Pursued by Death

by Gunnar Staalesen, Don Bartlett (translator)

When Bergen PI Varg Veum becomes involved in the disappearance of a young activist, he comes up against one village' s particular brand of justice ... The international bestselling, critically acclaimed Varg Veum series returns...

`As searing and gripping as they come´ New York Times

`One of my very favourite Scandinavian authors´ Ian Rankin

`The Norwegian Chandler´ Jo Nesbø

When Varg Veum reads the newspaper headline ' YOUNG MAN MISSING' , he realises he' s seen the youth just a few days earlier – at a crossroads in the countryside, with his two friends. It turns out that the three were on their way to a demonstration against a commercial fish-farming facility in the tiny village of Solvik, north of Bergen.

Varg heads to Solvik, initially out of curiosity, but when he chances upon a dead body in the sea, he' s pulled into a dark and complex web of secrets, feuds and jealousies.

Is the body he' s found connected to the death of a journalist who was digging into the fish farm's operations two years earlier? And does either incident have something to do with the competition between the two powerful families that dominate Solvik' s salmon-farming industry?

Or are the deaths the actions of the ‘ Village Beast' – the brutal small-town justice meted out by rural communities in this part of the world.

Shocking, timely and full of breathtaking twists and turns, Pursued by Death reaffirms Gunnar Staalesen as one of the world's greatest crime writers.

Genres: Nordic Noir, Crime

303 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 15, 2024

About the author

Gunnar Staalesen is a Norwegian writer. Staalesen has a cand.philol degree from Universitetet i Bergen and he has worked at Den Nationale Scene, the main theater in Bergen.

Reviews

[Raven · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m sure I’m not alone in having an element of doubt when you sit down to read a new book by an author, that you have read many times before, as to how good you are going to find the next instalment in their series. Pursued By Death is the twelfth book I have read, and since blogging, the ninth I will have reviewed, by the godfather of Nordic noir, Gunnar Staalesen and featuring Varg Veum, his stalwart private investigator, and do you know what, he has completely come up trumps again…

Varg Veum is hands down one of my favourite characters in the crime fiction genre, with his dry humour and wilful tenacity, yet tempered by a genuine desire to bring answers to those who have none, and rubbing a good many people up the wrong way in the process. As he somewhat reluctantly at first undertakes a new investigation of what comes to look like a suspicious death, and surreptitiously inveigles himself in another connecting investigation, Veum manages one again to insinuate himself completely into a small community- a community with many dark secrets, and dangerous assignations at its heart. He has a wonderful knack of connecting with people who he quickly perceives to be of help to his enquiries, digging down into their lives and connections to stealthily put the pieces together, and there are a host of interesting local characters in this one for him to irritate or delight. Veum does have what I would describe as a scruffy charm, where he can read people very well, and achieves his ends through a combination of sharp wit, empathy and an innate curiosity of people’s lives and relationships. This is all deeply ironic in view of his distanced relationship with his own family, and his sporadic romantic entanglements, when he seems to have such a natural aptitude for making connections with others.

Equally, he has a wonderful ability to frustrate and annoy the local community, and police force, as he is as tenacious as a dog with a bone if he believes that information is being held from him, leading into some interesting run-ins with law enforcement. He delights in baiting those in the upper echelons of society, by wealth or position, as he stubbornly goes about his business, chipping away at people to extract information to the great annoyance of many, and sometimes at physical danger to himself. I particularly enjoy his regular contratemps where his natural dry wit and persistence comes to the fore, making people wriggle like a fish on a hook.

Speaking of which…

I can’t think of a single scenario that, when being handed a book which incorporates a compressed history of the salmon farming industry in Norway, would have me saying, ‘Crikey, how fascinating. I cannot wait to read this,’ but I stand corrected. This very subject underpins the murderous shenanigans in the story, and in the light of a recent incident at a salmon farming business here in the UK, I did actually find this aspect of the story quite interesting indeed. Who’d have thought it? To anyone still eating farmed salmon- yeah, maybe don’t do that.

Seriously though, every day is a school day when reading Staalesen’s books, as he always introduces some little nugget of Norwegian history, politics or cultural life into his novels, giving them a solid hook on which to hang his plotting and narrative, and which many readers, particularly outside of Scandinavia, may not be familiar with. Combine this with his superlative storytelling, great characterisation, and yet another perfect translation from Don Bartlett for the British audience- I particularly liked the inclusion of the phrase ‘flying fart’- Pursued By Death is a more than enjoyable addition to this wonderful series. Recommended.

