Protected by the Shadows

Inspector Huss #10

by Helene Tursten, Marlaine Delargy (Translation)

With gang violence escaling in Goteborg, Sweden, the Organized Crimes Unit pairs with the Violent Crimes Unit to help defuse the situation. But could there be a mole on the force?
In this final installment of the internationally bestselling Irene Huss investigations, the gang warfare that has been brewing in Goteborg is about to explode. A member of a notorious biker gang has been set on fire--alive. Even in a culture where ritual killings are common, this brutal assault attracts the attention of both Irene's unit and the Organized Crimes Unit. Anticipating a counterattack, the two units team up to patrol the lavish party of a rival gang, but that doesn't stop another murder from occurring just outside the event hall.
And that's not the only thing going up in flames. Someone has planted a bomb under Irene's husband's car. Fearing for her family's safety, Irene sends her husband and daughters into hiding and takes up residence at a colleague's apartment. Still, she can't shake the feeling that she is being stalked. Somehow, the gangs are always one step ahead of the police. Someone is leaking information. But who? Irene's life depends on discovering the answer.

Genres: Mystery, Crime, Fiction, Sweden, Swedish Literature, Thriller, Scandinavian Literature

275 pages, Hardcover

First published March 1, 2012

About the author

Helene Tursten (born in Gothenburg in 1954) is a Swedish writer of crime fiction. The main character in her stories is Detective Inspector Irene Huss. Before becoming an author, Tursten worked as a nurse and then a dentist, but was forced to leave due to illness. During her illness she worked as a translator of medical articles.

Series:
* Irene Huss

Reviews

[Ken Fredette · Rating 5 out of 5]

I truly liked this story by Helene Tursten because it was filled with so much data and examples of characters that it was like almost several storys rolled into one. Irene's family of Krister, Jenny, and Katarina, and their dachshund, Egon were in peril as they had bought the restaurant Glady's from the previous owner and didn't know that they also were responsible for his previous debt to a biker group. Helene goes into detail of several murders and the ramifications later with the biker groups into a person giving them the plans the police have enabling them to kill with immunity. Much later things are planed to have the biker groups meet to establish territory and then they were destroyed by a third group trying to take over. Seems messy but it does make sense. Irene saves a little boy from a bomb when all the bikers meeting was going on and the story ends with her family coming back hame. I like this story because Helene kept every one up to date with what was happening. She never let it drag along with unwanted facts. My kind of read.

[Cathy Cole · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's sad to see this series come to an end, but it certainly goes out on a strong note. Protected by the Shadows is filled with bodies, bombs, informants, and danger. Tursten keeps the level of suspense high from beginning to end. I was particularly happy to see that everything was handled intelligently. When Irene's family is forced into hiding, every detail is done the right way. Irene may be very frightened, but she keeps her head and keeps on working-- refusing to stop until the bad guys are caught and everyone is safe. It is such a treat to read a high-octane story like this and not witness any of the characters doing something stupid.

This series has been a favorite of mine from the first book, both for the investigations and for the characters and the insight into their daily lives. I will miss not reading new adventures for Irene Huss, but I have to admit that I'm wondering if Helene Tursten has something new up her sleeve.

[Holger Sch. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ich will alles von ihr lesen! 😉

[Jane · Rating 3 out of 5]

Is this the end of Irene Huss? I hope not - it's a terrific series.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Is this really the last Irene Huss book? If so, the series is ending on a high note. Relationship-wise, all is right in her family. The plot of this gangland thriller is action packed - it almost read like a film. It completely separates Irene from her family and she focuses on police work. A lot of the tensions within her dept are also resolved here, though there is a mole which is a secondary plot point, and they must figure out who that is.

Fast-paced and able to keep you guessing, this would end the series on a high note. The sudden turning of Gotesburg into a city with lots of gang activity, akin to LA or Chicago, seemed a bit of a stretch, but otherwise the story worked. I do hope that if this is the last book in the series certain characters re-appear in Tursten's other books.

[Cathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the last book of the Irene Huss series. Like all the other books in the series this one is well written. What I like best is that the police are honestly portrayed as human beings. This book is a bit different because there is a personal angle to the crimes. That does give a new twist to Irene. It's one thing to protect the public but another to protect your family.

I liked this series and am sorry to see it end. But we were given a good ending and I can live with that.

I received a free copy of the book through the First Reads program.

[Paula Barrett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent

Very engrossing and informative. Inspector Huss is just as sardonic and insightful as always and finally gets to display her athletic prowess. Tursten once again brings her characters to life with brutal force and touching moments that reveal themselves in unlikely, but well placed areas of the story. I enjoyed this book and highly recommend.

[Sherry · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’m sorry to say that I didn’t care for this book. The dire message about the gangs came through loud and clear. But I found the story itself lacking. I guessed who the mole was halfway through the book. I found there were too many gangs and names and I found it difficult to keep track. I’m sorry to see the end of the main characters because I liked them and their relationships with each other.

