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Faroes #3
The Fire Pit
THE FIRE PIT IS THE THIRD BOOK IN THE FAROES NOVEL SERIES, FOLLOWING ON FROM THE CRITICALLY ACCLAIMED THE KILLING BAY
When forty-year-old skeletal remains of a child are unearthed at an isolated farm, Hjalti Hentze is charged with investigating the death. But as Hentze's investigation turns to the commune that occupied the farm in the 1970s, Jan Reyna discovers a connection to his mother's death and long-repressed childhood memories. As Reyna pursues a conspiracy of murder and abuse spanning four decades, Hentze realises that Reyna may be about to go down a path from which there can be no return.
When forty-year-old skeletal remains of a child are unearthed at an isolated farm, Hjalti Hentze is charged with investigating the death. But as Hentze's investigation turns to the commune that occupied the farm in the 1970s, Jan Reyna discovers a connection to his mother's death and long-repressed childhood memories. As Reyna pursues a conspiracy of murder and abuse spanning four decades, Hentze realises that Reyna may be about to go down a path from which there can be no return.
464 pages, Paperback
First published February 20, 2018
48 people are currently reading
207 people want to read
About the author
Chris Ould
11 books79 followersChris Ould is a BAFTA award winning screenwriter who has worked on TV shows including The Bill, Soldier Soldier, Casualty and Hornblower. Chris has previously published two adult novels, and the second of his series of Young Adult crime novels, The Killing Street, was published by Usborne in June 2013.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 85 reviews
April 19, 2018
This book begins with numerous storylines. In the beginning Jan Reyna goes back to England for his disciplinary hearing. Afterwards he continues to investigate the circumstances of his mother’s death which take him to beautiful Denmark. Both of these storylines began in the first Faroes book, The Blood Strand. If you haven’t read the earlier books, begin with that first one, otherwise you may feel a little lost as Chris Ould refers to past events & people without explanations.
Hjalti, a Faroes detective, continues his investigation into the death of a man who was killed at the end of the last book. The investigation intensifies when 40 year old bones are found in a shallow grave on land the dead man had owned. And finally a Danish detective hunts for a killer that he believes may be a serial killer.
What is a terrific series. It just keeps getting better. The descriptions of the Faroes Islands are wonderful. The author really gives the reader a sense of the people, their culture, and the weather.....the constant wind, often overcast skies, the pounding rain and short lived spurts of weak sunlight. And in this 3rd book he contrasts it with a bit of sunny Denmark.
Chris Ould slowly reveals bits of Reyna’s character & that of Hjalti, and the reader knows that there’s much more to discover. I look forward to the journey in the books to come.
Highly recommended 4.5 ⭐️
Hjalti, a Faroes detective, continues his investigation into the death of a man who was killed at the end of the last book. The investigation intensifies when 40 year old bones are found in a shallow grave on land the dead man had owned. And finally a Danish detective hunts for a killer that he believes may be a serial killer.
What is a terrific series. It just keeps getting better. The descriptions of the Faroes Islands are wonderful. The author really gives the reader a sense of the people, their culture, and the weather.....the constant wind, often overcast skies, the pounding rain and short lived spurts of weak sunlight. And in this 3rd book he contrasts it with a bit of sunny Denmark.
Chris Ould slowly reveals bits of Reyna’s character & that of Hjalti, and the reader knows that there’s much more to discover. I look forward to the journey in the books to come.
Highly recommended 4.5 ⭐️
December 29, 2018
The memories hadn’t come, either because they weren’t there or because self-preservation was still stronger than any intellectual desire to know. But if the past really is another country, then our past selves are different, too. We’re no longer the person we once were; either by choice or through attrition, the result is the same…
First up, I didn’t not realise this was part of a series (nice cover, interesting blurb, contemporary Nordic drama), and with a few hastily jotted notes I soon picked up on the main characters.
