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K2 #6
The Anthill Murders
1972. Across Oslo, a serial killer is hunting down young women. Each body found strangled and with a peculiar calling-card placed upon her body: a cut-out picture of an ant. The first victim is a timid theology student, the next a jazz singer, followed by the heir to one of the largest fortunes in Oslo. But despite Inspector K2’s best efforts to find a link, the only thing connecting them seems to be their murder. With Patricia’s intellect put to the test and increasing pressure from his boss as the clock ticks down to the next possible killing, K2 is in danger of losing his position as Oslo’s leading homicide detective.
480 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2014
6 people are currently reading
133 people want to read
About the author
Hans Olav Lahlum
46 books182 followersHans 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.
On May 22–23, 2013, he was interviewed by VG for 30 hours, 1 minute and 44 seconds, setting a Guinness World Record for the longest interview ever, beating the previous record by over four hours.
Lahlum is an active chess player with a FIDE rating of 2193 as of March 2014, having been an International Arbiter since 2000.
On May 22–23, 2013, he was interviewed by VG for 30 hours, 1 minute and 44 seconds, setting a Guinness World Record for the longest interview ever, beating the previous record by over four hours.
Lahlum is an active chess player with a FIDE rating of 2193 as of March 2014, having been an International Arbiter since 2000.
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
July 14, 2018
Another enjoyable K2 crime mystery. This one had complexities that further explored K2 and Patricia's relationship, as they tried to solve a number of murders and understand how their complex and at times intense partnership impacted their lives.
The murders were well created with multiple people involved and so the story was quite strong; I say quite strong as I felt this volume was, although it kept me reading, a little weaker than others in the series although it still warrants for me 3 stars.
I look forward to the English translation of volume 6.
The murders were well created with multiple people involved and so the story was quite strong; I say quite strong as I felt this volume was, although it kept me reading, a little weaker than others in the series although it still warrants for me 3 stars.
I look forward to the English translation of volume 6.
July 23, 2018
3++
Το καλύτερο στοιχείο του μυθιστορήματος είναι αυτό ακριβώς για το οποίο πρέπει να το αποφύγουν όσοι θέλουν να διαβάσουν ένα καθαρό αστυνομικό: είναι μυθιστόρημα με αστυνομική φινέτσα, αλλά όχι αστυνομική ιδιοσυγκρασία
Το μυστήριο δεν χαρακτηρίζεται από κάποια πρωτοτυπία, ή μια δυνατή υπόθεση. Αυτό που κρατάει όμως το ρυθμό και την ατμόσφαιρα, είναι οι πολλές διαστάσεις των χαρακτήρων που πλάθει ο συγγραφέας, όσο και των σχέσεων που χτίζει μεταξύ τους. Νομίζω πως σε μερικά χρόνια αν καταφέρει να ξεπεράσει τη βιαστική γραφή της επιδερμίδας, θα μιλάμε για ένα πάρα πολύ καλό συγγραφέα. Πάντοτε χαίρομαι να διαβάζω τα βιβλία του και αγαπώ τις πολλές πτυχές των χαρακτήρων και τις στρώσεις των μεταξύ τους δεσμών.
Για πρώτη φορά ίσως πειραματίζεται λίγο περισσότερο, ρισκάρει και επεκτείνεται. Νομίζω του βγαίνει σε καλό και θέλει ένα τσικ παραπάνω για να φτάσει εκεί που τον θέλω. Για παράδειγμα στο σημείο που κάνει τις καταγραφές του ημερολογίου της αγοραφοβικής κι ανασφαλούς Αμάλιε, μεταμορφώνεται. Ομοίως, όταν μιλάει με την έπαρση του εγωπαθούς δολοφόνου. Επίσης, περνάει έντονα την ιδέα της εποχής για την οποία γράφει, με τις αντιλήψεις και τις ιδέες της. Μεγάλο δέλεαρ ακόμη, η φορτικότητα που καταφέρνει να περάσει σχετικά με την αποτυχία απόκτησης παιδιών και ειδικά σε μια εποχή που ήταν ακόμη εντονότερη η επιθυμία αυτή και αποτελούσε μάλιστα έναν απ’ τους κατ’ εξοχήν στόχους πολλών ζευγαριών και αμυδρό φόβο αντίστοιχα μοναχικών ανθρώπων. Όχι πως δεν ισχύει σήμερα, αλλά κάποτε ήταν εντονότερο
Το καλύτερο στοιχείο του μυθιστορήματος είναι αυτό ακριβώς για το οποίο πρέπει να το αποφύγουν όσοι θέλουν να διαβάσουν ένα καθαρό αστυνομικό: είναι μυθιστόρημα με αστυνομική φινέτσα, αλλά όχι αστυνομική ιδιοσυγκρασία
Το μυστήριο δεν χαρακτηρίζεται από κάποια πρωτοτυπία, ή μια δυνατή υπόθεση. Αυτό που κρατάει όμως το ρυθμό και την ατμόσφαιρα, είναι οι πολλές διαστάσεις των χαρακτήρων που πλάθει ο συγγραφέας, όσο και των σχέσεων που χτίζει μεταξύ τους. Νομίζω πως σε μερικά χρόνια αν καταφέρει να ξεπεράσει τη βιαστική γραφή της επιδερμίδας, θα μιλάμε για ένα πάρα πολύ καλό συγγραφέα. Πάντοτε χαίρομαι να διαβάζω τα βιβλία του και αγαπώ τις πολλές πτυχές των χαρακτήρων και τις στρώσεις των μεταξύ τους δεσμών.
