What do you think?
Rate this book
Varg Veum #17
Ingen er så trygg i fare
Reeling from the death of his great love, Karin, Varg Veum’s life has descended into a self-destructive spiral of alcohol, lust, grief and blackouts. When traces of child pornography are found on his computer, he’s accused of being part of a pedophile ring and thrown into a prison cell. There, he struggles to sift through his past to work out who is responsible for planting the material . . . and who is seeking the ultimate revenge. When a chance to escape presents itself, Varg finds himself on the run in his hometown of Bergen. With the clock ticking and the police on his tail, Varg takes on his hardest—and most personal—case yet. Chilling, shocking and exceptionally gripping, Wolves in the Dark reaffirms Gunnar Staalesen as one of the world’s foremost thriller writers.
320 pages, Hardcover
First published October 15, 2014
85 people are currently reading
745 people want to read
About the author
Gunnar Staalesen
135 books281 followersGunnar 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.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 101 reviews
September 1, 2019
“Wolves in the Dark” published in 2017 by Orenda Books marks the 40th anniversary of ‘Varg Veum’ and is the 21st book in the series written by internationally renowned author Gunnar Staalesen. Excellent as a stand-alone too, this thriller is intelligent, compelling and well written and even though touches on a very sensitive theme, the story is highly entertaining and enjoyable.
Translated seamlessly by Don Bartlett, nothing is lost in translation (as is often the case) and bar some Norwegian names and locations that you need to become acquainted with, this is a very easy to follow thriller.
‘When traces of child pornography are found on Veum’s computer, he’s accused of being a part of a paedophile ring and thrown into a prison cell. There, he struggles to sift through his past to work out who is responsible for planting the material...and who is seeking the ultimate revenge.’
I love stories that open with such a compelling start as this book and it certainly set the scene for the rest of the book excellently. Having read three books now in the series, I can honestly say that this is my favourite so far, since he wasn’t just solving a crime, he was determined to clear his name of something too heinous to even contemplate. As he pieces together events that happened two years ago whilst he was under the effects of alcohol (and are therefore very hazy) he begins to realise who is to blame for his incarceration and sets about to prove it. There was a unexpected twist in the conclusion that I didn’t expect to happen, never mind by the consequence of it and I thoroughly enjoyed how the author tied together all the lose threads and brought the denouement to a satisfactory ending.
Gunnar is so well respected and enjoyed as an author in Norway there is even a life size statue of his beloved character Varg Veum in the centre of Bergen and after having read several of these books, I fully understand the attraction of the now aged and experienced private investigator. Twelve Norwegian film adaptions of the crime novels have also appeared since 2007, with no doubt still more to come and I look forward to the next in the series that I haven’t yet read - “Big Sister”.
5 stars
Translated seamlessly by Don Bartlett, nothing is lost in translation (as is often the case) and bar some Norwegian names and locations that you need to become acquainted with, this is a very easy to follow thriller.
‘When traces of child pornography are found on Veum’s computer, he’s accused of being a part of a paedophile ring and thrown into a prison cell. There, he struggles to sift through his past to work out who is responsible for planting the material...and who is seeking the ultimate revenge.’
I love stories that open with such a compelling start as this book and it certainly set the scene for the rest of the book excellently. Having read three books now in the series, I can honestly say that this is my favourite so far, since he wasn’t just solving a crime, he was determined to clear his name of something too heinous to even contemplate. As he pieces together events that happened two years ago whilst he was under the effects of alcohol (and are therefore very hazy) he begins to realise who is to blame for his incarceration and sets about to prove it. There was a unexpected twist in the conclusion that I didn’t expect to happen, never mind by the consequence of it and I thoroughly enjoyed how the author tied together all the lose threads and brought the denouement to a satisfactory ending.
Gunnar is so well respected and enjoyed as an author in Norway there is even a life size statue of his beloved character Varg Veum in the centre of Bergen and after having read several of these books, I fully understand the attraction of the now aged and experienced private investigator. Twelve Norwegian film adaptions of the crime novels have also appeared since 2007, with no doubt still more to come and I look forward to the next in the series that I haven’t yet read - “Big Sister”.
5 stars
June 3, 2017
I have seen every single Varg Veum TV movie there is, but this is the first book I have read. Wolves in the Dark is book 21 so I have missed a couple. Nevertheless, I just knew I had to read this one since I find Varg Veum to be such a fabulous TV characters that I wanted to see how he is portrayed in the books.
And, he is, to be honest not showing his best side in the book, after losing Karin some years before has he pretty much spent the years since then drinking which makes it hard for him to remember the cases he has been involved with. And, now he really needs to remember them, so that he can clear his name from the accusation of harboring child pornography on his computer. He has not many allies in this book, luckily for him he has a girlfriend that believes in him, but even her trust will be put to the test.
Let me tell you, this is a dark story. Child pornography is an awful subject to read about, and I really, really wanted Veum to get to the bottom of it and clear his name. However, first, he must try to put the pieces together, he has some names and vague recollections, and as the story progress will he learn that there are some people out there that wouldn't mind destroying his life. It's an engrossing book, and it was interesting to see how the story that started out with Veum trying to remember his past then everything started slowly getting more clearly as the story progressed.
The ending, well, gave some answers, but not everything was resolved. And, the cliffhanger was excruciating and now I want the next book to read!
I want to thank the publisher for providing me with a free copy for an honest review!
And, he is, to be honest not showing his best side in the book, after losing Karin some years before has he pretty much spent the years since then drinking which makes it hard for him to remember the cases he has been involved with. And, now he really needs to remember them, so that he can clear his name from the accusation of harboring child pornography on his computer. He has not many allies in this book, luckily for him he has a girlfriend that believes in him, but even her trust will be put to the test.
Let me tell you, this is a dark story. Child pornography is an awful subject to read about, and I really, really wanted Veum to get to the bottom of it and clear his name. However, first, he must try to put the pieces together, he has some names and vague recollections, and as the story progress will he learn that there are some people out there that wouldn't mind destroying his life. It's an engrossing book, and it was interesting to see how the story that started out with Veum trying to remember his past then everything started slowly getting more clearly as the story progressed.
The ending, well, gave some answers, but not everything was resolved. And, the cliffhanger was excruciating and now I want the next book to read!
I want to thank the publisher for providing me with a free copy for an honest review!
June 21, 2017
Wolves in the Dark is the second book I have read by this author. I have to give a mention to the fabulous translation of this novel by Don Bartlett. I’m not always a big fan of books that have been translated but I have personally had no problems with these books and felt that they flow really well.
My first introduction to Varg was in Where Roses Never Die. I took to him straight away. If things weren’t bad enough for him as it was in the previous book, things are about to get a whole lot worse!
Varg is without a doubt a character that readers will take into their hearts. No matter how much rubbish life throws at him, he never lets it beat him. To be accused of what Varg is being accused off, is just horrendous. I like that the author has used a crime that is sadly very much one that is current in todays world. For Varg to be accused of it though sent me reeling. The reader knows there is no way that it would be possible but sadly not everyone thinks the same.
The author has yet again created a story that will have the reader racing through the pages to see whether Varg can prove his innocence. My heart was literally in my mouth wondering if he would be able to get himself out of this appalling situation. It certainly makes for a tense and exciting read.
My thanks to Orenda Books for an advanced readers copy of this book. All opinions are my own and not biased in anyway.
My first introduction to Varg was in Where Roses Never Die. I took to him straight away. If things weren’t bad enough for him as it was in the previous book, things are about to get a whole lot worse!
Varg is without a doubt a character that readers will take into their hearts. No matter how much rubbish life throws at him, he never lets it beat him. To be accused of what Varg is being accused off, is just horrendous. I like that the author has used a crime that is sadly very much one that is current in todays world. For Varg to be accused of it though sent me reeling. The reader knows there is no way that it would be possible but sadly not everyone thinks the same.
The author has yet again created a story that will have the reader racing through the pages to see whether Varg can prove his innocence. My heart was literally in my mouth wondering if he would be able to get himself out of this appalling situation. It certainly makes for a tense and exciting read.
My thanks to Orenda Books for an advanced readers copy of this book. All opinions are my own and not biased in anyway.
December 22, 2025
This is, I think, the latest in the hard-boiled detective Varg Veum series by Gunnar Staalesen (born in 1947). This is Nordic Noir territory showing the dark underside of Scandinavian society (Norway in this case). Varg is the private investigator, who, following the death of his love, has descended into alcoholism and blackouts. The police arrest him, accusing him of being part of a pedophile ring- and they have found traces of child pornography on his computer. Varg has to figure out who is out to get him and, when he gets the chance to escape- and takes it, he is able to conduct his own investigation, all the while trying to keep the police from recapturing him. A gripping story which builds up to the big showdown, it is set in Bergen, the second largest city in Norway and Staalesen's hometown. We learn a lot about the city, its streets and neighborhoods, as Varg hides out in and moves around his city..If I ever get to Bergen, I would not be surprised to see Varg walking down the Bryggen.
July 11, 2017
Varg Veum is back in another installment in the series and Wolves in the Dark deals with some very dark subject matter this time.
Veum is suspected of being part of a paedophile ring after incriminating traces of child pornography are found on his computer. Thrown into a prison cell, Veum tries to think of anyone from his past who would harbor enough of a grudge to frame him for this truly heinous crime.
While in prison, Veum gets a chance to escape, and he takes it! What follows is his quest for the truth, to find the perpetrators, and to clear his name. Life on the run is hard for him, and dangerous to those closest to him. Veum must work fast to try and get to the bottom of the mystery surrounding his arrest.
Wwolves in the Dark delves deep into the dark and seedy world of pornography and paedophilia. It addresses the deceit that keeps it going and the lengths to which people will go to keep it hidden.
A really complex story, with many different threads, Wolves in the Dark is a gripping crime thriller. If you enjoy Scandinavian crime fiction, especially Nordic Noir, then this is definitely one to add to your list. Staalesen is undoubtedly one of the best authors in this genre!
Veum is suspected of being part of a paedophile ring after incriminating traces of child pornography are found on his computer. Thrown into a prison cell, Veum tries to think of anyone from his past who would harbor enough of a grudge to frame him for this truly heinous crime.
While in prison, Veum gets a chance to escape, and he takes it! What follows is his quest for the truth, to find the perpetrators, and to clear his name. Life on the run is hard for him, and dangerous to those closest to him. Veum must work fast to try and get to the bottom of the mystery surrounding his arrest.
