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Hannes Niehaus - Baltic Sea Crime #1
Time Heals No Wounds
Freshly trained detective Johannes “Hannes” Niehaus is brand-new to the Criminal Investigation Department. And his partner, unconventional veteran detective Fritz Janssen, isn’t the least bit thrilled to train a rookie.
When a woman’s body washes up on the nearby shores of the Baltic Sea, Hannes gets his first taste of real crime—and a chance to prove himself. Quickly the investigation pulls him and Fritz into a whirlpool of dangerous, decades-old cover-ups. As the death count rises, the clues begin to lead them back to the Third Reich—and to harrowing crimes some people will do anything to keep hidden.
With the dead woman’s beautiful assistant to protect and a missing girl to find, Hannes navigates an ever-twisting maze of concealed horrors and enduring vendettas. Will he be able to catch the murderer before another innocent life gets caught in the killer’s dark plan?
352 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 19, 2013
1232 people are currently reading
2151 people want to read
About the author
Hendrik Falkenberg
13 books35 followersGerman author Hendrik Falkenberg studied sports management and works in sports broadcasting. The magical allure that the sea holds for him comes alive in his stories, which are set on the north German coast. His first book, Die Zeit heilt keine Wunden (Time Heals No Wounds), was a #1 Kindle bestseller in Germany and has been translated for the first time into English.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 318 reviews
June 15, 2016
Once a high level sportsman, Johannes 'Hannes' Niehaus is now a rookie cop, partnered with the older Fritz Janssen who is not happy at having to train up a rookie. However, before long, the two begin to warm to each other and find themselves on the coast of the Baltic Sea, with the body of a dead woman. This is a story of revenge which is rooted in the Nazi times and the horrors that took place there. The past and the present interweave together to bring us a gripping and compelling read. There is at times an awkwardness in the writing, which I presume is a result of the translation. However, its great to see the beginning of a promising new series. I look forward to the next one. Many thanks to AmazonCrossing for an ARC.
October 29, 2018
An der Ostseeküste wird die Leiche einer Frau aufgefunden. Starb sie durch einen Unfall oder war es Mord? Dem zuständigen Kriminalhauptkommissar Fritz Janssen wird der Sportpolizist Johannes Niehaus zugeteilt. Gemeinsam sollen die beiden ermitteln. Janssen ist sehr eigenwillig und nicht unbedingt erfreut über die Verstärkung. Trotzdem raufen die beiden sich zusammen und kommen der Lösung des Falles immer näher. Dabei führt eine Spur bis zurück ins Dritte Reich...
Mein Leseeindruck:
Dieses Buch hat mich tatsächlich sehr positiv überrascht. Ich kannte den Autor vorher nicht, aber ich lese sehr gerne Regionalkrimis. Daher habe ich mir diesen ersten Band der Krimi-Reihe gekauft und es nicht bereut.
Die Geschichte hat mich sofort packen und mitreißen können. Von der ersten bis zur letzten Seite war Spannung vorhanden, die Charaktere waren glaubwürdig, und vorhersehbar war die Geschichte für mich nicht.
Somit hatte ich sehr interessante und spannende Lesestunden mit diesem Buch und werde die Reihe nun auf jeden Fall weiterverfolgen!
Mein Leseeindruck:
Dieses Buch hat mich tatsächlich sehr positiv überrascht. Ich kannte den Autor vorher nicht, aber ich lese sehr gerne Regionalkrimis. Daher habe ich mir diesen ersten Band der Krimi-Reihe gekauft und es nicht bereut.
Die Geschichte hat mich sofort packen und mitreißen können. Von der ersten bis zur letzten Seite war Spannung vorhanden, die Charaktere waren glaubwürdig, und vorhersehbar war die Geschichte für mich nicht.
Somit hatte ich sehr interessante und spannende Lesestunden mit diesem Buch und werde die Reihe nun auf jeden Fall weiterverfolgen!
July 1, 2016
Over the past few years, I have been having a fantastic time traveling through Northern Europe by means of translated novels. This is my first venture into Germany, for a good old fashioned crime novel.
I was immediately intrigued by the synopsis. I love a dark crime story, especially one that goes back through time. Of course, you have the prerequisite rookie detective and veteran curmudgeon detective; this usually brings a great level of tension and/or comic relief.
The plot was excellent and the cast of characters exceptionally well developed. Throughout the story there was something that just wasn’t clicking with me. I had a difficult time putting my finger on it. In the end, I think it was the translation. The vocabulary seemed to be a little base, not as varied and colorful as I am accustomed to finding in the books that I read. It’s funny how the vocabulary can put a damper on the enjoyment and involvement in a story.
