Where Roses Never Die

Varg Veum #16

by Gunnar Staalesen, Don Bartlett (Translator)

September 1977. Mette Misvær, a three-year-old girl disappears without trace from the sandpit outside her home. Her tiny, close middle-class community in the tranquil suburb of Nordas is devastated, but their enquiries and the police produce nothing. Curtains twitch, suspicions are raised, but Mette is never found.

Almost 25 years later, as the expiry date for the statute of limitations draws near, Mette’s mother approaches PI Varg Veum, in a last, desperate attempt to find out what happened to her daughter. As Veum starts to dig, he uncovers an intricate web of secrets, lies and shocking events that have been methodically concealed. When another brutal incident takes place, a pattern begins to emerge…

Shocking, unsettling and full of extraordinary twists and turns, Where Roses Never Die reaffirms Gunnar Staalesen as one of the world’s foremost thriller writers.

Genres: Mystery, Crime, Fiction, Nordic Noir, Audiobook, Thriller, Mystery Thriller

285 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2012

About the author

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

Reviews

[Miriam Smith (A Mother’s Musings) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Suspenseful, intriguing and chilling - words that come instantly to mind when describing this gripping book - I thoroughly enjoyed "Where Roses Never Die" the 18th instalment in the Norwegian series featuring private investigator Varg Veum. This series has been around for many, many years and is obviously very successful to get to book number 18! Quite easily read as a standalone too, as this was my first venture into the series, I had no problems grasping Varg's history and with individual storylines to each book these make for fabulous and intriguing reading.
In September 1977, three year old Mette Misvaer disappears without trace from the sandpit outside her family home. In a last ditch attempt before the statue of limitations comes into force, Mette's mother hires Varg in a desperate plea to find out what actually happened to her twenty five years ago. Can Varg break through the secrets and lies that have stayed hidden for so long and can he discover the truth behind Mette's disappearance. As a mother myself, the storyline is one you most fear as a parent but it was handled diplomatically without distressing the reader.
Three years after the death of his long term girlfriend, Varg is still a broken-hearted mess, reliant on alcohol and the odd P.I. job to pay the bills. Flawed, but very likeable I couldn't help but fall in love with his character and his perseverance in getting to the truth and breaking people down to reveal their innermost secrets.
It did take me a while to get used to the characters names and how they all fitted into the story but once I did the story flowed seamlessly at a steady pace, thick with intrigue and was very easy to follow.
Written by hugely talented Gunnar Staalesen and expertly translated by Don Bartlett I can't recommend this book enough, a shocking, outstanding plot that's traditional and classic and keeps the reader guessing till the very end. LOVED it!!

5 stars.

[Sandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Varg Veum is back with a cold case that has strange ties to the present. It’s been almost 25 years since 3 year old Mette Misvaer went missing from her yard. With the statute of limitations looming, her mother Maja asks Veum to take one final crack at finding the truth.
 
It would be a welcome paycheque but before he signs on, Veum will need to make a few changes to his lifestyle. In the 3 years since his partner died, his only relationship has been with a bottle. If he can put the Aquavit back on the shelf, he might find some answers & perhaps a little self respect along the way.
 
The book opens with an armed robbery of a jewelry store In Bergen. As the masked thieves flee the scene, a pedestrian is fatally shot. Police are unable to find or identify the culprits & the case is soon sliding toward the unsolved stack.
 
What’s the connection? Well, you’ll have to sit yourself down & ride shotgun with Veum to find out how this one thread is elegantly woven into the main story.  It’s not easy tracking down those who were part of Mette’s world. Some have moved on, same have died, some have secrets they’ll do anything to protect. But Veum is a persistent guy & his relentless questions soon unveil more mysteries than he bargained for.
 
Staalesen excels at telling stories that are intricate & plausible. There are no bolts from the blue or hastily constructed endings. Every piece of the puzzle is uncovered through persistent digging & there’s almost an audible click as each slides into place on the way to a satisfying end. Violence is kept to a minimum as he chooses to employ Veum’s brains rather than brawn to find answers.
 
It’s a refreshing take on the P.I. genre & more believable given he’s now a man of “a certain age”. He’s not exactly the poster child for healthy living & doesn’t bounce back quite as easily. Instead, he relies on quick thinking & a well placed verbal jab when trouble comes knocking. Veum is a complex, fully developed character who may seem to fit the hardboiled stereotype at first glance. But as you spend time with him, it’s his introspection & compassion that will stay with you. He’s not a bad person, just a lost soul doing the best he can.
 