Για πρώτη φορά ίσως πειραματίζεται λίγο περισσότερο, ρισκάρει και επεκτείνεται. Νομίζω του βγαίνει σε καλό και θέλει ένα τσικ παραπάνω για να φτάσει εκεί που τον θέλω. Για παράδειγμα στο σημείο που κάνει τις καταγραφές του ημερολογίου της αγοραφοβικής κι ανασφαλούς Αμάλιε, μεταμορφώνεται. Ομοίως, όταν μιλάει με την έπαρση του εγωπαθούς δολοφόνου. Επίσης, περνάει έντονα την ιδέα της εποχής για την οποία γράφει, με τις αντιλήψεις και τις ιδέες της. Μεγάλο δέλεαρ ακόμη, η φορτικότητα που καταφέρνει να περάσει σχετικά με την αποτυχία απόκτησης παιδιών και ειδικά σε μια εποχή που ήταν ακόμη εντονότερη η επιθυμία αυτή και αποτελούσε μάλιστα έναν απ’ τους κατ’ εξοχήν στόχους πολλών ζευγαριών και αμυδρό φόβο αντίστοιχα μοναχικών ανθρώπων. Όχι πως δεν ισχύει σήμερα, αλλά κάποτε ήταν εντονότερο
December 19, 2024
“Whatever the case, we certainly call these the Anthill Murders, as a working theory. The murderer is an ant and it is impossible to differentiate him from the masses on first glance, so after committing two murders, he could be anywhere in the chaotic anthill that Oslo has become”. p124
I reckon Hans Olav Lahlum’s K2 series is one of the quirkiest Nordic Noir page turners I’ve read. With a huge nod to Agatha Christie but with his own Scandi flair, Lahlum has created a very readable and satisfying experience for aficionados of the genre like me.
The Anthill Murders is no exception and is the sixth in the series, published 2014 and translated to English in 2017. Its the fifth in the series to be translated to the only language I am able to read in at this stage!
The five books I’ve read are set from 1968 - 1972, deep in Cold War times for the Cold North, and Lahlum uses that as a backdrop for each book in various ways. The Anthill Murders is set against the referendum of the Norwegian vote whether to join the European Economic Community (EEC). I find all these details really intriguing which always add to the richness of the context for me.
In Lahlum’s own words, The Anthill Murders is probably the most ‘psychological’ of the series so far in that he gives voice to the perpetrator on multiple occasions, allowing the reader to get a sense of reasoning or lack thereof in terms of the rationale for the seemingly random murders being committed.
As usual, K2 has his sidekick Patricia, and I must admit I really like getting an insight into the way disability is viewed in the early 70s. I also like the development and visibility of K2’s thoughts as he contemplates a relationship with a ‘handicapped’ woman and whether or not he can fall in love with her because of this and even whether sex is a possibility both physically and mentally/emotionally for him. It’s a real insight into the move from objectification of disability to humanity.
“What bothered me most was the difference in our mobility. I had never been in a relationship with a woman who was physically handicapped, nor had I ever considered that I might…. I was still very uncertain as how I would deal wth the situation if I was lying naked in bed with a woman who couldn’t move her legs without my help….” p35
Brilliant series, 5 star read for me and I am waiting with bated breath for more English translations of other books in this series.
