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Department Q #8
Victim 2117
In the heart-pounding next installment of the New York Times and #1 internationally bestselling Department Q series, a terrifying international investigation reveals the complex backstory of one of the department's own--the enigmatic Assad.
The newspaper refers to her only as Victim 2117--the two thousand one hundred and seventeenth refugee to die in the Mediterranean Sea. But to three people, the unnamed victim is so much more, and her death sets off a chain of events that throws Department Q, Copenhagen's cold cases division led by Detective Carl M�rck, into a deeply dangerous--and deeply personal--case: a case that not only reveals dark secrets about the past, but has deadly implications for the future.
For troubled Danish teen Alex, whose identity is hidden behind his computer screen, the death of Victim 2117 becomes a symbol of everything he resents and the perfect excuse to unleash his murderous impulses in real life. For Ghallib, one the most brutal tormentors from Abu Ghraib, Saddam Hussein's infamous prison, murdering Victim 2117 was the first step in a terrorist plot years in the making. And for Department Q's Assad, Victim 2117 is a link to his buried past--and a clue that the family he assumed was long dead may still be alive.
With the help of the Department Q squad--Carl, Rose, and Gordon--Assad must finally confront painful memories from his years in Syria and Afghanistan in order to hunt down Ghallib. But with the clock ticking down to Alex's first kill and Ghallib's devastating attack, the thinly spread Department Q will need to stay one step ahead of their most lethal adversary yet if they are to prevent the loss of thousands of innocent lives.
The newspaper refers to her only as Victim 2117--the two thousand one hundred and seventeenth refugee to die in the Mediterranean Sea. But to three people, the unnamed victim is so much more, and her death sets off a chain of events that throws Department Q, Copenhagen's cold cases division led by Detective Carl M�rck, into a deeply dangerous--and deeply personal--case: a case that not only reveals dark secrets about the past, but has deadly implications for the future.
For troubled Danish teen Alex, whose identity is hidden behind his computer screen, the death of Victim 2117 becomes a symbol of everything he resents and the perfect excuse to unleash his murderous impulses in real life. For Ghallib, one the most brutal tormentors from Abu Ghraib, Saddam Hussein's infamous prison, murdering Victim 2117 was the first step in a terrorist plot years in the making. And for Department Q's Assad, Victim 2117 is a link to his buried past--and a clue that the family he assumed was long dead may still be alive.
With the help of the Department Q squad--Carl, Rose, and Gordon--Assad must finally confront painful memories from his years in Syria and Afghanistan in order to hunt down Ghallib. But with the clock ticking down to Alex's first kill and Ghallib's devastating attack, the thinly spread Department Q will need to stay one step ahead of their most lethal adversary yet if they are to prevent the loss of thousands of innocent lives.
468 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2019
1514 people are currently reading
6777 people want to read
About the author
Jussi Adler-Olsen
60 books5,210 followersJussi Adler-Olsen is a Danish author who began to write novels in the 1990s after a comprehensive career as publisher, editor, film composer for the Valhalla cartoon and as a bookseller.
He made his debut with the thriller “Alfabethuset” (1997), which reached bestseller status both in Denmark and internationally just like his subsequent novels “And She Thanked the Gods” (prev. “The Company Basher”) (2003) and “The Washington Decree” (2006). The first book on Department Q is “Kvinden I buret” (2007) and the second “Fasandræberne” (2008). The main detective is Deputy Superintendent Carl Morck from the Department Q and he is also the star of the third volume, “Flaskepost fra P” which was released in the fall of 2009 and secured Adler-Olsen ”Readers' Book Award” from Berlingske Tidende-readers, the Harald Mogensen Prize as well as the Scandinavian Crime Society's most prestigious price ”Glass Key”. The fourth volume in the Department Q series, “Journal 64” was published in 2010 and he was awarded the once-in-a-lifetime-prize of “The Golden Laurels” for this in 2011”. In December 2012 the fifth novel was published, “Marco Effekten".
Furthermore, Jussi Adler-Olsen was awarded “Favourite Author of the Danes” in 2011, 2012 and 2013 leading the organization behind to change the set-up, so the winner cannot be chosen more than once in a three year period.
Jussi Adler-Olsen's novels have had such an impact abroad, that he has also received a variety of awards there: ”The Sealed Room Award” in Japan for “Kvinden I buret”; ”Best Translated Mystery Novel of the Year”,”The Crime - Blitz Award 2011” in Germany for “Flaskepost til P” given to the best international crime, Elle magazine's French reader award: ”Prix de Lectrices the Elle” for “Kvinden I buret” as well as ”The Barry Award” in the US for “Kvinen I buret” that was elected ”Best Novel of the Year”.
His first novel “Alfabethuset” and the first four books of the Department Q series have been sold for film adaptation. “Kvinden I buret” premiered in 2013 and “Fasandræberne” opens in Denmark October 2014.
He made his debut with the thriller “Alfabethuset” (1997), which reached bestseller status both in Denmark and internationally just like his subsequent novels “And She Thanked the Gods” (prev. “The Company Basher”) (2003) and “The Washington Decree” (2006). The first book on Department Q is “Kvinden I buret” (2007) and the second “Fasandræberne” (2008). The main detective is Deputy Superintendent Carl Morck from the Department Q and he is also the star of the third volume, “Flaskepost fra P” which was released in the fall of 2009 and secured Adler-Olsen ”Readers' Book Award” from Berlingske Tidende-readers, the Harald Mogensen Prize as well as the Scandinavian Crime Society's most prestigious price ”Glass Key”. The fourth volume in the Department Q series, “Journal 64” was published in 2010 and he was awarded the once-in-a-lifetime-prize of “The Golden Laurels” for this in 2011”. In December 2012 the fifth novel was published, “Marco Effekten".
Furthermore, Jussi Adler-Olsen was awarded “Favourite Author of the Danes” in 2011, 2012 and 2013 leading the organization behind to change the set-up, so the winner cannot be chosen more than once in a three year period.
Jussi Adler-Olsen's novels have had such an impact abroad, that he has also received a variety of awards there: ”The Sealed Room Award” in Japan for “Kvinden I buret”; ”Best Translated Mystery Novel of the Year”,”The Crime - Blitz Award 2011” in Germany for “Flaskepost til P” given to the best international crime, Elle magazine's French reader award: ”Prix de Lectrices the Elle” for “Kvinden I buret” as well as ”The Barry Award” in the US for “Kvinen I buret” that was elected ”Best Novel of the Year”.
His first novel “Alfabethuset” and the first four books of the Department Q series have been sold for film adaptation. “Kvinden I buret” premiered in 2013 and “Fasandræberne” opens in Denmark October 2014.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,240 reviews
September 21, 2022
We have all been waiting to discover Assad's back story for a long time and here it is at last. Sadly I am disappointed.
For me the overall atmosphere of this series has now swung totally away from the earlier books. I used to really enjoy the sarcasm and the humour and the bantering vibe between the small group as they worked together to solve a crime. Victim 2117 is totally serious and everyone seems to be in the depth of despair. Including me as I trudged through 468 pages.
Not sure now if I will read the next book or not.
For me the overall atmosphere of this series has now swung totally away from the earlier books. I used to really enjoy the sarcasm and the humour and the bantering vibe between the small group as they worked together to solve a crime. Victim 2117 is totally serious and everyone seems to be in the depth of despair. Including me as I trudged through 468 pages.
Not sure now if I will read the next book or not.
March 6, 2020
This was a long, gripping book which addressed some major world problems, religious and political terrorism, as well as a domestic lone-wolf terrorist, and the desperate plight of refugees seeking freedom. Revenge is a main theme. The plot had almost too much drama, intrigue and action but still managed to maintain suspense. The story moves at a slow pace at times, but it is compelling.
I have read all the Department Q books, and have found its quirky group of characters to be the highlight of the series. Carl Mork was disliked by the Copenhagen police force and considered lazy. He was banished to a small windowless room in the basement to be in charge of cold cases. He was lethargic, sitting with unopened files on his desk. He managed to acquire a janitor, Assad, who had a hidden, mysterious past. He encouraged Carl to start working on a case, and became his much-needed partner, revealing skills in criminal investigations and brilliance in detective work.
To say Rose, his new secretary, was a woman with unresolved psychological problems would be an understatement. She managed to dominate the office and somehow managed to promote herself to detective. Gordon was the latest recruit to Department Q. I am unclear as to how he became part of this group of misfits, but recall that he previously hung around with a huge crush on Rose.