[Fatguyreading · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's always good to pick a book from the Varg Veum series, and Persued By Death was no exception, and was exactly what I expected.

Varg Veum is such a great character. He's consise, he's clear and cares about others. He's intelligent and inquiring with tough determination. Everything you'd expect from a PI.

So this time, Verg Is drawn into the disappearance of a young activists, one he had seen a few days earlier at a country crossroads. So Varg heads out to investigate and on the way discovers a dead body in the sea.

Want to know more? Be sure to pick your copy up.

So for me, Pursued By Death starts slightly slowly, but that's only due to the author building the story, and definitely not a negative.

The pace soon builds up and tension grows and I'm sure like me, you'll fly through this read, in my case, that was two sittings.

It's a many layered story, with twists and turns, mystery and a clear environmental element.

The characters feel real and are believable and the author’s writing style was fitting with this type of story and genre.

4 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 's from me.

[Agnes Tyley · Rating 3 out of 5]

a Norwegian crime novel surrounding salmon fish farming, multinational conglomerates, environmental activists and not one, not two, but THREE love triangles?! It's all my favourite things!
I jest, this was a bit silly at times, but I nevertheless had a very entertaining time reading it.

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I do love this series. Varg Veum is such a wonderful character, someone who it is clear, cares greatly about the fortune of others, even if, sometimes, it is not quite in his own best interest. He has an inquiring mind, a quiet determination, and the ability to get under people's skin, in both good and bad ways, letting us, the reader, know that whatever trail he is following, he has clearly latched onto the right path, even if it isn't always clear where his journey will end. This time around he finds himself caught up in the case of some missing protestors, and a cold case which may, or may not, have been more than the misadventure that the police originally dismissed it as. One thing that is clear to us from the very start is that, as far as our trust in Veum is concerned, if he feels as though something is a little 'off', it almost certainly is.

I really enjoy spending time in Veum's company. even when he isn't trying very hard, he has a knack of finding himself in a little trouble, which is very much the case in Pursued by Death. An unexpected tussle with another vehicle, and less than sympathetic response from the police, Veum finds himself on what will turn out to be quite a fateful, or may fortuitous, bus journey home to Bergen. If he hadn't been on the bus, he wouldn't have seen the young couple who go missing, and if he hadn't reported what he knew to the police, or even revisited the town of Solvik, he wouldn't have made the dramatic discovery which really kick starts this particular mystery. Funny how these things work out. Good for Veum - he gets a case out of it, even if it's not the one he might have been expecting. Good for us as readers as we are now faced with two mysteries for the price of one.

There is a clear environmental element to this story, as well as a look at the impact of big business on smaller communities. That side of the case is actually really interesting and whilst it informs rather than dominates the mystery, it's something I'd never given much consideration to before - the impact of fish farming on natural wildlife and water systems and the difference between land based and river based fish farms. Every day is, indeed, a school day. But, as fascinating as this foray into ethical fish farming, or not as the case may be, was, it is the reasoning behind the disappearance of the two young adults, who had both been protesting against the fishery company, and the many strange an unexpected connections between the various characters we meet that kept the intrigue going and my attention totally on the book. Add in the sudden death of a man who was writing a book on the very subject of the fisheries and I couldn only wonder what other connections Veum may yet uncover.

I really like the way in which Gunnar Staalesen s able to bring the small community of Solvik to life, and the very distinct and larger than life personalities he infuses into the characters who inhabit the town and the area. From the less than helpful police, to store and cafe owner, Stein, relative newcomer and lamenting fisherman, Edvard, and Veum's new client, Betty, who also happens to be the mother of one of the missing people, each has a unique voice and a very different perspective on this most puzzling of cases. There are many other characters who inform the story, and even a hint of happiness for our favourite PI in the form of journalist, Torunn, which is good to see after all the tragedy that has impacted him over the years. My hats off to translator Don Bartlett who makes the transition into English feel flawless, making the words accessible whilst instilling a sense of the culture through each conversation and turn of phrase.