I reckon Hans Olav Lahlum’s K2 series is one of the quirkiest Nordic Noir page turners I’ve read. With a huge nod to Agatha Christie but with his own Scandi flair, Lahlum has created a very readable and satisfying experience for aficionados of the genre like me.
The Anthill Murders is no exception and is the sixth in the series, published 2014 and translated to English in 2017. Its the fifth in the series to be translated to the only language I am able to read in at this stage!
The five books I’ve read are set from 1968 - 1972, deep in Cold War times for the Cold North, and Lahlum uses that as a backdrop for each book in various ways. The Anthill Murders is set against the referendum of the Norwegian vote whether to join the European Economic Community (EEC). I find all these details really intriguing which always add to the richness of the context for me.
In Lahlum’s own words, The Anthill Murders is probably the most ‘psychological’ of the series so far in that he gives voice to the perpetrator on multiple occasions, allowing the reader to get a sense of reasoning or lack thereof in terms of the rationale for the seemingly random murders being committed.
As usual, K2 has his sidekick Patricia, and I must admit I really like getting an insight into the way disability is viewed in the early 70s. I also like the development and visibility of K2’s thoughts as he contemplates a relationship with a ‘handicapped’ woman and whether or not he can fall in love with her because of this and even whether sex is a possibility both physically and mentally/emotionally for him. It’s a real insight into the move from objectification of disability to humanity.
“What bothered me most was the difference in our mobility. I had never been in a relationship with a woman who was physically handicapped, nor had I ever considered that I might…. I was still very uncertain as how I would deal wth the situation if I was lying naked in bed with a woman who couldn’t move her legs without my help….” p35
Brilliant series, 5 star read for me and I am waiting with bated breath for more English translations of other books in this series.
March 30, 2018
Enjoying this series, with its rather old-fashioned puzzles and its 1970s setting (which I suppose counts as historic by now!) The behaviour of some of the characters is odd: I found it hard to believe that some of them could behave the way they did so soon after sudden bereavement (trying to avoid spoilers here!), and Patricia really is a bit strange (and K2's assertion that he loves her is hard to fathom). (Also, why all the delicious but largely uneaten meals? a metaphor for something?) Anyway, case solved, and I look forward to the next instalment!
July 15, 2024
En god bok. En seriemorder er vel nytt for K2 og Patrica, men man finner løsningen til slutt
October 25, 2019
«Maurtuemordene» er Hans Olav Lahlums femte bok i den historiske krimserien med handling fra sent 60-tall og begynnelsen av 70-tallet. En serie som skiller seg ut ved sitt unike særpreg, ikke minst på grunn av Lahlums slepne fortellerstemme.
Ja, det er både stivbeint og snirklete skrevet med noe som nærmer seg konservativt riksmål. Høflighetsfraser og forbeholdene innskuddsetninger florerer. Både dialoger, skildringer og tankereferater kan virke litt kunstige og gammelmodige i form og uttrykk. MEN ... det passer som hånd i hanske til denne krimserien. Språket er i seg selv et fingeravtrykk ved Lahlums fortellinger, og er med på å sende deg som leser 50 år tilbake i tid. Det er en balansegang på stram line, jeg ser det, men i denne romanen (i motsetning til i Kameleonmenneskene) holder forfatteren balansen godt.
Plottet er sammensatt, interessant og pirrende. Vi snakker om en seriedrapsmann og en lystmorder som går løs i Oslos gater på mørke kvelder våren 1972, og politietterforsker Kolbjørn Kristiansen møter langt mer motstand enn i tidligere mysterier. Hvert eneste vitne og hver eneste involverte person må strykes fra listen over mistenkte. Ingen av dem kan ha gjort ugjerningene. Hvordan skal en sporhund gå fram når det ikke finnes spor? Som trent krimleser så jeg tidlig konturene av en løsning (som også viste seg å være riktig), men det ødela ikke spenningen og stemningen for meg. Jeg koste meg skikkelig i Lahlums forunderlige klassiske krimverden denne gangen. Godt gjort. Helstøpt og spennende lesing.
Ja, det er både stivbeint og snirklete skrevet med noe som nærmer seg konservativt riksmål. Høflighetsfraser og forbeholdene innskuddsetninger florerer. Både dialoger, skildringer og tankereferater kan virke litt kunstige og gammelmodige i form og uttrykk. MEN ... det passer som hånd i hanske til denne krimserien. Språket er i seg selv et fingeravtrykk ved Lahlums fortellinger, og er med på å sende deg som leser 50 år tilbake i tid. Det er en balansegang på stram line, jeg ser det, men i denne romanen (i motsetning til i Kameleonmenneskene) holder forfatteren balansen godt.