Rose has just returned to the department after a two-year absence, where she had isolated herself in her home. She immediately inserted herself into their work as if she had never been gone. With these four detectives, Department Q has raised itself to a respected and prominent place in the police force. Carl, as head of Q, has shown renewed energy, dedication and bravery.
The plot begins with the body of an older woman refugee washing up on the shores of the Mediterranean. She is dubbed Victim 2117, referring to her place in the count of the number of people who died at sea trying to reach freedom. Assad recognizes the photo of the older woman who acted as his foster mother and who cared for himself and his family in Iraq. His history is now revealed, and it is horrific and tragic. He was once tortured in Saddam’s notorious Abu Gharib prison. Ghaalib was his most vicious tormentor. He is responsible for killing Victim 2117 who didn’t drown but was stabbed. He has reason to kill Assad in revenge for injuring him. Assad sees clues that some of his family may still be alive, although they were taken by Ghaalib 16 years earlier as part of his vengeance. They were handed over to some of his fellow terrorists, and Assad has believed them dead ever since. Ghaalib has vowed to kill Assad and to set off mass murder in a terrorist attack in Germany.
In the meantime, Joan is broke and depressed. He is an aspiring freelance reporter, but unsuccessful, and he decides to commit suicide. He sees a film showing Victim 2117 lying on a beach and decides to follow the story to its source in hopes that it will turn his life around, bringing him fame and fortune. He has no premonition of the danger and agony that awaits him.
Carl and Assad start to hunt down Ghaalib whose terrorist attack may be soon underway. In the meantime, Rose and Gordon are still at Department Q and are receiving phone calls from a deranged young man. Alexander regards Victim 2117 as a symbol of everything he hates about an uncaring society in general and his parents in particular. He spends his time locked and isolated in his room playing computer games. He vows that once he achieves his 2117th win he intends to behead his parents with a samurai sword, and finally leave the house and kill everyone he encounters. He relays this to Rose and Gordon, and that he is now very close to his 2117th win. That leaves it up to Ruth and Gordon to discover his identity and address before he begins his murderous rampage.
As Assad gets nearer to the terrorists, he must confront his terrible past in Iraq, Syria and Afghanistan and learns dreadful news about the plight of his long-missing family.
I have read all the Department Q books, and have found its quirky group of characters to be the highlight of the series. Carl Mork was disliked by the Copenhagen police force and considered lazy. He was banished to a small windowless room in the basement to be in charge of cold cases. He was lethargic, sitting with unopened files on his desk. He managed to acquire a janitor, Assad, who had a hidden, mysterious past. He encouraged Carl to start working on a case, and became his much-needed partner, revealing skills in criminal investigations and brilliance in detective work.
To say Rose, his new secretary, was a woman with unresolved psychological problems would be an understatement. She managed to dominate the office and somehow managed to promote herself to detective. Gordon was the latest recruit to Department Q. I am unclear as to how he became part of this group of misfits, but recall that he previously hung around with a huge crush on Rose.
Rose has just returned to the department after a two-year absence, where she had isolated herself in her home. She immediately inserted herself into their work as if she had never been gone. With these four detectives, Department Q has raised itself to a respected and prominent place in the police force. Carl, as head of Q, has shown renewed energy, dedication and bravery.
The plot begins with the body of an older woman refugee washing up on the shores of the Mediterranean. She is dubbed Victim 2117, referring to her place in the count of the number of people who died at sea trying to reach freedom. Assad recognizes the photo of the older woman who acted as his foster mother and who cared for himself and his family in Iraq. His history is now revealed, and it is horrific and tragic. He was once tortured in Saddam’s notorious Abu Gharib prison. Ghaalib was his most vicious tormentor. He is responsible for killing Victim 2117 who didn’t drown but was stabbed. He has reason to kill Assad in revenge for injuring him. Assad sees clues that some of his family may still be alive, although they were taken by Ghaalib 16 years earlier as part of his vengeance. They were handed over to some of his fellow terrorists, and Assad has believed them dead ever since. Ghaalib has vowed to kill Assad and to set off mass murder in a terrorist attack in Germany.
In the meantime, Joan is broke and depressed. He is an aspiring freelance reporter, but unsuccessful, and he decides to commit suicide. He sees a film showing Victim 2117 lying on a beach and decides to follow the story to its source in hopes that it will turn his life around, bringing him fame and fortune. He has no premonition of the danger and agony that awaits him.
Carl and Assad start to hunt down Ghaalib whose terrorist attack may be soon underway. In the meantime, Rose and Gordon are still at Department Q and are receiving phone calls from a deranged young man. Alexander regards Victim 2117 as a symbol of everything he hates about an uncaring society in general and his parents in particular. He spends his time locked and isolated in his room playing computer games. He vows that once he achieves his 2117th win he intends to behead his parents with a samurai sword, and finally leave the house and kill everyone he encounters. He relays this to Rose and Gordon, and that he is now very close to his 2117th win. That leaves it up to Ruth and Gordon to discover his identity and address before he begins his murderous rampage.
As Assad gets nearer to the terrorists, he must confront his terrible past in Iraq, Syria and Afghanistan and learns dreadful news about the plight of his long-missing family.
November 22, 2024
Adler-Olsen's Department Q series continues to be unprecedented.
In Victim 2117 we finally learn all about Assad’s pre-Department Q history (which up to now was always skillfully written as a topic too sensitive to address for Assad and quite worrisome for his fellow Q colleagues). Well... all these unknowns are finally revealed in descriptive, heart pounding detail as we are plummeted towards the explosive and oh, so satisfying conclusion.
Love, love, loved the plot and cannot wait for book number nine. Jussi Adler-Olsen is an amazing wordsmith who I will continue to read - whether it’s part of the Department Q series or another of his gripping stand alone novels.
In Victim 2117 we finally learn all about Assad’s pre-Department Q history (which up to now was always skillfully written as a topic too sensitive to address for Assad and quite worrisome for his fellow Q colleagues). Well... all these unknowns are finally revealed in descriptive, heart pounding detail as we are plummeted towards the explosive and oh, so satisfying conclusion.
Love, love, loved the plot and cannot wait for book number nine. Jussi Adler-Olsen is an amazing wordsmith who I will continue to read - whether it’s part of the Department Q series or another of his gripping stand alone novels.
June 1, 2020
I'm so glad that I finally made time to read the print version of Jussi Adler-Olsen's latest Department Q novel (which I received in a giveaway). I've been a fan of this series since it started, and this is one of my favorite volumes.
Adler-Olsen puts a special twist on the Nordic noir genre by including some quirky characters and plenty of snappy dialog. In other words, it's not unrelieved darkness. Of course, since it IS still Nordic noir, those quirky characters typically have a deeply buried grim background. Adler-Olsen uses these vulnerabilities as opportunities for the characters to show warmth to one another as their friendships and effective working relationships develop over the series.
In Victim 2117, Adler-Olsen takes a good hard look at one of the most troubling issues of our age, the seemingly endless military violence plaguing the Middle East and the resulting immigrant tragedies. He smoothly blends together multiple elements of this theme, which rests on the backstory of one of the continuing characters, as he drives it forward toward a page-turner of a conclusion. There is a secondary, unrelated plot built around another contemporary phenomenon, alienated young men with a desire to lash out at society with guns or bombs or other weapons.
And in the background, a few ongoing themes related to Carl Morck, the head of Department Q and principal character in the series, are kept bubbling on the back burner. They aren't about to boil over, but they're not going cold either. I'm well primed for the next volume.
I've been waffling on the right rating for this, but using my guideline of comparison with other books in the same genre, I've decided on 5 stars based on the facts that (a) it's a Nordic noir with a not altogether bleak view of the world, and (b) I couldn't put it down.
Adler-Olsen puts a special twist on the Nordic noir genre by including some quirky characters and plenty of snappy dialog. In other words, it's not unrelieved darkness. Of course, since it IS still Nordic noir, those quirky characters typically have a deeply buried grim background. Adler-Olsen uses these vulnerabilities as opportunities for the characters to show warmth to one another as their friendships and effective working relationships develop over the series.
