Nullpunkt

Alexander Blix & Emma Ramm #1

by Jørn Lier Horst, Thomas Enger

Oslo 2018. Den tidligere langdistansedronningen Sonja Nordstrøm dukker aldri opp til lanseringen av sin omstridte selvbiografi EVIG ENER. Og da kjendisbloggeren Emma Ramm oppsøker Nordstrøms ulåste hjem senere samme dag, finner hun spor etter basketak. Et startnummer, et 1-tall, er festet til Nordstrøms fjernsyn. Politiførstebetjent Alexander Blix sliter fortsatt med ettervirkninger av en gisselsituasjon 19 år tidligere, der han skjøt og drepte faren til en fem år gammel jente. Han får jobben med å lede etterforskningen av forsvinningsmysteriet. Spor etter Nordstrøm dukker opp på ulike steder og til tidspunkt som virker å være del av en nøye uttenkt plan.

Omstendighetene tvinger Emma og Blix til å begynne å samarbeide. På hver sine måter forsøker de å avsløre og stoppe en metodisk og nådeløs drapsmann med en åpenbar appetitt på dramatikk. Han ønsker oppmerksomhet. Og han har bare så vidt satt i gang spillet ...

Genres: Crime, Thriller, Mystery, Fiction, Nordic Noir, Scandinavian Literature, Mystery Thriller

431 pages, Hardcover

First published September 21, 2018

About the author

Jorn Lier Horst (born in Bamble, Telemark 1970) is a former Senior Investigating Officer at the Norwegian police force. He made his literary debut as a crime writer in 2004 and is considered one of the foremost Nordic crime writers.

His series of mystery novels starring chief inspector William Wisting provides a detailed and authentic insight into how criminal cases are investigated and how it affects those involved, whether private or professional. The books represent a simple and accurate picture of the modern Nordic societies and is characterized by political and social commentary subtext.

Reviews

[Matt · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I learned that Jørn Lier Horst was writing a new series, I have to get my hands on it. Collaborating with Thomas Enger (about whom I know nothing), I was hoping for something as exciting coming from this Norwegian duo. Alex Blix is a Violent Crimes detective working in Oslo, having risen through the ranks over the years. When he is called to the scene of a missing woman, it turns out that she is a well-known sports personality. Blix encounters an eager journalist, Emma Ramm, who wants a scoop for her publication. Blix is hesitant to leak her much of anything, not wanting to anger the higher-ups or jeopardise the case. While working the case, Blix is saddled with a new hire, hoping that she will be independent and allow him to continue making progress on the case. Soon, another sports personality hits the headlines, this one a murdered footballer who was found on the property of the missing woman. Blix and Ramm begin to join forces and find that there have been other killings, all of which fit a crazy pattern. Able to loosely predict who might be next, Blix and Ramm seek to stay one step ahead of the game. All the while, Blix’s daughter is a contestant on a reality show in Norway that has everyone buzzing. Will she win and how will this notoriety reflect on her father? With a serial killer on the loose, Alex Blix has no time to waste, while Emma Ramm seeks to find the perfect headline to coax them out of the shadows. A wonderfully chilling thriller that shows yet again that writing quality can cross the language barrier, given the proper handling. Recommended to those who enjoy Horst’s other work, as well as the reader who finds solace in Scandinavian thrillers.

I am not sure that I can say why, but I thoroughly enjoy reading books set in Scandinavia, particularly by authors from the region. They are usually of such high quality and their translation into English is never something that ruins the flow. Jørn Lier Horst Is one of the best I have encountered, though I know other readers have a list they could offer me. Alex Blix proves to be a wonderful protagonist who holds onto a dark past, which comes out in the preface. His attention to detail and desire to solve crimes is apparent throughout, though he has a number of stumbling blocks, not least of which being his independent streak. The authors develop him nicely here and I am eager to see how he will grow as the series continues. Emma Ramm does not receive as much attention in this piece, but her position is surely one the authors can add to, given the opportunity. The Blix-Ramm pairing will work well, playing both sides of the coin to develop a strong story. The narrative itself flowed very well, mixing brief chapters with longer ones and peppering in the perfect amount of dialogue. I find that reading these books, I get lost in a lot of the references, as they are local and unpronounceable to me, but the overall experience is one that I adore. Horst and Enger work well together, as the piece flows so easily as to be devoured in short order. I see a sequel has been written (though not yet released in English). I am eager to see how it will play out and cannot wait to read that book as well.

Kudos, Messrs. Horst and Enger, for a strong opening book in the series. I hope your collaborative efforts continue, but I do want more translated William Wistling (hint, Mr. Horst).

Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/

A Book for All Seasons, a different sort of Book Challenge: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/...

[Abby • Crime by the Book · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5/5 stars for this gripping Nordic series launch! What do you get when two of Norway's beloved crime writers team up? The answer, as it turns out, is this gripping procedural-meets-serial killer thriller. In Death Deserved, a serial killer is targeting celebrities in Norway, and the police find themselves in a race against the clock to track the killer down before he strikes again. Death Deserved is a fantastic launch of a new Norwegian crime series, and it's co-written by authors with incredibly complementary skills. Jorn Lier Horst and Thomas Enger bring the best of their unique crime writing styles to this new joint venture, and I can't wait to read whatever they dream up next!

Catch my full thoughts on the CBTB blog: http://crimebythebook.com/blog/2020/1...

[Heba · Rating 5 out of 5]

لم ألتق منذ فترة طويلة برواية في أدب الجريمة بمثل هذه الإحترافية العالية...ولكن ماذا كنت انتظر غير ذلك من كاتبين أحدهما ضابط شرطة سابق والآخر صحفي مُتمرس...!
ضابط الشرطة " الكسندر بليكس" والصحفية الشابة " إيما رام " يلاحقا قاتل متسلسل لا يتوقف عن التنقل بين مسارح الجريمة المختلفة ، فالضحايا لابد وأن يكونوا من المشاهير ولكن لا يتم اختيارهم بصورة عشوائية بل هناك تسلسل عددي تنازلي لابد وأن يصل إلى الرقم " صفر " ...أليس صفر رقم ...رقم ينذر بالنهاية...
كان يدير المشهد كما يريد ويفرض سيطرة غامضة على الأحداث ، انتقام مُنظم يصدر عن شخص واثق ولا يحتاج للاختباء وقد وضع قطع الأحجية ببراعة تعلن تحدياً صامتاً لأي محاولة لكسرها...
انبهرت بالتفاصيل التي تتعلق بتحركات فريق العمل من الشرطة ما بين مطاردات سريعة ، تفريغ كاميرات ، توقف قطارات ، غلق شوارع ، تقصي قوائم السيارات في مسارح الأحداث ، تحقق من بطاقات الائتمان ، المجازفات ما بين انتظار التعزيزات واتباع القواعد المرسومة....
وما بين ترقب إدلاءات الشرطة بالمستجدات في المؤتمرات الصحفية وما بين عرض الصحافة لشريط الجرائم وإن كان مُتقطعاً...تلهث أنت ما بين هؤلاء وهؤلاء ولا تسأل أي من الفريقين أن تلتقط أنفاسك ، يبدو أنك مُعجباً بالجري تحت التوتر والضغوطات المتواصلة في هذه المطاردات البائسة...
أحببت عدم إغفال تفاصيل الحياة اليومية للشخصيات مما يعكس الجانب الإنساني لكل منهم ، تعايشت أدوارهم وكنت متفهمة لردود أفعالهم وتصادم مشاعرهم....
الرواية مترجمة عن النرويجية بعنوان " موت مستحق " ، قد تراءى للقاتل بأنه كذلك لكل من لا يستحق أن يكون من المشاهير أو ممن بالغ في التباهي بشكل سيء...
وبحكم قراءاتي لأدب الجريمة فكل قاتل متسلسل هو مثال للمعاناة من الإهمال والكراهية والتنازل عن تقديم الدعم والتقدير في مرحلة الطفولة ، وعندما يصبح شخصاُ بالغاً يحاول ان يثبت بأنه لم يكن ليستحق ذلك ولكن على طريقته الخاصة.....
وأخيراً...هنا بانتظارك عمل احترافي مُبهر جدير بالقراءة...عفواً أقصد بالمشاركة فأنت ستعلق هناك دونما شك....

[Joana’s World · Rating 4 out of 5]

Um thriller elaborado por dois dos escritores mais famosos deste género literário que não poderia ter corrido melhor.

Neste livro conhecemos o inspetor Alexander Blix, que é chamado para liderar a investigação de Sonja, uma atleta conhecida.

Sonja, no dia do seu desaparecimento tinha combinado aparecer no lançamento da sua biografia. Um livro que viria a ser polémico por vários motivos.

Tudo à volta do desaparecimento começa a parecer estranho. Que segredos será que o livro continha? Será que seriam suficientemente negros para que alguém provocasse o seu desaparecimento?

Tudo se centra no desaparecimento e nas várias pistas que vão surgindo sobre o mesmo. Até que, numa das pistas, aparece um corpo de um famoso. Qual será a ligação entre este homicídio e o desaparecimento de Sonja?

Após o primeiro corpo, começam a aparecer mais e tudo de pessoas reconhecidas. Qual será o objetivo?

Imaginem que alguém decide matar pessoas famosas. Será que os homicídios estão interligados entre si?

À medida que a leitura ia fluindo dava por mim a não querer que terminasse. Para além de todo o enredo e mistério à volta da ação é dos homicídios, vamos percorrendo a vida pessoal do inspetor. E eu quero, sem dúvida, continuar a acompanhar o detetive Blix.

[Susana Frazão · Rating 4 out of 5]

Um Policial muito bem conseguido , escrito por dois formidáveis escritores nórdicos, o que continua a confirmar que o frio é amigo de boas tramas policiais 😀😀

Gostei bastante!

[Eva · Rating 5 out of 5]

Holy flying …. kjøttkaker!!!! (that’d be meatballs) I can’t even begin to think about what to say about Death Deserved. Except … I am making space on my shelves for what will undoubtedly become one of my favourite series.

You may remember my sadness when Thomas Enger’s previous series featuring Henning Juul came to an end. That series was my first introduction to Scandi-Noir and a new love affair was born. But now Thomas Enger has embarked on another adventure, alongside Jørn Lier Horst and as I found myself getting introduced to an entirely new premise and a whole new cast of characters, I quickly realised the dark cloud of sadness had lifted. (dramatic much 😳)

A serial killer is targeting celebrities. They have a plan, they are on a mission and they will not be thwarted. The police is in a race against the clock to stop the killer from striking again but this unsub is smart and detectives have very little, if anything, to go on. And the clues they DO find, all seem like they’re calculated, meant to be found when the killer wants them to be.

And off we go with one of the most gripping crime thrillers EVER! Death Deserved had me hook, line and sinker from the very first page and just did not let go. There are so many things in this story that tick the boxes. Engaging characters, an intricate plot, a well-paced game of cat and mouse and an incredibly intriguing serial killer whose identity I couldn’t even begin to guess at. This extremely thrilling ride kept me glued to the pages until the early hours of the morning and it all led to an explosive ending that left me reeling! 🤯

Just like Alexander and Emma, the driving forces behind them are a (former) investigating officer and a journalist and on top of that, both Thomas Enger and Jørn Lier Horst are incredibly popular Norwegian crime writers. Something told me this collaboration was always going to be successful but I wasn’t at all prepared for exactly how much. If this first instalment is anything to go by, I dare say this will be one of the greatest series out there. As it is, I’m already tempted to say it might be even better than the Henning Juul series and considering how much I loved that one, I wasn’t really expecting that to happen. Or not just yet, anyway.

