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Oslo Crime Files #1
Se meg, Medusa
Book #1 from the series: Oslo Crime Files
🎧Run Time = 11 hours and 58 minutes
The first novel in the Oslo Crime Files, a tense and dark quartet of thrillers for fans of Camilla Lackberg and Jo Nesbo. ‘Sleek and cunning’ --Evening Standard
A woman vanishes from a forest near Oslo. Days later her body is found, seemingly mauled and maimed by a bear. When another woman is reported missing and then found dead with the same scratches and bites, police find the link between them is local doctor, Axel Glenne.
Forensics reveal the women were murdered and a net of suspicion tightens around Axel, who is convinced his twin brother Brede is responsible. But no one has seen him for years and if Axel is to prove his innocence, he needs to find Brede. And fast. But there isn’t a single photograph of the brothers together and neither Axel’s wife nor his children has ever met a man called Brede …
🎧Run Time = 11 hours and 58 minutes
When local doctor Axel Glenne is investigated for two mysterious murders, he believes his elusive twin brother Brede may be the real culprit. The problem? No one — not even Axel’s wife and children — has ever met Brede… This twisty thriller “delivered with maximum psychological intensity” (The Independent) is performed by an Earphones Award–winning narrator!
The first novel in the Oslo Crime Files, a tense and dark quartet of thrillers for fans of Camilla Lackberg and Jo Nesbo. ‘Sleek and cunning’ --Evening Standard
A woman vanishes from a forest near Oslo. Days later her body is found, seemingly mauled and maimed by a bear. When another woman is reported missing and then found dead with the same scratches and bites, police find the link between them is local doctor, Axel Glenne.
Forensics reveal the women were murdered and a net of suspicion tightens around Axel, who is convinced his twin brother Brede is responsible. But no one has seen him for years and if Axel is to prove his innocence, he needs to find Brede. And fast. But there isn’t a single photograph of the brothers together and neither Axel’s wife nor his children has ever met a man called Brede …
Paperback
First published January 1, 2007
About the author
Torkil Damhaug
23 books49 followersTorkil Damhaug (1958–) has a degree in medicine with a specialisation in psychiatry. His début novel, Flykt, måne (The Flight of the Moon) caused a great stir when it appeared in 1996. Syk Rose (Ailing Rose) was also well received by the critics.
Ratings & Reviews
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 66 reviews
May 9, 2019
Axel Glenne is a doctor, married with three children - he’s the son of a Norwegian war hero. He’s a popular man and has great standing in the community.
But the picture isn’t as perfect as he would wish – at least, not in the way that he sees it -because Axel is haunted by a shadow in his background that simply won’t go away: that of a twin brother he hasn’t seen in many years, a brother who actually hated him. And pretty soon the picture of his perfect life is looking a bit less than perfect, certainly to the police!
Firstly, cracks begin to appear when he takes on a young trainee doctor. The attraction between the two professionals is almost immediate, and he begins an affair that he knows is wrong but it’s an attraction he’s unable to resist.
Secondly, there is the discovery of a dead woman who was known to Axel, and who appears to have been killed by a bear. This is soon confirmed when DCI Viken, who is leading the investigation, brings in a colleague, Sgt Arve Norbakk, (a seasoned hunter) who is able to confirm all the signs. Although he feels a sense of doubt, Viken goes along with the explanation, while not being totally convinced - and remains alert for other possibilities.
Glenne’s world and Viken’s are soon drawn closer together on the discovery of another body, which appears to have been killed in the same fashion, showing severe claw marks, and there comes the realisation that there is a connection between the two victims.
Meanwhile, Glenne is becoming unsettled - he’s feeling increasingly bad about his infidelity, and he also has a strange feeling that his brother, Brede is somewhere nearby! This is reinforced by a colleague who claims to have seen someone who looks like him – although Glenne has never revealed to anyone the existence of Brede.
A fairly slow start, the story eventually begins to gather pace along with the police investigation and combined with Glenne’s feelings of stress.
I have to confess I found the reading quite hard work – and not just because of the sombre atmosphere of the book. I just found the writing a little heavy going - but that said, it was a decent enough story and worth the read.
But the picture isn’t as perfect as he would wish – at least, not in the way that he sees it -because Axel is haunted by a shadow in his background that simply won’t go away: that of a twin brother he hasn’t seen in many years, a brother who actually hated him. And pretty soon the picture of his perfect life is looking a bit less than perfect, certainly to the police!
Firstly, cracks begin to appear when he takes on a young trainee doctor. The attraction between the two professionals is almost immediate, and he begins an affair that he knows is wrong but it’s an attraction he’s unable to resist.
Secondly, there is the discovery of a dead woman who was known to Axel, and who appears to have been killed by a bear. This is soon confirmed when DCI Viken, who is leading the investigation, brings in a colleague, Sgt Arve Norbakk, (a seasoned hunter) who is able to confirm all the signs. Although he feels a sense of doubt, Viken goes along with the explanation, while not being totally convinced - and remains alert for other possibilities.