In Victim 2117, Adler-Olsen takes a good hard look at one of the most troubling issues of our age, the seemingly endless military violence plaguing the Middle East and the resulting immigrant tragedies. He smoothly blends together multiple elements of this theme, which rests on the backstory of one of the continuing characters, as he drives it forward toward a page-turner of a conclusion. There is a secondary, unrelated plot built around another contemporary phenomenon, alienated young men with a desire to lash out at society with guns or bombs or other weapons.
And in the background, a few ongoing themes related to Carl Morck, the head of Department Q and principal character in the series, are kept bubbling on the back burner. They aren't about to boil over, but they're not going cold either. I'm well primed for the next volume.
I've been waffling on the right rating for this, but using my guideline of comparison with other books in the same genre, I've decided on 5 stars based on the facts that (a) it's a Nordic noir with a not altogether bleak view of the world, and (b) I couldn't put it down.
February 11, 2020
Absolutely awesome thriller! Another great Department Q novel from Jussi Adler-Olsen, Denmark's number one rated thriller writer. All the favorite characters are here - Carl, Assad, Rose, and Gordon. In this one, we finally find out about Assad's secret history and all the pain and horror he has been through.
There are quite a few subplots here, so you have to follow it closely - it is rich in story content! There is a huge terrorist plot, but we also have a nerdy teenager shut in his room threatening to decapitate people, a photographer who has hit bottom who finds a story to make his career, a little of what's happening now with Hardy, and something new in Carl and Mona's life.
This novel is dark and grisly without as much humor as the earlier Department Q books; but there are some very dark, tragic events happening here. Hold on to your hats; this one doesn't lack for action!
Many thanks to PENGUIN GROUP Dutton through Netgalley for a physical ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
There are quite a few subplots here, so you have to follow it closely - it is rich in story content! There is a huge terrorist plot, but we also have a nerdy teenager shut in his room threatening to decapitate people, a photographer who has hit bottom who finds a story to make his career, a little of what's happening now with Hardy, and something new in Carl and Mona's life.
This novel is dark and grisly without as much humor as the earlier Department Q books; but there are some very dark, tragic events happening here. Hold on to your hats; this one doesn't lack for action!
Many thanks to PENGUIN GROUP Dutton through Netgalley for a physical ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
February 4, 2020
Let me begin by saying that I'm a huge fan of Jussi Adler-Olsen's "Department Q" series and I've read all the installments as well as seen all the movie adaptations starring Nikolaj Lie Kaas as Carl Mørck and Fares Fares as Assad. I enjoyed each and every one of them and I was thrilled to see that I was approved for a free ARC from the publisher (Quercus) through Netgalley. Unfortunately, Victim 2117 doesn't have the same effect on the reader as the previous books did and the ending left me with a bitter taste, trying to pinpoint the possible reasons that this installment is so out of synch with its predecessors in terms of both plot and characterization. All the readers love the Department Q team in the Copenhagen police force, a special investigative sector that reopens cold cases in order to examine possible errors and omissions in the original investigation, etc. Initially, the team consisted of Carl and Assad, but then came Rose and Gordon to add their quirkiness and brilliance in solving impossible, godforsaken cases from the past. All those characters have set their own distinctive mark in the Nordic crime literature map of detective-protagonists and their sidekicks. In an interview he gave to Barry Forshaw (you can find it here), Jussi Adler-Olsen said that the series will be completed in ten installments and from #7 (The Scarred Woman) he focused on each main character separately as follows: #7 will be Rose's story, #8 will put Assad in the spotlight, #9 will revolve around Carl and his sense of guilt while the tenth and last one will be the "fireworks" completing one of the most brilliant Nordic noir crime novel series.
To read my full review, visit https://tapthelinemag.com/post/victim...
To read my full review, visit https://tapthelinemag.com/post/victim...
August 26, 2020
Es el primer libro que leo de Los casos del departamento Q y tengo que decir que se puede leer sin problema (aunque no hayas leído los anteriores).
Me ha gustado, hay un cartel que marca las víctimas de emigrantes que cruzan el Mediterráneo en busca de un nuevo hogar, de una nueva oportunidad pero el mar y las malas condiciones les hacen naufragar. Llega a la costa de Chipre una embarcación y rescatan un cadáver de una mujer, la víctima 2117. Joan Aiguader un periodista fracasado ve su oportunidad y empieza a investigar el caso, pero todo es más peligroso de lo que pensaba.
Assad del departamento Q identifica a la mujer muerta, la conoce de su pasado.
A la vez un joven de Copenhague, Alexander decide vengarse por las víctimas, muertes injustas. Juega al videojuego Kill Sublime y desatará su ira cuando llegue a la víctima 2117.
Hay mucha acción, el final es de infarto, no puedes dejar de leer. Aún así se me ha hecho un pelín pesado, pero en general ha estado bastante bien.
Me ha gustado, hay un cartel que marca las víctimas de emigrantes que cruzan el Mediterráneo en busca de un nuevo hogar, de una nueva oportunidad pero el mar y las malas condiciones les hacen naufragar. Llega a la costa de Chipre una embarcación y rescatan un cadáver de una mujer, la víctima 2117. Joan Aiguader un periodista fracasado ve su oportunidad y empieza a investigar el caso, pero todo es más peligroso de lo que pensaba.
Assad del departamento Q identifica a la mujer muerta, la conoce de su pasado.
A la vez un joven de Copenhague, Alexander decide vengarse por las víctimas, muertes injustas. Juega al videojuego Kill Sublime y desatará su ira cuando llegue a la víctima 2117.
Hay mucha acción, el final es de infarto, no puedes dejar de leer. Aún así se me ha hecho un pelín pesado, pero en general ha estado bastante bien.
March 24, 2020
Sorry to be blunt but this latest installment in the hitherto awesome Department Q series is terrible. Totally unlikely story with typical 2-dimensional terrorist characters; our beloved Danes come across without any depth; the previously interesting Assad is reduced to a simpleton. I find this story mechanical, lacking any true emotion, and if it weren't for the previous excellent books I'd have binned this one. I'll have to try the next one for the same reason but, my confidence in Jussi Adler Olsen suffered a severe shock, alas.
August 11, 2020
Por fin conocemos la historia de Assad.
No ha sido mi mejor momento para leer, es un libro leído a ratos sin una continuidad, por ello no sé si mi apreciación será la correcta porque aunque me ha gustado y tenía interés en continuar con la historia, guardo mejor recuerdo de la impresión que me dejaron los libros anteriores.
Assad es el auténtico protagonista de este libro. No solo conoceremos por fin ese pasado, que en parte intuíamos, sino que se verá involucrado directamente en la trama de este libro. Momentos muy duros le tocará vivir antes de resolver un caso que va revelando detalles de esos que consiguen enervarme y ponerme de muy mala leche. Además de otros temas que se tratan yo me planteo ¿¡Hasta donde puede llegar una venganza, el terrorismo, la locura -porque no se me ocurre otro nombre- y el fanatismo en nombre de un dios!? ¿¡Por qué las mujeres tienen que ser las que sufran tantas atrocidades!?
Libro duro. Aún así recomiendo su lectura.
Valoración: 8/10
Lectura: julio 2020
No ha sido mi mejor momento para leer, es un libro leído a ratos sin una continuidad, por ello no sé si mi apreciación será la correcta porque aunque me ha gustado y tenía interés en continuar con la historia, guardo mejor recuerdo de la impresión que me dejaron los libros anteriores.
Assad es el auténtico protagonista de este libro. No solo conoceremos por fin ese pasado, que en parte intuíamos, sino que se verá involucrado directamente en la trama de este libro. Momentos muy duros le tocará vivir antes de resolver un caso que va revelando detalles de esos que consiguen enervarme y ponerme de muy mala leche. Además de otros temas que se tratan yo me planteo ¿¡Hasta donde puede llegar una venganza, el terrorismo, la locura -porque no se me ocurre otro nombre- y el fanatismo en nombre de un dios!? ¿¡Por qué las mujeres tienen que ser las que sufran tantas atrocidades!?
Libro duro. Aún así recomiendo su lectura.
Valoración: 8/10
Lectura: julio 2020
March 6, 2020
Assad is my favorite character in this, once one of my favorite, series. This volume is all about him so I should have loved it but somehow I didn't. Firstly, I don't really like stories about terrorism (or about drug dealers and mobsters) so the plot was never going to get my attention to begin with. But there are other things that bothered me. A Spanish journalist who doesn't speak German or Arabic and that supposedly only grasps the basics of what the terrorists say but somehow manages to understand all of their dialogues and the whole, very complicated plot. A lot of coincidences that just work out to fill plot holes. Tons of paragraphs talking about the characters' feelings (I get it, what happened to Assad is beyond horrible, but I like action in my books) and a subplot that is vaguely connected to everything but is just simply stupid. Sorry Jussi, I will still read the next installment but I wasn't impressed with this one.