It’s a gritty & poignant story that flows at a steady pace until the jaw-droppers begin at the 3/4 mark. You’ll find yourself thinking about the nature of secrets, how they never really go away but just hibernate. And the longer they are hidden, the more powerful they become. It’s also a cautionary example of how easily we judge based on someone’s appearance or reputation.
 
If you get to a place where you’re putting out book #18, you’re doing something right. Probably several things, as is the case with this author. His Bergen based PI has become a benchmark in the genre who fans have been following for 40 years & this is a clever, absorbing addition to the series.
 
And hey, if you’re ever in Bergen, stop by & have your picture taken with Veum’s statue outside the Strand hotel near the fish market. He’s a looker.

[. . . _ _ _ . . . · Rating 4 out of 5]

Το πήγαινα για 2, έβαλα 4
*gif Βικυς Καγια*

[Raven · Rating 5 out of 5]

Averse as I am to gushing, with some authors it’s difficult to remain completely objective when you have genuinely loved every single book that they have ever produced. Such is my problem- but a nice problem- with the venerable Mr Staalesen, and Where Roses Never Die, which merely compounds my adoration of this series to date.

As there is a deliciously dark twist in this book, I will not tarry long on the plot, but needless to say Staalesen once again employs his tactic of making the reader believe that what they are witnessing is a fairly simple investigation, in this case possible child abduction/murder and a jewellery store robbery. But nothing so straightforward my friends. Staalesen has a wonderful way of calmly exposing a very nasty underbelly to Veum’s investigation that will both unsettle and disturb you, all through a measured unfolding of Veum’s probing discoveries, and the exposure of his protagonist’s true nature and motivations. As you think that the investigation is going steadily in one direction, a follow up interview or a loose casual remark uncovers another dark thread for Veum to follow, and the innocent are not always as innocent as we believe. Staalesen’s plotting is consistently faultless and this book proves no exception. Question everything you think you know, and don’t be fooled, there are some rum characters in this one.

Staalesen is incredibly good at exposing the kinks in the psychological make-up and behaviour throughout his characterisation, from his dogged and haunted PI Veum , through the layers of deceit and misdirection that the surrounding cast of characters exhibit as he searches for truth and resolution. Veum is such a non-linear, unpredictable character and cleverly, the familiarity we think we have with him as readers is effectively warped in each book, as Staalesen seems to re-assess and redraw him slightly in each investigation, exposing different facets of the man both personally and professionally. The natural cynical humour, and determination to unsettle and irritate some of those he encounters remains a constant though, and I love the way that Staalesen extends this feature of Veum’s character to poke affectionate fun at the locale of Bergen and its inhabitants too. On a more serious note though, it is good to see Veum starting to recover from a significant loss in his life, and making a few tentative steps back to the realm of personal relationships, leaving the door open a gap for this emotional recovery to continue in the next book.

Once again, Staalesen has produced another impeccable slice of Nordic noir, that places him at the forefront of the Scandinavian crime writing community. With immaculate and controlled plotting, which throws up a number of dark surprises along the way to nicely unsettle the reader, and the engaging figure of Varg Veum at its centre, Where Roses Never Die is a more than satisfying addition to this excellent series. Highly recommended.

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

PI Varg Veum solves a 25 year old case of a missing girl. Much was concealed over the years to allow this to happen with a bit of wife swapping and young children observing the results and getting ideas of their own. This was a very difficult mystery to solve and thus more rewarding as the solution was probed and brought to light.
Varg earns his own well deserved sense of satisfaction at the end with a resolution to remain sober despite his own losses. Aquavit remains untouched.
I have the 19th book on hold and look forward to it.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Where Roses Never Die is a crime thriller that had me hooked from the start.

Veum is an alcoholic that is struggling to function. When the mother of a girl who went missing years before comes in it gives Veum a purpose in life.

I really liked Veum, he is battling his own demons but he is someone that you want to cheer on and see him do well for himself. There are quite a few books out already featuring the character which I’m not quite hundred per cent if this is part of a series or a stand alone as I haven’t read any of the others but for me it certainly read easily as a stand alone.

As a parent, the thought of a young girl going missing from her own back garden was just awful. The not knowing of what has happened must be absolute torture and to be honest I didn’t know if knowing would be any better as I had lots of different ideas in my head as to what fate the girl had met and none of them were nice ones.

The story has plenty of twists and turns and I thoroughly enjoyed seeing how certain parts of the story all started falling into place. It’s almost like doing a jigsaw where your a bit bewildered as to what’s in front of you but the further to the finish you get, all the pieces start to finally fit.