I really enjoyed the slow build of the mystery in this one, the many layers that are peeled away until we get to the true heart of the matter. The truth of this case - the root of all the evil as it were - links back to some of the oldest motives known to man, and the escalation in tension towards the end, the understanding that something big is about to happen, had me turning the pages at speed, keen to know what would happen. I just say that even I was surprised by what comes to pass, and for a small town the amount of tragedy they experience is beyond anyone's expectations. As for the ending, the final reveal - well, I didn't see that coming. perhaps I should have paid a little more attention, but in some respects it felt all the better for not having expected it. In a small town, where everyone knew everyone else, perhaps it was the only way it could unfurl.

It definitely felt true to the story and a fitting, if somewhat tragic, end to story that had that undercurrent of sadness from the very early chapters. Veum's dry and honest observations keep the story just light enough, but it was never going to be a story with a happy ending now, was it. Definitely a story that fans of the series will enjoy. It was good to see Veum with a smile on his face for once. I only hope we get to see it again, Definitely recommended.

[Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bergen PI, Varg Veum has a spot of trouble when a tricky case he is working leads to his car and driving licence being confiscated on his way home to Bergen. Somewhat aggrieved at the unfair way he has been treated, Varg is forced into taking the journey home by bus, undertaking a bit of grumpy people-watching on the way.

Days later, a headline about a missing young man with a distinctive VW camper van catches his attention. He realises that he spotted this man in company of two young women at a crossroads, during his bus journey. Contacting the police to volunteer this information, he discovers that the trio were on their way to a demonstration against salmon farming in the tiny community of Solvik.

With the misunderstanding about his driving habits sorted, Varg heads to retrieve his car, and calls into Solvik to see if he can find out anything interesting about the young man's disappearance. His curiosity leads him to a dead body, and pulls him into a case mired in bad blood...

My favourite Norwegian PI, Varg Veum, is back in a brand new twisty mystery that delves deliciously into small town feuds. This is a case that takes Varg out of Bergen into the dying community of Solvik, embroiling him in the fallout of a dispute over a commercial fishing enterprise that is destroying the local economy and the environment.

In classic Varg 'gumshoe' style, dripping with Raymond Chandler vibes, he picks up the thread of a case and follows a chain of leads by inserting himself in the lives of those connected to the missing young man. As usual he manages to annoy a fair number of them with his penetrating questions and sardonic modus operandi, but the way he gets himself under people's skins is very effective. His determined tugging on loose threads is rewarded by an unravelling of mysteries as the twists and turns of the story play out.

At first sight, this is a book all about environmental themes, and Staalesen certainly does not shy away from examining the significant damage that results from lucrative, commercial fishing operations. It is grim reading indeed. However, as Varg's tramping around Solvik and Bergen, wringing information out the locals, protestors, and warring businessmen produces results, it is the underlying, personal themes that come to the fore. Dark motivators of jealousy, betrayal, and hot-headed revenge blend cleverly into plotlines around environmental issues, dodgy business practices, and community strife, in a perfect storm of page-turning loveliness. The slow-burn beginning hots up in pace all the way to the just the kind of explosive climax and seriously slick twist-and-twist-again ending that makes Staalesen's Varg Veum series so enjoyable.

There is an undeniable melancholy strain to this latest instalment in the Varg Veum series, particularly when it comes to the relationship dynamics and stories of many of the characters here, including Varg himself. But there are touches of humour too, and Varg is as charmingly dysfunctional as ever. Translator Don Bartlett does an excellent job with pace, tone, character, to keep the story flowing nicely.

Highly recommended for lovers of cracking Norwegian noir, from a master of the genre.

[Lynsey · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm always excited to pick up a book from the Varg Veum series and this was no exception. For some reason my brain categorizes them as ‘cosy Nordic noir’ - they deal with dark topics but it is done with a lightness of touch that keeps them full of hope in a weird way. They feel unique, fresh and brilliant.

When Varg is forced to get a bus, he spots two girls meeting a boy with a camper at a bus stop by Solvik. A few weeks later whilst reading a newspaper he sees that the boy is missing and he was last sighted at a demonstration against a fish farm in Solvik, the day Varg saw him on the bus. His natural inability to not investigate sees him travel to Solvik and ask around. At the local store he meets the owner Stein and local Edvard. Edvard offers to show him the area and whilst at the local pier they see a camper van in the sea. Is this where the missing boy has ended up?

‘Pursued by Death’ has a slow beginning where the author builds layers and layers to the story and it captured my attention from the get-go. I flew through this in one day. The latter half of the book ramps up the tension with some stunning consequences. I certainly did not see them coming or work out who the ‘bad guy’ was. I love it when that happens as it really makes you take a deep breath full of wonder and surprise.

The storyline highlights a growing environmental topic in Norway, the growth of large-scale fish farms and the damage that they cause to the environment. Whilst dealing with salmon lice, some of the chemicals can leak into the surrounding water and have a lasting impact. Of course, there is the debate of needing to provide locals with jobs, especially in small rural areas like Solvik. I love it when I learn about new things and this part of the narrative did steer me down a few internet rabbit holes! It's this part that of story that drives the mystery as the missing boy was part of the demonstrators even though he grew up in Solvik and his family was part of the industry. It highlights the divides in the community and the links between the characters and the industry.

I love Varg, as he is inquisitive, and loyal and doesn't let up with his investigation even under immense pressure. It feels as if he is at a stage in his life where he is beginning to question a few things, like his relationships with his son and grandson and his reflection around his birthday. His dry humour really helps give that lightness to the story.

Let me know if you pick this one up!

[Veronika Jordan · Rating 4 out of 5]

There is a lot about fish in this book. Because salmon farming is one of the staple industries in Norway. A bit like sheep or dairy farming here. There is also a lot I didn’t understand about the difference between wild salmon farming and farm-bred salmon, but it’s the basis for the ‘salmon wars’ and the divide between the factions on either side. One thing it revolves around is salmon lice (which I can’t even think about without cringing), but I’m not going to go into detail. It just may put me off eating salmon ever again.

Varg Veum reads about a missing man and realises he saw him with two young women, a few days before. The missing man was one of a group of demonstrators, protesting against the whole exploitation of salmon farming. He then travels to the small town of Solvik out of curiosity, and heads out to a disused salmon farm with a local man, Aga Edvard, where they discover a camper van in the sea, with a dead body inside.

It’s a well written, excellently plotted crime thriller in the Nordic Noir tradition, perfectly translated by Don Bartlett. It has quite a lot of what I can only describe as throwaway humour, which could easily get lost in the drama, except it doesn’t. It’s also not quite as gritty as some Scandi Noir, so for those who find the genre all a bit gory, Pursued by Death will definitely appeal. The characters have depth and the descriptions are comprehensive, without being over the top. The plot twists and surprises are intricate and intelligent.

Pursued by Death is the latest in the Varg Veum series. I’ve met Varg Veum before (in Bitter Flowers written in 1991) and I liked him as much today as I did then. He’s now 62 years old, so not your average thirty-something cop we usually see in crime novels. In fact he’s a private investigator who was never a police officer. He’s just a regular guy. He does have an ex-wife, don’t they all, and though he likes a drink or three, he’s not an alcoholic, at least not any more. In Bitter Flowers, he’d just come out of rehab.

I wonder if the author has any more Varg Veum books still up his sleeve. I certainly hope so.

Many thanks to @annecater for inviting me to be part of #RandomThingsTours

[Sharon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pursued by Death: Varg Veum, Gunnar Staalesen, Don Bartlett, translator. iBook 7.99 August 15, 2024. 319 pages. 15/9/2024. 4/5.

Whether watching any of the excellent films made from the Varg Veum series or reading one of the thrillers, it’s always excellent entertainment. Well written with fully drawn characters, sense of place and activity which make each storyline a page turner. This book really was interesting moving between Bergen and the demonstrations against a commercial fish-farming facility in the tiny village community of Solvik north of Bergen. Nature of the sea and the rocky terrain are well described, as are the characters present and their pasts, as Varg hired to investigate a death two years earlier and the police try to piece together the current series of crimes …..

“”When Varg Veum reads the newspaper headline 'YOUNG MAN MISSING', he realises he's seen the youth just a few days earlier – at a crossroads in the countryside, with his two friends. It turns out that the three were on their way to a demonstration against a commercial fish-farming facility in the tiny village of Solvik, north of Bergen.
Varg heads to Solvik, initially out of curiosity, but when he chances upon a dead body in the sea, he's pulled into a dark and complex web of secrets, feuds and jealousies.
Is the body he's found connected to the death of a journalist who was digging into the fish farm's operations two years earlier? And does either incident have something to do with the competition between the two powerful families that dominate Solvik's salmon-farming industry?
Or are the deaths the actions of the 'Village Beast' – the brutal small-town justice meted out by rural communities in this part of the world.
Shocking, timely and full of breathtaking twists and turns, Pursued by Death reaffirms Gunnar Staalesen as one of the world's greatest crime writers.””

[Lynda · Rating 5 out of 5]

The 20th book in the Norwegian series starring Private Investigator Varg Veum set in Bergen. Veum is in his office when he reads a news headline about a missing man and realises that two weeks earlier, from a bus he was on, he saw the man standing at a crossroads with two girls. Curious he decides to go to Solvik and drives straight into a plot involving fish farming, jealousy and a woman, Betty, who apparently eats men for breakfast! I’ve read quite a few of this series and like all the others this could be easily read as a standalone.

Briefly, once again Veum is in the right place at the right time and he finds a car in the sea with a body inside. Then Betty asks Veum to look into the death two years earlier of her ex-husband which was officially determined to be an accident. Veum believes this may be connected to the recent body he found and the missing people who were in Solvik to protest against a large commercial fish farm.

A slow burn start which soon gathers momentum and the tension rises as Veum uncovers information about two families who have a longstanding feud. Veum is a brilliant character, old school he is caring but resolute in his work, clever and determined and I’d want him in my corner. Brilliantly written we are drawn deeper into the darkness until matters come to a thunderous and lethal climax. I’m enjoying these more each one I read. Keep going Veum!

[Allie Farrell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gunnar Staalesen, the Norwegian crime novelist, has a book series featuring a private detective in Bergen called Varg Veum. Without consulting a website like bookseriesinorder.com, I have managed to listen first to the most recent book in the series - Pursued by Death. I should have started at the beginning. However, everand.com, where I source my audiobooks, only has one more of the Varg Veum series, the one just prior to Pursued to Death; it's called Mirror Image, and I will probably read that next.

I enjoyed the book a lot. It felt really good listening to another Nordic crime novel, like I was coming home after a long trip away. I read Nordic crime not just for the plot, but for the landscapes that are described, for the always-present chatter about regional accents, and for the different laws, traditions, and food that appear on the pages of Nordic crime novels. This book informed me that there are two forms of the Norwegian language, both official, but with slightly different origins. These languages are called Nynorsk and Bokmal.

I am looking forward to reading more books by Gunnar Staalesen.

[Angi Plant · Rating 5 out of 5]

I always look forward to a new Varg Veum book. He’s one of those characters that you feel you could know. There’s nothing of the trope PI or detective about him. But, he’s not painted as perfect, either. Which strangely makes him just that.
Varg is a character who you want to know more and more about because he’s always full of dry wit, humour and curiosity. Obviously, you expect him to be curious as a PI, but the scrapes that he gets into are always multilayered. As are his ways of picking apart the puzzles he has to solve. There’s no simple single solution to anything he investigates. I always find he’s filled with food for thought. This novel has so much depth and I love the nod to the characters love of Icelandic crime fiction made in the opening pages.
This novel is so well written, layers of story aplenty and I’d definitely say sit down with it when you have a chance and plan nothing else for the duration of it. It’s immensely clever and I’d recommend it highly.
With thanks to Anne Cater, Orenda Books and the author for the advanced reading copy of this book.

[A J Nel · Rating 4 out of 5]

After having his driver's license suddenly and basically in the middle of the road suspended, private investigator Varg Veum witnesses a group of young people on a bus, one of whom later disappears. He finds himself drawn into the mysterious world of a small coastal village. As he investigates the disappearance, he uncovers a complex web of secrets, rivalries, and a possible connection to a previous death, all playing out against the backdrop of unethical large scale Salmon farming. Staalesen creates a detailed and visual experience of a small town where everyone has a secret. He places Veum's slowly coming to terms with his life and his age in a juxtaposition to his menial importance in a much larger criminal investigation. Very well written and pretty gripping. Unfortunately the reveal is impossible to predict as there are basically zero breadcrumbs.

[Karen Cole · Rating 5 out of 5]

The last three Varg Veum novels published by Orenda Books (Fallen Angels, Bitter Flowers and Mirror Image) had been published in Norway several years previously and gave English readers the opportunity to learn more about the seasoned private investigator as a young man. We return to the chronological series in Pursued by Death – although current in this case is 2004 but despite some mention of prior events and a welcome return for one character, these books can easily be enjoyed in any order.
At the start of the book, Veum is headed back to Bergen after doing his best to resolve a decades long boundary dispute. His good mood is quickly soured, however, when he is pulled over and accused of dangerous driving. Despite his claims – and the evidence – to the contrary, his driving licence is temporarily confiscated and he has to continue his journey by bus. With little else to do but observe his fellow passengers, it turns out a few days later that he was one of the last witnesses to see a young man, Jonas Kleiva, who has since been reported as missing. This coincidence is typical for Varg Veum who, although driven by the need to solve the mysteries presented to him, almost seems as though he is a private investigator by necessity rather than design.
He makes an impromptu decision to visit Solvic, the tiny village where Jonas grew up and was part of a demonstration against a commercial fish farm, and strikes up a conversation with local café owner, Stein Solvik and his regular customer, Edvard Aga. They discuss the damage done to the fjord by the salmon pens and Arg offers to show him the source of all the misery. It's perhaps inevitable that they come across the unmistakable vintage VW minibus he saw Jonas Kleiva pick up two girls in – only now it is submerged in the cold, dark fjord. After calling the police, it transpires that while one dead body is at the scene, Jonas is still missing.
Of course, an active case such as this will be investigated by the local police, with assistance from Bergen. Varg Veum has a long and chequered history with the Bergen police force and although relations are more cordial this time, thanks in no small part to distant family ties, he is still warned off from interfering. However, trouble has a way of finding Veum and he is approached by Jonas's mum, Betty, not to find her son but to re-investigate the death of her lover, who died while hiking, two years ago. It's fair to say that Betty has a reputation in the village, something Varg is warned of before he even meets her. His innate kindness comes to the forefront here though, and he is able to see beyond her rather clingy nature, becoming a genuine friend to her in a time of need.
Veum reminds me a little of Columbo; he has a knack of getting under the skin of the people he talks to and with a perfectly timed question or observation, provokes a reaction from even the most reticent. This is a slow-burning novel, in which the complex business and personal relationships in Solvik create a tangled web of resentment and jealousy. A book which explores fish farming doesn't necessarily sound fascinating but it is, especially as it emerges that a bitter feud between those who favour breeding salmon in a farm on the land or in the fjord has divided this tiny village. To complicate matters still further, young environmental campaigners have also been demonstrating outside the fiercely guarded Sunfjord.
It means Veum quickly realises the potential for violence, both in the present and regarding the death of Klaus Krog. His death was recorded as a tragic accident but the head injury he sustained could easily have been murder, particularly as he was writing a manuscript about fish farming at the time of his death. However, as Veum attempts to unpick the past, he also discovers that the village has seen more than its fair share of love triangles and notes that,
"I can make out the outline of several love triangles, if not quadrangles. If they're left to rub up against each other, it's like tectonic plates causing regular violent earthquakes."
It's a sombre reflection which proves to ominously herald an intense, nerve-wracking scene later in the book. Gunnar Staalesen may weave an intricate, elegantly multilayered storyline but he also understands when and how to ratchet up the tension. There is a melancholic tone throughout Pursued by Death, from the personal tragedies endured by Betty to the sense that Solvik has been partially responsible for its own demise. Nevertheless, Varg himself is given reason to smile when he is reunited with journalist, Torunn Tafjord. Readers were introduced to Torunn in Mirror Image but as events there took place in 1993, it's been several years since they spent time with one another. It's good to see him with a spring in his step after enduring so much loss in the past, and they work well together too.
Torunn is writing a story about commercial fish breeding, which helps to underline that far from being a niche topic, the industry is firmly on the international news scene. Gunnar Staalesen always examines the nuances in controversial issues with real insight and even though our sympathies are undoubtedly directed one way in Pursued by Death, he still considers the need to increase the availability to produce food, and the importance of the burgeoning production of seafood.
The eventual truth is genuinely surprising, although as with all the best crime fiction, the clues are there. Pursued by Death is a cleverly structured, compelling murder mystery; the characterisation is excellent and Gunnar Staalesen's customary brooding sense of place, is, of course, exemplary, as is the seamless translation by Don Bartlett. I thoroughly enjoyed it and recommend it to all lovers of thoughtful, atmospheric Nordic Noir.

[Mandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great addition to my list of Scandi writers - there must be something in the water up there aside from salmon lice! I found the setting well described and the characters were an interesting mix. Not sure what Betty’s allure was - she seems to have attracted everyone warm blooded male in Norway! A dangerous path for her many suitors who ended up forlorn,dumped jailed or worse! At least Varg didn’t succumb.
Also interesting to read about the environmental impact of salmon farming - I wasn’t aware of its impact on the natural environment and hope things have progressed in respect of eliminating its negative effects.
I assume this is one in a series and will happily read more of Varg’s exploits.

[Sarah B · Rating 5 out of 5]

Varg Veum sees a newspaper headline "Young Man Missing"! His curiosity leads him to Solvik and he meets Betty, who is Jonas's Mum. Soon after arriving, Varg is drawn into the mystery of Betty's late partner, who was killed in an accident 2 years ago. Now Jonas has been in Solvik to attend a demo against the salmon breeding farm industry. How are these events connected? What is happening in Solvik? This story is woven so tightly that all the sub plots come together with a few red herrings thrown in for good measure and leads to a dramatic conclusion. This was full of twists and turns with a few nail biting moments and an ending that I didn't see coming.

[Alice · Rating 4 out of 5]

In Pursued by Death, by Gunnar Staalesen, seasoned PI Varg Veum can’t help but get involved when Jonas Kleiva, a young man he happened to see while on an unanticipated bus journey a couple of days previously, is reported missing.

Subsequently, Varg travels to the small fishing village of Solvik, where he not only happens to discover the body of one of Jonas’ friends, but also gets talking to some of the locals.

These include Jonas’ mother Betty who, while the police concentrate on finding her son, engages Varg to look into the death of her partner, Korg, in an apparent accident two years previously.

Varg discovers deep-rooted antagonisms between local families, as well as complex and sometimes surprising relationships between individuals linked to Korg’s death and Jonas’ disappearance. But are they the key to what happened?

Like the other book in this series that I’ve read, Mirror Image, Pursued by Death felt sharp, fresh, and timely to me, even though it’s set in the early 2000s and was originally published in Norwegian at around the same time.

I expect, as previously, this is partly due to its recent translation by the ever-reliable Don Bartlett, but also because its key themes – businesses and their funders prioritising profit over sustainability; catastrophic, visible exhaustion of the planet’s resources; and the nature and effectiveness (or lack thereof) of environmental protest – are even more relevant today than they were 20 years ago.

Also, as with Mirror Image, Pursued by Death’s time setting means it’s more of a challenge for Varg to investigate the case because he can’t rely on the internet for much, and therefore all the more satisfying to see him work things out through legwork.

The geographical setting of a backwater whose local fjord has been absolutely ruined by the salmon industry was an intriguing alternative to the common depiction of Norway as a country of cosmopolitan cities and picturesque landscapes.

As is the case with small places everywhere, everyone seems to know and have complex histories with one another, and I was continually surprised by new connections coming to light and making it even harder to solve the mysteries.

The information about how the fishing industry operated piqued my interest and put me in mind of Orenda stablemate Roxanne Bouchard’s novels, albeit on a much faster speed – I love both fast-paced and slow-burn crime novels, and Pursued by Death happened to come along when I was very much in the mood for the former.

Some other things I appreciated about this book were its dramatic and thrilling climax; the wry humour deployed throughout; and the interactions between Varg and freelance investigative journalist Torunn Tafjord, who makes a very welcome reappearance.

Pursued by Death is a fast-paced, compelling, and wryly humorous crime novel.

[Malcolm Schaffer · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 read a number of the series like the main character a Norwegian Philip Marlowe and the narrative also very Chandlerish not sure if that is deliberate and influence of author or translator but it works.As in other books in the series some interesting characters are introduced possibly too many ,had to check back a couple of times as to who particular ones were .An explosive end and an unexpected twist

[Leroy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm giving it 4 stars due to the minimalist setting and writing style. Gunnar has done a lot with not much which is in itself a skill. It's not very exciting but it's a unique landscape the author manages to transmit to us.

[Rosemarie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was not expecting that killer.

Two parallel case. Varg isn't allowed to investigate one, but there's nothing stopping him investigating the other. Except possible death by rockfall.

[AtomicBooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a really enjoyable read. Varg is such a well rounded, and well written character. He’s likeable and relatable but not perfect. This story builds at a slow and steady pace which is perfect for scandi noir as you get to know the location, and the power of the landscape alongside the small village and its inhabitants and their history. A very addictive read.

I’ve read one book in this series before but it was quite some time ago so it was good to catch up with Varg again. Reading this made me wonder what took me so long to read another one? This book can be read as a standalone but when you know there are other books in their series why would you?

[Klr · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Varg Veum. He is the private investigator that people love and hate and he cares about the people he works for or investigates.

[Perry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another engaging Varg Veum story.

[Rd · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent! Reading his other novel not listed here "Mirror Image." I love Varg!

[Caroleest · Rating 4 out of 5]

Achtervolgd door de dood is het nieuwste deel in de Varg Veum serie. Een Scandinavische thriller die je in zijn greep houdt.

Het verhaal:
Met de bus onderweg naar Bergen ziet Varg Veum dat twee meisjes bij een halte worden afgehaald door een jongeman met een kampeerbusje. Een paar dagen later ziet hij in de krant een foto van diezelfde jongeman staan met als kop: MAN VERMIST. De drie jongeren zouden meedoen aan een demonstratie tegen een zalmkwekerij in het plaatsje Solvik.
Veums natuurlijke nieuwsgierigheid is gewekt en hij begeeft zich naar Solvik, waar hij zijn intrek neemt in een bed and breakfast die gerund wordt door de weduwe Betty, de plaatselijke femme fatale met een bedenkelijke reputatie. Als de vrouw Varg Veum inhuurt om onderzoek te doen naar de dood van haar man, ontdekt hij dat er in het idyllische plaatsje heel wat zaken zijn die het daglicht niet kunnen verdragen. En terwijl de spanningen rond de zalmkwekerij een dramatisch hoogtepunt bereiken, probeert Veum de onderste steen boven te krijgen.

Dit is het eerste deel die ik uit de Varg Veum serie lees, maar zeker niet de laatste. Wat een pakkende thriller.

We volgen Varg Veum in de verdwijningszaak van Jonas, een jongeman die voor het laatst is gezien met twee meisjes bij een bushalte. Wanneer Varg tijdens zijn onderzoek erachter komt dat er meer “toevallige sterfgevallen” in de familie van Jonas zijn, komt al gauw de vraag of het met de zalmindustrie te maken heeft of dat het privé is?

We lezen vanuit Varg, een sterk personage die uit meerdere lagen bestaat. Hij is alert en ziet meer dan de ‘gewone’ mens, een personage die uiterst interessant te noemen is. Wat gaat er nog meer in zijn hoofd om?

De schrijfstijl is vlot, krachtig en beeldend. Door de specifieke gedetailleerde omschrijvingen van de omgeving in combinatie met de sfeer die er heerst, geeft dat een extra grimmige dimensie aan het verhaal. Je krijgt een bepaald gevoel bij het lezen wat je op het puntje van je stoel laat zitten. Je weet dat er iets staat te gebeuren, maar de plotwendingen verassen je toch weer.

Achtervolgd door de dood is een spannende thriller die je in zijn greep houdt tot de ontknoping. Ik ben nu heel benieuwd naar de andere delen in deze serie en daar ga ik te zijner tijd eens lekker van genieten.

Bedankt Uitgeverij Marmer voor het recensie exemplaar.

[Alfred Nobile · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very brooding and slow burn of a book. But at the risk of contradicting myself, what a lot happens. And it's all down to one man's curiosity.

Varg Veum is asked by a local to investigate the death of a person, who died two years previously. He agrees to take on the case, but before he can he is stopped by police for careless driving and his licence is suspended for careless driving. When this is cleared up he returns to the area to collect his he reads a newspaper headline about a missing person and realises he has seen this person a few days previously and decides to go to the area where this person went missing. There he discovers a body. not the missing person, but is there a connection? This is the only worm out of the can.

Varg finds his curiosity has got himself into a deep hole and the more he digs to get himself out the deeper he finds himself in it.

What I love about Scandinavian crime writing is that the setting becomes as much a character as the humans in the story.

Gunnar's forte is his use of dialogue and description to great a narrative full of foreboding and tension. This drags the reader through the tale and hanging on to find out what happens next.

[David C Ward · Rating 3 out of 5]

Missing person/family issues/corruption. Workmanlike Scandinoir but not as noir as the TV series.