenholdet og ensomheden. Den udforsker, hvordan en fortælling kan have indflydelse på et menneskes liv; hvordan vi ser os selv, hvordan andre ser os, om vi overhovedet virkelig kender hinanden, og om hvordan det er muligt at miste forbindelsen til nogen, som vi ser hver eneste dag.
382 pages, Hardcover
First published November 1, 2013
4 people are currently reading
295 people want to read
About the author
Sander Jakobsen
2 books6 followersSander Jakobsen is the pseudonym for Danish school teachers Dagmar Winther and Kenneth Degnbol.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
April 20, 2015
“Take responsibility for your own happiness, do not expect people or things to bring you happiness, or you could be disappointed.”
----Rodolfo Costa, author of self-help books
Sander Jakobsen, the pseudonym for Danish school teachers Dagmar Winther and Kenneth Degnbol, debuts as an author with their book, The Preacher , which is a Danish crime thriller set in Århus, in Denmark that centers around the double murder of two middle-aged women with no ties or connection between each other.
Synopsis:
Thorkild Christensen stares down at his murdered wife, Karen, and realizes he knows almost nothing about her. How did she fill her days? Where did she really go every Thursday? Detective Thea Krogh is determined to find out as she immerses herself in town life. Yet Karen's secrets elude her at every turn.
And then a second woman is shot dead.
There appears to be nothing to link the two dead women. But there is something, they just can't see it. Someone who knows all the pieces. Someone who is carefully knocking each piece into place, one by one. Someone who holds them all in the palm of his hand...
Thorkild is the vicar whose wife is found murdered in the lake near their home. Thea is the lead detective in this case who along with her sub-ordinates try to solve the identity and the motive behind this murder. Soon, another murder follows in the nearest city who is almost the same age of that of vicar's wife. Surprisingly, these two women have no connection between them, and have never met in their lifetime. The other woman's brother, Frank tries to figure out how a quiet and introvert woman like his sister can get murdered. As the story gets deeper, the connection between these two women gets mysterious, yet there is something which gives a feeling that they have a connection between them and certainly there is someone who will not allow the connection to be known at any cost!
For the first time author duo of Dagmar Winther and Kenneth Degnbol, they have skillfully crafted the whole plot from scratches. This is quite a long book, but it was necessary for them to lay out the whole plot and the characters intricately. The writing is fantastic and that makes the book one hell of an engrossing read. The pace is moderate since the author have portrayed quite a lot amount of back-story of almost all the characters. One thing that I pointed out while reading this book was that the authors are very keen to details, thus because of which I was able to visualize the scenes very vividly on my mind.
Sweden was just like Thea. Beautiful without being showy, natural without being foot-shaped. Neither flat like Denmark or steep like Norway.
They have used quite a lot of metaphors too.. which are really very beautiful to read!
The story is set in the second-largest city of Denmark- Århus. And since I've never been to that country, it was very enlightening and exciting for me to read about this city. From the city's grey skyline to the frost in the weather to the muddy-smell near the construction site to the cuisines and the delicacies eaten during the lunch hour to the demeanor of the Danish city-folks to the religious as well as the cultural back-ground of the towns-folks, everything has been captured and portrayed strikingly and vividly with intricacy. Thus in no-time, I was transported to this fascinating destination and felt the whole story unfolding in front of my eyes.
The characters were not the strongest aspect in this book, I felt the characters to be bit twisted and complicated in their own lives and minds, which was a tad bit uninteresting since there was no way, I felt connected to the characters. Although a lot of back-story is provided to support their complicated demeanor, still it was quite boring to read about them. Especially the vicar, Thorkild, his wife, Karen, who I'm still so clueless about her identity, Frank and his sister Sanne, in fact the detective, Theo too.
The mystery is brilliantly molded with a large number of twists and turns that compelled me to keep on reading the book. The modus-operandi of Danish police department is saliently depicted in the plot which sheds a lot of light into the background of a crime-solving. In short, the book will keep you on your edges with all those adrenaline rushing moments and with all those unexpected twists in the plot. I'm definitely looking forward in reading more from these authors.
Verdict: Don;t miss out this thoroughly gripping crime fiction which will keep you turning the pages of the book till the very end.
Courtesy: Thanks to the authors' publicist for giving me an opportunity to read and review their book.
----Rodolfo Costa, author of self-help books
Sander Jakobsen, the pseudonym for Danish school teachers Dagmar Winther and Kenneth Degnbol, debuts as an author with their book, The Preacher , which is a Danish crime thriller set in Århus, in Denmark that centers around the double murder of two middle-aged women with no ties or connection between each other.
Synopsis:
Thorkild Christensen stares down at his murdered wife, Karen, and realizes he knows almost nothing about her. How did she fill her days? Where did she really go every Thursday? Detective Thea Krogh is determined to find out as she immerses herself in town life. Yet Karen's secrets elude her at every turn.
And then a second woman is shot dead.
There appears to be nothing to link the two dead women. But there is something, they just can't see it. Someone who knows all the pieces. Someone who is carefully knocking each piece into place, one by one. Someone who holds them all in the palm of his hand...
Thorkild is the vicar whose wife is found murdered in the lake near their home. Thea is the lead detective in this case who along with her sub-ordinates try to solve the identity and the motive behind this murder. Soon, another murder follows in the nearest city who is almost the same age of that of vicar's wife. Surprisingly, these two women have no connection between them, and have never met in their lifetime. The other woman's brother, Frank tries to figure out how a quiet and introvert woman like his sister can get murdered. As the story gets deeper, the connection between these two women gets mysterious, yet there is something which gives a feeling that they have a connection between them and certainly there is someone who will not allow the connection to be known at any cost!