Wwolves in the Dark delves deep into the dark and seedy world of pornography and paedophilia. It addresses the deceit that keeps it going and the lengths to which people will go to keep it hidden.
A really complex story, with many different threads, Wolves in the Dark is a gripping crime thriller. If you enjoy Scandinavian crime fiction, especially Nordic Noir, then this is definitely one to add to your list. Staalesen is undoubtedly one of the best authors in this genre!
June 29, 2017
All my reviews can be found at http://thebookreviewcafe.com
I thought I had made a huge blunder agreeing to review Wolves In The Dark, I didn’t realise it was the 21st book in the series, so I pretty much convinced myself that I would find this a difficult novel to read, I hate starting a series a couple of books in let alone 21! I always find it hard to connect with the characters. I’m thrilled to report that all my worries were unfounded and Wolves In The Dark made for a throughly gripping read and yes it can be read as a standalone.
Wolves in the Dark doesn’t ease you in gently to it’s plot from the first chapter where PI Varg Veum is arrested for having child pornography on his computer and he’s accused of being part of a paedophile ring you know you are in for a dark and disturbing read. There’s no doubt about it Wolves In The Dark is not always an easy read, while it never felt gratuitous within the context of the story, I can see that this won’t be to everyone’s tastes due to the subject matter.
Varg is one complex character he’s a damaged soul, he much prefers to drown his sorrows in alcohol so he doesn’t have to deal with his grief, but despite the darkness surrounding him I also find something intriguing about this well established character. I do feel there is a lot of history to his character, history I’ve missed out on as I haven’t read previous books in the series, but overall I still managed to get a “feel” for this complex yet intriguing character.
As Varg looks back on past cases and the enemies he’s made looking to find answers to his current predicament, the pages of this cracking plot are fraught with suspense and you can’t help but wonder where the author is heading with this gritty yet compelling tale. I did find some parts confusing due to the number of characters involved in the plot and the numerous threads, but that said the author expertly manages to bring everything together masterfully.
After I finished Wolves In The Dark I’ve come to the conclusion that although I’ve come to this series late, it really did not spoil my enjoyment of this well written novel. I would like to think at some point I will go back and read early books in this series, but if I don’t get the chance it’s definitely a series I will read from here on in. Superbly paced with a disturbing plot Gunnar Staalesen has written an outstanding book in Nordic noir, it has so many elements that made this a gripping read. If you like your thrillers dark and gritty then this is definitely the book for you.
I thought I had made a huge blunder agreeing to review Wolves In The Dark, I didn’t realise it was the 21st book in the series, so I pretty much convinced myself that I would find this a difficult novel to read, I hate starting a series a couple of books in let alone 21! I always find it hard to connect with the characters. I’m thrilled to report that all my worries were unfounded and Wolves In The Dark made for a throughly gripping read and yes it can be read as a standalone.
Wolves in the Dark doesn’t ease you in gently to it’s plot from the first chapter where PI Varg Veum is arrested for having child pornography on his computer and he’s accused of being part of a paedophile ring you know you are in for a dark and disturbing read. There’s no doubt about it Wolves In The Dark is not always an easy read, while it never felt gratuitous within the context of the story, I can see that this won’t be to everyone’s tastes due to the subject matter.
Varg is one complex character he’s a damaged soul, he much prefers to drown his sorrows in alcohol so he doesn’t have to deal with his grief, but despite the darkness surrounding him I also find something intriguing about this well established character. I do feel there is a lot of history to his character, history I’ve missed out on as I haven’t read previous books in the series, but overall I still managed to get a “feel” for this complex yet intriguing character.
As Varg looks back on past cases and the enemies he’s made looking to find answers to his current predicament, the pages of this cracking plot are fraught with suspense and you can’t help but wonder where the author is heading with this gritty yet compelling tale. I did find some parts confusing due to the number of characters involved in the plot and the numerous threads, but that said the author expertly manages to bring everything together masterfully.
After I finished Wolves In The Dark I’ve come to the conclusion that although I’ve come to this series late, it really did not spoil my enjoyment of this well written novel. I would like to think at some point I will go back and read early books in this series, but if I don’t get the chance it’s definitely a series I will read from here on in. Superbly paced with a disturbing plot Gunnar Staalesen has written an outstanding book in Nordic noir, it has so many elements that made this a gripping read. If you like your thrillers dark and gritty then this is definitely the book for you.
October 8, 2017
Wolves in the Dark is an entry into one of my favorite categories: Nordic Noir. It takes place in Norway. Gunnar Staalesen protagonist, Varg Veum, is emerging from a fog of alcoholism and addiction, following the death of his lover. His new beginnings, however, are met with a charge of participating in an international child pornography internet ring.
The evidence is damning and no one, other than his new girlfriend, believes he is innocent. It is up to Veum to prove his innocence against all odds.
I found this thriller to be engrossing. Although this is part of a series, I had not read any of the other works. This did not seem to be a problem, if anything, it intensified the suspense over Veum's innocence or guilt.
The locations seems realistically shown. I felt as if I could actually see where I was and with whom I was dealing. The suspense was powerful and I could hardly bear to put the book down. Like any worthwhile thriller, I could hardly stand not knowing the ending and could not stop reading until I found out.
Atmospheric and dark, the book is a strong member of the Nordic Noir community.
I want to thank NetGalley, Gunnar Staalesen and Trafalgar Square Publishing for the opportunity of reading this terrific book. I will go quickly to read the rest of the series!
Note: I did not listen to the audio of this book but read it in the Kindle edition. I was unable to edit this listing because Goodreads did not list the Kindle option.
The evidence is damning and no one, other than his new girlfriend, believes he is innocent. It is up to Veum to prove his innocence against all odds.
I found this thriller to be engrossing. Although this is part of a series, I had not read any of the other works. This did not seem to be a problem, if anything, it intensified the suspense over Veum's innocence or guilt.
The locations seems realistically shown. I felt as if I could actually see where I was and with whom I was dealing. The suspense was powerful and I could hardly bear to put the book down. Like any worthwhile thriller, I could hardly stand not knowing the ending and could not stop reading until I found out.
Atmospheric and dark, the book is a strong member of the Nordic Noir community.
I want to thank NetGalley, Gunnar Staalesen and Trafalgar Square Publishing for the opportunity of reading this terrific book. I will go quickly to read the rest of the series!
Note: I did not listen to the audio of this book but read it in the Kindle edition. I was unable to edit this listing because Goodreads did not list the Kindle option.
June 15, 2017
It’s amazing to think that this year marks the 40th anniversary of the Varg Veum series and whilst we are probably never going to catch up here in the UK, it’s definitely a good time to read the books that have now been translated into English, two of which are We Shall Inherit The Wind and Where Roses Never Die. I spent Boxing Day last year curled up on the sofa reading Where Roses Never Die and loved it. Although it gives you a little more background into Veum, it’s not essential to have to read it to enjoy this one. So much has happened to him since 1977 it would be impossible to catch up on everything but for newbies it’s pretty easy to pick up as you go along.
Having lost the love of his life Karin, Veum is on a path of self destruction. When we left him in the last book I was full of hope for him as he had started a new relationship with his girlfriend but that is now put under pressure when he is arrested for possession of child pornography. So he needs to buck his ideas up and work out who is setting him up and why.
I really like Veum as a character, I find him intriguing as he is far from perfect. He drinks far too much for a start-if I had a pound for every bottle of aquavit he has drunk since I met him…..But despite his flaws you find yourself becoming engrossed in his life and urging him on through the tough times.
This is a nasty case for Veum to have to solve, not least because his reputation is on the line here. The subject matter is a difficult one to read about and although it’s very disturbing it’s handled well without being too graphic. I did find it shocking though when the photos of Varg Veum came to light and I think I found those the most stomach churning of all.
The plot unraveled slowly and intricately and I had to read very carefully to make sure I didn’t miss anything. The complexity of the storyline meant I had to concentrate more than usual so I had to read it in shorter intervals but this didn’t stop Wolves In The Dark from being a gripping page turner. The tension was kept high throughout and it was like walking along a knife edge at times. Staalesen knows how to write chilling drama into his crime novels and his experience and in depth knowledge of his popular character really delivered for me. And it looks like there’s plenty more to come!
Having lost the love of his life Karin, Veum is on a path of self destruction. When we left him in the last book I was full of hope for him as he had started a new relationship with his girlfriend but that is now put under pressure when he is arrested for possession of child pornography. So he needs to buck his ideas up and work out who is setting him up and why.
I really like Veum as a character, I find him intriguing as he is far from perfect. He drinks far too much for a start-if I had a pound for every bottle of aquavit he has drunk since I met him…..But despite his flaws you find yourself becoming engrossed in his life and urging him on through the tough times.
This is a nasty case for Veum to have to solve, not least because his reputation is on the line here. The subject matter is a difficult one to read about and although it’s very disturbing it’s handled well without being too graphic. I did find it shocking though when the photos of Varg Veum came to light and I think I found those the most stomach churning of all.
The plot unraveled slowly and intricately and I had to read very carefully to make sure I didn’t miss anything. The complexity of the storyline meant I had to concentrate more than usual so I had to read it in shorter intervals but this didn’t stop Wolves In The Dark from being a gripping page turner. The tension was kept high throughout and it was like walking along a knife edge at times. Staalesen knows how to write chilling drama into his crime novels and his experience and in depth knowledge of his popular character really delivered for me. And it looks like there’s plenty more to come!
June 23, 2017
All of my reviews can be found on www.novelgossip.com
I have to admit that I was pretty intimidated when I realized this book is the twenty first in a series, I mean there is just no way that I could possibly catch up at this point! But I had heard such great things about the author that I took a chance and just jumped in and man am I glad I did. I was needlessly worried as I had no problem reading this as a standalone and my fear would’ve made me miss out on a really gripping read.
I love being thrust right into action the moment I start a book and that’s just what happened here. Veum is arrested on suspicion of having child pornography on his computer and immediately you can feel his desperation and panic. He’s clearly kind of a mess, he’s spent the previous few years reeling from the death of his partner and had many drunken nights that ended in a blackout. I have a soft spot for tragic heroes and he quickly managed to get under my skin as I hoped he would be able to swiftly extract himself from this nightmare.
Following along as Veum pieced together fragments of his past was quite tricky, but really interesting to see how things eventually slotted together. This had a really tangled plot with a lot of separate threads, and as much as I struggled to figure out exactly what had happened, Staalesen masterfully joined things together in the end. His writing style was tight and sharp and so well intended, every word served a purpose and I was hanging off of each and every one of them.
I devoured this is one sitting despite the sometimes difficult subject matter at it’s heart. Child pornography is not something that’s easy to read about, but there was nothing overly gratuitous or overly descriptive in regards to that part of the storyline.
This is classic Nordic Noir with a subtle pace, but it did have several heart pounding moments. There were also some jaw dropping surprises that threw me for a loop. The ending was satisfying but still left things wide open for the next book and I can’t wait to see what happens next. Fans of this series will be pleased and new readers will be fans as well by the end.
I have to admit that I was pretty intimidated when I realized this book is the twenty first in a series, I mean there is just no way that I could possibly catch up at this point! But I had heard such great things about the author that I took a chance and just jumped in and man am I glad I did. I was needlessly worried as I had no problem reading this as a standalone and my fear would’ve made me miss out on a really gripping read.
I love being thrust right into action the moment I start a book and that’s just what happened here. Veum is arrested on suspicion of having child pornography on his computer and immediately you can feel his desperation and panic. He’s clearly kind of a mess, he’s spent the previous few years reeling from the death of his partner and had many drunken nights that ended in a blackout. I have a soft spot for tragic heroes and he quickly managed to get under my skin as I hoped he would be able to swiftly extract himself from this nightmare.
Following along as Veum pieced together fragments of his past was quite tricky, but really interesting to see how things eventually slotted together. This had a really tangled plot with a lot of separate threads, and as much as I struggled to figure out exactly what had happened, Staalesen masterfully joined things together in the end. His writing style was tight and sharp and so well intended, every word served a purpose and I was hanging off of each and every one of them.
I devoured this is one sitting despite the sometimes difficult subject matter at it’s heart. Child pornography is not something that’s easy to read about, but there was nothing overly gratuitous or overly descriptive in regards to that part of the storyline.
This is classic Nordic Noir with a subtle pace, but it did have several heart pounding moments. There were also some jaw dropping surprises that threw me for a loop. The ending was satisfying but still left things wide open for the next book and I can’t wait to see what happens next. Fans of this series will be pleased and new readers will be fans as well by the end.
July 1, 2017
Find all my book reviews plus author interviews, guest posts and book extracts on my blog: https://whatcathyreadnext.wordpress.com/
Wolves in the Dark is the latest outing for Varg Veum and, to be honest, things are not going well for him. He’s still recovering from the emotional aftermath of a tragic event in his personal life and the past few years have just about disappeared in a haze of booze. His bank account is all but empty, the new cases have dried up and it’s a struggle to keep off the bottle. Last, but definitely not least, he’s been arrested on a charge of participating in a child pornography ring on the basis of material found on his computer. Somehow you just know he wouldn’t be involved in anything as grotesque and evil as child pornography (not to mention that he and modern technology are pretty much strangers beyond the basics).
Varg knows he’s been set up and that the material found by the police has somehow been placed on his computer in order to discredit him as an act of revenge. The trouble is the number of people who believe him is small…and getting smaller. Looking for the possible culprit means revisiting previous cases and confronting some shameful episodes from his alcohol-fuelled years. Forced to take proving his innocence into his own hands, Varg finds unexpected links and possible connections that throw up more questions than answers. Eventually, the pieces of the jigsaw fall into place but a resolution? Sometimes things in life don’t work out as neatly as that…
This was a great read containing everything you need for a satisfying crime mystery. I loved the character of Varg. He has many flaws but you have to admire his dogged determination and his relentless desire to search for the truth (not to mention a seemingly encyclopaedic knowledge of the back streets of Bergen and its one way systems). The book is full of twists and turns (not just in the streets of Bergen) and interrelated stories creating a complex web for Varg to untangle. The author is clearly a master of his art because the story is set up perfectly for a next book (we hope!).
Despite being part of a long running series, Wolves in the Dark works perfectly well as a standalone read. I was intrigued by the hints of events in Varg’s past but not knowing didn’t affect my enjoyment, just added to the sense of mystery. Having the opportunity to read Wolves in the Dark has made me keen to read the earlier books in the series that have been translated into English. Hopefully, the whole series will be translated eventually.
I received an advance reader copy courtesy of publishers, Orenda Books, in return for an honest review.
Wolves in the Dark is the latest outing for Varg Veum and, to be honest, things are not going well for him. He’s still recovering from the emotional aftermath of a tragic event in his personal life and the past few years have just about disappeared in a haze of booze. His bank account is all but empty, the new cases have dried up and it’s a struggle to keep off the bottle. Last, but definitely not least, he’s been arrested on a charge of participating in a child pornography ring on the basis of material found on his computer. Somehow you just know he wouldn’t be involved in anything as grotesque and evil as child pornography (not to mention that he and modern technology are pretty much strangers beyond the basics).
Varg knows he’s been set up and that the material found by the police has somehow been placed on his computer in order to discredit him as an act of revenge. The trouble is the number of people who believe him is small…and getting smaller. Looking for the possible culprit means revisiting previous cases and confronting some shameful episodes from his alcohol-fuelled years. Forced to take proving his innocence into his own hands, Varg finds unexpected links and possible connections that throw up more questions than answers. Eventually, the pieces of the jigsaw fall into place but a resolution? Sometimes things in life don’t work out as neatly as that…
This was a great read containing everything you need for a satisfying crime mystery. I loved the character of Varg. He has many flaws but you have to admire his dogged determination and his relentless desire to search for the truth (not to mention a seemingly encyclopaedic knowledge of the back streets of Bergen and its one way systems). The book is full of twists and turns (not just in the streets of Bergen) and interrelated stories creating a complex web for Varg to untangle. The author is clearly a master of his art because the story is set up perfectly for a next book (we hope!).
Despite being part of a long running series, Wolves in the Dark works perfectly well as a standalone read. I was intrigued by the hints of events in Varg’s past but not knowing didn’t affect my enjoyment, just added to the sense of mystery. Having the opportunity to read Wolves in the Dark has made me keen to read the earlier books in the series that have been translated into English. Hopefully, the whole series will be translated eventually.
I received an advance reader copy courtesy of publishers, Orenda Books, in return for an honest review.
June 26, 2017
When your favorite genre is crime, you slowly start to believe you have read the darkest and most twisted stories. But some authors fish their ideas from Hell's pit, and Gunnar Staalesen proved he knows where to find the blackest and most horrific material to work with.
Being waken up by the police for an interview can't and is never a good sign. It's a Monday kind of life joke. Like our favorite Norwegian private investigator, the nasty surprise was a cold shower and neither of us had a chance to make sense of what was happening before he was already at the precinct! One page in and the worry turned into real panic as gruesome accusations were made and my poor Varg Veum was taken into custody! I loved diving into the action right from the beginning, or rather letting the action drive us right into a cell, with only so few elements that there's nothing much to do.
Four walls, four years, a man with a broken heart and bad habits. There is definitely something about Varg Veum that is captivating and this book gives you the chance to explore parts of this man you'd only suspected or seen from afar. Taking a look in the mirror and digging into the past is difficult for everyone, but with a guy like Veum, the mud and fog are so thick you easily get lost in the process. Only with this story did I fully understand the hell he had been through. The author hands you a key to a cell that even Veum wasn't aware he was in, or maybe did not want to face. Reading about him reminiscing, probing his memories, poking where it hurts, putting all cards on the table was painful. The honesty with which he looked back into his past actions without any hesitation is what I like the most about the character. He has his flaws, but he doesn't hide from them. He lives with them. He knows himself enough not to let the shame pull him deeper into the hole he already has a feet in. Varg Veum is such a strong character that he takes the cliché of the old alcoholic investigator and crushes it with bare hands. Oh, he is not in touch with is feminine side and chatting about his feelings, but the narration makes him different, the author puts a real man at the heart of this series and deals with the consequences, pushing him over and over in a way that cannot leave you cold. Did I say I loved the character of Varg Veum? Now, it must be pretty clear!
The investigation was like a Christmas morning, except that instead of having one gift after another, you're given one twist after the other. Don't count on a respite with Gunnar Staalesen, he has a giant sleeve with plenty of red herrings to throw at you, and a completely and intensely intricate plot that draws you in and opens the door to places you would rather never go. Never ever never. We all know the danger, but what happens when it's lurking close to home?
'See no evil, hear no evil and speak no evil, or at least nothing that can affect the image of the idyll.'
The Internet is a wonderful invention that has brought people together as well as making knowledge accessible, but it has also offered a way for bad guys to happily and freely play. Play with lives, often anonymously. We used to say “don't talk to strangers on the street”, well, the strangers are in our houses now, places that are supposed to be shelters from the world. Wolves in the Dark reminded me that behind every door is a danger, and while most of us will never have to face it, it can be right under our nose, taking the most shocking and unforgivable forms. Some parts were difficult to face, and I shared Veum's disgust, with every piece of information spurring us to fight harder to get to the bottom of the story, and secondarily, save him! The striking events, the silence that seems to be the “normal” way of operating for so many people disgusted me, I couldn't help feeling the unfairness and helplessness that came with the plans individuals can make up to get a revenge, or keep a nice business running...
Despite the heaviness of the events, the author managed to keep the right balance so I wouldn't have to put down the book to take a break. There are too many chases that keep you hooked: people, recollections, information. Your hands are full and time go by. The fear of the dark and the creatures of the night is dwarfed by the need to clear a name and clear the city of its wolves.
I need to mention the fantastic and spot-on translation by Don Bartlett, I never felt I was reading a translation.
This was only my second encounter with Varg Veum. I was greeted by an amazingly descriptive and powerful writing, a revolting and riveting plot masterfully weaved, and the ticking of the clock to save a man from his past and his present.
I would like to thank Karen Sullivan and Anne Cater for bringing me along in such a fantastic blog tour.
August 31, 2019
Wolves in the Dark was my third Veum book, a difficult read. It has a compelling start with Veum being arrested early morning by what could be considered a pack of wolves, a personification of the police state coming down full force with accusations that shock. How will he defend himself when the police and media are blowing up a sweeping attack on child pornography that Varg is being set up for when he is immediately accused and incarcerated?
Years of heavy drinking and blackouts impede, but with assistance of lawyer and dedicated mining of his memory he goes back over time recalling all of the possible enemies he has made who could set him up for these accusations. It will require IT skills to track who/how his office computer and home laptop have been hacked and by whom.
Library Loan
Years of heavy drinking and blackouts impede, but with assistance of lawyer and dedicated mining of his memory he goes back over time recalling all of the possible enemies he has made who could set him up for these accusations. It will require IT skills to track who/how his office computer and home laptop have been hacked and by whom.
Library Loan
June 21, 2017
Varg Veum has a rude awakening when police show up on his doorstep and bring him in for possession of child pornography. Veum claims he’s innocent but everything points to the contrary. Soon he finds himself in prison where he tries to piece together the last few cases he’s worked on. Not an easy task since most of those years are a blurry mist due to excessive drinking after losing the love of his life. When an opportunity to escape arises, he quickly takes it and sets out to investigate in order to clear his name.
Now, if you have been following my blog, you are by now aware of my need to start a series from the beginning. Yet here I am, reviewing Wolves in the Dark, which is book 21 in the Varg Veum series which has been going strong for decades. There are even movies! Who knew? (I obviously didn’t!)
The main character, Varg Veum, is a private detective who hasn’t always had the easiest of times. He is a well established, complex character with lots of baggage. And this is where I wish I’d read the older stuff first so I’d have a better idea of how he became the person he is today. Obviously I’ve missed out on a lot of background information. While there is some reference to past events, it didn’t quite satisfy my curiosity. I know, killed the cat and all that. And obviously I don’t expect the author to shove twenty years of history into a book just so new readers can know all the ins and outs of this, quite clearly, beloved character.
Nevertheless, I did enjoy this foray into Scandi-Noir and it’s obvious the author has many years of experience in writing crime fiction under his belt. The plot is truly intricate, keeping you hooked as various threads seem to shoot off in different directions as you try to work out the clues. There are more than enough twists and turns to keep you guessing until the end and Veum makes for one excellent narrator.
I think it’s safe to say, with apologies to the author, that I’ll probably not be reading any of the other 20 books in this series in my lifetime. Also because not all of them have been translated to English so there’s that. However, I will most definitely keep an eye out for the next one!
Now, if you have been following my blog, you are by now aware of my need to start a series from the beginning. Yet here I am, reviewing Wolves in the Dark, which is book 21 in the Varg Veum series which has been going strong for decades. There are even movies! Who knew? (I obviously didn’t!)
The main character, Varg Veum, is a private detective who hasn’t always had the easiest of times. He is a well established, complex character with lots of baggage. And this is where I wish I’d read the older stuff first so I’d have a better idea of how he became the person he is today. Obviously I’ve missed out on a lot of background information. While there is some reference to past events, it didn’t quite satisfy my curiosity. I know, killed the cat and all that. And obviously I don’t expect the author to shove twenty years of history into a book just so new readers can know all the ins and outs of this, quite clearly, beloved character.
Nevertheless, I did enjoy this foray into Scandi-Noir and it’s obvious the author has many years of experience in writing crime fiction under his belt. The plot is truly intricate, keeping you hooked as various threads seem to shoot off in different directions as you try to work out the clues. There are more than enough twists and turns to keep you guessing until the end and Veum makes for one excellent narrator.
I think it’s safe to say, with apologies to the author, that I’ll probably not be reading any of the other 20 books in this series in my lifetime. Also because not all of them have been translated to English so there’s that. However, I will most definitely keep an eye out for the next one!
June 11, 2017
I'm delighted to be one of the hosts for the Wolves in the Dark blog tour today, along with Vicki over at Cosy Books - this is the first novel I've read by Gunnar Staalesen but the twenty first in his series of Varg Veum books so I have some back list to catch up on. I originally intended to just have a quick glance at the opening few pages prior to reading the book properly for the blog tour, before I knew it however, I was halfway through and had no intention of stopping reading! Despite being a well established series with some mention of past events I found the book still worked well as a standalone thriller - albeit also an appetite whetter for those previous books.
Being accused of a crime you haven't committed is a terrifying thought, even worse when the crime is such a heinous one, and worse still when the evidence against you looks so compelling. The panic attack Varg Veum suffers when he realises the seriousness of the charges against him is almost palpable and from the very start I was gripped by this dark and chilling novel. Varg has been a broken man, the loss of the love of his life sent him into a downward spiral, and now he has to revisit his self-destructive past and decipher his shady memories to try and work out who would want to exact such shocking revenge on him. Following his risky escape he knows he only has a short time to discover the truth before his inevitable recapture but with the slimmest of clues to help him it looks very dark indeed for the imperilled private investigator.
I wasn't sure how I felt about Varg to begin with, he's a somewhat dour character and his murky past isn't likely to endear him to many people. However, as the book progressed I found myself warming to him, his debauched lifestyle was a sad response to his tragic loss but ultimately he's a good and principled man. One of the joys of a well established series is the author knows his protagonist so well and this is definitely the case here. Varg Veum may have been thrust into a nightmare but his decisions and actions all feel entirely in keeping with his character. That's not to say the book is predictable, it's anything but, it's just that Staalesen understands who Varg is and how he would respond, Wolves in the Dark is a fine example of author and lead character in perfect harmony.
Wolves in the Dark isn't an easy read, any book that deals with paedophilia is never going to be and the shocking truths revealed by Varg as he unravels his past are disturbing and upsetting. This is crime fiction at its most tense and gritty. Varg may be an older protagonist and easily duped by his more technologically advanced enemies but the book is anything but dated, it's a socially aware exposé of the horrors of child pornography in the internet age. The title of the book is a clever nod not only to its central character (Wolf in Norwegian is Varg) but also to the metaphorical wolves that prey on the innocent is the darker recesses of society. It's bleak and depressing in many ways, and a reminder that even when crimes are solved there are still victims for whom there isn't a simple happy ending. Wolves in the Dark is an intelligent and insightful novel and I'm looking forward to reading more of Gunnar Staalesen's books, I hope this pioneer of Scandinavian crime fiction continues to enjoy well deserved success in the UK too. Credit must also go to Don Bartlett for his seamless translation. Many thanks to the publishers for my advance copy and for inviting me to participate in the blog tour.
http://hairpastafreckle72.blogspot.co...
Being accused of a crime you haven't committed is a terrifying thought, even worse when the crime is such a heinous one, and worse still when the evidence against you looks so compelling. The panic attack Varg Veum suffers when he realises the seriousness of the charges against him is almost palpable and from the very start I was gripped by this dark and chilling novel. Varg has been a broken man, the loss of the love of his life sent him into a downward spiral, and now he has to revisit his self-destructive past and decipher his shady memories to try and work out who would want to exact such shocking revenge on him. Following his risky escape he knows he only has a short time to discover the truth before his inevitable recapture but with the slimmest of clues to help him it looks very dark indeed for the imperilled private investigator.
I wasn't sure how I felt about Varg to begin with, he's a somewhat dour character and his murky past isn't likely to endear him to many people. However, as the book progressed I found myself warming to him, his debauched lifestyle was a sad response to his tragic loss but ultimately he's a good and principled man. One of the joys of a well established series is the author knows his protagonist so well and this is definitely the case here. Varg Veum may have been thrust into a nightmare but his decisions and actions all feel entirely in keeping with his character. That's not to say the book is predictable, it's anything but, it's just that Staalesen understands who Varg is and how he would respond, Wolves in the Dark is a fine example of author and lead character in perfect harmony.
Wolves in the Dark isn't an easy read, any book that deals with paedophilia is never going to be and the shocking truths revealed by Varg as he unravels his past are disturbing and upsetting. This is crime fiction at its most tense and gritty. Varg may be an older protagonist and easily duped by his more technologically advanced enemies but the book is anything but dated, it's a socially aware exposé of the horrors of child pornography in the internet age. The title of the book is a clever nod not only to its central character (Wolf in Norwegian is Varg) but also to the metaphorical wolves that prey on the innocent is the darker recesses of society. It's bleak and depressing in many ways, and a reminder that even when crimes are solved there are still victims for whom there isn't a simple happy ending. Wolves in the Dark is an intelligent and insightful novel and I'm looking forward to reading more of Gunnar Staalesen's books, I hope this pioneer of Scandinavian crime fiction continues to enjoy well deserved success in the UK too. Credit must also go to Don Bartlett for his seamless translation. Many thanks to the publishers for my advance copy and for inviting me to participate in the blog tour.
http://hairpastafreckle72.blogspot.co...
September 24, 2017
Ebook not Audio.
Disclaimer: ARC via Netgalley
Varg Veum is a literary character that I first meet though television. MHZ had the Varg Veum movies on, and I watched them. So, I started reading the series in a haphazard fashion, or in other words, totally out of order.
This installment finds Veum coming out of a drinking addiction fueled by depression after a death. In part, some of his sobering comes from meeting a woman (who has a daughter) and part of it comes from being accused of child pedophilia.
The novel opens with the arrival of the police to arrest Veum and search his apartment, and the book stays to the break neck speed. In a cell, Veum is forced to remember as much as his drunk years as he can because someone, he doesn’t know who, is setting him up.
Not many people believe him. Strangely enough his new girlfriend is one of those who does.
I guess he is lucky that way, for those that have known him the longest, by and large, view him as guilty.
On one hand, the story is a non-stop thriller. It starts with a bust and keeps going. The pace never seems to slow, not surprising when Veum isn’t given the time to catch his breath. The characters are well written, possibly not the girlfriend who seems a bit too trusting, yet she is not stupid. Even though at times it seems like too much coincidental. The ending too, is on level, a typical white male ending. It is difficult to image an immigrant or even a woman, even in Norway, having the same reaction as Varg Veum to the final outcome.
In part, that might be part of the problem with this book – Veum never seems quite aware of the societal pressures, norms, what have you, that contribute or allow the trafficking and abuse of children (and women) to occur. On one hand, there are times when a reader wants to smack Veum for his cluelessness on the matter. Doesn’t he realize, the reader might wonder under her breath, in particular when he is confronting woman. Then one wonders if this genius on the part of Staalesen. What better way to show a problem? There is no preaching, no holier than though. And this provokes more thought.
This book will most likely get less attention then Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. A shame considering that it is better written and far more powerful for its subtlety.
Disclaimer: ARC via Netgalley
Varg Veum is a literary character that I first meet though television. MHZ had the Varg Veum movies on, and I watched them. So, I started reading the series in a haphazard fashion, or in other words, totally out of order.
This installment finds Veum coming out of a drinking addiction fueled by depression after a death. In part, some of his sobering comes from meeting a woman (who has a daughter) and part of it comes from being accused of child pedophilia.
The novel opens with the arrival of the police to arrest Veum and search his apartment, and the book stays to the break neck speed. In a cell, Veum is forced to remember as much as his drunk years as he can because someone, he doesn’t know who, is setting him up.
Not many people believe him. Strangely enough his new girlfriend is one of those who does.
I guess he is lucky that way, for those that have known him the longest, by and large, view him as guilty.
On one hand, the story is a non-stop thriller. It starts with a bust and keeps going. The pace never seems to slow, not surprising when Veum isn’t given the time to catch his breath. The characters are well written, possibly not the girlfriend who seems a bit too trusting, yet she is not stupid. Even though at times it seems like too much coincidental. The ending too, is on level, a typical white male ending. It is difficult to image an immigrant or even a woman, even in Norway, having the same reaction as Varg Veum to the final outcome.
In part, that might be part of the problem with this book – Veum never seems quite aware of the societal pressures, norms, what have you, that contribute or allow the trafficking and abuse of children (and women) to occur. On one hand, there are times when a reader wants to smack Veum for his cluelessness on the matter. Doesn’t he realize, the reader might wonder under her breath, in particular when he is confronting woman. Then one wonders if this genius on the part of Staalesen. What better way to show a problem? There is no preaching, no holier than though. And this provokes more thought.
This book will most likely get less attention then Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. A shame considering that it is better written and far more powerful for its subtlety.
June 9, 2017
Wolves in The Dark is a who’s who of the people that private investigator Varg Veum has peed off in his period of darkness after he lost the love of his life. Veum has to work through his very clouded (aka drunk) memory about who he was engaged by and what was the case he was investigating. By doing this, he’s opening old wounds, ripping off some very old plasters with limited knowledge to start with. But as he picks and rips, he gets flashbacks which shine a brief light on the web of secrets his memory is hiding. How much this will help him find the vindictive soul who has set him up in what is frankly an awful situation, only following the clues and flashbacks will tell him. The person/people are truly wolves in the dark of Veum’s memory.
This tale kept me guessing all the way through – I really had no idea who had set Veum up. Even with the suspects laid bare in front of me on the page, Staalesen kept me in the dark as to what was the real truth. The plotted history of Veum’s investigations that I read was varied and in his drunken state, he never did solve the case in hand – does he in sobriety?
I really like Staalesen’s writing, I don’t know if it’s because of his own personal style or he writes in a Scandinavian/Nordic style, but it’s very different to my normal read of more anglicised authors. My normal skim-reading style goes out the window and I slow right down. I seem to do this for most translated crime and weirdly Agatha Christie’s novels but that is beside the point. This is the second Veum novel I’ve read; somewhere buried on my kindle is We Shall Inherit The Wind – I need to get this read!
I have to say, I love the cover to this book. The pink really stands out against the dark background – simple yet dark!
A big thank you to Karen Sullivan and Anne Cater of Orenda Books for my copy of Wolves in the Dark and for inviting me to take part in the blog tour. As always, big #BusterBear thanks to Noelle for letting me host!
This tale kept me guessing all the way through – I really had no idea who had set Veum up. Even with the suspects laid bare in front of me on the page, Staalesen kept me in the dark as to what was the real truth. The plotted history of Veum’s investigations that I read was varied and in his drunken state, he never did solve the case in hand – does he in sobriety?
I really like Staalesen’s writing, I don’t know if it’s because of his own personal style or he writes in a Scandinavian/Nordic style, but it’s very different to my normal read of more anglicised authors. My normal skim-reading style goes out the window and I slow right down. I seem to do this for most translated crime and weirdly Agatha Christie’s novels but that is beside the point. This is the second Veum novel I’ve read; somewhere buried on my kindle is We Shall Inherit The Wind – I need to get this read!
I have to say, I love the cover to this book. The pink really stands out against the dark background – simple yet dark!
A big thank you to Karen Sullivan and Anne Cater of Orenda Books for my copy of Wolves in the Dark and for inviting me to take part in the blog tour. As always, big #BusterBear thanks to Noelle for letting me host!
February 7, 2023
This is the first book I've read by this author. I enjoyed it, though it was a difficult read at times because the locations and names were not famiiiar to me. That made it a little hard to keep track of things. That being said, it was a good whodunit and the twist at the end was worth the read. I'm not often caught by surprise in a mystery but this time I was.
Good read.
Good read.
September 11, 2017
3.5 stars
June 16, 2017
Dark thriller set in BERGEN
This review first appeared on our blog, where we also talk to the author about BERGEN as stettin:
http://www.tripfiction.com/a-very-dar...
Imagine being woken at 7.00am by police ringing your doorbell loudly. Imagine them confiscating your computer containing unimaginable images of child pornography – with you actually participating in some of the scenes. Imagine believing you are 100% innocent, but not knowing how to start to defend yourself against such accusations. And, of course, the lingering fear that 100% might in fact be only 99% – you have an alcohol problem and have no memory of several nights in the recent past… what might have happened during one of those drinking sessions? Self doubt kicks in.
This is what happens to private detective, Varg Veum, in the opening chapter of Wolves in the Dark. And this is where his nightmare begins…He is arrested and taken to the local Bergen police station for questioning. He manages (a little easily it must be said…) to escape during a bathroom break. With only his girlfriend, Sølvi, to aid him he goes into hiding. And begins to try and work out what is happening. Someone must be out to get him… but who exactly and why? He goes back in his mind over recent cases. Who has he offended so much that such vengeance could be deemed appropriate, and who has the technological expertise needed to infiltrate his computer and place the material on it? Veum’s investigations lead him into the underbelly of life in Bergen – vice traffickers, computer hackers, and the plain old fashioned criminal fraternity. It is fast paced and exciting story that moves to a thrilling – and unexpected – conclusion.
This is an excellent book for TripFiction’s armchair or actual travellers. A map of Bergen precedes the first chapter and it is easy to follow the plot around the city. Staalesen is a native of Bergen, and his intimate knowledge shows. You can almost feel you are there…
Wolves in the Dark is the sixteenth book in the Varg Veum series, going back over 40 years! It is very well translated by Don Bartlett. The subject matter is distasteful, and it is quite a brave man who would choose to write in such areas. Staalesen does, though, pull it off. Wolves in the Dark is an exciting and well constructed thriller, covering pretty dark subject matter. A great addition to the world of Scandi Noir.
This review first appeared on our blog, where we also talk to the author about BERGEN as stettin:
http://www.tripfiction.com/a-very-dar...
Imagine being woken at 7.00am by police ringing your doorbell loudly. Imagine them confiscating your computer containing unimaginable images of child pornography – with you actually participating in some of the scenes. Imagine believing you are 100% innocent, but not knowing how to start to defend yourself against such accusations. And, of course, the lingering fear that 100% might in fact be only 99% – you have an alcohol problem and have no memory of several nights in the recent past… what might have happened during one of those drinking sessions? Self doubt kicks in.
This is what happens to private detective, Varg Veum, in the opening chapter of Wolves in the Dark. And this is where his nightmare begins…He is arrested and taken to the local Bergen police station for questioning. He manages (a little easily it must be said…) to escape during a bathroom break. With only his girlfriend, Sølvi, to aid him he goes into hiding. And begins to try and work out what is happening. Someone must be out to get him… but who exactly and why? He goes back in his mind over recent cases. Who has he offended so much that such vengeance could be deemed appropriate, and who has the technological expertise needed to infiltrate his computer and place the material on it? Veum’s investigations lead him into the underbelly of life in Bergen – vice traffickers, computer hackers, and the plain old fashioned criminal fraternity. It is fast paced and exciting story that moves to a thrilling – and unexpected – conclusion.
This is an excellent book for TripFiction’s armchair or actual travellers. A map of Bergen precedes the first chapter and it is easy to follow the plot around the city. Staalesen is a native of Bergen, and his intimate knowledge shows. You can almost feel you are there…
Wolves in the Dark is the sixteenth book in the Varg Veum series, going back over 40 years! It is very well translated by Don Bartlett. The subject matter is distasteful, and it is quite a brave man who would choose to write in such areas. Staalesen does, though, pull it off. Wolves in the Dark is an exciting and well constructed thriller, covering pretty dark subject matter. A great addition to the world of Scandi Noir.
June 20, 2017
Wolves in the Dark – The Darkest Underbelly of Nordic Noir
It is hard to believe that Gunnar Staalesen introduced the world to Varg Veum over forty years ago, and that even after all this time, his noir is just as fresh as the first. Never judge his books by the cover (under Orenda Books they are brilliant) or the thickness, what Staalesen delivers in just over two hundred pages others need five hundred. As a wordsmith he wastes nothing, and once again brilliantly translated by Don Bartlett a match made in heaven.
Veum’s door bell is ringing and there is hammering at the door, he is still hungover from last night, when he opens the window to find Bergen’s local police force is outside his front door. He lets them in like the good citizen he is, but then finds himself promptly under arrest. He is confused, especially when they seize his computer and mobile phone.
It is when he is sat opposite a police solicitor, who has no time for him, and a former contact in the police station, that he is shocked to find he has been arrested for owning and distributing abusive images of children and being part of an international paedophile ring. The police do not believe him when he tells them he has no idea how the images got on his computer, and that he is barely sober, especially since the death of his lover Karin.
Even with his solicitors help and the expert he brings in the police simply do not believe Veum and he is forced to think of his more lucid moments as too who may dislike him enough to set him up, but being a private investigator that list is rather long. It is when he is left alone at the police station that the opportunity arises that he escapes and sets out to prove his innocence.
Dodging the police around Bergen who are looking to arrest him, he delves in to his memory to think of people who may know there way around a computer who he had annoyed enough to be set up. Unfortunately, he found himself with a long list and he knew he would have to chase down every lead to find the truth. Veum knows that it is not just his reputation on the line but his liberty also.
Once again Staalesen proves with this book why he is at the height of his powers, adapting Varg Veum to the age that story is set in. Once again, his gritty writing, conscious of the current fears of society as a whole, and touches the darkest parts of a person’s soul. His storytelling draws you in and leaves you breathless all the way to the end, and like a fine wine, always leaving you wanting more, but you know you blood pressure could not take it.
It is hard to believe that Gunnar Staalesen introduced the world to Varg Veum over forty years ago, and that even after all this time, his noir is just as fresh as the first. Never judge his books by the cover (under Orenda Books they are brilliant) or the thickness, what Staalesen delivers in just over two hundred pages others need five hundred. As a wordsmith he wastes nothing, and once again brilliantly translated by Don Bartlett a match made in heaven.
Veum’s door bell is ringing and there is hammering at the door, he is still hungover from last night, when he opens the window to find Bergen’s local police force is outside his front door. He lets them in like the good citizen he is, but then finds himself promptly under arrest. He is confused, especially when they seize his computer and mobile phone.
It is when he is sat opposite a police solicitor, who has no time for him, and a former contact in the police station, that he is shocked to find he has been arrested for owning and distributing abusive images of children and being part of an international paedophile ring. The police do not believe him when he tells them he has no idea how the images got on his computer, and that he is barely sober, especially since the death of his lover Karin.
Even with his solicitors help and the expert he brings in the police simply do not believe Veum and he is forced to think of his more lucid moments as too who may dislike him enough to set him up, but being a private investigator that list is rather long. It is when he is left alone at the police station that the opportunity arises that he escapes and sets out to prove his innocence.
Dodging the police around Bergen who are looking to arrest him, he delves in to his memory to think of people who may know there way around a computer who he had annoyed enough to be set up. Unfortunately, he found himself with a long list and he knew he would have to chase down every lead to find the truth. Veum knows that it is not just his reputation on the line but his liberty also.
Once again Staalesen proves with this book why he is at the height of his powers, adapting Varg Veum to the age that story is set in. Once again, his gritty writing, conscious of the current fears of society as a whole, and touches the darkest parts of a person’s soul. His storytelling draws you in and leaves you breathless all the way to the end, and like a fine wine, always leaving you wanting more, but you know you blood pressure could not take it.
January 11, 2018
This Norwegian investigation started off brilliantly. Private eye Varg Veum is ensnared in savage trap, one sprung by his own degeneracy. During a period of emotional turmoil, Veum descended into the broke and barely-functioning chaos of an alcoholic binge which lasted several years.
Now in recovery, he has to face the consequences of what he did during that time. The half-assed cases which he cocked up. The debts he owes. The enemies he made. But worst of all – the abuse he’s accused of inflicting on underage innocents.
So the set-up is superb. Veum’s in a police cell, desperately recalling the seemingly unconnected and often sleazy jobs he took at his lowest ebb; debt collection, illicit affairs, intimate encounters in ‘private clubs’. Veum has offended someone to the extent that they’ve framed him with the worst type of pornography. But who might it be, and who has the technical ability?
As ever, Staalesen’s writing is packed with details of Bergen and life in rural Norway. The opening chapters are as stylish as ever, making Veum’s fall from grace an entirely believable descent into despair.
But as the story develops, it becomes somewhat unwieldy and overly complex, losing much of the poetry of the prose in the process. There are simply too many disparate threads and red herrings, and it stretches credibility that so many cases could so neatly overlap. The second half of the book is something of a slog.
At the end, I didn’t buy the bad guys’ supposed motivation for setting up the detective – and I’m pretty sure that the hotshot computer hacker would have done more to protect himself and incriminate Veum while he attempted to evade the law.
Despite my misgivings, I still found myself galloping through the pages to see how Veum might exonerate himself, solve the mystery and nail the bad guys. This might not be my favourite VV story (that would be We Shall Inherit The Wind), but Wolves proved to be powerful enough to keep me hanging on in there – and I’ll happily pick up the next of Staalesen’s series when Don Bartlett translates it.
If this is your first encounter with Varg Veum, however, I suspect you might find Where Roses Never Die a more fulfilling and accessible experience.
7/10
There are stacks more crime/thriller reviews at http://www.murdermayhemandmore.net
Now in recovery, he has to face the consequences of what he did during that time. The half-assed cases which he cocked up. The debts he owes. The enemies he made. But worst of all – the abuse he’s accused of inflicting on underage innocents.
So the set-up is superb. Veum’s in a police cell, desperately recalling the seemingly unconnected and often sleazy jobs he took at his lowest ebb; debt collection, illicit affairs, intimate encounters in ‘private clubs’. Veum has offended someone to the extent that they’ve framed him with the worst type of pornography. But who might it be, and who has the technical ability?
As ever, Staalesen’s writing is packed with details of Bergen and life in rural Norway. The opening chapters are as stylish as ever, making Veum’s fall from grace an entirely believable descent into despair.
But as the story develops, it becomes somewhat unwieldy and overly complex, losing much of the poetry of the prose in the process. There are simply too many disparate threads and red herrings, and it stretches credibility that so many cases could so neatly overlap. The second half of the book is something of a slog.
At the end, I didn’t buy the bad guys’ supposed motivation for setting up the detective – and I’m pretty sure that the hotshot computer hacker would have done more to protect himself and incriminate Veum while he attempted to evade the law.
Despite my misgivings, I still found myself galloping through the pages to see how Veum might exonerate himself, solve the mystery and nail the bad guys. This might not be my favourite VV story (that would be We Shall Inherit The Wind), but Wolves proved to be powerful enough to keep me hanging on in there – and I’ll happily pick up the next of Staalesen’s series when Don Bartlett translates it.
If this is your first encounter with Varg Veum, however, I suspect you might find Where Roses Never Die a more fulfilling and accessible experience.
7/10
There are stacks more crime/thriller reviews at http://www.murdermayhemandmore.net
June 10, 2017
Private Detective Varg Veum is accused of an abhorrent crime: paedophilia.
His enemy must be powerful indeed to frame him like this …
— Introduction —
Varg Veum Thriller #21
In the early hours of a ” dull September day,” Varg Veum is lifted from hs bed by the Hordaland Police on the charge of child pornography. His computer is filled with disgusting and shocking paedophilic photos and that is all the evidence they need to find him guilty. While he desperately tries to stay calm and focused, Varg fiercely refutes the allegations and demands the presence of his lawyer, Vidar Waagenes. This does not make him look less guilty in the eyes of the Police …
— Storyline —
Presented with the Police evidence, even Vidar Waagenes has trouble believing his client’s innocence but as he and Varg go way back, he at least tries his best to investigate. Why is there child pornography on Varg’s computer and, if he did not download it himself, who had access to his computer? Whoever bears a grudge, big enough to set such a compromising trap for Varg must hate him but Varg has no idea what this is about. The fact, that he has been barely sober for the last few years does not help either: he has no idea where to look for his enemy. Sitting in a cell, awaiting his appearance before the Magistrate, Varg has all the time in the world to review his most recent cases. He needs names but draws a blank time and again. He knows he needs to remember but at the same time, his mind refuses to cooperate. He is trying to think back and remember his cases in the dark time after Karin’s death, which had left him so devastated and desperate to drown it all out by turning to the bottle. He realises he would barely recognise let alone remember the clients seeking his advice in recent years.
Now there is no escaping the past: Varg has to dig deep to find the one responsible for this elaborate scheme to set him up. Whilst a computer expert examines Varg’s laptop for evidence of tampering, Varg sits in his cell, trying to suppress his panic. If he is ever to be free again, united with his girlfriend Solvi and her young daughter, Helene, he has to go back through the last four years of darkness. There was an investigation into a man called Sturle Heimark for which Varg had to visit the rural town of Fusa where he threw out a feeler about a supposed suicide being murder and discovered an alibi which did not hold up. There was a man, Nicolai Clausen, demanding that Varg produces evidence of his wife, Åsne’s, affair. While Varg observes her office, he spots a man he met in Fusa, Hjalmar Hope. A confrontation with Åsne precedes catastrophic events. With every memory surfacing, Varg has more research to do to find who is responsible for framing him. Chances are he will find himself in prison for life.
— My Thoughts —
I have seen the television detective series featuring Trond Espen Seim as Varg Veum, the shabby detective who easily antagonises people and finds himself time and again in dangerous situations and I welcomed the opportunity to read the 21st (!) instalment in this popular series by Gunnar Staalesen. This first-person narrative is simply great. At first, I had trouble (just like the protagonist, I presume) in finding my way through the different people Varg came across in his various investigations and I could not believe any self-respecting man would care to walk around in a sort of drunken state all of the time. To put it mildly, who would hire a drunken fool, clearly past his detective days? But slowly, with every person involved and every new piece of information available, I became eager to find out what was going on. Who was clever enough to frame the detective and, more importantly, for what reason? I love being presented with the facts and then slowly unravelling the plot until the conclusion is reached. Might I say that I had early suspicions as to the culprit(s), even though I hated the constant unsubstantiated accusations Varg uttered? An enjoyable and thrilling Nordic noir with a chilling plotline, written in a cynical style and the utterly disturbing topic of paedophilia.
Read the review on my website:https://www.bitsaboutbooks.net/bookre...
His enemy must be powerful indeed to frame him like this …
— Introduction —
Varg Veum Thriller #21
In the early hours of a ” dull September day,” Varg Veum is lifted from hs bed by the Hordaland Police on the charge of child pornography. His computer is filled with disgusting and shocking paedophilic photos and that is all the evidence they need to find him guilty. While he desperately tries to stay calm and focused, Varg fiercely refutes the allegations and demands the presence of his lawyer, Vidar Waagenes. This does not make him look less guilty in the eyes of the Police …
— Storyline —
Presented with the Police evidence, even Vidar Waagenes has trouble believing his client’s innocence but as he and Varg go way back, he at least tries his best to investigate. Why is there child pornography on Varg’s computer and, if he did not download it himself, who had access to his computer? Whoever bears a grudge, big enough to set such a compromising trap for Varg must hate him but Varg has no idea what this is about. The fact, that he has been barely sober for the last few years does not help either: he has no idea where to look for his enemy. Sitting in a cell, awaiting his appearance before the Magistrate, Varg has all the time in the world to review his most recent cases. He needs names but draws a blank time and again. He knows he needs to remember but at the same time, his mind refuses to cooperate. He is trying to think back and remember his cases in the dark time after Karin’s death, which had left him so devastated and desperate to drown it all out by turning to the bottle. He realises he would barely recognise let alone remember the clients seeking his advice in recent years.
Now there is no escaping the past: Varg has to dig deep to find the one responsible for this elaborate scheme to set him up. Whilst a computer expert examines Varg’s laptop for evidence of tampering, Varg sits in his cell, trying to suppress his panic. If he is ever to be free again, united with his girlfriend Solvi and her young daughter, Helene, he has to go back through the last four years of darkness. There was an investigation into a man called Sturle Heimark for which Varg had to visit the rural town of Fusa where he threw out a feeler about a supposed suicide being murder and discovered an alibi which did not hold up. There was a man, Nicolai Clausen, demanding that Varg produces evidence of his wife, Åsne’s, affair. While Varg observes her office, he spots a man he met in Fusa, Hjalmar Hope. A confrontation with Åsne precedes catastrophic events. With every memory surfacing, Varg has more research to do to find who is responsible for framing him. Chances are he will find himself in prison for life.
— My Thoughts —
I have seen the television detective series featuring Trond Espen Seim as Varg Veum, the shabby detective who easily antagonises people and finds himself time and again in dangerous situations and I welcomed the opportunity to read the 21st (!) instalment in this popular series by Gunnar Staalesen. This first-person narrative is simply great. At first, I had trouble (just like the protagonist, I presume) in finding my way through the different people Varg came across in his various investigations and I could not believe any self-respecting man would care to walk around in a sort of drunken state all of the time. To put it mildly, who would hire a drunken fool, clearly past his detective days? But slowly, with every person involved and every new piece of information available, I became eager to find out what was going on. Who was clever enough to frame the detective and, more importantly, for what reason? I love being presented with the facts and then slowly unravelling the plot until the conclusion is reached. Might I say that I had early suspicions as to the culprit(s), even though I hated the constant unsubstantiated accusations Varg uttered? An enjoyable and thrilling Nordic noir with a chilling plotline, written in a cynical style and the utterly disturbing topic of paedophilia.
Read the review on my website:https://www.bitsaboutbooks.net/bookre...
June 19, 2017
Oh wow, it wasn’t until I started reading that I realised just how many darn good books I have been missing out on because of the language barrier so I will be eternally grateful to translators such as Don Barlett because this story flows seamlessly from Norwegian to English.
P.I. Varg Veum is by no means a hunk, yes he is pretty good for his age of late fifties but he is certainly past his toy boy days. The last few years have taken their toll with some of the things he has seen in his career but more recently with trying to, and failing to, deal with the death of Karin the love of his life. Sometimes fate throws a curve ball that gives you kick in the pants, that is just enough to make you fight for your life back. Well Varg certainly got that when he is hauled into the police cells after child porn and a paedophile ring, that it seems he regularly posts to, is found on his computer. Now Varg knows he couldn’t have done this, even through his blackout moments and although there is evidence supporting it and he has no memory of it, he is determined to find out why someone would set him up. May be difficult though as he is in a police cell.
This is actually my first Gunnar Staalesen book but it is the 21st book in this series, so I am broken to think that I have missed so many because I need to read more about this P.I. Don’t get me wrong I loved this book which can very easily be read as a stand alone novel, I just want more. This case is very personal to Varg, not only for his freedom but to prove to himself that he can not have fallen to such low depths of depravity in his grief.
It was great in the sense that some of the cases that must have already been in previous books were revisited, so it gave me some sort of idea of what he was usually involved in. I really believe that the true skill of an author shows when he can write a book about such a terrible crime and yet have the ability to lead you to a point that lets your own imagination take you further and doesn’t feel the need to etch images himself into the mind of the reader through graphic descriptions. Perfect!
The characters had real depth to them that allowed me to free all my emotions while I read, from outrage and disgust to sympathy and empathy. This is a real gripping story that I just wanted to go on and on to the next. So looking forward to more of this authors books being translated really soon.
P.I. Varg Veum is by no means a hunk, yes he is pretty good for his age of late fifties but he is certainly past his toy boy days. The last few years have taken their toll with some of the things he has seen in his career but more recently with trying to, and failing to, deal with the death of Karin the love of his life. Sometimes fate throws a curve ball that gives you kick in the pants, that is just enough to make you fight for your life back. Well Varg certainly got that when he is hauled into the police cells after child porn and a paedophile ring, that it seems he regularly posts to, is found on his computer. Now Varg knows he couldn’t have done this, even through his blackout moments and although there is evidence supporting it and he has no memory of it, he is determined to find out why someone would set him up. May be difficult though as he is in a police cell.
This is actually my first Gunnar Staalesen book but it is the 21st book in this series, so I am broken to think that I have missed so many because I need to read more about this P.I. Don’t get me wrong I loved this book which can very easily be read as a stand alone novel, I just want more. This case is very personal to Varg, not only for his freedom but to prove to himself that he can not have fallen to such low depths of depravity in his grief.
It was great in the sense that some of the cases that must have already been in previous books were revisited, so it gave me some sort of idea of what he was usually involved in. I really believe that the true skill of an author shows when he can write a book about such a terrible crime and yet have the ability to lead you to a point that lets your own imagination take you further and doesn’t feel the need to etch images himself into the mind of the reader through graphic descriptions. Perfect!
The characters had real depth to them that allowed me to free all my emotions while I read, from outrage and disgust to sympathy and empathy. This is a real gripping story that I just wanted to go on and on to the next. So looking forward to more of this authors books being translated really soon.
June 28, 2017
Wolves in the Dark, by Gunnar Staalesen (translated by Don Bartlett), is the third book in the author’s Varg Veum series of crime thrillers to be translated into English by Orenda Books. Four years after the death of his beloved Karin, Veum is slowly dragging himself from the mire into which his grief took him. He is now in a relationship with Sølvi, although her faith in him is about to be tested.
The book opens with Veum being arrested for accessing child pornography on line. He is accused of being part of an international operation supplying images and videos of such content. Incriminating evidence is found on his office computer and personal laptop. Veum vehemently denies the charges but the investigating officers do not believe his claim that he had no idea the files were there. When his lawyer requests information about potential contacts from his past who may be seeking revenge, Veum is forced to admit to alcohol induced gaps in his memory since Karin’s death.
As a private investigator of many years standing Veum has accumulated a bank of enemies. He delves his patchy recollections but realises that the evidence against him and the understandable revulsion felt by those who are convinced of his guilt undermine his protestations of innocence. When an opportunity to escape incarceration unexpectedly presents itself he goes on the run. He must solve his own case before being recaptured or face a prison term where he would likely be punished by inmates as the worst possible type of offender.
The plot is tightly constructed and written with a droll humour that offers relief from the sickening subject matter and page turning tension. Veum deploys a direct approach to people of interest in his investigations, a tactic that further angers those he interrogates but which builds the intrigue for the reader. There are the requisite twists and turns with blind alleys and dubious characters. Few of those he encounters emerge untainted in some way.
This challenging topic is tackled with empathy and skill, characters rising from the pages fully formed, grotesquely believable. Veum may not be entirely likable but it is hard not to confer a degree of sympathy for his predicament.
A dark thriller that uses its setting in Norway to fine affect. This is a gritty, gripping read.
My copy of this book was provided gratis by the publisher.
The book opens with Veum being arrested for accessing child pornography on line. He is accused of being part of an international operation supplying images and videos of such content. Incriminating evidence is found on his office computer and personal laptop. Veum vehemently denies the charges but the investigating officers do not believe his claim that he had no idea the files were there. When his lawyer requests information about potential contacts from his past who may be seeking revenge, Veum is forced to admit to alcohol induced gaps in his memory since Karin’s death.
As a private investigator of many years standing Veum has accumulated a bank of enemies. He delves his patchy recollections but realises that the evidence against him and the understandable revulsion felt by those who are convinced of his guilt undermine his protestations of innocence. When an opportunity to escape incarceration unexpectedly presents itself he goes on the run. He must solve his own case before being recaptured or face a prison term where he would likely be punished by inmates as the worst possible type of offender.
The plot is tightly constructed and written with a droll humour that offers relief from the sickening subject matter and page turning tension. Veum deploys a direct approach to people of interest in his investigations, a tactic that further angers those he interrogates but which builds the intrigue for the reader. There are the requisite twists and turns with blind alleys and dubious characters. Few of those he encounters emerge untainted in some way.
This challenging topic is tackled with empathy and skill, characters rising from the pages fully formed, grotesquely believable. Veum may not be entirely likable but it is hard not to confer a degree of sympathy for his predicament.
A dark thriller that uses its setting in Norway to fine affect. This is a gritty, gripping read.
My copy of this book was provided gratis by the publisher.
January 13, 2024
I haven't read any other book of the series and so I felt no sympathy for this drunk loser accused for child pornography.
Parents abusing their kids more often: Scandinavian noir > ancient greek tragedies
Parents abusing their kids more often: Scandinavian noir > ancient greek tragedies
June 5, 2017
Varg Veum – such a great name for a detective, is the protagonist of many novels spread over a 40 year period. His full name translates as “Wolf-in-a-holy-place,” old Norse for an outsider, according to an interview I read. Which is just perfect for a Chandler-esque private-eye.
Full review on my blog - here
https://kindledelight.wordpress.com/2...
Full review on my blog - here
https://kindledelight.wordpress.com/2...
September 10, 2017
I was not disappointed. For those new to this series Varg Veum is a fairly recently bereaved Private Investigator who has fallen prey to the temptations of alcohol and lust. He certainly hasn't been living a clean life of late but is determined to get a hold of himself and get back on track. Veum is shocked to discover the police knocking on his door in the early hours and even more aghast when he is arrested for sending and receiving child pornography. All the evidence points to Varg having some incredibly dark and sickening past times but he knows he's innocent. Now all he had to do is prove that before he is charged with one of the most heinous crimes of all...
Varg Veum has such appeal for me. I do like my main protagonists a little battered and bruised around the edges so he ticks the boxes. I couldn't, at the start of the novel, see how Veum was going to get himself out of the fix he was in. After all, how can he prove he's innocent when all of the evidence says otherwise and he's locked in a cell! I thought the author did an excellent job of working around this problem. The plot flowed well and didn't feel at all forced. I enjoyed how many suspects Veum came up with, those looking for the ultimate revenge on our beleagured PI. As the list grew I became even more intrigued by Veum than I was previously. He's certainly not one to tread lightly when on the hunt for a suspect!
I did, however feel a little confused at times as there are so many different threads within the investigation, and quite a few Norwegian names (as you would expect!). So I ended up re-reading several sections to make sure I knew the characters and how they connected to one another. Saying that, Staalesen is a master at what he does and, after reading Wolves in the Dark it reminded me exactly how much I want to read all of the other Veum novels (those which have been translated to English, of course! My Norwegian is still....let's say rusty, lol).
This is a very dark novel and not one for the faint-hearted. If you've read the blurb you will know that there is mention of child abuse throughout the story but the author manages to steer clear of anything too graphic, most of the time. There is one scene which I found upsetting, but I can't see how else this would be dealt with as it's key to the plot. The scene in question is brief and referred to only a couple of times in passing throughout the remainder of book.
Would I recommend this book? I would but it's a hard read in places due to the subject matter. Don't let that put you off though as Veum is an addictive character and Staalesen is a master of the thriller. And aren't books supposed to make us all feel a little uncomfortable at times? I, for one, am looking forward to the next instalment and meeting up with Veum once again. And this is a perfect opportunity to wish a very happy 40th anniversary to Gunnar Staalesen and Varg Veum, long may this excellent series continue.
Four out of five stars.
I chose to read and review an ARC of Wolves in the Dark. The above review is my own unbiased opinion.
Varg Veum has such appeal for me. I do like my main protagonists a little battered and bruised around the edges so he ticks the boxes. I couldn't, at the start of the novel, see how Veum was going to get himself out of the fix he was in. After all, how can he prove he's innocent when all of the evidence says otherwise and he's locked in a cell! I thought the author did an excellent job of working around this problem. The plot flowed well and didn't feel at all forced. I enjoyed how many suspects Veum came up with, those looking for the ultimate revenge on our beleagured PI. As the list grew I became even more intrigued by Veum than I was previously. He's certainly not one to tread lightly when on the hunt for a suspect!
I did, however feel a little confused at times as there are so many different threads within the investigation, and quite a few Norwegian names (as you would expect!). So I ended up re-reading several sections to make sure I knew the characters and how they connected to one another. Saying that, Staalesen is a master at what he does and, after reading Wolves in the Dark it reminded me exactly how much I want to read all of the other Veum novels (those which have been translated to English, of course! My Norwegian is still....let's say rusty, lol).
This is a very dark novel and not one for the faint-hearted. If you've read the blurb you will know that there is mention of child abuse throughout the story but the author manages to steer clear of anything too graphic, most of the time. There is one scene which I found upsetting, but I can't see how else this would be dealt with as it's key to the plot. The scene in question is brief and referred to only a couple of times in passing throughout the remainder of book.
Would I recommend this book? I would but it's a hard read in places due to the subject matter. Don't let that put you off though as Veum is an addictive character and Staalesen is a master of the thriller. And aren't books supposed to make us all feel a little uncomfortable at times? I, for one, am looking forward to the next instalment and meeting up with Veum once again. And this is a perfect opportunity to wish a very happy 40th anniversary to Gunnar Staalesen and Varg Veum, long may this excellent series continue.
Four out of five stars.
I chose to read and review an ARC of Wolves in the Dark. The above review is my own unbiased opinion.
June 11, 2017
When it comes to Scandi Crime I'm a true novice, however its popularity has exploded in recent years and I was keen to give it a try. When Orenda books offered me the chance to be part of the blog tour for Wolves In The Dark, I jumped at the opportunity.
Wolves In The Dark is Norweigen author, Gunnar Staalesen's 21st (yes - 21st!) book in his Varg Veum series. With such a substantial back catalogue to this series, I was concerned about the impact it would have on my joining in after so many previous books. Having now read it, I do think that while there is clearly a lot of back story to Veum's character and history I'd missed out on, overall it did work without any prior knowledge, although I felt if I'd known what had led Veum to be the person he was today, I may have connected more. That said, Staalesen does offer opportunity to the reader to pick up hints and ideas about his past, for which I really appreciated as it gave a sense of a truly developed and intriguing character.
This book begins when private investigator Varg Veum is arrested after traces of child pornography are found on his computer and follows his quest to exonerate himself. I'm not going to lie, there's some difficult reading here as a dark and repugnant topic is explored and I think Staalesen handled it well. Veum is in a bad place when this happens, having being recently bereaved and finding solace in a bottle. This is where I probably felt knowing more about the character would've helped, however I still got the feeling of a broken man, fighting to save himself in a gritty, dark and complex situation.
The narrative in this book speeds along very well, and even the unfamiliar names of people and places, which required a little rereading to take in, didn't hamper the pace of this snappy book. The short chapters are the exact kind that have you saying "just one more" and before you know it you've covered 100 pages. I had to know how this ended, I really wanted to Veum to prove his innocence (and credit to the author for making me feel like this considering my lack of previous knowledge about him) and I wanted justice to be done. It kind of is, but then there's a cliffhanger ending, leaving the reader ready and waiting for the next book in the series.
I wasn't at all sure how I was going to get on with this book when I started, but page by page it grew on me. While I probably won't be seeking out the previous twenty books in the series, I'd definitely read on from now and will look out for the next installment.
Wolves In The Dark is Norweigen author, Gunnar Staalesen's 21st (yes - 21st!) book in his Varg Veum series. With such a substantial back catalogue to this series, I was concerned about the impact it would have on my joining in after so many previous books. Having now read it, I do think that while there is clearly a lot of back story to Veum's character and history I'd missed out on, overall it did work without any prior knowledge, although I felt if I'd known what had led Veum to be the person he was today, I may have connected more. That said, Staalesen does offer opportunity to the reader to pick up hints and ideas about his past, for which I really appreciated as it gave a sense of a truly developed and intriguing character.
This book begins when private investigator Varg Veum is arrested after traces of child pornography are found on his computer and follows his quest to exonerate himself. I'm not going to lie, there's some difficult reading here as a dark and repugnant topic is explored and I think Staalesen handled it well. Veum is in a bad place when this happens, having being recently bereaved and finding solace in a bottle. This is where I probably felt knowing more about the character would've helped, however I still got the feeling of a broken man, fighting to save himself in a gritty, dark and complex situation.
The narrative in this book speeds along very well, and even the unfamiliar names of people and places, which required a little rereading to take in, didn't hamper the pace of this snappy book. The short chapters are the exact kind that have you saying "just one more" and before you know it you've covered 100 pages. I had to know how this ended, I really wanted to Veum to prove his innocence (and credit to the author for making me feel like this considering my lack of previous knowledge about him) and I wanted justice to be done. It kind of is, but then there's a cliffhanger ending, leaving the reader ready and waiting for the next book in the series.
I wasn't at all sure how I was going to get on with this book when I started, but page by page it grew on me. While I probably won't be seeking out the previous twenty books in the series, I'd definitely read on from now and will look out for the next installment.
March 15, 2024
This was an e-book not an Audio CD. Gunnar starts out with Veum in a drunken state but he becomes under arrest for pictures of child pornography on his computer. He gets out of jail by running away and wants to find out who put the pictures onto his computer.Gunnar put him through the ringer with everyone but comes out with the truth in the end. It's well written and finds us wanting to know the final outcome but Gunnar leaves us wanting. Good story.
June 3, 2017
This is Staalesen's 21st book (I think! - or certainly in this series anyway, there are probably more stand alone titles in his back catalogue!) and yet it is my first. And 2017 marks the 40th anniversary of Varg Veum!
I am so impressed that Staalesen has sustained the series featuring Varg Veum over such an incredible number of books. It is obvious that this author can write crime thrillers and obvious that he has created a protagonist that captures people's hearts or heads - so much so there is a life sized statue of Varg Veum in Bergen, Staalesen's home town!
So what did I make of my first foray into the world of Varg Veum and Bergen?
Firstly, and for any of us that are not too embarrassed to admit that we have not read the previous 20 novels in this series, I think it works as a standalone. However, having read this book, I am intrigued about the backstory of Veum and the events that precede this novel leading to his destructive state of being that we find him in at the opening of the novel. I am intrigued by his character and would like to read more about him - or follow his journey from the beginning. Great protagonists need to be complex and I like it when their behaviour is perhaps not as it should be or not always as it has been in the past. When they have fallen so low that they cease to care about themselves not only creates more tension and suspense, but also offers an opportunity for the author to put them in more complex dilemmas and more dangerous scenarios. Staalesen does this with great effect.
This novel is shocking. It is about child pornography and not always easy to read. I always think it is brave and ambitious when an author tackles such subjects and I was intrigued to see how it was handled in this novel. As I said, it is shocking at times but it is also well managed and ultimately a very gripping and well paced, plot driven narrative.
The dialogue is great and very well done. It helps bring the characters and action to life. The action moves along at a good pace, aided by the short chapters. Twelve film adaptations have been made from this series of books and I am not surprised. This book certainly would adapt well to the screen; the writing already makes it easy to visual what is happening so it not unlike watching a film while you read anyway.
It's obvious Staalesen understands how to write crime and it's obvious he understands how to create a cast of characters who will provide the requisite thrills, spills, twists, turns and action that is necessary for a bestselling book in this genre. He is heralded as one of the world's foremost thriller writers and it seems to be a well founded observation.
If you like gritty, nordic noir and a story that is shocking, gripping and chilling then look no further!
I am so impressed that Staalesen has sustained the series featuring Varg Veum over such an incredible number of books. It is obvious that this author can write crime thrillers and obvious that he has created a protagonist that captures people's hearts or heads - so much so there is a life sized statue of Varg Veum in Bergen, Staalesen's home town!
So what did I make of my first foray into the world of Varg Veum and Bergen?
Firstly, and for any of us that are not too embarrassed to admit that we have not read the previous 20 novels in this series, I think it works as a standalone. However, having read this book, I am intrigued about the backstory of Veum and the events that precede this novel leading to his destructive state of being that we find him in at the opening of the novel. I am intrigued by his character and would like to read more about him - or follow his journey from the beginning. Great protagonists need to be complex and I like it when their behaviour is perhaps not as it should be or not always as it has been in the past. When they have fallen so low that they cease to care about themselves not only creates more tension and suspense, but also offers an opportunity for the author to put them in more complex dilemmas and more dangerous scenarios. Staalesen does this with great effect.
This novel is shocking. It is about child pornography and not always easy to read. I always think it is brave and ambitious when an author tackles such subjects and I was intrigued to see how it was handled in this novel. As I said, it is shocking at times but it is also well managed and ultimately a very gripping and well paced, plot driven narrative.
The dialogue is great and very well done. It helps bring the characters and action to life. The action moves along at a good pace, aided by the short chapters. Twelve film adaptations have been made from this series of books and I am not surprised. This book certainly would adapt well to the screen; the writing already makes it easy to visual what is happening so it not unlike watching a film while you read anyway.
It's obvious Staalesen understands how to write crime and it's obvious he understands how to create a cast of characters who will provide the requisite thrills, spills, twists, turns and action that is necessary for a bestselling book in this genre. He is heralded as one of the world's foremost thriller writers and it seems to be a well founded observation.
If you like gritty, nordic noir and a story that is shocking, gripping and chilling then look no further!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 101 reviews