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Jensen & Sander #2
Retribution
On a warm Autumn afternoon, Tivoli Gardens - Denmark's largest amusement park - is devastated by a terrorist attack. 1,241 people are killed. The unknown bomber is blown to bits; the security forces have no leads.
One year later, the nation is still reeling, and those behind the attack are still at large. Amidst the increasingly frustrated police force, Superintendent Lene Jensen is suffering the effects of tragedy closer to home. Everyone is aware the terrorists may soon strike again.
Then Lene receives a strange call. A young desperate Muslim woman needs her help, but by the time Lene reaches her she's already dead - supposedly suicide. Already suspicious, Lene's initial investigations suggest that the woman was unknowingly part of a secret services research project.
Silenced by her superiors, Lene turns to her old ally Michael Sander to dig deeper. But with even her allies increasingly adamant her actions are a risk to national security, Lene begins to understand that finding the truth might be the most dangerous thing of all.
One year later, the nation is still reeling, and those behind the attack are still at large. Amidst the increasingly frustrated police force, Superintendent Lene Jensen is suffering the effects of tragedy closer to home. Everyone is aware the terrorists may soon strike again.
Then Lene receives a strange call. A young desperate Muslim woman needs her help, but by the time Lene reaches her she's already dead - supposedly suicide. Already suspicious, Lene's initial investigations suggest that the woman was unknowingly part of a secret services research project.
Silenced by her superiors, Lene turns to her old ally Michael Sander to dig deeper. But with even her allies increasingly adamant her actions are a risk to national security, Lene begins to understand that finding the truth might be the most dangerous thing of all.
560 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 10, 2014
142 people are currently reading
335 people want to read
About the author
Steffen Jacobsen
48 books128 followersSteffen Jacobsen is an orthopaedic surgeon and consultant. This is his third novel. He was inspired to write When The Dead Awaken by Roberto Saviano's non-fiction book, Gomorrah, about the Camorra and by his travels around Italy. He lives in Denmark.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 85 reviews
September 1, 2018
This is the 2nd book I have read by Danish crime writer, Steffen Jacobsen, and I wasn’t disappointed. A fast-paced suspense thriller, Retribution brings police lieutenant Lene Jensen and high-end private investigator Michael Sander back together again after a devastating terrorist attack on Denmark’s largest amusement park, Tivoli Gardens.
There are a lot of twists and turns in this novel with plenty of action. Jensen spends time volunteering on a suicide line and connects the dots with a Muslim women she has befriended that is in serious distress. This sets Jensen and Sander on a quest to stop another plan in the works.
I’m always on the lookout for new Scandi Nordic authors and am glad to now add Steffen Jacobsen to my list of favorites.
4 out of 5 stars
I requested Retribution a few days before it’s publication and it was archived prior to my being able to download the ARC. Thanks to Leslie Davis from Skyhorse Publishing for sending me a digital copy.
Thanks to NetGalley, #SkyhorsePublishing, and the talented Steffen Jacobsen for the ARC.
Publication date July 3, 2018.
There are a lot of twists and turns in this novel with plenty of action. Jensen spends time volunteering on a suicide line and connects the dots with a Muslim women she has befriended that is in serious distress. This sets Jensen and Sander on a quest to stop another plan in the works.
I’m always on the lookout for new Scandi Nordic authors and am glad to now add Steffen Jacobsen to my list of favorites.
4 out of 5 stars
I requested Retribution a few days before it’s publication and it was archived prior to my being able to download the ARC. Thanks to Leslie Davis from Skyhorse Publishing for sending me a digital copy.
Thanks to NetGalley, #SkyhorsePublishing, and the talented Steffen Jacobsen for the ARC.
Publication date July 3, 2018.
July 6, 2018
Even though this was extremely close to its publication date (3rd July) when I requested a few days back, I knew that from the synopsis and the reviews already posted by other readers that I had to give this one a try! I tend to love thrillers that feature terrorism/counter-terrorism so this was a very easy decision to request a copy and when I was approved I was immensely happy. As I like to have my reviews complete before the day the book is released I knew I was going to have to fit in over the weekend along with another few books I was reading at the time too. In the end, as I had suspected, it was well worth dedicating some time to.
Despite having never heard of Steffen Jacobsen I am a huge fan of the Scandinavian (Scandi) noir trend that's been ongoing for a few years now - some of the best and most prolific crime writers are part of the craze brought on by shows such as The Killing and this rise in popularity then extended into the publishing sector. Of course, there were authors writing in the Scandi noir sub-genre before these TV shows but there is no doubt that there are many more now.
"Retribution" starts with a shocking set of events that take Denmark by surprise, shaking the local community to the core. Tivoli Gardens, Denmark's largest amusement park, has come under attack; a terrorist attack to be precise. The death toll stands at over 1,200 and unlike most terrorism nowadays noone comes forward to claim responsibility. Seven months later and the police are no further than they were shortly after the event unfolded, with no leads and no answers they can provide for what went wrong that day in terms of the security situation. Police Lieutenant Lene Jensen is one of the officers who has been on the case since the very beginning. When she receives a desperate phone call from a Muslim women who later turns up dead, she feels that there may be connection to the Tivoli bombing and thinks it is a lead worth chasing, with it being their only one! It may lead nowhere but without investigating how can she truly know? As Lieutenant Jensen delves deeper into investigating this possible connection she discovers evidence that the woman had unwittingly being part of a secret research project conducted by the government. As she digs deeper she is surprised to find that her superiors show increasing resistance and as a result she decided to team up with private detective Michael Sander. They continue to investigate the complex case but soon realise that someone knows a lot more about what happened than they are letting on. With the threat of another similar attack looming, can Sander and Jensen beat the clock while saving lives and peace of mind in the process?