For the first time author duo of Dagmar Winther and Kenneth Degnbol, they have skillfully crafted the whole plot from scratches. This is quite a long book, but it was necessary for them to lay out the whole plot and the characters intricately. The writing is fantastic and that makes the book one hell of an engrossing read. The pace is moderate since the author have portrayed quite a lot amount of back-story of almost all the characters. One thing that I pointed out while reading this book was that the authors are very keen to details, thus because of which I was able to visualize the scenes very vividly on my mind.
Sweden was just like Thea. Beautiful without being showy, natural without being foot-shaped. Neither flat like Denmark or steep like Norway.
They have used quite a lot of metaphors too.. which are really very beautiful to read!
The story is set in the second-largest city of Denmark- Århus. And since I've never been to that country, it was very enlightening and exciting for me to read about this city. From the city's grey skyline to the frost in the weather to the muddy-smell near the construction site to the cuisines and the delicacies eaten during the lunch hour to the demeanor of the Danish city-folks to the religious as well as the cultural back-ground of the towns-folks, everything has been captured and portrayed strikingly and vividly with intricacy. Thus in no-time, I was transported to this fascinating destination and felt the whole story unfolding in front of my eyes.
The characters were not the strongest aspect in this book, I felt the characters to be bit twisted and complicated in their own lives and minds, which was a tad bit uninteresting since there was no way, I felt connected to the characters. Although a lot of back-story is provided to support their complicated demeanor, still it was quite boring to read about them. Especially the vicar, Thorkild, his wife, Karen, who I'm still so clueless about her identity, Frank and his sister Sanne, in fact the detective, Theo too.
The mystery is brilliantly molded with a large number of twists and turns that compelled me to keep on reading the book. The modus-operandi of Danish police department is saliently depicted in the plot which sheds a lot of light into the background of a crime-solving. In short, the book will keep you on your edges with all those adrenaline rushing moments and with all those unexpected twists in the plot. I'm definitely looking forward in reading more from these authors.
Verdict: Don;t miss out this thoroughly gripping crime fiction which will keep you turning the pages of the book till the very end.
Courtesy: Thanks to the authors' publicist for giving me an opportunity to read and review their book.
December 11, 2023
A bit disappointed. The blurb said it was ‘The electrifying Danish thriller.’ It felt anything but to me. Story of a vicars wife being murdered and then a second woman is shot. The vicar Thorkild Christensen finds out he really didn’t know much about his wife.
I couldn’t relate closely to any of the characters. I found the build up slow and the denouement a tad contrived. In addition the joint writers did the translation themselves and probably should have used someone else.
I couldn’t relate closely to any of the characters. I found the build up slow and the denouement a tad contrived. In addition the joint writers did the translation themselves and probably should have used someone else.
July 16, 2015
I think my main problem with this book was maybe it was lost in translation. It just felt heavy, I thought it would never end, not a good feeling when you are reading. It was sometimes like wading through mud. The story was actually full of potential but frustrating also in the way the characters got in the way of the police investigation. The conclusion was also bizarre. Maybe it was first time syndrome and this will become a series and improve.
July 22, 2017
The Preacher, a Nordic Noir mystery/thriller by Dagmar Winther and Kenneth Degnbol, a.k.a. Sander Jakobsen, offers a beautiful prose narrative. Not surprisingly for Scandinavian crime fiction, the style leans toward the literary. It’s the story of two murders, each of a woman, apparently unrelated. As the police draw closer to solving the first, they realize the second is indeed closely related.
The novel opens with the murder of the wife of the vicar of a small Danish village. The writing is evocative throughout. After the investigative team has finished their work, “Then, once again, calm spread its wide blanket over the vicarage.” And as the vicar stands looking over the disarray, “His body had sensed and recorded it, the distance to reality dulled by death itself.” When he walks around the house observing all the little memorabilia of his dead wife, they are like “treasures in a museum, when Karen’s death in small incomprehensible bits invaded and claimed him.”
The main characters—Thorkild, the vicar; Frank, the brother of the second murder victim; Birgitte, the old girlfriend who moves in with the vicar to take care of him after his wife’s murder; and Thea, the detective from Copenhagen, who is drawn into the case emotionally as well as professionally—are well developed, very human, and sympathetic. These are people the reader pulls for, identifies with.
If I have complaints about the novel, they have to do with point-of-view and plot, especially the impact of point-of-view on plot. The point-of-view is third person subjective, alternating between all the main characters and even some of the lesser ones. The result in this case is that the reader struggles to find a sympathetic center. The novel is titled The Preacher, so one would assume that the vicar is intended to be that center. But, in fact, the detective, Thea, often steals that role. The problem becomes that none of the characters take control of narrative perspective. In the end, the point of view is diffuse and unsatisfying.
This diffuse p.o.v. reflects, and to some degree creates, a diffuse narrative structure as the novel attempts to juggle and maintain several competing plot lines—solving the first murder, solving the second murder, the relationship of Thorkild and Frank, the relationship of Thea and Thorkild, and the role of the killer in all of these. I began to feel like a ping-pong ball, going back and forth, never landing on a narrative thread I could anchor everything to. The title role of the novel—the role of “Preacher”—can ultimately be applied not only to the vicar, but to Frank, who preaches an angry laissez faire philosophy, or to the killer, who “preaches” a Nietzschean doctrine of the Superman. At times the “preaching” overcomes the narrative drama.