Where Roses Never Die is a brilliant crime thriller which I absolutely loved. It reminded me slightly of an Agatha Christie novel, not with the main character but with the brilliance of how the whole plot had been written and how it had me totally clueless as to how everything fits together and to who is behind the disappearance of the young girl. Can’t recommend highly enough and this is one author whose books I will certainly be checking out and reading more of.

Many thanks to Karen at Orenda Books for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[ReadsSometimes · Rating 4 out of 5]

September 1977. Mette Misvaer, a three-year-old girl disappears without a trace from the sandpit outside her home. Her tiny, close middle-class community in the tranquil suburb of Nordas is devastated, but their enquiries and the police produce nothing. Curtains twitch, suspicions are raised, but Mette is never found. Almost 25 years later, as the expiry date for the statute of limitations draws near, Mette's mother approaches PI Varg Veum, in a last, desperate attempt to find out what happened to her daughter. As Veum starts to dig, he uncovers an intricate web of secrets, lies and shocking events that have been methodically concealed. When another brutal incident takes place, a pattern begins to emerge ...

I relish a new Gunnar Staalesen book & Varg Veum. It's like that comforting feeling you get.

This is a brilliant and classic crime novel. As usual, an outstanding plot which flows all the way through. Very suspenseful and full of intrigue rolls you through this captivating story.

Brilliant characters and dialogue, and a fantastic translation from Don Bartlett - a job that must be very hard to do!!

Very impressed and highly recommended.

Thanks to, Karen at Orenda Books for the review copy.

[Paula · Rating 5 out of 5]

9/10
A pleasant surprise,new series for me

[Bookish Bluestocking · Rating 3 out of 5]

3,5 αστεράκια για το συγκεκριμένο βιβλίο που μου γνώρισε τόσο τον συγγραφέα όσο και τον πρωταγωνιστή του. Μου άρεσε η ιστορία, είχε ρυθμό, αγωνία, ενδιαφέρον και ξετυλιγόταν σιγά σιγά σαν σκοτεινό δωμάτιο με πολλές πόρτες που σιγά σιγά ανοίγουν και χύνεται άπλετο φως στο κύριο γεγονός που είναι η εξαφάνιση ενός μικρού κοριτσιού πριν από 25 χρόνια. Η ιστορία έχει καλό τέλος μέσα στην τραγικότητά της αλλά δεν ξέρω πώς πρέπει να αισθανθώ κλείνοντας το βιβλίο!
Το βιβλίο μου άρεσε πολύ αλλά χάνει πόντους από τα χαρακτηριστικά που δίνει στον πρωταγωνιστή Βαργ Βέουμ, και κυρίως τον αλκοολισμό του και την ασχολία με το αλκοόλ κάθε στιγμή της ημέρας, ενώ ο αναγνώστης αισθάνεται ανακούφιση όταν ο ήρωας αποφασίζει να μην πιει για να ανταπεξέλθει στα καθήκοντά του. Αυτή η τάση πολλών σκανδιναβών (τρανό παράδειγμα ο Harry Hole) να κάνουν τους ήρωες μπέκρουλες και να αποδίδουν μόνο όταν έχουν πιεί, είναι δύσκολη και ακατανόητη για τους πιο μεσογειακούς λαούς που είμαστε εξωστρεφείς και κοινωνικοί με τρόπο διάφορο από αυτόν των βορείων.
Δεν ξέρω αν θα ξαναπιάσω βιβλίο του συγγραφέα, ίσως μετά από καιρό και αν μου μείνουν στον αφρό τα θετικά και κατακάτσουν τα αρνητικά.

[Abby • Crime by the Book · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm somewhere between 3 - 3.5 stars on this one! I'm still processing my thoughts on it.... back soon with a little review :)

[Rachel (not currently receiving notifications) Hall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gunnar Staalesen, the godfather of Nordic Noir, is on exemplary form with his eighteenth novel in the Varg Veum series and our protagonist is as dogged as ever and his social conscience just as much in evidence. The death of his long time partner Karin three years ago is still very much an open wound for Veum, and his descent into a state of alcohol fuelled morass is threatening to overwhelm him. Living from one bottle of aquavit to the next, "on the longest and darkest marathon of my life", it is the case which Maja Misvær approaches him with that offers him a lifeline and forces him to clean up his act. After all, who better to empathise with a mother losing a child than a man who has been through the trials that Veum has faced, the most painfully felt being the demise of his partner?