The novel opens in Denmark where kriminalassistent Thomas Friis of the Aarhus CID, is looking into the death of a woman and the drugging of her young daughter at a remote farmhouse, as part of a pattern. In the Faroe Islands, Acting Inspector Hjalti Hentze arrives at the site of a former commune where the body of a young woman is found buried under a pile of rocks, believed to be that of a missing Norwegian woman, forty years earlier. The land was owned by a local man, dying of cancer who had taken his own life. And Faroes-born English detective Jan Reyná, who has been on the islands to meet his father (now deceased), returns briefly to the UK to face the Directorate of Professional Standards on charges of leading a witness to gain an arrest, and although exonerated, he resigns from the police, flying to Denmark where his mother Lydiá took him as a small boy, to trace what happened to her.
So dead bodies everywhere, and three stories slowly twisting and converging, standout character of part-Faroe/part Dane student Tova. What I liked about this book is the absence of a temporal shift: all events take place in the present, but link back to bohemian lifestyles and practices of the seventies; and the map of the Faroes Islands for navigation.
Verdict: a thinking read.
First up, I didn’t not realise this was part of a series (nice cover, interesting blurb, contemporary Nordic drama), and with a few hastily jotted notes I soon picked up on the main characters.
The novel opens in Denmark where kriminalassistent Thomas Friis of the Aarhus CID, is looking into the death of a woman and the drugging of her young daughter at a remote farmhouse, as part of a pattern. In the Faroe Islands, Acting Inspector Hjalti Hentze arrives at the site of a former commune where the body of a young woman is found buried under a pile of rocks, believed to be that of a missing Norwegian woman, forty years earlier. The land was owned by a local man, dying of cancer who had taken his own life. And Faroes-born English detective Jan Reyná, who has been on the islands to meet his father (now deceased), returns briefly to the UK to face the Directorate of Professional Standards on charges of leading a witness to gain an arrest, and although exonerated, he resigns from the police, flying to Denmark where his mother Lydiá took him as a small boy, to trace what happened to her.
So dead bodies everywhere, and three stories slowly twisting and converging, standout character of part-Faroe/part Dane student Tova. What I liked about this book is the absence of a temporal shift: all events take place in the present, but link back to bohemian lifestyles and practices of the seventies; and the map of the Faroes Islands for navigation.
Verdict: a thinking read.
March 31, 2018
4.5 stars
Another gem that's been hiding in my TBR pile for yonks. A few years ago I was lucky enough to visit the Faroe Islands. They are unbelievably beautiful & a hiker's paradise. While there I picked up the first book in this trilogy set in the Faroes & started following the story of 2 police men, Hjalti & Jan.
This is a great end to the trilogy. The plot is intricate with several story lines that Ould skillfully pulls together for an exciting finish. Some of the regular characters have changes in store & their futures are left up in the air but we (and Jan) finally get answers concerning the death of his mother 40 years ago.
Ould has been quoted as saying it was best to leave the series at 3 books. Probably wise....in a place with such a small population, killing off more people would mean running the risk of it becoming a Faroese version of Cabot Cove. A really satisfying read.
Another gem that's been hiding in my TBR pile for yonks. A few years ago I was lucky enough to visit the Faroe Islands. They are unbelievably beautiful & a hiker's paradise. While there I picked up the first book in this trilogy set in the Faroes & started following the story of 2 police men, Hjalti & Jan.
This is a great end to the trilogy. The plot is intricate with several story lines that Ould skillfully pulls together for an exciting finish. Some of the regular characters have changes in store & their futures are left up in the air but we (and Jan) finally get answers concerning the death of his mother 40 years ago.
Ould has been quoted as saying it was best to leave the series at 3 books. Probably wise....in a place with such a small population, killing off more people would mean running the risk of it becoming a Faroese version of Cabot Cove. A really satisfying read.
July 10, 2023
When man commits suicide, a woman's 40 year old skeleton is found. It all goes back to a cult.
I didn't really feel it.
I didn't really feel it.
February 23, 2018
The final book in the trilogy where all the strands come together.
I so looked forward to reading this book and I was not disappointed.
The book picks up where the previous one ended and I would say that, although you could read this book on its own, I would really recommend reading all three just like I did. In fact, it has taken me less than a month as I really enjoy Chris Ould’s writing style and plot machinations.