BUT, in spite of all this, I consider the novel a good read. The problems are technical, and perhaps my pet peeves, rather than total failures in the story.
The novel opens with the murder of the wife of the vicar of a small Danish village. The writing is evocative throughout. After the investigative team has finished their work, “Then, once again, calm spread its wide blanket over the vicarage.” And as the vicar stands looking over the disarray, “His body had sensed and recorded it, the distance to reality dulled by death itself.” When he walks around the house observing all the little memorabilia of his dead wife, they are like “treasures in a museum, when Karen’s death in small incomprehensible bits invaded and claimed him.”
The main characters—Thorkild, the vicar; Frank, the brother of the second murder victim; Birgitte, the old girlfriend who moves in with the vicar to take care of him after his wife’s murder; and Thea, the detective from Copenhagen, who is drawn into the case emotionally as well as professionally—are well developed, very human, and sympathetic. These are people the reader pulls for, identifies with.
If I have complaints about the novel, they have to do with point-of-view and plot, especially the impact of point-of-view on plot. The point-of-view is third person subjective, alternating between all the main characters and even some of the lesser ones. The result in this case is that the reader struggles to find a sympathetic center. The novel is titled The Preacher, so one would assume that the vicar is intended to be that center. But, in fact, the detective, Thea, often steals that role. The problem becomes that none of the characters take control of narrative perspective. In the end, the point of view is diffuse and unsatisfying.
This diffuse p.o.v. reflects, and to some degree creates, a diffuse narrative structure as the novel attempts to juggle and maintain several competing plot lines—solving the first murder, solving the second murder, the relationship of Thorkild and Frank, the relationship of Thea and Thorkild, and the role of the killer in all of these. I began to feel like a ping-pong ball, going back and forth, never landing on a narrative thread I could anchor everything to. The title role of the novel—the role of “Preacher”—can ultimately be applied not only to the vicar, but to Frank, who preaches an angry laissez faire philosophy, or to the killer, who “preaches” a Nietzschean doctrine of the Superman. At times the “preaching” overcomes the narrative drama.
BUT, in spite of all this, I consider the novel a good read. The problems are technical, and perhaps my pet peeves, rather than total failures in the story.
April 5, 2016
In some ways this elevated itself above other Nordic crime novels I have read - the central characters more believable and likeable, the writing style more descriptive and warm (I believe the authors translated the book themselves, which may have had an impact where the style is concerned - several Scandi-crime books I have read have felt cold and blunt in the translation), and the plot pretty interesting and unusual too - the deaths of two women connected via various shady characters and charlatans.
However, at times the descriptive style and the discussions of theology and morals all got a bit confusing and over the top. It took a long time to get going, and in a sense it took a while to finish up too - and didn't (imho) really have a satisfying ending for the reader. Realistic in many ways for it to not be neat and contained, but as a novel this gave it an unresolved feeling that atop of having lost me in the wordiness made me only moderately enjoy the book.
However, at times the descriptive style and the discussions of theology and morals all got a bit confusing and over the top. It took a long time to get going, and in a sense it took a while to finish up too - and didn't (imho) really have a satisfying ending for the reader. Realistic in many ways for it to not be neat and contained, but as a novel this gave it an unresolved feeling that atop of having lost me in the wordiness made me only moderately enjoy the book.
November 25, 2017
Overall, I would say yes I enjoyed this book but I can't help feeling I've not fully understood it - particularly the reasoning behind why some of the characters acted as they did.
From the prologue we know the killer is a man (but not who it is!) & that he has answers to Karen's murder that Thorkild, her husband, needs. I expected some further clarification to this encounter to occur towards the end of the book but nothing was forthcoming & the ending itself I found confusing too. To be honest, I've not really anything else to say about it....
From the prologue we know the killer is a man (but not who it is!) & that he has answers to Karen's murder that Thorkild, her husband, needs. I expected some further clarification to this encounter to occur towards the end of the book but nothing was forthcoming & the ending itself I found confusing too. To be honest, I've not really anything else to say about it....
July 17, 2014
A Great New Danish Crime Writing Duo
Welcome to The Preacher by Sander Jakobsen male female writing partnerships who in Denmark have achieved critical and more importantly commercial success. With The Preacher they are going to repeat that success over here because their writing is fluid, clear and stunning. Think of The Killing and its dark moody atmosphere and you have it here in spades, the only difference we are not in Copenhagen but out in East Jutland.
The book which is broken in to three parts in which you can see are the natural breaks in the story as you head towards the conclusion. We open with the vicar sat outside the prison awaiting the release of someone who he wants to talk to and find out why his wife had to die - he does not get the answer. The book opens with the murder of Karen Christensen the wife of the local vicar of Roslinge and the introduction of Detective Thea Krogh who is sent to investigate the murder. As the murder investigation goes on it gets bogged down with the no reason for the murder and who the murderer may be. Then there is another murder in a neighbouring town which seems to have nothing whatsoever to do with the Christensen murder, or is there a connection?
We are led on a wonderful search for clues up countryside lanes and the wonderful summer houses of Denmark. Dashing from town to town chasing down those clues looking for suspects and looking for links between two possibly three murdered women, only the killer knows for sure. We do not know who the killer maybe or the reasons until late in the book and then we still have to question whether we know the full story. Which leaves the book on an interesting cliff hanger for the follow up book and if it takes up where this left off they we will be on a winner.