When Maja Misvær comes to his office in Bergen, Varg Veum is encouraged to take the case purely out of financial necessity after a fallow period of work and his growing dependency on alcohol has rapidly drained his coffers, yet his hopes of resolving her problem are not high. He remembers the original media attention on the disappearance of three-year-old Mette Misvær in September 1977, from the middle-class and peaceful suburb of Nordas as she played in a sandpit outside the window of her home. The case came as a shock to the other families that lived in the community and has drawn a shadow over the Solstolen Co-op project of living ever since. That a child could have disappeared from the fenced area that surrounded the five homes where the residents all knew one another would seem unthinkable. As the twenty-five-year statute of limitations is looming Veum agrees to undertake a final review of what became known as "The Mette Case" and remains unresolved.

Varg Veum's approach to his work is rather understated and may appear simplistic; those he comes across are keen to mock what a simple private investigator can add to this now cold case after the police have drawn a blank A common mistake is to underestimate him, but Veum is not only an expert at reading people but also in hitting the raw nerves that bring the most salacious details to light. Veum's background in social welfare and his dealings with locating missing children enable him to empathise with those who seek his services and his failure to be shocked by the dark underbelly of society is paramount to his skill. As long held secrets are exposed and proceedings take a distinctly darker turn his resolve and often his provocation in handling the most aggressive characters threatens to finally answer the question of just what happened to little Mette Misvær.

Undoubtedly Where Roses Never Die is the most eloquent treatment on the topic of grief in crime fiction since Jan Costin Wagner's Detective Kimmo Joentaa, and Veum's battle with the bottle draws some insightful analogies from our protagonist. In addition, this is an affectionate portrait of Bergen, the home town of Staalesen where Varg Veum is rightly held in the high regard that he deserves, and provides a spectacular backdrop to his travails.

As ever, the translation by Don Bartlett is outstanding and Bartlett's innate 'feel' for Veum shines through for a character he has now translated on four occasion. Readers who would not normally consider translations are urged to do so as the use of slang and colloquial expressions is second to none.

Quite simply, Where Roses Never Die is an exquisite work of crime fiction and Staalesen's eye for characters is as finely honed as his readers have come to expect. Beautifully paced and making some wider statements on the repercussions of behaviour on impressionable youths and morality, this is the literary equivalent of manna from heaven! Staalesen's prose is consistently on point; one moment stricken by grief and the next catching readers off guard with his rapier sharp wit reminiscent of Ian Rankin. Staalesen leaves his readers hanging off his every word, aching to discover the truth as he finally brings a sense of closure for Maja Misvær and simultaneously solves another crime en route. Hopefully, there could will be one last chance at romance for Varg Veum, and certainly plenty more outings in his private investigative capacity! Exceptional stuff!

[Cathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Where Roses Never Die is the eighteenth in the author’s crime series featuring private investigator, Varg Veum. It precedes the only other book in the series I’ve read, Wolves in the Dark. (Not all the books in the series have been translated into English.) But don’t worry if you haven’t read all, or even any, of the previous books in the series because Where Roses Never Die works perfectly well as a standalone.

The book finds Varg in a state that will be familiar to those who’ve read earlier books in the series. He’s recovering from a tragic event in his personal life and the three years since then have disappeared in a haze of booze. He feels he’s ‘wandering restlessly through life’s back streets’. His bank account is all but empty, the new cases have dried up and it’s a struggle to keep off the bottle. Recalling when he was at his worst, he observes, ‘I was the emperor of the empties, and I had hundreds of vassals, empty, silent and glassy-eyed’.

He needs something to rescue him from his ‘daily demons’ and what has become ‘the longest and darkest marathon’ of his life. The unsolved case of Mette Misvær, a three-year-old girl who disappeared without trace nearly 25 years ago, may be just that. It might even give him the willpower, and an excuse, to remain sober.

Varg sets about investigating the case with his customary dogged determination, even going so far as to pick the brains of an old adversary, the now retired Inspector Dankert Muus who handled the case originally. He interviews the residents and former residents of Solstølen Co-Op, a community of five houses. Some of them are extremely reluctant to talk to him. What is it they have to hide? Varg discovers a complex web of connections but one which for a long time seems just to confuse the situation not make it clearer.  It’s a seemingly random, unconnected event that brings about a breakthrough but not before Varg has found himself in a series of sticky situations and uncovered some pretty dark stuff.

Is Mette still alive? If so, who was responsible for her disappearance and how has she remained undiscovered all these years? You’ll have to read the book to discover the answers to those questions and I’ll be very surprised if you find them before Varg.

Varg Veum is a wonderful character. He’s quick-witted and not easily dissuaded from a course of action. Yes, he’s flawed, a little world-weary and often consumed by dark thoughts but he always remains likeable because of his strong sense of justice, wry sense of humour and the fact he doesn’t suffer fools gladly. I was pleased that the end of the book holds out the possibility of a little light coming into Varg’s life once again.