[Amy Large · Rating 5 out of 5]

I hear this may be the last book in the Irene Huss series, which I hope is just a vicious rumor. I enjoy Ms. Tursten's writings, and I think the translations are usually very good. Irene Huss is an interesting and multifaceted character. In this particular novel, she faced so much violence but seldom lost her cool! I hope this is not the end for Irene!

[Connie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm sad that this is the last of the Inspector Irene Huss series. It's filled with bodies, bombs, informants and dangerous events. I loved reading about Irene and her family. This is a great ending for a wonderful series. It definitely helps to read these in order.
Highly recommended!

[Maggie Dugan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really like Irene Huss and am disappointed this is the last in the series. Will be interesting to see what Helene Tursten does next

[Carol Turner · Rating 4 out of 5]

I hate that this is the last installment. I've really enjoyed Irene Huss. That said, this is a good ending to the series.

[Hans · Rating 4 out of 5]

This volume closes out the Inspector Irene Huss series. The series gives page-time to relationships at home with Irene's family, relationships at work, and of course the current case. This time around, we have the seeds of a war between rival biker gangs...and a direct threat to Irene's family.

I started reading these "in preparation" for a trip to Sweden a few years ago. A couple of the books were lighter on the Swedish references, but this volume has a couple full-on-Swedish references. Beyond the food, we have this item focusing a reference to a song of the summer:

"The twenty-fifth...that's when it all goes bang!"

Irene hadn't misinterpreted his expression; he really was smiling. And wasn't what he had just said a line from the chorus of a Magnus Uggla hit from years ago, "King for a Day"? Surely Kazan couldn't be referring to the song, or could he?

Two big plot twists are relatively easy to work out, but my interest in the series has always been for the Swedish slice of life references.

There is also a reference to Karlstad (where my friends live):

However, they did have a cover story ready if it became necessary: Irene was his cousin. She had lived in Karlstad for many years; and was staying with Tommy while she was taking a course in Göteborg.

Finally, a few quick food/other references:
--"Who would call and order a kebab pizza with extra sauce late on a Saturday night?"
--"The evening was chilly, and the smell of charred meat lingered in the air. She could hear loud laughter from the backyard of one of the neighboring houses; she supposed someone had left the sausages on the barbecue for rather too long. Or maybe there was a crayfish party in full swing, with sausages for the kids. She felt a stab of longing for company, good food and wine. She missed her family; she wanted her life back."
--"Tommy had laid out toast, coffee, eggs and herring." (herring in mustard sauce)
--Another party: "Speakers had been placed by the open windows, facing onto the yard, and the soundtrack from Mama Mia! came pouring out."

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Protected by the Shadows, Inspector Irene Huss #10. FINAL. Helene Thurston (Sweden) iBook pre ordered.

This is just not a good year for me, a person who likes to read series! Another final!!!! BUT I just hope it is not really as I truly enjoy this character her professional and her personal life is so well depicted and Helene Thurston tells a very good story. Wish there was more to read by her and more writer’s like her. This story also was interesting as I recall a former colleague of mine leaving to return to Scandinavia to work on a very big biker case....of which there have been many over the years there and indeed everywhere.

Irene and her family are threatened by a series of connected occurrences and it is up to Irene and her colleagues to get to the bottom of all the killings and bombs. Meanwhile Irene and her family need to protect themselves. The biker gangs are in conflict and the bodies add up. Good storytelling and twists. Very good reading as always.

[Martina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reading an advance edition of this book, which is scheduled for US publication from Soho Crime on December 5, 2017. The book was originally published in Sweden in 2012. The Mystery Book Group read the first in this series, Detective Inspector Huss, in October 2011. The plot involves the increasing problems with biker gangs in Sweden. The gang wars, murders, drugs, and then protection racquets touch close to home for Irene and her chef husband Krister. This story starts in flames and gets even hotter!

This has been a really good series, enhanced by the terrific Swedish films based on the books which has been shown on MHz tv channel. I think the films are available in DVD from MHz on line. The one unhappy thing was the comment 'In this final installment...' that begins the description of the book on the Advance Readers Copy. Thanks to my former work buddy Jenny who sent me the ARC after Book Expo this year.

[Rog Harrison · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the tenth book in a police procedural series (ten books in all) set in Goteborg, Sweden and the second book in this series which I have read. I like the character of Detective Inspector Irene Huss.

The story deals with motorcycle gangs who are running drugs and operating protection rackets against restaurants. Irene's husband has just taken over a restaurant when it is the subject of a bomb attack so Irene is involved personally as well as being a police officer. When a member of one the gangs is burned alive the police fear a gang war and indeed there are many deaths by the end of the book. The story is told in a matter of fact style but I enjoyed this book.

I will definitely look for more books in this series and will probably try some of the author's other books too.