This is one of those thrillers that you think will be straightforward with a fairly obvious suspect that could probably be predicted by the majority of readers. But that's just Jacobsen lulling you into a false sense of security! Trust me, I know. Jacobsen knows how to create a tense plot and uses misdirection skilfully. For the most part, the book moves at an impeccable pace with writing that truly pulls you into the story from the very beginning. The character development is well done and Lene is an admirable and relentess investigator with a strong moral compass guiding her through the investigative minefield.
There is action aplenty throughout and a sinister undertone that underpins everything that occurs from first page to last. I also thought that the conclusion was an excellent one, it is clear that Jacobsen is a masterful plotter, planner and executor. As this really appealed to me I will be seeking out his other books and keeping an eye open for any upcoming releases from him. If you are a thriller reader this is not one to skip, this guy knows what he is doing and it shows in his work. This for me is a rarity and a difficult skill to get right. I simply cannot believe that a guy who is this adept at constructing a complicated and complex case such as this hasn't managed to reach the heady heights that other (sometimes lesser authors) have.
Many thanks to Arcade Publishing for an ARC. I was not required to post a review and all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.
Despite having never heard of Steffen Jacobsen I am a huge fan of the Scandinavian (Scandi) noir trend that's been ongoing for a few years now - some of the best and most prolific crime writers are part of the craze brought on by shows such as The Killing and this rise in popularity then extended into the publishing sector. Of course, there were authors writing in the Scandi noir sub-genre before these TV shows but there is no doubt that there are many more now.
"Retribution" starts with a shocking set of events that take Denmark by surprise, shaking the local community to the core. Tivoli Gardens, Denmark's largest amusement park, has come under attack; a terrorist attack to be precise. The death toll stands at over 1,200 and unlike most terrorism nowadays noone comes forward to claim responsibility. Seven months later and the police are no further than they were shortly after the event unfolded, with no leads and no answers they can provide for what went wrong that day in terms of the security situation. Police Lieutenant Lene Jensen is one of the officers who has been on the case since the very beginning. When she receives a desperate phone call from a Muslim women who later turns up dead, she feels that there may be connection to the Tivoli bombing and thinks it is a lead worth chasing, with it being their only one! It may lead nowhere but without investigating how can she truly know? As Lieutenant Jensen delves deeper into investigating this possible connection she discovers evidence that the woman had unwittingly being part of a secret research project conducted by the government. As she digs deeper she is surprised to find that her superiors show increasing resistance and as a result she decided to team up with private detective Michael Sander. They continue to investigate the complex case but soon realise that someone knows a lot more about what happened than they are letting on. With the threat of another similar attack looming, can Sander and Jensen beat the clock while saving lives and peace of mind in the process?
This is one of those thrillers that you think will be straightforward with a fairly obvious suspect that could probably be predicted by the majority of readers. But that's just Jacobsen lulling you into a false sense of security! Trust me, I know. Jacobsen knows how to create a tense plot and uses misdirection skilfully. For the most part, the book moves at an impeccable pace with writing that truly pulls you into the story from the very beginning. The character development is well done and Lene is an admirable and relentess investigator with a strong moral compass guiding her through the investigative minefield.
There is action aplenty throughout and a sinister undertone that underpins everything that occurs from first page to last. I also thought that the conclusion was an excellent one, it is clear that Jacobsen is a masterful plotter, planner and executor. As this really appealed to me I will be seeking out his other books and keeping an eye open for any upcoming releases from him. If you are a thriller reader this is not one to skip, this guy knows what he is doing and it shows in his work. This for me is a rarity and a difficult skill to get right. I simply cannot believe that a guy who is this adept at constructing a complicated and complex case such as this hasn't managed to reach the heady heights that other (sometimes lesser authors) have.
Many thanks to Arcade Publishing for an ARC. I was not required to post a review and all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.
September 9, 2024
English version below
*********************
Das war ein wirklich spannender Scandi-Thriller mit islamistischen Selbstmordattentätern, durchgeknallten Geheimdienstleuten, einer sturen, traumatisierten Polizistin als Protagonistin, die ständig mit dem Kopf durch die Wand geht und ihrer ungeliebten, aber merkwürdig fürsorglichen Vorgesetzte.
Natürlich ist die Geschichte hinten und vorne an den Haaren herbeigezogen, aber ist nicht das Wichtigste an einem Thriller, dass er spannend ist?
Die erste Hälfte des Buches fand ich etwas mühsam und emotional anstrengend zu lesen. Islamistische Spinner und Geheimdienstler, die noch mehr neben der Spur laufen, als man erwarten würde, fand ich zunächst etwas schwer verdaulich. Als dann die Geschichte Fortschritte machte und mehr Klarheit herrschte, fand ich es nur noch spannend und habe das Buch innerhalb kürzester Zeit beendet.
Thrillerfreunde werden mit diesem Buch sicherlich ihren Spaß haben, auch wenn der Autor mit einigen Klischees arbeitet.
Wie schon erwähnt ist mir bei einem Thriller die Spannung am Wichtigsten und ich möchte einen Bezug zu den Protagonisten aufbauen können. Beides ist hier gegeben und ich vergebe gute 4 Sterne.
Ich werde auch weitere Bücher der Reihe lesen.
------------------
This was a really exciting Scandi thriller with Islamist suicide bombers, crazy secret service agents, a stubborn, traumatised, hard-headed policewoman as the protagonist and her unloved but strangely caring superior.
Of course, the story is far-fetched, but isn't the most important thing about a thriller that it's exciting?
I found the first half of the book somewhat tedious and emotionally exhausting to read. Islamist nutters and secret service agents who are even more off the rails than you would expect, I found a little hard to digest at first. As the story progressed and things became clearer, I found it exciting and finished the book in no time at all.
Thriller fans will certainly enjoy this book, even if the author uses a few stereotypes.
As already mentioned, the most important thing for me in a thriller is suspense and I want to be able to relate to the protagonists. Both are given here and I give it a good 4 stars.