The characters in this book are complicated like we all are in life and we see them looking for an explanation of what has happened as we all would. Whether they get it is a different matter and one you need to read for yourself. All aspects of a rural village life are examined and how everybody knows each other's business and gossip rules.
This really is a fantastic, brooding dark Scandi crime novel from this new writing duo and long may they continue with their efforts. I loved the characters and the atmosphere that has been created in this novel and it is easy to picture in your mind as you read. This is one of the best crime debut novels that I have read!
Welcome to The Preacher by Sander Jakobsen male female writing partnerships who in Denmark have achieved critical and more importantly commercial success. With The Preacher they are going to repeat that success over here because their writing is fluid, clear and stunning. Think of The Killing and its dark moody atmosphere and you have it here in spades, the only difference we are not in Copenhagen but out in East Jutland.
The book which is broken in to three parts in which you can see are the natural breaks in the story as you head towards the conclusion. We open with the vicar sat outside the prison awaiting the release of someone who he wants to talk to and find out why his wife had to die - he does not get the answer. The book opens with the murder of Karen Christensen the wife of the local vicar of Roslinge and the introduction of Detective Thea Krogh who is sent to investigate the murder. As the murder investigation goes on it gets bogged down with the no reason for the murder and who the murderer may be. Then there is another murder in a neighbouring town which seems to have nothing whatsoever to do with the Christensen murder, or is there a connection?
We are led on a wonderful search for clues up countryside lanes and the wonderful summer houses of Denmark. Dashing from town to town chasing down those clues looking for suspects and looking for links between two possibly three murdered women, only the killer knows for sure. We do not know who the killer maybe or the reasons until late in the book and then we still have to question whether we know the full story. Which leaves the book on an interesting cliff hanger for the follow up book and if it takes up where this left off they we will be on a winner.
The characters in this book are complicated like we all are in life and we see them looking for an explanation of what has happened as we all would. Whether they get it is a different matter and one you need to read for yourself. All aspects of a rural village life are examined and how everybody knows each other's business and gossip rules.
This really is a fantastic, brooding dark Scandi crime novel from this new writing duo and long may they continue with their efforts. I loved the characters and the atmosphere that has been created in this novel and it is easy to picture in your mind as you read. This is one of the best crime debut novels that I have read!
September 8, 2016
I've wanted to read more 'Scandi-crime' for a while and when I saw the cover for this book it immediately jumped out at me. Sander Jakobsen is a pseudonym for the Danish writing duo Dagmar Winther and Kenneth Degnbol. I was interested to read a book written by a duo to see what dynamic that would bring to the story.
I loved the setting for the book. Mostly the crime fiction books I read are set in London or the US so to visit a place I've never visited and don't know much about is always exciting. There's a real sense of place with this book and I really felt as if I was a part of it. It doesn't automatically feel like a translated novel, the writing and language is excellent and I found out after reading the authors translated it themselves. The character names and place names are of course very different and for me take some getting used to!
Plot wise it's hard to talk about the book in that regard too much. I often give away too much of the plot in my reviews and have been trying to do less of that! The whole premise of the book feels very real. It isn't particularly sensationalist or over the top. The aim of the duo was to write a true to life story, as not all murders are committed by crazed psychopaths but normal people under pressure. That in itself makes this a scarier read than normal as it isn't all that hard to imagine. The book certainly keeps you on your toes and guessing throughout. I was wrong countless times. A fantastic cliffhanger will lead nicely into the next novel of which there will definitely be one I hope!
The characters are all brilliantly crafted and unique and very different from the sorts of characters I am used to reading about. Ultimately it's a very suspenseful and gripping novel with a heart stopping twist and a brilliant ending. I can't wait to see what's to come from this duo in the future.
I loved the setting for the book. Mostly the crime fiction books I read are set in London or the US so to visit a place I've never visited and don't know much about is always exciting. There's a real sense of place with this book and I really felt as if I was a part of it. It doesn't automatically feel like a translated novel, the writing and language is excellent and I found out after reading the authors translated it themselves. The character names and place names are of course very different and for me take some getting used to!
Plot wise it's hard to talk about the book in that regard too much. I often give away too much of the plot in my reviews and have been trying to do less of that! The whole premise of the book feels very real. It isn't particularly sensationalist or over the top. The aim of the duo was to write a true to life story, as not all murders are committed by crazed psychopaths but normal people under pressure. That in itself makes this a scarier read than normal as it isn't all that hard to imagine. The book certainly keeps you on your toes and guessing throughout. I was wrong countless times. A fantastic cliffhanger will lead nicely into the next novel of which there will definitely be one I hope!
The characters are all brilliantly crafted and unique and very different from the sorts of characters I am used to reading about. Ultimately it's a very suspenseful and gripping novel with a heart stopping twist and a brilliant ending. I can't wait to see what's to come from this duo in the future.
August 1, 2015
Bitterly disappointing I'm afraid. Not helped by clunky translation with quite a few mistakes which had not been spotted by proof readers. The basic premise is a good one but there are too many long sections which do not add to the story and slow down the progress of the novel.
July 22, 2020
I really love Scandinavian thrillers because they're always so clever and detailed and this was no different, but for some reason I really struggled to get into it - I'm not sure why because the plot and writing were good!