This serial killer crime thriller meets police procedural equals a pounding heart, clammy hands and a desperate need for more. I can’t wait for book two and I urge you, dear reader, to jump onto this rollercoaster ride right now! This might just be a dream team of crime writers and I firmly believe they are a force to be reckoned with. You wouldn’t want to miss out on that, now would you?

[Dora Santos Marques · Rating 5 out of 5]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wazDj...

[Catherine Vamianaki · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ενα δυνατό βιβλίο απο τον αγαπημένο μου Horst και του Enger. Οι δυο συγγραφείς κατάφεραν να γράψουν ένα συγκλονιστικό βιβλίο με απίστευτη αγωνία. Ο αστυνομικός Μπλιξ και οι συνάδελφοι του έχουν αναλάβει να βρουν εναν δράστη που καταφέρνει να εξοντώσει διάσημα άτομα. Δύσκολο το έργο τους. Υπάρχει και η Εμα. Τι σχέση έχει με τον Μπλιξ;
Η υπόθεση εξελίσσεται σε Νορβηγια και Δανια.
Το συστήνω ανεπιφύλακτα!!!

[Nessrina Hazem · Rating 5 out of 5]

تكتشف إيما رام الصحفية اختفاء عداءة سابقة من منزلها. يثير اختفائها الشبهات بالتزامن مع خروج كتاب سيرتها الذاتية إلي النور. فورا يبدأ المحقق الكسندر بليكس التحقيق كفرد من افراد التحقيق مع فريق تحري نرويجي مميز. تتعقد الأمور مع العثور علي جثة لاعب كرة و جثث أخري. هناك من يتصيد المشاهير.. يراقبهم عن كثب و يفتك بهم. جرائم تم تخطيطها بعناية دون ترك أدلة قد تعاون فريق التحقيق. الرابط الوحيد بين الجرائم هو استراتيجية العد التنازلي التي استخدمها القاتل. و نهاية عد القاتل هي مفاجأة أبقاها الكتّاب للنهاية.

رواية عن تأثير الشهرة و الركد وراء الشهرة مهما كانت الثمن أو الوسيلة. حبكة الرواية رائعة و متقنة بدون حشو أو زيادة.. اختيار الضحايا متقن أغلبهم لا يستحقون شهرتهم و احدهم يستحق القتل. و لكن من وجهة نظر قاتلنا ووفق تفكيره فهو موت مستحق للجميع.
استمتعت جدا بالرواية و الترجمة ممتازة كعادة دار العربي. في انتظار قراءة جريمة رأس السنة لنفس الكاتبين.

[Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

DEATH DESERVED is the first episode of a gripping Nordic Noir Crime Series by Jørn Lier Horst , Thomas Enger and Anne Bruce (Translator), published through Orenda books. This is a fast-paced read and one that is hard to put down!

Police officer Alexander Blix and celebrity blogger/ want-to-be journalist Emma Ramm work together to track down a serial killer, in the first episode of a new gripping Nordic Noir series.

Blix and his boss Fosse had once been classmates, but now were patrol partners in the Violent Crime Unit. They had completely different approaches to police work. Blix followed his gut, while Fosse followed the book.

Oslo, 2018. Former long-distance runner Sonja Nordstrøm never shows at the launch of her controversial autobiography, Forever Number One. She had failed to turn up for both radio and TV interviews today, without notice. When celebrity blogger Emma Ramm visits Nordstrøm’s home later that day, she finds the door unlocked and signs of a struggle inside. A bib with the number ‘one’ has been pinned to the TV. Emma feels something has happened to Sonja, and then contacts the police.

Police officer Alexander Blix is appointed to head up the missing-persons investigation along with his new recruit, Sofia Kovic, but Blix still bears the emotional scars of a hostage situation nineteen years earlier, when he killed the father of a five-year-old girl.

Traces of Nordstrøm soon show up at different locations, but the appearance of the clues appear to be carefully calculated. Twenty-four hours after Sonja disappears, her mobile phone is activated, and they find it in an empty grave. Someone is playing a game!

Then more celebrity deaths! What do these deaths all have in common?

Blix and Ramm soon join forces, determined to find and stop this serial killer.

This was a fast-paced read that will appeal to a wide audience, with its elaborate plot and well-developed relatable characters and climatic ending. Highly recommended!

Many thanks to the authors and translator and the Book Club Reviewer Request Group (FB) for my digital copy.

[Fictionophile · Rating 5 out of 5]

My complete review of "Death Deserved" can be found here: https://fictionophile.com/2020/05/24/...

I found that I immediately connected with both the protagonists in this novel so I was eager to follow their experiences in this very interesting serial killer case.

Blix was clever, a born copper, who follows his gut instincts to conduct his behavior at work. His workaholic mentality has jeopardized his relationship with his wife and daughter. Now divorced, he lives in an impersonal flat in which he spends as little time as possible.

I enjoyed witnessing the evolving work partnership between Blix and Sofia Kovic and look forward to reading about more of their endeavors in future books. The cleverly orchestrated crime was a compelling read that had me avidly turning pages.

Emma, a driven and ambitious blogger journalist, is also very clever and presented as a sympathetic and empathetic character. Her childhood trauma and tragedy served to make her someone whom you just have to root for.

The book covers some fascinating themes such as moral integrity, celebrity, control, justice and regret.

I am eternally amazed when I learn that two authors have co-written a book. The fact that two minds can cause a seamless narrative is astounding. Add in the fact that this book is written by two authors AND is a translation, makes the achievement even more astounding.

“Death Deserved” is an absorbing and engrossing crime thriller that I can highly recommend to all fans of the genre.

[Bruce Hatton · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the debut collaboration between two of Norway’s foremost crime writers which features police officer Alexander Blix and reporter Emma Ramm.
Ramm is due for an interview with controversial former athlete Sonja Nordstrøm who has recently released a scandalous autobiography, but, on arriving at Nordstrøm’s home, finds the door unlocked and signs of a struggle in the empty house. Blix, still haunted by a tragic hostage case from 19 years ago, is delegated to head the missing persons investigation. He is obviously a man who prefers working alone, despite being saddled with a new assistant and initially rejects Ramm’s attempts to collaborate, knowing her motives are different to his. However, when a former footballer who had links with Nordstrøm is found murdered, Blix and Ramm pool their resources and discover other killings that are bizarrely connected. It soon becomes obvious that they’re both up against a ruthless and brilliant adversary.
To add to Blix’s distress, his daughter is currently starring in a popular reality TV show and he is concerned about the adverse effects such public attention will have on her.
A wonderful mix of police procedural and psychological serial killer thriller, which leaves plenty of room to develop the two central characters further. As to be expected from two Nordic Noir veterans, the writing is very assured and their respective skills combine together very effectively.

[Cris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Adorei este livro. 😁
Nunca tinha lido nada destes autores mas fiquei com bastante curiosidade de ler outros livros deles.
Este é um livro contado a duas vozes: a de um polícia e a de uma jornalista. Gostei muito da forma como a história vai sendo construída, culminando num final onde nenhuma ponta fica solta e tudo faz sentido. Achei muito interessante a ligação que existe entre o polícia e a jornalista.
Foi uma história extremamente viciante, com capítulos curtos a acelerar a leitura e uma vontade de nunca parar de ler.
Recomendo imenso 😉

[Linda Strong · Rating 5 out of 5]

Police officer Alexander Blix and celebrity blogger Emma Ramm join forces to track down a serial killer with a thirst for attention and high-profile murders, in the first episode of a gripping new Nordic Noir series…

First to disappear is a celebrity long-distance runner who is preparing to launch her new book. But then there are other celebrity deaths, gruesome in nature. What do they all have in common other than their celebrity status .. and who wants them dead?

Ordinarily, police and bloggers / journalists do not join in order to find the truth. But in this instance, there is a connection between Blix and Ramm .... one that Ramm doesn't even know. Blix is determined to help her out whenever possible ... even at the cost of his job.

To add to his worries, his daughter is a contestant on a reality show. She's in the final stages of possibly winning a large amount of money and basking in the limelight. But Blix worries that whoever this serial killer is .. may target his only child.

With an intricate plot, and skillfully drawn characters, this book is alive with page-turning non-stop action. I really enjoyed how Blix's personal life and professional life blend to make him much more than a cardboard character. Kudos to the translator for exceptional clean conversations and actions. The explosive ending came as a total surprise.

This author's previous series featuring Jenning Juul ended, and couldn't wait to dive into this one. I was so hoping it would be as riveting as the first series. I am happy to report that I was not the least bit disappointed in this new series. I can't wait for the next in line.

Many thanks to the authors and translator for the digital copy of this crime fiction. Read and reviewed voluntarily, opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.

[Rita · Rating 3 out of 5]

Um thriller bem conduzido, onde cada peça encaixa como parte de um quebra-cabeças macabro.

A dualidade dos protagonistas, Emma e Blix, é especialmente interessante. A jornalista e o detective, cada um a lidar com seus próprios demónios, formam uma aliança improvável na corrida contra um assassino impiedoso.

[Isabel Garling · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 STARS.
⁣
I have been highly anticipating this new Nordic Noir novel for quite some time now and it definitely didn’t disappoint 🙌🏼 I haven’t read any books by either of the two authors before so I wasn’t sure what to expect, but I thoroughly enjoyed this book and think it was a fantastic start to a new Scandinavian crime series 🕵🏼‍♀️🖤⁣
⁣
What I enjoyed most about this book was the dynamic between the two main protagonists. I found them both to be extremely refreshing characters and I loved getting to know them both individually and as a duo 👌🏼 I also enjoyed how fast-paced this book was because I was constantly intrigued by the story and was eager to know how it was going to end. I thought the writing style was absolutely fantastic and I’m excited to read more from both of these authors 🙌🏼⁣
⁣
The main issue I had with this book was that I wasn’t fully immersed the entire time. While it was intriguing enough to keep me reading, I was never 100% connected with the story and that made me not love it as much as I wanted to. The other issue I had was that while the ending wasn’t necessarily predictable, it wasn’t shocking whatsoever. However, there was a MAJOR plot twist earlier in the book that I didn’t see coming at all, which definitely made up for it 👌🏼⁣
⁣
TRIGGERS: Domestic Violence⁣
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Overall, I would definitely recommend this book to you guys! If you’re a fan of Scandinavian crime fiction or police procedurals, you’ll definitely want to pick this one up 🤓⁣

[Liz Barnsley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review to follow for the tour.

[Φίλιππος ²³ · Rating 4 out of 5]

7.5/10

[Sonia Cristina · Rating 4 out of 5]

"- Privacidade é privacidade (...) Onde está a fronteira entre a informação que podemos retirar dos dados informáticos de alguém e o puro abuso de privacidade?
- Não devia haver fronteira quando praticam crimes".

~ Cap. 63

***

PONTO ZERO é um autêntico policial que me deu muito gosto ler. Adorei os protagonistas. Apesar de, habitualmente, não gostar de protagonistas jornalistas, simpatizei com a Emma desde o início.

Os capítulos curtos e maioritariamente  intercalados do ponto de vista de Blix e Emma foram excelentes, deram uma sensação de rapidez, de haver sempre algo a acontecer - e havia - e isto é imprescindível num bom policial. Não houve um momento aborrecido.

Achei giro ser referida de passagem uma personagem da série Wisting de Jørn Lier Horst. Hoje ainda comecei um livro de Thomas Enger e reconheci outra personagem que entrava em Ponto Zero. Deliro quando encontro personagens que saltam entre séries.