Glenne’s world and Viken’s are soon drawn closer together on the discovery of another body, which appears to have been killed in the same fashion, showing severe claw marks, and there comes the realisation that there is a connection between the two victims.
Meanwhile, Glenne is becoming unsettled - he’s feeling increasingly bad about his infidelity, and he also has a strange feeling that his brother, Brede is somewhere nearby! This is reinforced by a colleague who claims to have seen someone who looks like him – although Glenne has never revealed to anyone the existence of Brede.
A fairly slow start, the story eventually begins to gather pace along with the police investigation and combined with Glenne’s feelings of stress.
I have to confess I found the reading quite hard work – and not just because of the sombre atmosphere of the book. I just found the writing a little heavy going - but that said, it was a decent enough story and worth the read.
February 4, 2025
2.5 stars rounded up. I feel like this lost something in the translation and it was really hard to follow the dialogue without quotation marks. It was a very dry, emotionless read.
December 26, 2017
Despite showing some promise in the initial and final stages, the vast majority of this book was plodding and unconvincing. Spending most of the time with Axel Glenn, a doctor having what must be some kind of midlife crisis, as he embarks on an affair with a young colleague and makes ever more ridiculous behavioural choices was just one of the book's many issues, which included: frequent jumps to the characters who had little or no depth and which were often randomly sidelined/forgotten about, incompetent or unrealistic police characters and procedures, improbable plotting (with a special shoutout to the ending), and a really loose connection (if one really exists at all) to the title, which was the main reason I picked it up.
So... that's a no from me.
So... that's a no from me.
June 28, 2026
3.75
Respected in his Oslo neighborhood Dr.Axel Glenne is a hardworking family man.
But he has a secret.
A new attractive Medical student Miriam arrives at his practice and he's flattered by her interest in him.
But he can't reciprocate..can he?
Then a woman he knows....goes missing...shes found with bear claw marks all over her...
Then another woman...a patient goes missing...
It was a difficult book to get into..but when it does take off ..it is pretty gripping..with a conclusion I didn't see coming.
Respected in his Oslo neighborhood Dr.Axel Glenne is a hardworking family man.
But he has a secret.
A new attractive Medical student Miriam arrives at his practice and he's flattered by her interest in him.
But he can't reciprocate..can he?
Then a woman he knows....goes missing...shes found with bear claw marks all over her...
Then another woman...a patient goes missing...
It was a difficult book to get into..but when it does take off ..it is pretty gripping..with a conclusion I didn't see coming.
July 14, 2021
While I enjoyed a number of the characters populating Medusa, the story itself never really managed to grab 100% of my imagination. Or attention. Meh....
2 1/2 Lackadaisical Stars.
2 1/2 Lackadaisical Stars.
June 11, 2016
Sadly, I just could not love this book, while Axel, our main character started out as an, interesting believable character, a doctor with a life that makes sense he then goes off the rails as murders occur around him, murders possibly linked to his estranged twin brother. I found nothing
convincing or believable about him going off the rails. He does random, idiotic things with insufficient character development to make them comprehensible. In fact, through the main part of the book it is rare to be given any insight into his character at all, everything about him seems superficial and nonsensical. This blandness made it really difficult to care about Axel, or his implication in the murders. By about page 150, if not earlier all I ever felt about our main character was a mild exasperation at his erratic behaviour.
The police section did not lack character depth in the same way, the individual characters were treated well enough that they seemed like real people with motivations and those superficial behaviours that make characters come to life. They seemed to be real people to an extent that Axel has long ceased to be, it was almost as though his character phased out and theirs in. The police character of Viken started out interesting but sort of trailed away in confusion, not sure if he is meant to be a good cop or a useless cop or what, his behaviour is manipulative, stubborn but strangely superficial for all that.
The crime investigation also did not wow me. I like reading foreign fiction for the sense of other places that it gives, but here I got no strong vision of Norway, the place felt generic though with unusual names I didn't feel like I had traveled to a foreign country in my reading. We are reminded it occurs in Oslo, reminded often even and we really need that reminder because world building does not really occur. I think if you know Oslo you might be able to picture the places, but for me there was no strong imagery.
Descriptively speaking the story had ups and downs, the ups were where a character's internal voice was being heard, descriptions were being given or scenes set. The lows were conversation, where characterisation seemed to leak slowly away. And conversations were fiendishly difficult to concentrate on because of the punctuation. At first I didn't even really notice it (though I was finding it hard to read) then it was pointed out to me, all dialogue starts with a hyphen and there is no indication as to when the dialogue stops. Once it was I realised why it was so hard to focus on conversation, it became a little easier but the conversations always seemed flat and bland to me.
At times I wondered if the blandness could be a feature of the translation, but I have heard the translation was pretty good, so perhaps this is just not the author for me.