[CherylB · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the tenth book in this series. Inspector Irene Huss has a lot to contend with in this story. Kristen has bought the restaurant where he had been working. Some plants a bomb underneath his car. The gang war is heating up. And there is a traitor in their ranks. The gangs are always ready when there is a raid. Several leaders have been murdered in the most gruesome ways. Through is all Irene is determined to find the threat to her families. Both by blood and work. This one had me guessing throughout. And I thoroughly enjoyed this fast paced story.

The audiobook is narrated by Suzanne Toren. She does an excellent job bringing these characters to life.

[Jack Williamson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have totally enjoyed this series which I have read in order. Tursten staggers each book over a significant period so the series begins with her 2 daughters as children and ends with them as adults. What I particularly enjoyed was seeing how much her entire family, even her dogs Sammy and Egon, were integrated into every book and made her so real. Even though most of the crimes were usually pretty gruesome, she had the ability to make them integral to the story. This last book in the series ended in a nice way but did not close the door to future stories.

[Aaron · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm sad to say that I've now finished the DI Irene Huss novels, and the last novel, just like the 9 previous didn't disappoint! Tursten is an author who values the set-up more than her many contemporaries, and the extensive background word really enhances the feeling of the story and the ultimate climax. Additionally, Irene Huss is relatable rather than a superhero, making her a character that readers easily identify with. I know this is the end of the series, but I'm hopeful that Tursten will find ways to keep Huss and the rest of the Göteborg squad around in her future novels!

[Barbara Postleb · Rating 3 out of 5]

Protected by the Shadows is the first book I've read in this series. It's suspenseful & entertaining enough with likable characters to have kept me going. The presence of gangs & their control over certain aspects in our daily life is frightening & one can only hope that police forces worldwide will never cease trying to eradicate them. This book won't be published here in the USA until December 2017

[Deborah Klein · Rating 2 out of 5]

Terrible book. Disjointed, wordy, more a tutorial on motorcycle mores in Scandinavia than a murder mystery. There is little mystery here. I have read all of Helene Tursten’s mysteries and pretty much enjoyed them until this one. If she is ending the series w/ this one, it is pretty much a good idea. BTW Ms. Tursten’s, “Mafia” refers to Italian crime gangs. It’s not just a term for any organized crime.

[Julia Wilson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Protected by the Shadows is the ninth book in this series (Inspector Irene Huss Investigation) but the first I had read. The story, involving rival gangs and drugs, moved along briskly but at times felt clunky. I would chalk this up to translation but I don't know much about translating fiction and since I haven't read any of the others, I don't know if they all have the same feel. Overall, not interesting enough that I would look for another by this author.

[Catherine Woodman · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book has both a big and a small scope. Irene is involved with an escalating gang war, as well as Kristof and her daughters being in danger. Kristof has bought the restaurant where he has worked for years, but unbeknownst to him, the former owner had unpaid gambling debts that the gang has transferred to Kristof. While they try to find a solution to his dilemma they all disappear and in the mean time Irene goes into hiding and a final scene plays out.

[Kyrie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Iren's police force is fighting two drug rings, and one of them is threatening her family, as well as Krister's restaurant. She sends the family away to be safe, and she hides out herself, in the evenings. The insights into drug ring politics in Sweden were interesting. Trying to figure out who the informer was in the police force kept me on edge and worried for Irene. Not sure why this is the last in the series, but I'll be trying some of Huss' other books.

[Resalo · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the last in the Irene Huss series to be translated into English. I eagerly await the next installment. In this mystery once again the motorcycle gangs of Goteborg threaten the streets and Irene Huss and her family are drawn into their extortion plot. A page turner with strong character development.

[Eleanor A. Maddock · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best yet!!

I've been a fan of this series from the beginning, but this is far and away the best installment yet. The characters (Irene, her husband, best friend Tommy) have grown and evolved into complex and relatable people. The story is complex but still entirely believable. Good stuff!

[Kelly Callaghan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Irene Huss and her team join with the Organised Crimes Unit to solve the increasingly violent crime spree and avoid a gang war between bikie gangs. In her personal life the violence come too close as her family are threatened snd go undercover. But there is leak in the department and as well as solving the murders Irene has to work out who is the leak, before it is too late.

[Kathy Cormier · Rating 5 out of 5]

So sad this series is over

I really enjoyed this series very much. I recommended it to friends and family who enjoy the same authors I do.. I found it is like a Kathy Reichs, Patricia Corn well and Linda Fairstein book. The characters developed over the series and the investigations were interesting , delivery and believable. I hope you enjoy this series as much as I did.

[Leslie · Rating 3 out of 5]

For whatever reason, I could not get this book to appear on here n English, but it is the English version that I read - Protected by the Shadows is the English title. It was a good book but not Tursten’s best, in my opinion.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Organized Crimes Unit and Violent Crimes unit work together to stop the escalation of rival gangs in Gothenburg. Detective Irene Huss is involved as her husband’s restaurant and best friend are targeted.