O enredo deu umas quantas voltas e reviravoltas muito interessantes. Não estive nem perto de acertar no assassino. Dou-me melhor como administrativa do que daria como parte de uma força policial, de investigação. Foi bastante original que o assassino usasse números em contagem decrescente. Que maluco. Durante grande parte do livro pensei que o assassino era aquele jornalista dinamarquês, amigo-pretendente de Emma por ele mostrar tanto desprezo pelas celebridades. Nunca pensei no fulano do reality show, também só apareceu por um pouco, não dava para pensar nele.

Espero ler o segundo livro da série, Cortina de Fumo, entretanto.

[Karin Meinen-Benjamins · Rating 4 out of 5]

Och wat heb ik genoten! Hele beeldende en fijne schrijfstijl. Personages die echt worden, een pracht van een plot ingevuld ook met spannende stukken. Supereinde en compleet voldaan dit boek dichtgeslagen. Kan me nu al verheugen op een deel twee! Vier en halve sterren. Karin Meinen - Samenlezenisleuker

[Maria · Rating 2 out of 5]

Oh no..not again…a strong, “not playing by the rules” rugged and competent detective (a man) join forces with a young, naive and not so smart journalist (in this case celebrity blogger) with a tragic past (a woman). For once I wished it was reversed, a woman like Lund from The Killing (books) with an inexperienced young guy, that book I’ll buy because it is the reality at least in the workplace plus it sounds less chauvinistic.

The only redeeming quality of the book was the action toward the end and still it was so unbelievable that at times it was funny.

Let’s start with the characters than in my opinion were not developed. Usually in a series you get to know the characters, their life away from work, their anxieties, their dreams and their opinions, you get to know them better because that hopefully would make you revisit them later (in book two) but Horst and Enger has given us nothing, both central characters are flat. Also the book felt like they are writing for Television and every chapter is an episode. Blix’s day starts at the precinct, we do not know about his relationship with Merete, his friends, his home. Emma is another story, this girl has an intuition and suddenly the police force acts upon it. Also, her relationship with Kasper is not very grown up, she acts like a child and Kasper like a harasser. The characters have no depth plain and simple. I also do not understand why the series is called Blix and Ramm, Ramm contributes by accident and she is more a secondary character than a main one. The series should be called Kovic and Blix, she is more capable, skilled and more interesting.

There is no mystery, no surprise no aha! moment, even thrillers need this in order to work. At the end the killer could have been anyone.

I have read my fair share of Nordic Noir and this book is quite different and not in a good way. In my opinion the translation was awful and in some instances the writing was overly dramatic and in others too simplistic. Here are some examples; “Before they left the car, Blix took time to fill his lungs with air” Or in two occasions Blix told Emma a statement like he’s dead or I have been suspended to what she responded “what are you trying to tell me?” Also, you can tell throughout the book that they cater to American audiences.


Like I said there is no Nordic Noir series that I do not like, but really this felt like I was reading the script for a spaghetti western. I bought the entire series and that I really regret, will read book 2 probably in a year.

[Ingie · Rating 5 out of 5]

4 1/2 Stars - A great police/crime series starter from Norway. Thrilling, interesting characters, intriguing case and topic and set in a in a contemporary environment with the dream of celebrity, top profit and reality television. Looking forward for part #2 and #3 translated and published as audiobooks in Swedish. - Terrific narrated by Jonas Malmsjö.

Read August 5, 2020

[Ahmed Halawa · Rating 5 out of 5]

- رحلة اولي في عالم الجريمة النرويجية.
- ابدأ منين عشان اكلم عن التحفة الفنية دي اللي كانت سبب في سهري عشان اقرا أكبر قدر ممكن منها... و مدايق اني اتاخرت في قراتها بعد ما كذا مرة اكون ناوي ابداها.
- سلسلة جرائم بتبدا باختفاء عداءة اوليمبية لكن دي بتكون البدايه بس و تبدا سلسلة جرائم بيكون الضحايا من المشاهير في مجلات مختلفة فجأة المحقق بيليكس بيلاقي نفسه وسط جرائم اختطاف و قتل و بمساعدة صحفية في مجال الفن يكتشف رابط بين الجرائم المختلفة.. لكن ظهور الصحفية ايما بيفتح جرح قديم في بداية حياة المحقق بليكس المهنية .
- الاثارة و التشويق في العمل ده تاخد ١٠/١٠و نجمة و حضن كبير انت حرفيا هتبقي بتجري مع فريق التحقيق و بين السبق الصحفي و بين اني فجأة الجرائم هتتداخل و تتشابك ده غير حياة بعض الابطال الشخصية بعيد عن العمل .
- رسم الشخصيات ممتاز و اعتقد في باقي السلسلة هنعرف و نغوص اكتر جوه فريق التحقيق لكن يحسب للكاتبين هنا اني بالرغم من اني ده الجزء الاول من السلسلة الا اني العمل كان مركز علي الجريمة بعيد عن سرد تاريخ الشخصيات بشكل كبير يخلق ملل في القراءة.
شخصية المحقق في العمل ده مكتوبه بفن.
- حبكة العمل عنها مركبة و متماسكة جدا و مكتوبة حلوة جدا .
- السلسله دي لازم دار العربي تسلط عليها ضوء اكبر و تكمل الباقي بسرعة لانها جريمة نموذجية.
- نيجي بقي لنقطة الترجمة الرواية مترجمه عن الانجليزية لكن الترجمة كانت حلوة جدا و سلسه جدا نسبة اخطاء املاء صفر .

[Carina Carvalho · Rating 4 out of 5]

Um livro com 10 mortes não podia ser um livro monótono! Com capítulos pequenos e sempre muita ação a decorrer, vamos acompanhando a polícia no encalço do assassino ou assassinos. Gostei do enredo e das personagens e nunca me senti aborrecida, houve sempre novos crimes e novos desenvolvimentos. Quero continuar a acompanhar esta série. 😍

[Γιώτα Παπαδημακοπούλου · Rating 4 out of 5]

Διαβάστε το review στο site μας:
https://www.culture21century.gr/2022/...

Τον Jorn Lier Horst τον γνωρίσαμε το 2016, όταν οι εκδόσεις Διόπτρα έφεραν το πρώτο του βιβλίο μεταφρασμένο στη χώρα μας. Από τότε μέχρι σήμερα, έχουν εκδόσει 17 τίτλους βιβλίων του, συμπεριλαμβανομένης και εκείνης της παιδικής σειράς "Ομάδα δράσης ΚΛΟΥ". Όσον αφορά το "Σημείο μηδέν", είναι το πρώτο βιβλίο της σειράς "Alexander Blix & Emma Ramm", το οποίο υπογράφει ο Horst μαζί με τον Thomas Enger. Μια σύμπραξη συγγραφέων είναι πάντοτε ένα ενδιαφέρον εγχείρημα, το οποίο, όμως, δεν έχει πάντοτε καλά αποτελέσματα. Πολλές φορές, η γραφή δύο διαφορετικών μεταξύ τους δημιουργών, δεν μπορεί μπορεί να βρει εκείνο το σημείο σύνδεσης που απαιτείται προκειμένου να έχουμε το επιθυμητό αποτέλεσμα. Ωστόσο, το εν λόγω βιβλίο δεν ανήκει στην κατηγορία αυτή.

Η ιστορία μας μεταφέρει στο Όσλο του 2018, με τη νορβηγική πρωτεύουσα να βρίσκεται αντιμέτωπη με μια σειρά εξαφανίσεων διάσημων ανθρώπων. Όταν η Σόνια Νόρντστρεμ, πρώην δρομέας μεγάλων αποστάσεων, της οποίας η αυτοβιογραφία ετοιμάζεται να κυκλοφορήσει, με όλα τα βλέμματα να είναι στραμμένα πάνω της, εξαφανίζεται, ο αστυνομικός ερευνητής Άλεξ Μπλιξ καλείται να αναλάβει την διαλεύκανση της υπόθεσης. Αυτό θα σταθεί αφορμή να γνωρίσει την Έμα Ραμ, μια πολύ διάσημη blogger, η οποία ήταν αυτή που ανακάλυψε πρώτη πως η Σόνια έχει απαχθεί, όπως φανερώνουν όλα τα στοιχεία που έχουν στη διάθεσή τους. Η Έμα χρειάζεται περισσότερες πληροφορίες, προκειμένου να δημοσιεύσει το άρθρο της, ενώ ο Άλεξ δεν ξέρει κατά πόσο μπορεί να την εμπιστευτεί και πόσα μπορεί να της πει. Ωστόσο, τα πράγματα σύντομα θα γίνουν πιο περίπλοκα, όταν ανακαλυφθεί το πτώμα ενός διάσημου ποδοσφαιριστή που επίσης είχε εξαφανιστεί, με τον Άλεξ ν' αποφασίζει να ενώσει τις δυνάμεις του με την Έμα, ώστε να βρεθούν ένα βήμα πριν από τον δράστη.

Γρήγορα συνειδητοποιούν πως έχουν να κάνουν με έναν μανιακό, ο οποίος ακολουθεί ένα πολύ συγκεκριμένο μοτίβο, που αν το ακολουθήσουν μπορούν να μαντέψουν ποιο θα είναι το επόμενο θύμα του. Κάπως έτσι, ξεκινά ένας αγώνας δρόμου, με τον δράστη να "παίζει" μαζί τους, αφήνοντας στοιχεία για τη δράση του εδώ κι εκεί, αλλά όχι με τόσο απροκάλυπτο τρόπο ώστε τα κομμάτια του παζλ να ενωθούν και να δώσουν μια ξεκάθαρη απάντηση στη λύση του μυστηρίου πίσω από το πρόσωπο και τη δράση του. Ο χρόνος πιέζει ασφυκτικά και ο Άλεξ με την Έμα πρέπει να κάνουν ό,τι περνάει από το χέρι του για να λύσουν τον γρίφο και να φτάσουν στον δράστη πριν αυτός να προλάβει να ολοκληρώσει το τρελό σχέδιό του, που αναπόφευκτα έχει τραβήξει πάνω του τα φώτα της δημοσιότητας και που, όπως όλα μαρτυρούν, το απολαμβάνει δεόντως.

Ο Horst είναι ένας απ' τους καλύτερους εκπροσώπους του σύγχρονου σκανδιναβικού νουάρ και δεν χωράει καμία αμφιβολία επ' αυτού. Γνωρίζει πολύ καλά πως να χτίζει τη δράση κάθε ιστορίας του, αλλά και το πως πρέπει να βάλει τους χαρακτήρες του να κινηθούν και να πράξουν μέσα σε αυτήν, δημιουργώντας έτσι μια αφήγηση που συνεχώς κλιμακώνεται, με την αγωνία και το σασπένς ν' αυξάνονται σε κάθε κεφάλαιο, μέχρι την τελική κορύφωση του δράματος -πόσο μάλλον όταν σε αυτό εμπλέκονται και οι κεντρικοί μας ήρωες με τρόπο πιο προσωπικό, άρα έχουμε και συναισθηματική εμπλοκή η οποία εντείνει ακόμα περισσότερο όλα τα προηγούμενα αφού, θέλοντας και μη, ταυτιζόμαστε περισσότερο μαζί τους, πράγμα που συμβαίνει και στην προκειμένη περίπτωση. Και σίγουρα δεν είναι εύκολο να διατηρήσεις τις απαραίτητες αποστάσεις ανάμεσα στη δράση και στο συναίσθημα, έτσι ώστε να συνδέονται μεν, να μην παρεμποδίζουν το ένα το άλλο δε, αλλά ο Horst τα καταφέρνει εξαιρετικά.

Όσον αφορά τη συνεργασία του Horst με τον Enger, για τον οποίο ομολογώ πως δεν γνωρίζω απολύτως τίποτα αλλά παρ' όλα ταύτα χαίρομαι που έμαθα μέσα απ' το βιβλίο αυτό, μπορώ να πω πως έχει λειτουργήσει εξαιρετικά, καθώς δεν υπάρχει κάποιο σημείο το οποίο να μας κάνει να σκεφτούμε πως πρόκειται για δύο διαφορετικές γραφές που κάπου συναντιούνται. Αντίθετα, το βιβλίο δίνει την αίσθηση σαν να έχει γραφτεί από ένα και μοναδικό άτομο, ρέει εξαιρετικά, έχει τις εντάσεις και τις ανατροπές της, έχει τις στιγμές που εμβαθύνει σε πιο σοβαρά θέματα και σε κάποιες άλλες όπου μας προσφέρει μικρές δόσεις έξυπνου σαρκασμού. Αυτό, φίλοι μου, αποκαλείται χημεία και αυτοί οι δύο άνθρωποι αναμφίβολα έχουν πολύ μεταξύ τους.

Ο Άλεξ είναι ένας απ' τους καλύτερους κεντρικούς χαρακτήρες που έχω συναντήσει το τελευταίο διάστημα σε αστυνομικό μυθιστόρημα, και μπορεί να "πατάει" στο μοτίβο του ανθρώπου με το σκοτεινό παρελθόν, ωστόσο δεν μένει ούτε βασίζεται σε αυτό για να στηρίξει την δράση του, τα συναισθήματά του ή τις σκέψεις του. Πάνω απ' όλα, είναι παθιασμένος με τη δουλειά του και αυτό το μεταφέρει και σε εμάς, και περιμένω να δω πως θα εξελιχθεί μελλοντικά. Σε ότι αφορά την Έμα, είναι ένας χαρακτήρας του σήμερα, πολύ οικείος σε εμάς, που αξιοποιείται πολύ έξυπνα κι έχει αρκετή χημεία με τον Άλεξ, και είμαι σίγουρη πως στο προσεχές μέλλον μας επιφυλάσσουν ακόμα μεγαλύτερες εκπλήξεις κι ακόμα πιο σκοτεινές περιπέτειες, στις οποίες ανυπομονώ να με παρασύρουν μαζί τους.

[Willemijn jufwillemijnopallstars · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ik ben altijd in voor Scandinavische thrillers, dit zijn mijn favoriete thrillers. Van Horst en Enger had ik beide nog niks gelezen, dus dit was compleet nieuw voor mij. Het stelde niet teleur! Rechercheur Alexander Blix en blogger Emma Ramm vormen een vreemd duo, maar ze hebben veel aan elkaar.

Het boek is geen moment saai, ruim 400 pagina’s wordt de spanning vastgehouden. Je leest afwisselend vanuit Blix en Ramm en dat leest heel fijn. Zo leer je de situatie vanuit twee kanten kennen. Ook leer je de personages langzaamaan kennen, doordat ze zich blootgeven aan andere personages. Je komt als lezer vanzelf achter allerlei geheimen.

Een typisch Scandinavische thriller heeft een chagrijnige rechercheur als hoofdpersoon, dat klopt hier ook, maar hij wordt ondersteund door een totaal ander personage wat het boek heel levendig en realistisch maakt. De relatie tussen de hoofdpersonen lijkt op het eerste gezicht heel oppervlakkig, maar dat verandert langzaam.

Niet alleen wordt er aandacht besteed aan de zaak waar ze aan werken, ook de persoonlijke levens van Blix en Ramm komen aan bod. Voor Blix wordt het op het einde ook wel heel persoonlijk en spannend.

Het boek heeft dus constante spanning, de hoofdpersonages komen realistisch over en de dader kwam uit een onverwachte hoek. Ik zou dit boek zeker aanraden voor mensen die houden van Scandinavische thrillers, maar ook andere thrillerliefhebbers zullen hiervan smullen!

[Gram · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the first in a series featuring Norwegian detective Alexander Blix and celebrity blogger Emma Ramm. It's a fast paced tale which ticks a lot of boxes - a solid police procedural as detectives hunt for a deranged serial killer murdering famous people by numbers.
Blix is still tormented by the result of a hostage situation nearly two decades earlier in his career. He and Ramm form an unusual partnership in the search for a killer who exhibits a theatrical flair as he carries out his deadly crimes. As the investigation unfolds Blix's daughter is taking part in a reality TV show.
Throughout the book I sometimes felt as if I was reading a film script and the climax of the story seemed almost fantastical. This new series is written by crime writers Jørn Lier Horst and Thomas Enger and - despite its shortcomings - it's a gripping read.

[Binta Colson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Eerst heb ik wat moeten wennen .Weer heel veel Scandinavische namen die soms moeilijk te onthouden zijn.Maar opeens zit je lekker in het verhaal.Twee geweldige personages en een hele arrogante...Ik kijk uit naar volgende delen.Heb ontzettend genoten van dit boek.

[Raven · Rating 5 out of 5]

In a stroke of genius, two of the most recognisable and talented Norwegian crime writers, Thomas Enger and Jorn Lier Horst have joined forces to produce Death Deserved, and what a collaboration it is. Centring on a series of murders targeting well known personalities, the story ( the first of a series) sees a mirroring of the writer’s own specialities in their crime fiction. Jorn Lier Horst is an ex-policeman, author of the hugely successful William Wisting series so naturally the joint main protagonist is a detective, Alexander Blix. Equally, Thomas Enger known for the compelling series featuring a journalist, Henning Juul, brings his knowledge and familiarity with the world of media to Blix’s co-protagonist journalist Emma Ramm. With both writers having such an accomplished pedigree in crime fiction writing, the joining up of their individual talents is exceedingly effective, and consequently what they have produced is an extremely compelling, clever and fascinating thriller. Having recently read both Enger’s Inborn and Horst’s The Cabin, I was interested to see how each writer’s individual style was so evident in this collaboration, being highly reflective of both their talents in creating credible and engaging characters, setting themselves apart from the normally slightly meandering tendency of Scandinavian crime fiction, and injecting a real sense of pace and excitement into the narrative and development of the plot.

Haunted by a shooting incident in the line of duty, and having a somewhat rootless and static career, Blix exhibits traits that we love in our police protagonists. He seems to exist under somewhat of a black cloud, with an estranged wife and a daughter he is currently viewing through the media as she takes part in the popular Worthy Winner show, the Norwegian equivalent of Big Brother. Slightly morose, but intuitive and imbued with a sense of morality and determinedness, Blix is an instantly empathetic and likeable character. As the investigation continues and time becomes of the essence for some kind of breakthrough, his path crosses once again with journalist Emma Ramm with whom, unbeknownst to her, he shares a personal history. As he begins to feed her information pertinent to the investigation, thus begins a flowering of an effective and, at times, perilous professional connection, which becomes absolutely crucial in the pursuit of a seemingly untraceable and ruthless killer.

I particularly like the character of Emma Ramm who possesses a confidence and doggedness as a journalist that puts some of her male peers to shame. Her quick intelligence and intuition are stretched to the max in this troubling case, but is exactly these qualities that Blix comes to rely on strongly as their interactions lead to significant turning points tracking the perpetrator and even more so as certain things develop in their hunt. No spoilers here. What I also like is the way that her natural confidence is underscored by a certain vulnerability below the surface, due to a condition which any young woman would find difficulty in coming to terms with. This adds a real emotional depth to her, and compounded by her growing realisation of the important part that Blix had played in her life, leaves great possibilities in developing her, and by extension his, characters even further.

Having referenced earlier the tendency for rather drawn out plotlines in some Scandinavian crime fiction, I very much felt the pace and energy of this one as being more similar to some of the best of the American crime writers. With a perfectly weighted balance of hide and reveal, I found the plot development and truncated chapters made this a book which was difficult to put aside, as everything tempted you to keep on reading. With the increasing body count, some withering observations on the cult of celebrity, some devilish twists, and a couple of satisfyingly surprising red herrings along the way, I was caught on the back foot more than once. What a great ending too. As a crime reader I could ask for nothing more…

Definitely one to add to your wish-lists and guaranteed to keep you reading long after the big light needs to be turned off! Highly recommended.

[Gretos knygos · Rating 4 out of 5]

Neslėpsiu, mane vis sunkiau ir sunkiau nustebinti detektyvų ir trilerių pasiūla. Šiuo metu jų leidžiama tiek daug, o visi tituluojami kaip geriausi, labiausiai įtraukiantys, šokiruojantys ir nustebinsiantys net didžiausius skeptikus. Ir vis tik šiam detektyvui didelių liaupsių kol kas niekur nemačiau – o gal ir be reikalo, nes jis bent kažkokių pagyrų yra tikrai vertas.

Romano centre – detektyvas Aleksandras Bliksas ir žurnalistė Ema Ram. Verčiant puslapius imi nujausti, kad šiuos du personažus kažkas sieja ir tai kelia intrigą. O kur dar pagrindinis nusikaltimas, tiksliau, nusikaltimai, kai vienas po kito žudomi garsūs žmonės, o nužudymo vietose paliekamos užuominos. Tarsi kraupus žaidimas, sugalvotas kažkokio psichopato, kai mėtomi trupiniai, o Aleksandras su Ema tarsi Jonukas su Grytute turi eiti paskui juos ir atrasti paslėptus siūlo galus. Rokomane egzistuoja ir trečioji linija – Aleksandro duktė dalyvauja realybės šou, yra uždaryta name, kuriame išliks tik „nuoširdžiausi“ ir laimės didelę pinigų sumą. Tad pagrindinis tyrėjas turi kovoti ne tik su nusikaltėliais, bet ir su praeities demonais bei gluminančiais dukters pasirinkimais.

Labai gerai pamenu, nors buvau dar gana maža, sensacija tapusį realybės šou „Akvariumas“. Tarsi zoologijos sode stebimi žmonės gyveno uždaryti savaičių savaitėmis, bendravo, pykosi, taikėsi ir žaidė prodiuserių pametėtus žaidimus. Tad šioje knygoje buvo pasakojama kone apie analogišką žaidimą. Ir tai buvo nepaprastai įdomu. Jaučiausi, lyg keliaučiau laiku, ir nors daug kas buvo matyta ir girdėta, netapo nuobodu apie tai skaityti.

Vis tik pats detektyvas kažkur iki vidurio buvo lėtas… ir kiek per lėtas mano skoniui. Veiksmo kaip ir netrūko, žudymai vyko vienas po kito, bet skaitant neapleido kažkoks keistas snaudulys. Tačiau nepaisant to snaudulio, ties kažkuria romano vieta prabudau ir pasidarė tikrai labai įdomu. Ypač intrigą pasigavau tuomet, kai ėmė aiškėti priežastys, motyvai ir ryšiai. Be to, man visada patinka skaityti apie žudikus, kurie manosi esą geresni, protingesni už visus ir kuriuose galima įžvelgti sociopatinių ar psichopatinių savybių.

Tikras skandinaviškas detektyvas. Įdomūs veikėjai, nusikaltimai irgi intriguoja, ypač kai jų daugiau nei vienas. O ir gera buvo skaityti apie tyrėją, kurio nekamavo priklausomybės. Šįkart likau įtikinta tiek pabaigos, tiek to, kaip susivedė visi palaidi galai.

Leidyklos dovana.

Susitikime instagrame:
www.instagram.com/gretosknygos.lt