At the end of the second book a dying man, riddled with cancer and an alcoholic, apparently commits suicide. However, a body of a young woman is then discovered in the same area and after more investigation her 10-year-old daughter’s body is also found. This turns out to be a murder committed more than 40 years ago when there was a commune in the area. Our Faroes detective, Hjalti Hentze, once again is determined to find out whether the apparent suicide and this murder are connected and goes about this in his normal methodical way.
Meanwhile, Jan Reyna is in Denmark searching for clues regarding his own mother’s suicide. We finally discover why he had been suspended from his job in England and that, disillusioned with the way he has been treated, he has resigned and now wants to devote all his energy to finding out more about his childhood.
As the investigation in the Faroes intensifies, so links begin to appear between events there and events in Denmark and Jan and Hjalti again join forces.
Suffice it to say that everything is finally resolved but it would be a shame to give any details away as it was so absorbing to discover piece by piece what happened. These books are what I would call slow movers but this is their charm because little by little events are revealed and are finally put together.
Although the ending was satisfactory and pulled together all three novels, I really hope that there might be some scope for further stories regarding the two detectives, Jan and Hjalti. I imagine one of the problems is that there probably are not too many murders in the Faroes although that never stopped Inspector Morse in Oxford!
Even if this series is not continued I would be very interested in reading any further books by this author, I really enjoy his atmospheric writing and plotlines and would recommend this book thoroughly.
Dexter
Breakaway Reviewers received a copy of the book to review
I so looked forward to reading this book and I was not disappointed.
The book picks up where the previous one ended and I would say that, although you could read this book on its own, I would really recommend reading all three just like I did. In fact, it has taken me less than a month as I really enjoy Chris Ould’s writing style and plot machinations.
At the end of the second book a dying man, riddled with cancer and an alcoholic, apparently commits suicide. However, a body of a young woman is then discovered in the same area and after more investigation her 10-year-old daughter’s body is also found. This turns out to be a murder committed more than 40 years ago when there was a commune in the area. Our Faroes detective, Hjalti Hentze, once again is determined to find out whether the apparent suicide and this murder are connected and goes about this in his normal methodical way.
Meanwhile, Jan Reyna is in Denmark searching for clues regarding his own mother’s suicide. We finally discover why he had been suspended from his job in England and that, disillusioned with the way he has been treated, he has resigned and now wants to devote all his energy to finding out more about his childhood.
As the investigation in the Faroes intensifies, so links begin to appear between events there and events in Denmark and Jan and Hjalti again join forces.
Suffice it to say that everything is finally resolved but it would be a shame to give any details away as it was so absorbing to discover piece by piece what happened. These books are what I would call slow movers but this is their charm because little by little events are revealed and are finally put together.
Although the ending was satisfactory and pulled together all three novels, I really hope that there might be some scope for further stories regarding the two detectives, Jan and Hjalti. I imagine one of the problems is that there probably are not too many murders in the Faroes although that never stopped Inspector Morse in Oxford!
Even if this series is not continued I would be very interested in reading any further books by this author, I really enjoy his atmospheric writing and plotlines and would recommend this book thoroughly.
Dexter
Breakaway Reviewers received a copy of the book to review
November 4, 2024
Okay I binge read these three books. I was so caught up with the, new to me, environment of the Faroe Islands and its relationship with Denmark. The books are connected and need to be read in order. They seem to cover, ??, no more than a month or so.
It was worth the wait / read to discover what was behind Rayne’s mother’s death and also his suspension. The threads from the previous books are tied up neatly and believably.
Great tension building to the ultimate denouement. Definitely worth reading for all of the above and also avoiding the ancient stereotyping of police offices.
It was worth the wait / read to discover what was behind Rayne’s mother’s death and also his suspension. The threads from the previous books are tied up neatly and believably.
Great tension building to the ultimate denouement. Definitely worth reading for all of the above and also avoiding the ancient stereotyping of police offices.
August 10, 2019
The Fire Pit, the last in the Faroe Islands trilogy by Chris Ould, is the kind of book I can’t put down until I finish it usually at 3 am! You know a book is a personal 5 star rating when it deserves a glowing review and you want to tell someone to read these books (in order!)
The first, The Blood Strand, introduces Jan Reyna, a British police detective, who due to his intriguing Faroese family back story, returns ‘home’ and becomes involved in solving a murder with a local detective, Hjalti Hentze.