Where Roses Never Die is a skilfully-crafted, compelling crime mystery with plenty of twists and turns.

[Paul · Rating 5 out of 5]

Where Roses Never Die – Another Nordic Masterpiece

Gunnar Staalesen’s storytelling never fails to grip the reader and with his Private Investigator Varg Veum we have the ultimate defective detective. Staalesen’s stories and setting never fail to impress and his descriptive prose is crisp and clear like the air over the Fjords.

The story is set in 2002 when he is asked to investigate a case that is nearly 25 years old and not far from reaching Norway’s statute of limitations for any charges to be brought forward if the case is ever solved. In September 1977, Mette Misvaer a three-year-old girl goes missing from the sandpit outside the front door of her house. In spite of a massive police investigation and all the resources being thrown at the case Mette is never found.

Varg Veum has never got over the killing of his lover and is living in an alcoholic haze the aquavit being his poison of choice, but as a seasoned drinker he is still functioning, just. When he is asked by Mette’s mother to help find out the truth behind what happened nearly 25 years ago.

Varg is many things, and dogged is one of them, especially when he approaches the police and the former investigators he knows the last thing he will get is any love. At the same time, he looks in to a jewellery robbery in town where one of the witnesses was murdered in cold blood. Once again the case is heading for the cold case pile.

As Varg investigates, and fights his demons, he knows he will have to scrape off the veneer of respectability in one last attempt to find the truth. What he finds is an intricate web of lies and destruction leading to some shocking events that have been concealed over the years. Things start to fall in to place for Varg when a brutal incident happens and he is able to see things far more clearly.

Gunnar Staalesen has once again written a classic Nordic crime thriller, with Varg Veum he has a brilliant defective detective, who is a seasoned drinker that somehow always solves the case, even if there is some pain involved. Staalesen does not waste words but creates a sharp thriller, that if it were a dog it would bite. This is one of the most captivating thrillers of the year and written in the best Nordic traditions.

Once again Gunnar Staalesen Don Bartlett have delivered a stunning thriller in to the English language and it is easy to see why Staalesen is a world class writer.

[Dimitris Passas (TapTheLine) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Μια ακόμα ποιοτική ιστορία μυστηρίου της σειράς Varg Veum, με την λιτή και ξεκάθαρη πρόζα, η οποία αποτελεί σήμα κατατεθέν του G. Staalesen, να καθιστά την ανάγνωση του βιβλίου ταχύτατη και απολαυστική. Οι αραιές πινελιές χιούμορ σε μια κατά τα άλλα ιδιαίτερα σκοτεινή ιστορία προσφέρουν το απαραίτητο διάλειμμα για να ''ανασάνει'' ο αναγνώστης και να μην μπορεί να σταματήσει μέχρι να αποκαλυφθεί η αλήθεια και να λυθεί το μυστήριο. Ο G. Staalesen μπορεί επάξια να θεωρείται ως ένας από τους κορυφαίους Σκανδιναβούς crime συγγραφείς.
Το βιβλίο παρότι είναι το 18ο (!) της σειράς μπορεί άνετα να διαβαστεί ως standalone βιβλίο.

[Sharah McConville · Rating 5 out of 5]

I won 'Where Roses Never Die' by Gunnar Staalesen through Goodreads Giveaways. This is #18 in the Varg Veum series translated by Don Bartlett. It's the first book I've read in this Nordic Crime series about private investigator Veum and it was a great story.

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nearly twenty-five years ago toddler Mette Misvaer disappeared from the sandpit in which she'd been happily playing. Although the police have never officially closed the case, it's safe to say it's no longer active; besides, almost all of the cops who were involved in the case have since retired, so there's no one left with a personal interest in it. Accordingly, with the crime's statute of limitations about to expire, Mette's mother comes to PI Varg Veum and asks him to investigate the disappearance in the desperate hope that she might at last find out what happened to her daughter.

Varg digs out out some pretty embarrassing stuff about the adults -- including Mette's parents -- who shared the small housing co-op from which the infant vanished. He also discovers there's a very tangential link between the old mystery and a new one, an armed robbery in which one of the robbers shot and killed a passer-by who just happened to have been, back then, another of the co-op parents. Varg eventually manages to solve not just the cold case but also, almost by accident, the more recent robbery/murder . . . and yet another case, the crime (or series of crimes) that lay behind the robbery/murder.