Final note, Section V is very good indeed, it is the end and I will not spoiler it, but it is as if finally the author can start writing the story he wants to write, as if 297 preceding pages were drudge work he had to go through before he could have a little fun. The plot twist is innovative, it keeps you hooked and it is good reading, sadly I also, had to slog through the 297 preceding pages before I could really start enjoying the book.
And why on earth the title? Did I blink and miss any reference to medusa? Or did it just need a catchy, one word title and get picked out of a hat?
convincing or believable about him going off the rails. He does random, idiotic things with insufficient character development to make them comprehensible. In fact, through the main part of the book it is rare to be given any insight into his character at all, everything about him seems superficial and nonsensical. This blandness made it really difficult to care about Axel, or his implication in the murders. By about page 150, if not earlier all I ever felt about our main character was a mild exasperation at his erratic behaviour.
The police section did not lack character depth in the same way, the individual characters were treated well enough that they seemed like real people with motivations and those superficial behaviours that make characters come to life. They seemed to be real people to an extent that Axel has long ceased to be, it was almost as though his character phased out and theirs in. The police character of Viken started out interesting but sort of trailed away in confusion, not sure if he is meant to be a good cop or a useless cop or what, his behaviour is manipulative, stubborn but strangely superficial for all that.
The crime investigation also did not wow me. I like reading foreign fiction for the sense of other places that it gives, but here I got no strong vision of Norway, the place felt generic though with unusual names I didn't feel like I had traveled to a foreign country in my reading. We are reminded it occurs in Oslo, reminded often even and we really need that reminder because world building does not really occur. I think if you know Oslo you might be able to picture the places, but for me there was no strong imagery.
Descriptively speaking the story had ups and downs, the ups were where a character's internal voice was being heard, descriptions were being given or scenes set. The lows were conversation, where characterisation seemed to leak slowly away. And conversations were fiendishly difficult to concentrate on because of the punctuation. At first I didn't even really notice it (though I was finding it hard to read) then it was pointed out to me, all dialogue starts with a hyphen and there is no indication as to when the dialogue stops. Once it was I realised why it was so hard to focus on conversation, it became a little easier but the conversations always seemed flat and bland to me.
At times I wondered if the blandness could be a feature of the translation, but I have heard the translation was pretty good, so perhaps this is just not the author for me.
Final note, Section V is very good indeed, it is the end and I will not spoiler it, but it is as if finally the author can start writing the story he wants to write, as if 297 preceding pages were drudge work he had to go through before he could have a little fun. The plot twist is innovative, it keeps you hooked and it is good reading, sadly I also, had to slog through the 297 preceding pages before I could really start enjoying the book.
And why on earth the title? Did I blink and miss any reference to medusa? Or did it just need a catchy, one word title and get picked out of a hat?
March 20, 2017
SWEDISH REVIEW
Se mig, Medusa är en bok som började spännande, men kom berättelsen lite av sig och jag fann delar av boken något segt innan berättelsen hämtade upp sig ordentligt mot slutet som var suveränt.
Jag gillade hur allting om Axel Glenne tvillingbror Brede verkade vara en stor hemlighet. Vad hände med Brede, är han vid liv? Är han personen bakom morden, och försöker han sätta dit Axel för morden? Och hur kan det vara mord om kvinnorna har dödats av en björn? Massor av frågor och jag tyckte boken var intressant, men jag fann Axels agerande ibland förbryllande som om han nästan ville att polisen skulle misstänka honom genom att inte vara helt sanningsenlig och agera konstigt. Men, jag ger inte mycket kredit till polisen heller, de tycktes vara alltför fokuserad på Axel att det började se ut som en personlig korståg att sätta dit honom.
Sedan kommer den sista delen av boken, och här insåg jag att jag precis som polisen har också har stirrat mig blint på ett spår. Jag insåg inte alls hur det skulle sluta, och jag blev verkligen förvånad över vändningen i handlingen. Jag som trodde att jag hade listat ut allting fick inse att jag verkligen inte hade räknat ut allting.
Se mig, Medusa är en intressant bok, där allting inte är som det verkar. Jag kan inte säga att jag gillade Alex speciellt mycket, men jag fann honom en intressant karaktär, med en fascinerande bakgrund. Det fanns några långsamma delar i böckerna, och polisen var mest irriterande, men avslutningen var fantastisk!
Tack till Bokfabriken för recensionsexemplaret!
ENGLISH REVIEW
Medusa is a book that started off intriguing, but then the story just never came alive until towards the end of the book.
I liked how everything concerning Axel Glenne twin brother Brede seemed to be such a big secret. What happened to him, is he alive, and if he is where is he? Is he the person behind the killings, and is he trying to frame Axel for the murders? And, how can it be murder if the women have been killed by a bear? Lots of questions and I did enjoy the book, but I found the Axel's actions sometimes baffling like he almost wanted to police to suspect him by not be truthful and acting weird. But, then again, I don't give much credit to the police either, they seemed to be too focused on Axel that it started to look like a personal crusade for the police in charge to nail him for the murders.