I will also read other books in the series.
*********************
Das war ein wirklich spannender Scandi-Thriller mit islamistischen Selbstmordattentätern, durchgeknallten Geheimdienstleuten, einer sturen, traumatisierten Polizistin als Protagonistin, die ständig mit dem Kopf durch die Wand geht und ihrer ungeliebten, aber merkwürdig fürsorglichen Vorgesetzte.
Natürlich ist die Geschichte hinten und vorne an den Haaren herbeigezogen, aber ist nicht das Wichtigste an einem Thriller, dass er spannend ist?
Die erste Hälfte des Buches fand ich etwas mühsam und emotional anstrengend zu lesen. Islamistische Spinner und Geheimdienstler, die noch mehr neben der Spur laufen, als man erwarten würde, fand ich zunächst etwas schwer verdaulich. Als dann die Geschichte Fortschritte machte und mehr Klarheit herrschte, fand ich es nur noch spannend und habe das Buch innerhalb kürzester Zeit beendet.
Thrillerfreunde werden mit diesem Buch sicherlich ihren Spaß haben, auch wenn der Autor mit einigen Klischees arbeitet.
Wie schon erwähnt ist mir bei einem Thriller die Spannung am Wichtigsten und ich möchte einen Bezug zu den Protagonisten aufbauen können. Beides ist hier gegeben und ich vergebe gute 4 Sterne.
Ich werde auch weitere Bücher der Reihe lesen.
------------------
This was a really exciting Scandi thriller with Islamist suicide bombers, crazy secret service agents, a stubborn, traumatised, hard-headed policewoman as the protagonist and her unloved but strangely caring superior.
Of course, the story is far-fetched, but isn't the most important thing about a thriller that it's exciting?
I found the first half of the book somewhat tedious and emotionally exhausting to read. Islamist nutters and secret service agents who are even more off the rails than you would expect, I found a little hard to digest at first. As the story progressed and things became clearer, I found it exciting and finished the book in no time at all.
Thriller fans will certainly enjoy this book, even if the author uses a few stereotypes.
As already mentioned, the most important thing for me in a thriller is suspense and I want to be able to relate to the protagonists. Both are given here and I give it a good 4 stars.
I will also read other books in the series.
April 3, 2016
As part of my mission to get everyone in the world reading Danish crime author Steffen Jacobsen ( I’ve previously reviewed When The Dead Awaken and Trophy ) this is his latest. With recent events in Brussels a stark reminder of the danger posed by terrorist action, Jacobsen addresses this theme sensitively, but with brutal honesty throughout the book. Jacobsen constructs a twisting and pulsating examination of the difficulties faced by the security services and police in thwarting terrorism, and takes the reader from homeland Denmark to the Middle East in the course of the story. By presenting the reader with numerous viewpoints of the war on terror, and the innocents and not-so-innocent caught up in its wake, there is always a sense of brutal reality to his writing, without the gung-ho one dimensional view of events so often seen in thriller writing with this particular premise.
There is a real sensitivity in Jacobsen’s writing that makes the reader sit up and think about the events and people he portrays, not only with the prescient events of the book, but also in the additional exploration he makes into psychological territory, particularly evident in the character of Superintendent Lene Jensen, who for my money is one of the most roundly formed, well-written, and interesting police protagonists in the Scandinavian genre. Indeed, Jacobsen exhibits a masterly touch with all of his female protagonists from Lene herself to her boss Charlotte Falster, and mercurial psychologist Irene Adler. He imbues all of these characters with a welcome balance of strength, intelligence and wit, along with a necessary Achilles Heel that is never in detriment to our overall perception of them, but increases our respect and empathy, and more importantly makes them believable. With such an assured use of characterisation, and his natural ability of damn fine storytelling, Jacobsen seldom disappoints, and this tale will keep you on your toes, and totally gripped throughout. A clever, exciting and very readable thriller.
There is a real sensitivity in Jacobsen’s writing that makes the reader sit up and think about the events and people he portrays, not only with the prescient events of the book, but also in the additional exploration he makes into psychological territory, particularly evident in the character of Superintendent Lene Jensen, who for my money is one of the most roundly formed, well-written, and interesting police protagonists in the Scandinavian genre. Indeed, Jacobsen exhibits a masterly touch with all of his female protagonists from Lene herself to her boss Charlotte Falster, and mercurial psychologist Irene Adler. He imbues all of these characters with a welcome balance of strength, intelligence and wit, along with a necessary Achilles Heel that is never in detriment to our overall perception of them, but increases our respect and empathy, and more importantly makes them believable. With such an assured use of characterisation, and his natural ability of damn fine storytelling, Jacobsen seldom disappoints, and this tale will keep you on your toes, and totally gripped throughout. A clever, exciting and very readable thriller.
June 3, 2021
So close to a five star thriller for me. Sadly, the author lost control at the very end of his story and things became ridiculously implausible. Definitely a case where the author didn’t quite know how to finish up.
I still would recommend it for those who enjoy thrillers and I will try another of the author’s books.
I still would recommend it for those who enjoy thrillers and I will try another of the author’s books.
May 25, 2018
This is the first book I have read by this Danish crime writer but I look forward to reading more in the series.
A major terrorist attack in Copenhagen leaves Denmark reeling and the Danish police and security forces desperately trying to understand how and why it happened, while racing to prevent another tragedy expected imminently.
This was an excellent thriller, full of action and suspense, where things were not quite what they seemed and which kept me enthralled until the very end.
A major terrorist attack in Copenhagen leaves Denmark reeling and the Danish police and security forces desperately trying to understand how and why it happened, while racing to prevent another tragedy expected imminently.
This was an excellent thriller, full of action and suspense, where things were not quite what they seemed and which kept me enthralled until the very end.
February 22, 2021
This is a well plotted and written thriller. The action is understated but compelling. There are some interesting twists and a surprising ending that leaves you wanting more about Lene and Michael.
April 30, 2019
RETRIBUTION, book #2 in the Sander-Jensen series, takes place two years after the fabulous TROPHY and reunites security consultant Michael Sander and Superintendent Lene Jensen of Denmark's National Police Force. Lene has not fully recovered from the ordeal of two years ago: she drinks too much, suffers from anxiety, and needs sleeping pills. Her job is hanging by a thread when she inadvertently comes across some information that could be crucial with regards to terrorist activities on Danish soil. And no one wants Lene's help.
RETRIBUTION's story is ripped right off the headlines, and the suspense in the first half is almost untenable. In the last 20%, I must admit that one plot twist seemed a bit farfetched, and some turns of event were predictable. But overall, this is another fantastic thriller, and I can say that Mr. Jacobsen has earned a place of honour on my bookshelf. The author is fearless: there were stupefying plot twists I never expected, and I will never assume again that all the main characters will still be alive when a book by Mr. Jacobsen ends. Besides Lene and Michael, there are several important secondary characters; they are all so extraordinarily crafted and fleshed out, that they temporarily became part of my life, which is why it was so shocking that not everyone made it. I honestly think that Steffen Jacobsen has cornered the market when it comes to writing believable and multidimensional characters in thrillers. The "good guys" aren't perfect, and the "bad guys" are never caricatures, which is most commendable for thrillers, not to mention very rare. Mr. Jacobsen's novels are just as character-driven as they depend on the plot. Lene Jensen is well on her way to becoming my favourite female fictional heroine ever. The story is extremely fast-paced, there isn't a shadow of a lull, the writing is excellent, and the translation is above average, although a couple of oddities crept in.
Lene and Michael are both amazing, they complement each other perfectly, and I love the fact that their relationship is purely platonic. I ardently wish it remains that way, but I fear it might not, and I think that would be a shame if it changed. Just think of John Steed and Mrs. Peel. But whatever happens, I'll read it. And what happened to the psychiatrist? Even if I found the second half RETRIBUTION a bit weaker than the first, Steffen Jacobsen has written another brilliant thriller, and the next two books in this series will never be translated into English quickly enough, because I cannot wait to read them.
I give 4 1/2 stars.
RETRIBUTION's story is ripped right off the headlines, and the suspense in the first half is almost untenable. In the last 20%, I must admit that one plot twist seemed a bit farfetched, and some turns of event were predictable. But overall, this is another fantastic thriller, and I can say that Mr. Jacobsen has earned a place of honour on my bookshelf. The author is fearless: there were stupefying plot twists I never expected, and I will never assume again that all the main characters will still be alive when a book by Mr. Jacobsen ends. Besides Lene and Michael, there are several important secondary characters; they are all so extraordinarily crafted and fleshed out, that they temporarily became part of my life, which is why it was so shocking that not everyone made it. I honestly think that Steffen Jacobsen has cornered the market when it comes to writing believable and multidimensional characters in thrillers. The "good guys" aren't perfect, and the "bad guys" are never caricatures, which is most commendable for thrillers, not to mention very rare. Mr. Jacobsen's novels are just as character-driven as they depend on the plot. Lene Jensen is well on her way to becoming my favourite female fictional heroine ever. The story is extremely fast-paced, there isn't a shadow of a lull, the writing is excellent, and the translation is above average, although a couple of oddities crept in.
Lene and Michael are both amazing, they complement each other perfectly, and I love the fact that their relationship is purely platonic. I ardently wish it remains that way, but I fear it might not, and I think that would be a shame if it changed. Just think of John Steed and Mrs. Peel. But whatever happens, I'll read it. And what happened to the psychiatrist? Even if I found the second half RETRIBUTION a bit weaker than the first, Steffen Jacobsen has written another brilliant thriller, and the next two books in this series will never be translated into English quickly enough, because I cannot wait to read them.
I give 4 1/2 stars.
July 25, 2017
Hodně povedený krimi román s aktuální tématikou teroristických útoků. Skvěle propracované do nejmenšího detailu. Parádní!!!
https://kniznidenicek.blogspot.cz/201...
https://kniznidenicek.blogspot.cz/201...
January 13, 2021
finished 13 january 2021 good read four stars really liked it kindle library loaner first from jacobsen liked that the protagonist wasn't infallible
January 27, 2020
RETRIBUTION was incredibly disappointing, as I had very much appreciated the opening book to this series, TROPHY. Jacobsen sets his sights a little too high, centering this follow-up effort around a terrorist attack in Denmark. The first half of the book, with some exceptions, feels pretty solid. However, as we delve into terror cells and the middle east, it really takes a turn for the worse both in writing and plot. Early on it is quite obvious who our villain is and the road to this villain is quite predictable. It failed to capture the magic and pacing of the first novel and while the first novel similarly had an obvious set of villains, there were far more red herrings and a satisfying epilogue unraveling our expectations. Jacobsen pushed the bounds of believability with TROPHY and merely crossed the line with RETRIBUTION. Whereas Jo Nesbo really increased his craft and stories with each new book for his Harry Hole series, Jacobsen seems to have been better off letting Lene and Michael be part of a standalone book.
December 13, 2015
5 Sterne
Wow! Ich hätte heute eigentlich hundert andere Sachen zu tun gehabt, aber ich musste es jetzt einfach zu Ende lesen - es war so spannend, aufhören war schlicht un-möglich. Tausend Wendungen ließen meine Hirnwindungen förmlich Achterbahn fahren. Dabei hatte ich das Buch mit eher niedrigen Erwartungen angefangen, Terrorismus ist sonst eher nicht so mein Krimi-Thema. Aber die Umsetzung war fabelhaft! Thematisch hochaktuell, rasant, mitunter nachdenklich machend, da moralische Fragen aufwerfend, wie beispielsweise: wie weit darf man gehen, um Terroristen zu stoppen? Müssen unschuldige Opfer dabei billigend in Kauf genommen werden, um noch größere Katastrophen zu verhindern? Den ersten Fall von Lene und Michael werde ich mir garantiert auch noch besorgen.
Wow! Ich hätte heute eigentlich hundert andere Sachen zu tun gehabt, aber ich musste es jetzt einfach zu Ende lesen - es war so spannend, aufhören war schlicht un-möglich. Tausend Wendungen ließen meine Hirnwindungen förmlich Achterbahn fahren. Dabei hatte ich das Buch mit eher niedrigen Erwartungen angefangen, Terrorismus ist sonst eher nicht so mein Krimi-Thema. Aber die Umsetzung war fabelhaft! Thematisch hochaktuell, rasant, mitunter nachdenklich machend, da moralische Fragen aufwerfend, wie beispielsweise: wie weit darf man gehen, um Terroristen zu stoppen? Müssen unschuldige Opfer dabei billigend in Kauf genommen werden, um noch größere Katastrophen zu verhindern? Den ersten Fall von Lene und Michael werde ich mir garantiert auch noch besorgen.
March 23, 2018
I must admit I was totally prepared not to like this book. Even though I love Scandinavia mysteries and thrillers I do harbor a prejudice to some of that genre’s writers. I had never heard of Steffen Jacobsen and I tend to not force myself to finish a book if it doesn’t grab me in the first couple of chapters. Well, I love being wrong about this kind of thing. I am going to try and read the rest of this author’s books and if you are a seat-of-your-pants thriller lover, add this one to your reading list.
Highly recommended!
This book is to be released in July, 2018.
Highly recommended!
This book is to be released in July, 2018.
June 19, 2020
Extrem spannend bis zum Schluss. Es macht Sinn, die Krimis in der richtigen Reihenfolge zu lesen, da es die gleichen Ermittler bleiben und auch ihre private Geschichte sich fortsetzt. Dies ist das 2. Buch aus der Reihe. Auch „Trophäe“ Buch 1 war schon sehr gut.
July 15, 2020
With Trophy: A Novel Steffen Jacobsen set the bar very high. To be fair, I have to admit that my expectations were EXTREMELY high when I started the second book, though inwardly I knew that it would be difficult to top the first book. I was prepared and still...I am a bit disappointed.
The main reason is the main story line. I found it not THAT interesting comparing to the first book , but also because of some not really plausible plot twists.
Not to mention that Michael didn't handle some situation like a highly paid top-secret private investigator but rather like an amateur: he appeared too late in the story for my liking and made a lot of rookie mistakes to my astonishment. I liked Lene much less comparing to the first book - I understand though .
But still I like this series enough to want to read (in my case to listen to) the next book in the series.
Especially if I have this possibility: as I saw, you can read the third book either in Danish or in German, there is yet no an English translation.
Read
May 12, 2018This book was filled with action from the beginning to the end. Stefan Jacobsen really outdid himself with the Copenhagen Tivoli being blown up by terrorists led by Safar Khan from his hideout in Africa. What started the whole thing was Ain was killed by a train and it was thought she had committed suicide. Lene Jensen thought that Ain was murdered instead of committing sucide because she had called her and was on the phone at the time of her death. Lene infuriated Kim Thompson who worked for PET. Thinking that Lene was nuts, and he and his partner Christian attacked Lene. We then get shifted to Nazeera Gamil who was Ain's lover and friend. We get deeper into the story and find out that Nazeera is one of Kim's agents. The story get more complicated with Lene's boss being in charge of PET. It get more involved the more you read. You don't want to stop. But after the terrorists come back and attempt another bombing we find Lene and her now friend Michael Sander's who walked back into her life, being run ragged by Kim and Nazeera and almost being beheaded. We meet many more characters in the book and we have Lene and Nazeera in a final showdown. The books ending is completely out of this world. It is a most enjoyable read.
July 17, 2020
Ok, I admit, this series has pulled my sleeve. I really can't stop it.
After getting to know the roles of Michael Sander and Lena Jensen in the first volume, you meet them at every turn in the second volume.
Lene's daughter has since started suicide. She can't get over it because she blames herself for her daughter. This also affects their work.
A year earlier, a terrorist attack was carried out in Tivoli. Over 1,000 people were killed.
It looks like another attack is planned. Lene, who is banished to a cubicle in the police station with a computer nerd, witnesses on the phone how a young woman is killed in the subway. She doesn't believe in suicide and investigates on her own. The fact that she is trodden on the feet of the Danish secret service does not prevent her investigation. Michael is in the same case and has to save Lene again and again, even if she is extremely smart.
I am slowly realizing that Jacobsen always takes an explosive topic from everyday life, that he cleverly processes in his thriller.
I can also highly recommend this book.
(4½)
After getting to know the roles of Michael Sander and Lena Jensen in the first volume, you meet them at every turn in the second volume.
Lene's daughter has since started suicide. She can't get over it because she blames herself for her daughter. This also affects their work.
A year earlier, a terrorist attack was carried out in Tivoli. Over 1,000 people were killed.
It looks like another attack is planned. Lene, who is banished to a cubicle in the police station with a computer nerd, witnesses on the phone how a young woman is killed in the subway. She doesn't believe in suicide and investigates on her own. The fact that she is trodden on the feet of the Danish secret service does not prevent her investigation. Michael is in the same case and has to save Lene again and again, even if she is extremely smart.
I am slowly realizing that Jacobsen always takes an explosive topic from everyday life, that he cleverly processes in his thriller.
I can also highly recommend this book.
(4½)
April 22, 2024
The last Jacobsen book I read (also my first) TROPHY, was so outside my usual genre, but SO GOOD that I couldn't wait to pick up another one of his books. Retribution did not disappoint and might have even been better than Trophy in many ways. I'm super sad that I can't continue on with the Jensen and Sander series because apparently - at least for now - these seem to be the only 2 which have been translated into English which SUCKS THE BIG ONE.
I'm definitely going to track down anything else by this author that's been translated, though, because he has absolutely become one of my new favorites - in this genre - bar none.
I'm definitely going to track down anything else by this author that's been translated, though, because he has absolutely become one of my new favorites - in this genre - bar none.
February 20, 2025
motyw z taksówkarzem to naprawdę była przesada xD ale całkiem przyjemnie się słuchało.
August 21, 2015
Bog nr. 2 fra Steffen Jacobsen er ligesom den første spændende og velskrevet. Siderne vender sig selv og bogen får en klar anbefaling herfra.
gave-up
December 26, 2015DNF @ 26%
Ist mir leider viel zu zäh und die Handlung kommt überhaupt nicht voran.
Die Ermittlerin ist außerdem extrem nervtötend.
Ist mir leider viel zu zäh und die Handlung kommt überhaupt nicht voran.
Die Ermittlerin ist außerdem extrem nervtötend.
May 23, 2016
Een geweldig goed opgebouwd, maar ook een heel spannend verhaal. Met een actueel onderwerp, ik heb er van genoegen. Wel is het aan te raden eerst trofee te lezen. Die ga ik dus binnenkort lezen.
March 2, 2019
Om bogen:
Bogen blev udgivet i 2014.
I "Gengældelsen" har en terrorhandling har fundet sted i Tivoli og mere end tusind mennesker er blevet ofrer for den selvmordsbomber, som valgte at udløse en sprængladning under en af Tivolis mest populære forlystelser.
Lene Jensen og Michael Sanders går igen sammen om at løse et mysterie uden lige.
Et mysterie som syv måneder senere endnu ikke er blevet løst og et mysterie som er blevet en gerning, som ingen vil tage ansvar for.
"Gengældelsen" lægger hårdt ud og der er ingen tvivl om, at Steffen Jacobsen har formået at skrive endnu en krimi, hvor kapitlerne nærmest vender sig selv.
Om Steffen Jacobsen:
Steffen Jacobsen er en mønsterbryder.
Han er i dag overlæge, men det lå bestemt ikke i kortene med en barndom, der var præget af omsorgssvigt.
Selv siger han, at hans store interesse for film og bøger gav ham et fristed, hvor han kunne udvikle sin fantasi.
Det er den, der i dag er brændstoffet til hans bøger.
Steffen Jacobsen fik sit store gennembrud med ”Trofæ” og efterfølgerne ”Gengældelsen”, ”Et bjerg af løgne” og ”Enhjørningen”, der har makkerparret Lene Jensen og Michael Sander i hovedrollerne.
Steffen Jacobsen har tidligere skrevet "Passageren", "Den gode datter" og "Når de døde vågner".
Hans bøger er solgt til filmatisering og til udgivelse i USA, England, Tyskland, Frankrig, Holland, Tjekkiet, Japan, Kina og Taiwan, og de udenlandske anmeldere har sammenlignet ham med John le Carré, Frederick Forsyth og Jan Guillou.
Anmeldelse:
En selvmordsbomber angriber Tivoli i København og 1241 mennesker dør.
7 måneder senere ved hverken politi eller PET ikke hvem der står bag.
Politikvinden Lene er blevet afhængig af alkohol og piller og både hendes privatliv og hendes arbejdsliv hænger i laser.
Lene har meldt sig som frivillig på en telefonlinje for selvmordstruede. En af dem hun har talt med, Ain kontakter hende privat og så er historien godt i gang. Kort efter dør Ain og Lene tror ikke på at dødsfaldet er et selvmord og starter sin egen efterforskning.
I Amman dukker kvinden ”Zebra” op. Zebra bor i Danmark men umiddelbart kender læseren ikke hendes virkelige identitet. Men at hun har en forbindelse til et terrornetværk er man ikke i tvivl om.
I mellemtiden bliver Lene suspenderet fra politiet men kort efter dukker privatdetektiven Michael Sander op og Lene og Michael slår sig sammen om at undersøge sagen yderligere.
Pludselig dør endnu en person som Lene nok er den nærmeste til at ville ønske død. Alligevel bliver Lene genansat. Samtidig er der overvejelser igang om der er endnu et attentat på vej. Kan Lene og Michael nå at stoppe det ?
Wow jeg er fuldstændig blæst bagover af denne spændingsroman 😊
Jeg har tilbragt nogle timer i en film med det mest hæsblæsende tempo helt fra start og med en overraskende slutning. Jeg vil læse mere af Steffen Jacobsen 😊
Hvis der er noget danske forfattere efterhånden, er gode til så er det de politiske spændingsromaner med lige dele efterforskning og psykologisk-sociale dagsordener. Steffen Jacobsen hører helt sikkert til blandt eliten.
Historien er skræmmende og yderst troværdig. ”Gengældelsen” får mine største anbefalinger til enhver krimifan med frost i årerne. Det er absolut ikke en historie for de sarte.
Bogen faldt i hvert fald helt i min smag, og jeg glæder mig voldsomt til at læse mere af Steffen Jacobsen.
Vurdering:
6 ud af 6 stjerner
Krimiormen
Bogen blev udgivet i 2014.
I "Gengældelsen" har en terrorhandling har fundet sted i Tivoli og mere end tusind mennesker er blevet ofrer for den selvmordsbomber, som valgte at udløse en sprængladning under en af Tivolis mest populære forlystelser.
Lene Jensen og Michael Sanders går igen sammen om at løse et mysterie uden lige.
Et mysterie som syv måneder senere endnu ikke er blevet løst og et mysterie som er blevet en gerning, som ingen vil tage ansvar for.
"Gengældelsen" lægger hårdt ud og der er ingen tvivl om, at Steffen Jacobsen har formået at skrive endnu en krimi, hvor kapitlerne nærmest vender sig selv.
Om Steffen Jacobsen:
Steffen Jacobsen er en mønsterbryder.
Han er i dag overlæge, men det lå bestemt ikke i kortene med en barndom, der var præget af omsorgssvigt.
Selv siger han, at hans store interesse for film og bøger gav ham et fristed, hvor han kunne udvikle sin fantasi.
Det er den, der i dag er brændstoffet til hans bøger.
Steffen Jacobsen fik sit store gennembrud med ”Trofæ” og efterfølgerne ”Gengældelsen”, ”Et bjerg af løgne” og ”Enhjørningen”, der har makkerparret Lene Jensen og Michael Sander i hovedrollerne.
Steffen Jacobsen har tidligere skrevet "Passageren", "Den gode datter" og "Når de døde vågner".
Hans bøger er solgt til filmatisering og til udgivelse i USA, England, Tyskland, Frankrig, Holland, Tjekkiet, Japan, Kina og Taiwan, og de udenlandske anmeldere har sammenlignet ham med John le Carré, Frederick Forsyth og Jan Guillou.
Anmeldelse:
En selvmordsbomber angriber Tivoli i København og 1241 mennesker dør.
7 måneder senere ved hverken politi eller PET ikke hvem der står bag.
Politikvinden Lene er blevet afhængig af alkohol og piller og både hendes privatliv og hendes arbejdsliv hænger i laser.
Lene har meldt sig som frivillig på en telefonlinje for selvmordstruede. En af dem hun har talt med, Ain kontakter hende privat og så er historien godt i gang. Kort efter dør Ain og Lene tror ikke på at dødsfaldet er et selvmord og starter sin egen efterforskning.
I Amman dukker kvinden ”Zebra” op. Zebra bor i Danmark men umiddelbart kender læseren ikke hendes virkelige identitet. Men at hun har en forbindelse til et terrornetværk er man ikke i tvivl om.
I mellemtiden bliver Lene suspenderet fra politiet men kort efter dukker privatdetektiven Michael Sander op og Lene og Michael slår sig sammen om at undersøge sagen yderligere.
Pludselig dør endnu en person som Lene nok er den nærmeste til at ville ønske død. Alligevel bliver Lene genansat. Samtidig er der overvejelser igang om der er endnu et attentat på vej. Kan Lene og Michael nå at stoppe det ?
Wow jeg er fuldstændig blæst bagover af denne spændingsroman 😊
Jeg har tilbragt nogle timer i en film med det mest hæsblæsende tempo helt fra start og med en overraskende slutning. Jeg vil læse mere af Steffen Jacobsen 😊
Hvis der er noget danske forfattere efterhånden, er gode til så er det de politiske spændingsromaner med lige dele efterforskning og psykologisk-sociale dagsordener. Steffen Jacobsen hører helt sikkert til blandt eliten.
Historien er skræmmende og yderst troværdig. ”Gengældelsen” får mine største anbefalinger til enhver krimifan med frost i årerne. Det er absolut ikke en historie for de sarte.
Bogen faldt i hvert fald helt i min smag, og jeg glæder mig voldsomt til at læse mere af Steffen Jacobsen.
Vurdering:
6 ud af 6 stjerner
Krimiormen
May 19, 2020
Retribution: A Thriller
A standard chasing terrorists before a big bombing thriller/police procedural set in Copenhagen. A young woman ends up under a train at a busy station, on the phone with police officer Lene, a volunteer with Suicide Hotline, who has volunteered after the suicide of her own daughter. Is it suicide again, or was she pushed? Is Lene overreacting in light of her daughter? The girls death is downplayed and Lene goes about her task of determining how terrorists entered the country over a year ago to set off a tragic suicide bombing in Tivoli Gardens. The focus on the bombing holds everyone's frantic attention, until the girl is linked. Lene follows leads against the wishes of a team working undercover to the art a next, planned bombing. Who's right? Is Lene, reunited with another former colleague, foiling their work, or is she justified in following her own path? Good story and characters. There are a few distractingly overwritten and clunky sentences, and the plot turn near the end made me wonder if a team running an undercover agent could really be so incompetent as to miss an obvious piece of information, but overall written well and paced evenly. Recommend.
A standard chasing terrorists before a big bombing thriller/police procedural set in Copenhagen. A young woman ends up under a train at a busy station, on the phone with police officer Lene, a volunteer with Suicide Hotline, who has volunteered after the suicide of her own daughter. Is it suicide again, or was she pushed? Is Lene overreacting in light of her daughter? The girls death is downplayed and Lene goes about her task of determining how terrorists entered the country over a year ago to set off a tragic suicide bombing in Tivoli Gardens. The focus on the bombing holds everyone's frantic attention, until the girl is linked. Lene follows leads against the wishes of a team working undercover to the art a next, planned bombing. Who's right? Is Lene, reunited with another former colleague, foiling their work, or is she justified in following her own path? Good story and characters. There are a few distractingly overwritten and clunky sentences, and the plot turn near the end made me wonder if a team running an undercover agent could really be so incompetent as to miss an obvious piece of information, but overall written well and paced evenly. Recommend.
July 8, 2017
Punishment (German edition) / Retribution (Englisch edition) is the 2 book of the Lene Jensen and Michael Sander's series.
At the beginning of the book, commissioner Lene Jensen fights with her own inner demons and tries to process her personal consequential damages from Book 1 (Trophy).
Through her voluntary work in telephone counseling, Lene meets the girl Ain.
One day a panicking Ain calls her on her private cell phone number and asks her for help... a few seconds later the call is ended by the sound of a screeching train brake...Official declared as a suicide, the case seems solved. Lene doesn`t believe that and starts to investigate...
- This is the beginning of a new case which brings Lene and the private investigator Michael Sanders back together. During their search for Ains killer they get more and more near the Tivoli assassins; who detonated the bomb a year before.
Punishment/Retribution provides a brief and at the same time frightening insight into the psyche of suicide bombers. But aspects of self-administered justice, with their consequences, are also included.
At the beginning of the book, commissioner Lene Jensen fights with her own inner demons and tries to process her personal consequential damages from Book 1 (Trophy).
Through her voluntary work in telephone counseling, Lene meets the girl Ain.
One day a panicking Ain calls her on her private cell phone number and asks her for help... a few seconds later the call is ended by the sound of a screeching train brake...Official declared as a suicide, the case seems solved. Lene doesn`t believe that and starts to investigate...
- This is the beginning of a new case which brings Lene and the private investigator Michael Sanders back together. During their search for Ains killer they get more and more near the Tivoli assassins; who detonated the bomb a year before.
Punishment/Retribution provides a brief and at the same time frightening insight into the psyche of suicide bombers. But aspects of self-administered justice, with their consequences, are also included.
April 18, 2018
Thank you NetGalley and Skyhorse Publishing for the eARC.
A great read with flawed heroes and cold hearted killers that will keep you up reading late into the night. Never having heard of Steffen Jacobsen before, I was curious, (as an avid Scandi fan) to read this book and subsequently thrilled to add another favorite author to my list. I already ordered Trophy, the previous book in this 4 part series. And when the next 2 are translated into English...very soon hopefully (and by the excellent Charlotte Barslund), I will be ordering those too. I'm as excited about these books as I was when I discovered The Millennium Trilogy.
A suicide bomber kills 1,241 people in the Tivoli Gardens, the famous amusement park in Copenhagen. Denmark is left in total shock, changing lives and the country forever.
Police Superintendent Lene Jensen and Private Investigator Michael Sander are working together again, trying to avert another attack. Intelligent, sensitive and obviously well researched, this is a timely thriller and highly recommended for everyone looking for an addictive new series.
A great read with flawed heroes and cold hearted killers that will keep you up reading late into the night. Never having heard of Steffen Jacobsen before, I was curious, (as an avid Scandi fan) to read this book and subsequently thrilled to add another favorite author to my list. I already ordered Trophy, the previous book in this 4 part series. And when the next 2 are translated into English...very soon hopefully (and by the excellent Charlotte Barslund), I will be ordering those too. I'm as excited about these books as I was when I discovered The Millennium Trilogy.
A suicide bomber kills 1,241 people in the Tivoli Gardens, the famous amusement park in Copenhagen. Denmark is left in total shock, changing lives and the country forever.
Police Superintendent Lene Jensen and Private Investigator Michael Sander are working together again, trying to avert another attack. Intelligent, sensitive and obviously well researched, this is a timely thriller and highly recommended for everyone looking for an addictive new series.
December 29, 2018
Seriously? To say I'm stunned by people who gave this four or five stars is no exaggeration. Starts off interestingly enough… But becomes laughable about halfway through. Since when does a high paid security expert (michael) get nervous under stress, forget to ask the right questions at the right time, and not see half of the so-called "action" coming from a mile away. he doesn't.... but you will. He reminded me more of the security guard at your local mall then he did anyone you would trust guarding state secrets or important clients. I liked the character of lene more but she gets roped into too much inane dialogue and too many ridiculous actions once michael appears and they start working together. And then the dumbest plot twist of all....when the "bad girl" physically turns herself into the lead character ....enough to fool all who know that person well....when it seems the only thing they had in common was their height. Give me a break. Forget that... I'll take my own break and not bother to read any other book's in this writer's series.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 5, 2025
Selvom plottet godt kan holde dig fanget, forstår jeg ikke, hvorfor en redaktør ikke har stillet flere undrende spørgsmål. For det første har forfatteren en tendens til, ret ofte at overgøre sin person karakteristikker med mange irrelevante detaljer om folks udseende, tøj mm. Og antallet af gange man fx får udpenslet, hvor smuk og indtagende Nazeera er, kan jeg ikke tælle. Parallelt med dette beskrives Lene i løbet af bogen som en, der ligner udslidt æblegrød, men til sidst, må man forstå, kan ingen simpelthen kende forskel på de to!
Udover dette er der en række scener, særligt imod slutningen, som fremkommer meget urealistiske. En tilfældig taxa chauffør får stor betydning for det hele, og skurkene prioriterer også, midt i en stort og nøje planlagt terroiraktion også lige at skulle halshugge heltene…
Og midt i hele kulminationen, er der både plads til kække bemærkninger og fortsat detaljerede beskrivelser af fx galante italienske mænds sko-valg - virker altså ikke gennemarbejdet.
Udover dette er der en række scener, særligt imod slutningen, som fremkommer meget urealistiske. En tilfældig taxa chauffør får stor betydning for det hele, og skurkene prioriterer også, midt i en stort og nøje planlagt terroiraktion også lige at skulle halshugge heltene…
Og midt i hele kulminationen, er der både plads til kække bemærkninger og fortsat detaljerede beskrivelser af fx galante italienske mænds sko-valg - virker altså ikke gennemarbejdet.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 21, 2017
The second book in this remarkably entertaining series concerns a potential follow up terrorist attack in Copenhagen. Multiple characters, agencies and terrorists play an original version of espionage in their approach to another attack. Police Superintendent Lene Jensen again teams up with Private Security operative Michael Sander to unravel the inconsistencies revolving around conflicting events and players in the run up to what could be another devastating attack. This is another originally complex and highly entertaining mystery/thriller by an incredibly talented author (and orthopedic surgeon) ably assisted by a brilliant translator. Unfortunately, the next two books in this 5 star series have not as yet been translated into English so we watch and wait. If you read and enjoy Scandinavian crime fiction as much as I do, start with Steffen Jacobsen's extraordinarily compelling Jensen/Sander debut thriller "Trophy"!
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