In one of this edition's cover quotes, Jo Nesbo calls Staalesen "a Norwegian Chandler," and for once the description's deserved. The novel follows the Chandler template whereby a number of crimes prove to be interrelated, and I'd say that in bringing this about Staalesen actually interweaves his plot strands with greater skill than Chandler generally did: everything falls into place perfectly, and we're not left wondering at the end who the hell it was murdered the chauffeur. Again, there are Chandleresque tropes such as the interviewing of oodles of people connected with the crime, each interview extracting not just some piece of information whose importance we later discover but also a vivid character portrayal of the interviewee. And there are some nicely Chandleresque turns of phrase:

The coffee looked black and bitter, like a poisoned chalice from the beyond served by a brimstone preacher on the first Sunday of a fast. [p89]

Don Bartlett's translation is fundamentally excellent but could certainly have done with a rather more rigorous copyedit. I'm not talking about just the odd grammatical woopsie/typo but about occasional careless minor translation errors: a "his" where a "her" is meant, for example, and in one instance "a children's home" for what must certainly have been intended as "his childhood home" -- stuff like that.

I've watched all twelve of the Varg Veum movies/TV movies, and enjoyed them greatly (the first series of six most especially), but astonishingly never quite managed to read any of the novels until now: trust me to start a series at #18. Varg is here approaching 60, whereas the Varg I "knew" from the movies was perhaps half that age. That caused less of a dislocation than you might think: although circumstances and the waist measurement have changed, he's still recognizably the same guy, with the same failings and the same sterling qualities. I'm sure I'll be back for more of his adventures.

[Joanne Robertson · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you had asked me this time last year if I was a fan of Scandinavian crime fiction or Nordic noir then I would have responded with a "hell no!" even though I really liked tv shows such as The Killing and Wallender. But 2016 has opened my eyes to great examples of this genre that I would have kicked myself for missing out on otherwise, one of them being Where Roses Never Die. I am rather late to the party for this one though as 2017 will mark 40 years since this series began! Thankfully I don't have too long to wait for the next instalment which is due to be published by Orenda Books next year.

Those expecting a fast paced and thrilling rollercoaster read will be sorely disappointed though. This book unravels its secrets steadily and carefully-it's like unwrapping a beautiful box of chocolates where each one is individually packaged and you have no idea what it is until it slowly melts in your mouth. The plot involving the disappearance of a 3 year old little girl is handled calmly and delicately by the private investigator Varg Veum as he methodically works through a cold case that is about to reach its statute of limitations after 25 years. The co-op habitat that Mette disappeared from, and where her mother still lives, seems to hold the key and Varg is prepared to delve deeper than the previous police investigation to find out what happened back in 1977. I took a little while to work out who was who in the co-op but once I did I was absolutely enthralled by their lives both in the past and present and watched intently as all the threads started to knit together.

I loved Varg and found myself not only cheering him on in his investigation but also in his private life. Although I have joined the series very late I didn't feel that I was missing out on too much backwards story as all I needed to know was there and I picked up clues to the past quickly and easily. I am now desperate to discover more about this man and his life and will eagerly await the next book in this series. The combination of the wonderfully translated prose and the darkly atmospheric setting were a perfect fit for this richly plotted novel and I absolutely loved it.

[Ken Fredette · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gunnar Staalesen did an outstanding job in his latest translated book in English called Where Roses Never Die. Varg Veum seem to go after all the right people to get answers. He solved a jewel robbery when the police didn't have any clues while working on a 25 year old kidnapping. Things seem to go his way even when he was confronted by thugs as he was on the phone with a policeman. Never ending mishaps. Its a good book to curl up with and I highly recommend it.

Having had 2 strokes, nothing stays present. Varg Veum got all the skinny on the Christmas Wife Swap even before he figured out what was going on with the 25 year old kidnapping. What led him to the final showdown was talking with the kids at the time of the incident. I couldn't remember who did what so it was a good second read.

[Meggy Chocolate'n'Waffles · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sometimes, all you need is a good one whodunit in the form of a cold case and an investigation done the good old way.

The title attracted me first. Where Roses Never Die; poetic, tragic, and beautiful. Then the cover made me quiver with its cold colors. The mix definitely catches the eye and intrigues.