January 16, 2026
Didn't hate it, didn't love it... a bit too much details imo, stretched out chapters and i personally wasn't fully satisfied with the ending. however the book was well written and the storyline was overall interesting
December 2, 2013
A Great New Danish Crime Writing Duo
Welcome to The Preacher by Sander Jakobsen male female writing partnerships who in Denmark have achieved critical and more importantly commercial success. With The Preacher they are going to repeat that success over here because their writing is fluid, clear and stunning. Think of The Killing and its dark moody atmosphere and you have it here in spades, the only difference we are not in Copenhagen but out in East Jutland.
The book which is broken in to three parts in which you can see are the natural breaks in the story as you head towards the conclusion. We open with the vicar sat outside the prison awaiting the release of someone who he wants to talk to and find out why his wife had to die – he does not get the answer. The book opens with the murder of Karen Christensen the wife of the local vicar of Roslinge and the introduction of Detective Thea Krogh who is sent to investigate the murder. As the murder investigation goes on it gets bogged down with the no reason for the murder and who the murderer may be. Then there is another murder in a neighbouring town which seems to have nothing whatsoever to do with the Christensen murder, or is there a connection?
We are led on a wonderful search for clues up countryside lanes and the wonderful summer houses of Denmark. Dashing from town to town chasing down those clues looking for suspects and looking for links between two possibly three murdered women, only the killer knows for sure. We do not know who the killer maybe or the reasons until late in the book and then we still have to question whether we know the full story. Which leaves the book on an interesting cliff hanger for the follow up book and if it takes up where this left off they we will be on a winner.
The characters in this book are complicated like we all are in life and we see them looking for an explanation of what has happened as we all would. Whether they get it is a different matter and one you need to read for yourself. All aspects of a rural village life are examined and how everybody knows each other’s business and gossip rules.
This really is a fantastic, brooding dark Scandi crime novel from this new writing duo and long may they continue with their efforts. I loved the characters and the atmosphere that has been created in this novel and it is easy to picture in your mind as you read. This is one of the best crime debut novels that I have read!
Welcome to The Preacher by Sander Jakobsen male female writing partnerships who in Denmark have achieved critical and more importantly commercial success. With The Preacher they are going to repeat that success over here because their writing is fluid, clear and stunning. Think of The Killing and its dark moody atmosphere and you have it here in spades, the only difference we are not in Copenhagen but out in East Jutland.
The book which is broken in to three parts in which you can see are the natural breaks in the story as you head towards the conclusion. We open with the vicar sat outside the prison awaiting the release of someone who he wants to talk to and find out why his wife had to die – he does not get the answer. The book opens with the murder of Karen Christensen the wife of the local vicar of Roslinge and the introduction of Detective Thea Krogh who is sent to investigate the murder. As the murder investigation goes on it gets bogged down with the no reason for the murder and who the murderer may be. Then there is another murder in a neighbouring town which seems to have nothing whatsoever to do with the Christensen murder, or is there a connection?
We are led on a wonderful search for clues up countryside lanes and the wonderful summer houses of Denmark. Dashing from town to town chasing down those clues looking for suspects and looking for links between two possibly three murdered women, only the killer knows for sure. We do not know who the killer maybe or the reasons until late in the book and then we still have to question whether we know the full story. Which leaves the book on an interesting cliff hanger for the follow up book and if it takes up where this left off they we will be on a winner.
The characters in this book are complicated like we all are in life and we see them looking for an explanation of what has happened as we all would. Whether they get it is a different matter and one you need to read for yourself. All aspects of a rural village life are examined and how everybody knows each other’s business and gossip rules.
This really is a fantastic, brooding dark Scandi crime novel from this new writing duo and long may they continue with their efforts. I loved the characters and the atmosphere that has been created in this novel and it is easy to picture in your mind as you read. This is one of the best crime debut novels that I have read!
August 29, 2014
Well, “Scandi Crime” as it is known – in this case Danish Crime – is a genre I am only just dipping my toe in the water with at the moment although I absolutely devour all the tv adaptations that come my way and always think, hey I should be reading these books. Up until now my main experience has been through The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, so when The Preacher by Danish writer duo Dagmar & Kenneth dropped through my door, I was very excited to read it – and boy was that a book and a half!
Following a variety of characters we are immersed into a police investigation into the deaths of two women – Thea Krogh lead investigator is stumped, there seems to be no motive or reason, but as we delve deeper, a truly horrifying picture emerges. Together with Thorkild Christensen, vicar and husband to one of the victims, Thea finds herself on the trail of a truly dangerous mind…
Some brilliant and evocative writing, a terrific sense of place and really intelligent character building gives a superb reading experience – highly addictive, often scary, yet with a stark realism to it especially with regards to the ebb and flow of the investigation itself, the whole thing had an edge and an ambience that really appealed to me as a reader. I adored Thorkild even though he was often a bit daft (and in my head he will ALWAYS be “the vicar”) and Thea is a really wonderfully drawn character as far as getting you involved goes. Add to them a supporting cast that all bring their own, often strange reasoning to events and you have a real character driven page turner.
The cover blurb describes it as “Electrifying” and really I can’t put it better than that myself – emotionally charged, the mystery element is also superb with subtle little twists and turns, hints and clues, always always driven by the characters experiences and interpretations, clever plot building at its best. Racking up the tension as we go, never QUITE sure where it is going to lead you and with a truly villainous villain sat right at the heart of it, if you are a lover of Crime Fiction this is like all your birthdays have come at once.