June 5, 2020
Victim 2117 was a bittersweet read for me. I have absolutely loved all of the Department Q novels, it's characters have been some of the most quirky, intriguing and amazing that I have found in any series that I have read. Throughout the series, we have known that Assad, one of the Dept. Q team members, has a very "secretive" somewhat murky past. In an international case that involves Assad, much of that past is revealed. We even have the pleasure of Rose returning to the team to help her dear friend Assad. The writing, as always, is spot on, electrifying and brutal. So why the bittersweet? You have to read the book to see...
I've read all that this author has written and will continue to do so. He is one of the finest Noir writers of our time.
I've read all that this author has written and will continue to do so. He is one of the finest Noir writers of our time.
January 14, 2021
Octavo libro de la serie protagonizada por el gruñón Carl Mock, en este libro se torna claro la deriva a un toque más oscuro de la serie. Si en los primeros libros se alternaban las duras escenas de los crímenes y la consecuente investigación con los divertidos interludios personales entre el gruñón Carl Mock, el enigmático Assad y la imprevisible Rose, en este libro se acabaron las bromas, los chistes fáciles y las anécdotas divertidas, algo que ya se veía venir en los últimos libros de la serie.
En este libro cobra mucho más protagonismo el misterioso Assad, ahora no tan misterioso. Por fin conocemos su terrible pasado, y le acompañamos en una misión imposible para reparar errores del pasado, siempre ayudado y apoyado por un Carl que se muestra más comprensivo y leal de lo que muestra su fachada de policía quemado y de vuelta de todo.
Por otro lado, Gordon y Rose se embarcan en la búsqueda de un anónimo muchacho que amenaza vía telefónica con una masacre.
Le doy máxima nota sobre todo por la trama protagonizada por Assad; en este caso, se trata más de un libro de suspense mezclado con acción, que de un libro policíaco como tal, y me ha tenido atrapada hasta la última página.
La trama de la otra investigación en contraposición se torna un tanto light, como cogido con pinzas. Una forma de recuperar a Rose tras las experiencias traumáticas del anterior libro, pero que pierde interés comparado con la trama principal de este libro.
En este libro cobra mucho más protagonismo el misterioso Assad, ahora no tan misterioso. Por fin conocemos su terrible pasado, y le acompañamos en una misión imposible para reparar errores del pasado, siempre ayudado y apoyado por un Carl que se muestra más comprensivo y leal de lo que muestra su fachada de policía quemado y de vuelta de todo.
Por otro lado, Gordon y Rose se embarcan en la búsqueda de un anónimo muchacho que amenaza vía telefónica con una masacre.
Le doy máxima nota sobre todo por la trama protagonizada por Assad; en este caso, se trata más de un libro de suspense mezclado con acción, que de un libro policíaco como tal, y me ha tenido atrapada hasta la última página.
La trama de la otra investigación en contraposición se torna un tanto light, como cogido con pinzas. Una forma de recuperar a Rose tras las experiencias traumáticas del anterior libro, pero que pierde interés comparado con la trama principal de este libro.
March 4, 2020
The master of Nordic Noir returns with Victim 2117, the eighth instalment in the Department Q series featuring Copenhagen’s cold case division headed by Detective Carl Mørck. A deceased refugee is found washed up on the coast of Cyprus having attempted to make the perilous journey across the Mediterranean for a better life. She is assigned as victim 2117 as she is the 2,117th person to have seemingly succumbed to the power of the waves. However, it is later discovered that she had been the victim of a vicious stabbing and that a different beast altogether had taken her life. Catalan freelance journalist Joan Aiguader takes an interest in the case of the female victim but little does he realise, she is the catalyst for the beginning of some of the most devastating and dangerous international plans. She inspires troubled Danish teenager, Alexander, into carrying out his vengeful plot against humanity and his apathetic family, and she inspires new-found confidence in Department Q employee Assad who finally feels able to reveal information on his background and past.
I thought using the timely topic of migration in Europe as the precipitator setting in motion the terrorist plot was an original and thoroughly gripping method of beginning this utterly riveting story. It's propulsive and exciting and it doesn't just feature action-packed, tense happenings but manages to show the emotional side of the refugee crises and the part that often plays in international terrorism. Tightly crafted with a believable and well-developed cast who are some of the most intricately built crime characters in the game, it is an intense and heart-pumping read. Granted, it isn't the most fast-paced narrative but this is a series with nuance and sophistication rather than relying on cheap thrills and spills. The translation can often make or break a book, but I am pleased to report that you completely forget about that aspect; a job adeptly done I’d say. Overall, an entertaining, moving and adrenaline-fuelled page-turner. I look forward to the ninth instalment. Many thanks to Quercus for an ARC.
I thought using the timely topic of migration in Europe as the precipitator setting in motion the terrorist plot was an original and thoroughly gripping method of beginning this utterly riveting story. It's propulsive and exciting and it doesn't just feature action-packed, tense happenings but manages to show the emotional side of the refugee crises and the part that often plays in international terrorism. Tightly crafted with a believable and well-developed cast who are some of the most intricately built crime characters in the game, it is an intense and heart-pumping read. Granted, it isn't the most fast-paced narrative but this is a series with nuance and sophistication rather than relying on cheap thrills and spills. The translation can often make or break a book, but I am pleased to report that you completely forget about that aspect; a job adeptly done I’d say. Overall, an entertaining, moving and adrenaline-fuelled page-turner. I look forward to the ninth instalment. Many thanks to Quercus for an ARC.
March 31, 2020
Up to book 6,these were excellent police procedurals,with great characters.Number 7 was a flop,and this one is awful.Wants to be a thriller,but isn't,the plot is silly,the characters shadows of themselves.The subplot isn't worth commenting con.Pity that the autor veered off course...and crashed.
February 4, 2020
3,5 ⭐️
April 11, 2020
This is my introduction to the department Q thriller series by Jussi Adler Olsen..
And I do reckon this is a page turner and an engrossing read..
I for my part had a great time with this one!!
Never boring it doesn't disappoint delivering a fast pacing thriller!!
A mega terror attack by fanatics are on the way, plus a sick and confused young man is planning to murder his family and wants to commit bloodshed the more the better!!
The clock is ticking!!
Not much time for Assad, Karl, Rose, and the others from department Q..
They have to be quick and try to get the criminals..
But foremost they must protect their lives and solve the riddle that will open the door to success!!
Failure is no option at all, to many lives depend on it!!
Indeed very good written, believable characters and a dynamite story full of twist and turns..
This together sums it to four glittering stars for me without discussion or remorse!!
Specially I did love that Jussi Adler-Olsen managed to wrapped up in an interesting and up-to-date thriller current topics..
Like mass immigration, Islamic terror, violent video games and mental derangement..
If you are fond of thrillers, then this is a series not to be missed by you at all!!
Yes, full recommendation!!
What matters is if this one is good!!
And this is very good indeed!!!
Happy readings, and stay healthy my dear friends..
Dean;)
And I do reckon this is a page turner and an engrossing read..
I for my part had a great time with this one!!
Never boring it doesn't disappoint delivering a fast pacing thriller!!
A mega terror attack by fanatics are on the way, plus a sick and confused young man is planning to murder his family and wants to commit bloodshed the more the better!!
The clock is ticking!!
Not much time for Assad, Karl, Rose, and the others from department Q..
They have to be quick and try to get the criminals..
But foremost they must protect their lives and solve the riddle that will open the door to success!!
Failure is no option at all, to many lives depend on it!!
Indeed very good written, believable characters and a dynamite story full of twist and turns..
This together sums it to four glittering stars for me without discussion or remorse!!
Specially I did love that Jussi Adler-Olsen managed to wrapped up in an interesting and up-to-date thriller current topics..
Like mass immigration, Islamic terror, violent video games and mental derangement..
If you are fond of thrillers, then this is a series not to be missed by you at all!!
Yes, full recommendation!!
What matters is if this one is good!!
And this is very good indeed!!!
Happy readings, and stay healthy my dear friends..