The saving grace of Time Heals No Wounds is the brilliant plot twist of Hendrik Falkenberg. I. Did. Not. See. That. Coming! An unforeseen surprise ending always helps to bring a story up a couple of notches.
So, in the end, my trip to the dark crime scene of Germany was a good one. Time Heals No Wounds is a great story with a jaw-dropping ending. Unfortunately, I think there was something lost in translation.
*4 Stars
*I received a copy of the book from the publisher (via NetGalley) in exchange for an honest review.
I was immediately intrigued by the synopsis. I love a dark crime story, especially one that goes back through time. Of course, you have the prerequisite rookie detective and veteran curmudgeon detective; this usually brings a great level of tension and/or comic relief.
The plot was excellent and the cast of characters exceptionally well developed. Throughout the story there was something that just wasn’t clicking with me. I had a difficult time putting my finger on it. In the end, I think it was the translation. The vocabulary seemed to be a little base, not as varied and colorful as I am accustomed to finding in the books that I read. It’s funny how the vocabulary can put a damper on the enjoyment and involvement in a story.
The saving grace of Time Heals No Wounds is the brilliant plot twist of Hendrik Falkenberg. I. Did. Not. See. That. Coming! An unforeseen surprise ending always helps to bring a story up a couple of notches.
So, in the end, my trip to the dark crime scene of Germany was a good one. Time Heals No Wounds is a great story with a jaw-dropping ending. Unfortunately, I think there was something lost in translation.
*4 Stars
*I received a copy of the book from the publisher (via NetGalley) in exchange for an honest review.
June 13, 2016
I want to thank the publisher, AmazonCrossing, for sending this ebook through NetGalley in return for an honest review. I enjoyed reading it, finishing it in 3 days. This is a story with connections to the past, going back to the Nazi government. A fresh detective, Johannes "Hannes" Niehaus is assigned to the Criminal Investigation Department. He is paired with Fritz Janssen, a gruff old timer who informs Hannes that he likes to work alone. They soon get to like each other and are sent to the scene of a woman found dead on the Baltic sea coast. During the investigation they realize that the death is suspicious.
Pros: The plot moved swiftly, becoming hard to put down half way through. This is the first of 3 books in the series and the first to be translated into English. AmazonCrossing specializes in translating books into English by authors popular in their home countries, but unknown in the US.
The characters were believable and the translation was very good.
Cons: There were no place names of towns/cities where the book took place.
If you are a fan of translated mysteries, you will enjoy this book.
Pros: The plot moved swiftly, becoming hard to put down half way through. This is the first of 3 books in the series and the first to be translated into English. AmazonCrossing specializes in translating books into English by authors popular in their home countries, but unknown in the US.
The characters were believable and the translation was very good.
Cons: There were no place names of towns/cities where the book took place.
If you are a fan of translated mysteries, you will enjoy this book.
September 6, 2016
Time Heals No Wounds is an interesting import that brings a German sensibility to European crime fiction.
Hannes Niehaus balances his lives as a competitive rower and a neophyte police detective in a small German seaside city. He’s assigned to work with Fritz Janssen, a grizzled vet with an eye on retirement. The duo delve into the mysterious death of a woman whose body washed up on an isolated beach. As the investigation builds, it draws in a mute artist who creates grotesque canvases; a German drug company trying to shed past scandals involving both a deadly medication and Nazi ties; an anti-Nazi activist; a kidnapped woman held in a dark room; a greedy real estate agent; and a shady art dealer. The action climaxes with a confrontation on a storm-wracked cliff overlooking the North Sea.
German author Hendrik Falkenberg does a decent job with his debut novel. If the plot sometimes feels like it might have one or two elements too many, Falkenberg mostly makes the pieces come together in a logical way. There’s a solid build to the investigation and Falkenberg essays some decent action sequences. He even finds ways to inject drama into scenes involving online research, not an inherently dynamic activity. The choice of a pharmaceutical company as a villainous element isn’t the most original choice, but ultimately makes sense in the context of Falkenberg’s plot. The climax is well done and the writer skillfully executes a crucial final act twist that packs a real punch.
Hannes and Fritz emerge as interesting, compelling leads. Falkenberg pretty quickly jettisons the hoarier aspects of the “grizzled vet/green newbie” set-up and develops a believable bond between the duo as they work their way through the investigation. If other characters don’t quite emerge as distinctively, the focus on Hannes and Fritz makes that not that much of an issue.
Readers used to the faster tempo of American procedurals might lose patience at points with the more deliberate pace of Time Heals No Wounds. But for those who have read a lot of European crime fiction, the slow build won’t be unusual. The frequent detours into Hannes’ personal life aren’t bad, but can be a momentum drag. The almost casual use of past rapes as a plot point might turn off some readers.
In spite of the dark nature of the material, Time Heals No Wounds somehow isn’t quite as heavy as other European mysteries can be. While Fritz telegraphs world weariness, Hannes is a more optimistic presence than one often sees in European crime novels. It’s a nice choice and works to involve the reader in this world a little more smoothly.
For fans reading this in English, the translation is serviceable, but not always graceful. The dialogue translation especially falls into the trap of over-fidelity to the original. It makes too much of an effort to preserve the syntax and idiom of the original German, which doesn’t make for a smooth transposition to English. The narrative sections fare better, but the stiffness of some of the dialogue can be terribly awkward at times. That’s not the author’s fault and can mostly be taken in stride, but a reader will notice it.
For fans of European crime fiction, Time Heals No Wounds is a promising series launch that’s worth checking out.
Hannes Niehaus balances his lives as a competitive rower and a neophyte police detective in a small German seaside city. He’s assigned to work with Fritz Janssen, a grizzled vet with an eye on retirement. The duo delve into the mysterious death of a woman whose body washed up on an isolated beach. As the investigation builds, it draws in a mute artist who creates grotesque canvases; a German drug company trying to shed past scandals involving both a deadly medication and Nazi ties; an anti-Nazi activist; a kidnapped woman held in a dark room; a greedy real estate agent; and a shady art dealer. The action climaxes with a confrontation on a storm-wracked cliff overlooking the North Sea.
German author Hendrik Falkenberg does a decent job with his debut novel. If the plot sometimes feels like it might have one or two elements too many, Falkenberg mostly makes the pieces come together in a logical way. There’s a solid build to the investigation and Falkenberg essays some decent action sequences. He even finds ways to inject drama into scenes involving online research, not an inherently dynamic activity. The choice of a pharmaceutical company as a villainous element isn’t the most original choice, but ultimately makes sense in the context of Falkenberg’s plot. The climax is well done and the writer skillfully executes a crucial final act twist that packs a real punch.
Hannes and Fritz emerge as interesting, compelling leads. Falkenberg pretty quickly jettisons the hoarier aspects of the “grizzled vet/green newbie” set-up and develops a believable bond between the duo as they work their way through the investigation. If other characters don’t quite emerge as distinctively, the focus on Hannes and Fritz makes that not that much of an issue.
Readers used to the faster tempo of American procedurals might lose patience at points with the more deliberate pace of Time Heals No Wounds. But for those who have read a lot of European crime fiction, the slow build won’t be unusual. The frequent detours into Hannes’ personal life aren’t bad, but can be a momentum drag. The almost casual use of past rapes as a plot point might turn off some readers.
In spite of the dark nature of the material, Time Heals No Wounds somehow isn’t quite as heavy as other European mysteries can be. While Fritz telegraphs world weariness, Hannes is a more optimistic presence than one often sees in European crime novels. It’s a nice choice and works to involve the reader in this world a little more smoothly.
For fans reading this in English, the translation is serviceable, but not always graceful. The dialogue translation especially falls into the trap of over-fidelity to the original. It makes too much of an effort to preserve the syntax and idiom of the original German, which doesn’t make for a smooth transposition to English. The narrative sections fare better, but the stiffness of some of the dialogue can be terribly awkward at times. That’s not the author’s fault and can mostly be taken in stride, but a reader will notice it.
For fans of European crime fiction, Time Heals No Wounds is a promising series launch that’s worth checking out.
July 24, 2016
I was a little leery of this book by Hendrik Falkenberg as a new author to read but the book was an excellent read. It starts out with a girl (Merle) being kidnaped for some unknown reason. Then a woman's body washes up an a beach and we are in for a really good story. Hendrik uses many characters to keep his story lively. Johannes is the main character new to police work. New to a retiring veteran of the police force and we are in for the ride of a lifetime. It was far superior to my expectations and you'll like it too.
September 14, 2018
Das Buch an sich ist unterhaltsam und die Spannung steigt zum Ende hin stetig. Aber nicht unbedingt so wie ich erwartet hatte.
"Wir formen die Welt nach unseren Vorstellungen und müssen am Ende feststellen, dass wir sie so wohl doch nicht gewollt haben."
Die Figuren sind - typisch Krimi - ziemlich eigen. Hannes ist schüchtern aber sympathisch und sein Chef Janssen sehr eigenwillig. Die anderen Charaktere sind auch authentisch aber auch ein wenig klischeebeladen, außerdem sind es wirklich viele.
Der Plot, rund um Mord, Täuschung und Verrat und Entführung ist komplex. Dazu ein Pharmakonzern mit Nazi-Vergangenheit und ein schweigender Maler. Und alles zusammen ist spannend verstrickt.
Aber es gibt so viele Nebenhandlungen. Die hätte man gut kürzen können, weil sie der Story oft nichts bringen. Dazu hätte man auch einige Details weglassen können, da wurden zu viele Nebensächlichkeiten eingebracht.
Dadurch wird die Geschichte fast langatmig, plätschert auf jeden Fall zum größten Teil sehr vor sich hin. Ich habe auch länger gebraucht um mit dem Stil warm zu werden.
Der Verlauf ist auf jeden absolut nicht vorhersehbar und das Ende total überraschend, was mir gefallen hat, auch wenn es ein wenig unnatürlich rüberkam.
Alles in allem 3,5 Sterne
"Wir formen die Welt nach unseren Vorstellungen und müssen am Ende feststellen, dass wir sie so wohl doch nicht gewollt haben."
Die Figuren sind - typisch Krimi - ziemlich eigen. Hannes ist schüchtern aber sympathisch und sein Chef Janssen sehr eigenwillig. Die anderen Charaktere sind auch authentisch aber auch ein wenig klischeebeladen, außerdem sind es wirklich viele.
Der Plot, rund um Mord, Täuschung und Verrat und Entführung ist komplex. Dazu ein Pharmakonzern mit Nazi-Vergangenheit und ein schweigender Maler. Und alles zusammen ist spannend verstrickt.
Aber es gibt so viele Nebenhandlungen. Die hätte man gut kürzen können, weil sie der Story oft nichts bringen. Dazu hätte man auch einige Details weglassen können, da wurden zu viele Nebensächlichkeiten eingebracht.
Dadurch wird die Geschichte fast langatmig, plätschert auf jeden Fall zum größten Teil sehr vor sich hin. Ich habe auch länger gebraucht um mit dem Stil warm zu werden.
Der Verlauf ist auf jeden absolut nicht vorhersehbar und das Ende total überraschend, was mir gefallen hat, auch wenn es ein wenig unnatürlich rüberkam.
Alles in allem 3,5 Sterne
April 30, 2025
Der Protagonist Johannes „Hannes“ Niehaus, ein unheimlich gutaussehender Sportpolizist, scannt jede Frau, ob Zeugin oder Kollegin, auf ihre Eignung als potentielle (Sexual-)Partnerin. Triefen die Dialoge nicht gerade mal wieder vor Sexismus, sind sie einfach nur doof. Habe selten so einen eindimensionalen Stuss gelesen.
December 15, 2016
Okay, technically not quite Scandi crime - although being set on the Baltic Sea seems close enough for government work.
Another kindle first winner. Elements of it reminded me of Mercy, and I figured out most of where it was going before it got there, but while I had a brief suspicion about the final culprit, I put it aside until right at the end, when the final twist was revealed. Nice one.
Another kindle first winner. Elements of it reminded me of Mercy, and I figured out most of where it was going before it got there, but while I had a brief suspicion about the final culprit, I put it aside until right at the end, when the final twist was revealed. Nice one.
May 3, 2016
This book was my Kindle First choice for May. A young, rookie cop gets paired with an old, veteran officer to solve a murder, so this book had all sorts of things that I enjoy...mystery, police work, problem solving, shady references to the Nazis, and even a dog at some later point. (No worries...nothing bad ever happens to the dog!)
It's probably a pretty typical crime story, taking place in current day Germany, but I found it to be a really fun read and definitely a page-turner. I was completely taken by surprise when the big "reveal" happens too.
I am definitely pleased with this Kindle First choice, even though I went into it completely blind, only knowing the Amazon description, and no one had reviewed it yet.
It's probably a pretty typical crime story, taking place in current day Germany, but I found it to be a really fun read and definitely a page-turner. I was completely taken by surprise when the big "reveal" happens too.
I am definitely pleased with this Kindle First choice, even though I went into it completely blind, only knowing the Amazon description, and no one had reviewed it yet.
February 2, 2017
Decidedly average German thriller about an unconventional old police officer and his idealistic new rookie partner investigating the murder of a wealthy businesswoman. The clunky translation made it hard to read, and the characters were not realistic: the lead character's idiotic decisions and pervy gawking at every woman he meets were annoying too. Several plot threads were just abandoned, and the twist rather anti-climactic.
I haven't read much German fiction, and was interested in the anti-Nazi aspects, but this ultimately didn't teach me anything.
I haven't read much German fiction, and was interested in the anti-Nazi aspects, but this ultimately didn't teach me anything.
April 25, 2018
I have read some really interesting books this year in my quest to focus on translated crime and this has been one of the best. Well-developed characters and an interesting plot with a final climax that I had not foreseen at all. There may be some minor gripes with elements of the plot, but it is a very good read overall. Translated German crime fiction is not thick on the ground and I highly recommend this one.
September 4, 2024
Ein Überraschungshit: als Hörbuch kostenfrei im Abo enthalten, war ich sehr positiv überrascht über die Geschichte, die wirklich bis zum Ende spannend bleibt. Sehr überraschende Wendungen und das Warum und Wie wird erst am Schluss aufgedröselt. Die Charaktere sind schön und individuell aufgestellt und entwickeln sich langsam und werden "greifbarer" mit fortschreitendem Verlauf. Wird nicht der letzte Fall von Hannes Niehaus gewesen sein, den ich mir anhöre.
May 4, 2016
Philosophy and crime
This is a dark mystery, as anything written about the Nazi regime and its crimes must be. I found the long conversations that the lead character held with friends to be a little weighty, and too preachy in their context. A person who successfully enacts revenge is the criminal at the heart of this story. A criminal who enacts revenge against criminals, that is. The hard work of a rookie detective makes for a solution of these crimes. A modern look at how people suffered at the hands of the Nazis, and the resources available in German society to deal with this history.
This is a dark mystery, as anything written about the Nazi regime and its crimes must be. I found the long conversations that the lead character held with friends to be a little weighty, and too preachy in their context. A person who successfully enacts revenge is the criminal at the heart of this story. A criminal who enacts revenge against criminals, that is. The hard work of a rookie detective makes for a solution of these crimes. A modern look at how people suffered at the hands of the Nazis, and the resources available in German society to deal with this history.
June 6, 2016
What an unusual experience--this book had a half way decent story and mystery, but the writing was disjointed and choppy. Perhaps the problem was with the translator, but I found it unpleasant to actually read due to the lack of cohesion in his sentences and the poor development of character and place. Despite that, the core mystery wasn't bad, but not worth the effort of getting through this book.
February 3, 2018
An excellent murder mystery where we follow Hannes through his first ever real case.
When the body of a mystery woman is found washed up on the shore Hannes gets drawn into a family feud with many secrets. Luckily he has the help of Fitz, a hardened detective, who needs to help develop Hannes and teach him all the tricks of the detective trade.
Hannes is wonderfully naive and watching him develop is a joy
The link to the Nazis is well developed and the family secrets mixed in with all the side characters leads itself to a well developed story.
I did work out who the murderer was but only about 20 pages before the reveal and I really enjoyed having my suspicions confirmed.
The only reason this lost a star was because the characters do tend to go off into political rants and if I wanted that I would buy a political book not a murder mystery.
This is the first story to feature Hannes but if the title is a clue there's going to be more and I will be looking out for them.
When the body of a mystery woman is found washed up on the shore Hannes gets drawn into a family feud with many secrets. Luckily he has the help of Fitz, a hardened detective, who needs to help develop Hannes and teach him all the tricks of the detective trade.
Hannes is wonderfully naive and watching him develop is a joy
The link to the Nazis is well developed and the family secrets mixed in with all the side characters leads itself to a well developed story.
I did work out who the murderer was but only about 20 pages before the reveal and I really enjoyed having my suspicions confirmed.
The only reason this lost a star was because the characters do tend to go off into political rants and if I wanted that I would buy a political book not a murder mystery.
This is the first story to feature Hannes but if the title is a clue there's going to be more and I will be looking out for them.
August 17, 2024
4,5 Sterne
Ich lese selten regionale Krimis und den Autor kannte ich bislang nicht. Das Buch lag jetzt auch knapp 6 Jahre auf meinem (E-Book)SUB (Asche auf mein Haupt), der Sommerurlaub hat es befreit. 😅
Die Geschichte fand ich gut, auch die Nebenszenarien waren toll, wenn auch manchmal langatmig. Aber so kommt man Hannes Niehaus als Figur auch näher. Einen Verdacht auf den Täter hatte ich lange nicht, erst nach ca. 3/4 des Buches dämmerte es mir. Aber tolle Geschichte, gut durchdacht und keineswegs langweilig. Besonders mal ein ganz anderes Hintergrundthema als Mordmotiv.
Werde mir auch die nächsten Bände anschauen und bestimmt das ein oder andere lesen.
Ich lese selten regionale Krimis und den Autor kannte ich bislang nicht. Das Buch lag jetzt auch knapp 6 Jahre auf meinem (E-Book)SUB (Asche auf mein Haupt), der Sommerurlaub hat es befreit. 😅
Die Geschichte fand ich gut, auch die Nebenszenarien waren toll, wenn auch manchmal langatmig. Aber so kommt man Hannes Niehaus als Figur auch näher. Einen Verdacht auf den Täter hatte ich lange nicht, erst nach ca. 3/4 des Buches dämmerte es mir. Aber tolle Geschichte, gut durchdacht und keineswegs langweilig. Besonders mal ein ganz anderes Hintergrundthema als Mordmotiv.
Werde mir auch die nächsten Bände anschauen und bestimmt das ein oder andere lesen.
February 3, 2018
I have had this book for a couple years, so I’m glad to have finally read it. I enjoyed the story, but it read a bit slow for me, but that might have been the narrator since I listened to it via audio. The twists and turns in the investigation were great and even when the killer is “revealed”, the author does not say who it is for a few more minutes, which I enjoyed that in the writing. As I’m listening to this, I always wondered how much license the translator has or it pretty much is verbatim from the original German book.
January 13, 2019
I wanted to rate this 4 stars, but I'm upset about the ending. I'm also frustrated that I can't give it two stars because I enjoyed the story enough to be upset by the ending.
July 5, 2018
Time Heals No Wounds
Everything about this book seemed a bit too contrived for me to buy into. It's very simply written, like a children's tale.
Everything about this book seemed a bit too contrived for me to buy into. It's very simply written, like a children's tale.
May 19, 2019
This is a great introduction to a new series for me. Hannes Niehaus is a top athlete and trains for the Olympic Games. He earns his money as a detective and can also do his intensive training. In his first case he has to do with an old WWII story. There are several deaths, all of which are linked to a drug company that tested drugs on concentration camp inmates during the war. Who is looking for vengeance against this company? Niehaus has an older colleague who supports him in the research. That this relationship to the end will be clouded, one learns only at the end.
It's very exciting and let me guess who the bad guy is until the end.
It's very exciting and let me guess who the bad guy is until the end.
April 3, 2018
This was a decent enough read but I'm sure it lacks the visceral impact it would have had in the author's homeland, being firmly rooted in the shadow which, the plot suggests, is still cast by the Nazi atrocities. I found myself largely indifferent to the success or otherwise of the main protagonist, personal or professional and even though the discourses on ideology, sociology and politics spoke to motive, I found them rather condescending.
The identity of the murderer was fairly conclusively given up about two thirds of the way through and whilst the investigation and the plot had a number of shaky moments, it was still, just about, tight enough to see me through to the end.
Would I read another? Probably not.
The identity of the murderer was fairly conclusively given up about two thirds of the way through and whilst the investigation and the plot had a number of shaky moments, it was still, just about, tight enough to see me through to the end.
Would I read another? Probably not.
June 1, 2016
Pretty juvenile writing (I think this might be a debut novel), though the plot was mildly interesting. I found myself skimming a lot of sections that were ostensibly of a "character development" nature but added nothing to the experience, and this was one of those books where the author feels the need to take 2-3 pages to sum up what happened at the end because he couldn't work it out for us along the way while maintaining some suspense. I skipped a lot of that too, because I had simply lost interest.
June 20, 2016
Guess Who
Hendrick has presented us with a very in-depth mystery. The storyline will keep you on your toes and it's doubtful that you will solve it until near the end of the story. I was confused with the insertion of one of his characters, but finally realized the purpose. This new character eventually gave me a clue to who was behind everything but I was still in the weeds as to who, how, and why. So as not to reveal too much I will end by saying - "Read and enjoy!"
Hendrick has presented us with a very in-depth mystery. The storyline will keep you on your toes and it's doubtful that you will solve it until near the end of the story. I was confused with the insertion of one of his characters, but finally realized the purpose. This new character eventually gave me a clue to who was behind everything but I was still in the weeds as to who, how, and why. So as not to reveal too much I will end by saying - "Read and enjoy!"
July 5, 2016
3.5 stars. I liked the main character and For me the biggest shortcoming was that it was not set in a place which was both real and specific. It even took me a while to figure out it was in Germany and not one of the Scandinavian countries. I prefer books where you can learn something about the setting.
May 7, 2016
Time Heals No Wounds didn't work for me. Perhaps I don't like the same type of book that Germans do. There were times when the writing made no sense. I cannot recommend this book.
May 7, 2016
Another Kindle first read, another decent Saturday morning read.
December 20, 2016
Sadly, this was really predictable. The premise was interesting, but I pegged the killer immediately. Just finished it to see if I was right.
June 25, 2020
Translated from the German, Time Heals No Wounds reads so naturally that one would never suspect it had been initially published in a different language than English. Only the setting and names might give one a clue (on the Baltic coast) before the plot touches on neo-Nazi activism and unprosecuted war crimes. But other than that, this story could just as easily have taken place in California’s Central Coast. Time Heals No Wounds is the first in a series featuring young untried detective Hannes (short for Johannes) Niehaus and called Baltic Sea Crime Novels. If this first one is any indication, the rest should be very satisfying.
A mad artist, a tattooed corpse, a kidnapped young woman, an escaped python, a series of war crimes, a new beautiful forensic medical examiner, a pot dealer, and the son of a war criminal. If it’s always the least one you suspect who perpetrated the crime, you have plenty of suspects: a group of four (4) new friends, the hot medical examiner, a new love interest, the head of the detectives at the police department, a rival athlete, a slimy art dealer, the Chief Detective, a lesbian co-worker in the closet (and working for a homophobic boss), or an adulterous real estate agent. Most are red herrings, but with a couple of exceptions, they all are worthy of consideration as the murderer.
This was the second book this week which was skeptical of populist democracy. At one point in a discussion between Hannes and his more experienced detective partner, they discuss democracy. “’Most people yearn for guidance,’ Fritz said. ‘They want others to determine their lives for them, at least when all is said and done. In politics, the only people who are respected are so-called ‘strong’ leaders or politicians who show the way. It’s hardly surprising these people don’t have a basic understanding of democracy.’” (p. 200)
Even a character that one would not expect to express cynical thoughts preaches about being constrained by capitalism. “A conspiracy has nothing to do with it. We have ourselves to blame. I think we believe too many things are unchangeable, and we tell ourselves, ‘We have this system, so we must deal with it.’ They forget that it isn’t God-given, that we were the ones who created it. Who says it always has to be a question of growth, profit, efficiency, money, and more growth? These ideas are almost considered natural laws. It sucks! We are what’s wrong, we see that this system oesn’t lead to a happy, contented life. I see that every day at the company. Sales figures reach new record highs year after year because many people can no longer cope without our drugs. People must now adapt to the system, otherwise it makes them go crazy.” (p. 295)
If one thinks about the title, Time Heals No Wounds, one will appreciate the important truth delivered with a pause in the middle by an unlikely source: “The past…casts shadows.” (p. 273) Certainly, by the time one reaches the end of this volume, you’ll be thinking the past casts very long shadows. But they certainly won’t dim the mood of the reader.
A mad artist, a tattooed corpse, a kidnapped young woman, an escaped python, a series of war crimes, a new beautiful forensic medical examiner, a pot dealer, and the son of a war criminal. If it’s always the least one you suspect who perpetrated the crime, you have plenty of suspects: a group of four (4) new friends, the hot medical examiner, a new love interest, the head of the detectives at the police department, a rival athlete, a slimy art dealer, the Chief Detective, a lesbian co-worker in the closet (and working for a homophobic boss), or an adulterous real estate agent. Most are red herrings, but with a couple of exceptions, they all are worthy of consideration as the murderer.
This was the second book this week which was skeptical of populist democracy. At one point in a discussion between Hannes and his more experienced detective partner, they discuss democracy. “’Most people yearn for guidance,’ Fritz said. ‘They want others to determine their lives for them, at least when all is said and done. In politics, the only people who are respected are so-called ‘strong’ leaders or politicians who show the way. It’s hardly surprising these people don’t have a basic understanding of democracy.’” (p. 200)
Even a character that one would not expect to express cynical thoughts preaches about being constrained by capitalism. “A conspiracy has nothing to do with it. We have ourselves to blame. I think we believe too many things are unchangeable, and we tell ourselves, ‘We have this system, so we must deal with it.’ They forget that it isn’t God-given, that we were the ones who created it. Who says it always has to be a question of growth, profit, efficiency, money, and more growth? These ideas are almost considered natural laws. It sucks! We are what’s wrong, we see that this system oesn’t lead to a happy, contented life. I see that every day at the company. Sales figures reach new record highs year after year because many people can no longer cope without our drugs. People must now adapt to the system, otherwise it makes them go crazy.” (p. 295)
If one thinks about the title, Time Heals No Wounds, one will appreciate the important truth delivered with a pause in the middle by an unlikely source: “The past…casts shadows.” (p. 273) Certainly, by the time one reaches the end of this volume, you’ll be thinking the past casts very long shadows. But they certainly won’t dim the mood of the reader.
June 8, 2024
„Dann ist es wohl deine Aufgabe herauszufinden, wohin dieses Seil verschwunden ist. Willkommen in deinem ersten Fall.“ (Zitat Seite 44)
Inhalt
Als der Wunsch des jungen Kanusportlers und Polizisten Hannes Niehaus in Erfüllung geht und er zur Kriminalpolizeit wechseln kann, rechnet er nicht damit, sofort in einem äußerst komplexen Fall eingesetzt zu werden. Ein alter Mann findet am Strand eine Leiche, angeblich Tod durch Ertrinken, doch ein paar merkwürdige Details fallen der Rechtsmedizinerin auf. Gleichzeitig verschwindet eine junge Frau spurlos. Kriminalhauptkommissar Fritz Janssen, der neue Vorgesetzte von Hannes Niehaus, ist absolut nicht begeistert, drei Jahre vor der Pensionierung nochmals einen neuen Kollegen ausbilden zu müssen. Er ist ein eigenwilliger Einzelgänger und arbeitet am liebsten allein. Doch im Laufe der Ermittlungen zeigt sich, dass diese Zusammenarbeit auch eine besondere Chance ist, nicht nur für Hannes Niehaus.
Thema und Genre
In diesem Ostsee-Krimi, Band 1 der Serie um den Sportpolizisten Hannes Niehaus geht es um eine Schuld in der Vergangenheit, die bis in die Gegenwart nicht vergessen wurde.
Erzählform und Sprache
Die Geschichte wird abwechselnd in zwei Handlungssträngen geschildert, welche gleichzeitig in der Gegenwart stattfinden. Die straffe Handlung erstreckt sich über wenige Tage, was das Tempo und damit auch die Spannung erhöht. Die Sprache entspricht dem Genre, nimmt sich aber auch Zeit für Erklärungen, Schilderungen und Details.
Fazit
Ein spannender Auftakt einer Serie, interessante Ermittlerfiguren und eine gut entwickelte Geschichte mit Raum für eigene Überlegungen und überraschende Wendungen.
Inhalt
Als der Wunsch des jungen Kanusportlers und Polizisten Hannes Niehaus in Erfüllung geht und er zur Kriminalpolizeit wechseln kann, rechnet er nicht damit, sofort in einem äußerst komplexen Fall eingesetzt zu werden. Ein alter Mann findet am Strand eine Leiche, angeblich Tod durch Ertrinken, doch ein paar merkwürdige Details fallen der Rechtsmedizinerin auf. Gleichzeitig verschwindet eine junge Frau spurlos. Kriminalhauptkommissar Fritz Janssen, der neue Vorgesetzte von Hannes Niehaus, ist absolut nicht begeistert, drei Jahre vor der Pensionierung nochmals einen neuen Kollegen ausbilden zu müssen. Er ist ein eigenwilliger Einzelgänger und arbeitet am liebsten allein. Doch im Laufe der Ermittlungen zeigt sich, dass diese Zusammenarbeit auch eine besondere Chance ist, nicht nur für Hannes Niehaus.
Thema und Genre
In diesem Ostsee-Krimi, Band 1 der Serie um den Sportpolizisten Hannes Niehaus geht es um eine Schuld in der Vergangenheit, die bis in die Gegenwart nicht vergessen wurde.
Erzählform und Sprache
Die Geschichte wird abwechselnd in zwei Handlungssträngen geschildert, welche gleichzeitig in der Gegenwart stattfinden. Die straffe Handlung erstreckt sich über wenige Tage, was das Tempo und damit auch die Spannung erhöht. Die Sprache entspricht dem Genre, nimmt sich aber auch Zeit für Erklärungen, Schilderungen und Details.
Fazit
Ein spannender Auftakt einer Serie, interessante Ermittlerfiguren und eine gut entwickelte Geschichte mit Raum für eigene Überlegungen und überraschende Wendungen.
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