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Ann Lindell #10
Open Grave
Professor Bertram von Ohler has been awarded the Nobel Prize for medicine. This news causes problems in his otherwise quiet upper-class neighbourhood in Uppsala, Sweden, as not everybody is happy with the choice of winner. Mysterious incidents start to occur. Boyish pranks’ say the police, but what follows is certainly not innocent amusement. Detective Inspector Ann Lindell becomes involved in the case and immediately is transported back into her own past.
287 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2009
47 people are currently reading
410 people want to read
About the author
Kjell Eriksson
31 books269 followersKarl Stig Kjell Eriksson is a Swedish crime-writer, author of the novels The Princess of Burundi and The Cruel Stars of the Night, the former of which was awarded the Swedish Crime Writers' Academy Best Swedish Crime Novel Award in 2002. They have both recently been translated into English by Ebba Segerberg.
Series:
* Ann Lindell Mystery
Series:
* Ann Lindell Mystery
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 101 reviews
May 28, 2015
This book was painfully slow. I was more than 25% in and ready to give up when I looked up some reviews and learned that it was the 6th episode in a police procedural. I decided to persevere, but the series character wasn't even introduced until nearly halfway in, and then the personal soap opera stuff was pretty much the whole thing--no murder until nearly the end, no detecting, no resolution of any mystery, although the readers eventually know what took place. So why did I rate it as high as 3 stars? Because what the author did do was set up characters so well and paint such vivid pictures of their interactions. The geographic details are also quite wonderful and you can almost feel the beech leaves crunch under your feet and smell the apples.
February 15, 2017
Takes the scenario of an old-school Christie type plot, and remoulds it into a Scandinavian procedural but with some non-standard structures of a literary mystery - without the latter's attempts to be fancy at writing, which too often end up cold, distant and unengaging.
Prof Bertrand von Ohler is a retired medical researcher in his eighties, from an old aristocratic family. Living not in the old family seat, but in a more modern mansion in a prestigious area of Uppsala (Sweden's Oxford or Cambrige, where one of his ancestors worked alongside Linnaeus), he is nevertheless surrounded by centuries-old portraits and war-booty furniture, the only other resident the faithful old retainer and housekeeper Agnes, nearly the same age as he is. von Ohler is unexpectedly awarded the Nobel prize for research carried out decades ago, for which he never publicly gave others enough credit, and all sorts of people and skeletons come crawling out of the woodwork...
There's something of the Golden Age mystery about the backstory, but filtered via the concerns of fellow Swedes Stieg Larsson and Liza Marklund.
I enjoyed the perspective shifts in this: for instance the idea of how one might go about telling people you've won the Nobel Prize (like the best this-doesn't-happen-to-most-people news you've had in your life, multiplied however many times over), and felt the narrative got under the skins of several other characters as the book progressed and altered ideas about the others.
I tend to read procedurals as something throwaway, yet more often than not find myself chiming with the emotions of some gloomy loss-lorn detective, even if I don't agree with all their decisions. Same again here, but unlike many of her species Ann Lindell can be sarcastic and jokey with colleagues, which made me like her more than some of the run-of-the-mill examples. It's not the sort of thing that's going to make you hyperventilate with laughter whilst reading on the bus, but which would make someone good to work with.
I'd assumed that Eriksson's writing / English translation wasn't great given the sub 3.5 ratings for most of this series, and on that basis was pleasantly surprised. There are a few awkward sentences, but for the most part it was the sort of book to switch off with, where style isn't noticeable. [For this book at least, one can put the ratings down to readers' dissatisfaction with the unexpected atypical structure.] I usually stick to series order but it was relaxing to kick off that constraint and read the last first, for once; nothing seemed unexplained, and given the way I read this sort of book, I don't mind a couple of spoilers for long-term storylines. Just now, I wanted a book that wasn't going to prompt the urge to write some essay of a review that skirts the max wordcount, and this gothically-titled thing did the job very well, whilst also being rather more interesting than expected.
Prof Bertrand von Ohler is a retired medical researcher in his eighties, from an old aristocratic family. Living not in the old family seat, but in a more modern mansion in a prestigious area of Uppsala (Sweden's Oxford or Cambrige, where one of his ancestors worked alongside Linnaeus), he is nevertheless surrounded by centuries-old portraits and war-booty furniture, the only other resident the faithful old retainer and housekeeper Agnes, nearly the same age as he is. von Ohler is unexpectedly awarded the Nobel prize for research carried out decades ago, for which he never publicly gave others enough credit, and all sorts of people and skeletons come crawling out of the woodwork...
There's something of the Golden Age mystery about the backstory, but filtered via the concerns of fellow Swedes Stieg Larsson and Liza Marklund.
I enjoyed the perspective shifts in this: for instance the idea of how one might go about telling people you've won the Nobel Prize (like the best this-doesn't-happen-to-most-people news you've had in your life, multiplied however many times over), and felt the narrative got under the skins of several other characters as the book progressed and altered ideas about the others.
I tend to read procedurals as something throwaway, yet more often than not find myself chiming with the emotions of some gloomy loss-lorn detective, even if I don't agree with all their decisions. Same again here, but unlike many of her species Ann Lindell can be sarcastic and jokey with colleagues, which made me like her more than some of the run-of-the-mill examples. It's not the sort of thing that's going to make you hyperventilate with laughter whilst reading on the bus, but which would make someone good to work with.
I'd assumed that Eriksson's writing / English translation wasn't great given the sub 3.5 ratings for most of this series, and on that basis was pleasantly surprised. There are a few awkward sentences, but for the most part it was the sort of book to switch off with, where style isn't noticeable. [For this book at least, one can put the ratings down to readers' dissatisfaction with the unexpected atypical structure.] I usually stick to series order but it was relaxing to kick off that constraint and read the last first, for once; nothing seemed unexplained, and given the way I read this sort of book, I don't mind a couple of spoilers for long-term storylines. Just now, I wanted a book that wasn't going to prompt the urge to write some essay of a review that skirts the max wordcount, and this gothically-titled thing did the job very well, whilst also being rather more interesting than expected.
July 26, 2016
My review for Open Grave by Kjell Eriksson will be posted after the official release. Stay Tuned!
December 31, 2020
I enjoyed this book quite a bit. I thought it was better than some of the other ones in the series that I have read. It is one that I would recommend to others. The characters are very likable and the story line was pretty interesting.
July 25, 2017
I read this book in one sitting, I just couldn’t stop. Kjell Eriksson is back on form with this book.
Like with most books in this series, the reason for the crime is more interesting than the crime itself, which is only committed at the end of the book and there is only a hint that the murderers might be caught.
The main topic of the book is that Bertram von Ohlen in his 80th receives the Nobel Prize, which causes sets off a chain-reaction, which was brooding around this despicable man for most of his life. I work in an university with scientists and I am married to a scientists, so the question around equal distribution of intellectual property, authorship and who should receive prizes and grant awards is one which I try to put some fairness in throughout my working life (as much as I can influence it). Let’s just say Bertram von Ohlen, is not the caring and sharing type, never-mind what he thinks himself during his last years. He has treated his colleagues and co-operators badly throughout his career and some of the consequences are coming his way.
However, in one way this is not his worst crime. He comes from a wealthy upper-class family (yes still seem to exist even in Sweden), is highly educated and considers that his wishes are of uppermost importance be it in his marriage, with his children or his servants. He is a sexual predator from an early age, which his family connection and money helps him to hide (there are one or two politicians I could think of at the moment which fit the bill just as well). He has no regard how his behaviour and actions affect anybody and this is something which catches up with him in an increasing fashion throughout the book.
It is a book about academic achievements, class, the effects of religion on people and how this can be exploited.
For lovers of this series, there is also to note that lots has happened in the short period since the last book in the criminal division of Uppsala police, but the good news is that Ann Lindell is back on form and is finally finding closure to a difficult part of her life.
I would recommend this book to anybody, it is a great read.
Like with most books in this series, the reason for the crime is more interesting than the crime itself, which is only committed at the end of the book and there is only a hint that the murderers might be caught.
The main topic of the book is that Bertram von Ohlen in his 80th receives the Nobel Prize, which causes sets off a chain-reaction, which was brooding around this despicable man for most of his life. I work in an university with scientists and I am married to a scientists, so the question around equal distribution of intellectual property, authorship and who should receive prizes and grant awards is one which I try to put some fairness in throughout my working life (as much as I can influence it). Let’s just say Bertram von Ohlen, is not the caring and sharing type, never-mind what he thinks himself during his last years. He has treated his colleagues and co-operators badly throughout his career and some of the consequences are coming his way.
However, in one way this is not his worst crime. He comes from a wealthy upper-class family (yes still seem to exist even in Sweden), is highly educated and considers that his wishes are of uppermost importance be it in his marriage, with his children or his servants. He is a sexual predator from an early age, which his family connection and money helps him to hide (there are one or two politicians I could think of at the moment which fit the bill just as well). He has no regard how his behaviour and actions affect anybody and this is something which catches up with him in an increasing fashion throughout the book.
It is a book about academic achievements, class, the effects of religion on people and how this can be exploited.
For lovers of this series, there is also to note that lots has happened in the short period since the last book in the criminal division of Uppsala police, but the good news is that Ann Lindell is back on form and is finally finding closure to a difficult part of her life.
I would recommend this book to anybody, it is a great read.
August 13, 2016
Kjell Erikson hardly writes traditional mysteries. What he does, and does well, is put together in the Ann Lindell series psychological studies of characters who interact, together with a deep look at his signature character and her past and present. “Open Grave” is an excellent example of his work. The story is built around Professor Bertram von Ohler, a Swedish research doctor who has just been notified that he has won a Nobel prize and its affect on his various neighbors, his housekeeper of 55 years and others: their reactions and in some cases actions.
Ann Lindell plays a minor roll in investigating various incidents perpetrated on the Professor: a rock thrown at his house; a human skull left on his fence. Apparently his choice as a Nobel laureate is less than popular. Meanwhile, Lindell has to confront her past as a dear friend is dying and she has to visit in the presence of the love of her life, which relationship ended many years before.
The only criticism that can be made is the slowness in developing the novel. More than 100 pages are consumed with minutiae as the novel progresses finally to the main story line. Of course, that is a characteristic of this author’s modus operandi, but when he finally gets going there are constant surprises. It is not unusual for this author’s characters to retain secrets, and this novel is no exception. In fact, the story is built around these secrets. While there is a murder at the end of the tale, it is almost an afterthought which makes the novel a crime story.
Recommended.
Ann Lindell plays a minor roll in investigating various incidents perpetrated on the Professor: a rock thrown at his house; a human skull left on his fence. Apparently his choice as a Nobel laureate is less than popular. Meanwhile, Lindell has to confront her past as a dear friend is dying and she has to visit in the presence of the love of her life, which relationship ended many years before.
The only criticism that can be made is the slowness in developing the novel. More than 100 pages are consumed with minutiae as the novel progresses finally to the main story line. Of course, that is a characteristic of this author’s modus operandi, but when he finally gets going there are constant surprises. It is not unusual for this author’s characters to retain secrets, and this novel is no exception. In fact, the story is built around these secrets. While there is a murder at the end of the tale, it is almost an afterthought which makes the novel a crime story.
Recommended.
July 20, 2015
It was "okay". Not really a mystery just a story about a mean professor who wins the Nobel prize, his neighbors and the servant who has worked for him over 50 years. A story about the relationships of these people
March 23, 2020
I actually didn't read too far. Not my style.
May 29, 2017
I had high hopes for this book having already read several others in the same series. What a disappointment! Gave up after 60 turgid, dull pages where nothing much seemed to happen, and no sign of the main character, Ann Lindell, the detective. The books in this series are often slow to get going, but this one tested my patience beyond endurance.
February 17, 2021
Very, very slow. I think some things got lost in translation. Did I like it? Not so much, but had to finish it. This author writes a series of books, so maybe I stumbled upon too late in the game.
November 30, 2016
This really felt quite different from the other books involving Ann Lindell, although there is some continuity with the story of Ann/Edvard/Anders and some of the police team (we actually meet Edvard in this one, and wonder what all the fuss was about). Nearly all the book is taken up with a detailed picture of the wealthy neighbourhood, life and past of a research doctor who has just won the Nobel prize as the book opens (it closes on the 10th December, the day of the award ceremony). Academic jealousies and past misdeeds come to the fore, but there is no murder mystery to solve until the very end of the book (a case which the police have to deal with is irrelevant to the main story and soon forgotten). The way the servants are treated is reprehensible. A good story, leaving us at the end presumably with the eventual crime about to be uncovered (?) but the book is really about what leads to it, and the police team plays a much smaller part this time than the victim(s) and perpretator(s).
April 27, 2016
I like Kjell Eriksson's Ann Liddell series and have read all of the ones translated to English todate. I wish they would translate all of them at this point, as it is sometimes frustrating not knowing about the relationship between Ann and Edvard in full. I can guess really from what I have read so far, but there are books missing having not being translated. This always mystifies me, why not translate the books in order as opposed to here and there? Anyway, I was happy enough with this one, it was slow paced and there had been no murder still, three quarters of the way through, but that was o.k., the story was mostly interesting. Sometimes, the characters musings were a little long-winded and the maybe did not quite translate. However, the ending, well, I was not a happy bunny. I was so disappointed, I threw the book on the floor! Very unlike me. It just did not do it for me. I really will be reluctant to continue with this series as a result of this poor finish.
April 8, 2016
Strange book in some ways. I felt that I had been dumped into the middle of the story. The writing seems a bit belaboured though that could be the translator's issue. The main character does not come into the story until halfway through the book. And really nothing happens until halfway through the book. I Think the author is clever in the way he has brought the threads together but this story is a bit lacking there is no suspense at all if that is what you are expecting. There is a murder but it is not the person you are expecting to be murdered. It is a sad story and more about the way people interact than a crime novel.
July 27, 2015
This book is not much of a mystery and not a police procedural at all. I like the Ann Lindell character but she and her police colleagues don't appear until chapter 15 and don't have much police business even then. This book is mostly about the family of an elderly man who surprisingly wins the Nobel Prize in medicine and those who are connected to him. The parts of the book about Ann relate mostly to her personal life.
December 17, 2014
Det är knappt jag kan tro det är sant. Sista delen i serien om Ann Lindell äntligen utläst. Man kan kanske fråga sig varför någon läser färdigt en serie på tio böcker, som man egentligen inte gillar. Något bra svar har jag nog inte, förutom att det är sådan jag är. Läs mer på http://bokslut.blogspot.se/2014/12/op...
September 14, 2016
I have read all of Kjell Eriksson's books - this is the first one that I disliked and didn't finish. The story and characters are boring and where is the mystery and the police procedural? Definitely not what I expected and before I buy the next book, I'll definitely read all the reviews and preview the book. I'm disappointed.
September 12, 2016
I read alot of scandanvian crime novels, but after reading 150 pages I have given up. Sorry but nothing has happened except a professor has won the nobel prize and nobody likes him. Perhaps its in the translation but this book was not engaging and I found the whole thing rather boring.
October 28, 2015
What a slog! The title is definitely a misnomer. Maybe it should have been Dull Perv Doctor.
February 21, 2022
Kjell Eriksson is a new author to me, but this random pickup in a charity shop has turned out to be a real winner. Nordic noir at its dark brooding best, and with a fresh take on the run of the mill approach to crime fiction by turning the big reveal on its head so that the reader is the only one who really knows what’s going on even at the end. Each of the characters is introduced and parts of their backstory laid out at the start including their longsuffering and, in some cases, wicked histories. The police don’t appear until nearly halfway through the novel each with their own side sorrows and concerns. The crime which you sense is building up doesn’t happen until the closing chapters and it come unexpectedly and very brutally out of nowhere involving several characters in the cover up. The leitmotif open grave of the title comes into its own and is used seemingly successfully to conceal the vicious murder and it is not until the final sentence that it seems likely that the body will be revealed and the crime reported to the police. Such a refreshing change that only the reader at the close of the book knows what really happened or at least mostly what has really happened. Such a neat authorial concept that it doesn’t even feel like it need a sequel for the police to catch up.
The prose is thoughtful considered and sparkling with wonderful dark brooding Nordic silences and apparent non sequiturs between characters full of unsaid words but pregnant with images and emotions from past trauma. Such a great refreshing contrast to the comic-style blasting that is American style crime which is all action, gore, mystery and intrigue at the expense of character or good prose. Usually with multiple bodies piling up before the clenched maverick detective brilliantly solves the crime in a tortuous twisted ending and at considerable personal risk. The Open Grave in contrast to this rapid fire 2-dimensional approach has multiple memorable characters some more likeable than others but all with detailed and very human loves, lives and concerns and all with flaws (though some more than others). And best still it takes on an unexpectedly dark humorous twist as the mood changes in the build up to the murder and you can’t help but love the multiple ironies in that ending. It really often is a dog.
Definitely an author to seek out.
The prose is thoughtful considered and sparkling with wonderful dark brooding Nordic silences and apparent non sequiturs between characters full of unsaid words but pregnant with images and emotions from past trauma. Such a great refreshing contrast to the comic-style blasting that is American style crime which is all action, gore, mystery and intrigue at the expense of character or good prose. Usually with multiple bodies piling up before the clenched maverick detective brilliantly solves the crime in a tortuous twisted ending and at considerable personal risk. The Open Grave in contrast to this rapid fire 2-dimensional approach has multiple memorable characters some more likeable than others but all with detailed and very human loves, lives and concerns and all with flaws (though some more than others). And best still it takes on an unexpectedly dark humorous twist as the mood changes in the build up to the murder and you can’t help but love the multiple ironies in that ending. It really often is a dog.
Definitely an author to seek out.
May 27, 2022
This is a very odd Noir. With its title a tease (if there is an “open grave,” there must be something to happen that will fill it eventually) the novel plods on and primarily concerns who MIGHT be a murderer. Surely, the sisters, Greta, Anna and Agnes, have reason to kill the recent Nobel Prize Winner, Prof. Ohler. Then there is Birgitta, working for the ogre for decades and being almost as mistreated as the sisters. Then there are professional colleagues of Ohler who have reason to do away with him out of revenge for past wrongs or even jealousy that he has received credit for research they performed with him. Then there are the shadowy characters of a fascinated gardener who may want to kill Ohler for his plants or neighbors who just didn’t like him very much. Ohler comes off as a reclusive, grumpy old man, though his character is never completely developed. Lord knows, there’s plenty of space in which to develop his character since everybody else has their moment in the sun. Eventually, well over 2/3 of the way through the book, there is a murder, but it is not one you might have been led to expect. If long chapters describing geriatric ladies is your cup of tea, you might enjoy this. I found it less than absorbing.
July 29, 2025
More than a police procedural, this novel focuses on secrets, cover-ups, and the hurt that persist in relationships leading to vengeance. A housekeeper for more than 50 years, Agnes long repressed memories of her employer's abuse, continued to put up with his outbursts, and coddle his failings. When he is awarded the Nobel prize in medicine, his colleagues, neighbors, daughter and others he doesn't even know resent Professr Bertram Ohler and seek to do him wrong. Seemingly a poor translation.
"The terrain of her childhood stood out increasingly often and ever clearer to her. She sensed that it was age. She had reached the crown and could only look back, and down, at the laborious ascent that had been her life. In retrospect the early years, before theme to Uppsala, stood out as the happiest." P. 129
"The terrain of her childhood stood out increasingly often and ever clearer to her. She sensed that it was age. She had reached the crown and could only look back, and down, at the laborious ascent that had been her life. In retrospect the early years, before theme to Uppsala, stood out as the happiest." P. 129
July 4, 2018
2.5 STARS
My first Eriksson novel and sadly I was quite disappointed. The overall outline of the story was there but it seemed to take far too long for anything to happen. I understand that character background and development is needed but I was finding myself losing interest in the characters the more I was reading about them. And, even more worryingly, the character whom the book series is centred around didn't turn up till 100 pages in! I found myself flicking forward to see if she was mentioned in the next couple of pages. Having said all this, I did enjoy the last 50+ pages. It's just a shame that the bulk of the novel let itself down
My first Eriksson novel and sadly I was quite disappointed. The overall outline of the story was there but it seemed to take far too long for anything to happen. I understand that character background and development is needed but I was finding myself losing interest in the characters the more I was reading about them. And, even more worryingly, the character whom the book series is centred around didn't turn up till 100 pages in! I found myself flicking forward to see if she was mentioned in the next couple of pages. Having said all this, I did enjoy the last 50+ pages. It's just a shame that the bulk of the novel let itself down
December 10, 2018
A strange bird of a detective novel. It's over 100 pages before there is a murder (which has nothing to do with the main plot) and over 125 pages before anyone from the series' homicide squad is seen. The murder related to the main plot doesn't occur until about 40 pages shy of the end of the book. Odd, odd, odd. Yet, I kept reading. A plethora of intriguing characters and a sharp sense of Swedish setting kept things going for me. Not sure if I will read this author again, but this book kept my interest.
September 17, 2019
This is not the best scandi I've read. It's ostensibly about a police officer but she doesn't appear until nearly half way through. It's about two families, one rich and famous whose oldest member learns he's been awarded the Nobel Prize for Medicine. The other is poor and working class and who's daughters have been in service with the others for many years. The lives of both have become intertwined. The book starts in an almost jokey way, but gets darker as the past begins to make itself felt. Ok, but not earth shattering.
May 30, 2017
Boreing! It wasn't really a mystery, but the story of a few uninteresting characters. Painfully slow. I kept checking to see how far I was into it trying to determine when it was going to begin. It really never did. A few answers re Anna's love life but it wasn't worth the read for that. Sorry.
August 26, 2017
Watch the Garden!
I was fooled into thinking the professor would be killed. I soldiered on. I was bored by Ann's fondness for Edvard. Every time I came across pages about him, I'd speed read or skim the text. There was some excitement in the basement that pulled me along. Agnes was more of a main character than Lindell.
I was fooled into thinking the professor would be killed. I soldiered on. I was bored by Ann's fondness for Edvard. Every time I came across pages about him, I'd speed read or skim the text. There was some excitement in the basement that pulled me along. Agnes was more of a main character than Lindell.
October 2, 2018
I did not care much for this one. The best part was the ending, and not just because the book ended, but the way it ended. The path to get there was boring in most places. And, making it worse to read, most of the characters were referred to as what they were as opposed to their names, i.e., the professor, the associate professor, etc. Good ending, though.
October 7, 2018
I have no idea what genre this story fits, not police procedural, perhaps mystery, but more of a character study. It is very slow moving, the first 150 pages are labored, but then one finds oneself invested in the characters and I did want to know how their stories end. Unfortunately, I found that (the ending) unsatisfying.
December 27, 2018
At first I thought this book was going to be a good crime story, but I felt it was lacking in the suspense and the book took a turn, that was predicted. It wasn't a book for me, but maybe for someone who likes crime books. But can't handle the dark parts. It was very relaxed for a crime book in my opinion.
March 26, 2020
Slow going. Not sure if It was because I was too distracted by the Coronavirus raging around me, or if I was simply not drawn in to the story for the first ⅓. This was not so much a mystery as it was a character study of the intellectual elite, class divisions, bitterness, and coming to terms with decisions you’ve made. Very good translation.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 101 reviews