That's what the book is about: an intrigue. Poor Mette disappeared from a sandpit decades ago and as the case is about to get closed for good, her mother needs answers. PI are usually interesting to follow, and Varg Veum is definitely one of my favorites now. Yes, he has issues. Yes, he has a heavy background, but his way of thinking and his reactions make him so authentic. He is no super-hero or anti-hero, he is a scarred man with a long past and bills to pay. From the start, I felt comfortable with him. My only complaint is that Where Roses Never Die is the 18th book in a series so there are holes in Veum's story that get mentioned in the story with no explanation, which is very frustrating when you like a character and enjoy having all the answers! This did not prevent me from falling for the guy and root for him, though! I only wished all books had been translated to meet Veum at the beginning of his journey and go all the way through, but it seems only a few stories are available in English.

I liked that the police were involved, but only at the outskirts of the investigation. They weren't just missing, this added to the frightening realism of the story. PI often are retired cops and their links in the force is always useful to solve cases. Between the police's help, sometimes granted, sometimes forced, and the good old work of questioning, Veum digs up more than he expected and what seemed to be a simple missing-child case turns into a Desperate Housewives-like tower of secrets and a dangerous game of guessing. The “neighborood” of the disappearance of the child gave me such a strong claustrophobic feeling I promised myself to never let anyone make me settle in such a place! Thankfully, we also get to travel and see more of the country. I must say I am beginning to really like the cold!

“Nothing is more fatal to a marriage than something both partners know, but neither will talk about.”

With its seemingly easy investigation, Where Roses Never Die surprised me with an easy-flowing writing and more twists that I was hoping for! Layers are added faster than lies leave lips and the list of suspects gives you enough to work with to keep you wondering until the shocking end. And I mean it, shocking end. Where Roses Never Die is a Classic Crime story with a big C: a story that plays with your mind in the best way possible! I know I often make classic rhyme with boring but this time I mean it as a compliment: every key element of the true crime book is here, ready to satisfy even the most seasoned crime readers!

I would like to thank Karen Sullivan for providing me with a copy of this book. This review is my unbiased thank you to her and the author.

[Heidi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I profess I love Nordic thrillers, so was very excited to “accidentally” discover this series when scrolling through monthly deals on Amazon – and what could be more intriguing than an old cold case nobody has ever been able to solve? Even though I entered the series at #18 I had no problem at all connecting with the characters or following the story. Initially, PI Varg Veum appeared like your stereotypical flawed detective – a loner who drinks too much and struggles with his demons. I found out later that this was due to the death of his long time partner earlier in the series for whom Varg is still grieving. However, Varg has neither lost his taste for solving crime, nor his talent at following obscure clues to get his answers. When he is being approached by Maja Misvær to look into the disappearance of her three year old daughter Mette over twenty years ago he goes right back to scratch, looking at all the people who lived in the small housing commune in Nordas where Mette grew up. With a background in social welfare, Veum has a nose not only for liars but also for bringing things to light that have remained hidden in the original police investigation.

I love mysteries that reveal small seemingly insignificant clues as the detective unearths them, letting readers draw their own conclusions. This Hansel-and-Gretel like trail of evidence eventually gets results, revealing dark secrets that have been hidden by members of the commune for a quarter of a decade. Staalesen has a talent for portraying all of his characters with such depth and insight that I was totally enthralled by the events that unfolded, and could picture them clearly in my mind.

How could I have not come across any of Staalesen’s work before? Containing all the elements I love in Nordic crime fiction – the atmospheric setting, the dark, gloomy undertones of hidden secrets and menace – this made for a fantastic read. Where Roses Never Die is a perfect example of why I am such a huge fan of the genre. With just good detective work, the book may lack the popular features employed by many contemporary crime writers (the unexpected twist, the unreliable narrator, etc), but it makes up for it in atmosphere, excellent character development and a multi-layered plot. Very highly recommended to all lovers of Nordic crime – I will definitely look up other works by the same author, and with 17 previous novels and number 19 published late last year, it will keep me entertained for a long time to come yet.

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[Mario · Rating 4 out of 5]

For the most part I found this a very easy and enjoyable read.

The story is based entirely on the investigation of the protagonist, Varg Veum, who is tasked with reviewing the mysterious disappearance of a three year old girl, some twenty years previous, by her long suffering mother. He interviews a wide range of characters and it’s their accounts, which are told in story format, that gradually reveal what happened.

I found it quite moving at times and the characters very well drawn. On the downside there were a couple of overly dramatic scenes which didn’t fit in with the style of the book and felt a little unnecessary to me.