Plottet er sammensatt, interessant og pirrende. Vi snakker om en seriedrapsmann og en lystmorder som går løs i Oslos gater på mørke kvelder våren 1972, og politietterforsker Kolbjørn Kristiansen møter langt mer motstand enn i tidligere mysterier. Hvert eneste vitne og hver eneste involverte person må strykes fra listen over mistenkte. Ingen av dem kan ha gjort ugjerningene. Hvordan skal en sporhund gå fram når det ikke finnes spor? Som trent krimleser så jeg tidlig konturene av en løsning (som også viste seg å være riktig), men det ødela ikke spenningen og stemningen for meg. Jeg koste meg skikkelig i Lahlums forunderlige klassiske krimverden denne gangen. Godt gjort. Helstøpt og spennende lesing.
November 2, 2017
For my full review click on the link below:
https://crossexaminingcrime.wordpress...
https://crossexaminingcrime.wordpress...
February 19, 2022
A rather slow paced Norwegian crime novel set in early 70s, where the protagonist investigates the crime(s) then relys facts to his female friend (who because of her disabilities he cant decided if he wants as a girlfiend or not) - and seems to wait for her intellect to solve the puzzle. The book is written in the " American style" of interweaving chapters of the murderer's monologue.
The novel is so slow, and all the female characters incredibly passive (Patricia literally sits around waiting for him to turn up, and even the female victims just seem to stand and accept their fate) - it feels like it has been written by a man who has no interaction with women - and has put no thought or effort into making them into rounded characters. - his writing of Amalie's diary is so dyre to be laughable.
The plot is very drawn out and the main plot twist is very obvious - and i always hate it when a minor background character is revealed as the killer as it feels lazy.
Its quite well written in language (and translation) but is very forgettable and not up to parr with many other scandi- noir novels.
The novel is so slow, and all the female characters incredibly passive (Patricia literally sits around waiting for him to turn up, and even the female victims just seem to stand and accept their fate) - it feels like it has been written by a man who has no interaction with women - and has put no thought or effort into making them into rounded characters. - his writing of Amalie's diary is so dyre to be laughable.
The plot is very drawn out and the main plot twist is very obvious - and i always hate it when a minor background character is revealed as the killer as it feels lazy.
Its quite well written in language (and translation) but is very forgettable and not up to parr with many other scandi- noir novels.
August 27, 2023
I wanted to love this book so much and was really excited to pick it up. And even though the story and mystery is really good I and up leaving the book somewhat annoyed again. I just can’t convince myself to like Patricia and I don’t find the descriptions of K2’s romantic feelings and struggles realistic or satisfying. It feels a little bit stereotypical and shallow to me. Unfortunately this overshadows the crime aspect for me and takes away from the reading experience.
The story picks up only a few weeks after the last book and we are still in 1972. A young woman is strangled on her way home and this kicks of a series of murders that become a real struggle for K2 and Patricia both. We also hear from the murderer which I find interesting. Lahlum makes it possible for us to figure out the solution this time and with some assistance from the policeman, Helgesen, I was actually able to towards the end. It’s a good crime novel and a good plot but unlike many other crime series I read the people at the center of the series are becoming less and less interesting.
The story picks up only a few weeks after the last book and we are still in 1972. A young woman is strangled on her way home and this kicks of a series of murders that become a real struggle for K2 and Patricia both. We also hear from the murderer which I find interesting. Lahlum makes it possible for us to figure out the solution this time and with some assistance from the policeman, Helgesen, I was actually able to towards the end. It’s a good crime novel and a good plot but unlike many other crime series I read the people at the center of the series are becoming less and less interesting.
May 1, 2025
Although first published in 2014 the story is set in 1972 and is written in a much earlier style. This is the fifth book in a series (twelve books so far) and is the second one which I have read.
The story is set in Oslo, Norway and is told from the first person perspective of Detective Inspector Kolbjorn Kristiansen although there are also several short chapters told from the first person perspective of the killer. Kolbjorn is pretty much out of his depth when a young woman is found murdered in the street and when there is another murder is it the work of a serial killer? However he calls on the assistance of a highly intelligent young woman, Patricia, who has helped him with previous cases. It's far-fetched stuff but it does have a certain charm .
I willingly suspended my disbelief and I will definitely look for other books by this author though it looks like his later books have not yet been translated into English..
The story is set in Oslo, Norway and is told from the first person perspective of Detective Inspector Kolbjorn Kristiansen although there are also several short chapters told from the first person perspective of the killer. Kolbjorn is pretty much out of his depth when a young woman is found murdered in the street and when there is another murder is it the work of a serial killer? However he calls on the assistance of a highly intelligent young woman, Patricia, who has helped him with previous cases. It's far-fetched stuff but it does have a certain charm .
I willingly suspended my disbelief and I will definitely look for other books by this author though it looks like his later books have not yet been translated into English..
January 10, 2021
Nunca tive grandes problemas com esta série, mas tive alguns com este livro em específico.
O caso em si achei interessante e com bons plot twists. Como era um caso de um serial killer, conhecemos muito mais personagens do que o costume, o que se tornou cansativo por vezes - mas necessário, tendo em conta o processo de investigação.
O meu maior problema com este livro foi a relação entre o K2 e a Patricia. Não me pareceu nada natural, tendo em conta que se conhecem há alguns anos. Sendo sincera, fez-me não me importar nada com estas duas personagens (que são as principais e é quase impossível sairmos da cabeça do K2).
Não sei se é pela tradução, mas o autor repete muita vezes a mesma ideia e algumas expressões ao longo do livro - em demasia mesmo.
O caso em si achei interessante e com bons plot twists. Como era um caso de um serial killer, conhecemos muito mais personagens do que o costume, o que se tornou cansativo por vezes - mas necessário, tendo em conta o processo de investigação.
O meu maior problema com este livro foi a relação entre o K2 e a Patricia. Não me pareceu nada natural, tendo em conta que se conhecem há alguns anos. Sendo sincera, fez-me não me importar nada com estas duas personagens (que são as principais e é quase impossível sairmos da cabeça do K2).
Não sei se é pela tradução, mas o autor repete muita vezes a mesma ideia e algumas expressões ao longo do livro - em demasia mesmo.
December 2, 2022
About a serial killer with a predilection for young women and exceptional hearing. Lots of twists and turns. I didn’t really like the romance side plot - another quirky genius young woman desperately into an old police officer, although she was disabled which is a refreshing change from the standard, extremely limited James Bond-escque style romance you see everywhere.
Admittedly, I didn't realise this was a series when I picked it up from the library so I may have enjoyed it more with the context of the previous 4 books.
Admittedly, I didn't realise this was a series when I picked it up from the library so I may have enjoyed it more with the context of the previous 4 books.
May 2, 2021
Not sure if this would be the last book in the series, but if so it is a great way for the series to finish. I enjoyed the mystery in this book as well as the growing relationship between K2 & Patricia.
July 23, 2022
Spennende grep i denne, hvor man også hører morderens side!
November 3, 2017
This novel and I didn't click. The story itself was quite interesting and I really liked the whole premise of it. However, I just didn't like the writing style. It was written in first perspective but for some reason, it just sounded so strange to me. Perhaps this was because this novel has been translated from the original; I rarely ever find a good translated version of a story. But I just couldn't enjoy this novel due to the awkward writing style.
I received this novel as an advance copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I received this novel as an advance copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
January 27, 2018
Well Hans Olav Lahlum finally had our favorite people fall in love. I suggest that you read this story yourselves to see how everything comes out. This is his best book by far because of it's complexity and daring plots. Patricia seems to have lost the thread in the beginning but ends up putting K2 jn the right spots at the right time. I can't see how he's going to top this.
April 24, 2018
Wow I am in love with this guy’s writing style... so torturous and suspenseful with twists and turns gahhh!!!! I just want to read all the books in the series... but... sadly the rest have not been translated grrrr
December 8, 2014
Kriminelt god underholdning.
August 13, 2015
Nok en god bok av Lahlum.
March 6, 2016
The only problem I have, is that I have read Sherlock Holmes before. And that helps....
May 31, 2016
Lest 43% før jeg ga opp. Har tidligere likt Lahlums krimbøker, men har hele tiden irritert meg over hovedkarakteren K2.
Livet er for kort for dårlig krim ;)
Livet er for kort for dårlig krim ;)
December 27, 2017
A rational quiet delight of a read.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews