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Oslo Detectives #7
The Ice Swimmer
When a dead man is lifted from the freezing waters of Oslo Harbour just before Christmas, Detective Lena Stigersand's stressful life suddenly becomes even more complicated. Not only is she dealing with a cancer scare, a stalker and an untrustworthy boyfriend, but it seems both a politician and Norway's security services might be involved in the murder. With her trusted colleagues, Gunnarstranda and Frølich, at her side, Lena digs deep into the case and finds that it not only goes to the heart of the Norwegian establishment, but it might be rather to close to her personal life for comfort.
371 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2010
351 people are currently reading
1295 people want to read
About the author
Kjell Ola Dahl
34 books128 followersBorn in 1958, Dahl's first novel was published in 1993. He is best known for his series about Oslo detectives Frank Frølich and Inspector Gunnarstranda.
Also publishes as K.O. Dahl
Also publishes as K.O. Dahl
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 201 reviews
April 21, 2017
I'm starting to sound like a broken record while singing the praises of Orenda's books and telling you to go buy them, but I can't help it; they're just so good! While Faithless is technically book #7 in the Oslo detectives series, you can easily pick this up as a standalone, as all the characters and places bring you up to speed. We all know that I love a good police procedural, but I think the reason this one was so tight was that Nordic Noir element; the setting seems to read as a character all it's own and the slow building, steady suspense is masterfully done. This particular novel is heavy on the slow burn and I would not suggest picking this up when in the mood for a fast paced, action packed book; however, if you're looking for heavy characterization and a dark atmosphere, you won't go wrong diving into this one.
If I really think about it, the reason Faithless worked so well for me was because of it's classic feel. The story is very traditional in the sense that it solves a case the old fashioned way, with detectives working slowly through the investigation and footing their own leg work in lieu of relying heavily on technology and miraculous lab work. In a sense, these elements brought a realness to the story that other flashier tales just can't nail down; I can truly see why the author is considered one of the fathers of Nordic Noir. Without giving away any plot details, I was really hooked by the way the story ended; the finale truly had me clamoring for the next book in a need it now sense. I'm keeping this review brief as the story itself is brief (my copy came to around 250 pages), and I'm hoping not to blabber on and give too much away or spoil the book for another reader. Highly recommended for those looking to expand their tastes in the genre and add another winning series to their collection.
* Many thanks to Karen at Orenda Books for providing my gorgeous copy; the cover is stunning and multi-dimensional in person. It's always a pleasure to be a part of the blog tours!
If I really think about it, the reason Faithless worked so well for me was because of it's classic feel. The story is very traditional in the sense that it solves a case the old fashioned way, with detectives working slowly through the investigation and footing their own leg work in lieu of relying heavily on technology and miraculous lab work. In a sense, these elements brought a realness to the story that other flashier tales just can't nail down; I can truly see why the author is considered one of the fathers of Nordic Noir. Without giving away any plot details, I was really hooked by the way the story ended; the finale truly had me clamoring for the next book in a need it now sense. I'm keeping this review brief as the story itself is brief (my copy came to around 250 pages), and I'm hoping not to blabber on and give too much away or spoil the book for another reader. Highly recommended for those looking to expand their tastes in the genre and add another winning series to their collection.
* Many thanks to Karen at Orenda Books for providing my gorgeous copy; the cover is stunning and multi-dimensional in person. It's always a pleasure to be a part of the blog tours!
June 11, 2018
The Ice Swimmer is the latest in Kjell Ola Dahl’s Oslo Detective series, with a paperback publication date of October 1, 2018. (It's available on Kindle now.)
Warning to readers who prefer to start any series with Book #1: Of the first 7 books, 5 have been published in English and they were published in reverse order to their Swedish publication dates. The good news is that, even though this is a series, the books don’t focus on the same detective and the Ice Swimmer is the first novel to focus on detective, Lena Stigersand. Ice Swimmer is the only book I’ve read in the series and my first Kjell Ola Dahl novel, and I didn’t have any sense of missing background information or context at any point.
Ice Swimmer is a complex police procedural with a political conspiracy, a leak in the police department, competing jurisdictional battles between Swedish agencies with different agendas, a fling with a reporter, and multiple threats to Stigersand’s life thrown in for good measure. Within the first twenty pages, there are two dead bodies and others soon join them. Two of the bad guys are a tad one-dimensional, but Dahl knows where the line is and stops just short of it. He also manages to introduce a dozen or so characters without confusing the reader or requiring a white board to track relationships and roles. The mystery works.
There’s also an important storyline relating to Stigersand’s personal life, so be prepared for the occasional diversion from the core multiple murder investigation, multiple potential murderers and constant – and I do mean, constant – mentions of Swedish foods. You need to be at your most disciplined when reading The Ice Swimmer or you may find you’ve packed on a couple of pounds before you are done. One entire page is devoted to a detective’s recipe for fish soup. I predict that a sizeable contingent of readers will want to put the book down and start shopping for ingredients. As an American reader, I find these mentions to be a bonus. The Ice Swimmer has a strong sense of place. It could occur nowhere other than Sweden. But if you don’t know the streets, rivers and landscape, you might read past all of those grounding references and miss all of the landscape and culture that make The Ice Swimmer Swedish. You can’t ignore the food mentions, though, and who would want to? Here’s just one excerpt:
Oh, and it’s cold. The Ice Swimmer takes place in the days prior to Christmas. There’s not a lot of sunlight and cheer, although seasonal traditions and family expectations surround the characters.
Oddly, I recommend The Ice Swimmer as an ideal beach/weekend retreat book for fans of Nordic Noir who seek one. Often, series authors don’t get enough credit for simply producing good work. What’s not here is as important as what is – no over-the-top violence, no violence against children, no torture porn, no bombastic, ignorant head of the police department, no sexist colleagues. It’s not the best Swedish police procedural I’ve read this year or even terribly memorable, but Dahl’s done a serviceable job here and it’s always a plus to find a new Scandi author to add to my “good” list. When that author has a solid backlist of titles, it’s even more enjoyable.
Thanks to Orenda and Net Galley for a review copy.
Warning to readers who prefer to start any series with Book #1: Of the first 7 books, 5 have been published in English and they were published in reverse order to their Swedish publication dates. The good news is that, even though this is a series, the books don’t focus on the same detective and the Ice Swimmer is the first novel to focus on detective, Lena Stigersand. Ice Swimmer is the only book I’ve read in the series and my first Kjell Ola Dahl novel, and I didn’t have any sense of missing background information or context at any point.
Ice Swimmer is a complex police procedural with a political conspiracy, a leak in the police department, competing jurisdictional battles between Swedish agencies with different agendas, a fling with a reporter, and multiple threats to Stigersand’s life thrown in for good measure. Within the first twenty pages, there are two dead bodies and others soon join them. Two of the bad guys are a tad one-dimensional, but Dahl knows where the line is and stops just short of it. He also manages to introduce a dozen or so characters without confusing the reader or requiring a white board to track relationships and roles. The mystery works.
There’s also an important storyline relating to Stigersand’s personal life, so be prepared for the occasional diversion from the core multiple murder investigation, multiple potential murderers and constant – and I do mean, constant – mentions of Swedish foods. You need to be at your most disciplined when reading The Ice Swimmer or you may find you’ve packed on a couple of pounds before you are done. One entire page is devoted to a detective’s recipe for fish soup. I predict that a sizeable contingent of readers will want to put the book down and start shopping for ingredients. As an American reader, I find these mentions to be a bonus. The Ice Swimmer has a strong sense of place. It could occur nowhere other than Sweden. But if you don’t know the streets, rivers and landscape, you might read past all of those grounding references and miss all of the landscape and culture that make The Ice Swimmer Swedish. You can’t ignore the food mentions, though, and who would want to? Here’s just one excerpt:
“...aquavit, lutefisk, creamed peas, roast pork and pork ribs, mutton ribs steamed for hours over beech twigs, sauerkraut with caraway, and puréed swede and pork sausages spiced with ginger, rounded off with floury potatoes, crowned with fresh coffee combined with the delicate odour of exclusive cognac.”
Oh, and it’s cold. The Ice Swimmer takes place in the days prior to Christmas. There’s not a lot of sunlight and cheer, although seasonal traditions and family expectations surround the characters.
Oddly, I recommend The Ice Swimmer as an ideal beach/weekend retreat book for fans of Nordic Noir who seek one. Often, series authors don’t get enough credit for simply producing good work. What’s not here is as important as what is – no over-the-top violence, no violence against children, no torture porn, no bombastic, ignorant head of the police department, no sexist colleagues. It’s not the best Swedish police procedural I’ve read this year or even terribly memorable, but Dahl’s done a serviceable job here and it’s always a plus to find a new Scandi author to add to my “good” list. When that author has a solid backlist of titles, it’s even more enjoyable.
Thanks to Orenda and Net Galley for a review copy.
April 9, 2017
Detective Frank Frølich is in a bit of a spot. A few days ago he arrested a woman after finding cocaine in her purse. That night he attended a birthday party for old school chum Karl Anders where he met Karl’s new fiancée, Veronika Undset….yup, the woman he arrested. Well, that was awkward.
Unfortunately, the next time they meet is after her horribly beaten body is pulled from a dumpster. Frank is uneasy about having personal ties to a murder investigation & requests to be left off the case. Even though they hadn’t spoken for years before the party, he knows Karl will be front & centre as a suspect. Besides, he has another case that needs attention. Rosalind M’Taya is a beautiful, young exchange student who came to study in Oslo for the summer & promptly disappeared. When Frank finds all her belongings still in her room, he knows she didn’t leave willingly.
Inspector Gunnarstranda needs all hands on deck & denies Frank’s request. Another body has been found & the victim had ties to Veronika. And so they begin the process of picking apart her life, gathering an odd assortment of suspects as they dig.
This is a fast paced procedural that definitely qualifies as Nordic Noir. As Frank & Gunnarstranda follow separate lines of investigation, they both encounter people who are shifty, scary and/or crazy. Early on there are hints something happened between Frank & Karl when they were teenagers that led to them drifting apart. As the story progresses, Frank has to come to terms with the event & his role in how it all played out.
Along with the cast of suspects, we also meet other members of the police & forensic units. Personal details & glimpses of their private lives help flesh out the characters. But it’s Frank we get to know best as he works the murder case & continues his hunt for Rosalind. He’s a smart cop & complex man who is forced to confront past mistakes & fears. He may not like what he finds & although both cases are solved the results take their toll, personally & professionally.
Many Scandinavian thrillers are very different stylistically from their typical American cousins. There’s no spoon feeding here. Not everything is spelled out & some questions go unanswered. And just as you reach the end….well, turns out the author kept a few zingers in reserve.
It’s my first time reading this author & although I found 5 books listed as part of the Oslo Detectives series, I was unable to determine where this one fit in. As usual, Don Bartlett has done a stellar translation & I look forward to catching up with Frank & Gunnarstranda in the next one.
Unfortunately, the next time they meet is after her horribly beaten body is pulled from a dumpster. Frank is uneasy about having personal ties to a murder investigation & requests to be left off the case. Even though they hadn’t spoken for years before the party, he knows Karl will be front & centre as a suspect. Besides, he has another case that needs attention. Rosalind M’Taya is a beautiful, young exchange student who came to study in Oslo for the summer & promptly disappeared. When Frank finds all her belongings still in her room, he knows she didn’t leave willingly.
Inspector Gunnarstranda needs all hands on deck & denies Frank’s request. Another body has been found & the victim had ties to Veronika. And so they begin the process of picking apart her life, gathering an odd assortment of suspects as they dig.
This is a fast paced procedural that definitely qualifies as Nordic Noir. As Frank & Gunnarstranda follow separate lines of investigation, they both encounter people who are shifty, scary and/or crazy. Early on there are hints something happened between Frank & Karl when they were teenagers that led to them drifting apart. As the story progresses, Frank has to come to terms with the event & his role in how it all played out.
Along with the cast of suspects, we also meet other members of the police & forensic units. Personal details & glimpses of their private lives help flesh out the characters. But it’s Frank we get to know best as he works the murder case & continues his hunt for Rosalind. He’s a smart cop & complex man who is forced to confront past mistakes & fears. He may not like what he finds & although both cases are solved the results take their toll, personally & professionally.
Many Scandinavian thrillers are very different stylistically from their typical American cousins. There’s no spoon feeding here. Not everything is spelled out & some questions go unanswered. And just as you reach the end….well, turns out the author kept a few zingers in reserve.
It’s my first time reading this author & although I found 5 books listed as part of the Oslo Detectives series, I was unable to determine where this one fit in. As usual, Don Bartlett has done a stellar translation & I look forward to catching up with Frank & Gunnarstranda in the next one.
April 2, 2017
Faithless blog tour
Fans of Nordic Noir will love this.
This is book seven in the Oslo Detective series. Since the series was written in Dahl’s native Norwegian, the whole series hasn’t been translated into English as yet. Thankfully, this book also works as a standalone so there is no need to read the rest of the series before this one.
The story is centred around Oslo detectives Gunnarstranda and Frolich. To me, the plot was rather unique and put one of the main characters in a very interesting situation to the point where it tested Frolich’s morals. I also thought the relationship between the two, and the rest of the team was humorous and similar things are what I imagine actually takes place in real life.
I’m still not sure if it’s a good thing or a bad thing, but the police didn’t appear to be all that effective. If you’re looking for a team of supercops, look elsewhere. I think it’s a good commentary on the expectations of police forces everywhere who have too many cases on at once and lots of other stuff to balance.
Writing
Dahl’s writing is crisp and allows the story to move forward at pace.
In the main, Don Bartlett does a good job of translating the book into English. There are a few strange sentences here or there but it’s hard to tell if these were translation mistakes or style choices that Dahl made. I felt this worked in the book’s favour as it creates a unique reading experience. There is an overuse of popular sayings within however.
Notable issues
For me, there is a huge thing missing from this book and that’s Norway. Writers like Jo Nesbo, Val McDermid, Michael Connelly and Ian Rankin are able to transport you to a different place (albeit McDermid and Rankin usually transport me to places one or two miles away from where I live) and capture the essence of that place through the description of the surroundings or interactions with local people. They are able to make location a character in its own right. Dahl doesn’t achieve much of this here. You get the names of places which are, obviously, in Norwegian but the atmosphere of the setting didn’t come through the pages for me.
Also, there wasn’t much in the way of description in terms of what the characters looked like. A fairly minor point as it’s something I usually prefer, I hate when authors describe the looks of their characters in minute detail but I think we need something to go on.
I’ve no idea why the book is called Faithless either.
Final thought
If you like Nesbo or any Nordic / Crime Noir stories, then this series should float your boat. As I mentioned, the full series isn’t translated yet but that shouldn’t stop you from diving right in.
I thought the ending was fantastic. It has made me want to check out the next book. A very enjoyable and unique read.
Blog tour
This is my first ever blog tour and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I look forward to seeing what other bloggers on the tour thought of this. Be sure to check out @OrendaBooks and follow @annecater and the #faithless tag to see more throughout the month of April.
Fans of Nordic Noir will love this.
This is book seven in the Oslo Detective series. Since the series was written in Dahl’s native Norwegian, the whole series hasn’t been translated into English as yet. Thankfully, this book also works as a standalone so there is no need to read the rest of the series before this one.
The story is centred around Oslo detectives Gunnarstranda and Frolich. To me, the plot was rather unique and put one of the main characters in a very interesting situation to the point where it tested Frolich’s morals. I also thought the relationship between the two, and the rest of the team was humorous and similar things are what I imagine actually takes place in real life.
I’m still not sure if it’s a good thing or a bad thing, but the police didn’t appear to be all that effective. If you’re looking for a team of supercops, look elsewhere. I think it’s a good commentary on the expectations of police forces everywhere who have too many cases on at once and lots of other stuff to balance.
Writing
Dahl’s writing is crisp and allows the story to move forward at pace.
In the main, Don Bartlett does a good job of translating the book into English. There are a few strange sentences here or there but it’s hard to tell if these were translation mistakes or style choices that Dahl made. I felt this worked in the book’s favour as it creates a unique reading experience. There is an overuse of popular sayings within however.
Notable issues
For me, there is a huge thing missing from this book and that’s Norway. Writers like Jo Nesbo, Val McDermid, Michael Connelly and Ian Rankin are able to transport you to a different place (albeit McDermid and Rankin usually transport me to places one or two miles away from where I live) and capture the essence of that place through the description of the surroundings or interactions with local people. They are able to make location a character in its own right. Dahl doesn’t achieve much of this here. You get the names of places which are, obviously, in Norwegian but the atmosphere of the setting didn’t come through the pages for me.
Also, there wasn’t much in the way of description in terms of what the characters looked like. A fairly minor point as it’s something I usually prefer, I hate when authors describe the looks of their characters in minute detail but I think we need something to go on.
I’ve no idea why the book is called Faithless either.
Final thought
If you like Nesbo or any Nordic / Crime Noir stories, then this series should float your boat. As I mentioned, the full series isn’t translated yet but that shouldn’t stop you from diving right in.
I thought the ending was fantastic. It has made me want to check out the next book. A very enjoyable and unique read.
Blog tour
This is my first ever blog tour and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I look forward to seeing what other bloggers on the tour thought of this. Be sure to check out @OrendaBooks and follow @annecater and the #faithless tag to see more throughout the month of April.
April 10, 2017
Excellent read here. I'm due on the blog tour soon so will be reviewing then.
June 4, 2018
Oh my, the tale weaves here was incredible. Dark mystery, a cancer scare, deceiving characters & a plot that thickens with every chapter! It doesn’t matter if you’ve read any others in this series, it’s fine as a standalone. I was absorbed in this from the first chapter & enjoyed it immensely.
Thanks to Orenda for this free copy:)
Thanks to Orenda for this free copy:)
April 15, 2018
Just last year I was introduced property to the Nordic Noir genre and have fallen greatly in love. Despite my vast hunger to try and read all things in this genre, this is my first Kjell Ola Dahl. I was a little hesitant like I always am, walking into a series without reading from book one... and this is 8th in the Oslo Detectives series. No worries though! For those who may be hesitant, DON'T BE - this actually reads extremely well as a stand alone!
I actually am enthralled with Detective Lena's character. Girl has a LOT going on - the synopsis pretty much sums it up - cancer scare, crazy ex, weird, unreliable current and now a possible conspiracy. PHEW! Girl needs some Calgon to take her away.
I can most certainly see why this author is considered one of the godfathers of Nordic Noir. He spins his tale with ease and keeps you guessing up until the very end. Intricately plotted, this police procedural leaves no stone unturned and closes the case with a satisfying ending that leaves you satiated.
Thank you to Orenda Books for this copy!
I actually am enthralled with Detective Lena's character. Girl has a LOT going on - the synopsis pretty much sums it up - cancer scare, crazy ex, weird, unreliable current and now a possible conspiracy. PHEW! Girl needs some Calgon to take her away.
I can most certainly see why this author is considered one of the godfathers of Nordic Noir. He spins his tale with ease and keeps you guessing up until the very end. Intricately plotted, this police procedural leaves no stone unturned and closes the case with a satisfying ending that leaves you satiated.
Thank you to Orenda Books for this copy!
May 11, 2017
The godfather of Nordic is back.
It's so easy to read Faithless as a stand alone novel. I found the story easy to follow. What I liked about this story is that it had characters from all different religions and nationalities.
Oslo detectives Gunnarstranda and Frolich are back, and this time it's personal.
Lets get this straight Frolich arrested Veronika Underset as she was leaving Zahid's house at the crack of dawn. When Policeman Frolich looks in her bag he had found some cocaine. Veronika claimed that she didn't know how the cocaine came to be in her bag.
When Frolich is invited to Karl Anders fortieth birthday party, who did Frolich see there? And who is his friend about to marry?
unexpected twist of your worse nightmares are about to unfold. A murder, but who is murdered, why and by who? An African girl is missing.
Can Frolich with cop's mind solve the jigsaw of a murder and a girl missing? Or will detective Gunnarstranda solve the murder mystery?
Fans of police procedurals this is a must read.
It's so easy to read Faithless as a stand alone novel. I found the story easy to follow. What I liked about this story is that it had characters from all different religions and nationalities.
Oslo detectives Gunnarstranda and Frolich are back, and this time it's personal.
Lets get this straight Frolich arrested Veronika Underset as she was leaving Zahid's house at the crack of dawn. When Policeman Frolich looks in her bag he had found some cocaine. Veronika claimed that she didn't know how the cocaine came to be in her bag.
When Frolich is invited to Karl Anders fortieth birthday party, who did Frolich see there? And who is his friend about to marry?
unexpected twist of your worse nightmares are about to unfold. A murder, but who is murdered, why and by who? An African girl is missing.
Can Frolich with cop's mind solve the jigsaw of a murder and a girl missing? Or will detective Gunnarstranda solve the murder mystery?
Fans of police procedurals this is a must read.
April 14, 2017
All of my reviews can be found on www.novelgossip.com
Within the past few months I’ve become such a huge fan of a new to me genre, Nordic Noir. There’s something about this genre that really sucks me in, so when I heard that Orenda was publishing another translation, I knew I HAD to read this book. Karen Sullivan has such a fantastic eye for talent and she’s never sent me a book that I haven’t enjoyed and I’m pleased to say Faithless is another winner in my book.
Kjell Ola Dahl has been referred to as the father of this genre and after reading his work, I can certainly see why. There are two things that really capture my attention that a good Nordic Noir novel has; a stunningly atmospheric setting and a slow burning pace that has an underlying sense of discomfort and tension. This book has both of these elements in wonderfully appropriate amounts, but it also had some additions that added so much substance to the book. This is a classic police procedural where the cops are chasing down suspects the old fashioned way, they hit the streets.
Though I jumped into this series with this book, it easily read fine as a standalone. I was able to work out the characters and their group dynamic fairly easily and I never felt like I was missing out on anything important. Frank was a bit of an enigma, there’s a mysterious edge about him, he’s isolated, dark and brooding, but extremely well crafted.
I don’t want to say much about the plot, but it’s very cleverly done and there were many twists and red herrings. The writing is sharp, crisp and precise and though it’s a slow burner, in the end things really heat up. Everything culminates in a shocking conclusion that left me reeling in the best possible way.
Within the past few months I’ve become such a huge fan of a new to me genre, Nordic Noir. There’s something about this genre that really sucks me in, so when I heard that Orenda was publishing another translation, I knew I HAD to read this book. Karen Sullivan has such a fantastic eye for talent and she’s never sent me a book that I haven’t enjoyed and I’m pleased to say Faithless is another winner in my book.
Kjell Ola Dahl has been referred to as the father of this genre and after reading his work, I can certainly see why. There are two things that really capture my attention that a good Nordic Noir novel has; a stunningly atmospheric setting and a slow burning pace that has an underlying sense of discomfort and tension. This book has both of these elements in wonderfully appropriate amounts, but it also had some additions that added so much substance to the book. This is a classic police procedural where the cops are chasing down suspects the old fashioned way, they hit the streets.
Though I jumped into this series with this book, it easily read fine as a standalone. I was able to work out the characters and their group dynamic fairly easily and I never felt like I was missing out on anything important. Frank was a bit of an enigma, there’s a mysterious edge about him, he’s isolated, dark and brooding, but extremely well crafted.
I don’t want to say much about the plot, but it’s very cleverly done and there were many twists and red herrings. The writing is sharp, crisp and precise and though it’s a slow burner, in the end things really heat up. Everything culminates in a shocking conclusion that left me reeling in the best possible way.
April 26, 2017
You can immediately tell why Kjell Ola Dahl is one of the forerunners in the Nordic Noir genre, the writing is beautiful and the storytelling is incredibly well thought out that it's just a pleasure to read.
Faithless is straight to the point and is very traditional in it's investigation style of the crime, it shows that it takes time to discover and research and solve crimes and that not all murders are solved by a sudden aha moment with some new technology. It's very refreshing to see this as a throw back to how crime novels used to be and I thoroughly enjoyed the slower pace and methodical nature of the book. I also really enjoyed Inspector Frank Frølich, his dedication and experience shine through and feel really authentic. I feel like he is believable as not just a character but as a real person and can imagine him working away in a police station solving crimes.
The location stands out as its described perfectly and it feels like an extra supporting character who helps the story along, It's both beautiful and haunting and makes me want to visit right now.
Faithless is the seventh book in the series and having not read the other six, I was still able to jump right in and treat this as a stand alone. As I said in my intro though, it now means I have six other books I need to go find and read because of how much I enjoyed Faithless.
Faithless is chilling and compulsive reading and a great gateway to reading Nordic noir. Easily read in one sitting as the atmosphere consumes you and the story's twists and turns take you on a thrilling ride to the ending which is absolutely stunning.
Overall an excellent novel and one I will be recommending from here on out.
Faithless is straight to the point and is very traditional in it's investigation style of the crime, it shows that it takes time to discover and research and solve crimes and that not all murders are solved by a sudden aha moment with some new technology. It's very refreshing to see this as a throw back to how crime novels used to be and I thoroughly enjoyed the slower pace and methodical nature of the book. I also really enjoyed Inspector Frank Frølich, his dedication and experience shine through and feel really authentic. I feel like he is believable as not just a character but as a real person and can imagine him working away in a police station solving crimes.
The location stands out as its described perfectly and it feels like an extra supporting character who helps the story along, It's both beautiful and haunting and makes me want to visit right now.
Faithless is the seventh book in the series and having not read the other six, I was still able to jump right in and treat this as a stand alone. As I said in my intro though, it now means I have six other books I need to go find and read because of how much I enjoyed Faithless.
Faithless is chilling and compulsive reading and a great gateway to reading Nordic noir. Easily read in one sitting as the atmosphere consumes you and the story's twists and turns take you on a thrilling ride to the ending which is absolutely stunning.
Overall an excellent novel and one I will be recommending from here on out.
April 27, 2017
Faithless is the first book I’ve read by Kjell Ola Dahl, and while not the first in this particular series, it can still most definitely be read as a standalone. The author has enough backstory between the pages that the reader won’t feel like they’ve missed any big events in the characters respective pasts.
Scandinavian crime fiction is quite honestly my favourite locational crime genre. The colder the climate and the harsher the environment, the more my interest is piqued so needless to say I was thrilled to be taking part in the blog tour for Faithless.
If you’re looking for a fast-paced read, you won’t get that here. What you will find with Faithless is a slow-burning and subtle story, with hidden depths and some excellent characterisation. I loved the way that Kjell Old Dahl unravelled the threads of the story, making the reader work alongside him as he wove it back together to create a thoroughly unexpected ending.
Faithless is a suspenseful story, with superb characters and an utterly engaging plot. I really enjoyed reading it, and I look forward to reading more from Kjell Ola Dahl in the future.
Highly recommended!
Scandinavian crime fiction is quite honestly my favourite locational crime genre. The colder the climate and the harsher the environment, the more my interest is piqued so needless to say I was thrilled to be taking part in the blog tour for Faithless.
If you’re looking for a fast-paced read, you won’t get that here. What you will find with Faithless is a slow-burning and subtle story, with hidden depths and some excellent characterisation. I loved the way that Kjell Old Dahl unravelled the threads of the story, making the reader work alongside him as he wove it back together to create a thoroughly unexpected ending.
Faithless is a suspenseful story, with superb characters and an utterly engaging plot. I really enjoyed reading it, and I look forward to reading more from Kjell Ola Dahl in the future.
Highly recommended!
August 20, 2018
There's something about the Norwegian crime dramas that piques my interest every time and this one was a good one! This is a police procedural that gets pretty complicated and at times a little confusing, but once you get things sorted out in your head it is a good read. Lena Stigersand is an interesting detective who has just found out she has cancer as she is facing this very challenging case. Although I liked the character I found her a little strange. The very last scene in the book I found extremely strange and I really didn't like that part and just felt it was just too weird.
Thanks to Kjell Ola Dahl and Trafalgar Square Publishing through Netgalley for an advance copy of this book.
Thanks to Kjell Ola Dahl and Trafalgar Square Publishing through Netgalley for an advance copy of this book.
April 17, 2017
3.5/5 stars for this classic Nordic Noir read! While this wasn't quite my style, I really enjoyed this book's slightly quirky characters and slow-burning mystery. The plot was a bit disjointed in my opinion, but I did enjoy a lot about it! Read my full review here: http://crimebythebook.com/blog/2017/4...
April 14, 2018
All my reviews can be found on noveldeelights.com
3.5* --> 4*
Despite the fact Kjell Ola Dahl is known as one of the godfathers of Nordic Noir and that I’ve had Faithless on my bookshelf for aeons, this is the first book I’ve read by him. While it says The Ice Swimmer is the eighth book in the Oslo Detectives series, don’t let that put you off as this reads perfectly well as a stand-alone and I never really felt I was missing out on anything.
It’s a busy day in the city of Oslo. The body of a man is lifted from the freezing waters of the harbour and a young woman has apparently taken her own life by jumping in front of a train. Things aren’t quite what they seem though. Detective Lena Stigersand is in charge of the first investigation, while her colleague Gunnarstranda looks into the second one. But Lena has a whole lot of other issues to deal with.
The Ice Swimmer is a truly cleverly plotted police procedural. What looks like a simple drowning quickly turns into a murky tale full of lies, deceit and corruption. Not only does it involve a high ranking politician, it even looks like someone close to Lena may somehow be involved. And why does it seem like someone is following her?
I must say this thrilling investigation kept me guessing throughout and it was a true delight seeing various threads come together at one point. But I also really enjoyed the glimpses into the team’s personal lives and the realistic touches, like spending long hours of boring stake-outs in the freezing cold Oslo winter.
It’s easy to see why Kjell Ola Dahl is so highly regarded in this genre. Yes, I may have stumbled over the Norwegian names a few times or gotten some characters confused with others but that’s hardly the author’s fault and it didn’t ruin my enjoyment at all. If anything, it required me to focus that little bit harder. Which you’d think would have helped me solve the case, but no. The reveals left me completely blindsided.
The Ice Swimmer is a twisty and incredibly well written story, full of suspense and intrigue and it had me glued to the pages. Of course, I must also mention the seamless translation by Don Bartlett. If you’re a fan of the Nordic Noir genre, you will undoubtedly enjoy this latest addition to the Oslo Detectives series!
3.5* --> 4*
Despite the fact Kjell Ola Dahl is known as one of the godfathers of Nordic Noir and that I’ve had Faithless on my bookshelf for aeons, this is the first book I’ve read by him. While it says The Ice Swimmer is the eighth book in the Oslo Detectives series, don’t let that put you off as this reads perfectly well as a stand-alone and I never really felt I was missing out on anything.
It’s a busy day in the city of Oslo. The body of a man is lifted from the freezing waters of the harbour and a young woman has apparently taken her own life by jumping in front of a train. Things aren’t quite what they seem though. Detective Lena Stigersand is in charge of the first investigation, while her colleague Gunnarstranda looks into the second one. But Lena has a whole lot of other issues to deal with.
The Ice Swimmer is a truly cleverly plotted police procedural. What looks like a simple drowning quickly turns into a murky tale full of lies, deceit and corruption. Not only does it involve a high ranking politician, it even looks like someone close to Lena may somehow be involved. And why does it seem like someone is following her?
I must say this thrilling investigation kept me guessing throughout and it was a true delight seeing various threads come together at one point. But I also really enjoyed the glimpses into the team’s personal lives and the realistic touches, like spending long hours of boring stake-outs in the freezing cold Oslo winter.
It’s easy to see why Kjell Ola Dahl is so highly regarded in this genre. Yes, I may have stumbled over the Norwegian names a few times or gotten some characters confused with others but that’s hardly the author’s fault and it didn’t ruin my enjoyment at all. If anything, it required me to focus that little bit harder. Which you’d think would have helped me solve the case, but no. The reveals left me completely blindsided.
The Ice Swimmer is a twisty and incredibly well written story, full of suspense and intrigue and it had me glued to the pages. Of course, I must also mention the seamless translation by Don Bartlett. If you’re a fan of the Nordic Noir genre, you will undoubtedly enjoy this latest addition to the Oslo Detectives series!
January 5, 2022
Liked it but did not love it. This was a seriously grim, violent and somewhat psychotic book to read on my birthday. But...it had a taste of Norwegian Christmas observances to help offset the Norwegian noir crime that included more than one psychotic person.
I don't think I will revisit the series for more, as the construction and delivery was very odd. There was clever plotting throughout, so this is not your average predictable crime book.
I am shivering here in some very cold weather and one particular scene of the young woman stripping and jumping into frigid lake after carving a hole was one ice cube too many.
I don't think I will revisit the series for more, as the construction and delivery was very odd. There was clever plotting throughout, so this is not your average predictable crime book.
I am shivering here in some very cold weather and one particular scene of the young woman stripping and jumping into frigid lake after carving a hole was one ice cube too many.
April 1, 2017
I was attracted to this book by the fabulous cover initially but having not read any other books in the series I was unsure if I would be able to follow who was who and what was what! But fear not, this book can absolutely be read as a standalone and if you’re not a big fan of Nordic Noir then this might actually be the book to ease you in gently to a love affair with this increasingly popular genre.
When the body of a woman is found, Frolich is stunned to discover that it’s a woman he’s recently come into contact with in connection with another case. He had been involved in her arrest and subsequently release from custody and then to discover a much more personal connection which throws up a few more questions than it actually answers! So it comes as a huge shock to find her naked body which has been dumped after having boiling water poured all over it and been wrapped in plastic (back to that fabulous cover!) Back from his holiday, Gunnarstranda investigates a similar cold case which bears a striking resemblance and could provide a much needed link. But Froliche is also in charge of investigating the disappearance of a student from the international summer school at The University of Oslo. So there’s a very busy workload here and both cases seem to ignite personal feelings within these two men making this a full on criminal enquiry.
