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Inspector Van Veeteren #3
The Return
A new case for Chief Inspector Van Veeteren - the complicated history of a nearly perfect murder. On a sunny August day a man is released from prison. On a rainy April day children at play find his corpse. The fact that the dead man is Leopold Verhaven only becomes clear after some time because the mutilated corpse is without its head, legs and feet. Who would be interested in killing this man, a double murderer who spent 24 years in prison? Determined to let no case go unsolved, Chief Inspector Van Veeteren reopens the case. What he discovers is that Verhaven was a star sprinter before he went to prison for allegedly killing two of his lovers. However, he never confessed to the murders and spent a lifetime proclaiming his innocence. Was he killed because someone thought he had not been punished enough? Or was someone afraid of Verhaven's revenge? A terrible suspicion stalks Van had Verhaven been telling the truth? Was he really innocent?
321 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1995
176 people are currently reading
2683 people want to read
About the author
Håkan Nesser
142 books1,108 followersHåkan Nesser is a Swedish author and teacher who has written a number of successful crime fiction novels. He has won Best Swedish Crime Novel Award three times, and his novel Carambole won the Glass Key award in 2000. His books have been translated from Swedish into numerous languages.
Håkan Nesser was born and grew up in Kumla, and has lived most of his adult life in Uppsala. His first novel was published in 1988, but he worked as a teacher until 1998 when he became a full-time author. In August, 2006, Håkan Nesser and his wife Elke moved to Greenwich Village in New York.
Series:
* Inspector Van Veeteren
* Inspector Barbarotti
Håkan Nesser was born and grew up in Kumla, and has lived most of his adult life in Uppsala. His first novel was published in 1988, but he worked as a teacher until 1998 when he became a full-time author. In August, 2006, Håkan Nesser and his wife Elke moved to Greenwich Village in New York.
Series:
* Inspector Van Veeteren
* Inspector Barbarotti
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 401 reviews
July 11, 2022
Hakan Nesser este unul dintre cei mai cunoscuti scriitori nordici de romane politiste si de la el am mai citit "Punctul lui Borkmann" care mi-a placut mult si pe care vi-l recomand.
Pe coperta ni se zice ca citind romanul aflam cum arata o crima (aproape) perfecta. Mereu cand am auzit despre crima perfecta mi s-a pus un nod in gat deoarece, spre deosebire de cei mai multi care cred ca este un fel de utopie sau mit, eu consider ca de fapt crima perfecta ar putea sa fie ceva foarte simplu, obisnuit chiar. Si asta ma sperie pentru ca nu este vorba despre geniul sau inteligenta vreunui criminal ci despre circumstante nefavorabile, delasarea, ghinionul sau incompetenta unui anchetator. Cred ca asta face crima perfecta.
Romanul de fata face parte din seria cu inspectorul Van Veeteren si debuteaza cu eliberarea din inchisoare a unui om despre care nu stim nimic decat ca a stat acolo 12 ani si intorcandu-se la locurile natale este hotarat sa se razbune pe cineva.
Mergem apoi impreuna cu niste copilasi intr-o excursie in padure si descoperim alaturi de o fetita un cadavru fara cap care zace intr-un sant. Van Veeteren si echipa sa de detectivi preiau cazul.
Victima este greu de identificat iar detectivul trebuie sa se opereze de cancer la colon si se gandeste ca s-ar putea sa moara.
Aflam curand ca victima este Leopold Verkoven, o cunostinta veche a politiei care a stat inchis pentru crima si curand a fost eliberat. VV este la spital si trebuie sa ancheteze de acolo aceasta poveste sordida din trecut, acest lucru aducandu-mi aminte de Maigret care si el rezolva un caz tot cand era bolnav.
Romanul, spre deosebire de stilul nordic-noir, nu e violent, nu are detalii neplacute iar VV este agreabil in ciuda caracterului sau oarecum irascibil si dificil.
Ca o explicatie pentru cele trei stele (!spoiler alert!):
- Nu sunt o fana a romanelor care introduc tarziu persoana criminalului si despre care cititorul nu afla nimic decat la final. Acest procedeu reduce foarte mult sansele cititorului de a participa activ la ancheta ramanand doar un spectator pasiv.
- Motivatia criminalului care ucide pentru ca sotia sa este invalida si nu-i poate oferi sex este foarte subreda si nu pare suficienta pentru ca el sa ucida alte femei.
- Sfarsitul romanului m-a deranjat. Consider ca a fost ieftin din partea lui VV sa-l instige la sinucidere doar pentru ca nu avea suficiente probe care sa-i dovedeasca vinovatia. Daca nu a reusit sa-l prinda cu ceva atunci trebuia sa-l lase liber. Justitia nu este usor de infaptuit si mai ales nu e pentru orgolii personale iar sinuciderea criminalului nu rezolva cu nimic situatia.
In incheiere cateva citate care mi-au placut:
"Asta-i viata, isi zise Van Veeteren. O mare si nenorocita loterie. Sau nu era asa de fapt? Erau oare directii si tipare? Un determinant?"
"Asa-i si cu tinerea, isi zise Munster. Un concept iluzoriu."
"Faptul e ca viata avea fundaturile ei; si ca, inutil de precizat, nu era intotdeauna posibil sa te intorci si sa te retragi."
"Sunt unele lucruri pe care, pur si simplu, nu le poti ocoli. Exista pe lumea asta si ceea ce se cheama datorie."
"La urma urmei trebuie sa fii in stare sa dai dovada de un pic de rabdare. Gainile nu se oua mai repede daca stai cu ochii pe ele."
Pe coperta ni se zice ca citind romanul aflam cum arata o crima (aproape) perfecta. Mereu cand am auzit despre crima perfecta mi s-a pus un nod in gat deoarece, spre deosebire de cei mai multi care cred ca este un fel de utopie sau mit, eu consider ca de fapt crima perfecta ar putea sa fie ceva foarte simplu, obisnuit chiar. Si asta ma sperie pentru ca nu este vorba despre geniul sau inteligenta vreunui criminal ci despre circumstante nefavorabile, delasarea, ghinionul sau incompetenta unui anchetator. Cred ca asta face crima perfecta.
Romanul de fata face parte din seria cu inspectorul Van Veeteren si debuteaza cu eliberarea din inchisoare a unui om despre care nu stim nimic decat ca a stat acolo 12 ani si intorcandu-se la locurile natale este hotarat sa se razbune pe cineva.
Mergem apoi impreuna cu niste copilasi intr-o excursie in padure si descoperim alaturi de o fetita un cadavru fara cap care zace intr-un sant. Van Veeteren si echipa sa de detectivi preiau cazul.
Victima este greu de identificat iar detectivul trebuie sa se opereze de cancer la colon si se gandeste ca s-ar putea sa moara.
Aflam curand ca victima este Leopold Verkoven, o cunostinta veche a politiei care a stat inchis pentru crima si curand a fost eliberat. VV este la spital si trebuie sa ancheteze de acolo aceasta poveste sordida din trecut, acest lucru aducandu-mi aminte de Maigret care si el rezolva un caz tot cand era bolnav.
Romanul, spre deosebire de stilul nordic-noir, nu e violent, nu are detalii neplacute iar VV este agreabil in ciuda caracterului sau oarecum irascibil si dificil.
Ca o explicatie pentru cele trei stele (!spoiler alert!):
- Nu sunt o fana a romanelor care introduc tarziu persoana criminalului si despre care cititorul nu afla nimic decat la final. Acest procedeu reduce foarte mult sansele cititorului de a participa activ la ancheta ramanand doar un spectator pasiv.
- Motivatia criminalului care ucide pentru ca sotia sa este invalida si nu-i poate oferi sex este foarte subreda si nu pare suficienta pentru ca el sa ucida alte femei.
- Sfarsitul romanului m-a deranjat. Consider ca a fost ieftin din partea lui VV sa-l instige la sinucidere doar pentru ca nu avea suficiente probe care sa-i dovedeasca vinovatia. Daca nu a reusit sa-l prinda cu ceva atunci trebuia sa-l lase liber. Justitia nu este usor de infaptuit si mai ales nu e pentru orgolii personale iar sinuciderea criminalului nu rezolva cu nimic situatia.
In incheiere cateva citate care mi-au placut:
"Asta-i viata, isi zise Van Veeteren. O mare si nenorocita loterie. Sau nu era asa de fapt? Erau oare directii si tipare? Un determinant?"
"Asa-i si cu tinerea, isi zise Munster. Un concept iluzoriu."
"Faptul e ca viata avea fundaturile ei; si ca, inutil de precizat, nu era intotdeauna posibil sa te intorci si sa te retragi."
"Sunt unele lucruri pe care, pur si simplu, nu le poti ocoli. Exista pe lumea asta si ceea ce se cheama datorie."
"La urma urmei trebuie sa fii in stare sa dai dovada de un pic de rabdare. Gainile nu se oua mai repede daca stai cu ochii pe ele."
March 16, 2025
I've read more novels by this author and all of them are dark and sad, but, to my huge surprise, this one is unbelievable and unexpectedly good!
The plot keeps you alert, there are some memorable says, the policemen are colorfully described, there is a certain sense of good humor and, the thing I've liked most, the trip of the little children in the forest is brilliantly written.
The plot keeps you alert, there are some memorable says, the policemen are colorfully described, there is a certain sense of good humor and, the thing I've liked most, the trip of the little children in the forest is brilliantly written.
March 26, 2020
Szerintem az igazán jó krimit a detektív személye teszi azzá. (Sok minden más mellett, persze.) Egy izgalmas nyomozó magához láncolja a figyelmünket, kis túlzással azt is örömmel néznénk, ha kétszáz oldalon keresztül csak az orrát piszkálná. (No jó, azt talán nem. De ki kéne próbálni.) Van Veeteren felügyelő alapvetően megfelel ezen igényemnek, olyan, mint egy bölcs, morcos polip, aki operáció után lábadozik, de ágyhoz kötöttsége nem akadályozza meg abban, hogy amint megérzi a rejtély szagát, kinyújtsa csápjait a nagyvilágba, és nyomozni kezdjen. A rejtély pediglen egy bizonyos Leopold Verhaven feldarabolódása és megtalálódása, akit épp most engedtek ki a börtönből, ahol gyilkosság miatt ült. De nem sokáig élvezhette a napsütést, mert ízibe el is tette láb alól valaki. Ám ez a valaki nem számolt Van Veeteren főfelügyelő szimatával, no meg a főfelügyelő kollektívájával, akik kinyújtott csápokként szétrajzanak a nagyvilágba, hogy begyűjtsék a kirakósjáték darabkáit, amiből aztán az ágyban fekvő detektív összerakja a képet.
Szeretem, amikor egy krimi nem pusztán a gyilkosságról magáról szól, hanem valami mélyebb társadalmi mondanivalóval bír. Ez a könyv megfelel ennek a kritériumnak is. Ugyanis az előítéletekről szól. Hogy ez a Verhaven pont olyan, mint amilyennek a gyilkost elképzeljük. A falubeliek, az ügyészek, a bíró, mindenki így állt hozzá, be is varrták hát gyilkosságért sok-sok esztendőre. Egyszerűen túl kézenfekvő volt az ő személyét beilleszteni az egyenletbe. Valakinek Van Veeterennek kell lennie, hogy felülemelkedjen az előfeltevéseken, évtizedek távlatából kell áttekintse az egész ügyet, hogy a sablon mögé lásson. És észreveszi: attól még, hogy kerek egy történet, nem biztos, hogy igaz is.
Nem hibátlan regény. A nyomozati szál picit erőtlen, és az egész hagyott maga után valamiféle zavart, egyfajta csalódást, ami nem a dolgok logikai részéből fakad, inkább erkölcsi jellegű. (Ez kifejezetten ködösnek hangozhat, de aki olvasta a művet, talán tudja, miről beszélek.) Viszont lehet, épp ezért marad meg a nyoma bennem, ellentétben mondjuk Läckberg könyvével, amit tegnap fejeztem be, de fogadni mernék, egy hét múlva már kipurgálja magából az elmém. Ez ezzel a könyvvel valószínűleg nem történik meg. Amit akár újabb jó pontnak is tekinthetünk.
Szeretem, amikor egy krimi nem pusztán a gyilkosságról magáról szól, hanem valami mélyebb társadalmi mondanivalóval bír. Ez a könyv megfelel ennek a kritériumnak is. Ugyanis az előítéletekről szól. Hogy ez a Verhaven pont olyan, mint amilyennek a gyilkost elképzeljük. A falubeliek, az ügyészek, a bíró, mindenki így állt hozzá, be is varrták hát gyilkosságért sok-sok esztendőre. Egyszerűen túl kézenfekvő volt az ő személyét beilleszteni az egyenletbe. Valakinek Van Veeterennek kell lennie, hogy felülemelkedjen az előfeltevéseken, évtizedek távlatából kell áttekintse az egész ügyet, hogy a sablon mögé lásson. És észreveszi: attól még, hogy kerek egy történet, nem biztos, hogy igaz is.
Nem hibátlan regény. A nyomozati szál picit erőtlen, és az egész hagyott maga után valamiféle zavart, egyfajta csalódást, ami nem a dolgok logikai részéből fakad, inkább erkölcsi jellegű. (Ez kifejezetten ködösnek hangozhat, de aki olvasta a művet, talán tudja, miről beszélek.) Viszont lehet, épp ezért marad meg a nyoma bennem, ellentétben mondjuk Läckberg könyvével, amit tegnap fejeztem be, de fogadni mernék, egy hét múlva már kipurgálja magából az elmém. Ez ezzel a könyvvel valószínűleg nem történik meg. Amit akár újabb jó pontnak is tekinthetünk.
April 13, 2017
The Return is the third outing in the highly acclaimed series featuring the grumpy and sardonic DCI Van Veeteren and whilst the suspense is admittedly fairly muted, a meticulously plotted case, deadpan humour and some prescient flashbacks will once again keep readers thoroughly entertained. Written in 1995 but not translated until 2007, the murder of a twice imprisoned man sees Van Veeteren in typical philosophical form, often bemusing his colleagues along the way.
Opening in August, 1993 with the release of a man after twelve-years spent inside the Big Grey prison, he steps into the morning light with an unspecified clear intention firmly rooted in his mind. At the age of fifty-seven and with a combined total of twenty-four-years spent behind bars he can afford to be patient. Fast-forward to April, 1994 and the discovery in the woods at Behren by a group of children of a corpse rolled inside a filthy carpet, lacking a head, hands or feet and thus impeding identification. As the lengthy process of identification drags on, DCI Van Veeteren has the worry of the imminent removal of a four inch cancerous growth from within his large intestine and is summoned to hospital for the operation. Typically restless, grumpily recuperating and the scourge of the nursing staff, sidekick Münster keeps him entertained with the rather amusing physical defect (one testicle) of the victim making for uncomfortable questioning of his nearest and dearest as the team attempt to verify his identity.
The body is of one Leopold Verhaven and on hearing his name Van Veeteren immediately assumes charge of the case into a man who was no stranger to the headlines. As a leading middle distance runner in the 1950's and the holder of several national records, his subsequent ban from competition and disgrace for substance abuse saw him return to his childhood home, Kaustin, where he was always regarded as something of an eccentric loner. Verhaven is also a notorious criminal and something of a one-off in that he is the only person in the country to have ever been found guilty of first degree murder twice, despite denying it on both occasions. DCI Van Veeteren's predecessor, DCI Mort, led the two investigations with Van Veeteren involved on the fringes of the second murder as a uniformed cop, with a now eighty-four-year old judge, Heidelbluum, presiding over both cases.
Two convictions for murder, separated by twenty-years and with a guilty verdict issued in both cases despite largely circumstantial evidence, only for the release of Verhaven to bring a swift meeting with his maker and a brutal death. It falls to Van Veeteren and his team to uncover just what has seen a twice convicted killer end his days as a victim. As the two convictions for murder are reprised and the efficiency and efforts of the former investigating officers come under scrutiny covering nobody involved in glory, the spurious reasoning leaves a bad taste in the mouth of the current detectives. With technical proof rudimentary at best and circumstantial evidence minimal, the entire team are left scratching their heads wondering just what how watertight Verhaven's sentences were. Along the way DCI Van Veeteren exposes the media's role in Verhaven's conviction and how public opinion impacted on the cases from both his days as a disgraced athlete to his outsider status in his home town. More significantly, if Verhaven was wrongly convicted of two murders then who is the real killer of the two women and who acted to quickly silence Verhaven? As the media coverage over the course of Verhaven's life is analysed, Van Veeteren comes to think that he may have been condemned in advance of his two trials. Could the rural backwater of Kaustin have been harbouring a double murder all this time?
As morale amongst the team flags and they await a stroke of genius from DCI Van Veeteren upon his release from hospital, chief of police Hiller assigns all but his unmanageable chief inspector onto other cases. More at home tending his botanical office than running a police force, Hiller's inability to comprehend irony is a constant source of amusement for readers and the officers he commands. As Van Veeteren formulates his theories he suspects that perhaps Verhaven knew the identity of the murderer and a confrontation has brought a third murder. Beatrice Holden in 1962, Marlene Nietsch in 1981, Leopold Verhaven in 1993.. did the same man murder them all? Given there is nothing that Van Veeteren hates as much as hospitals and things he doesn't understand, his recuperation period sees him issue an ultimatum to satisfactorily resolve a baffling triple murder.
Traversing back and forth courtesy of some well placed flashbacks contributes much to the story and has the benefit of inviting readers to make their own judgements and assess the extent to which a person's past and the popular opinion of their peers can prejudice the course of justice. Despite the limited suspense, The Return brings readers closer to the secondary police cast, sees Van Veeteren appraise his life and health after a brush with his own mortality and is a plotting triumph with plenty of opportunity for some memorable Nesser characterisation. The Return is also an excellent opportunity to learn more about the people and passions in fifty-seven-year old DCI Van Veeteren's life.
Opening in August, 1993 with the release of a man after twelve-years spent inside the Big Grey prison, he steps into the morning light with an unspecified clear intention firmly rooted in his mind. At the age of fifty-seven and with a combined total of twenty-four-years spent behind bars he can afford to be patient. Fast-forward to April, 1994 and the discovery in the woods at Behren by a group of children of a corpse rolled inside a filthy carpet, lacking a head, hands or feet and thus impeding identification. As the lengthy process of identification drags on, DCI Van Veeteren has the worry of the imminent removal of a four inch cancerous growth from within his large intestine and is summoned to hospital for the operation. Typically restless, grumpily recuperating and the scourge of the nursing staff, sidekick Münster keeps him entertained with the rather amusing physical defect (one testicle) of the victim making for uncomfortable questioning of his nearest and dearest as the team attempt to verify his identity.
The body is of one Leopold Verhaven and on hearing his name Van Veeteren immediately assumes charge of the case into a man who was no stranger to the headlines. As a leading middle distance runner in the 1950's and the holder of several national records, his subsequent ban from competition and disgrace for substance abuse saw him return to his childhood home, Kaustin, where he was always regarded as something of an eccentric loner. Verhaven is also a notorious criminal and something of a one-off in that he is the only person in the country to have ever been found guilty of first degree murder twice, despite denying it on both occasions. DCI Van Veeteren's predecessor, DCI Mort, led the two investigations with Van Veeteren involved on the fringes of the second murder as a uniformed cop, with a now eighty-four-year old judge, Heidelbluum, presiding over both cases.
Two convictions for murder, separated by twenty-years and with a guilty verdict issued in both cases despite largely circumstantial evidence, only for the release of Verhaven to bring a swift meeting with his maker and a brutal death. It falls to Van Veeteren and his team to uncover just what has seen a twice convicted killer end his days as a victim. As the two convictions for murder are reprised and the efficiency and efforts of the former investigating officers come under scrutiny covering nobody involved in glory, the spurious reasoning leaves a bad taste in the mouth of the current detectives. With technical proof rudimentary at best and circumstantial evidence minimal, the entire team are left scratching their heads wondering just what how watertight Verhaven's sentences were. Along the way DCI Van Veeteren exposes the media's role in Verhaven's conviction and how public opinion impacted on the cases from both his days as a disgraced athlete to his outsider status in his home town. More significantly, if Verhaven was wrongly convicted of two murders then who is the real killer of the two women and who acted to quickly silence Verhaven? As the media coverage over the course of Verhaven's life is analysed, Van Veeteren comes to think that he may have been condemned in advance of his two trials. Could the rural backwater of Kaustin have been harbouring a double murder all this time?
As morale amongst the team flags and they await a stroke of genius from DCI Van Veeteren upon his release from hospital, chief of police Hiller assigns all but his unmanageable chief inspector onto other cases. More at home tending his botanical office than running a police force, Hiller's inability to comprehend irony is a constant source of amusement for readers and the officers he commands. As Van Veeteren formulates his theories he suspects that perhaps Verhaven knew the identity of the murderer and a confrontation has brought a third murder. Beatrice Holden in 1962, Marlene Nietsch in 1981, Leopold Verhaven in 1993.. did the same man murder them all? Given there is nothing that Van Veeteren hates as much as hospitals and things he doesn't understand, his recuperation period sees him issue an ultimatum to satisfactorily resolve a baffling triple murder.
Traversing back and forth courtesy of some well placed flashbacks contributes much to the story and has the benefit of inviting readers to make their own judgements and assess the extent to which a person's past and the popular opinion of their peers can prejudice the course of justice. Despite the limited suspense, The Return brings readers closer to the secondary police cast, sees Van Veeteren appraise his life and health after a brush with his own mortality and is a plotting triumph with plenty of opportunity for some memorable Nesser characterisation. The Return is also an excellent opportunity to learn more about the people and passions in fifty-seven-year old DCI Van Veeteren's life.
August 31, 2020
First Van Veeteren's team must deal with a headless corpse found rolled into an old carpet -- the body is missing its hands and feet as well. Van Veeteren is happy to step aside in this investigation, that is until the body is identified as a former athlete and twice-convicted murderer. Van Veeteren almost misses his abdominal surgery to take over the reins on this one.
August 29, 2020
This is my first introduction to Nesser and Inspector Van Veeteren. I enjoyed the story and the bits of humor throughout in the identification of the one testicle cadaver without a head, feet or hands. The Inspector reminded me a bit of Wallander also a flawed and grumpy detective.
Leopold Verhaven a notorious double murderer is released from prison and goes home to his house in a village. Nine months later a six year old finds a wrapped up body in a ditch and an investigation begins while the Inspector is recovering in hospital after an operation.
I enjoyed the ending and the way Van Veeteren became the judge, jury snd executioner. One issue was the story was a little disjointed in places which might be the translation. However, i would definitely read another book in this series as i enjoyed the humor.
Leopold Verhaven a notorious double murderer is released from prison and goes home to his house in a village. Nine months later a six year old finds a wrapped up body in a ditch and an investigation begins while the Inspector is recovering in hospital after an operation.
I enjoyed the ending and the way Van Veeteren became the judge, jury snd executioner. One issue was the story was a little disjointed in places which might be the translation. However, i would definitely read another book in this series as i enjoyed the humor.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 18, 2016
The Return by Hakan Nesser.
Inspector Van Veeteren is scheduled for surgery. A portion of his colon is coming out due to cancer. A body has been found in a wooded area of a small quiet town. A body with no arms, legs or head. Who this person was has the whole dept; perplexed including Van Veeteren.
The Inspector starts attempting to organize the pieces of information he's given by Munster while still in recovery after the surgery. Who this victim turns out to be and what became of his life prior to his murder will become one of the most baffling cases in the files of Inspector Van Veeteren to date.
An excellent mystery and one that any fan/follower of the Van Veeteren series does not want to miss. The ending was a staggering, mind blowing shock.
Inspector Van Veeteren is scheduled for surgery. A portion of his colon is coming out due to cancer. A body has been found in a wooded area of a small quiet town. A body with no arms, legs or head. Who this person was has the whole dept; perplexed including Van Veeteren.
The Inspector starts attempting to organize the pieces of information he's given by Munster while still in recovery after the surgery. Who this victim turns out to be and what became of his life prior to his murder will become one of the most baffling cases in the files of Inspector Van Veeteren to date.
An excellent mystery and one that any fan/follower of the Van Veeteren series does not want to miss. The ending was a staggering, mind blowing shock.
February 9, 2021
Ίσως το πιο μυστηριώδες αστυνομικό μυθιστόρημα του Nesser, στο οποίο καταφέρνει να προκαλέσει σύγχυση στον αναγνώστη, ακόμα, και με τη ταυτότητα του ακρωτηριασμένου πτώματος που ανακαλύπτεται στο δάσος. Το κλειδί στη διαλεύκανση του μυστηρίου των δολοφονιών είναι όντως η λέξη του τίτλου: 'Η επιστροφή'.
Μετά από ένα ατμοσφαιρικό ψυχολογικό θρίλερ σαν το 'Αραιό Δίχτυ' (1993), και ένα καθαρόαιμο αστυνομικό μυθιστόρημα νουάρ όπως 'Το σημείο του Μπόρκμαν' (1994), ο Nesser γράφει ένα βιβλίο όπου, σύμφωνα με τους Νew York Times, 'ο συγγραφέας είναι τόσο διεισδυτικός, ώστε είναι σαν να μπαίνει κάτω από το δέρμα των ηρώων του'. Και όντως η γραφή του είναι τόσο ψυχογραφική σε σημείο που ο αναγνώστης να συμπάσχει, ακόμα καί με τον δολοφόνο, ο οποίος καί εδώ φανερώνει ανώνυμα τις σκέψεις του, στοιχειώνοντας τα γεγονότα που οδήγησαν τον λιγοστό πληθυσμό μιας επαρχιακής περιοχής στην αδικία και τον διχασμό.
Η πλοκή βασίζεται στο 1ο μέρος στην ιδιορρυθμία και στον ιδιαίτερα μυστηριώδη και εσωστρεφή χαρακτήρα του κεντρικού ήρωα, ενός άλλοτε πρωταθλητή του στίβου, τον οποίον προσπαθεί εναγωνίως να ψυχολογήσει ο επιθεωρητής Βαν Βέτερεν, επιστρέφοντας στα καθήκοντά του, έπειτα από μια σημαντική ιατρική επέμβαση.
Υπάρχουν κάποιοι έξυπνοι υπαινιγμοί του συγγραφέα για τη δυσκολία ενοποίησης της Ευρώπης και τη έξαρση του εθνικισμού (Βαλκάνια, και ταραχές στην Γερμανία), εκείνη την εποχή (δεν απέχει και πολύ από τη τωρινή κατάσταση) και τα συγκρίνει εμμέσως, αντιπαραβάλλοντάς τα με το ρατσισμό που είχε δεχθεί ο κεντρικός ήρωας από τους κατοίκους του χωριού λόγω της απόμακρης στάσης του και του 'κλειστού' χαρακτήρα του, κατά τη δεκαετία του '50, αλλά και πιο μετά. Δεν παραλείπει να τονίσει ότι αυτό το απομονωμένο χωριό τη δεκαετία του '60 θα κατακλυζόταν από καχυποψία, στενομυαλιά και φθόνο. Επίσης καυτηριάζει και την επίδραση των Μέσων μαζικής Ενημέρωσης στις νομικές και 'αστυνομικές' διαδικασίες για σημαντικές υποθέσεις δολοφονιών, όπως και την έλλειψη 'διαίσθησης' στον ανδρικό πληθυσμό, η οποία θα έσωζε ανθρώπους από την αδικία και την απομόνωση.
Πέρα από αυτό, παρουσιάζει και ένα νέο λογικό αξίωμα: τη καθοριστική αρχή της 'εντροπίας', η οποία είναι η αναπόφευκτη σύγκλιση μοτίβων σε ένα συγκεκριμένο περιβάλλον. Ωστόσο, ο αναγνώστης, αφού 'ολοκληρώσει' το βιβλίο, μπορεί να θεωρήσει ότι το ταξίδι είναι πιο ουσιαστικό από τον προοροσμό, επειδή το κίνητρο των δολοφονιών δεν πείθει σε σημαντικό βαθμό (στην αρχή τουλάχιστον), ενώ μένουν καί αναπάντητα ερωτήματα για την 'ψυχοσύνθεση' του δολοφόνου. Πάντως, αν ο αναγνώστης ανιχνεύσει τις απαντήσεις που ψάχνει, θα βρει το ταξίδι ιδιαίτερα ατμοσφαιρικό!
Ατάκα-κλειδί του βιβλίου: 'Όλα τα κακά στο κόσμο πηγάζουν από την ανικανότητα του ανθρώπου να μείνει ακίνητος σε ένα άδειο δωμάτιο' (Πασκάλ).
Βαθμολογία: 4,3/5 ή 8,6/10.
Υ.Γ.: H μετάφραση λόγω, μάλλον, βιασύνης έχει κάποια λαθάκια (ευτυχώς, όχι πολλά).
Μετά από ένα ατμοσφαιρικό ψυχολογικό θρίλερ σαν το 'Αραιό Δίχτυ' (1993), και ένα καθαρόαιμο αστυνομικό μυθιστόρημα νουάρ όπως 'Το σημείο του Μπόρκμαν' (1994), ο Nesser γράφει ένα βιβλίο όπου, σύμφωνα με τους Νew York Times, 'ο συγγραφέας είναι τόσο διεισδυτικός, ώστε είναι σαν να μπαίνει κάτω από το δέρμα των ηρώων του'. Και όντως η γραφή του είναι τόσο ψυχογραφική σε σημείο που ο αναγνώστης να συμπάσχει, ακόμα καί με τον δολοφόνο, ο οποίος καί εδώ φανερώνει ανώνυμα τις σκέψεις του, στοιχειώνοντας τα γεγονότα που οδήγησαν τον λιγοστό πληθυσμό μιας επαρχιακής περιοχής στην αδικία και τον διχασμό.
Η πλοκή βασίζεται στο 1ο μέρος στην ιδιορρυθμία και στον ιδιαίτερα μυστηριώδη και εσωστρεφή χαρακτήρα του κεντρικού ήρωα, ενός άλλοτε πρωταθλητή του στίβου, τον οποίον προσπαθεί εναγωνίως να ψυχολογήσει ο επιθεωρητής Βαν Βέτερεν, επιστρέφοντας στα καθήκοντά του, έπειτα από μια σημαντική ιατρική επέμβαση.
Υπάρχουν κάποιοι έξυπνοι υπαινιγμοί του συγγραφέα για τη δυσκολία ενοποίησης της Ευρώπης και τη έξαρση του εθνικισμού (Βαλκάνια, και ταραχές στην Γερμανία), εκείνη την εποχή (δεν απέχει και πολύ από τη τωρινή κατάσταση) και τα συγκρίνει εμμέσως, αντιπαραβάλλοντάς τα με το ρατσισμό που είχε δεχθεί ο κεντρικός ήρωας από τους κατοίκους του χωριού λόγω της απόμακρης στάσης του και του 'κλειστού' χαρακτήρα του, κατά τη δεκαετία του '50, αλλά και πιο μετά. Δεν παραλείπει να τονίσει ότι αυτό το απομονωμένο χωριό τη δεκαετία του '60 θα κατακλυζόταν από καχυποψία, στενομυαλιά και φθόνο. Επίσης καυτηριάζει και την επίδραση των Μέσων μαζικής Ενημέρωσης στις νομικές και 'αστυνομικές' διαδικασίες για σημαντικές υποθέσεις δολοφονιών, όπως και την έλλειψη 'διαίσθησης' στον ανδρικό πληθυσμό, η οποία θα έσωζε ανθρώπους από την αδικία και την απομόνωση.
Πέρα από αυτό, παρουσιάζει και ένα νέο λογικό αξίωμα: τη καθοριστική αρχή της 'εντροπίας', η οποία είναι η αναπόφευκτη σύγκλιση μοτίβων σε ένα συγκεκριμένο περιβάλλον. Ωστόσο, ο αναγνώστης, αφού 'ολοκληρώσει' το βιβλίο, μπορεί να θεωρήσει ότι το ταξίδι είναι πιο ουσιαστικό από τον προοροσμό, επειδή το κίνητρο των δολοφονιών δεν πείθει σε σημαντικό βαθμό (στην αρχή τουλάχιστον), ενώ μένουν καί αναπάντητα ερωτήματα για την 'ψυχοσύνθεση' του δολοφόνου. Πάντως, αν ο αναγνώστης ανιχνεύσει τις απαντήσεις που ψάχνει, θα βρει το ταξίδι ιδιαίτερα ατμοσφαιρικό!
Ατάκα-κλειδί του βιβλίου: 'Όλα τα κακά στο κόσμο πηγάζουν από την ανικανότητα του ανθρώπου να μείνει ακίνητος σε ένα άδειο δωμάτιο' (Πασκάλ).
Βαθμολογία: 4,3/5 ή 8,6/10.
Υ.Γ.: H μετάφραση λόγω, μάλλον, βιασύνης έχει κάποια λαθάκια (ευτυχώς, όχι πολλά).
January 1, 2015
For some bizarre reason I started listening to this book while mowing a couple of summers ago and then dropped it and only recently came back to it. Bizarre because it’s it’s a good mystery with some bizarre events glued together by Chief Inspector Van Veetteren, known to his colleagues as “VV.” (When someone calls and asks to speak with a particular inspector on the case but can’t remember the name, he says, “you know, the unpleasant one, the really, really unpleasant one". He is immediately put through to Van Veeteren.”
A man is found dead and the only apparent identifying trait (the head, hands and feet had been removed) is that he had but one testicle. It turns out that a man convicted of murdering two wives, Verhaven, years before, had just been released from prison after serving a twenty-four year sentence and fit that description. Whether the man was actually guilty of the murders remains a mystery even though the presiding judge at his trial was absolutely sure he did it. But the man didn’t care whether he was incarcerated or not. And who would want him dead? Or did he know who the real killer might be? And what is the role of the close-knit small community.
The story jumps around in time, which perhaps was a bit distracting in an audiobook, but it was enjoyable, nevertheless, but somehow also dissatisfying. VanVeeteren is an interesting character with untapped promise for a series, yet some of the events and conclusions seem improbable at best.
A man is found dead and the only apparent identifying trait (the head, hands and feet had been removed) is that he had but one testicle. It turns out that a man convicted of murdering two wives, Verhaven, years before, had just been released from prison after serving a twenty-four year sentence and fit that description. Whether the man was actually guilty of the murders remains a mystery even though the presiding judge at his trial was absolutely sure he did it. But the man didn’t care whether he was incarcerated or not. And who would want him dead? Or did he know who the real killer might be? And what is the role of the close-knit small community.
The story jumps around in time, which perhaps was a bit distracting in an audiobook, but it was enjoyable, nevertheless, but somehow also dissatisfying. VanVeeteren is an interesting character with untapped promise for a series, yet some of the events and conclusions seem improbable at best.
March 10, 2016
Ένα ανάλαφρο αστυνομικό μυθιστόρημα. Διαβάζεται πολύ εύκολα και γρήγορα. Βέβαια ο πρωταγωνιστής δεν νομίζω ότι είναι ολοκληρωμένος. Η γρήγορη ροή της πλοκής δεν σε αφήνει να κατανοήσεις και να συνδεθείς με τους χαρακτήρες. Επίσης, περίμενα ένα διαφορετικό τέλος. Πάντως θα διάβαζα και αλλα βιβλία αυτού του συγγραφέα.
May 4, 2010
I've been reading a lot of Scandinavian mystery novels recently (who knew there were enough of them to constitute an actual genre?) but this wasn't one of my favorites.
I had a hard time keeping track of all of the people in the book (which wasn't entirely necessary, but distracted me all the same) because none of them really had any characteristics beyond "detective," "witness," "victim." I'm sure this would be easier if I followed the whole series through, though.
I also found the jumps from one time period to another to be a bit confusing; this probably tied in with my inability to keep track of the characters. I often had to go back and try to confirm dates, piece together a timeline again, etc.
This didn't quite fit the bill as the "vacation reading" that I was looking for, largely because it didn't suck me in and pull me along as much as I expect from books I intend to read on a plane. The story was interesting, but I never really got into it.
I had a hard time keeping track of all of the people in the book (which wasn't entirely necessary, but distracted me all the same) because none of them really had any characteristics beyond "detective," "witness," "victim." I'm sure this would be easier if I followed the whole series through, though.
I also found the jumps from one time period to another to be a bit confusing; this probably tied in with my inability to keep track of the characters. I often had to go back and try to confirm dates, piece together a timeline again, etc.
This didn't quite fit the bill as the "vacation reading" that I was looking for, largely because it didn't suck me in and pull me along as much as I expect from books I intend to read on a plane. The story was interesting, but I never really got into it.
March 1, 2017
Σαφώς κατώτερο βιβλίο από τα προηγούμενα δύο. Υπέφερε σε πολλά σημεία, ειδικότερα όσον αφορά την πλοκή της ιστορίας, όπως και στο, αδιάφορο και εντελώς επίπεδο, φινάλε. Το σώζει η μοναδική φιγούρα του αρχιεπιθεωρητή Βαν Βέετερεν που εδώ περνάει μια προσωπική περιπέτεια με την υγεία του με αποτέλεσμα να βρίσκεται στο νοσοκομείο και σε διαδικασία ανάρρωσης κατά το πρώτο μισό του βιβλίου. Από την στιγμή που παίρνει εξιτήριο και αναλαμβάνει δράση βέβαια, συνθέτει με επιτυχία τα κομμάτια του πάζλ και εντοπίζει τον ένοχο πρίν από όλους τους συναδέλφους του. Προτιμήστε καλύτερα το ''Mind's Eye'' ή το ''Borkmann's Point'' έαν σας ενδιαφέρει να διαβάσετε Nesser.
August 27, 2019
Based on the fact that this book got some really high reviews from some of my friends on Goodreads, I feel I must have either missed something at the beginning of this book; or, it has been too long since I read the previous book in this series; or something was lost in translation for me. First, there were too many detectives and names to keep track of and I had a hard time figuring out how our glorious Inspector Van Veeteren was able to figure out who the killer was at the end. The Inspector has some amazing mental talents he uses in solving cases, but I'm not sure I will continue with this series.
August 2019 Update - I skimmed this book just to see if I had missed something, but I hadn't. For me it is a "lost in translation" issue. Plots are great, I just have a hard time with some of the words. But since I am looking for number 9 in this series, I'm willing to keep reading!
August 2019 Update - I skimmed this book just to see if I had missed something, but I hadn't. For me it is a "lost in translation" issue. Plots are great, I just have a hard time with some of the words. But since I am looking for number 9 in this series, I'm willing to keep reading!
August 17, 2014
Questions, questions, and more questions. A never-ending procession of conversations and interviews and interrogations, every one of them at first glance just as pointless and unproductive as the last, auntil that important detail emerged. Most often when one least expected it. That link, that little unexpected reply . . .That sudden but faintly glowing sign in the darkenss that one couldn't afford to overlook. It was important not to rush past it in this overgrown thicket of irrelevant and tiresome details...This is a first look, for me, into the police detective novels of Håkan Nesser, a Swedish mystery author whose books have been increasingly more available in english translation for some years now.
Although pretty basic, we have the pleasure of seeing the Police Procedural done without all the annoying extras: chases, shoot-outs, too little realism, too much episodic-tv chit-chat, too little plausibility, cast to the side in order to sell the heroics involved... etc.
Where this book (and presumably series) excels is in the accumulation of telling detail, often psychologically and emotionally-laden detail that allows the reader to sift the ingredients for himself, alongside the detectives. (Where it scores no points is in the thankfully very-occasional philosophical wanderings, an occasion for some truly mind-numbingly undergrad moments, in what might be called raison-debt management. I'm tempted to put this off to the translation, as the rest of the material here is really well constructed.)
But best and most central is the main detective here, called Chief Inspector Van Veeteren. It is nice to see a full, egotistical-yet-reasonably-doubtful character in the grand tradition of the Detective profession. One who takes up the helm and stands tall in the job-- but certainly not with posturing or heroics. More like with intuition. Van Veeteren is a bit cranky, doesn't suffer fools or foolishness lightly, and is even still pretty good-humored. Nesser's protagonist is in the Holmes, Poirot, Morse mold-- well ahead of the learning curve as the proceedings move along, but smart enough to know what he doesn't know yet.
Can a good central character drive a series ? When the rest of the narrative is engagingly constructed and avoids the familiar pitfalls, yes.
May 4, 2018
Hmm. I bought this cheap from a charity shop because I'd heard of Nesser as one of the more famous Nordic Crime authors, and wanted (like I have with Jones Bo, Mankell, Adler Olsson, Lackberg etc.) to give him a try. I'm not sure whether this was representative of the rest of his oeuvre, but if it is.. I'm probably going to steer clear in future.
There was nothing particularly terrible about this book - Van Veeteren solving an old mystery from his hospital bed whilst convalescing (and yes, weirdly I made the Josephine Tey connection at about the same time that the author acknowledged it in the plot) after a convicted double murderer is found dead himself. The plot was OK, the pace decent, the prose perfectly readable with a few little witty moments.. but it just felt slightly formulaic, blunted by the translation, and not always easy to follow. My main problem was not feeling particularly inclined to identify with or care about the mainly unpleasant chauvinist male detectives at the centre of the story. The general impression was that all the men in the story were grizzled cynics and all the women were bitter slags. So it was readable and reasonable entertainment, but.. a bit 'off'.
There was nothing particularly terrible about this book - Van Veeteren solving an old mystery from his hospital bed whilst convalescing (and yes, weirdly I made the Josephine Tey connection at about the same time that the author acknowledged it in the plot) after a convicted double murderer is found dead himself. The plot was OK, the pace decent, the prose perfectly readable with a few little witty moments.. but it just felt slightly formulaic, blunted by the translation, and not always easy to follow. My main problem was not feeling particularly inclined to identify with or care about the mainly unpleasant chauvinist male detectives at the centre of the story. The general impression was that all the men in the story were grizzled cynics and all the women were bitter slags. So it was readable and reasonable entertainment, but.. a bit 'off'.
July 12, 2008
This book introduces a concept I've not seen before, "Klimke's Razor". Klimke's Razor is a simple guideline for civilized and intelligent behavior: "you can not demand more of any person you are talking to (in a civilized conversation) than you are prepared to give yourself."
Regardless on what is learned, mysteries by Swedish authors should be relished for their own sake.
Regardless on what is learned, mysteries by Swedish authors should be relished for their own sake.
November 18, 2015
Ένα απλό και ξεκάθαρο αστυνομικό, ιδανικό για μένα αυτή την εποχή. Οι χαρακτήρες μου φάνηκαν πολύ καλοί και το τέλος αρκετά ικανοποιητικό. Θα διαβάσω σίγουρα και τα υπόλοιπα του Nesser.
March 5, 2016
Ancora un'indagine per Van Veeteren, stavolta ricoverato in ospedale per un intervento. Ovviamente incapace di allontanarsi dal lavoro, cerca di annodare fili sottili che si fanno strada nella sua mente. Imperscrutabile e amante della musica, degli scacchi e della birra, ci guida attraverso un'indagine quasi impossibile verso una soluzione insolita, in nome del suo profondo senso della giustizia. Un senso talmente radicato da portarlo anche a oltrepassare un limite apparentemente invalicabile.
April 7, 2019
Acho que este livro tem uma melhoria em relação ao anterior, sem dúvida. Neste deu mais para entrar no ritmo do policial, sem ter coisas desnecessárias.
March 30, 2017
Αρκετά καλό και ευκολοδιάβαστο. Ο επιθεωρητής Βαν Βέτερεν είναι ο ήρωας που συμπαθείς, αλλά ταυτόχρονα σε εκνευρίζει όσο δεν πάει. Η υπόθεση είναι ενδιαφέρουσα, γιατί συνειδητοποιείς ότι ένας αθώος καταδικάστηκε για 2 φόνους και έζησε την μισή του ζωή στη φυλακή. Και το ακόμη πιο δύσκολο είναι να αποδειχθεί τώρα αυτό και να τιμωρηθεί ο αληθινός ένοχος. Η δικαιοσύνη έρχεται μεν στο τέλος, αλλά με τρόπο απρόσμενο. Η αλήθεια είναι ότι δεν πάει το μυαλό σου για το ποιος μπορεί να το έκανε.
Μόνο αρνητικό στοιχείο: ότι ο Βαν Βέτερεν τα καταλαβαίνει όλα αμέσως, χωρίς την βοήθεια κανενός - χάρη σε ευτυχείς συμπτώσεις και μόνο. Και χωρίς να έχει απτές αποδείξεις. Επίσης, ο συγγραφέας πλατειάζει λίγο - κάμποσες σελίδες είναι περιττές για την πλοκή της ιστορίας.
Μόνο αρνητικό στοιχείο: ότι ο Βαν Βέτερεν τα καταλαβαίνει όλα αμέσως, χωρίς την βοήθεια κανενός - χάρη σε ευτυχείς συμπτώσεις και μόνο. Και χωρίς να έχει απτές αποδείξεις. Επίσης, ο συγγραφέας πλατειάζει λίγο - κάμποσες σελίδες είναι περιττές για την πλοκή της ιστορίας.
December 1, 2019
Van Vėterenas kitu kampu
Perskaičiau jau trečią Hakan Nesser knygą ir manau, kad po Stiego Larsono šis rašytojas man numeris vienas iš skandinavų detektyvų gaujos. Nėra tobulos jo knygos, bet harmonija ir puikiai sukurta detektyvinė intriga visgi nurungia mane.
‘Sugrįžimas’ (labai nevykęs pavadinimas turiu pasakyti) šiek tiek kitoks nei pirmosios dvi knygos - įpinta daugiau asmeninių Van Vėtereno gyvenimo detalių, nes pusę knygos jis praleidžia besiruošdamas skrandžio operacijai ar gydamas po jos, todėl didžioji dalis tyrimo vietoje tokio gana metodiško vyksta ligoninės lovoje skaitant ataskaitas ir laikraščius. Tačiau grįžta tas pasakojimas dialogais, nes daug ką perpasakoti natūraliai reikia, o pradžioje ir tą policininkų humorą iš ‘Sąmonės akies’ vėl atradau. Na ir žinoma, pabaiga išsiskiria. Pasakojimas kiek kitoks, bet vis tiek teka labai logiškai, pasakojimą giją malonu sekti, o intriga sužinoti, kas visgi nutiko, taip pat išlieka stipri viso pasakojimo metu. Nestinga čia šį kartą ir tokių gal klišinių vietų detektyvuose, kur viršenybė trukdo dirbti, o pagrindinis tyrėjas ligoninėje, bet Labai harmoningai viskas įpaišyta į siužetą, todėl jį labiau papildo, nei erzina.
Lietuviškai kitų serijos dalių nebesitikiu sulaukti, bet rimtai svarstau galimybę šio rašytojo knygas krimsti ir angliškai, nes Van Vėterenas tikrai paliko didelį įspūdį pirmosiose trijose knygose.
Perskaičiau jau trečią Hakan Nesser knygą ir manau, kad po Stiego Larsono šis rašytojas man numeris vienas iš skandinavų detektyvų gaujos. Nėra tobulos jo knygos, bet harmonija ir puikiai sukurta detektyvinė intriga visgi nurungia mane.
‘Sugrįžimas’ (labai nevykęs pavadinimas turiu pasakyti) šiek tiek kitoks nei pirmosios dvi knygos - įpinta daugiau asmeninių Van Vėtereno gyvenimo detalių, nes pusę knygos jis praleidžia besiruošdamas skrandžio operacijai ar gydamas po jos, todėl didžioji dalis tyrimo vietoje tokio gana metodiško vyksta ligoninės lovoje skaitant ataskaitas ir laikraščius. Tačiau grįžta tas pasakojimas dialogais, nes daug ką perpasakoti natūraliai reikia, o pradžioje ir tą policininkų humorą iš ‘Sąmonės akies’ vėl atradau. Na ir žinoma, pabaiga išsiskiria. Pasakojimas kiek kitoks, bet vis tiek teka labai logiškai, pasakojimą giją malonu sekti, o intriga sužinoti, kas visgi nutiko, taip pat išlieka stipri viso pasakojimo metu. Nestinga čia šį kartą ir tokių gal klišinių vietų detektyvuose, kur viršenybė trukdo dirbti, o pagrindinis tyrėjas ligoninėje, bet Labai harmoningai viskas įpaišyta į siužetą, todėl jį labiau papildo, nei erzina.
Lietuviškai kitų serijos dalių nebesitikiu sulaukti, bet rimtai svarstau galimybę šio rašytojo knygas krimsti ir angliškai, nes Van Vėterenas tikrai paliko didelį įspūdį pirmosiose trijose knygose.
December 24, 2017
ebook and audio not one minute did this low key detective not provide entertainment and glances into humanity.
April 16, 2024
“Not everything is what it seems”.
Håkan Nesser is a masterful storyteller who is a genuine expert of the Scandi Noir genre. His skill at weaving a layered tale of suspense and mystery with characters who err on the gloomy, difficult and damaged side in settings that are as much a character as the protagonists themselves is nothing short of brilliant.
The Return is the third book in the Van Veeteren series, set in a fictitious central Northern European country that borders the Black Sea. It’s got all the elements of the genre and Nesser has a way of writing that is deliberate, intentional, dry yet totally scintillating for me. Not sure what that says about me. Van Veeteren is a cantankerous man, and this book sees him in hospital, finally succumbing to surgery to remove a cancer in his mid region. This just serves to authenticate him even more although he does remain somewhat enigmatic and individualistic.
The Return is all about doubt, injustice, human value, political expedience, and an unrelenting desire to see the right thing done irrespective of anything else, especially ‘the public good’….
"You understand this as well as I do," he said eventually. "In some circumstances . . . In some circumstances we simply have to consider the public good above all else; it's as simple as that.” P251
The frailty and vulnerability of humanity juxtaposed with its equally prevalent violence and brutality flows like yin and yang throughout Nesser’s work. He is clear, frank, to the point and relatable. I found myself reaching for my notebook to write little pearls that resonated and in doing so connected even more with the story as a whole.
“But all the same, the passage of time was inscribed is one's body: in the weariness one felt, all those increasing
sluggish movements. “ P182
“It was not a new sensation, just an example of or a variation on that old deterministic principle, presumably: the unavoidable business of patterns and preordained order in the environment. Of increasing or decreasing entropy.” P262
Håkan Nesser has become one of my need to read authors. Loving his series a lot and I’m happy to say this was a 5 star read for me.
Håkan Nesser is a masterful storyteller who is a genuine expert of the Scandi Noir genre. His skill at weaving a layered tale of suspense and mystery with characters who err on the gloomy, difficult and damaged side in settings that are as much a character as the protagonists themselves is nothing short of brilliant.
The Return is the third book in the Van Veeteren series, set in a fictitious central Northern European country that borders the Black Sea. It’s got all the elements of the genre and Nesser has a way of writing that is deliberate, intentional, dry yet totally scintillating for me. Not sure what that says about me. Van Veeteren is a cantankerous man, and this book sees him in hospital, finally succumbing to surgery to remove a cancer in his mid region. This just serves to authenticate him even more although he does remain somewhat enigmatic and individualistic.
The Return is all about doubt, injustice, human value, political expedience, and an unrelenting desire to see the right thing done irrespective of anything else, especially ‘the public good’….
"You understand this as well as I do," he said eventually. "In some circumstances . . . In some circumstances we simply have to consider the public good above all else; it's as simple as that.” P251
The frailty and vulnerability of humanity juxtaposed with its equally prevalent violence and brutality flows like yin and yang throughout Nesser’s work. He is clear, frank, to the point and relatable. I found myself reaching for my notebook to write little pearls that resonated and in doing so connected even more with the story as a whole.
“But all the same, the passage of time was inscribed is one's body: in the weariness one felt, all those increasing
sluggish movements. “ P182
“It was not a new sensation, just an example of or a variation on that old deterministic principle, presumably: the unavoidable business of patterns and preordained order in the environment. Of increasing or decreasing entropy.” P262
Håkan Nesser has become one of my need to read authors. Loving his series a lot and I’m happy to say this was a 5 star read for me.
April 30, 2025
Der Name Håkan Nesser kam mir schon recht bekannt vor, als ich dieses Buch auf dem Grabbeltisch am Adventsmarkt Gelnhausen liegen sah. Meine Erwartungen waren daher recht hoch.
Der Krimi liest sich echt flott, man kommt schnell durch und hat auch Lust aufs Weiterlesen. Das liegt in gewisser Weise daran, dass die Ermittler ein Privatleben haben und auch der Fall war extrem interessant, zumindest die Biographie des Ermordeten und die ungewöhnliche Kette von Katastrophen, die sich um ihn herum entwickelt haben.
Leider ist die Story schnell auserzählt, es kam, wie es kommen musste. Die Art und Weise, wie der Täter entdeckt wird, war ziemlich leicht nachvollziehbar. Außergewöhnlich war die Methode, mit der der malade Kommissar den Täter schließlich zur Rechenschaft zog.
Da stieg ich aus. Das ist nicht meine Vorstellung von Rechtsstaat und für einen Autor ein zu billiger Weg, der Gerechtigkeit doch noch zum vermeintlichen Triumph zu verhelfen.
Was mir auch nicht gefallen hat, war die Anonymisierung der Schauplätze. Ein Schweden-Krimi sollte schwedische Originalschauplätze haben. Und da diese Dörfer mit ihren Holzhäusern von Wäldern und Seen umgeben sind, denke ich, dass es sich um schwedische Dörfer handelt und schwedische Figuren.
Stattdessen verwendet Nesser für die Straßen und Plätze scheinbar niederländische, für die Eigennamen scheinbar deutsche, manchmal scheinbar polnische oder tschechische Namen und bei den Ortschaften mal so – mal so. Diese Namens-Mimikri hat für mich den Spaß an der Sache eingeschränkt.
Drei Punkte für spannendes Erzählen.
Der Krimi liest sich echt flott, man kommt schnell durch und hat auch Lust aufs Weiterlesen. Das liegt in gewisser Weise daran, dass die Ermittler ein Privatleben haben und auch der Fall war extrem interessant, zumindest die Biographie des Ermordeten und die ungewöhnliche Kette von Katastrophen, die sich um ihn herum entwickelt haben.
Leider ist die Story schnell auserzählt, es kam, wie es kommen musste. Die Art und Weise, wie der Täter entdeckt wird, war ziemlich leicht nachvollziehbar. Außergewöhnlich war die Methode, mit der der malade Kommissar den Täter schließlich zur Rechenschaft zog.
Da stieg ich aus. Das ist nicht meine Vorstellung von Rechtsstaat und für einen Autor ein zu billiger Weg, der Gerechtigkeit doch noch zum vermeintlichen Triumph zu verhelfen.
Was mir auch nicht gefallen hat, war die Anonymisierung der Schauplätze. Ein Schweden-Krimi sollte schwedische Originalschauplätze haben. Und da diese Dörfer mit ihren Holzhäusern von Wäldern und Seen umgeben sind, denke ich, dass es sich um schwedische Dörfer handelt und schwedische Figuren.
Stattdessen verwendet Nesser für die Straßen und Plätze scheinbar niederländische, für die Eigennamen scheinbar deutsche, manchmal scheinbar polnische oder tschechische Namen und bei den Ortschaften mal so – mal so. Diese Namens-Mimikri hat für mich den Spaß an der Sache eingeschränkt.
Drei Punkte für spannendes Erzählen.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 26, 2024
I have a non GR friend to thank for mentioning this author to me. This is the third novel that I have read and enjoyed and I am hooked.
I am understanding more about Van Veeteren now, much as his trusted lieutenant Munster seems to be.
There are similarities between these two and the Morse and Lewis pairing in the Colin Dexter novels.Van Veeteren and Morse both have a similar style of investigating and both have a love of classical music. However Morse's prize Jaguar Mark ll, has the edge over Van Veeterens old Opel, although Morse would certainly approve of it's sound system. The irascible characteristics of these two also share similarities with Graham Brack's Czeck Investigator Josef Slonsky. All have a dry humour that occasionally shows through
The story here starts when a torso is found rolled in old carpet deep in a forest. The team swing into action but their first difficulty is its identification. This leads to two closed murder cases covering the previous quarter century.
Van Veeteren also has his own challenges here too. The first being his cancer operation, the second perhaps more important.
Another fascinating story, well told.
PS. In time for my review of the next in the series, I hope to have found out how to get the umlaut onto the u in Munster's name.
I am understanding more about Van Veeteren now, much as his trusted lieutenant Munster seems to be.
There are similarities between these two and the Morse and Lewis pairing in the Colin Dexter novels.Van Veeteren and Morse both have a similar style of investigating and both have a love of classical music. However Morse's prize Jaguar Mark ll, has the edge over Van Veeterens old Opel, although Morse would certainly approve of it's sound system. The irascible characteristics of these two also share similarities with Graham Brack's Czeck Investigator Josef Slonsky. All have a dry humour that occasionally shows through
The story here starts when a torso is found rolled in old carpet deep in a forest. The team swing into action but their first difficulty is its identification. This leads to two closed murder cases covering the previous quarter century.
Van Veeteren also has his own challenges here too. The first being his cancer operation, the second perhaps more important.
Another fascinating story, well told.
PS. In time for my review of the next in the series, I hope to have found out how to get the umlaut onto the u in Munster's name.
May 6, 2011
Excellente Krimispannung! Wie jeder Nesser sehr gut entwickelte Charaktäre, wunderbare Beschreibungen und diesmal auch sehr viel philosophisches über Vorurteile, Gerechtigkeit, Sühne, Gott etc.
Van Veteren ist eigentlich wegen einer Darmkrebsoperation außer Dienst und ermittelt mit einiger Mühsal aus dem Krankenhaus und in der anstrengenden Rekonvaleszenzphase nach erfolgreicher Operation. Ein verurteilter Doppelmörder wird einen Tag nach seiner Haftentlassung ermordet und verstümmelt aufgefunden. Obwohl er seine Unschuld immer beteuert hat, und die Beweise sehr dürftig waren, haben ihn Richter, Geschworene, Polizei, Presse und sein Heimatdorf eindeutig als Mörder abgestempelt. Haben sich alle geirrt? Nur Van Veteren versucht dieses kollektive menschliche Versagen mit Nachdruck aufzuklären und setzt sich wie ein Bluthund auf die Fährte.
Das Finale des Krimis ist einzigartig!
Van Veteren ist eigentlich wegen einer Darmkrebsoperation außer Dienst und ermittelt mit einiger Mühsal aus dem Krankenhaus und in der anstrengenden Rekonvaleszenzphase nach erfolgreicher Operation. Ein verurteilter Doppelmörder wird einen Tag nach seiner Haftentlassung ermordet und verstümmelt aufgefunden. Obwohl er seine Unschuld immer beteuert hat, und die Beweise sehr dürftig waren, haben ihn Richter, Geschworene, Polizei, Presse und sein Heimatdorf eindeutig als Mörder abgestempelt. Haben sich alle geirrt? Nur Van Veteren versucht dieses kollektive menschliche Versagen mit Nachdruck aufzuklären und setzt sich wie ein Bluthund auf die Fährte.
Das Finale des Krimis ist einzigartig!
May 10, 2012
Another fast paced, brilliant thriller from Hakan Nesser and his superb creation, the wonderfully grumpy Van Veeteren.
The twists and turns are like a roller coaster ride, just as I have come to expect from this utterly fantastic writer. This book is the third in the series which has been translated into English, but I think there are a few more in the intervening period which haven't, which is a shame really as they haven't really been released in order. No matter though, as these are utter class and I am just about to start reading the fourth, Woman with a Birthmark.
I highly recommend this series to anyone who appreciates a great mystery and cannot possibly work out the perpetrator(s) before Van Veeteren. Cracking stuff.
The twists and turns are like a roller coaster ride, just as I have come to expect from this utterly fantastic writer. This book is the third in the series which has been translated into English, but I think there are a few more in the intervening period which haven't, which is a shame really as they haven't really been released in order. No matter though, as these are utter class and I am just about to start reading the fourth, Woman with a Birthmark.
I highly recommend this series to anyone who appreciates a great mystery and cannot possibly work out the perpetrator(s) before Van Veeteren. Cracking stuff.
December 21, 2014
Very hard to see past the overt misogyny in this book from the murderer who kills because his wife is unable to have sex with him and other women reject him to the returned innocent prisoner who thinks his various girlfriends want him to beat them. Van Veeteren's treatment of one of the nursing staff as little more than a drinks slave was also very unpalatable.
September 25, 2018
This was my third book by the author and by now I was expecting a sudden ending with minimum explanation. I was also prepared to skim through the last 100 pages or so to understand Veeteran's reasoning. Also that Veeteran will have an intution that the readers know nothing about. Also that he will then try to build a case based on that intution. Yes, I was prepared to endure all of this since the author's writing-style keeps you interested :)
I was reasonably satisfied in #1 and fully in #2, but this one's ending is unconvincing and forced like some of the bad ones written by Agatha Christie.
I was reasonably satisfied in #1 and fully in #2, but this one's ending is unconvincing and forced like some of the bad ones written by Agatha Christie.
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