The author seamlessly weaves the plot threads of each book together against the backdrop of the intense nature of the islands. Jan and Hjalti develop an odd but effective relationship while seemingly working from different sides as events unfold. Numerous believable and interesting characters are introduced in the series, some are carried through all three books while others are central to the specific investigation. I felt that all of them were totally plausible and none were redundant. I especially liked Tove Hald who was introduced in The Killing Bay. Her research on Jan’s behalf not only leads to insights into his family but helps solve the mysteries.
Each of the books has a distinct theme; suicide, missing persons, anti- whale hunting activists, sexual abuse, 1970s hippie commune scene. And, all slowly reveal Jan Reyna’s personal and professional history. The Fire Pit pulls all the threads together in an intensified manner leaving me hugely impressed and also wanting more. I hope I’m correct in surmising that the author left a few hints at a possible follow up &/or spin-off. Highly recommended!
The first, The Blood Strand, introduces Jan Reyna, a British police detective, who due to his intriguing Faroese family back story, returns ‘home’ and becomes involved in solving a murder with a local detective, Hjalti Hentze.
The author seamlessly weaves the plot threads of each book together against the backdrop of the intense nature of the islands. Jan and Hjalti develop an odd but effective relationship while seemingly working from different sides as events unfold. Numerous believable and interesting characters are introduced in the series, some are carried through all three books while others are central to the specific investigation. I felt that all of them were totally plausible and none were redundant. I especially liked Tove Hald who was introduced in The Killing Bay. Her research on Jan’s behalf not only leads to insights into his family but helps solve the mysteries.
Each of the books has a distinct theme; suicide, missing persons, anti- whale hunting activists, sexual abuse, 1970s hippie commune scene. And, all slowly reveal Jan Reyna’s personal and professional history. The Fire Pit pulls all the threads together in an intensified manner leaving me hugely impressed and also wanting more. I hope I’m correct in surmising that the author left a few hints at a possible follow up &/or spin-off. Highly recommended!
May 17, 2019
Chris Ould really does write a good police procedural. This has some truly sad and gruesome parts but he doesn't let emotion get in the way. His characters have flaws but they're actually fairly normal people who don't turn to getting drunk and acting out at the slightest disappointment. And the story(ies) is strong and makes sense.
January 11, 2021
The Fire Pit is the final instalment of Chris Ould’s Faroes trilogy and brings the whole story to a satisfying conclusion. Starting with The Blood Strand, Oulds brings the Faroe Islands to life for the reader and not only commences a tale that weaves its way through three distinct stories but also details many aspects of Faroese culture, history and geography. As a geography buff, and as someone slightly obsessed with all things Scandinavian, I thoroughly enjoyed being transported through these far flung islands. This aspect of the books would not appeal to everyone but there’s nothing I enjoy more than poring over a map while I’m reading a story that intrigues me. And Oulds supplies a map of the Faroes at the beginning of each of his books which gets flicked back to again and again.
Much of the Fire Pit occurs in Denmark and the colonialism of the Danish is an aspect that features throughout. The story centres initially around the remote Faroese community of Múli, abandoned since 2002 with only 4 registered residents. It doesn’t get much remoter than this and Múli is the setting of a fictitious commune inhabited by Danish youth looking for an alternative lifestyle. 40 years after it ceased to exist, the remains of two community members are unearthed, setting in motion a chain of events that leads all the way back to a home for ‘delinquent’ youth in Denmark, chemical trials of drugs, a deranged psychopathic chemist and multiple other similar unresolved murders. The culminating factor is that we find out the real story to chief protagonist Jan Reyna’s mother Lydia who reportedly suicided when Jan was a young boy, setting him on a course that ultimately leads him back to the Faroes.
There are no amazingly standout characters in The Fire Pit from my perspective and I felt that both Jan and Faroese detective Hjalti Hentze weakened a little in this book. However, this was a great read and the trilogy is one I would recommend to any Nordic crime fan. 4 solid stars.
Much of the Fire Pit occurs in Denmark and the colonialism of the Danish is an aspect that features throughout. The story centres initially around the remote Faroese community of Múli, abandoned since 2002 with only 4 registered residents. It doesn’t get much remoter than this and Múli is the setting of a fictitious commune inhabited by Danish youth looking for an alternative lifestyle. 40 years after it ceased to exist, the remains of two community members are unearthed, setting in motion a chain of events that leads all the way back to a home for ‘delinquent’ youth in Denmark, chemical trials of drugs, a deranged psychopathic chemist and multiple other similar unresolved murders. The culminating factor is that we find out the real story to chief protagonist Jan Reyna’s mother Lydia who reportedly suicided when Jan was a young boy, setting him on a course that ultimately leads him back to the Faroes.
There are no amazingly standout characters in The Fire Pit from my perspective and I felt that both Jan and Faroese detective Hjalti Hentze weakened a little in this book. However, this was a great read and the trilogy is one I would recommend to any Nordic crime fan. 4 solid stars.
November 18, 2023
This third book in the Faroes series is the best so far. The switch between first and third person narrative is unusual but it seems to work. I am not sure if someone who hadn't read the first two books would get as much out of it as if they had read the series in order but I think they would still enjoy it. The characters and story line are much more complex than is typical for a series mystery. Unfortunately (for me) Ould has only written three books in this series. I am hoping for more. In the mean time, I will seek out others he has written.
March 7, 2018
This was Chris Ould's third book on the Faroe Islands and was worth the read. It's a little hectic to read a first because it goes from England to Denmark to the Faroe Islands but you get use to that. Whats interesting is how he starts out in Denmark and gives you a murder right away, with Thomas Friis, who only plays a small role in the book. Then it shifts to the Faroe Islands and you meet Hjalti Hentze, who is one of the main characters in the story, he's found a body which proves very old in a sheep inclosure on a farm where their was a commune in the 70's. Then we meet are main character.
He's pretty messed up and wants to find out about his mother who committed suicide. I won't go into any more detail but lets say there is more murders and out hero has a noir experience. You'll find this book with many plots and red herrings always an interesting read.
He's pretty messed up and wants to find out about his mother who committed suicide. I won't go into any more detail but lets say there is more murders and out hero has a noir experience. You'll find this book with many plots and red herrings always an interesting read.
April 24, 2021
What appears to be the final book in the series and another knockout by Chris Ould! I absolutely love the series and am sad to see it end but was very satisfied. The final book was definitely longer and much darker.
While I have read the trilogy over the course of one or two years, the books themselves actually only span a few months. I could vaguely remember what happened in other books so appreciated when they mentioned pieces but if you don't read it in order you'd be confused.
I did like that you finally found out why Jan was in trouble with his job back home after two books of mentioning it! I also found that towards the end of the book I was one or two steps ahead of the plot but only in certain instances. That pretty much never happens to me so I was proud of myself.
While I have read the trilogy over the course of one or two years, the books themselves actually only span a few months. I could vaguely remember what happened in other books so appreciated when they mentioned pieces but if you don't read it in order you'd be confused.
I did like that you finally found out why Jan was in trouble with his job back home after two books of mentioning it! I also found that towards the end of the book I was one or two steps ahead of the plot but only in certain instances. That pretty much never happens to me so I was proud of myself.
May 27, 2018
A fitting end to the trilogy. Multiple story lines to keep you guessing, much like Agatha C. One fun thing to do is to use Google Maps while reading and look at the locations mentioned in the book. Really gives you a "feel" for what is transpiring and the surrounding countryside. Especially the location of Múli. The ending was a bit open-ended, but fitting and satisfying. Actually more believable than some type of Hollywood ending. Highly recommended.
July 22, 2018
I agree with the other readers - well-written, interesting set of characters and an unusual setting. This book has very much of a Nordic Noir feel to it - think "The Killing" or "The Bridge." I knew little about the Faroe Islands (except what I heard when I was in Denmark last year) and reading this book gave me a great sense of the place - its topography, its people, its culture and its cuisine. The plot was very compelling, and this was a fitting end to the trilogy. Very satisfying read!
October 20, 2018
The last in the Faroes trilogy, this book picks up right where #2 left off. Detective Hentze's investigation of an apparent suicide, and DI Reyna's search for information about his mother's final
days intersect in a very satisfying way. Ould created such interesting, well-defined secondary characters, I'm sorry to see the series end. Now that Iceland is all the rage, visitors to the Faroe
Islands can't be far behind.
days intersect in a very satisfying way. Ould created such interesting, well-defined secondary characters, I'm sorry to see the series end. Now that Iceland is all the rage, visitors to the Faroe
Islands can't be far behind.
March 29, 2022
Nemohli jsme se dalšího dílu dočkat, teď spláčeme nad tím, že jím série případů z Faerských ostrovů končí. Ve velkém stylu. Zpoza faerských mračen, jimiž pronikají v poryvech větru kapky deště a navozují tak atmosféru blížícího se (a plíživého) zločinu i jeho odhalení. Zatímco Jan Reyna absolvuje v Anglii disciplinární řízení, my se můžeme začíst do dalšího titulu, v němž Chris Ould živě popisuje místo dění i postavy příběhu tak, že před čtenáři přímo ožívají. A opět je to i zásluhou překladatelky Alžběty Lexové, která zcela ve službách textu myslí na autorovu vizi stejně, jako na každého čtenáře.
Toho čeká nejen možnost postupně poznávat každou součást osobnosti Jana Reyny i další postavy, tajuplné a neotřelé prostředí, ale hlavně možnost užívat si pozvolné rozplétání jednotlivých linek a zápletek v případu, aby do sebe všechny součásti nakonec zapadly na milimetr přesně. Čtenářský prožitek i kvalita textu má vzestupnou tendenci, a tak náznaky, že by přece jen tohle Reynovo dobrodružství nemuselo být poslední, jsou více než chtěné. Při čtení Ohně na pláži si vzpomenete na to nejlepší, co kdy vzešlo ze severských krimi, užijete si tempo textu, preciznost příběhu, všechny zvraty i vysvětlení, která jsme tolik chtěli vyčíst z předchozích dvou knih. Tuto se určitě vyplatí číst s jejich znalostí, pokud nechcete být místy ztraceni. Ostatně, celá trilogie Chrise Oulda si místo ve vaší knihovně určitě zaslouží.
Hodnocení: 90 %
Toho čeká nejen možnost postupně poznávat každou součást osobnosti Jana Reyny i další postavy, tajuplné a neotřelé prostředí, ale hlavně možnost užívat si pozvolné rozplétání jednotlivých linek a zápletek v případu, aby do sebe všechny součásti nakonec zapadly na milimetr přesně. Čtenářský prožitek i kvalita textu má vzestupnou tendenci, a tak náznaky, že by přece jen tohle Reynovo dobrodružství nemuselo být poslední, jsou více než chtěné. Při čtení Ohně na pláži si vzpomenete na to nejlepší, co kdy vzešlo ze severských krimi, užijete si tempo textu, preciznost příběhu, všechny zvraty i vysvětlení, která jsme tolik chtěli vyčíst z předchozích dvou knih. Tuto se určitě vyplatí číst s jejich znalostí, pokud nechcete být místy ztraceni. Ostatně, celá trilogie Chrise Oulda si místo ve vaší knihovně určitě zaslouží.
Hodnocení: 90 %
February 20, 2019
Everything comes together in this, the third book in the trilogy, and it would definitely be a shame to read these in the wrong order, I think, as the whole story runs through the three books and the answer Jan is searching for (the truth about his mother's death) comes only at the end. All the events in modern time follow closely on each other. The apparent suicide of the drunk Boas in book 2 turns out to be murder, and the scene at the beginning of that story, never explained, now is brought to light and investigated. This final volume - and sadly it does feel rather final, unless someone can persuade Jan to move back to the Faroes now that he owns a house there! - ties up the murders at the former hippy colony in the Faroes (from the early 1970s and today), Jan's situation in England, and the history of what happened to his mother in Denmark. Once again the novel opens with an episode (in Denmark, this time) for which we have to wait a long time for an explanation as to how it fits in, but it does. The slightly disappointing thing is that although Jan finds an explanation for his mother's actions and death which must be satisfying for him, he can't really share it with others (even though one or two of them work it out).