Excellent stuff. Highly Recommended!
Happy Reading Folks!
Following a variety of characters we are immersed into a police investigation into the deaths of two women – Thea Krogh lead investigator is stumped, there seems to be no motive or reason, but as we delve deeper, a truly horrifying picture emerges. Together with Thorkild Christensen, vicar and husband to one of the victims, Thea finds herself on the trail of a truly dangerous mind…
Some brilliant and evocative writing, a terrific sense of place and really intelligent character building gives a superb reading experience – highly addictive, often scary, yet with a stark realism to it especially with regards to the ebb and flow of the investigation itself, the whole thing had an edge and an ambience that really appealed to me as a reader. I adored Thorkild even though he was often a bit daft (and in my head he will ALWAYS be “the vicar”) and Thea is a really wonderfully drawn character as far as getting you involved goes. Add to them a supporting cast that all bring their own, often strange reasoning to events and you have a real character driven page turner.
The cover blurb describes it as “Electrifying” and really I can’t put it better than that myself – emotionally charged, the mystery element is also superb with subtle little twists and turns, hints and clues, always always driven by the characters experiences and interpretations, clever plot building at its best. Racking up the tension as we go, never QUITE sure where it is going to lead you and with a truly villainous villain sat right at the heart of it, if you are a lover of Crime Fiction this is like all your birthdays have come at once.
Excellent stuff. Highly Recommended!
Happy Reading Folks!
August 1, 2014
A brilliant crime thriller and quite skilled for a debut novel too. The characters, stories and crime depictions really hold you and you go through spates where you just can't stop reading. The way the story is told through different perspectives is what keeps you gripped - one story or scene told various ways. There are some great little twists which should keep you entertained too. Really looking forward to reading more.
February 23, 2015
Very briefly - a great debut but oh my, some bloopers in the translation that distracted me. This novel is intriguing and original but longer than it needs to be.
June 23, 2017
I really enjoyed this - the sense of how a small village works and how we can never really know someone.
October 26, 2021
Poorly translated, clunky dialogue, too much use of full name for every character.
February 16, 2017
I really am completely in two minds about this book. It's very slow right until the last pages. It sells itself as 'the electrifying Danish thriller'. I didn't find it electrifying in the least but rather quite a struggle to read. Then I read at the end that the co authors (there are two) translated the novel into English themselves and I did wonder if this was the best idea. Certainly there are a number of well drawn characters, the Preacher of the title, Thea the detective with her odd relationship with a married colleague. The murder victims are less well drawn, very pale insubstantial characters. The book is wordy - even after the apparent denouement Thorkild and a suspect spend the best part of 10 sides trying to understand, (with little success), the other's point of view.
Edit. I never read other's reviews until I have read a book myself. Having now read a few after writing the above, I see some one has described the writing as like wading through mud. My feelings exactly!
Edit. I never read other's reviews until I have read a book myself. Having now read a few after writing the above, I see some one has described the writing as like wading through mud. My feelings exactly!
January 14, 2018
I don't know whether I should have read some of the previous comments before I started mine because I tend to agree with bits of all them. Yes, there were lots of points of view - but I didn't mind that. Yes - there were some theological arguments that I didn't get or didn't agree with but such is live. Yes - there were some unresolved parts of the story but there was enough depth in the rest to (amost) make for it. I also found it interesting to be watching the TV series "Ride Upon the Storm" about a Danish theological family at the same time. The ideas in each helped me understand both.
The preacher is not an entirely satisfactory "police procedural" but its still a good read.
The preacher is not an entirely satisfactory "police procedural" but its still a good read.
December 11, 2020
I am not sure exactly what I think of this book. It was a murder mystery with one of the main characters a vicar, which appealed to me for obvious reasons for those who know me! He was a bit annoying at times, definitely flawed! (But aren't we all?!)
it could be slow moving at times. At times the translation made it a but cumbersome. It managed just about to keep the attention. The culprit wasn't what I expected and there were some questions left unanswered. Not a bad book at all, but not mind blowingly good either.
it could be slow moving at times. At times the translation made it a but cumbersome. It managed just about to keep the attention. The culprit wasn't what I expected and there were some questions left unanswered. Not a bad book at all, but not mind blowingly good either.
May 31, 2019
Another excellent Sandi crime thriller and one that kept me guessing until about halfway through, even then there were a few twists and turns before the end, and only at the end did the Prologue become chillingly clear. Believable characters and a good plot - recommended for a long winter's afternoon with some mulled wine.
June 5, 2017
Egentlig et rigtig godt plot, der kunne fortjene 4 stjerner, men manglende sproglig finish trækker ned.
June 17, 2025
Brilliant
July 15, 2014
Firstly I won the Goodreads Giveaway for this book so thank you to both Goodreads and the Publisher for this. Excited as always to receive a free book it arrived very quickly and in good condition which is always a pleasure.
Onto the review - I had a couple of reservations about this book so will deal with these first. This is a novel with two authors which I am always skeptical about - two writing styles can sometimes be disconcerting and off putting but I must say I couldn't tell which author had written which parts of the story and the flow of the novel was completely seamless, it wasn't 'choppy' and worked very well so was happy about that. Secondly, this is obviously a book translated out of it's native Scandinavian into English, translated books can sometimes be difficult to get to grips with and it can be obvious that it is a translation. Again, top marks to the authors as it was very well done and didn't detract from the story at all. So both concerns were put to rest very quickly!