Dean;)
November 7, 2022
Department Q is a quirky bunch of misfits working out of the basement of police headquarters in Copenhagen, led by Carl Morck. The body of an older woman refugee washes up on the shores of the Mediterranean, and she becomes the year's 2,117th victim drowning while trying to reach freedom. A male freelance photographer, inexplicably named Joan, tells her story, but does not realize she has been murdered. Assad recognizes Victim 2117 as his foster mother, who cared for him and his family in Iraq. Over the course of the book, we learn of his tragic but hidden history, and his archenemy Ghaalib. Ghaalib and Assad have serious history and unfinished business. Ghaalib has something dear to Assad, and will stop at nothing for his vengeance on Assad and many others via a terrorist attack in Germany. There is a third subplot, about a reclusive kid, who also wants to avenge Victim 2117 because it reminds him of his deceased grandmother, his only close relative. Carl is torn between his deep friendship with Assad, his personal relationships, and catching the reclusive kid, who says he will go on a killing spree. Great to have Rose back on the team. 4.5 stars.
Read
May 26, 2020I love Mr. Adler-Olsen's work; he is one of my favorites, but I cannot continue with this book. The entire first part is one HUGE info-dump and I am losing my way trying to wade through it. I will pick up with the next book in the series if there is one. (Hoping there is!)
Sometimes this does happen with a fav. author. I skip a book I just can't read, handle, doesn't interest me or seems not a good fit for what I like to read. A tremendous, monotonous info-dump does me in almost every time.
The story itself was compelling though, of what I read. We quickly learn Assad's back story, though it does drag on. And the character of Rose - who I love! - makes a great return. Carl is his curmudgeonly self and the plot is a very timely one. I love all the characters in this series; however, despite this, I had to do a dnf.
A dnf, no rating.
Sometimes this does happen with a fav. author. I skip a book I just can't read, handle, doesn't interest me or seems not a good fit for what I like to read. A tremendous, monotonous info-dump does me in almost every time.
The story itself was compelling though, of what I read. We quickly learn Assad's back story, though it does drag on. And the character of Rose - who I love! - makes a great return. Carl is his curmudgeonly self and the plot is a very timely one. I love all the characters in this series; however, despite this, I had to do a dnf.
A dnf, no rating.
November 4, 2020
The latest addition to the Jussie Adler series with Carl Morck & the gang!
Never dull, always engaging is my take on this series to date….
Slightly diffo format than prior books in that we are following a POV of all the lead characters including Carl & Assad as opposed to the usual back n forth across time as they revive a cold case or run parallel timelines in an ongoing investigation.
Its clear from early on that finally! We’re going to have more of a reveal about Assad’s backstory which to date has been very secretive, in fact we know next to nothing about Carl’s right hand man’s former life before he arrived in Denmark as a child & his connection with the Middle East in his Adult life. With all the POV’s going on it’s actually unclear early on (until around pg 50) how much time has elapsed since the last book where Rose underwent a traumatic event, so much seems to have happened in all their lives that I thought at first that I’d missed out a book!! I guess the events of the prior book had to have time to unravel/unwind so to speak so that Department Q’s work could continue.
The time lapse becomes relevant in some many ways & helps to make some of the early leaps (coincidences) in the plot fathomable although a few are very tenuous BUT it is Department Q which I enjoy muchly so we’ll let them slide…… I only mention them in passing.
In all detective stories I don’t reveal the plot but I guess ive already gone part way down that route…. A few of the things I missed was the humour, it’s not in this story, for obvious reason I would say & at times it has more of a Hollywood feel about the plot leaps/pacing than I would normally associate with a department Q story. Once you get over “its about Assad, hurrah!!!” then in some ways it’s a little bit of an anti-climax…? I can’t really put my finger on it. What more can I really say……. Assad’s life is the story, he is the “cold case” in this one.
In summary a timely addition to the series as Assad is front & centre & finally revealed!
3.75 stars rounded upto 4 Stars.
Never dull, always engaging is my take on this series to date….
Slightly diffo format than prior books in that we are following a POV of all the lead characters including Carl & Assad as opposed to the usual back n forth across time as they revive a cold case or run parallel timelines in an ongoing investigation.
Its clear from early on that finally! We’re going to have more of a reveal about Assad’s backstory which to date has been very secretive, in fact we know next to nothing about Carl’s right hand man’s former life before he arrived in Denmark as a child & his connection with the Middle East in his Adult life. With all the POV’s going on it’s actually unclear early on (until around pg 50) how much time has elapsed since the last book where Rose underwent a traumatic event, so much seems to have happened in all their lives that I thought at first that I’d missed out a book!! I guess the events of the prior book had to have time to unravel/unwind so to speak so that Department Q’s work could continue.
The time lapse becomes relevant in some many ways & helps to make some of the early leaps (coincidences) in the plot fathomable although a few are very tenuous BUT it is Department Q which I enjoy muchly so we’ll let them slide…… I only mention them in passing.
In all detective stories I don’t reveal the plot but I guess ive already gone part way down that route…. A few of the things I missed was the humour, it’s not in this story, for obvious reason I would say & at times it has more of a Hollywood feel about the plot leaps/pacing than I would normally associate with a department Q story. Once you get over “its about Assad, hurrah!!!” then in some ways it’s a little bit of an anti-climax…? I can’t really put my finger on it. What more can I really say……. Assad’s life is the story, he is the “cold case” in this one.
In summary a timely addition to the series as Assad is front & centre & finally revealed!
3.75 stars rounded upto 4 Stars.
September 3, 2020
It’s always a pleasure for me to catch up with the latest adventures of Carl Morck and his rag-tag team of detectives in Department Q: Rose, Gordon and Assad.
This one begins with Catalan journalist Joan Aiguader, desperate to revive his career, covering a tragic story of dead Syrian refugees washing ashore in Cyprus; one elderly woman being referred to as Victim 2117. Her identity awakens unpleasant memories for Assad, reminding him of the family he had to leave behind in Iraq and his confrontation with Ghallib, a brutal guard from Saddam’s infamous Abu Ghraib prison. For deranged 22-year-old Alexander, Victim 2117 becomes a focus for his own intended killing spree.
The suspense is maintained throughout by alternating chapters being told from the viewpoints of different protagonists, as the action shifts across Europe (Copenhagen, Barcelona, Cyprus, Munich, Frankfurt), culminating in an intended terrorist attack in Berlin. The Department Q team always seem to be one step behind Ghallib and Alexander.
A very well constructed and thrilling story and a worthy addition to a highly original series.
This one begins with Catalan journalist Joan Aiguader, desperate to revive his career, covering a tragic story of dead Syrian refugees washing ashore in Cyprus; one elderly woman being referred to as Victim 2117. Her identity awakens unpleasant memories for Assad, reminding him of the family he had to leave behind in Iraq and his confrontation with Ghallib, a brutal guard from Saddam’s infamous Abu Ghraib prison. For deranged 22-year-old Alexander, Victim 2117 becomes a focus for his own intended killing spree.
The suspense is maintained throughout by alternating chapters being told from the viewpoints of different protagonists, as the action shifts across Europe (Copenhagen, Barcelona, Cyprus, Munich, Frankfurt), culminating in an intended terrorist attack in Berlin. The Department Q team always seem to be one step behind Ghallib and Alexander.
A very well constructed and thrilling story and a worthy addition to a highly original series.
April 3, 2020
Après avoir été déçue par L'unité Alphabet, un des premiers romans de cet auteur, c'est avec plaisir que j'ai retrouvé Carl Mørck et le département V. Si le début m'a paru un peu lent et relativement peu accrocheur, une fois les 100 premières pages passées, j'étais totalement immergée dans l'histoire et personne n'aurait me faire lâcher mon livre surtout arrivée au dernier tiers ! Là, pas de réelle histoire policière avec un coupable à trouver mais un thriller rondement mené, avec de l'action et suspense et la découverte du passé d'un de mes personnages favoris : Assad. Un très bon cru que cette 8ème enquête !!!!!
July 19, 2020
Para mi gusto, el más flojo de la serie. Y mira que me gusta el Departamento Q, pero a ratos me ha parecido un poquito Misión imposible, aderezado con Mc Gyver y el equipo A.
Aun así, conocer por fin el pasado de Assad y vivir el retorno de Rose en todo su esplendor hacen que merezca la pena leerlo. Y la sorpresita de Carl, por supuesto. La pena es que haya que esperar meses hasta el siguiente.