August 17, 2020
The only reason this isn't getting rated higher is because there are WAY too many open questions and loose ends at the end of this trilogy. After the first book, I thought they were all there to set up what was clearly an overarching mystery - and some were. But far too many weren't, they were just left loose. At the end of the second book, I was utterly unsatisfied by the number of dangling questions, so I rushed to get the third and read it immediately. While the overall mystery was solved at the end of this one, I still have dozens of unresolved questions. Like huge, unresolved questions, about each individual mystery AND the overarching one. And I'll add that the very end - the resolution of our main detective characters - didn't work for me at all, none of it matched the characters we had just been getting to know over three books. That all said, I loved the setting. I did like getting to know these characters. I enjoyed reading this series.
I just found it frustratingly unsatisfying at the end.
I just found it frustratingly unsatisfying at the end.
July 16, 2022
the Fire Pit is the last episode in the Faroes series about Jan Reyna and Hjalti Henze.
In my review of the second book I mentioned that I found that episode less interesting than the first episode, but I must say that Ould has outdone himself in the final episode.
I really like how the story lines from the previous books come together at the end of this final volume and how, in the end, we discover Lydia's real story. Both Hentze and Jan play a major part in this book and the story is exciting, suspenseful and interesting. I also liked the new character, Tove, I think she was a good addition to the cast.
Although the story progresses slowly, like in the previous books, it nevertheless keeps you interested and there is a lot of suspense.
I don't give 5 stars often, and I would say a small 5 stars, but what the heck, 5 stars it is.
In my review of the second book I mentioned that I found that episode less interesting than the first episode, but I must say that Ould has outdone himself in the final episode.
I really like how the story lines from the previous books come together at the end of this final volume and how, in the end, we discover Lydia's real story. Both Hentze and Jan play a major part in this book and the story is exciting, suspenseful and interesting. I also liked the new character, Tove, I think she was a good addition to the cast.
Although the story progresses slowly, like in the previous books, it nevertheless keeps you interested and there is a lot of suspense.
I don't give 5 stars often, and I would say a small 5 stars, but what the heck, 5 stars it is.
August 10, 2025
This is the third and last in the DI Jan Reyna series, set on the Danish Faroe Islands and in and around Copenhagen. Reyna and detective Hjalti Hentze, along with Annika Mortensen, work separate parts of what ends up being the same decades'-long case, after Boas Justesen's body is found in a burnt out house on his land and a woman's skeleton is discovered in a makeshift grave whose stones Justesen has apparently partially uncovered before his death. While Hjalti and Annika are handling this, Jan is still investigating his mother's life and suicide, now following leads resulting from graphic photos taken in the 1970s and found on a Leica that his mother had had with her when she died. It's a complicated and absorbing case, and the ending felt satisfying, though I would have liked more.
April 3, 2018
The closing book in a really good mystery trilogy, "The Fire Pit" closes by explaining a series of crimes going back years, as well as the suicide of Jan Reyna's mother, which launched the first book. The first two books in the series had their own crimes, but the crimes of the killer who is identified in the third book are there as well. Its setting—the Faeroes Islands—is consistently interesting, as are the two main protagonists, one a Faeroese cop and one an English cop tracking knowledge about his mother's death. It is sometimes leisurely in pace, but the cops in it are thorough, and so is their work.
July 9, 2018
Another excellent book in this series. It may be the last one or there could be more to come. The action, again, picks up days after the end of the second in the series. Jan Reyna is still on the Faroes but has to return to England soon after the start to face some sort of internal disciplinary hearing in the police force he serves in. This is referenced in the first two books but we never know what the issue is but it is explained here.
On the Faroes Hjalti investigates a possible murder from over forty years ago and a book with several strands begins to emerge. Very well written and the plot is brilliantly executed.
Hope we haven't seen the last of the characters in these books!
On the Faroes Hjalti investigates a possible murder from over forty years ago and a book with several strands begins to emerge. Very well written and the plot is brilliantly executed.
Hope we haven't seen the last of the characters in these books!
August 7, 2021
What a treat!!! I am a compulsive reader of mystery series in sequence because you not only have an excellent read, but you watch the changes in the protagonists. British DI Jan Reyna and Detective Hjalti Hentze are great characters. Somehow I lost track of this series, so it was wonderful to discover that I would finally find the end of the story as Jan seeks to understand his history and the death of his mother. I highly recommend this series set on the Faroe Islands, Denmark, and England. Read them in order and don't forget that there are 3 episodes. Kristi & Abby Tabby
November 18, 2025
Conclusion to a really good series
Read the three Faroes novels straight through (unusual for me), really good stuff-a little Wallanderish, Rebusish but Ould very much has his own voice. Besides a good mystery and good characterization, this series has a strong sense of place for a place that is truly unique. Highly recommend spending some time on You Tube to get to know the Faroe Islands before or while reading the first book in the series. It adds to the pleasure of the wonderful writing to have some visual idea of the landscape in which the books take place.
Read the three Faroes novels straight through (unusual for me), really good stuff-a little Wallanderish, Rebusish but Ould very much has his own voice. Besides a good mystery and good characterization, this series has a strong sense of place for a place that is truly unique. Highly recommend spending some time on You Tube to get to know the Faroe Islands before or while reading the first book in the series. It adds to the pleasure of the wonderful writing to have some visual idea of the landscape in which the books take place.
November 7, 2018
A rather long but well written book with investigations being conducted
by two detectives- Hjalti Henyze and British Di Jan Reyna. They are looking
Into a murder that occurred over Forty years ago and Reyna is investigating
his mother’s suicide.
This is the third book in this series that might be better if you read them in
order, however the ending ties up all the loose ends and puts it all together.
An interesting mystery, but not my favorite. The characters are strong and
well defined.
by two detectives- Hjalti Henyze and British Di Jan Reyna. They are looking
Into a murder that occurred over Forty years ago and Reyna is investigating
his mother’s suicide.
This is the third book in this series that might be better if you read them in
order, however the ending ties up all the loose ends and puts it all together.
An interesting mystery, but not my favorite. The characters are strong and
well defined.
November 9, 2018
This the final instalment to the trilogy was my favourite, partly because it all came together now and made sense and partly because a good part of it took place in Denmark ( where I live)
The naration was good, I can't answer for the faroese names / places , but the Danish pronounciation was reasonable good for a non danish narator , except for Tove .... When a name is mentioned so many times please find out how to pronounce it ... Drove me rather crazy
The naration was good, I can't answer for the faroese names / places , but the Danish pronounciation was reasonable good for a non danish narator , except for Tove .... When a name is mentioned so many times please find out how to pronounce it ... Drove me rather crazy
November 21, 2018
I have thoroughly enjoyed this set of 3 books.
This time we find things have moved on again with Jan returning to the UK to clear himself of misconduct & resign and then continue his private enquiries into his mother's life (& death).
Meanwhile back in the Faroes Hjalti is faced with an apparent suicide & a recently uncovered pile of 40yr old bones.
As the stories move along it becomes clear that the resolution of one is also the solution of the other...
This time we find things have moved on again with Jan returning to the UK to clear himself of misconduct & resign and then continue his private enquiries into his mother's life (& death).
Meanwhile back in the Faroes Hjalti is faced with an apparent suicide & a recently uncovered pile of 40yr old bones.
As the stories move along it becomes clear that the resolution of one is also the solution of the other...
April 11, 2020
I would give this five stars for plot, but three stars for characterisation.
The story moves along at a good pace, and is ingenious and (sadly) credible. The characters seem realistic, but are very lightly drawn, with little depth or reflectiveness. I think I would settle for a somewhat slower denouement, with more rounded characters.
This is the third of three - I have accidentally read them in the wrong order - but this wasn't problematic.
The story moves along at a good pace, and is ingenious and (sadly) credible. The characters seem realistic, but are very lightly drawn, with little depth or reflectiveness. I think I would settle for a somewhat slower denouement, with more rounded characters.
This is the third of three - I have accidentally read them in the wrong order - but this wasn't problematic.
August 24, 2020
I’m afraid I raced through this book too quickly, I was so anxious to find out what was going to happen next. In quite a few instances, the author deliberately provoked this reaction by alternating chapters describing what Jan was doing and what Hjalti was doing. Now I feel sad because I gather it’s the last book in the series. Also I had hoped for a different resolution for Jan. I thought he and Hjalti might team up and solve many more cases together.
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