I do adore the more relaxed style of police procedural that seems to be the theme here in many Norwegian crime thrillers. There’s a different feel to how they deal with cases, in fact it reminded me here of how police drama series were done back in the 1980s, when things weren’t quite as politically correct! The tone in which they speak to each other is very relaxed, if not a bit too relaxed at times! But this meant I really connected with all the detective team involved throughout, especially Frolich. His love for the end result shines through aided by good old fashioned police work and a methodical build up to the truth. I also found Lena fascinating and would have enjoyed having a bit more background to her story as I was interested in what made her tick, especially when it came to her relationship choices.
The twists and turns of this story were brilliantly plotted and I rather enjoyed the journey of discovery far more than I had expected to. The translator has kept it crisp and current with a seamless transition from the original work. In fact, it’s the same translator (Don Bartlett) who has translated Gunnar Staalesen recently and he is the author who actually started my fascination with Nordic crime fiction so I wasn’t surprised that I found myself settling into the narrative as though it had always been in English. And now I’ve discovered the Oslo Detectives I’m looking forward to following them on their future cases!
Thanks to Orenda books for my review copy of Faithless which I have chosen to read and review.
When the body of a woman is found, Frolich is stunned to discover that it’s a woman he’s recently come into contact with in connection with another case. He had been involved in her arrest and subsequently release from custody and then to discover a much more personal connection which throws up a few more questions than it actually answers! So it comes as a huge shock to find her naked body which has been dumped after having boiling water poured all over it and been wrapped in plastic (back to that fabulous cover!) Back from his holiday, Gunnarstranda investigates a similar cold case which bears a striking resemblance and could provide a much needed link. But Froliche is also in charge of investigating the disappearance of a student from the international summer school at The University of Oslo. So there’s a very busy workload here and both cases seem to ignite personal feelings within these two men making this a full on criminal enquiry.
I do adore the more relaxed style of police procedural that seems to be the theme here in many Norwegian crime thrillers. There’s a different feel to how they deal with cases, in fact it reminded me here of how police drama series were done back in the 1980s, when things weren’t quite as politically correct! The tone in which they speak to each other is very relaxed, if not a bit too relaxed at times! But this meant I really connected with all the detective team involved throughout, especially Frolich. His love for the end result shines through aided by good old fashioned police work and a methodical build up to the truth. I also found Lena fascinating and would have enjoyed having a bit more background to her story as I was interested in what made her tick, especially when it came to her relationship choices.
The twists and turns of this story were brilliantly plotted and I rather enjoyed the journey of discovery far more than I had expected to. The translator has kept it crisp and current with a seamless transition from the original work. In fact, it’s the same translator (Don Bartlett) who has translated Gunnar Staalesen recently and he is the author who actually started my fascination with Nordic crime fiction so I wasn’t surprised that I found myself settling into the narrative as though it had always been in English. And now I’ve discovered the Oslo Detectives I’m looking forward to following them on their future cases!
Thanks to Orenda books for my review copy of Faithless which I have chosen to read and review.
April 7, 2017
This was my first Norwegian Fiction read, EVER. And I am so pleasantly surprised how much I enjoyed it. This is book 7 of a series, and I had not issue picking it up and reading it, without reading the prior 6 books. I was initially drawn to it because of the stunning cover. And than I read the synopsis and was sold.
I felt this book was written at a superb pace. No information overload, just a nice steady story that holds your interest the entire time you read it. Some police procedural's tend to be so over dramatic, and almost generic feeling. FAITHLESS did not have this problem. The more I read, the more I found myself connecting with Frank and Lena, I want to know their back stories. I want to know what makes them who they are, and who they were. Now that I know these books exist, I fully intend on reading the rest of the series, albeit a bit backwards, I'm drawn in and I am craving more.
I felt this book was written at a superb pace. No information overload, just a nice steady story that holds your interest the entire time you read it. Some police procedural's tend to be so over dramatic, and almost generic feeling. FAITHLESS did not have this problem. The more I read, the more I found myself connecting with Frank and Lena, I want to know their back stories. I want to know what makes them who they are, and who they were. Now that I know these books exist, I fully intend on reading the rest of the series, albeit a bit backwards, I'm drawn in and I am craving more.
April 26, 2018
I cannot think of anything more terrifying than someone chasing me through the underground on and off trains, while the world just went about its business, either oblivious to what is happening or choosing to be. Well the chase was well and truly on when I opened this book but unfortunately not for long. In the freezing cold outside the body of a young man is being pulled from the icy water of the harbour. This wasn’t going to be any ordinary day for Detective Lena Stigersand or her colleagues Gunnarstranda and Frølich.
I have fallen in love with Nordic Noir and still finding these gems just thrills me every time. I loved how the chapters were set out as the story branched from what seemed like random acts of suicide to murder and so much more, then seamless connected one after another as the very different cases collided.
Now I love an independent strong-willed detective, be it a man or woman and here was a sassy lady that was pretty head strong. Detective Lena Stigersand has to work for every ounce of happiness in her life but both in her professional and private lives she has been thrown a few curve balls. Impulsive decisions put her in jeopardy throughout the story. This is a no holds barred lady who isn’t afraid of pushing past the big wigs but she steps on some mighty big shoes. It makes for hair-raising reading.
I really loved how Dahl made these characters breathe as each one really came to life in my imagination. From the intense fear felt by Stigersand that literally turned my hands cold while I was reading, to my loathing for some characters that really made my skin crawl. The translation flowed perfectly with only the characters names being new to me. This is really a domino effect story that brings together very different people from all walks of life making them all part of one event. Very clever. A terrific read.
I have fallen in love with Nordic Noir and still finding these gems just thrills me every time. I loved how the chapters were set out as the story branched from what seemed like random acts of suicide to murder and so much more, then seamless connected one after another as the very different cases collided.
Now I love an independent strong-willed detective, be it a man or woman and here was a sassy lady that was pretty head strong. Detective Lena Stigersand has to work for every ounce of happiness in her life but both in her professional and private lives she has been thrown a few curve balls. Impulsive decisions put her in jeopardy throughout the story. This is a no holds barred lady who isn’t afraid of pushing past the big wigs but she steps on some mighty big shoes. It makes for hair-raising reading.
I really loved how Dahl made these characters breathe as each one really came to life in my imagination. From the intense fear felt by Stigersand that literally turned my hands cold while I was reading, to my loathing for some characters that really made my skin crawl. The translation flowed perfectly with only the characters names being new to me. This is really a domino effect story that brings together very different people from all walks of life making them all part of one event. Very clever. A terrific read.
August 30, 2018
The Ice Swimmer – A Nordic Classic
Kjell Ola Dahl returns with the Ice Swimmer once again proving why he is one of the best crime writers in Norway, now making headway here. If you have never read any of Dahl’s work, then you really are missing out on classy Nordic Noir. What he delivers on every page is powerful and convincing and the best example of Nordic Noir and why it is one of Britain’s favourite crime genres.
Detective Lena Stigersand already has a stressful life, she does not require it to be made any more difficult, but you do not always get what you want. When a civil servant is pulled from the freezing water of Oslo Harbour her life is about to turn for the worst. Which just before Christmas is not the most welcome thing.
Besides trying to crack a case that at first looks like suicide but turns into a murder case, having to deal with a cancer diagnosis, stalker, a new boyfriend whom seems to have secrets. Life is not easy, as her mother is on at her about the forth coming Christmas.
Working alongside her colleagues, who she has trusted throughout her service, Lena digs deeper and finds herself in a political storm not of her own making. Someone within the Police Department seems to be letting them down, as the newspapers seem to be ahead of the Police, which piles pressure on them.
The Ice Swimmer is a taut, tense explosion of Nordic Noir, that is beautifully written, and Don Bartlett once again translates and does not lose any of the power or the beauty of the text. Dahl is such a talented writer whose writing is powerful and so convincing, you will enjoy reading. The only fault being the crime gets solved and life moves on!
Kjell Ola Dahl returns with the Ice Swimmer once again proving why he is one of the best crime writers in Norway, now making headway here. If you have never read any of Dahl’s work, then you really are missing out on classy Nordic Noir. What he delivers on every page is powerful and convincing and the best example of Nordic Noir and why it is one of Britain’s favourite crime genres.
Detective Lena Stigersand already has a stressful life, she does not require it to be made any more difficult, but you do not always get what you want. When a civil servant is pulled from the freezing water of Oslo Harbour her life is about to turn for the worst. Which just before Christmas is not the most welcome thing.
Besides trying to crack a case that at first looks like suicide but turns into a murder case, having to deal with a cancer diagnosis, stalker, a new boyfriend whom seems to have secrets. Life is not easy, as her mother is on at her about the forth coming Christmas.
Working alongside her colleagues, who she has trusted throughout her service, Lena digs deeper and finds herself in a political storm not of her own making. Someone within the Police Department seems to be letting them down, as the newspapers seem to be ahead of the Police, which piles pressure on them.
The Ice Swimmer is a taut, tense explosion of Nordic Noir, that is beautifully written, and Don Bartlett once again translates and does not lose any of the power or the beauty of the text. Dahl is such a talented writer whose writing is powerful and so convincing, you will enjoy reading. The only fault being the crime gets solved and life moves on!
August 22, 2018
I like the way Kjell ended his story, hint, read the book. It was quite obvious that Lena was a person that would do whatever it took to come out ahead in what ever was to be accomplished. Gunnarstranda was on her side with most of what she said, and was a father figure to her as far as Rindal, their boss, was concerned. Gunnarstranda always had the advice that swayed her into making the right choice, except in figuring out who the killer was. I like Kjell's story and the play between Lena and Steffen, it was very realistic in it's action, in what played out between them. I gave this story 4 out of 5 stars because it was more realistic than most.
April 25, 2017
Faithless is my first venture into Dahl’s books and I guess I did have some concern as to whether I would be able to get into the story as I had not met Oslo detectives Frølich and Gunnarstranda before. Much to my relief the story works well as a standalone and you can instantly pick up with the characters and not feel as though you are missing out on any back story. One of the reasons, I feel, for this is the concentration on the crime and police procedures rather than the personal lives of the detectives.
From reading the above it may come across that I didn’t get a feel for the characters but this is not the case. We do get an insight into the private life of Gunnarstranda and Frølich and a sense of the relationship between them, however, it is in addition to the main story at hand and not in your face. The death of a woman Frølich knows and the involvement of an old friend certainly makes the case in Faithless personal to him, yet it is done in such a way that it never detracts from the main crux of the story. Memories from Frølich’s past re-surface and his feelings about being involved in a case in which he knows the victim adds a great layer to the story with it becoming very much a welcome addition rather than a distraction.
I really enjoyed the police procedural aspect of Faithless which is written with an authenticity that highlights the instincts that come after years in the profession and does not overly rely on modern technologies in order to discover who committed the murder. In addition, Dahl expresses the feelings and thoughts that the detectives have towards their colleagues and the work they do in a candid, realistic way which gives the characters and the book a whole added layer. Faithless is a refreshing change from the emotionally challenged detectives we often see in crime fiction.
Dahl is a skilled writer and in Faithless he has written a story that threads and winds its way around leaving you guessing and counter-guessing, never knowing where you will end up. The tension starts subtly and quietly descends into a darkness that leaves you stunned and totally taken aback. The translation by Don Bartlett is fantastically done and I never felt that something was lacking or lost in translation as I have in other translated novels. To be fair, however, this has never been an issue with books published by Orenda and they have restored my faith in translated fiction.
Faithless is a subtly disconcerting read with an ending that takes you totally by surprise. I liked it for its genuineness, its realism and the fact it concentrates on the nitty-gritty detective work. If you like police procedurals that take you into the heart of the work detectives carry out you will enjoy Faithless.
Thanks to Karen Sullivan and Anne Cater for my copy in exchange for my review and for inviting me to take part in the blog tour. This is my honest and unbiased review.
From reading the above it may come across that I didn’t get a feel for the characters but this is not the case. We do get an insight into the private life of Gunnarstranda and Frølich and a sense of the relationship between them, however, it is in addition to the main story at hand and not in your face. The death of a woman Frølich knows and the involvement of an old friend certainly makes the case in Faithless personal to him, yet it is done in such a way that it never detracts from the main crux of the story. Memories from Frølich’s past re-surface and his feelings about being involved in a case in which he knows the victim adds a great layer to the story with it becoming very much a welcome addition rather than a distraction.
I really enjoyed the police procedural aspect of Faithless which is written with an authenticity that highlights the instincts that come after years in the profession and does not overly rely on modern technologies in order to discover who committed the murder. In addition, Dahl expresses the feelings and thoughts that the detectives have towards their colleagues and the work they do in a candid, realistic way which gives the characters and the book a whole added layer. Faithless is a refreshing change from the emotionally challenged detectives we often see in crime fiction.
Dahl is a skilled writer and in Faithless he has written a story that threads and winds its way around leaving you guessing and counter-guessing, never knowing where you will end up. The tension starts subtly and quietly descends into a darkness that leaves you stunned and totally taken aback. The translation by Don Bartlett is fantastically done and I never felt that something was lacking or lost in translation as I have in other translated novels. To be fair, however, this has never been an issue with books published by Orenda and they have restored my faith in translated fiction.
Faithless is a subtly disconcerting read with an ending that takes you totally by surprise. I liked it for its genuineness, its realism and the fact it concentrates on the nitty-gritty detective work. If you like police procedurals that take you into the heart of the work detectives carry out you will enjoy Faithless.
Thanks to Karen Sullivan and Anne Cater for my copy in exchange for my review and for inviting me to take part in the blog tour. This is my honest and unbiased review.
April 17, 2017
Now whenever Orenda Books announce a new book I am always keen to settle down and read it. And when it’s translated fiction then I am doubly excited as Karen Sullivan has an amazing eye for talent and I have yet to read a book she has chosen to champion that I haven’t loved. Faithless, I am very glad to say, was no exception.
There is always a little trepidation when starting a book which is not the first in a series as you can’t be sure that you haven’t missed out on something vitally important in the past books which will inform the book you are reading. I would say though that Faithless can be read as a standalone as I got enough of each of the characters to understand their relationship and dynamic and how they all fit into the story. That said, I don’t want to read it as a standalone so have purchased the other books in the series currently in translation. I’m only gutted that there are only four (now five) out of the eleven translated right now but I’m hoping Karen has plans to remedy that.
Anyway. I digress. What about Faithless? Well the book opens up with one of the protagonists, Frank Frølich engaged in a stakeout on a man suspected of being behind a strong of high value robberies in the area. When Frølich detains a woman who is seen leaving the suspect’s house, little can he know that his past is about to come back to haunt him. When the woman is later found dead in a way reminiscent of a past murder, and an old friend is implicated, he is forced to confront a past he would rather remained forgotten.
The book is slower in pace than your typical British or American thriller but for me that is what is so appealing about Scandi or Nordic Noir. The way in which the authors are able to build the tension without having to rely upon high speed chases or gratuitous or graphic shocks and thrills. Dahl has created tension a plenty in this book, and there are a couple of really edge of the seat moments where both Frølich and his colleague Lena Stigersan find themselves in great peril with their lives on the line. He has also managed to create an absolute twister of a plot in which I genuinely did not manage to guess who the killer was before the facts were thrust in my face at the end. There are so many suspects, so many people with motive and opportunity and at one stage it almost seems a foregone conclusion as to who the perpetrator was. And yet no. Dahl completely blindsided me. Love it.
The characterisations in the novel are brilliant. Although these are already established characters, I was easily able to pick up with them and I was completely invested in their fates. They are unique; there is a real feeling of authenticity about each and every one. Frølich, lonely and looking for companionship and yet in this book plagued by a past which looks set to ruin him. I really began to like his character and his relentless pursuit of the truth, no matter the personal cost. Lena, also trying to find that elusive someone and taking sanctuary in a completely inappropriate relationship. She also risks everything to solve the case, and she was a truly intriguing character. And even Gunnarstranda was a character I grew to like. He is more measured in approach, perhaps due to his seniority, but his battles with accepting his partner’s faith in things outside of the physical plain did provide some moments of light in an otherwise dark story.
The violence in this book is not hidden but it is not necessarily graphic in detail either. The setting is vivid and beautifully described and this is also a feature of Nordic noir which has me hooked. The way in which Dahl has captured the essence of the country within the pages, the ethics, the landscape, the lifestyle, seems effortless. I have no doubt this is aided by a seamless translation by Don Bartlett. My hats off to both and also to Orenda for bringing us another stunning work of fiction.
I am totally hooked on the #OsloDetectives right now. 5 stars.
There is always a little trepidation when starting a book which is not the first in a series as you can’t be sure that you haven’t missed out on something vitally important in the past books which will inform the book you are reading. I would say though that Faithless can be read as a standalone as I got enough of each of the characters to understand their relationship and dynamic and how they all fit into the story. That said, I don’t want to read it as a standalone so have purchased the other books in the series currently in translation. I’m only gutted that there are only four (now five) out of the eleven translated right now but I’m hoping Karen has plans to remedy that.
Anyway. I digress. What about Faithless? Well the book opens up with one of the protagonists, Frank Frølich engaged in a stakeout on a man suspected of being behind a strong of high value robberies in the area. When Frølich detains a woman who is seen leaving the suspect’s house, little can he know that his past is about to come back to haunt him. When the woman is later found dead in a way reminiscent of a past murder, and an old friend is implicated, he is forced to confront a past he would rather remained forgotten.
The book is slower in pace than your typical British or American thriller but for me that is what is so appealing about Scandi or Nordic Noir. The way in which the authors are able to build the tension without having to rely upon high speed chases or gratuitous or graphic shocks and thrills. Dahl has created tension a plenty in this book, and there are a couple of really edge of the seat moments where both Frølich and his colleague Lena Stigersan find themselves in great peril with their lives on the line. He has also managed to create an absolute twister of a plot in which I genuinely did not manage to guess who the killer was before the facts were thrust in my face at the end. There are so many suspects, so many people with motive and opportunity and at one stage it almost seems a foregone conclusion as to who the perpetrator was. And yet no. Dahl completely blindsided me. Love it.
The characterisations in the novel are brilliant. Although these are already established characters, I was easily able to pick up with them and I was completely invested in their fates. They are unique; there is a real feeling of authenticity about each and every one. Frølich, lonely and looking for companionship and yet in this book plagued by a past which looks set to ruin him. I really began to like his character and his relentless pursuit of the truth, no matter the personal cost. Lena, also trying to find that elusive someone and taking sanctuary in a completely inappropriate relationship. She also risks everything to solve the case, and she was a truly intriguing character. And even Gunnarstranda was a character I grew to like. He is more measured in approach, perhaps due to his seniority, but his battles with accepting his partner’s faith in things outside of the physical plain did provide some moments of light in an otherwise dark story.
The violence in this book is not hidden but it is not necessarily graphic in detail either. The setting is vivid and beautifully described and this is also a feature of Nordic noir which has me hooked. The way in which Dahl has captured the essence of the country within the pages, the ethics, the landscape, the lifestyle, seems effortless. I have no doubt this is aided by a seamless translation by Don Bartlett. My hats off to both and also to Orenda for bringing us another stunning work of fiction.
I am totally hooked on the #OsloDetectives right now. 5 stars.
April 4, 2017
Faithless is one of a series of books that features Frølich, Gunnarstranda, Lena and their superior officer Rindal. I haven’t read any of the previous novels and whilst there was backstory missing with regards to their personal lives it didn’t impact on my enjoyment of this novel.
When a young woman is found dead after being charged with possession of cocaine Frølich feels he is in a dilemma. He was the officer who charged her and at a party the same night he discovered that she was in a relationship with an old school friend. He pleads conflict of interest but is ignored. This isn’t the only case being investigated. A young African woman has disappeared whilst on placement at the university. They have suspects but their hands are tied without any evidence.
A few years ago, I had read no Norwegian fiction. Now I wonder why there hasn’t been more translated into English. The ones I have read lately all seem to be part of a hugely successful series that has been published for several years and it is all very enjoyable.
Apart from Rindal, all the detectives feature strongly and despite not knowing anything about them I got to know them all quite well. The investigations are quite intense, the detectives are all intent on getting a result. I felt their every mood, their self-doubt, and their relationships with each other (Rindel seemed to be somebody to ridicule) and their feelings regarding the various suspects.
Lena’s investigations were the most worrying and she was the character who I liked the most. She had faults but she was in no denial about what they were. The ending was intriguing. I know the book was originally published a few years before translation and I’m eager to find out how it continues. I hope I don’t have long to wait.
With thanks to Karen Sullivan for the copy received and the chance to take part in the blog tour
When a young woman is found dead after being charged with possession of cocaine Frølich feels he is in a dilemma. He was the officer who charged her and at a party the same night he discovered that she was in a relationship with an old school friend. He pleads conflict of interest but is ignored. This isn’t the only case being investigated. A young African woman has disappeared whilst on placement at the university. They have suspects but their hands are tied without any evidence.
A few years ago, I had read no Norwegian fiction. Now I wonder why there hasn’t been more translated into English. The ones I have read lately all seem to be part of a hugely successful series that has been published for several years and it is all very enjoyable.
Apart from Rindal, all the detectives feature strongly and despite not knowing anything about them I got to know them all quite well. The investigations are quite intense, the detectives are all intent on getting a result. I felt their every mood, their self-doubt, and their relationships with each other (Rindel seemed to be somebody to ridicule) and their feelings regarding the various suspects.
Lena’s investigations were the most worrying and she was the character who I liked the most. She had faults but she was in no denial about what they were. The ending was intriguing. I know the book was originally published a few years before translation and I’m eager to find out how it continues. I hope I don’t have long to wait.
With thanks to Karen Sullivan for the copy received and the chance to take part in the blog tour
April 15, 2017
I have lately found myself quite interested in reading books by Nordic authors. Since I'm Swedish is this perhaps not that strange, but I have previously not read that much Nordic crime books. I have just preferred American och British authors. Faithless intrigued me with its stunning cover and interesting blurb so I couldn't resist agreeing to do this blog tour. And, I'm glad I joined in because Faithless is really good.
This book starts off with a simple arrest of a woman who leaves a house of a suspect that Frølich is staking out. She has drugs on her, but she denies that it's hers. What Inspector Frank Frølich didn't know at the time was that the woman is the fiance of a man that was once his best friend. He only finds this a little later one at the birthday party for the friend. Then, she ends up dead. What happened? Who killed her? Frølich and his colleague Gunnarstranda has to unravel this mystery. And, then Gunnarstranda finds a body while investigating the case. Has the killer struck again?
Faithless is one of those books that hooks you from the start, the writing pulls you in and the story keeps your interest up all the way until the end. There are interesting side stories in the book as well, like the disappearance of a foreign student that Frølich is quite obsessed to find. And, then there is the murder of a girl that happened years ago, could that murder have connections to this case?
All and all is this book terrific. The book different stories, different cases that all interested me, and I found myself quite liking both Frølich and Gunnarstranda. The ending left me wanting the next book, a bit of a cliffhanger situation that made me wonder what will happen next...
I want to thank Orenda books for providing me with a free copy for an honest review!
This book starts off with a simple arrest of a woman who leaves a house of a suspect that Frølich is staking out. She has drugs on her, but she denies that it's hers. What Inspector Frank Frølich didn't know at the time was that the woman is the fiance of a man that was once his best friend. He only finds this a little later one at the birthday party for the friend. Then, she ends up dead. What happened? Who killed her? Frølich and his colleague Gunnarstranda has to unravel this mystery. And, then Gunnarstranda finds a body while investigating the case. Has the killer struck again?
Faithless is one of those books that hooks you from the start, the writing pulls you in and the story keeps your interest up all the way until the end. There are interesting side stories in the book as well, like the disappearance of a foreign student that Frølich is quite obsessed to find. And, then there is the murder of a girl that happened years ago, could that murder have connections to this case?
All and all is this book terrific. The book different stories, different cases that all interested me, and I found myself quite liking both Frølich and Gunnarstranda. The ending left me wanting the next book, a bit of a cliffhanger situation that made me wonder what will happen next...
I want to thank Orenda books for providing me with a free copy for an honest review!
April 16, 2018
The Ice Swimmer opens with someone trying to escape someone on the metro – we don’t know who these people are or why they are in this position but what is clear is that the woman does not want to be caught.
We are then transported to the streets of Oslo where a body is being removed from the water – what appears to be a simple drowning soon turns into a sinister investigation for the Oslo Detectives.
This is the 8th book in the series and the second I have read but it can most definitely be read as a stand-alone.
This book certainly keeps its reader on their toes with the cleverly plotted investigation full of threads that eventually come together for both the reader and the police. There is also an interesting angle to this book as we also get to know Detective Lena Stigersand and privy to the challenges she’s having personally alongside the challenging investigation she has.
This is a slower pace of thriller but is full of leads and red herrings. Kjell Ola Dahl writes wonderfully and it’s clear why he is regarded so highly within the genre of Nordic noir.
We are then transported to the streets of Oslo where a body is being removed from the water – what appears to be a simple drowning soon turns into a sinister investigation for the Oslo Detectives.
This is the 8th book in the series and the second I have read but it can most definitely be read as a stand-alone.
This book certainly keeps its reader on their toes with the cleverly plotted investigation full of threads that eventually come together for both the reader and the police. There is also an interesting angle to this book as we also get to know Detective Lena Stigersand and privy to the challenges she’s having personally alongside the challenging investigation she has.
This is a slower pace of thriller but is full of leads and red herrings. Kjell Ola Dahl writes wonderfully and it’s clear why he is regarded so highly within the genre of Nordic noir.
April 14, 2017
As part of the Oslo detective series, Faithless is the 7th book which was originally written in Norwegian and the only one to be translated so far. I was a little bit apprehensive about reading this book as I usually like to start a series at the beginning but Faithless can easily be read as a standalone I found.
The book starts off with Frank Frølich carrying out a surveillance operation, which should be quite simple but things take a turn when a body is found and it turns out to be the girlfriend of an old pal Frølich has just reconnected with after 20 years. Not only that on a different case a young student disappears with out a trace and the hunt is on to find out what happened and where she is.
The characters are all well developed and I particularly liked Frølich, his determination and possibly loneliness drew me to him. Also Lena, she seemed like a really interesting character, quite feisty and I’d like to have found out a little bit more about her, hopefully we’ll get to read more in this series soon that can shed more light into her character.
This isn’t a fast paced book but it grabs your attention and keeps you reading, the story has many twists and turns and I really wasn’t sure where the author was taking us and how it would end but it all tied up brilliantly and actually left me so disappointed I’d finished the book. This being the first book I’ve read in the Nordic Noir genre it’s really given me the taste for it, I thoroughly enjoyed Faithless and I’ll definitely be looking out for more books in the same genre.
The book starts off with Frank Frølich carrying out a surveillance operation, which should be quite simple but things take a turn when a body is found and it turns out to be the girlfriend of an old pal Frølich has just reconnected with after 20 years. Not only that on a different case a young student disappears with out a trace and the hunt is on to find out what happened and where she is.
The characters are all well developed and I particularly liked Frølich, his determination and possibly loneliness drew me to him. Also Lena, she seemed like a really interesting character, quite feisty and I’d like to have found out a little bit more about her, hopefully we’ll get to read more in this series soon that can shed more light into her character.
This isn’t a fast paced book but it grabs your attention and keeps you reading, the story has many twists and turns and I really wasn’t sure where the author was taking us and how it would end but it all tied up brilliantly and actually left me so disappointed I’d finished the book. This being the first book I’ve read in the Nordic Noir genre it’s really given me the taste for it, I thoroughly enjoyed Faithless and I’ll definitely be looking out for more books in the same genre.
April 9, 2017
Booktrail the locations of the novel here - Faithless
I do love a good slice of Nordic Noir and this was a nice meaty feast from start to finish. A good elk pie – a nice crust with a good hearty filling which the more you chewed the more flavour it revealed.
Why am I describing it like a pie? Well it looks set to be Nordic style investigation from the start but as you read, what lies beneath becomes all the more meaty and exciting.
Enough about pies though – this was a unique police procedural and thriller which was slow paced but had enough tension and mystery to keep things moving nicely. I liked getting to know Frølich. Well he’s a grumpy old thing isn’t he? Doesn’t want to go to a 40th birthday party from someone he’s lost touch with but well when he gets there, he finds out a lot more than he bargained for!
An African student in Norway has gone missing and the search is on – the visit to shady characters in the backs of cars on Oslo streets, the cold cases….well everything stacks up and the case starts to weave the various strands together very nicely indeed.
I am definitely on the case with the next Frølich and Gunnarstranda- there’s a lot to like and a lot to get your teeth in to. A bit like a meaty feast of a pie when you think about it. Satisfying. But leaves you looking forward to the next serving. Really enjoyed getting my teeth in to this one.
April 5, 2017
This is my first foray into the genre of Nordic Noir and I wasn't exactly sure what to expect, but I certainly didn't expect such an atmospheric, hauntingly tense journey of murder, lies, and dark, disturbing characters. Frølich is trying to unravel the murder of a young woman, who just happened to be engaged to a childhood friend of his, Karl Anders, whom he hadn't seen in twenty years. With strange friendships and plenty of secrets, it seems the more Frølich digs into the victim's life, the more confusing the case becomes. At the same time, a young student literally disappears into thin air, and a fellow Detective is looking into a connection with a cold case in Northern Norway. But as the clues start to stack together Frølich must confront the demons of his past if he is going to be able to unlock this chilling crime.
FAITHLESS by Kjell ola dahl caught my attention immediately and kept me gripped from beginning to end. With plenty of suspense, confusion, dead ends, and seemingly unrelated circumstances, I questioned how exactly the author was going to be able to pull it all together and give a satisfactory ending - but oh my God, it did so much more! Completely taking me by surprise I definitely did not guess who was behind it all and I love that (there is nothing worse than when you figure it all out 1/3 of the way through!). The story flows effortlessly, weaving each section cleverly together with its expertly detailed settings and in-depth characters until it is seamless. FAITHLESS gave me chills aplenty and I read this book in 3 hours - yes it is that good. FAITHLESS by Kjell ola dahl is part of a series but can be read independently. This book starts a new addiction to the Nordic Noir genre for me and I cannot wait to get buying.
*I voluntarily reviewed this book from the Publisher
FAITHLESS by Kjell ola dahl caught my attention immediately and kept me gripped from beginning to end. With plenty of suspense, confusion, dead ends, and seemingly unrelated circumstances, I questioned how exactly the author was going to be able to pull it all together and give a satisfactory ending - but oh my God, it did so much more! Completely taking me by surprise I definitely did not guess who was behind it all and I love that (there is nothing worse than when you figure it all out 1/3 of the way through!). The story flows effortlessly, weaving each section cleverly together with its expertly detailed settings and in-depth characters until it is seamless. FAITHLESS gave me chills aplenty and I read this book in 3 hours - yes it is that good. FAITHLESS by Kjell ola dahl is part of a series but can be read independently. This book starts a new addiction to the Nordic Noir genre for me and I cannot wait to get buying.
*I voluntarily reviewed this book from the Publisher
April 13, 2017
I liked the different characters making up the police team. It took me a while to figure out their professional relationship – who was the boss of who, and so on - and I guess I missed knowing more of their back story that must have been played out in earlier books in the series. Frolich is an interesting character who comes across as rather solitary, lonely even with no current relationship. In that respect, he reminded me of Colin Dexter’s Inspector Morse. In this case, Frolich feels conflicted and compromised by an old friend’s connection with the victim, particularly since it reawakens troubling memories from his childhood.
I liked the way that various attitudes to modern day policing were covered. There is Gunnerstanda, suspicious of the “new ways” – data analysis, sifting through CCTV footage, etc – instead clinging to a belief in the value of face-to-face conversations to get to the truth. He also has a strong “sixth sense” when danger lurks. Lena is more into action, whatever it takes to nail a suspect, with sometimes a seemingly casual regard for her own safety. And there is the boss, Rindal, focused on the need to use resources effectively.
The author deftly manages a number of different plot strands - a missing Nigerian woman, a spate of burglaries and the discovery of a dead body that has chilling echoes of an earlier murder. Dahl constantly plays with the reader’s expectations of how these different strands might come together and introduces a number of plausible suspects to keep one guessing right up to the end. I was certainly led up a few garden paths to some red herrings!
I really enjoyed reading Faithless and I will certainly look out for other titles by the author.
I received an advance reader copy courtesy of publishers, Orenda Books, in return for an honest review.
To read this and other reviews of great books, visit my blog: https://whatcathyreadnext.wordpress.com/
I liked the way that various attitudes to modern day policing were covered. There is Gunnerstanda, suspicious of the “new ways” – data analysis, sifting through CCTV footage, etc – instead clinging to a belief in the value of face-to-face conversations to get to the truth. He also has a strong “sixth sense” when danger lurks. Lena is more into action, whatever it takes to nail a suspect, with sometimes a seemingly casual regard for her own safety. And there is the boss, Rindal, focused on the need to use resources effectively.
The author deftly manages a number of different plot strands - a missing Nigerian woman, a spate of burglaries and the discovery of a dead body that has chilling echoes of an earlier murder. Dahl constantly plays with the reader’s expectations of how these different strands might come together and introduces a number of plausible suspects to keep one guessing right up to the end. I was certainly led up a few garden paths to some red herrings!
I really enjoyed reading Faithless and I will certainly look out for other titles by the author.
I received an advance reader copy courtesy of publishers, Orenda Books, in return for an honest review.
To read this and other reviews of great books, visit my blog: https://whatcathyreadnext.wordpress.com/
November 21, 2023
The book itself and the mystery/mysteries were quite enjoyable, especially with the reader being insure if they are interconnected or aren't. The personal drama of the officers took away a bit of the enjoyment though as it seemed forced and the officers didn't seem that interesting in the first place. I also didn't like the resolution/resolutions, as they felt too easy and too similar to each other. These grips aside, I enjoyed reading it.
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