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Inspector Van Veeteren #2
Borkmann's Point
International Bestseller
Internationally bestselling author Häkan Nesser makes his U.S. debut with this riveting tale of murder and suspense that reveals the deep humanity of the characters portrayed even as it sends chills up the spine.
Chief Inspector Van Veeteren is called to the sleepy coastal town of Kalbringen to assist the local police in the investigation of two recent ax murders. Soon the case turns from bad to worse when another body turns up and one of Van Veeteren’s colleagues, a young female detective, disappears without a trace. Now Van Veeteren must find the killer, and, it is hoped, his colleague, before anyone else comes to harm. Riveting and intellectually satisfying, Borkmann’s Point unfolds like a chess match where each move could prove deadly.
From the Trade Paperback edition.
336 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1994
252 people are currently reading
3475 people want to read
About the author
Håkan Nesser
145 books1,106 followersHåkan Nesser is a Swedish author and teacher who has written a number of successful crime fiction novels. He has won Best Swedish Crime Novel Award three times, and his novel Carambole won the Glass Key award in 2000. His books have been translated from Swedish into numerous languages.
Håkan Nesser was born and grew up in Kumla, and has lived most of his adult life in Uppsala. His first novel was published in 1988, but he worked as a teacher until 1998 when he became a full-time author. In August, 2006, Håkan Nesser and his wife Elke moved to Greenwich Village in New York.
Series:
* Inspector Van Veeteren
* Inspector Barbarotti
Håkan Nesser was born and grew up in Kumla, and has lived most of his adult life in Uppsala. His first novel was published in 1988, but he worked as a teacher until 1998 when he became a full-time author. In August, 2006, Håkan Nesser and his wife Elke moved to Greenwich Village in New York.
Series:
* Inspector Van Veeteren
* Inspector Barbarotti
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 606 reviews
May 29, 2016
An axe murderer.
Swedish writer Hakan Nesser’s second Inspector Van Veeteren is about, no kidding, an axe murderer. In Nesser’s fictional Maardam (which is somewhere in Northern Europe) Detective Chief Inspector Van Veeteren is on holiday in the coastal village of Kaalbringen (also a fictional town) when he is asked to assist the local law enforcement with tracking down the killer of two local men. The men had been almost decapitated and left to be found, having been struck from behind with what seems to be a very sharp axe.
Nesser’s murky and cerebral style is well suited to Nordic Noir and Van Veeteren is a Holmesesque type of sleuth: ponderous, thoughtful and investigating the murders as he would brooding over a chess game while drinking vintage spirits. The investigation takes a crucial turn when a member of the investigating team is kidnapped.
The strength of this novel is Nesser’s superbly complicated characterizations and dialogue. More so than in 1993’s Mind's Eye, the reader gets to know more about Van Veeteren’s team and also more about the detective himself. Also noteworthy is Nesser’s shifting perspective that includes omnipresent scenes with the murderer.
First published in Sweden in 1994 as Borkmanns punkt, I read and enjoyed the 2006 English translation (by Laurie Thompson). For fans of Nesser and for Nordic Noir readers.
Swedish writer Hakan Nesser’s second Inspector Van Veeteren is about, no kidding, an axe murderer. In Nesser’s fictional Maardam (which is somewhere in Northern Europe) Detective Chief Inspector Van Veeteren is on holiday in the coastal village of Kaalbringen (also a fictional town) when he is asked to assist the local law enforcement with tracking down the killer of two local men. The men had been almost decapitated and left to be found, having been struck from behind with what seems to be a very sharp axe.
Nesser’s murky and cerebral style is well suited to Nordic Noir and Van Veeteren is a Holmesesque type of sleuth: ponderous, thoughtful and investigating the murders as he would brooding over a chess game while drinking vintage spirits. The investigation takes a crucial turn when a member of the investigating team is kidnapped.
The strength of this novel is Nesser’s superbly complicated characterizations and dialogue. More so than in 1993’s Mind's Eye, the reader gets to know more about Van Veeteren’s team and also more about the detective himself. Also noteworthy is Nesser’s shifting perspective that includes omnipresent scenes with the murderer.
First published in Sweden in 1994 as Borkmanns punkt, I read and enjoyed the 2006 English translation (by Laurie Thompson). For fans of Nesser and for Nordic Noir readers.
July 4, 2022
Romanul face parte din seria cu inspectorul Van Veeteren.
Ne aflam in anii `90 si suntem martori la o crima destul de violenta si neobisnuita. Intr-o seara de vara tarzie Ernst Simmel, in varsta de 50 de ani si avand 2 copii, bea linistit cateva paharele la "Vaporul Albastru". La intoarcerea spre casa decide sa faca un mic ocol si se duce spre port si padurea de langa. Criminalul, botezat de catre ziare "Tipul cu Toporul" il urmareste si cand victima ajunge intr-un loc intunecos, il omoara cu toporul. Ernst Simmel era cea de-a doua victima a sa.
Inspectorul Van Veeteren este in concediu pe coasta insa este sunat si rugat sa ajute la acest caz. Acesta se afla in politie de 30 de ani insa nu vazuse niciodata un criminal care sa foloseasca toporul si e intrigat de acest caz. Curand isi da seama ca si in ceea ce priveste prima victima indiciile sunt foarte putine si ca elucidarea acestei enigme va fi dificila. In ancheta va fi ajutat de un grup de politisti dar si de o inteligenta politista Beate Moerk.
Asa cum este usor de imaginat o drama sordida din trecut va iesi la iveala.
Va recomand romanul, are o intriga politista buna, un caz interesant presarat cu un strop de umor cuminte, inspectorul este agreabil, desi putin prea "inchis" pentru gustul meu.
Spre deosebire de romanele nordic-noir acesta are un aer de calm, liniste fiind lipsit de violenta, vulgaritate si desi are unele cuvinte licentioase nu este atat de neplacut, aducandu-mi aminte de Maigret.
Titlul este unul foarte interesant si face referire la inspectorul Borkmann adica mentorul lui VV care l-a invatat ca in orice investigatie exista un punct dincolo de care nu mai este nevoie de nicio informatie in plus. Fiecare inspector cu fler trebuie sa stie cand a atins acel punct si asta face diferenta dintre un detectiv bun si unul prost.
Romanul are un mic/mare neajuns si anume ca mi-ar fi placut sa nu fie atat de evident cine este criminalul. Foarte interesant, dupa vreo 100 de pagini, cand V. spunea "nu avem nimic", mi-am zis in sinea mea cu oarecare satisfactie: "Sic, chiar nu ai nimic!" (eu in general tin cu personajele negative). Insa chiar in momentul acela m-am prins cine era ucigasul si mi-a trecut zambetul vazand cat de simplu este. Insa povestea este interesanta si dezvaluie o drama tulburatoare din trecut astfel ca merita citita.
In incheiere atasez cateva citate care mi s-au parut si intelepte si interesante:
"Ei bine, viata nu este un joc de sah, pana la urma, isi spuse el. Un joc de sah presupune infinit mai multe posibilitati."
"Orice zi in care nu reusesti sa-ti castigi macar o bucata scurta de timp in care sa faci ceea ce-ti doresti cu adevarat este o zi irosita."
"... in lumea lui, binele se predase neconditionat raului. Nu avea niciun motiv sa astepte altceva de la viata decat neplaceri si lucruri urate. Era si asta un mod de a evita dezamagirile."
"Raspunsurile pot fi mai dificil de gasit decat acul in carul cu fan! Prin urmare, puteti cel putin sa va aigurati ca scotociti in carul de fan adecvat."
"- Cand credeti ca veti baga criminalul la racoare? Intreba un reporter cu nasul rosu de la statia locala de radio?
- Cam in 10 minute dupa ce-l prindem, raspunse Bausen."
"Cand vanezi un criminal, domnisoara Meuhlich, raspunde Bausen, trebuie sa accepti cateva neplaceri minore."