The novel itself was a murder mystery told through various viewpoints from the victims relatives, the investigating detectives and even the 'victims' themselves in some parts. The different viewpoints made it an interesting read and led through to the conclusion of the case in a very satisfying way. It had a good mix of description, thoughts and conversation to keep you turning the pages. At first I did struggle with the 'foreign' names of places and people (apologies but I am very English!) but I quickly got over this and once into the thick of the book I didn't actually notice them anymore.
The book bounced along at a very good pace and was very entertaining, I have thoroughly enjoyed the whole experience from 'winning' through to receiving my copy and through to finishing the last page last night. Would recommend the book and wouldn't hesitate to read the next book by this writer/these writers - Good Debut!!!!!
Onto the review - I had a couple of reservations about this book so will deal with these first. This is a novel with two authors which I am always skeptical about - two writing styles can sometimes be disconcerting and off putting but I must say I couldn't tell which author had written which parts of the story and the flow of the novel was completely seamless, it wasn't 'choppy' and worked very well so was happy about that. Secondly, this is obviously a book translated out of it's native Scandinavian into English, translated books can sometimes be difficult to get to grips with and it can be obvious that it is a translation. Again, top marks to the authors as it was very well done and didn't detract from the story at all. So both concerns were put to rest very quickly!
The novel itself was a murder mystery told through various viewpoints from the victims relatives, the investigating detectives and even the 'victims' themselves in some parts. The different viewpoints made it an interesting read and led through to the conclusion of the case in a very satisfying way. It had a good mix of description, thoughts and conversation to keep you turning the pages. At first I did struggle with the 'foreign' names of places and people (apologies but I am very English!) but I quickly got over this and once into the thick of the book I didn't actually notice them anymore.
The book bounced along at a very good pace and was very entertaining, I have thoroughly enjoyed the whole experience from 'winning' through to receiving my copy and through to finishing the last page last night. Would recommend the book and wouldn't hesitate to read the next book by this writer/these writers - Good Debut!!!!!
September 14, 2014
(I received this book for free as part of Goodreads First Reads giveaways).
(This review may contain spoilers).
I thought the idea behind this book was quite interesting, but I had a lot of trouble keeping track of the secondary characters. The start of this book almost reminded me of the television series Columbo, where you know who committed the murder but not how. Although this book didn't exactly give it away, it did seem to reveal more than most. (Though that was contradicted as the book went on later...)
Thorkild and Frank were both, in my opinion, fairly interesting characters, but I was a bit disappointed that the book itself moved so slow. Plus, I couldn't really say there were many 'major' twists. I think there were so many side characters, I got confused with who was doing what at which point. And by the time I got to the end, I'd completely forgotten certain details.
The book was quite detailed and I was really impressed that the authors translated it themselves. I noticed a few instances of strange phrasing, but I've read books by English authors with worse spelling and grammar.
One of the problems I've noticed a lot with crime books is the incompetence of the police force. Although there were a few instances in this book that kind of came across that way (like sending the guy-just-from-the-academy onto an established case just cause he's your nephew), I was glad that the police came across as different to that.
It was interesting to see how things were fitting together and I came to a few of the same conclusions that the main characters did. If there had been fewer characters, I think I would have found the book a bit easier to follow. There were some scenes that were really quite effectively done, I felt. It was also interesting to read the interview with the authors at the end.
(This review may contain spoilers).
I thought the idea behind this book was quite interesting, but I had a lot of trouble keeping track of the secondary characters. The start of this book almost reminded me of the television series Columbo, where you know who committed the murder but not how. Although this book didn't exactly give it away, it did seem to reveal more than most. (Though that was contradicted as the book went on later...)
Thorkild and Frank were both, in my opinion, fairly interesting characters, but I was a bit disappointed that the book itself moved so slow. Plus, I couldn't really say there were many 'major' twists. I think there were so many side characters, I got confused with who was doing what at which point. And by the time I got to the end, I'd completely forgotten certain details.
The book was quite detailed and I was really impressed that the authors translated it themselves. I noticed a few instances of strange phrasing, but I've read books by English authors with worse spelling and grammar.
One of the problems I've noticed a lot with crime books is the incompetence of the police force. Although there were a few instances in this book that kind of came across that way (like sending the guy-just-from-the-academy onto an established case just cause he's your nephew), I was glad that the police came across as different to that.
It was interesting to see how things were fitting together and I came to a few of the same conclusions that the main characters did. If there had been fewer characters, I think I would have found the book a bit easier to follow. There were some scenes that were really quite effectively done, I felt. It was also interesting to read the interview with the authors at the end.
December 26, 2013
Jeg kastede mig over denne roman på anbefaling, den er i sandhed meget anderledes end de gængse krimier/thrillere. Den er sådan set udmærket i sproget, detaljerigdommen er virkelig stor, men jeg havde utrolig svært ved at fastholde interessen og var utrolig længe om at komme igennem bogen - Den er meget lang, ikke i sidetal, men den kører rigtig meget i tomgang med fyld, og trampen rundt uden at komme videre i handlingen. Dette i samme moment som den pludselig springer uger fremad i handlingen, gjorde udslaget for den langsommelige gennemlæsning.
Persongalleriet er mangfoldigt, få af dem kommer læseren ind under huden på, resten er perifære. Undtagen den skæve præst, fremstår ingen af dem levende eller realistiske, desværre heller ikke Thea, som må tænkes at være hovedpersonen også i den næste i serien.
Politiets arbejde er fuldkommen urealistisk, mangelfuldt og fyldt med inkompetence, næsten i en sådan grad, at det bliver tragikomisk - Løsningerne bliver alt for søgte, og spændingen udebliver fuldkommen.
Plottet kunne have været spændende, men jeg synes desværre ikke makkerparret formår at give det hverken pondus, realisme eller spænding. Så thriller, synes jeg afgjort ikke er den rette kategori for denne roman. Men jeg kom igennem, trak ind imellem på smilebåndet. Jeg håber på en markant fremgang i den næste i serien.
Persongalleriet er mangfoldigt, få af dem kommer læseren ind under huden på, resten er perifære. Undtagen den skæve præst, fremstår ingen af dem levende eller realistiske, desværre heller ikke Thea, som må tænkes at være hovedpersonen også i den næste i serien.
Politiets arbejde er fuldkommen urealistisk, mangelfuldt og fyldt med inkompetence, næsten i en sådan grad, at det bliver tragikomisk - Løsningerne bliver alt for søgte, og spændingen udebliver fuldkommen.
Plottet kunne have været spændende, men jeg synes desværre ikke makkerparret formår at give det hverken pondus, realisme eller spænding. Så thriller, synes jeg afgjort ikke er den rette kategori for denne roman. Men jeg kom igennem, trak ind imellem på smilebåndet. Jeg håber på en markant fremgang i den næste i serien.
May 31, 2015
I've read two Scandi crime novels called The Preacher now, the first by the Swedish author Camilla Läckberg, the second by a Danish writing duo who appear under the pseudonym Sander Jakobsen. I much prefer the first book.
Sander Jakobsen's debut novel The Preacher opens in a promising way; vicar Thorkild Christensen is waiting outside of a prison for his wife's murderer. I was immediately drawn in by this prologue, and perhaps I set my expectations too high for the rest of the book. I found the novel not to be bad, just very, very average. Beyond the prologue, it felt like your average Scandi crime novel by numbers. No characters were unique enough to jump out at me. The novel also felt drawn out and too long. For the first three quarters I felt as if the authors were not looking for a resolution to the crimes, but exploring the town again and again and again, the resolution being an afterthought and the main focus being the theme of life in a small town.
It's also worth a mention that the authors actually translated this themselves. They didn't do that bad a job, but there was some odd phrasing in places. I've read much worse translations, and much worse books in the genre.
Sander Jakobsen's debut novel The Preacher opens in a promising way; vicar Thorkild Christensen is waiting outside of a prison for his wife's murderer. I was immediately drawn in by this prologue, and perhaps I set my expectations too high for the rest of the book. I found the novel not to be bad, just very, very average. Beyond the prologue, it felt like your average Scandi crime novel by numbers. No characters were unique enough to jump out at me. The novel also felt drawn out and too long. For the first three quarters I felt as if the authors were not looking for a resolution to the crimes, but exploring the town again and again and again, the resolution being an afterthought and the main focus being the theme of life in a small town.
It's also worth a mention that the authors actually translated this themselves. They didn't do that bad a job, but there was some odd phrasing in places. I've read much worse translations, and much worse books in the genre.
July 6, 2015
Having had this book on my kindle for almost 12 months, I thought it was high time I read it. And as I am joining in the brilliant #NewAuthorForMe challenge, this was the perfect time to read it.
The book is based around a murder investigation. Where a couple of women have been killed. Thea Krogh is the lead detective in this murder investigation that kicks off when a vicar’s wife is found dead. There is soon another woman found dead. But are there any links to both women. Is there something that will join these murders together or are they just simply a coincidence.
It is a very interesting read, and one that will keep you guessing. I don’t want to give to much of the story away for fear of spoiling it.
But If you have not read this book, then it is worth giving it a go. Although I didn’t feel like I was sat on the edge of my seat, there was something there that keeps you wanting to read on. To discover what is coming next and wanting to know the outcome of the book.
An interesting read that will keep you occupied.
The book is based around a murder investigation. Where a couple of women have been killed. Thea Krogh is the lead detective in this murder investigation that kicks off when a vicar’s wife is found dead. There is soon another woman found dead. But are there any links to both women. Is there something that will join these murders together or are they just simply a coincidence.
It is a very interesting read, and one that will keep you guessing. I don’t want to give to much of the story away for fear of spoiling it.
But If you have not read this book, then it is worth giving it a go. Although I didn’t feel like I was sat on the edge of my seat, there was something there that keeps you wanting to read on. To discover what is coming next and wanting to know the outcome of the book.
An interesting read that will keep you occupied.
July 30, 2014
Really good book...not a typical crime novel where its fast paced but it builds up slowly and the characters are wonderfully written and its interesting to see how their relationships with each other develop throughout the book. The partnership between Thorkild and Frank is particularly endearing. Looking forward to the next book
July 30, 2014
I was lucky enough to win this in a Goodreads Givaway
This is well worth a read with a few unexpected twists. The only downfall is on a couple of occasions descriptions were a bit long winded but overall a very well written and an interesting read, as you get the viewpoint of those closest to the murder victims.
This is well worth a read with a few unexpected twists. The only downfall is on a couple of occasions descriptions were a bit long winded but overall a very well written and an interesting read, as you get the viewpoint of those closest to the murder victims.
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