Aun así, conocer por fin el pasado de Assad y vivir el retorno de Rose en todo su esplendor hacen que merezca la pena leerlo. Y la sorpresita de Carl, por supuesto. La pena es que haya que esperar meses hasta el siguiente.
March 21, 2020
The most despicable tragedy of the last decade has been Bashar al-Assad’s war on the Syrian people to retain power. The actions of the Russian and Turkish governments have exacerbated the situation that has produced the death of over 400,000 people and created over 5,000,000 refugees. In VICTIM 2117, Jussi Adler-Olsen’s latest work, the author introduces the Syrian catastrophe at Ayia Naba, a beach in Cyprus as 37 bodies have washed ashore having drowned in the Mediterranean Sea in an attempt to escape their home country. At the same time there is an emotionally stunted young man who recently graduated high school named Alexander who lives in Copenhagen. Alexander is a virtual gamer who claims 2080 wins and in his demented mind has added the 37 drowning victims he read about in the newspaper to his total, 2117. This milestone now reached has set in motion Alexander’s plan to kill his parents and wreak havoc on the public.
If this plot line was not enough, Adler-Olsen focuses on Joan Aiguader, a self-promoter and a struggling free-lance journalist for a newspaper in Barcelona who has hit rock bottom until he becomes interested in the increasing numbers of refugee drownings, particularly 37 in Cyprus. Twisting his story line further Adler-Olsen zeroes in Assad, a member of Department Q of the Copenhagen Police Department who has appeared in most of the author’s previous novels. It seems that Assad has kept his past hidden from Carl Morck his superior in Department Q who believed that the man who had introduced himself ten years ago as “Hafez el-Assad, a Syrian refugee with green rubber gloves and a bucket by his feet. But inside he was really Zaid al-Asadi: special forces soldier, language officer, Iraqi, and almost fluent Danish speaker. The man was one hell of a gifted actor.” Assad’s tortured past involves what transpired 16 years previously at the hands of a Sunni terrorist and former official under Saddam Hussein named Abdul Azim or Ghaalib, a man who had kidnapped Assad’s pregnant wife and two daughters who Assad believed were dead for all of those years.
For those familiar with Adler-Olsen’s previous novels, VICTIM 2117 will not disappoint. For those who are reading his work for the first time you probably will become hooked as he has deftly created a story with resonance today as he intertwines a series of plotlines. Apart from Assad and Morck a number of characters from previous novels appear, though VICTIM 2117 can stand alone. Adler-Olsen takes the reader back to Fallujah in Iraq at a time when United Nations weapons inspectors are looking for Saddam’s Weapons of mass destruction (WMD). Events that take place are part of Assad’s past but they tie into a great deal of contemporary evidence, particularly newspaper photos of Marwa, Assad’s wife, and daughter appearing alive as well as a photo of the body of Lely Kebaki, an old woman who had taken care of Assad’s family when he was a boy as they had to flee Iraq and Saddam.
Assad’s life before Department Q is quite revealing and he will be supported by Morck and company, Roe and Gordon, including the new Chief of Homicide, Marcus Jacobsen. Adler-Olsen provides a tense novel with a number of twists and turns linking the past and the present. Morck’s quick wit and sarcasm is on full display as is the commentary provided by his assistant Rose, a depressive personality who has returned to Department Q after an absence of two years.
Adler-Olsen may have been a juggler in a previous life because he is able to maintain a number of plots floating in the air, all at the same time. VICTIM 2117 is a complex story that as you read on it is very difficult to put down as Assad tries to locate his arch enemy and rescue his family who he is afraid he will not recognize and conversely will not recognize him. As the novel is about to come to fruition and you think the terror will subside, Adler-Olsen introduces another twist that will leave you hanging. If the book is as satisfying as I believe you will probably want to consult Adler-Olsen’s previous seven books dealing with the adventures of Department Q.
If this plot line was not enough, Adler-Olsen focuses on Joan Aiguader, a self-promoter and a struggling free-lance journalist for a newspaper in Barcelona who has hit rock bottom until he becomes interested in the increasing numbers of refugee drownings, particularly 37 in Cyprus. Twisting his story line further Adler-Olsen zeroes in Assad, a member of Department Q of the Copenhagen Police Department who has appeared in most of the author’s previous novels. It seems that Assad has kept his past hidden from Carl Morck his superior in Department Q who believed that the man who had introduced himself ten years ago as “Hafez el-Assad, a Syrian refugee with green rubber gloves and a bucket by his feet. But inside he was really Zaid al-Asadi: special forces soldier, language officer, Iraqi, and almost fluent Danish speaker. The man was one hell of a gifted actor.” Assad’s tortured past involves what transpired 16 years previously at the hands of a Sunni terrorist and former official under Saddam Hussein named Abdul Azim or Ghaalib, a man who had kidnapped Assad’s pregnant wife and two daughters who Assad believed were dead for all of those years.
For those familiar with Adler-Olsen’s previous novels, VICTIM 2117 will not disappoint. For those who are reading his work for the first time you probably will become hooked as he has deftly created a story with resonance today as he intertwines a series of plotlines. Apart from Assad and Morck a number of characters from previous novels appear, though VICTIM 2117 can stand alone. Adler-Olsen takes the reader back to Fallujah in Iraq at a time when United Nations weapons inspectors are looking for Saddam’s Weapons of mass destruction (WMD). Events that take place are part of Assad’s past but they tie into a great deal of contemporary evidence, particularly newspaper photos of Marwa, Assad’s wife, and daughter appearing alive as well as a photo of the body of Lely Kebaki, an old woman who had taken care of Assad’s family when he was a boy as they had to flee Iraq and Saddam.
Assad’s life before Department Q is quite revealing and he will be supported by Morck and company, Roe and Gordon, including the new Chief of Homicide, Marcus Jacobsen. Adler-Olsen provides a tense novel with a number of twists and turns linking the past and the present. Morck’s quick wit and sarcasm is on full display as is the commentary provided by his assistant Rose, a depressive personality who has returned to Department Q after an absence of two years.
Adler-Olsen may have been a juggler in a previous life because he is able to maintain a number of plots floating in the air, all at the same time. VICTIM 2117 is a complex story that as you read on it is very difficult to put down as Assad tries to locate his arch enemy and rescue his family who he is afraid he will not recognize and conversely will not recognize him. As the novel is about to come to fruition and you think the terror will subside, Adler-Olsen introduces another twist that will leave you hanging. If the book is as satisfying as I believe you will probably want to consult Adler-Olsen’s previous seven books dealing with the adventures of Department Q.
June 15, 2019
Jeg er sikkert ikke den eneste læser, der med stigende utålmodighed har ventet på at få afsløret Assads hemmeligheder. Og derfor var det med skyhøje forventninger og en vis bæven, at jeg åbnede Offer 2117. Men Jussi indfriede alle mine forventninger. Endeligt kommer vi ind i hovedet på Assad – men det er altså ikke noget rart sted at være.
Det er barske, men virkelige, begivenheder der tages udgangspunkt i. Og det er en god ramme der udstiller vores stadigt stigende ligegyldighed overfor verdens skræmmende realiteter. Ikke fordi vi nødvendigvis er ligeglade, men fordi vi ikke længere kan rumme de mange ofre. Men ved at tage udgangspunkt i ét enkelt offer – Offer 2117 – gøres tingene virkelige og håndterbare.
Alle de nødvendige elementer er repræsenteret: Det internationale, det politiske, det sociale og krimidelen. I et medrivende og fængslende sprog præsenteres det smukt pakket ind i en hæsblæsende thriller – og med den relevante samfundskritik vi er kommet til at forvente af Jussi.
Forholdet mellem Carl og Assad åbnes mere, og deres indbyrdes bånd viser sin styrke. Den tidligere uligevægt som chef og ansat udviskes, og her tydeliggøres det virkeligt, at Assad har opnået Carls respekt. Carl fremstår en smule mere harmonisk i Offer 2117, selvom man aner at der ikke er langt tilbage til mørket. Bedst beskrevet er dog den magtesløshed der omfavner Assad gennem historien, og den ubærlige trang til at ændre realiteterne.