Ne aflam in anii `90 si suntem martori la o crima destul de violenta si neobisnuita. Intr-o seara de vara tarzie Ernst Simmel, in varsta de 50 de ani si avand 2 copii, bea linistit cateva paharele la "Vaporul Albastru". La intoarcerea spre casa decide sa faca un mic ocol si se duce spre port si padurea de langa. Criminalul, botezat de catre ziare "Tipul cu Toporul" il urmareste si cand victima ajunge intr-un loc intunecos, il omoara cu toporul. Ernst Simmel era cea de-a doua victima a sa.
Inspectorul Van Veeteren este in concediu pe coasta insa este sunat si rugat sa ajute la acest caz. Acesta se afla in politie de 30 de ani insa nu vazuse niciodata un criminal care sa foloseasca toporul si e intrigat de acest caz. Curand isi da seama ca si in ceea ce priveste prima victima indiciile sunt foarte putine si ca elucidarea acestei enigme va fi dificila. In ancheta va fi ajutat de un grup de politisti dar si de o inteligenta politista Beate Moerk.
Asa cum este usor de imaginat o drama sordida din trecut va iesi la iveala.
Va recomand romanul, are o intriga politista buna, un caz interesant presarat cu un strop de umor cuminte, inspectorul este agreabil, desi putin prea "inchis" pentru gustul meu.
Spre deosebire de romanele nordic-noir acesta are un aer de calm, liniste fiind lipsit de violenta, vulgaritate si desi are unele cuvinte licentioase nu este atat de neplacut, aducandu-mi aminte de Maigret.
Titlul este unul foarte interesant si face referire la inspectorul Borkmann adica mentorul lui VV care l-a invatat ca in orice investigatie exista un punct dincolo de care nu mai este nevoie de nicio informatie in plus. Fiecare inspector cu fler trebuie sa stie cand a atins acel punct si asta face diferenta dintre un detectiv bun si unul prost.
Romanul are un mic/mare neajuns si anume ca mi-ar fi placut sa nu fie atat de evident cine este criminalul. Foarte interesant, dupa vreo 100 de pagini, cand V. spunea "nu avem nimic", mi-am zis in sinea mea cu oarecare satisfactie: "Sic, chiar nu ai nimic!" (eu in general tin cu personajele negative). Insa chiar in momentul acela m-am prins cine era ucigasul si mi-a trecut zambetul vazand cat de simplu este. Insa povestea este interesanta si dezvaluie o drama tulburatoare din trecut astfel ca merita citita.
In incheiere atasez cateva citate care mi s-au parut si intelepte si interesante:
"Ei bine, viata nu este un joc de sah, pana la urma, isi spuse el. Un joc de sah presupune infinit mai multe posibilitati."
"Orice zi in care nu reusesti sa-ti castigi macar o bucata scurta de timp in care sa faci ceea ce-ti doresti cu adevarat este o zi irosita."
"... in lumea lui, binele se predase neconditionat raului. Nu avea niciun motiv sa astepte altceva de la viata decat neplaceri si lucruri urate. Era si asta un mod de a evita dezamagirile."
"Raspunsurile pot fi mai dificil de gasit decat acul in carul cu fan! Prin urmare, puteti cel putin sa va aigurati ca scotociti in carul de fan adecvat."
"- Cand credeti ca veti baga criminalul la racoare? Intreba un reporter cu nasul rosu de la statia locala de radio?
- Cam in 10 minute dupa ce-l prindem, raspunse Bausen."
"Cand vanezi un criminal, domnisoara Meuhlich, raspunde Bausen, trebuie sa accepti cateva neplaceri minore."
June 27, 2025
Five stars for the plot's idea and the title's meaning, four stars for the characters and the dialogues, three for the philosophy behind, a little too cumbersome for my poor taste.
Not to mention that I was able to spot the criminal before the final third of the story and therefore I've liked it more...
Not to mention that I was able to spot the criminal before the final third of the story and therefore I've liked it more...
January 18, 2009
Borkmann's Point: "the point beyond which we really don't need any more information. When we reach that point, we already know enough to solve the case by means of nothing more than some decent thinking. " And it is precisely at this point that Inspector Van Veeteren begins to focus on the identity of the Axman, so called because of his propensity to commit murder with an axe. The inhabitants of the small Swedish town of Kaalbringen have become paralyzed with fear after the third murder, and it is up to Inspector Van Veeteren, along with the members of the local police force, to stop this man before he can strike again. There are a couple of fine red herrings put before the reader along the way, and the ending threw me for a loop.
I really enjoyed Nesser's style of writing here. Very unhurried, very understated, so that the reader just sort of falls into the story very easily. It's the same with his portrayal of Van Veeteren -- you just sense that the inspector is going to get his job done, but that he's biding his time. I enjoy this style and this sort of characterization.
General mystery readers will truly enjoy this one, as will those who already read such authors as Henning Mankell or Kerstin Ekman who also hail from Sweden. I am now off to by the next book featuring Van Veeteren.
I really enjoyed Nesser's style of writing here. Very unhurried, very understated, so that the reader just sort of falls into the story very easily. It's the same with his portrayal of Van Veeteren -- you just sense that the inspector is going to get his job done, but that he's biding his time. I enjoy this style and this sort of characterization.
General mystery readers will truly enjoy this one, as will those who already read such authors as Henning Mankell or Kerstin Ekman who also hail from Sweden. I am now off to by the next book featuring Van Veeteren.
June 13, 2016
The basic premise is this: Detective Chief Inspector Van Veeteren of the (imaginary) city of Maarsdam is vacationing in the nearby seaside town Kaalbringen. Although he’s scheduled to go back to work, he’s recruited to stay in town and join forces with the local Kaalbringen police after a man murdered with an ax is discovered. Shortly after, there is another murder—similar in method, although the victims have nothing apparent in common. While he quickly bonds with the members of the Kaalbringen police force (particularly the clever inspector Beate Moerk and DCI Bausen), Van Veeteren sees no solution, even as the case drags on for two months and results in yet another murder.
Some thoughts on the tepid execution (no pun intended) of this story:
1. Borkmann's Point now has the dubious distinction of introducing the most transparent killer since my Mary Higgins Clark reading days. I honestly guessed the killer on page 59 (the book is 321 pages total) and while there were moments throughout that were meant to telegraph the murderer's identity to the reader, it's clear that the big reveal at the end is supposed to be a shocker. But it isn't, except perhaps to Van Veeteren, who for months has been dispensing sage advice and telling people that he'll “only have to set eyes on [the murder’s] type” and then he'll know whodunit. If this is supposed to be ironic, it doesn't come across at all.
We are later supposed to believe that Van Veeteren was actually on to the killer much sooner, but Nesser purposefully cloaks his hero's thoughts—and much of his investigative work—in secrecy. We're told that VV makes calls to follow up on hunches, but we don't know to who or what he finds out. He takes trips to check out clues, but he doesn't tell us (or his underlings) where he is going. It's like reading an Agatha Christie novel, but without the charm. The only thing that makes this any more bearable is that the police inspector who joins Van Veeteren from Maarsdam—Münster—frequently notes that his boss is “sitting there, playing the asshole and being mysterious again,” which does provide a nice bit of relief from The Great Detective's ego.
2. Nesser is awful at writing women. There is a chapter in which inspector Beate Moerk is at home, contemplating the case, her weight, and her status as a single woman and a female detective, during which Nesser writes, “She started soaping her breasts...still firm and bouncy; another recurrent thought was that one day she would start to dislike her breasts—the whole of her body come to that. But naturally, that was a trauma she shared with all women.” Ugh.
Later, Van Veeteren meets a woman in the course of the case and makes an empty promise about how long it'll take him to crack it. The woman leaves, comforted, and VV snickers to himself: “How easy it is to fool a woman...a woman you've only known for five minutes.” Again, there might be some underlying irony here—Van Veeteren is arrogant about fooling ladies all while he's being fooled himself. But even so, the sort of easy chauvinism here only made me like him less than I already did.
3. These people are investigating a serial ax murderer and yet, not much investigating seems to really happen. Even if there aren't a lot of clues, it seems to me that it'd be worth spending far more time tracking down former associates, lovers, flat-mates, etc. to get more insight into the lives of the victims. Find possible connections. Right? As is, everyone spends the day kinda-sorta talking about the case at the local pastry shop and they all go home at the end of the day with a bit of a shrug. Van Veeteren spends night after night with DCI Bausen playing chess, eating rich gourmet dinners, and sampling multiple bottles of fine vintage wine from Bausen's private collection. No one really seems all that fussed, honestly, except for Münster, the skeptical inspector from Maarsdam who wants to go home to his wife and kids. Which makes me think that maybe we'd all be better served if the book was about Münster—who cares even a little about the outcome of the case—as opposed to Van Veeteren.
Some thoughts on the tepid execution (no pun intended) of this story:
1. Borkmann's Point now has the dubious distinction of introducing the most transparent killer since my Mary Higgins Clark reading days. I honestly guessed the killer on page 59 (the book is 321 pages total) and while there were moments throughout that were meant to telegraph the murderer's identity to the reader, it's clear that the big reveal at the end is supposed to be a shocker. But it isn't, except perhaps to Van Veeteren, who for months has been dispensing sage advice and telling people that he'll “only have to set eyes on [the murder’s] type” and then he'll know whodunit. If this is supposed to be ironic, it doesn't come across at all.
We are later supposed to believe that Van Veeteren was actually on to the killer much sooner, but Nesser purposefully cloaks his hero's thoughts—and much of his investigative work—in secrecy. We're told that VV makes calls to follow up on hunches, but we don't know to who or what he finds out. He takes trips to check out clues, but he doesn't tell us (or his underlings) where he is going. It's like reading an Agatha Christie novel, but without the charm. The only thing that makes this any more bearable is that the police inspector who joins Van Veeteren from Maarsdam—Münster—frequently notes that his boss is “sitting there, playing the asshole and being mysterious again,” which does provide a nice bit of relief from The Great Detective's ego.
2. Nesser is awful at writing women. There is a chapter in which inspector Beate Moerk is at home, contemplating the case, her weight, and her status as a single woman and a female detective, during which Nesser writes, “She started soaping her breasts...still firm and bouncy; another recurrent thought was that one day she would start to dislike her breasts—the whole of her body come to that. But naturally, that was a trauma she shared with all women.” Ugh.
Later, Van Veeteren meets a woman in the course of the case and makes an empty promise about how long it'll take him to crack it. The woman leaves, comforted, and VV snickers to himself: “How easy it is to fool a woman...a woman you've only known for five minutes.” Again, there might be some underlying irony here—Van Veeteren is arrogant about fooling ladies all while he's being fooled himself. But even so, the sort of easy chauvinism here only made me like him less than I already did.
3. These people are investigating a serial ax murderer and yet, not much investigating seems to really happen. Even if there aren't a lot of clues, it seems to me that it'd be worth spending far more time tracking down former associates, lovers, flat-mates, etc. to get more insight into the lives of the victims. Find possible connections. Right? As is, everyone spends the day kinda-sorta talking about the case at the local pastry shop and they all go home at the end of the day with a bit of a shrug. Van Veeteren spends night after night with DCI Bausen playing chess, eating rich gourmet dinners, and sampling multiple bottles of fine vintage wine from Bausen's private collection. No one really seems all that fussed, honestly, except for Münster, the skeptical inspector from Maarsdam who wants to go home to his wife and kids. Which makes me think that maybe we'd all be better served if the book was about Münster—who cares even a little about the outcome of the case—as opposed to Van Veeteren.
April 16, 2015
Description: Chief Inspector Van Veeteren is called to the sleepy coastal town of Kalbringen to assist the local police in the investigation of two recent ax murders. Soon the case turns from bad to worse when another body turns up and one of Van Veeteren’s colleagues, a young female detective, disappears without a trace. Now Van Veeteren must find the killer, and, it is hoped, his colleague, before anyone else comes to harm. Riveting and intellectually satisfying, Borkmann’s Point unfolds like a chess match where each move could prove deadly.
Opening: Had Ernst Simmel known he was to be the Axman's second victim, he would no doubt have drowned a few more drinks at The Blue Ship.
The one with an extended holiday due to a serial axe murderer.
3* Mind's Eye (Inspector Van Veeteren #1)
3* Borkmann's Point (Inspector Van Veeteren #2)
4* The Return
3* Woman With A Birthmark
TR The Inspector and Silence (Inspector Van Veeteren #5)
Opening: Had Ernst Simmel known he was to be the Axman's second victim, he would no doubt have drowned a few more drinks at The Blue Ship.
The one with an extended holiday due to a serial axe murderer.3* Mind's Eye (Inspector Van Veeteren #1)
3* Borkmann's Point (Inspector Van Veeteren #2)
4* The Return
3* Woman With A Birthmark
TR The Inspector and Silence (Inspector Van Veeteren #5)
May 29, 2014
After a very good "Mind's Eye", I found this book slightly disappointing. The plot felt slow at times, which was pretty frustrating. However, that might be exactly what the author intended: the reader to become as frustrated as the investigative team with the lack of progress in solving the crime! If so, he was successful!
Having said that, this book had more good qualities than bad. The mystery was interesting enough...the "bad guy" was literally an axe murderer! The conclusion was somewhat surprising and satisfying, albeit a little abrupt!
I really liked the new characters, especially Beate Moerk. Most of the female characters in this genre seem similar; after a while, they all sort of blur and I find it hard to remember who belongs to what series! I found Beate to be a little different from her "counterparts" in other books: she was very likable while being ambitious and pretty self-confident!
All in all, I am glad that I discovered this series! :-)
Having said that, this book had more good qualities than bad. The mystery was interesting enough...the "bad guy" was literally an axe murderer! The conclusion was somewhat surprising and satisfying, albeit a little abrupt!
I really liked the new characters, especially Beate Moerk. Most of the female characters in this genre seem similar; after a while, they all sort of blur and I find it hard to remember who belongs to what series! I found Beate to be a little different from her "counterparts" in other books: she was very likable while being ambitious and pretty self-confident!
All in all, I am glad that I discovered this series! :-)
November 10, 2011
It read easily but without flair. Too much padding in attempt to prolong little bursts of weak suspense. Too much extraneous detail about various characters' interior lives which was completely irrelevant to the story, without the saving grace of providing a different perspective into the human condition. This seems to be a common pitfall in this genre. Enjoyed the short snippets of the villain's POV. Other than the names, it felt generic.
September 27, 2023
Like a game of chess. Van Veeteren mentions he sometimes plays an opening he invented himself, but this book feels like a game that closely follows theory. By that I mean it's not very exciting. A bit of been there, read that. A tad lackluster. I like Van Veeteren, there is something weirdly philosophical and amusingly snobby about him, but his pensive personality can be a drag. I figured it would pick up some momentum at some point, that would be when someone disappears, I guess, but, well, been there, read that. Not bad, but ask me in a month or so and I'll probably shrug my shoulders.
January 30, 2019
Όπως τα περισσότερα αδστυνομικά μυθιστορήματα, είναι ένα πολύ καλό page turner, αλλά δυστυχώς αυτή τη φορά κατάλαβα το δολοφόνο λίγο πριν τη μέση...
July 13, 2016
I gialli svedesi di Nesser mi piacciono, per l’umanità e la comprensione con cui i personaggi sono tratteggiati –che ricordano il Maigret di Simenon-, per la tensione non esagerata ma continuata che ti spinge ad andare avanti nella lettura, per la soluzione del caso che arriva inaspettata, anche se solo una lettrice distratta come me non si è accorta di chi potesse essere il sospettato dell’assassinio di tre uomini, il “Tagliateste”, che con un’accetta lasciata sul luogo dell’ultimo delitto ha ucciso tre persone tra le quali non esiste alcun legame, un delinquentello ex tossicodipendente, un agente immobiliare che di notte frequenta prostitute ed un medico. Viene chiamato ad accelerare le indagini il commissario Van Veeteren, che in questo romanzo non viene approfondito psicologicamente come in altri romanzi successivi: l’autore preferisce parlare dell’agente Beate Moerk, una bella donna oltre che buona investigatrice, che non ha un fidanzato né un marito ma sente forte la voglia di maternità (peccato che nei romanzi successivi non ci sia più) o del commissario Bausen, collega di Van Veeteren, prossimo alla pensione, una sorta di “doppio tenebroso” del primo, con il quale c’è subito sintonia, vuoi per la passione per gli scacchi, vuoi per una intesa che forse si fonda sui lati oscuri del loro passato.
La soluzione del caso arriva tardi, non tanto perché il commissario sia caduto in trappola, come dice il titolo, quanto perché le indagini sono dispersive e non portano a nulla, come accade quando la soluzione è sotto agli occhi ma è come invisibile.
Mi è piaciuto, è un thriller che si fa gustare in queste calde giornate di luglio.
La soluzione del caso arriva tardi, non tanto perché il commissario sia caduto in trappola, come dice il titolo, quanto perché le indagini sono dispersive e non portano a nulla, come accade quando la soluzione è sotto agli occhi ma è come invisibile.
Mi è piaciuto, è un thriller che si fa gustare in queste calde giornate di luglio.
May 23, 2020
Daha çok 4.5/5 diyebilirim. Güzel bir finale sahip şahane bir polisiyeydi bence, ben katili bulduğumu sandım ama o çıkmadı, iyi ki de çıkmadı. Bu kitaptaki en büyük sorun edit kısmı. Bir de neden saik diye kimsenin bilmediği, duymadığı, garip bir hukuki terimi katilin yöntemini anlatmak için kullanırsın bilemiyorum. Onun dışında rahat okunan, akıcı, beğendiğim bir hikaye oldu. Eski tip dedektif hikayeleri ayrı bir hoşuma gidiyor.
January 14, 2020
O Νesser έκανε και πάλι το θαύμα του! Έγραψε ένα απο τα κλασικότερα μυθιστορήματα της Σκανδιναβικής 'Σχολής' (1994) Αστυνομικής Λογοτεχνίας, εκφράζοντας το πνεύμα της δεκαετίας του '90, το οποίο επέβαλλε σαφή και έντονα κοινωνικά μηνύματα. Το συγκεκριμένο μυθιστόρημα τιμήθηκε με το Bραβείο Καλύτερου Αστυνομικού Μυθιστορήματος της Σουηδικής Ακαδημίας Αστυνομικής Λογοτεχνίας 2004 και ήταν υποψήφιο για Βραβείο Duncan Lawrie International Dagger.
Σε αντίθεση με προηγούμενο βιβλίο του, το 'Αραιό Δίχτυ', το οποίο συνδύαζε τα κατάλληλα στοιχεία ενός ατμοσφαιρικού ψυχολογικού θρίλερ με τα αντίστοιχα αστυνομικού μυθιστορήματος μυστηρίου, το συγκεκριμένο είναι γραμμένο σε πιο 'νουάρ' τόνους, ακολουθώντας μια πιο στρωτή δομή, κατά την οποία η πλοκή ξετυλίγεται σταδιακά. Ο Βαν Βέτερεν υιοθετεί και ακολουθεί ένα λογικό αξίωμα, το οποίο έχει ως βάση τον συσχετισμό των στοιχείων, το γνωστό 'Σημείο του Μπόρκμαν'. Ως λάτρης των παρτίδων σκάκι, ο επιθεωρητής κινείται και ενεργεί, προσαρμόζοντας τη στρατηγική του με τέτοιο τρόπο, ώστε να φτάσει στο σημείο όπου δεν θα χρειάζονται περαιτέρω στοιχεία για να διαλεκάνει το μυστήριο των φόνων από έναν αδίστακτο εκτελεστή, ο οποίος έχει το ψευδώνυμο ' Το Τσεκούρι'.
Ο συγγραφέας εντυπωσιάζει περιγράφοντας το κλίμα συλλογικού φόβου και καχυποψίας, το οποίο επικρατούσε στις περιοχές κοντά στα σημεία όπου έγιναν οι δολοφονίες, αναφέροντας πολύκροτες υποθέσεις 'κατα συρροή' δολοφόνων στο παρελθόν, όπως του Στραγγαλιστή της Βοστόνης, του Ρολιέ, του δολοφόνου της Νίκαιας και πολλών άλλων. Με αυτό τον τρόπο, ο αναγνώστης αρχίζει να ανακαλεί στη μνήμη του το ενδιαφέρον των Μέσων Μαζικής Ενημέρωσης, κατά τη διάρκεια της δεκαετίας του '90, για τις 'κατά συρροή' δολοφονίες που παρουσιάζονταν με 'μελανά σημεία', όσο και την ραγδαία αύξηση των serial killers, οι οποίοι έσπερναν το τρόμο στις μεγαλουπόλεις.
Ένα άλλο 'καυτό' θέμα εκείνης της εποχής, το οποίο θίγεται με διακριτικότητα και αποτελεί σημαντικό μέρος της πλοκής, είναι οι βομβιστικές επιθέσεις και οι τρομοκρατικές ενέργειες, όπως της ΕΤΑ (η Οργάνωση των Βάσκων Αυτονομιστών), οι οποίες δίχαζαν, ακόμα περισσότερο, τη κοινή γνώμη, 'τραυματίζοντας' την ηρεμία στη καθημερινότητα των πολιτών.
Μοναδικό μειονέκτημα του βιβλίου θα μπορούσα να πω ότι είναι ο απότομος τρόπος με τον οποίο ο συγγραφέας 'οδηγεί' τον επιθεωρητή προς την ολοκλήρωση της ιστορίας, χωρίς να 'ενημερώνει' τον αναγνώστη για κάποια σημαντικά στοιχεία και υιοθετώντας ένα απόλυτο και αποστειρωμένο ύφος στη γραφή του. Ευτυχώς, στο τέλος, το κίνητρο των δολοφονιών και οι αναγκαίες λεπτομέρειες αναλύονται με σαφή τρόπο 'προς τέρψιν του αναγνωστικού κοινού'.
Ωστόσο, οδεύοντας προς την ανατρεπτική λύση του μυστηρίου, ο αναγνώστης ανακαλύπτει ότι δεν είναι ο μόνος που αναρωτιέται αν θα έπρεπε να είχε διαλευκανθεί η συγκεκριμένη υπόθεση. Είναι καί ο επιθεωρητής Βαν Βέτερεν που συμφωνεί με τον αναγνώστη.
Το προτείνω ανεπιφύλακτα!
Βαθμολογία: 4,6/5 ή 9,2/10.
Σε αντίθεση με προηγούμενο βιβλίο του, το 'Αραιό Δίχτυ', το οποίο συνδύαζε τα κατάλληλα στοιχεία ενός ατμοσφαιρικού ψυχολογικού θρίλερ με τα αντίστοιχα αστυνομικού μυθιστορήματος μυστηρίου, το συγκεκριμένο είναι γραμμένο σε πιο 'νουάρ' τόνους, ακολουθώντας μια πιο στρωτή δομή, κατά την οποία η πλοκή ξετυλίγεται σταδιακά. Ο Βαν Βέτερεν υιοθετεί και ακολουθεί ένα λογικό αξίωμα, το οποίο έχει ως βάση τον συσχετισμό των στοιχείων, το γνωστό 'Σημείο του Μπόρκμαν'. Ως λάτρης των παρτίδων σκάκι, ο επιθεωρητής κινείται και ενεργεί, προσαρμόζοντας τη στρατηγική του με τέτοιο τρόπο, ώστε να φτάσει στο σημείο όπου δεν θα χρειάζονται περαιτέρω στοιχεία για να διαλεκάνει το μυστήριο των φόνων από έναν αδίστακτο εκτελεστή, ο οποίος έχει το ψευδώνυμο ' Το Τσεκούρι'.
Ο συγγραφέας εντυπωσιάζει περιγράφοντας το κλίμα συλλογικού φόβου και καχυποψίας, το οποίο επικρατούσε στις περιοχές κοντά στα σημεία όπου έγιναν οι δολοφονίες, αναφέροντας πολύκροτες υποθέσεις 'κατα συρροή' δολοφόνων στο παρελθόν, όπως του Στραγγαλιστή της Βοστόνης, του Ρολιέ, του δολοφόνου της Νίκαιας και πολλών άλλων. Με αυτό τον τρόπο, ο αναγνώστης αρχίζει να ανακαλεί στη μνήμη του το ενδιαφέρον των Μέσων Μαζικής Ενημέρωσης, κατά τη διάρκεια της δεκαετίας του '90, για τις 'κατά συρροή' δολοφονίες που παρουσιάζονταν με 'μελανά σημεία', όσο και την ραγδαία αύξηση των serial killers, οι οποίοι έσπερναν το τρόμο στις μεγαλουπόλεις.
Ένα άλλο 'καυτό' θέμα εκείνης της εποχής, το οποίο θίγεται με διακριτικότητα και αποτελεί σημαντικό μέρος της πλοκής, είναι οι βομβιστικές επιθέσεις και οι τρομοκρατικές ενέργειες, όπως της ΕΤΑ (η Οργάνωση των Βάσκων Αυτονομιστών), οι οποίες δίχαζαν, ακόμα περισσότερο, τη κοινή γνώμη, 'τραυματίζοντας' την ηρεμία στη καθημερινότητα των πολιτών.
Μοναδικό μειονέκτημα του βιβλίου θα μπορούσα να πω ότι είναι ο απότομος τρόπος με τον οποίο ο συγγραφέας 'οδηγεί' τον επιθεωρητή προς την ολοκλήρωση της ιστορίας, χωρίς να 'ενημερώνει' τον αναγνώστη για κάποια σημαντικά στοιχεία και υιοθετώντας ένα απόλυτο και αποστειρωμένο ύφος στη γραφή του. Ευτυχώς, στο τέλος, το κίνητρο των δολοφονιών και οι αναγκαίες λεπτομέρειες αναλύονται με σαφή τρόπο 'προς τέρψιν του αναγνωστικού κοινού'.
Ωστόσο, οδεύοντας προς την ανατρεπτική λύση του μυστηρίου, ο αναγνώστης ανακαλύπτει ότι δεν είναι ο μόνος που αναρωτιέται αν θα έπρεπε να είχε διαλευκανθεί η συγκεκριμένη υπόθεση. Είναι καί ο επιθεωρητής Βαν Βέτερεν που συμφωνεί με τον αναγνώστη.
Το προτείνω ανεπιφύλακτα!
Βαθμολογία: 4,6/5 ή 9,2/10.
March 17, 2012
Borkmann is an old cop, one of the few that Chief Inspector Van Veeteren respects. Van Veeteren is thinking about Borkmann while he’s sitting in the tub, three bottles of brown ale in a bucket of cold water on the floor “and a dish of fat olives within easy reach.”
In every investigation, Borkmann maintained, “there comes a point beyond which we don’t really need any more information. When we reach that point, we already know enough to solve the case by means of nothing more than some decent thinking. A good investigation should try to establish when that point has been reached, or rather, when it has been passed; in his memoirs, Borkmann went so far as to claim it was precisely this ability, or lack of it, which distinguishes a good detective from a bad one.”
Borkmann weighs his woes. Three murder victims, all slain with an ax. And now a missing fellow inspector, a woman. It’s possible all the details he needs are already before him.
"Borkmann’s Point" is a thinker, a procedural with many points of view. (Pay attention; Nesser does not do much hand-holding.)
Hats off to Nesser for not overdoing the killer point of view, keeping him down to earth (if that’s possible). He’s not foaming at the mouth, which makes him scarier.
The pace here is steady but it’s not footraces and speeding cars, it’s the cumulative weight of earnest detectives (Van Veeteren has a stable of help from the locals) doing their best.
"Borkmann’s Point" stays within itself. There’s restraint and calm as tensions heighten, nothing more than the relentless footsteps of detectives making their way along the uneven cobblestone steps, analyzing and reanalyzing the clues they have already found. Finally, of course, the vague outlines take on real shape and the “flickering and shadows” become the madman, right under Van Veeteren’s nose. And ours.
In every investigation, Borkmann maintained, “there comes a point beyond which we don’t really need any more information. When we reach that point, we already know enough to solve the case by means of nothing more than some decent thinking. A good investigation should try to establish when that point has been reached, or rather, when it has been passed; in his memoirs, Borkmann went so far as to claim it was precisely this ability, or lack of it, which distinguishes a good detective from a bad one.”
Borkmann weighs his woes. Three murder victims, all slain with an ax. And now a missing fellow inspector, a woman. It’s possible all the details he needs are already before him.
"Borkmann’s Point" is a thinker, a procedural with many points of view. (Pay attention; Nesser does not do much hand-holding.)
Hats off to Nesser for not overdoing the killer point of view, keeping him down to earth (if that’s possible). He’s not foaming at the mouth, which makes him scarier.
The pace here is steady but it’s not footraces and speeding cars, it’s the cumulative weight of earnest detectives (Van Veeteren has a stable of help from the locals) doing their best.
"Borkmann’s Point" stays within itself. There’s restraint and calm as tensions heighten, nothing more than the relentless footsteps of detectives making their way along the uneven cobblestone steps, analyzing and reanalyzing the clues they have already found. Finally, of course, the vague outlines take on real shape and the “flickering and shadows” become the madman, right under Van Veeteren’s nose. And ours.
November 4, 2019
Van Vėterenas valdo
Antra Hakan Nesser knyga serijoje apie visai kietą inspektorių Van Vėtereną ‘Lūžio taškas’ paliko ne prastesnį įspūdį nei pirmoji.
Galbūt šį kartą ir neradau tiek daug tų išskirtinių ‘Sąmonės akies’ bruožų - daugumos fabulos atskleidimo dialogais, lengvo humoro - bet labai lengva atpažinti pabaigos paraleles, kai inspektorius staiga ima niekam nieko nesakęs pats tirti savąją versiją ir ji staiga paaiškėja, per daug jos neanalizuojant. Šį kartą šiaip jau gal po pusės knygos atspėjau, kas yra žudikas, bet pabaigoje labai smagu buvo viskam pasitvirtinus narplioti, kur buvo tos užuominos, kur knygos veikėjai rado užuominas. Visai įdomus šiaip sprendimas.
Įtraukė ir sudomino - surijau per dieną. Galbūt ir mažiau ten asmeninių santykių kažkiek galėjo būti, bet bendrai tai tikrai puikus detektyvas.
Antra Hakan Nesser knyga serijoje apie visai kietą inspektorių Van Vėtereną ‘Lūžio taškas’ paliko ne prastesnį įspūdį nei pirmoji.
Galbūt šį kartą ir neradau tiek daug tų išskirtinių ‘Sąmonės akies’ bruožų - daugumos fabulos atskleidimo dialogais, lengvo humoro - bet labai lengva atpažinti pabaigos paraleles, kai inspektorius staiga ima niekam nieko nesakęs pats tirti savąją versiją ir ji staiga paaiškėja, per daug jos neanalizuojant. Šį kartą šiaip jau gal po pusės knygos atspėjau, kas yra žudikas, bet pabaigoje labai smagu buvo viskam pasitvirtinus narplioti, kur buvo tos užuominos, kur knygos veikėjai rado užuominas. Visai įdomus šiaip sprendimas.
Įtraukė ir sudomino - surijau per dieną. Galbūt ir mažiau ten asmeninių santykių kažkiek galėjo būti, bet bendrai tai tikrai puikus detektyvas.
January 21, 2016
Είναι από τα πρώτα βιβλία του Νέσσερ που διάβασα. Μου άρεσε, είχε αργή πλοκή σε κάποια σημεία που πιστεύω ότι ήταν απαραίτητα για την εξέλιξη της πλοκής. Η σκιαγράφηση των προσώπων έγινε με μέτρο δίνοντας τα απαραίτητα στοιχεία στον αναγνώστη για να σχηματίσει μια εικόνα των ηρώων χωρίς να φτάσει στην λύση από τα πρώτα κεφάλαια. Η περιγραφή των τοπίων και των μερών ήταν λιτή, ωστόσο ένιωθες τον σκοτάδι και την μυρωδιά της θάλασσας, την μυρωδιά του χώματος κατά έναν περίεργο τρόπο. Ο λόγος που δεν έβαλα 5 αστέρια είναι γιατί δεν παρασύρθηκα, το διάβαζα συγκρατημένα.
March 4, 2019
Acho que nunca dei uma pontuação tão baixa a um policial, visto que são dos meus géneros preferidos, mas este deixou mesmo a desejar. As personagens são bem construídas, no entanto não me fascinou. Demorou muito a haver “ação”. Resumindo, foi tudo muito parado.
February 11, 2016
Enjoyed the pace and characters. Van Veeteren is growing on me.
February 25, 2017
Ύστερα από την θετικότατη εντύπωση που μου άφησε το πρώτο βιβλίο της σειράς με κεντρικό ήρωα τον Van Veeteren (''Mind's Eye''), προχώρησα άμεσα στην ανάγνωση του ''Borkmann's Point'' (δεύτερο βιβλίο της σειράς V.V) και δεν μετάνιωσα για την επιλογή μου. Ο ιδιόρρυθμος και γκρινιάρης αρχιεπιθεώρητής Van Veeteren καλείται να διαλευκάνει μια υπόθεση που συγκλονίζει μια μικρή επαρχιακή πόλη και έχει να κάνει με μια σειρά άγριων δολοφονιων, όπου ο δράστης κατακρεουργεί τα θύματά του με την χρήση ενός εξαιρετικά ακονισμένου τσεκουριού. Το γεγονός ότι η υπόθεση ''σκάει'' κατά την περίοδο των διακοπών του V.V προσδίδει μια πινελιά χιούμορ, καθώς ο βετεράνος ντετέκτιβ πάμπολλες φορές κατά τη διάρκεια της έρευνας προβαίνει σε καυστικά σχόλια και καταριέται την στιγμή που ο αρχηγός της αστυνομίας του ανέθεσε την υπόθεση.
Όπως και στο ''Mind's Eye'', η πλοκή ξετυλίγεται κυρίως μέσα από τους διαλόγους αφ' ενός μεταξύ των ερευνητών αστυνομικών και αφ' ετέρου μεταξύ των ανακριτών και των υπόπτων/μαρτύρων. Οι συνεχείς διάλογοι και τα σχετικά μικρά περιγράφικα κομμάτια του βιβλίου δίνουν ένα γρήγορο ρυθμό και καθιστούν ευχάριστη την ανάγνωση. Η αφήγηση δεν γίνεται σε κανένα σημείο ανιαρή και το σασπένς μένει αμείωτο ως τη λύση του μυστηρίου, η οποία αν και δεν θα μπορούσε να διεκδικήσει δάφνες για την πρωτοτυπία της παρ' όλα αυτά δεν αφήνει κενά ή σκοτεινά σημεία στην ιστορία.
Ακόμα και σε αυτό το βιβλίο απολαμβάνουμε την ιδιαίτερη σχέση του αρχιεπιθεωρητή με τον βοηθό του Munster, με τα δηκτικά σχόλια του πρώτου να προκαλούν αναπάντεχες αντιδράσεις από τη μεριά του νέου αστυνομικού, ενώ σε αυτό το βιβλίο μαθαίνουμε κάποια πράγματα παραπάνω για την προσωπική ζωή του Van Veeteren και την οικογενειακή του κατάσταση.
Συνολικά πρόκειται για ένα μυθιστόρημα που δεν θα σας μείνει αξέχαστο, ωστόσο συνιστά έναν ευχάριστο τρόπο για να περάσετε κάποιες ώρες από τον ελέυθερο χρόνο σας.
Καλή ανάγνωση!
Όπως και στο ''Mind's Eye'', η πλοκή ξετυλίγεται κυρίως μέσα από τους διαλόγους αφ' ενός μεταξύ των ερευνητών αστυνομικών και αφ' ετέρου μεταξύ των ανακριτών και των υπόπτων/μαρτύρων. Οι συνεχείς διάλογοι και τα σχετικά μικρά περιγράφικα κομμάτια του βιβλίου δίνουν ένα γρήγορο ρυθμό και καθιστούν ευχάριστη την ανάγνωση. Η αφήγηση δεν γίνεται σε κανένα σημείο ανιαρή και το σασπένς μένει αμείωτο ως τη λύση του μυστηρίου, η οποία αν και δεν θα μπορούσε να διεκδικήσει δάφνες για την πρωτοτυπία της παρ' όλα αυτά δεν αφήνει κενά ή σκοτεινά σημεία στην ιστορία.
Ακόμα και σε αυτό το βιβλίο απολαμβάνουμε την ιδιαίτερη σχέση του αρχιεπιθεωρητή με τον βοηθό του Munster, με τα δηκτικά σχόλια του πρώτου να προκαλούν αναπάντεχες αντιδράσεις από τη μεριά του νέου αστυνομικού, ενώ σε αυτό το βιβλίο μαθαίνουμε κάποια πράγματα παραπάνω για την προσωπική ζωή του Van Veeteren και την οικογενειακή του κατάσταση.
Συνολικά πρόκειται για ένα μυθιστόρημα που δεν θα σας μείνει αξέχαστο, ωστόσο συνιστά έναν ευχάριστο τρόπο για να περάσετε κάποιες ώρες από τον ελέυθερο χρόνο σας.
Καλή ανάγνωση!
February 22, 2024
,My wife and I often discuss what we mean by " Well written" and we find it very difficult to actually put it into words.
This is the second of the series that I have read and I have no hesitation in saying that I believe it to be very well written. Yet I still have that difficulty to put the 'why' into words.
Maybe its just an unquantifyable feeling that you get when you read it - just like Van Veeteren's during an investigation.
I felt drawn into this book from the start and the peaks of excitement kept rising throughout the story making it a very difficult book to put down.
I liked the character of Van Veeteren, his boldness, his humour as well as his old car with it's over expensive sound system. I also felt his emotion at the end.
I admit to one reservation of the " surely they wouldn't react like that" type, but to clarify further would give too much away.
In spite of that, its still a 5* from me and I look forward to the next in the series already on my shelf.
I am not surprised that this book was awarded Best Novel of the year by the Swedish Crime Writers Academy.
This is the second of the series that I have read and I have no hesitation in saying that I believe it to be very well written. Yet I still have that difficulty to put the 'why' into words.
Maybe its just an unquantifyable feeling that you get when you read it - just like Van Veeteren's during an investigation.
I felt drawn into this book from the start and the peaks of excitement kept rising throughout the story making it a very difficult book to put down.
I liked the character of Van Veeteren, his boldness, his humour as well as his old car with it's over expensive sound system. I also felt his emotion at the end.
I admit to one reservation of the " surely they wouldn't react like that" type, but to clarify further would give too much away.
In spite of that, its still a 5* from me and I look forward to the next in the series already on my shelf.
I am not surprised that this book was awarded Best Novel of the year by the Swedish Crime Writers Academy.
February 10, 2017
Segundo Borkmann, todas as investigações atingem um ponto em que já foi reunida informação suficiente para resolver o crime com nada mais do que o simples pensamento lógico. Cabe ao responsável pelo caso saber quando este ponto é atingido.
E é isto que distingue um bom de um mau policia. Um mau policia continuará a reunir informação que, na pior das situações, irá prejudicar a resolução do mistério. Será Van Veeteren um bom ou mau policia?
O livro "Borkmann's Point" é o segundo livro da série do Inspector Van Veeteren, criado pelo brilhante autor sueco Håkan Nesser. Foi escrito em 1994 e, no mesmo ano, foi-lhe atribuído o Prémio de Melhor Romance pela Swedish Crime Writers’ Academy.
Van Veeteren é um inspector facilmente irritável, cujo mau-humor é mais do que bem conhecido pelos colegas e, principalmente, notado por Münster, o seu colega de trabalho preferido e eterno parceiro de Badminton.
Em "Borkmann's Point" o inspector encontra-se no final das suas longas e solitárias férias quando o seu chefe lhe pergunta se está disposto a ajudar o departamento da policia de Kaalbringen a encontrar o culpado de dois assassinatos violentos.
Aborrecido e inquieto, Van Veeteren aceita o trabalho e sente-se feliz por poder contribuir com a sua experiência e conhecimentos. O seu único pedido é a ajuda do seu colega Münster, que relutantemente acaba por se lhe juntar. Como em todas as investigações, Van Veeteren sabe que o assassino será apanhado: é apenas uma questão de tempo. O inspector acredita nos seus instintos e sabe que quando olhar directamente nos olhos do culpado, saberá que é ele. Na sua longa carreira apenas deixou um caso por resolver e não está previsto que tal situação se venha a repetir.
Contudo, no decorrer da investigação, mais do que cansado da dificil vida de policia, Van Veeteren sente nos seus ombros o peso, cada vez maior, dos crimes perpetuados na pequena cidade e sente-se na obrigação de resolver o mistério.
O assassino, que ataca com um machado, é impiedoso e cauteloso. Não há pistas, nem ligação aparente entre as vitimas. Van Veeteren está confiante que a solução lhe ocorrerá, mais cedo ou mais tarde, apesar de saber que não têm nada em mãos que lhe permitam avançar. Entretanto, nada mais podendo fazer, aprecia a comida local e joga xadrez com o chefe da esquadra local, Bausen, ao mesmo tempo que bebe magnificas garrafas de vinho e discute a investigação que os atormenta.
Tal como o inspector Kurt Wallander, nos livros de Henning Mankell, também Van Veeteren ouve música clássica e trabalha metodicamente para resolver os crimes. Recentemente divorciado, com uma filha casada e um filho a cumprir pena de prisão, o nosso herói é um homem solitário. Fumador incorrigível, luta contra o seu vicio estando constantemente com um palito entre dentes. Apesar disso, nem tudo são maus hábitos, a sua persistência e determinação, aliadas à sua inteligência, fazem dele um homem indispensável à força policial.
Este livro é terrivelmente bem escrito. A narrativa de Nesser tem um tom de humor estimulante, sério, divertido, assustador e convidativo, dependendo da situação em que nos encontramos e a linha de investigação é perspicaz e francamente bem escrita. "Borkmann's Point" destaca os procedimentos da policia, a arte e as dificuldades da investigação e detenção, sem por de parte as pessoas, os seus sentimentos e vidas pessoais.
Com um desfecho impressionante, este livro deixou-me me pulgas para o seguinte: "The Return". Sinto-me privilegiada por ter a oportunidade de ler as obras Håkan Nesser e é com imenso prazer que continuarei acompanhar o inspector Van Veeteren.
E é isto que distingue um bom de um mau policia. Um mau policia continuará a reunir informação que, na pior das situações, irá prejudicar a resolução do mistério. Será Van Veeteren um bom ou mau policia?
O livro "Borkmann's Point" é o segundo livro da série do Inspector Van Veeteren, criado pelo brilhante autor sueco Håkan Nesser. Foi escrito em 1994 e, no mesmo ano, foi-lhe atribuído o Prémio de Melhor Romance pela Swedish Crime Writers’ Academy.
Van Veeteren é um inspector facilmente irritável, cujo mau-humor é mais do que bem conhecido pelos colegas e, principalmente, notado por Münster, o seu colega de trabalho preferido e eterno parceiro de Badminton.
Em "Borkmann's Point" o inspector encontra-se no final das suas longas e solitárias férias quando o seu chefe lhe pergunta se está disposto a ajudar o departamento da policia de Kaalbringen a encontrar o culpado de dois assassinatos violentos.
Aborrecido e inquieto, Van Veeteren aceita o trabalho e sente-se feliz por poder contribuir com a sua experiência e conhecimentos. O seu único pedido é a ajuda do seu colega Münster, que relutantemente acaba por se lhe juntar. Como em todas as investigações, Van Veeteren sabe que o assassino será apanhado: é apenas uma questão de tempo. O inspector acredita nos seus instintos e sabe que quando olhar directamente nos olhos do culpado, saberá que é ele. Na sua longa carreira apenas deixou um caso por resolver e não está previsto que tal situação se venha a repetir.
Contudo, no decorrer da investigação, mais do que cansado da dificil vida de policia, Van Veeteren sente nos seus ombros o peso, cada vez maior, dos crimes perpetuados na pequena cidade e sente-se na obrigação de resolver o mistério.
O assassino, que ataca com um machado, é impiedoso e cauteloso. Não há pistas, nem ligação aparente entre as vitimas. Van Veeteren está confiante que a solução lhe ocorrerá, mais cedo ou mais tarde, apesar de saber que não têm nada em mãos que lhe permitam avançar. Entretanto, nada mais podendo fazer, aprecia a comida local e joga xadrez com o chefe da esquadra local, Bausen, ao mesmo tempo que bebe magnificas garrafas de vinho e discute a investigação que os atormenta.
Tal como o inspector Kurt Wallander, nos livros de Henning Mankell, também Van Veeteren ouve música clássica e trabalha metodicamente para resolver os crimes. Recentemente divorciado, com uma filha casada e um filho a cumprir pena de prisão, o nosso herói é um homem solitário. Fumador incorrigível, luta contra o seu vicio estando constantemente com um palito entre dentes. Apesar disso, nem tudo são maus hábitos, a sua persistência e determinação, aliadas à sua inteligência, fazem dele um homem indispensável à força policial.
Este livro é terrivelmente bem escrito. A narrativa de Nesser tem um tom de humor estimulante, sério, divertido, assustador e convidativo, dependendo da situação em que nos encontramos e a linha de investigação é perspicaz e francamente bem escrita. "Borkmann's Point" destaca os procedimentos da policia, a arte e as dificuldades da investigação e detenção, sem por de parte as pessoas, os seus sentimentos e vidas pessoais.
Com um desfecho impressionante, este livro deixou-me me pulgas para o seguinte: "The Return". Sinto-me privilegiada por ter a oportunidade de ler as obras Håkan Nesser e é com imenso prazer que continuarei acompanhar o inspector Van Veeteren.
December 8, 2014
I can't believe this book is rated so highly at this site. During the Golden Age of mystery writing, a group of writers famously came up with a list of absolute "don'ts" for writers. This book comes as close as you possibly can to violating one of the most important rules without precisely doing it. And the fact that it involves the identity of the murderer means that the reader has to get to the last pages before being disappointed. Some books are better than others, and some flaws can be passed by as long as the story is told well as a whole, but a bogus reveal can't be excused.
I don't do spoilers, but just imagine that the murderer was revealed to be the cook in the restaurant the detective had been eating at regularly (with little or no connection with the detective) and you wouldn't be terribly far off. In this case, the solution to the murders - gruesome serial murders - could just as well have been any other character mentioned in the book. There was motive for the murders, but the reader is never given any good reason to think that this particular person could be the murderer.
The book was reasonably well written - up until the end. But that fact can't save it from being rated as low as I possibly can. Reading the reveal of this mystery made me want to kick a Belgian refugee detective in the nads.
I don't do spoilers, but just imagine that the murderer was revealed to be the cook in the restaurant the detective had been eating at regularly (with little or no connection with the detective) and you wouldn't be terribly far off. In this case, the solution to the murders - gruesome serial murders - could just as well have been any other character mentioned in the book. There was motive for the murders, but the reader is never given any good reason to think that this particular person could be the murderer.
The book was reasonably well written - up until the end. But that fact can't save it from being rated as low as I possibly can. Reading the reveal of this mystery made me want to kick a Belgian refugee detective in the nads.
June 9, 2010
There will be absolutely no hint of spoilers in Nesser reviews from me! I found Nesser books after running out of Karin Fossum books to read. Nesser's writing is excellent and does an unbelievable job at sucking the reader in to the twisted story being laid out. For some reason, in the majority of Scandanavian mystery writers I have found, their ability to do that is second to no other countries mystery writers. The only thing I am not happy about with Nesser's books is that it takes WAY too long to have them translated and released in the US.
January 8, 2015
Started off quite interesting then started to meander and plod. Seemed to me that Inspector Van Veeteren .
As I got hold of the next book in this series before reading this one, I will persist and read it to see if they get more interesting.
As I got hold of the next book in this series before reading this one, I will persist and read it to see if they get more interesting.