Then comes the last part of the book, and here I realized that I like the police have also been blindsided. I did not see that ending, and I was truly surprised over that. That's what happened when you think you have it all figured out, the rug is swept from under your feet. I enjoyed that, enjoyed being surprised.
Medusa is an interesting book, not everything is at it seems, I can't say that I came to like Alex very much, but I found him an interesting character, with a fascinating background. There were some slow parts in the books, and the police were most annoying, but the ending was awesome!
Thanks to Bokfabriken for the review copy!
3.5 stars
Se mig, Medusa är en bok som började spännande, men kom berättelsen lite av sig och jag fann delar av boken något segt innan berättelsen hämtade upp sig ordentligt mot slutet som var suveränt.
Jag gillade hur allting om Axel Glenne tvillingbror Brede verkade vara en stor hemlighet. Vad hände med Brede, är han vid liv? Är han personen bakom morden, och försöker han sätta dit Axel för morden? Och hur kan det vara mord om kvinnorna har dödats av en björn? Massor av frågor och jag tyckte boken var intressant, men jag fann Axels agerande ibland förbryllande som om han nästan ville att polisen skulle misstänka honom genom att inte vara helt sanningsenlig och agera konstigt. Men, jag ger inte mycket kredit till polisen heller, de tycktes vara alltför fokuserad på Axel att det började se ut som en personlig korståg att sätta dit honom.
Sedan kommer den sista delen av boken, och här insåg jag att jag precis som polisen har också har stirrat mig blint på ett spår. Jag insåg inte alls hur det skulle sluta, och jag blev verkligen förvånad över vändningen i handlingen. Jag som trodde att jag hade listat ut allting fick inse att jag verkligen inte hade räknat ut allting.
Se mig, Medusa är en intressant bok, där allting inte är som det verkar. Jag kan inte säga att jag gillade Alex speciellt mycket, men jag fann honom en intressant karaktär, med en fascinerande bakgrund. Det fanns några långsamma delar i böckerna, och polisen var mest irriterande, men avslutningen var fantastisk!
Tack till Bokfabriken för recensionsexemplaret!
ENGLISH REVIEW
Medusa is a book that started off intriguing, but then the story just never came alive until towards the end of the book.
I liked how everything concerning Axel Glenne twin brother Brede seemed to be such a big secret. What happened to him, is he alive, and if he is where is he? Is he the person behind the killings, and is he trying to frame Axel for the murders? And, how can it be murder if the women have been killed by a bear? Lots of questions and I did enjoy the book, but I found the Axel's actions sometimes baffling like he almost wanted to police to suspect him by not be truthful and acting weird. But, then again, I don't give much credit to the police either, they seemed to be too focused on Axel that it started to look like a personal crusade for the police in charge to nail him for the murders.
Then comes the last part of the book, and here I realized that I like the police have also been blindsided. I did not see that ending, and I was truly surprised over that. That's what happened when you think you have it all figured out, the rug is swept from under your feet. I enjoyed that, enjoyed being surprised.
Medusa is an interesting book, not everything is at it seems, I can't say that I came to like Alex very much, but I found him an interesting character, with a fascinating background. There were some slow parts in the books, and the police were most annoying, but the ending was awesome!
Thanks to Bokfabriken for the review copy!
3.5 stars
October 21, 2015
This, the first of four books by Torkil Damhaug, had an intriguing and compelling start to me and I found the writing very atmospheric. The central character, Axel, is a medical doctor who is a twin. However it is a long time since anyone has seen his twin brother and it is clear very early on that there is a story to be revealed.
I did find many of the characters interesting and well fleshed out and I felt that the translator had done a very good job in this book. The "action" in the first half or so of the book I found convincing and compelling. Axel, a happily married man, is bewitched by girl considerably younger than him. He tells stories of Castor & Pollux and Medusa to his young daughter. There is a darkness which I found effective.
I found the latter part of the novel a little different. There was no way I was going to put it down as I neared the end - the pace remained good and well controlled. However it is one of those police stories where the police are maybe not as competent as they might be. Equally the police characters I found less convincing than most of the others in this book. I would add a warning that parts of this are fairly gory in all honesty. The overall plot idea changes direction part way through which didn't really work well for me sadly. I enjoyed reading this and would certainly read another by this author but I remained unconvinced by this - 3.5/5 maybe.
Disclosure - I received an advance copy of this book from the publisher.
I did find many of the characters interesting and well fleshed out and I felt that the translator had done a very good job in this book. The "action" in the first half or so of the book I found convincing and compelling. Axel, a happily married man, is bewitched by girl considerably younger than him. He tells stories of Castor & Pollux and Medusa to his young daughter. There is a darkness which I found effective.
I found the latter part of the novel a little different. There was no way I was going to put it down as I neared the end - the pace remained good and well controlled. However it is one of those police stories where the police are maybe not as competent as they might be. Equally the police characters I found less convincing than most of the others in this book. I would add a warning that parts of this are fairly gory in all honesty. The overall plot idea changes direction part way through which didn't really work well for me sadly. I enjoyed reading this and would certainly read another by this author but I remained unconvinced by this - 3.5/5 maybe.
Disclosure - I received an advance copy of this book from the publisher.
March 1, 2020
"Погледът на медуза" Торкил Дамхауг е увлекателен скандинавски трилър.
Тук сюжетът е необичайно изграден, още от началото авторът въвежда твърде много герои и сюжетни нишки, които ловко преплита, така че в крайна сметка се оказва, че няма нищо излишно.
Първото нещо, което не ми хареса и заради което бавно прочетох книгата е, че началото е твърде мудно и действието се разгръща много бавно, в първите 100 страници почти нищо не се случва, освен че се запознаваме детайлно с живота на Аксел Глене, лекар на средна възраст, с успешна кариера и щастливо семейство, женен с три деца. Но в миналото му има тайни, които все някога ще изплуват.
Жени, от неговото обкръжение са намерени убити при загадъчни обстоятелства. Тук също намирам ,че тази нишка е някак неубедителна, сякаш няма определен профил на жертвата или не е представен достатъчно изпипано, за звучи достоверно.
Авторът люшка читателя между различни варианти и предположения, за да поддържа неизвестността до последно. Полицията се е вкопчила в собствена теория и сякаш не е способна да се справи с толкова заплетен случай. Образът на детективите е доста слабо звено, липсва аналитичен подход и силен характер, който да вземе разследването в ръце, донякъде всичко е оставено на случайността.
Най-големият плюс е изненадата в развръзката, от един момент нататък посоката е ясна, пъзелът се нарежда постепенно, може би авторът е оставил насочващи следи, но до момента, в който не дава директна следа, аз не очаквах такова развитие, така че ме хвана неподготвена.
След средата темпото се променя, историята рязко става по-динамична и читателят се увлича в търсене и размисли относно детайлите и мотивите на загадъчния сериен убиец.
Едно от нещата, които често си мисля при криминални сюжети, свързани със серийни убийства е как точно се пречупва съзнанието на човек, за да посегна на първата си жертва и да изгради зловеща схема и защо някои детски травми не могат да бъдат преодолени.
Едно от много хубавите неща в книгата е атмосферата, въпреки че вероятно не е търсен ефект, Осло е описан много детайлно, усетих се като част от ежедневието на хората.
Тук сюжетът е необичайно изграден, още от началото авторът въвежда твърде много герои и сюжетни нишки, които ловко преплита, така че в крайна сметка се оказва, че няма нищо излишно.
Първото нещо, което не ми хареса и заради което бавно прочетох книгата е, че началото е твърде мудно и действието се разгръща много бавно, в първите 100 страници почти нищо не се случва, освен че се запознаваме детайлно с живота на Аксел Глене, лекар на средна възраст, с успешна кариера и щастливо семейство, женен с три деца. Но в миналото му има тайни, които все някога ще изплуват.
Жени, от неговото обкръжение са намерени убити при загадъчни обстоятелства. Тук също намирам ,че тази нишка е някак неубедителна, сякаш няма определен профил на жертвата или не е представен достатъчно изпипано, за звучи достоверно.
Авторът люшка читателя между различни варианти и предположения, за да поддържа неизвестността до последно. Полицията се е вкопчила в собствена теория и сякаш не е способна да се справи с толкова заплетен случай. Образът на детективите е доста слабо звено, липсва аналитичен подход и силен характер, който да вземе разследването в ръце, донякъде всичко е оставено на случайността.
Най-големият плюс е изненадата в развръзката, от един момент нататък посоката е ясна, пъзелът се нарежда постепенно, може би авторът е оставил насочващи следи, но до момента, в който не дава директна следа, аз не очаквах такова развитие, така че ме хвана неподготвена.
След средата темпото се променя, историята рязко става по-динамична и читателят се увлича в търсене и размисли относно детайлите и мотивите на загадъчния сериен убиец.
Едно от нещата, които често си мисля при криминални сюжети, свързани със серийни убийства е как точно се пречупва съзнанието на човек, за да посегна на първата си жертва и да изгради зловеща схема и защо някои детски травми не могат да бъдат преодолени.
Едно от много хубавите неща в книгата е атмосферата, въпреки че вероятно не е търсен ефект, Осло е описан много детайлно, усетих се като част от ежедневието на хората.
October 26, 2019
This might be the trashiest Nordic Noir I have read. Like, drugstore-paperback trashy. The main protagonist (I think he's supposed to be the protagonist?) is a doctor who, despite being married with children, apparently decides to sleep with his new student on her medical rotations (who by the way is a creepy, unsympathetic & narcissistic stalker herself) with almost no prompting? Which wasn't very believable considering his character is meant to be sympathetic, and was written like he actually loved his wife until he just suddenly HAS to get into bed with his creepy new student. He had basically zero inner conflict about this. Also he's extremely stupid.
The main detective on the case is also hilariously inept. Arrogant, tunnel-visioned, and thinks he is a criminal profiler because he read 1 John Douglas book.
The only characters in the entire book I actually liked and found sympathetic were Oswald, the dude getting a literal prostate exam when the cops bust into the exam room for NO URGENT REASON WHATSOEVER, and the bear. That's it. Everyone else sucks ass.
The main detective on the case is also hilariously inept. Arrogant, tunnel-visioned, and thinks he is a criminal profiler because he read 1 John Douglas book.
The only characters in the entire book I actually liked and found sympathetic were Oswald, the dude getting a literal prostate exam when the cops bust into the exam room for NO URGENT REASON WHATSOEVER, and the bear. That's it. Everyone else sucks ass.
March 26, 2017
Kvinnor hittas dödade med brutala skador som tyder på att en björn har varit framme. Polisen står handfallen. Den enda gemensamma nämnaren mellan kvinnorna är läkaren Axel Glenne.
Handlingen utspelar sig i Norge, från stadsmiljö till skogbeklädda utmarker. Handlingen kommer nära karaktärerna och får ett psykologiskt djup som kryper under skinnet på mig.
Torkil Damhaug håller Jo Nesbö-mått och en norsk deckarstjärna till är tänd. Han är en författare som åker direkt upp på min "intressanta författare"-lista. Se mig, medusa är den första boken som översatts till svenska, i Norge har Torkil Damhaug gett ut ett tiotal böcker! Skynda er att översätta dem!
Tack till Bokfabriken för recensionsexemplaret!
Handlingen utspelar sig i Norge, från stadsmiljö till skogbeklädda utmarker. Handlingen kommer nära karaktärerna och får ett psykologiskt djup som kryper under skinnet på mig.
Torkil Damhaug håller Jo Nesbö-mått och en norsk deckarstjärna till är tänd. Han är en författare som åker direkt upp på min "intressanta författare"-lista. Se mig, medusa är den första boken som översatts till svenska, i Norge har Torkil Damhaug gett ut ett tiotal böcker! Skynda er att översätta dem!
Tack till Bokfabriken för recensionsexemplaret!
August 16, 2026
.... virkelig en pageturner - fremragende, spændende så man sidder på kanten af stolen og bider negle 😉. Godt plot, gode personkarakteristikker og gode twists....læs den ! .....
January 5, 2025
It took me a bit to really get into it. It's fine, nothing groundbreaking in nordic noir. I didn't guess the ending though.
May 26, 2018
Found this to be a rambling and confusing story with an unsatisfactory ending
September 16, 2017
En mycket spännande historia som jag gärna hade gett en 5:a om det inte vore för ett par alltför otroliga sammanträffanden och situationer. De är dock förlåtna medan man läser, tack vare spänningen som väger upp.
August 26, 2026
I’d say its not a fantastic book
It is not bad
I felt bored reading the long winding Axel thoughts. It is too focus on him while we know that he is not the main killer. The author is trying to give an unexpected murder but it feels like he is trying too hard.
It is not bad
I felt bored reading the long winding Axel thoughts. It is too focus on him while we know that he is not the main killer. The author is trying to give an unexpected murder but it feels like he is trying too hard.
March 28, 2017
Recension: ZellysBokhylla
March 11, 2016
Really annoying translation - all dialogue was started with a hyphen, not quotation marks, and there was no mark of any kind when it finished... Figuring out who was speaking in a conversation, and precisely what they said detracted from the story.
This was a very boring story, I nearly gave up several times but persevered to find out who the killer was - that was a disappointment too.
The so-called profiling done in this book was a joke - no one profiles like that in the UK (where the guy supposedly experienced profiling), and more importantly only about 5% of European psychiatrists believe in multiple personality disorder so that was just ignorant to use as a plot device. MPD is a disorder primarily diagnosed in the USA, to the point where it has been argued to be a culture bound syndrome - although many believe it is simply iatrogenic (therapist-caused) and is just a layer masking the real disorder underneath.
This was a very boring story, I nearly gave up several times but persevered to find out who the killer was - that was a disappointment too.
The so-called profiling done in this book was a joke - no one profiles like that in the UK (where the guy supposedly experienced profiling), and more importantly only about 5% of European psychiatrists believe in multiple personality disorder so that was just ignorant to use as a plot device. MPD is a disorder primarily diagnosed in the USA, to the point where it has been argued to be a culture bound syndrome - although many believe it is simply iatrogenic (therapist-caused) and is just a layer masking the real disorder underneath.
January 2, 2016
I really enjoyed this book. I can see why people might give this a low rating though. It's very different in the sense that you can work out a who committed the crime quite early on, if you're looking hard enough. Then the fun becomes working out how the detectives will eventually unravel the whole mystery and tie up all the loose ends.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 11, 2018
What utter crap!
June 7, 2017
*Mild spoiler alert*
Medusa is an odd entry in the Nordic Noir genre, as it manages to boast some intriguing quirks and some real faults. Firstly, the problems. This may be the fault of the English translation, but the writing felt pedestrian and lacking in flair. I particularly felt the book got bogged down in its early stages, and to be honest, for a while I left it alone, as I didn't think it was going anywhere. Yet when I concentrated, I found the book had several interesting quirks. For one thing, the main detective, who initially appears to be an anti-hero in the Harry Hole mode, who we nonetheless cheer for, turns out to be a total jerk who, as a policemen, is absolutely clueless. I liked this reversal of expectation. The other plus point is that Damhaug successfully pulls off at least two major pieces of misdirection, while making us wonder about a mystery that, ultimately is of little importance. Yet I also struggled to really about the characters at all. I don't think it's necessary for sympathetic characters to be present in a novel, but I felt the problem here was that the characters just weren't that interesting, and that can be fatal.
For all that, this is a clever book, and I'm not sorry I read it. But equally I'm not in a hurry to read his other books.
Medusa is an odd entry in the Nordic Noir genre, as it manages to boast some intriguing quirks and some real faults. Firstly, the problems. This may be the fault of the English translation, but the writing felt pedestrian and lacking in flair. I particularly felt the book got bogged down in its early stages, and to be honest, for a while I left it alone, as I didn't think it was going anywhere. Yet when I concentrated, I found the book had several interesting quirks. For one thing, the main detective, who initially appears to be an anti-hero in the Harry Hole mode, who we nonetheless cheer for, turns out to be a total jerk who, as a policemen, is absolutely clueless. I liked this reversal of expectation. The other plus point is that Damhaug successfully pulls off at least two major pieces of misdirection, while making us wonder about a mystery that, ultimately is of little importance. Yet I also struggled to really about the characters at all. I don't think it's necessary for sympathetic characters to be present in a novel, but I felt the problem here was that the characters just weren't that interesting, and that can be fatal.
For all that, this is a clever book, and I'm not sorry I read it. But equally I'm not in a hurry to read his other books.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 29, 2024
The blurb for this novel, by new to me Norwegian author Torkil Damhaug, was "A woman vanishes from a forest near Oslo. Days later her body is found, seemingly mauled and maimed by a bear. When another woman is reported missing and then found dead with the same scratches and bites, police find the link between them is local doctor, Axel Glenne. Forensics reveal the women were murdered and a net of suspicion tightens around Axel, who is convinced his twin brother Brede is responsible. But no one has seen him for years and if Axel is to prove his innocence, he needs to find Brede.".
Sounds good right? And yes that's what happens eventually, after 250 pages of a 350 page book! All build up and set-up and not much actual police procedure. Very slow moving, probably more of a psychologic thriller. And even more annoying was the lack of speech marks and the use of '-' instead to indicate spoken words.
Sounds good right? And yes that's what happens eventually, after 250 pages of a 350 page book! All build up and set-up and not much actual police procedure. Very slow moving, probably more of a psychologic thriller. And even more annoying was the lack of speech marks and the use of '-' instead to indicate spoken words.
May 30, 2019
2.5 stars on this one. It is well written but the plot is losing itself through too many side stories. At all, the story seems to be turning around Dr. Axel Glenne and a twin that no one has met. Moreover, said doctor is having a midlife crisis and sleeps with his weird and disturbed student about whom nobody knows much. Anyhow, the doctor’s family is no better between a daughter who is afraid of some stars and kisses a pet turtle (so unhygienic) without a parent commenting, a very sullen teenager and a wife that sounds a bit promiscuous, there’s not much sympathy to be had for the characters in this book.
August 17, 2026
Nå snakker vi krim.
De beste bøkene er de der man lenge tror man vet svaret, før man blir totalt overrumplet på slutten. Og dette er akkurat en sånn bok. Sammen med politiet blir man ledet ned det man tror er rett spor, og ser seg totalt blind på den faktiske løsningen. Boken er godt bygget opp med flere parallelle historier, som til slutt blir nøstet opp sammen og man skjønner hvilken rolle de hadde for fortellingen. Godt med spenning underveis i boken, selv om man kanskje kunne fått enda mer innblikk i drapene underveis fra drapsmannen sitt perspektiv. Hadde løftet boken enda et hakk, men man kan ikke alltid få i pose og sekk.
De beste bøkene er de der man lenge tror man vet svaret, før man blir totalt overrumplet på slutten. Og dette er akkurat en sånn bok. Sammen med politiet blir man ledet ned det man tror er rett spor, og ser seg totalt blind på den faktiske løsningen. Boken er godt bygget opp med flere parallelle historier, som til slutt blir nøstet opp sammen og man skjønner hvilken rolle de hadde for fortellingen. Godt med spenning underveis i boken, selv om man kanskje kunne fått enda mer innblikk i drapene underveis fra drapsmannen sitt perspektiv. Hadde løftet boken enda et hakk, men man kan ikke alltid få i pose og sekk.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 8, 2021
Тук нещата са доста по- добре от другата книга, която съм чела на автора. Много оплетен и напрегнат трилър, образите продължават да ми бледнеят( същото наблюдавах и в другата книга), но критиките твърдят, че образите са сложни и правдоподобни. На мен точно тази правдоподобност ми убягва. Много ми хареса посоката, в която тръгва от един момент разследването на убийствата- раздвоението на личността е едно от нещата, които могат да направят всяка книга интересна.
December 4, 2017
Torkild Damhaug leverer som alltid! Spennende krim hvor vi følger en rekke ulike karakterer som alle sammen kan kobles sammen med hverandre og krimsaken på ulike vis. En svak 4-er for denne. Har lest mye av Damhaug og har likt absolutt alt. Dette er likevel den svakeste av hans krimbøker, syntes jeg. Det til tross får den 4 av meg så det sier jo litt om hvor bra de øvrige bøkene hans er
May 25, 2020
A new (to me) Norwegian writer. A woman is killed, seemingly by a bear, unlikely in an urban setting even in Norway. A doctor, a good family man (until he isn't) is implicated in this murder. I will definitely read more by this author but, as in much crime fiction, the story gets overly complicated unnecessarily in my eyes. But still a good read.
August 18, 2021
I happened to be on Corfu in a house full of Nordic crime novels. Sadly, this is the one I picked up.
It starts up well enough: I liked the writing, the characters were reasonably interesting, and it felt nice turning the pages. But the longer I waited for the plot to begin, the worse it got. This is a novel that works because people act incredibly stupid. (For example, being in the possession of vital material everyone is looking for, waking up to being strangled by someone wanting it, being saved by another stranger in your own home, and deciding to go back to bed, wait for the morning and then go out to buy a machine with which to play said material without once talking to the police or, just maybe, try not to get murdered.) Women are either hot or not, all the men have all the stupid, and no one seems to know how an investigation works. Because of the strong start, I kept going, but I shouldn't have.
The ending is a clear case of the author deciding to do something shocking, to be surprising, and then sacrificing everything else on that altar. You can't make up the stupidity of several people debating bear prints, discussing that there a) can't be a bear, b) if there was a bear, he could not go where the prints are and c) that the bear walked weirdly on hind legs only and that the spacing between the prints was not like a bear - and then shrugging, calling it a mystery and going home. Come on!
This was a bad novel, getting worse with every page. Don't read it, even if it is the only novel in your house on Corfu. I suspect that being mildly maimed by a bear is a better experience than reading this.
It starts up well enough: I liked the writing, the characters were reasonably interesting, and it felt nice turning the pages. But the longer I waited for the plot to begin, the worse it got. This is a novel that works because people act incredibly stupid. (For example, being in the possession of vital material everyone is looking for, waking up to being strangled by someone wanting it, being saved by another stranger in your own home, and deciding to go back to bed, wait for the morning and then go out to buy a machine with which to play said material without once talking to the police or, just maybe, try not to get murdered.) Women are either hot or not, all the men have all the stupid, and no one seems to know how an investigation works. Because of the strong start, I kept going, but I shouldn't have.
The ending is a clear case of the author deciding to do something shocking, to be surprising, and then sacrificing everything else on that altar. You can't make up the stupidity of several people debating bear prints, discussing that there a) can't be a bear, b) if there was a bear, he could not go where the prints are and c) that the bear walked weirdly on hind legs only and that the spacing between the prints was not like a bear - and then shrugging, calling it a mystery and going home. Come on!
This was a bad novel, getting worse with every page. Don't read it, even if it is the only novel in your house on Corfu. I suspect that being mildly maimed by a bear is a better experience than reading this.
February 28, 2024
Реших да се разровя из книгите на ТОРКИЛ ДАМХАУГ, "Пагледът на Медуза ", прочетох я след "Стъклено сърце " от същия автор.
До 60-та страница нищо. Точно да се откажеш и доста бавно и разтегнато сюжетът набира скорост.
Мога да кажа, че този скандинавски автор се чете, но не е на нивото на НЕСБЬО, ИРСА СИГУРДАРДОТИР, БЬОРК...
Препоръчвам и ще го чета.
До 60-та страница нищо. Точно да се откажеш и доста бавно и разтегнато сюжетът набира скорост.
Мога да кажа, че този скандинавски автор се чете, но не е на нивото на НЕСБЬО, ИРСА СИГУРДАРДОТИР, БЬОРК...
Препоръчвам и ще го чета.
November 11, 2024
bs ending, what happened with the twin? Where the reference to Medusa, and for f sake what was all the fuss about the constellations and the random rambling about mythological and biblical references that were later thrown off the boat. The end of course was out of nowhere and definitely would throw one off but there is no flow to connect to this 'big' plot twist. Also, worst punctuation ever.
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