Rose og Gordon repræsenteres okay. Forskellene i deres arbejdsmetoder er stadigt mere tydelige, men Gordon træder denne gang mere i karakter end tidligere set. De bringes i spil i forbindelse med Alexanders historie, og selvom jeg respekterer den viste forskel mellem Alexander som enkeltperson på den ene side og et omfattende terrornetværk på den anden, så kunne jeg personligt sagtens have undværet denne del.
Jeg sad tilbage med en følelse af, at de mange løse ender vedrørende Assad var knyttet på fornemmeste vis. Skøn (og barsk) krimithriller med dybdegående karakterudvikling.
Det er barske, men virkelige, begivenheder der tages udgangspunkt i. Og det er en god ramme der udstiller vores stadigt stigende ligegyldighed overfor verdens skræmmende realiteter. Ikke fordi vi nødvendigvis er ligeglade, men fordi vi ikke længere kan rumme de mange ofre. Men ved at tage udgangspunkt i ét enkelt offer – Offer 2117 – gøres tingene virkelige og håndterbare.
Alle de nødvendige elementer er repræsenteret: Det internationale, det politiske, det sociale og krimidelen. I et medrivende og fængslende sprog præsenteres det smukt pakket ind i en hæsblæsende thriller – og med den relevante samfundskritik vi er kommet til at forvente af Jussi.
Forholdet mellem Carl og Assad åbnes mere, og deres indbyrdes bånd viser sin styrke. Den tidligere uligevægt som chef og ansat udviskes, og her tydeliggøres det virkeligt, at Assad har opnået Carls respekt. Carl fremstår en smule mere harmonisk i Offer 2117, selvom man aner at der ikke er langt tilbage til mørket. Bedst beskrevet er dog den magtesløshed der omfavner Assad gennem historien, og den ubærlige trang til at ændre realiteterne.
Rose og Gordon repræsenteres okay. Forskellene i deres arbejdsmetoder er stadigt mere tydelige, men Gordon træder denne gang mere i karakter end tidligere set. De bringes i spil i forbindelse med Alexanders historie, og selvom jeg respekterer den viste forskel mellem Alexander som enkeltperson på den ene side og et omfattende terrornetværk på den anden, så kunne jeg personligt sagtens have undværet denne del.
Jeg sad tilbage med en følelse af, at de mange løse ender vedrørende Assad var knyttet på fornemmeste vis. Skøn (og barsk) krimithriller med dybdegående karakterudvikling.
October 31, 2023
“They could have been happy without him, but now they had to pay the price for him and his choices”. p400
Victim 2117 is instalment number 8 in Danish Scandi Crime author, Jussi Adler-Olsen’s Department Q series. This one focuses primarily on the character ‘Assad’ who in many ways up until this book has kind of been the comic relief and side kick to the main character, the somewhat irritating Carl Mørck. Adler-Olsen has dropped a few hints over the last few books in the series of something more complex about Assad but has never delved much into what this is. Victim 2117 answers all those questions.
This was a good read but not amazing tbh. Kind of a bit too “adventurey” for me and potentially too far fetched. It kept me interested but didn’t wow me. All in all a solid 3 stars.
Victim 2117 is instalment number 8 in Danish Scandi Crime author, Jussi Adler-Olsen’s Department Q series. This one focuses primarily on the character ‘Assad’ who in many ways up until this book has kind of been the comic relief and side kick to the main character, the somewhat irritating Carl Mørck. Adler-Olsen has dropped a few hints over the last few books in the series of something more complex about Assad but has never delved much into what this is. Victim 2117 answers all those questions.
This was a good read but not amazing tbh. Kind of a bit too “adventurey” for me and potentially too far fetched. It kept me interested but didn’t wow me. All in all a solid 3 stars.
October 27, 2019
3,5 Sterne
- weil ich einfach Fan der Reihe bin und es mal wieder wie "Heimkommen" war und auch viel zu grinsen gab. Als Krimi betrachtet allerdings - eher durchschnittlich. Vieles an der Story wirkte einfach überzogen und vorhersehbar und im Gegensatz zu den meisten der anderen Bände kann man diesen meiner Meinung nach auch nicht unabhängig vom Rest der Reihe lesen.
Bin ja wirklich ein großer Jussi-Fan und hab ihn erst grade wieder erfolgreich auf der Buchmesse "gestalkt" ;) , aber bei aller Liebe hoffe ich doch, dass die beiden Abschlussbände wieder spannender und weniger holprig werden.
- weil ich einfach Fan der Reihe bin und es mal wieder wie "Heimkommen" war und auch viel zu grinsen gab. Als Krimi betrachtet allerdings - eher durchschnittlich. Vieles an der Story wirkte einfach überzogen und vorhersehbar und im Gegensatz zu den meisten der anderen Bände kann man diesen meiner Meinung nach auch nicht unabhängig vom Rest der Reihe lesen.
Bin ja wirklich ein großer Jussi-Fan und hab ihn erst grade wieder erfolgreich auf der Buchmesse "gestalkt" ;) , aber bei aller Liebe hoffe ich doch, dass die beiden Abschlussbände wieder spannender und weniger holprig werden.
February 11, 2020
Weakest installment of the series so far.
August 4, 2024
Familiengefühle
Assad ist fassungslos. Auf einem Zeitungsfoto meint er, eine tote Flüchtlingsfrau zu erkennen. Möglicherweise handelt es sich um eine ältere Frau aus Syrien, die ihn gerettet hat. Schnell kommt der Gedanke auf, dass auch seine Frau und seine Kinder auf der Flucht sein könnten. Das bedeutet sich sind noch am Leben. Es ist Rose, der Assad seine Geschichte erzählt. Gleichzeitig beginnt ein Unbekannter bei Gordon anzurufen und damit zu drohen, er werde eine Menge Menschen töten. Die Geschichte der Toten am Strand soll dem etwas abgehalfterten Journalisten Joan neuen Ruhm bringen.
In achten Fall für das Sonderdezernat Q um Carl Mørck, Assad, Rose und Gordon kommt der Grund dafür ans Licht, aus dem Assad ein so zurückhaltender Mensch geworden ist. Was er zu erzählen hat, holt Rose nach ihrer schweren Zeit zurück ins Team. Sie will ihren guten Freund unterstützen. Auch auf Carl wartet eine Neuigkeit, mit der er nicht gerechnet hat. Dennoch ist es ihm wichtig, mit Assad nach Deutschland zu reisen, wo möglicherweise ein Terroranschlag geplant ist. Besonders für Assad ist die Ermittlung schon mehr als belastend. Rose und Gordon halten die Stellung. Sie versuchen, denjenigen zu finden, der diese unheimlichen Telefonate tätigt.
Zum einen ein sehr spannender Fall für Carl Mørck und sein Team, zum anderen aber auch einer, der an die Nieren geht. Man muss es ertragen können, wenn Ermittler durch ihre Fälle persönlich betroffen sind . Assad hatte in seiner Zeit vor dem Sonderdezernat große Gefahren zu überstehen und fast wurde er gebrochen. Für Carl geht es beinahe ruhig zu. Es herrscht Erleichterung, dass Rose ihren Platz wiedergefunden hat. Wie gesagt, die persönliche Betroffenheit ist vielleicht nicht jedermanns Sache, aber die Lektüre ist fesselnd und der Fall ist ausgeklügelt. Schon das Titelbild gibt einen Hinweis darauf, dass es hier um harte Bandagen geht. Noch aufregender wäre es gewesen, wenn man das Buch ohne das Wissen gelesen hätte, dass weitere Bände folgen.
Assad ist fassungslos. Auf einem Zeitungsfoto meint er, eine tote Flüchtlingsfrau zu erkennen. Möglicherweise handelt es sich um eine ältere Frau aus Syrien, die ihn gerettet hat. Schnell kommt der Gedanke auf, dass auch seine Frau und seine Kinder auf der Flucht sein könnten. Das bedeutet sich sind noch am Leben. Es ist Rose, der Assad seine Geschichte erzählt. Gleichzeitig beginnt ein Unbekannter bei Gordon anzurufen und damit zu drohen, er werde eine Menge Menschen töten. Die Geschichte der Toten am Strand soll dem etwas abgehalfterten Journalisten Joan neuen Ruhm bringen.
In achten Fall für das Sonderdezernat Q um Carl Mørck, Assad, Rose und Gordon kommt der Grund dafür ans Licht, aus dem Assad ein so zurückhaltender Mensch geworden ist. Was er zu erzählen hat, holt Rose nach ihrer schweren Zeit zurück ins Team. Sie will ihren guten Freund unterstützen. Auch auf Carl wartet eine Neuigkeit, mit der er nicht gerechnet hat. Dennoch ist es ihm wichtig, mit Assad nach Deutschland zu reisen, wo möglicherweise ein Terroranschlag geplant ist. Besonders für Assad ist die Ermittlung schon mehr als belastend. Rose und Gordon halten die Stellung. Sie versuchen, denjenigen zu finden, der diese unheimlichen Telefonate tätigt.
Zum einen ein sehr spannender Fall für Carl Mørck und sein Team, zum anderen aber auch einer, der an die Nieren geht. Man muss es ertragen können, wenn Ermittler durch ihre Fälle persönlich betroffen sind . Assad hatte in seiner Zeit vor dem Sonderdezernat große Gefahren zu überstehen und fast wurde er gebrochen. Für Carl geht es beinahe ruhig zu. Es herrscht Erleichterung, dass Rose ihren Platz wiedergefunden hat. Wie gesagt, die persönliche Betroffenheit ist vielleicht nicht jedermanns Sache, aber die Lektüre ist fesselnd und der Fall ist ausgeklügelt. Schon das Titelbild gibt einen Hinweis darauf, dass es hier um harte Bandagen geht. Noch aufregender wäre es gewesen, wenn man das Buch ohne das Wissen gelesen hätte, dass weitere Bände folgen.
October 14, 2020
I've read every book in this series and they become better with every instalment. Assad is the main character and Rose makes a come-back after 2 years at home. It tackles terrorism and refugees as well as personal motivations as revenge, hatred and love. The only set back about this series is the long wait for the next one. As I read the Dutch translation of this Danish book, I made my review in my own native language. If you use Google Translate, you get a translation that's not too bad.
Ik heb lang moeten wachten om dit boek te kunnen lezen, maar eindelijk was het mijn beurt om dit fantastische boek te mogen lezen.
Als Lars Bjorn, de baas van de afdeling geweldsdelicten/moordzaken aan een hartaanval overlijdt, maakt dit een diepe indruk op verschillende leden van de afdeling Q (cold cases). Assads verleden is nauw verweven met dat van Lars en diens broer. Ook Gordon heeft veel te danken aan hem.
De Spaanse journalist Joan maakt een reportage over het 2117de verdronken bootvluchteling en slachtoffer van mensensmokkelaars aan de Middellandse Zee. Alleen blijkt dat ze eerst werd neergestoken en dat er terroristen aan boord waren. Assad kent de oude vrouw en op de foto staan ook zijn vrouw en dochter die hij dood waande.
Na 2 jaar afwezigheid komt ook Rose terug opdagen nadat Assad zijn ware verhaal tegen haar vertelde. Aangezien afdeling Q in feite een soort familie is, worden ook de andere leden op de hoogte gesteld en zonder enige twijfel beslissen ze om hem te helpen bij, de zoektocht naar zijn doodgewaande gezin en de terrorist die hen al die tijd gevangen hield.
Dan is ook nog een losgeslagen Deense jongeman die een bloedbad wil aanrichten als hij 2117 overwinningen heeft behaald in zijn computerspel. Dat nummer is geïnspireerd door die krantenfoto. Hij belt anoniem naar de politie om te laten weten wat hij van plan is. Gordon neemt de telefoon aan en bouwt een soort band op met de would-be aanslagpleger.
Als je de vorige boeken niet hebt gelezen, denk ik dat het een beetje moeilijk is om deze verhaallijnen helemaal te volgen; Het boek staat weliswaar op zichzelf, maar als je de achtergronden en de gebeurtenissen uit het vorige boek kent, zal je dit verhaal beter kunnen volgen. De hele serie is trouwens fantastisch, dus is het echt geen tijdverlies als je de eerdere boeken ook leest. Omdat het voor een groot deel over Assads familie gaat, is dit boek ook een stuk persoonlijker dan de andere delen waarin Carl meestal de hoofdrol speelt. In het vorige boek was er veel aandacht voor de belevenissen van Rose en Gordon dus misschien is er een beurtrol ontstaan.
Het verhaal is zoals altijd heel erg spannend en heeft Adler-Olsen z’n huiswerk erg goed gemaakt. Zo is het is o.a. erg interessant om te lezen hoe Denemarken werd betrokken bij de zoektocht naar Saddams massavernietegingswapens of over de geschiedenis van Oost-Duitse gevangenissen dat me koude rillingen bezorgde.
Het meest jammere is dat het altijd lang wachten is tot de auteur een nieuw boek schrijft, maar als die zo goed blijven als deze, is dat het wachten wel waard. Er wordt trouwens ook al een tip gegeven waarover het volgende boek zou kunnen gaan. Waarschijnlijk komt Hardy en de zaak met het spijkerpistool terug aan de oppervlakte.
Ik heb lang moeten wachten om dit boek te kunnen lezen, maar eindelijk was het mijn beurt om dit fantastische boek te mogen lezen.
Als Lars Bjorn, de baas van de afdeling geweldsdelicten/moordzaken aan een hartaanval overlijdt, maakt dit een diepe indruk op verschillende leden van de afdeling Q (cold cases). Assads verleden is nauw verweven met dat van Lars en diens broer. Ook Gordon heeft veel te danken aan hem.
De Spaanse journalist Joan maakt een reportage over het 2117de verdronken bootvluchteling en slachtoffer van mensensmokkelaars aan de Middellandse Zee. Alleen blijkt dat ze eerst werd neergestoken en dat er terroristen aan boord waren. Assad kent de oude vrouw en op de foto staan ook zijn vrouw en dochter die hij dood waande.
Na 2 jaar afwezigheid komt ook Rose terug opdagen nadat Assad zijn ware verhaal tegen haar vertelde. Aangezien afdeling Q in feite een soort familie is, worden ook de andere leden op de hoogte gesteld en zonder enige twijfel beslissen ze om hem te helpen bij, de zoektocht naar zijn doodgewaande gezin en de terrorist die hen al die tijd gevangen hield.
Dan is ook nog een losgeslagen Deense jongeman die een bloedbad wil aanrichten als hij 2117 overwinningen heeft behaald in zijn computerspel. Dat nummer is geïnspireerd door die krantenfoto. Hij belt anoniem naar de politie om te laten weten wat hij van plan is. Gordon neemt de telefoon aan en bouwt een soort band op met de would-be aanslagpleger.
Als je de vorige boeken niet hebt gelezen, denk ik dat het een beetje moeilijk is om deze verhaallijnen helemaal te volgen; Het boek staat weliswaar op zichzelf, maar als je de achtergronden en de gebeurtenissen uit het vorige boek kent, zal je dit verhaal beter kunnen volgen. De hele serie is trouwens fantastisch, dus is het echt geen tijdverlies als je de eerdere boeken ook leest. Omdat het voor een groot deel over Assads familie gaat, is dit boek ook een stuk persoonlijker dan de andere delen waarin Carl meestal de hoofdrol speelt. In het vorige boek was er veel aandacht voor de belevenissen van Rose en Gordon dus misschien is er een beurtrol ontstaan.
Het verhaal is zoals altijd heel erg spannend en heeft Adler-Olsen z’n huiswerk erg goed gemaakt. Zo is het is o.a. erg interessant om te lezen hoe Denemarken werd betrokken bij de zoektocht naar Saddams massavernietegingswapens of over de geschiedenis van Oost-Duitse gevangenissen dat me koude rillingen bezorgde.
Het meest jammere is dat het altijd lang wachten is tot de auteur een nieuw boek schrijft, maar als die zo goed blijven als deze, is dat het wachten wel waard. Er wordt trouwens ook al een tip gegeven waarover het volgende boek zou kunnen gaan. Waarschijnlijk komt Hardy en de zaak met het spijkerpistool terug aan de oppervlakte.
March 26, 2020
Although I love this series, I just couldn’t get into the book. I didn’t find anything about Joan (the reporter who gets embroiled in the unfolding story) redeeming. The plot focused on Alexander (the teenage recluse / maniac) was incredibly disturbing. Assad’s plot was even more distressing to read. The whole book was just too intense, with no let up. I would think that such a tense book would be a page turner, but, strangely, it was really drawn out and boring. I skimmed the last 25%. There was a LOT of repetitive build up with little payoff at the end. Overall, I felt this book lacked the charm and quirkiness of all the other books in this series that I have loved.
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