February 28, 2012
Borkmann's Point: An Inspector Van Veeteren Mystery is a Swedish import by Hakan Nesser. Borkmann's point refers to an axiom provided to Inspector Van Veeteren. Basically, the point is that in an investigation, there comes a time when there is enough information gathered to solve the crime. More information is useless and less information is not enough.
The gist of this novel is about an axe murderer who has killed three men by chopping off their heads. This serial killer is on the loose in the small city of Karlbringen. World-weary Van Veeteren, who feels like he carries the weight of the world on his shoulders, has been imported to Karlbringen from his vacation with his son, which is not going too well. Once in Karlbringen, he and his crew of detectives are searching for a common denominator for the murders. All of the victims are new to Karlbringen and have had a history of drug use. However, that is all that is found in common initially.
The novel is character driven as are other Nesser novels. The reader gets a real sense of the detectives, victims and other characters in the novel. Nesser has a real gift for this. I listened to this book on audiotape and found it riveting. Usually, audiotaped books are harder for me to follow but this one just flowed. Like in some of the previous Nesser novels I've read, the realization of who the murderer is just comes to Van Veeteren as an epiphany of sorts. As he says, he has a good sense of who the murderer might be - what he's like, what makes him tick - and he'll know him when he meets him.
Nesser's cohorts are very well drawn out and despite there being several of them, they all had distinct personalities and inner lives so that there was no confusion of who was who. They all had their roles to play in the novel and no one was stuck in as a red herring. I like the depth of characterization, the hard-boiled nature of the crimes, and the inner lives of the protagonists.
I think I've become hooked on Nesser's Van Veeteren series and intend to read some more.
The gist of this novel is about an axe murderer who has killed three men by chopping off their heads. This serial killer is on the loose in the small city of Karlbringen. World-weary Van Veeteren, who feels like he carries the weight of the world on his shoulders, has been imported to Karlbringen from his vacation with his son, which is not going too well. Once in Karlbringen, he and his crew of detectives are searching for a common denominator for the murders. All of the victims are new to Karlbringen and have had a history of drug use. However, that is all that is found in common initially.
The novel is character driven as are other Nesser novels. The reader gets a real sense of the detectives, victims and other characters in the novel. Nesser has a real gift for this. I listened to this book on audiotape and found it riveting. Usually, audiotaped books are harder for me to follow but this one just flowed. Like in some of the previous Nesser novels I've read, the realization of who the murderer is just comes to Van Veeteren as an epiphany of sorts. As he says, he has a good sense of who the murderer might be - what he's like, what makes him tick - and he'll know him when he meets him.
Nesser's cohorts are very well drawn out and despite there being several of them, they all had distinct personalities and inner lives so that there was no confusion of who was who. They all had their roles to play in the novel and no one was stuck in as a red herring. I like the depth of characterization, the hard-boiled nature of the crimes, and the inner lives of the protagonists.
I think I've become hooked on Nesser's Van Veeteren series and intend to read some more.
June 28, 2023
-did there come a point, he had started to wonder, beyond which we no longer look forward to something coming, but only to getting away from what has passed?
Borkmann’s Point, second in the DCI Van Veeteren series by veteran Swedish author, Håkan Nesser is quintessential Nordic Noir. Brooding, slightly depressive characters, atmospheric, melancholy and procedural - all the elements of the genre, set in a fictitious Northern European country resembling something of Germany or the Netherlands perhaps.
Van Veeteren is a bit of a cantankerous cop, renown for his out of the box capacity to solve crimes and Borkmann’s Point is no exception. A serial killer is on the loose and there seems to be no motive, no link between victims and no clues to go by.
I found this one to be quite interesting in that we hear the voice of a number of characters throughout the book. Van Veeteren does in some ways seem to be a character on par with some of the others... Münster, for example. I quite liked that, however, the novel did seem to lose its centre albeit slightly, by the multi focus.
All in all an excellent second novel in the series, not quite as impactful as the first but nevertheless, Nesser is a must read author for me. 4 stars.
Borkmann’s Point, second in the DCI Van Veeteren series by veteran Swedish author, Håkan Nesser is quintessential Nordic Noir. Brooding, slightly depressive characters, atmospheric, melancholy and procedural - all the elements of the genre, set in a fictitious Northern European country resembling something of Germany or the Netherlands perhaps.
Van Veeteren is a bit of a cantankerous cop, renown for his out of the box capacity to solve crimes and Borkmann’s Point is no exception. A serial killer is on the loose and there seems to be no motive, no link between victims and no clues to go by.
I found this one to be quite interesting in that we hear the voice of a number of characters throughout the book. Van Veeteren does in some ways seem to be a character on par with some of the others... Münster, for example. I quite liked that, however, the novel did seem to lose its centre albeit slightly, by the multi focus.
All in all an excellent second novel in the series, not quite as impactful as the first but nevertheless, Nesser is a must read author for me. 4 stars.
August 19, 2011
I liked it. Didn't love it, but found it engaging and even engrossing enough to read it through. The book is notable for its complex story and cliff-hanger section endings. Those, not the characters, drive the reader on. The characters are interesting enough, and I liked the lone investigator, Van Veeteren. The ending, too, tied the various plot lines up tidily - and with satisfying surprise. I'll probably read more Hakan Nesser, but I'm going through a pile of Scandinavian mystery writers, and will test out a number of others before returning to him. The others on my list: Karin Fossum, Jo Nesbø, Henning Mankell, Arnaldur Indridason, Sjöwall-Wahlöö (husband & wife team), Åke Edwardson, Karin Alvtegen, Anne Holt, Kerstin Ekman, Camilla Läckberg, Helene Tursten, Johan Theorin. If Stieg Larsson only knew what he spawned!!! His Scandinavian colleagues can thank him for this spurt of interest from the international community of readers! Many of these writers, even those who wrote mysteries long before Larsson began his Millenium trilogy, are now touted as "the next Steig Larsson!"
July 30, 2012
Amid the rich spectrum of dark and quirky Scandanavian detective fiction, this Swedish author doesn�t strike me as the cream of the crop. Yet his lead detective does have his charms. Along the lines of Sherlock Holmes, Inspector Van Veeteren believes in thinking his way to the solution of crime more than rigorous procedural efforts. He never seems to miss much sleep, taking a good meal or a walk, or even put off a good chess match in the midst of a serial murder case. In this tale, he is called to a seaside town to help the locals solve a pair of vicious ax murders. While a diverse team of local police work the exhausting procedural route of amassing forensic clues, Van Veetering coasts along on another plane until he can achieve the surprising solution at a desperate point at the end. The towns are fictitious and the country is unnamed, yet the destinations of the regional ferry suggest it to be Sweden. So why not clearly set it in Sweden? This is the second of eight in a series, 5 of which are available in English. Nesser�s ability to create a small world out of his cast of characters intrigues me enough to try another in the series sometime.
September 17, 2018
A very good read ! A baffling serial-killer mystery which is cleared up by a combination of diligence and intelligence. A different setting to the first novel "The Mind's Eye" and so had a no. of new police officers to get acquainted with. Wonder if they will be used again ?
I wish though that the explanation had been a bit more detailed. Like the first book, I had to skim thru the last few chapters for a few minutes to make sense of it. Keen to read #3 which has an interesting plot.
PS:- Since I have read crime thrillers for a couple of months now, I could guess the profession of the killer based on the facts of the case. And the way the author has presented it, the individual could have been anyone.
I wish though that the explanation had been a bit more detailed. Like the first book, I had to skim thru the last few chapters for a few minutes to make sense of it. Keen to read #3 which has an interesting plot.
PS:- Since I have read crime thrillers for a couple of months now, I could guess the profession of the killer based on the facts of the case. And the way the author has presented it, the individual could have been anyone.
November 22, 2014
The first in the Van Veerteren series I've read. Really good. I love Swedish crime fiction, there is just nothing like it--dark, melancholy and just graphic enough, not overboard. IMO Swedish crime authors have the best character development, and Hakan Nesser is no exception; you know each character while fereting out the murderer. I had a confusing number of suspects like the investigators, and I started to realize 'who done it' about the same time as Van Veerteren, There is a moral component to this novel I find most compelling. Think I will read the entire series.
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