[Linda Branham · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story. The story picks up a couple of years after the last novel. Varg Veum is recovering - and drinking too much. When a mother comes into his PI office to have him find out what happened to her daughter who went missing 25 years earlier. The time limit is almost up and she wants one last chance to find out what happened.
As Varg begins his investigation, coincidences seem to pop up. And Varg begins to ask questions that some people don;t want to answer. The mother is heartbroken and has never recovered. All of the people in the small community (5 houses) have had unhappy events occur after the disappearrance

[Claire · Rating 5 out of 5]

Actual rating 4.5*

Where Roses Never Die is the 16th Varg Veum novel but this is the first I’ve read – in fact it’s the first proper Scandi-crime novel I’ve read! I know some people who are currently giving me a virtual slap for that comment! But you'll be pleased to know I'm sold! I've got a few Scandi-crime books sat patiently waiting on my kindle so I'll try not to put off reading them for too long.

I loved seeing the Norwegian letters ø and å scattered through the novel. Admittedly I have no idea how the place names are pronounced that they feature in.

I don't know if it's a Norwegian saying or something the author has created but the phrase "My mouth was as dry as a school sponge at the end of the school holidays" really stood out to me. It gives a great image as to the thirst of Veum both for fluid and for something stronger.

At points I felt the book was reminiscent of Six Four by Hideo Yokoyama; this could possibly down to the similar story of a historic child disappearance, or that's because it's translated it's in a more "proper" version of English than I normally read.

The author definitely keeps you guessing; what does an armed robbery linked with the old case of the disappearance of a young girl?? Veum is drawn into both investigations unable to separate off the armed robbery from his mission of uncovering the truth about the disappearance.

A huge thank you to Karen Sullivan at Orenda Books for sending me a copy of Where Roses Never Die. I well and truly popped my Scandi-crime cherry with this fabulous book!

[Alisi ☆ wants to read too many books ☆ · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm not sure how I feel about this. When I started this, I thought this was a stand alone book but it's apparently #18 in the series. There were some things I didn't like and had hopes this would be a promising start but now there's a part of me that wonders if these are in the 18th installment, what must the other books be like? XD

[Alex · Rating 2 out of 5]

I think I would have enjoyed this more if I didn't listen to it on audible. As a translated novel, the names of the characters are unusual and plentiful, so it is hard to keep track of all the characters. The narrator mumbles a bit as well. As for the story, it is as slow-paced as the 25-year-old mystery they are trying to solve.

[Kerrie · Rating 5 out of 5]

From the start of this story I could not get away from the feeling that I have read other novels where other authors have deal with this scenario: little girl goes missing from outside the house where she is playing while mother is keeping half an eye on her.

The cold case that Varg Veum tackles revealed little about the child's disappearance during the original investigation, apart from the fact that the investigators felt there was something about the community that they weren't quite getting. The residents knew more than they were prepared to say and there was something "funny" about the cooperative community housing project. Now 25 years on, Veum finds that most of the couples are divorced and in the main they are more willing to talk. There are things they want to unburden.

Coincidentally one of the former residents was recently an innocent passerby during a jewellery robbery in town. He was shot dead by one of the robbers during an altercation on the footpath outside the store. This coincidence ensures police cooperation with Varg Veum.

This turns out to be only the first in a number of coincidences in the plot and a very different picture emerges of what happened to Mette. Varg Veum is middle-aged, a former policeman, a persistent and intuitive investigator who is not afraid to ask questions and to call in favours. He has a troubled past and an alcohol problem, but appears to be getting the better of it.

Gunnar Staaleson has been a prolific Norwegian crime writer since 1993, with mostly only novels written in the last decade available in English. It appears that there are 18 in the series in Norwegian, 7 translated into English. This is the first one that I've read but it certainly won't be the last. Four are currently available on Kindle.

[Άννα Τσιαπούρη · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Από τα ωραιότερα αστυνομικά που έχω διαβάσει! Γραφή οργανωμένη, ήρεμη, ανάλαφρη, χιουμοριστική και απολαυστική από κάθε άποψη. Νοικοκυρεμένη και old school έρευνα βασισμένη σε μαρτυρίες των εμπλεκόμενων μερών. Χωρίς να τρελαίνεσαι με χίλια ονόματα, η γραμμική αφήγηση περιγράφει την κοινωνία της Νορβηγίας από τη δεκαετία του εβδομήντα μέχρι την αλλαγή της χιλιετίας.

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[Dlmrose · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5

[Stacy ohmyskulls · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was middle of the road for me. There were parts of it I really enjoyed, but there were also parts where I found myself struggling to pay attention. I listened to this on Audible, and during one part a lot of characters are introduced in a very short period of time, and I very quickly lost track of who everyone was and how they related to each other. Perhaps if I had been reading it, it might have been easier? Story-wise the book is solid, though the protagonist isn't nearly as well-developed as Harry Hole or Harry Dresden.

[Renita D'Silva · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful