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Varg Veum #19
Wolves at the Door
The wolves are no longer in the dark … they are at his door. And they want vengeance…
The next instalment in the international, bestselling Varg Veum series by one of the fathers of Nordic Noir…
‘Gunnar Staalesen is one of my very favourite Scandinavian authors. Operating out of Bergen in Norway, his private eye, Varg Veum, is a complex but engaging anti-hero. Varg means “wolf ” in Norwegian, and this is a series with very sharp teeth’Ian Rankin
One dark January night a car drives at high speed towards PI Varg Veum, and comes very close to killing him. Veum is certain this is no accident, following so soon after the deaths of two jailed men who were convicted for their participation in a case of child pornography and sexual assault … crimes that Veum himself once stood wrongly accused of committing.
While the guilty men were apparently killed accidentally, Varg suspects that there is something more sinister at play … and that he’s on the death list of someone still at large.
Fearing for his life, Veum begins to investigate the old case, interviewing the victims of abuse and delving deeper into the brutal crimes, with shocking results. The wolves are no longer in the dark … they are at his door. And they want vengeance.
276 pages, Paperback
Published January 1, 2020
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282 people want to read
About the author
Gunnar Staalesen
135 books280 followersGunnar Staalesen is a Norwegian writer. Staalesen has a cand.philol degree from Universitetet i Bergen and he has worked at Den Nationale Scene, the main theater in Bergen.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews
March 4, 2023
4 stars for a dark Nordic noir book. The translation from Norwegian is excellent. This book opens with someone trying to run down Varg Veum, private investigator in Bergen, Norway. I have only read 2 other books in this series, #11 and 20, so there are intervening events which I have not read. i probably would have enjoyed this book more if I read read all the previous books, but this worked ok for me as a stand alone.
This book has Varg investigating the possibility that someone wants to kill him because of events from 18 months ago, when he and 3 other men were arrested on charges of child pornography. Varg was proved innocent in a previous book that I haven't read. While there are three suspicious deaths with no graphic violence or bad language, the central subject of child pornography and pedophilia is dark and disturbing, so it may not be suitable for cozy fans . Varg does solve the mystery, but not without further attacks.
One quote, by Varg: "With every conversation I had in this case, which hardly deserved the term 'investigation', it was as though I was moving further and further into a dark web of evil crimes, unmentionable acts, lives built on an insecure childhood, in which fathers rose like monstrous shadows over their children, mothers closed their eyes, and childhood memories became traumas and nightmares that led to breakdowns, dependence on medications and drugs, and rootless existence."
Although this library book is 260 pages, it took me 5 days to read it because of the dark subject.
This book has Varg investigating the possibility that someone wants to kill him because of events from 18 months ago, when he and 3 other men were arrested on charges of child pornography. Varg was proved innocent in a previous book that I haven't read. While there are three suspicious deaths with no graphic violence or bad language, the central subject of child pornography and pedophilia is dark and disturbing, so it may not be suitable for cozy fans . Varg does solve the mystery, but not without further attacks.
One quote, by Varg: "With every conversation I had in this case, which hardly deserved the term 'investigation', it was as though I was moving further and further into a dark web of evil crimes, unmentionable acts, lives built on an insecure childhood, in which fathers rose like monstrous shadows over their children, mothers closed their eyes, and childhood memories became traumas and nightmares that led to breakdowns, dependence on medications and drugs, and rootless existence."
Although this library book is 260 pages, it took me 5 days to read it because of the dark subject.
May 19, 2020
3.5 stars
July 18, 2019
think it’s no exaggeration to say that Gunnar Staalesen is singularly the most difficult author I have to review, as his books are just so consistently superb, and beautifully translated by Don Bartlett. To this end, each new instalment of the Varg Veum series just puts an increasing strain on the scope of my vocabulary and my stash of superlatives, so apologies for any noticeable repetition detected of previous reviews for We Shall Inherit The Wind , Where Roses Never Die, Wolves In The Dark, and Big Sister. So now we come to Wolves At The Door, where the shadow of the misdemeanours of Veum’s past, both real and imagined come back to haunt this most tenacious of private investigators in the streets of his beloved Bergen and beyond…
This book is closely linked to the catastrophic events of Wolves In The Dark, but as ever with Staalesen, each of these books can be read in isolation, with the precise, and concise use of back story always contained within the books. Consequently, the reader can quickly get a handle on why Veum is once again under threat, and the dangerous lengths he needs to go to in order to discover why. As is usual, the slightly gung-ho actions of Veum, also have ramifications for those he is closest too, and places a maybe unbridgeable strain on his most personal relationships. Staalesen always exhibits a sublime skill in his plotting, with a smooth, assured grip on the tension, pace and use of reveals in particular, so we experience the same level of frustration as Veum as his lines of investigation are consistently blurred by a web of lies, deception and interludes of violence.
I thought this plot was exceptionally well realised, bringing to the fore the age old hypothesis of nature vs nurture, the issues of familial dysfunction and how this manifests itself in the victims and survivors of abuse, and is natural justice more warranted in some cases than the grinding wheels of legal justice. Staalesen explores these themes with an intensity and clear sightedness through his conduit Veum, a former social worker illustrating once again, that alongside his innate ability to draw the reader in to an extremely well-structured and compelling thriller, these additional levels of societal and behavioural exploration serves to raise his books above the depressingly familiar norm of thrillers exploring the world of domestic abuse and family conflict.
Aside from Veum being such a vivid, slightly flawed and genuinely likeable character, with his tenacious attitude, his companionable relationship with aquavit, and his sometimes foolhardy denial of not being the spring chicken he was, these books always appeal to my own love of language and taut dialogue. I have never reached the end of one of Staalesen’s books without noting down several pages containing sharp and snappy exchanges, or just brilliant punchy little observations such as “On the way up to the house I passed a thawing snowman bent at the hip, an arthritic terpsichorean,” Staalesen has an elasticity of phrase, and what I perceive to be a general love of, and skill for, honing his language to compress a visual panorama into a pared down image, or short, taut description which reveals so much to the reader by saying relatively little. I also get a large amount of enjoyment from Veum’s perfectly delivered cynical asides in the face of other people’s stupidity- an admirable quality that dissipates the general irritation that the sometimes crotchety Veum experiences pretty much every day in his interactions with pretty much everybody. There are exceptions to this rule of course revealing an assuring soft-centeredness to him, which then quickly dissipates yet again, bringing a welcome return to cynicism and irritation as the idiots raise their ugly heads again.
So, once again, Wolves At The Door accrues a five star rating for a five star book from a five star author, and a five star translator Don Bartlett. There is little more to say, apart from a personal note to Gunnar Staalesen in the light of the ending this book, you might want to rethink the beekeeping idea for both Veum’s sanity and ours…
Highly recommended.
This book is closely linked to the catastrophic events of Wolves In The Dark, but as ever with Staalesen, each of these books can be read in isolation, with the precise, and concise use of back story always contained within the books. Consequently, the reader can quickly get a handle on why Veum is once again under threat, and the dangerous lengths he needs to go to in order to discover why. As is usual, the slightly gung-ho actions of Veum, also have ramifications for those he is closest too, and places a maybe unbridgeable strain on his most personal relationships. Staalesen always exhibits a sublime skill in his plotting, with a smooth, assured grip on the tension, pace and use of reveals in particular, so we experience the same level of frustration as Veum as his lines of investigation are consistently blurred by a web of lies, deception and interludes of violence.
I thought this plot was exceptionally well realised, bringing to the fore the age old hypothesis of nature vs nurture, the issues of familial dysfunction and how this manifests itself in the victims and survivors of abuse, and is natural justice more warranted in some cases than the grinding wheels of legal justice. Staalesen explores these themes with an intensity and clear sightedness through his conduit Veum, a former social worker illustrating once again, that alongside his innate ability to draw the reader in to an extremely well-structured and compelling thriller, these additional levels of societal and behavioural exploration serves to raise his books above the depressingly familiar norm of thrillers exploring the world of domestic abuse and family conflict.
Aside from Veum being such a vivid, slightly flawed and genuinely likeable character, with his tenacious attitude, his companionable relationship with aquavit, and his sometimes foolhardy denial of not being the spring chicken he was, these books always appeal to my own love of language and taut dialogue. I have never reached the end of one of Staalesen’s books without noting down several pages containing sharp and snappy exchanges, or just brilliant punchy little observations such as “On the way up to the house I passed a thawing snowman bent at the hip, an arthritic terpsichorean,” Staalesen has an elasticity of phrase, and what I perceive to be a general love of, and skill for, honing his language to compress a visual panorama into a pared down image, or short, taut description which reveals so much to the reader by saying relatively little. I also get a large amount of enjoyment from Veum’s perfectly delivered cynical asides in the face of other people’s stupidity- an admirable quality that dissipates the general irritation that the sometimes crotchety Veum experiences pretty much every day in his interactions with pretty much everybody. There are exceptions to this rule of course revealing an assuring soft-centeredness to him, which then quickly dissipates yet again, bringing a welcome return to cynicism and irritation as the idiots raise their ugly heads again.
So, once again, Wolves At The Door accrues a five star rating for a five star book from a five star author, and a five star translator Don Bartlett. There is little more to say, apart from a personal note to Gunnar Staalesen in the light of the ending this book, you might want to rethink the beekeeping idea for both Veum’s sanity and ours…
Highly recommended.
June 10, 2019
Norway’s favourite private investigator returns but Varg Veum’s day quickly gets off to a bad start when a car drives at him at high speed and comes very close to running him over. Varg Veum is convinced someone meant to kill him. Especially after the deaths of two men who were convicted of crimes Varg Veum himself had stood wrongly accused of once. The police are not treating these deaths as suspicious. As far as they’re concerned, their cases are closed. But Varg Veum is worried he might be next and sets out to investigate on his own, bringing danger right to his door.
Dealing with a topic like child abuse makes Wolves at the Door an extremely uncomfortable read at times. Yet it also oozes atmosphere, which is what a great Scandi-Noir should do and Gunnar Staalesen knows exactly how to achieve that. The exquisite investigative skills Varg Veum has always remind me of the PI’s from the old days with their raincoat and hat, lurking in the shadows, like a black and white movie. No bells or whistles, no spending hours trawling databases, just good old-fashioned pounding the pavement and talking to people. This allows the reader to follow along quite nicely to try and put the pieces of the puzzle together right alongside Varg Veum.
I didn’t fit any pieces together at all, however. Varg Veum meets quite a few characters and they all quite obviously have something to hide, secrets they are desperate to protect. And just like him, I couldn’t at all figure out who was lying or if anyone could be trusted which often made me feel pretty frustrated. But if there is one thing to admire about Varg Veum, it is his sheer determination to get to the truth and somehow I’m always left with the feeling that he will accomplish exactly what he sets out to do.
Wolves at the Door may be slow paced but it’s also incredibly gripping and full of suspense. It’s dark, gritty and sadly also all too realistic and believable. All the while, it shines a spotlight on the failings of the criminal justice system, highlighting modern day issues like sex trafficking and the effects of abuse. Not an easy read, like I said, but with Varg Veum at the helm it is a fascinating investigation. Gunnar Staalesen’s well-developed character undoubtedly has many more investigations ahead of him and will keep fans coming back for more. As always, I mustn’t forget to mention the seamless translation by Don Bartlett, whose hard work allows the masses to enjoy top-of-the-shelf Scandi-Noir too.
Dealing with a topic like child abuse makes Wolves at the Door an extremely uncomfortable read at times. Yet it also oozes atmosphere, which is what a great Scandi-Noir should do and Gunnar Staalesen knows exactly how to achieve that. The exquisite investigative skills Varg Veum has always remind me of the PI’s from the old days with their raincoat and hat, lurking in the shadows, like a black and white movie. No bells or whistles, no spending hours trawling databases, just good old-fashioned pounding the pavement and talking to people. This allows the reader to follow along quite nicely to try and put the pieces of the puzzle together right alongside Varg Veum.
I didn’t fit any pieces together at all, however. Varg Veum meets quite a few characters and they all quite obviously have something to hide, secrets they are desperate to protect. And just like him, I couldn’t at all figure out who was lying or if anyone could be trusted which often made me feel pretty frustrated. But if there is one thing to admire about Varg Veum, it is his sheer determination to get to the truth and somehow I’m always left with the feeling that he will accomplish exactly what he sets out to do.
Wolves at the Door may be slow paced but it’s also incredibly gripping and full of suspense. It’s dark, gritty and sadly also all too realistic and believable. All the while, it shines a spotlight on the failings of the criminal justice system, highlighting modern day issues like sex trafficking and the effects of abuse. Not an easy read, like I said, but with Varg Veum at the helm it is a fascinating investigation. Gunnar Staalesen’s well-developed character undoubtedly has many more investigations ahead of him and will keep fans coming back for more. As always, I mustn’t forget to mention the seamless translation by Don Bartlett, whose hard work allows the masses to enjoy top-of-the-shelf Scandi-Noir too.
November 17, 2019
This can be seen as the companion piece to the earlier Wolves In The Dark, and you should read that episode in the Varg Veum series before starting this one. Otherwise, it’s tricky to pick up the threads of the earlier story before you become embroiled in this complex tale of crime and conscience.
Wolves At The Door starts where most crime novels finish. Typically, the private eye identifies the monstrous malefactors, brings them to justice, consoles the victim’s families and clears his name. End of story. But in the real world such stories go on long after crime novels draw to a close.
'Wolves' considers the consequences of the worst kind of crime in a small community, somewhere as insular and tight-knit as Bergen in Norway. What if justice isn’t seen to be done, and the loathsome perpetrators get off with minimal sentences? Maybe someone might take the law into his own hands… and that certainly seems to be the case when a convicted paedophile conveniently ‘commits suicide’.
What follows is a thought-provoking examination of domestic conflict, the predators of the dark web, and how society struggles to support the survivors of unseen abuse. It’s a gritty and occasionally grim subject, but Staalesen prevents his protagonist’s innately melancholic nature turning to outright misery by his deft use of language.
Like much Scandi crime it’s a story that requires slow contemplation. For instance, Veum’s reckless dedication to his cause inevitably puts him in the firing line. Yet he continues to prioritise the needs of the victims over the wellbeing of his closest companions… and pays the consequences.
8/10
There's more about this book and many other mysteries and thrillers over at http://www.murdermayhemandmore.net
Wolves At The Door starts where most crime novels finish. Typically, the private eye identifies the monstrous malefactors, brings them to justice, consoles the victim’s families and clears his name. End of story. But in the real world such stories go on long after crime novels draw to a close.
'Wolves' considers the consequences of the worst kind of crime in a small community, somewhere as insular and tight-knit as Bergen in Norway. What if justice isn’t seen to be done, and the loathsome perpetrators get off with minimal sentences? Maybe someone might take the law into his own hands… and that certainly seems to be the case when a convicted paedophile conveniently ‘commits suicide’.
What follows is a thought-provoking examination of domestic conflict, the predators of the dark web, and how society struggles to support the survivors of unseen abuse. It’s a gritty and occasionally grim subject, but Staalesen prevents his protagonist’s innately melancholic nature turning to outright misery by his deft use of language.
Like much Scandi crime it’s a story that requires slow contemplation. For instance, Veum’s reckless dedication to his cause inevitably puts him in the firing line. Yet he continues to prioritise the needs of the victims over the wellbeing of his closest companions… and pays the consequences.
8/10
There's more about this book and many other mysteries and thrillers over at http://www.murdermayhemandmore.net
May 4, 2021
7/10
December 28, 2020
Fortunately I had read the book two previous to this one, Wolves in the Dark, so I was prepared for the topic and what had happened to Varg in the false accusations and his setup for the crime of child pornography. I am glad I bought this book to finish off my reading of this series. I don't know if this is the author's last book of the series, but it does read that way. All the loose threads are tied up, relationships are impacted/ended and some of the bad guys, at least, are stopped one way or another.
The book was inexpensive and I am glad I bought it to close out Varg Veum for me. It was heavy stuff, and come to think of it, kind of a weird Christmas gift to myself. But, hey...I'm a reader.
The book was inexpensive and I am glad I bought it to close out Varg Veum for me. It was heavy stuff, and come to think of it, kind of a weird Christmas gift to myself. But, hey...I'm a reader.
December 12, 2019
Well Gunnar made this a noir episode for Varg Veum and planted a few red herrings to keep the story interesting such as he now knows his real father. Not a red herring but something left over from the last book. However, he talked to everyone in the world, it seemed like, and he was told that there was a woman priest involved with two of the murders and in the police's eyes suicides or drownings. What makes this noir is that he was involved in a near miss with a gray VW, and his girl friend and daughter were involved in a near miss with a gray VW also. This scared the living daylights out of them and ended their relationship near the end of the book. What happened was that Varg was accused of having porn with children on his computer as were other men. Varg was innocent and released, the other three men were randomly killed in accidents over several months. Varg took this as his own project to find out if it was murder. It shows how the police worked with him and not with him. He plods along and helps the police with finding the murder, and helping curb the innocent children by finding other people involved using children. I like that he seems on his last legs but that his social service seems to bear the brunt of his thoughts (he only worked for 5 years as a social worker). Having a book explain this seems to help with my feelings for Varg.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 27, 2019
En klassisk Varg Veum historie på alle måter. Den rolige og litt slentrende detektiven som langsomt graver fram og avdekker lag på lag av mørke gjerninger til han til slutt står igjen med morderen. Klassisk også når det kommer til den underliggende moralen og samfunnskritikken. Et beskt spark på leggen til et rettssystem som ikke fanger godt nok opp ugjerninger rettet mot våre aller svakeste og mest sårbare. Og som alltid med Staalesen; gnistrende godt fortalt. Likevel må det sies at boken hadde en usedvanlig seig startmotor. Det er ufattelig mange hjemmebesøk Varg må ta for å pensle seg inn på sporet, og boken balanserer på en knivsegg når det kommer til å kjede leseren de første 140 sidene. Så går det seg til sakte men sikkert, og mot slutten drives jeg stadig kjappere fra side til side. Historien som fortelles er vond og sitter godt i magen. Der ligger romanens store styrke, for ulidelig spennende var det ikke denne gangen.
November 21, 2018
Godt plot, men for lite driv. Ble litt lei av alle beskrivelser av hva personer gjorde, hvor han var, og hvordan de var kledt. Dette ble en bok på «tomgang». Staalesen har skrevet bedre bøker om Varg Veum.
August 5, 2020
Meh. As Scandanavian noir goes, this was less than gripping.
June 17, 2019
First off I am going to say that I am so glad there are translators, they give me a chance to read books that I would not otherwise be able to enjoy. Don Barlett doesn’t miss a beat when it comes to reading his translation of Wolves at the Door into English.
This is the latest instalment of the Varg Veum series. Varg is a Private Investigator and is looking into two old cases. The cases are based around those found guilty of child abuse. Now I will say straight off that while the author does not go into excessive detail, it does make the reading a little uncomfortable at times.
As Varg starts to gather the information he needs, he meets various characters and the job of trying to work out the who’s and the why’s begins. The problem with these other characters is that they all seem to have something to hide, or they are holding something back. This increases the tension as I was never sure who I could rely on for being truthful. Given that there are a few characters to follow, I found them easy to remember and to recognise. Varg has the same problem as I did when it came to working out who to trust. I was eagerly waiting for him to work through their stories and remarks so I could better understand the reasons and also the culprit behind the killings and also the attempt on Varg’s life.
The author is fabulous with his descriptions and it added to the slower style of the story adding suspense and a tense atmosphere. While the style of the story is slower the pace of it is not, I hope that makes sense!
I did take longer to read this book than I normally would. Rather than devouring it in one or two sittings, I read over several days. This is because my concentration levels at the time were not brilliant too many other things whizzing around my head. The bonus in doing this was that I was able to think about the story in between reading. I was able to mull over who I thought was behind it all, I had 3 people on my “Suspect list” and yes the actual guilty party was one of them. So I did not actually work it all out completely and I was not able to single out a definite character.
This is yet ano0ther fabulous Nordic Noir from an author who definitely keeps me on my toes. The story is like the cover, dark and atmospheric it is also full of suspense, surprise and with some wonderful descriptions. A book that crime and thriller readers will love.
It gets a “Highly Recommended” from Me!
This is the latest instalment of the Varg Veum series. Varg is a Private Investigator and is looking into two old cases. The cases are based around those found guilty of child abuse. Now I will say straight off that while the author does not go into excessive detail, it does make the reading a little uncomfortable at times.
As Varg starts to gather the information he needs, he meets various characters and the job of trying to work out the who’s and the why’s begins. The problem with these other characters is that they all seem to have something to hide, or they are holding something back. This increases the tension as I was never sure who I could rely on for being truthful. Given that there are a few characters to follow, I found them easy to remember and to recognise. Varg has the same problem as I did when it came to working out who to trust. I was eagerly waiting for him to work through their stories and remarks so I could better understand the reasons and also the culprit behind the killings and also the attempt on Varg’s life.
The author is fabulous with his descriptions and it added to the slower style of the story adding suspense and a tense atmosphere. While the style of the story is slower the pace of it is not, I hope that makes sense!
I did take longer to read this book than I normally would. Rather than devouring it in one or two sittings, I read over several days. This is because my concentration levels at the time were not brilliant too many other things whizzing around my head. The bonus in doing this was that I was able to think about the story in between reading. I was able to mull over who I thought was behind it all, I had 3 people on my “Suspect list” and yes the actual guilty party was one of them. So I did not actually work it all out completely and I was not able to single out a definite character.
This is yet ano0ther fabulous Nordic Noir from an author who definitely keeps me on my toes. The story is like the cover, dark and atmospheric it is also full of suspense, surprise and with some wonderful descriptions. A book that crime and thriller readers will love.
It gets a “Highly Recommended” from Me!
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June 9, 2019
Visit the locations in the novel
Norway’s favourite private investigator - Varg Veum - is back and this is one tough case. He's investigating the deaths of two men accused of the most heinous crime of all - child abuse - a crime he was once wrongly accused of himself. With the deaths and no one taking an interest in them, Varg fears he might be next. So this case is more personal than most.
The issue of child abuse is not an easy or comfortable one to read about and this does make for some very tough reading at times. This nature of crime makes it understandable why no-one seems bothered about their deaths. The authorities however show a worrying lack of interest and so the scene is set for Varg to take on this personal case. He takes the investigation to heart and carries the reader along for the bumpy yet interesting ride.
Varg is like a dog with a bone. He never lets go of what he's hunting. In this case, everyone is hiding something and there are some very dark discoveries along the way. The pace matches the story - slow and measured - and that fits well pulling you along with time to reflect.
Although child abuse is a central theme, sex-trafficking and the failings of the justice system and police investigations are also examined. It's a dark read but one deftly handled by Gunnar and of course Don Bartlett.
October 11, 2020
Finished reading: June 10th 2019
"Someone was lying to me, and one thing was sure: in such cases as this I seldom gave up until I found out who it was. And why."
*** A copy of this book was kindly provided to me by Anne Cater and the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Thank you! ***
P.S. Find more of my reviews here.
June 13, 2019
This is a book which you will appreciate more if you have read the earlier books in the series. Varg Veum is a character who you understand and like more if you are aware what has happened to him in the past.
He has struggled to move on after the charges of appalling crimes were dropped, both professionally and personally and he is shocked that two of the men he was charged with have died suddenly. He is also aware that somebody is following him and becomes more concerned when others he is close to are at risk.
He is a character who is completely different to many that I read about. He appears a lot more relaxed and slow to act than others but he isn’t one to give up when he doesn’t get answers straight away. Instead he persists, almost hovering in the wings until whoever he is questioning reveals their secrets, worries and anger.
What this author does so well is show what other characters other than Varg are going through. All of the characters who are connected to the historic crimes are affected by what happened. Not just the victims, the relatives and friends. It’s heart wrenching and real. One scene in particular, is very upsetting. Not because of graphic detail but the emotional distress that one character displays. And the complete lack of remorse shown by the one who should have prevented it. It is a scene where Varg shows his strengths, his expertise and caring nature whilst trying to help.
He has struggled to move on after the charges of appalling crimes were dropped, both professionally and personally and he is shocked that two of the men he was charged with have died suddenly. He is also aware that somebody is following him and becomes more concerned when others he is close to are at risk.
He is a character who is completely different to many that I read about. He appears a lot more relaxed and slow to act than others but he isn’t one to give up when he doesn’t get answers straight away. Instead he persists, almost hovering in the wings until whoever he is questioning reveals their secrets, worries and anger.
What this author does so well is show what other characters other than Varg are going through. All of the characters who are connected to the historic crimes are affected by what happened. Not just the victims, the relatives and friends. It’s heart wrenching and real. One scene in particular, is very upsetting. Not because of graphic detail but the emotional distress that one character displays. And the complete lack of remorse shown by the one who should have prevented it. It is a scene where Varg shows his strengths, his expertise and caring nature whilst trying to help.
February 13, 2020
It's readable for sure, but just not for me.
Although I like most Scandinavian police- this one is just too procedural "he said, he said, he said" for me.
Part of the problem is there's a nuance of disconnect and alienation between nearly everyone in this series. I tried one other- but have decided these are not for me. Called "noir"? I guess so? To me this seems more morose, poor fated, and banal than noir.
Although I like most Scandinavian police- this one is just too procedural "he said, he said, he said" for me.
Part of the problem is there's a nuance of disconnect and alienation between nearly everyone in this series. I tried one other- but have decided these are not for me. Called "noir"? I guess so? To me this seems more morose, poor fated, and banal than noir.
June 16, 2019
Well ... this book. First off, let me say that you should not let the blurb put you off. Whilst this is a book which contains themes linked to child abuse, it is not a book about child abuse. What it is though is a kind of sequel to Wolves in the Dark, in as much as a book that is part of a series can truly be a sequel. Where is in the first book, Varg Veum stood accused of downloading indecent images of children, a charge that he was completely innocent of, in Wolves in the Dark, Veum finds himself back in that dark and murky world but this time not striving for his freedom, striving to save his own life. It is a complicated case that Veum finds himself drawn into, one made a touch easier for the reader to understand if they have read the other book first, but one which also stands well on its own for those who have not.
The story opens with Veum returning home from a case and nearly being run down. It is clear that this was no near accident, that whoever was driving the vehicle was targeting him deliberately. The question is why. When he later discovers that two of the three men he stood accused with, all three of the others convicted, are now dead, he suspects it may have links back to that dark period in his not so distant past and is determined to find out who would have the greatest motive to see the men dead. Their victims perhaps? An aggrieved family member? What soon becomes clear to Veum is that in as case as dark and horrific as this one, the victims are spread far and wide and motive is something that no-one is lacking.
The dark elements of this novel are so well handled, the disgusting nature of the back story neither glossed over or trivialised, and never once made to feel graphic in any way, and yet you always have that underlying sense of uneasiness, perhaps even revulsion, for the crimes that you know are at the heart of the case. There is only really one scene in which the full extent of the case becomes real for the reader, but the author manages to keep it the right side of the line in terms of decency whilst still driving the story on as it needed. It is a very fine line, but once walked with great poise and balance taking the reader to the edge without it feeling unnecessarily uncomfortable. It still made me pause, made my heart skip just a fraction of a beat, but not so much I felt compelled to stop reading. Child abuse, however you wish to look at it - physical, verbal, sexual - should be uncomfortable, not entertaining, and the author has pitched it just right.
I love the character of Varg Veum. He has such a strong moral compass, such a sense of right and wrong that you cannot help but be drawn along by him. You do get a sense of a weariness within him, but also a determination that he cannot and will not give up, no matter the consequences. His history in Social Work makes him very in tune with this case, his constant presence, making him a thorn in the police's side, but you know that there is a grudging respect for him too, no matter how many problems he brings to their door.
This book has a great emotional depth which handled badly could be draining for the reader but for me actually pulled me further into the story. When we start to meet some of the characters whose lives have been irreparably altered by the events of the past, you begin to understand the extent of the historic abuse without ever needing to be taken there. In particular, the character of Laila has a truly harrowing past and although it is not necessarily portrayed in detail, enough is made clear to allow the reader to feel horror and sympathy for the woman she has since become. Her characters, her flaws, her mistakes, are all very real, very credible, and add the heart and soul to an already harrowing story.
As a reader, this book puts you in a very difficult position morally. It will have you thinking about the very nature of vigilante justice and whether two wrongs can ever make a right. It is hard to feel any sympathy for the murder victims, especially as the full extent and devastating reach of their crimes becomes clear, which always intrigues me as a reader as I am never sure if you want to see justice done or not. But knowing that Veum may be the next victim, being invested in him as a character and understanding his innocence, I found myself wanting him to find the person or persons responsible, if only to see him safe. I must admit I was not that worried about the others or the fates that befell them. Harsh, but true, even if I don't approve wholly of vigilantism or, following the proper path of justice, any discussion of the death penalty for that matter.
As well as character, you get a strong sense of place in these novels, the author bringing Norway to life, be it the heart of Bergen or the more isolated, remote or rural settings in which some of the action takes place. The atmosphere matches the tone of the novel perfectly, the oppressive and cold post Christmas weather, the short winter days reflective of the underlying threat which is ever present. There are moments of drama and moments of quiet reflection, the mood waxing and waning as the story dictates, but always drawing the reader in, making you feel part of the action and yet safely distanced from it too. The result is strangely hypnotic, with a story that you know you cannot say that you loved or perhaps even enjoyed, but that you recognise for its beautiful complexity and the absolute mastery of the author in creating a world that just draws reader in.
The story opens with Veum returning home from a case and nearly being run down. It is clear that this was no near accident, that whoever was driving the vehicle was targeting him deliberately. The question is why. When he later discovers that two of the three men he stood accused with, all three of the others convicted, are now dead, he suspects it may have links back to that dark period in his not so distant past and is determined to find out who would have the greatest motive to see the men dead. Their victims perhaps? An aggrieved family member? What soon becomes clear to Veum is that in as case as dark and horrific as this one, the victims are spread far and wide and motive is something that no-one is lacking.
The dark elements of this novel are so well handled, the disgusting nature of the back story neither glossed over or trivialised, and never once made to feel graphic in any way, and yet you always have that underlying sense of uneasiness, perhaps even revulsion, for the crimes that you know are at the heart of the case. There is only really one scene in which the full extent of the case becomes real for the reader, but the author manages to keep it the right side of the line in terms of decency whilst still driving the story on as it needed. It is a very fine line, but once walked with great poise and balance taking the reader to the edge without it feeling unnecessarily uncomfortable. It still made me pause, made my heart skip just a fraction of a beat, but not so much I felt compelled to stop reading. Child abuse, however you wish to look at it - physical, verbal, sexual - should be uncomfortable, not entertaining, and the author has pitched it just right.
I love the character of Varg Veum. He has such a strong moral compass, such a sense of right and wrong that you cannot help but be drawn along by him. You do get a sense of a weariness within him, but also a determination that he cannot and will not give up, no matter the consequences. His history in Social Work makes him very in tune with this case, his constant presence, making him a thorn in the police's side, but you know that there is a grudging respect for him too, no matter how many problems he brings to their door.
This book has a great emotional depth which handled badly could be draining for the reader but for me actually pulled me further into the story. When we start to meet some of the characters whose lives have been irreparably altered by the events of the past, you begin to understand the extent of the historic abuse without ever needing to be taken there. In particular, the character of Laila has a truly harrowing past and although it is not necessarily portrayed in detail, enough is made clear to allow the reader to feel horror and sympathy for the woman she has since become. Her characters, her flaws, her mistakes, are all very real, very credible, and add the heart and soul to an already harrowing story.
As a reader, this book puts you in a very difficult position morally. It will have you thinking about the very nature of vigilante justice and whether two wrongs can ever make a right. It is hard to feel any sympathy for the murder victims, especially as the full extent and devastating reach of their crimes becomes clear, which always intrigues me as a reader as I am never sure if you want to see justice done or not. But knowing that Veum may be the next victim, being invested in him as a character and understanding his innocence, I found myself wanting him to find the person or persons responsible, if only to see him safe. I must admit I was not that worried about the others or the fates that befell them. Harsh, but true, even if I don't approve wholly of vigilantism or, following the proper path of justice, any discussion of the death penalty for that matter.
As well as character, you get a strong sense of place in these novels, the author bringing Norway to life, be it the heart of Bergen or the more isolated, remote or rural settings in which some of the action takes place. The atmosphere matches the tone of the novel perfectly, the oppressive and cold post Christmas weather, the short winter days reflective of the underlying threat which is ever present. There are moments of drama and moments of quiet reflection, the mood waxing and waning as the story dictates, but always drawing the reader in, making you feel part of the action and yet safely distanced from it too. The result is strangely hypnotic, with a story that you know you cannot say that you loved or perhaps even enjoyed, but that you recognise for its beautiful complexity and the absolute mastery of the author in creating a world that just draws reader in.
July 15, 2019
Originally posted at Crime Fiction Lover
Considered to be the godfather of Nordic noir, Gunnar Staalasen is an icon in Norway, so much so that his literary creation, PI Varg Veum, is immortalised as a statue in the centre of his native city of Bergen.
Staalesen has been treating his fans to the exploits of Varg Veum for over 40 years now. Key to the detective’s appeal is his tenacity in solving a case. Murderous goons, exasperated local police and unwilling interviewees don’t deter him from knocking on doors until he gets answers. One thing’s for sure, money is not his prime motivator, as he barely makes a living as a private investigator. In Wolves at the Door, there is no paycheque at all, only the hope of doing the right thing. When we catch up with Veum, he has escaped prosecution after being framed for involvement in a paedophilia ring, and is trying to nurture his relationship with his new partner Solvi.
The shock waves of the paedophilia drama are still reverberating. Veum notices that members of the ring are dying in succession and under suspicious circumstances. To him, the guilty men’s deaths are starting to smell a lot like murder, which could mean the perpetrator is a victim acting as vigilante or another member of the criminal ring trying to cover their tracks. But the most immediate question which opens the book is: who has just tried to run Veum over with a car?
Early on you feel a creeping tension and the sense that crime continues to thrive. This escalates as our protagonist visits each paedophile’s destroyed family in turn. His past experience as a social worker confirms how victims of incest continue to suffer from crimes of the past, some turning to drug use or perpetuating the crime as abusers themselves. Through various interviews, we see the compassion which fuels Veum’s determination and which lies at the heart of his self-commissioned investigation.
To his dismay, it seems the broken paedophile ring was just the tip of the iceberg, as Veum’s investigation at one point hones in on a refugee orphanage that has become a human trafficking portal. As he keeps tabs on these and several other inquiries, it becomes a bit challenging for the reader to follow suit, and at times the plot weave feels a bit overcomplicated.
Veum still can’t determine if the murderer is a victim turned vigilante or if the deaths and attempt on his life were organised by the criminal network he seeks to expose. A sleazy loan shark menaces one of the drug-addled victims and her self-deputised protector Veum. Meanwhile, Solvi and her daughter are also threatened by mysterious phone calls and then an attempted hit and run, putting pressure on Veum to both solve the case and salvage his strained relationship with Solvi.
With an expositional style that is all but invisible, Staalesen masterfully compels us from the first pages. We follow Veum and his relentless yet thankless endeavours to whatever dark corner they may lead, buoyed by the sardonic PI’s dry humour and wry characterisations of all manner of humanity he encounters. Told in first person, we see the world through Veum’s eyes, but you’ll have to keep guessing who the culprit is. The detective keeps his cards close to his chest for purposes of suspense, but he is generous with his observations of the town folk, their dialects and the transformation of Norway’s historical urban landscape. You can see why Jo Nesbo calls Staalesen a Norwegian Chandler.
Veum learns that the one thing all of the murdered paedophiles have in common is that hours before their deaths an unidentified pastor came calling. His search for this man of the cloth extends as far as Berlin, but back home some dark doings continue in the family of one of the dead paedophiles, and what Veum stumbles across by accident is as horrific as anything he’s ever encountered. As always, the uninvited Veum is one step ahead of the police and he insinuates himself into a very dangerous unfolding drama that puts his life into danger. The ensuing confrontation between him and the unmasked killer is high drama at its best and the chaos he causes for the weary local police is one of the defining comic attributes of this great series.
If you’re a fan of Varg Veum, this is not to be missed, and if you’re new to the series, this is one of the best ones. You’re encouraged to jump right in, even if the Norwegian names can be a bit confusing to follow.
Considered to be the godfather of Nordic noir, Gunnar Staalasen is an icon in Norway, so much so that his literary creation, PI Varg Veum, is immortalised as a statue in the centre of his native city of Bergen.
Staalesen has been treating his fans to the exploits of Varg Veum for over 40 years now. Key to the detective’s appeal is his tenacity in solving a case. Murderous goons, exasperated local police and unwilling interviewees don’t deter him from knocking on doors until he gets answers. One thing’s for sure, money is not his prime motivator, as he barely makes a living as a private investigator. In Wolves at the Door, there is no paycheque at all, only the hope of doing the right thing. When we catch up with Veum, he has escaped prosecution after being framed for involvement in a paedophilia ring, and is trying to nurture his relationship with his new partner Solvi.
The shock waves of the paedophilia drama are still reverberating. Veum notices that members of the ring are dying in succession and under suspicious circumstances. To him, the guilty men’s deaths are starting to smell a lot like murder, which could mean the perpetrator is a victim acting as vigilante or another member of the criminal ring trying to cover their tracks. But the most immediate question which opens the book is: who has just tried to run Veum over with a car?
Early on you feel a creeping tension and the sense that crime continues to thrive. This escalates as our protagonist visits each paedophile’s destroyed family in turn. His past experience as a social worker confirms how victims of incest continue to suffer from crimes of the past, some turning to drug use or perpetuating the crime as abusers themselves. Through various interviews, we see the compassion which fuels Veum’s determination and which lies at the heart of his self-commissioned investigation.
To his dismay, it seems the broken paedophile ring was just the tip of the iceberg, as Veum’s investigation at one point hones in on a refugee orphanage that has become a human trafficking portal. As he keeps tabs on these and several other inquiries, it becomes a bit challenging for the reader to follow suit, and at times the plot weave feels a bit overcomplicated.
Veum still can’t determine if the murderer is a victim turned vigilante or if the deaths and attempt on his life were organised by the criminal network he seeks to expose. A sleazy loan shark menaces one of the drug-addled victims and her self-deputised protector Veum. Meanwhile, Solvi and her daughter are also threatened by mysterious phone calls and then an attempted hit and run, putting pressure on Veum to both solve the case and salvage his strained relationship with Solvi.
With an expositional style that is all but invisible, Staalesen masterfully compels us from the first pages. We follow Veum and his relentless yet thankless endeavours to whatever dark corner they may lead, buoyed by the sardonic PI’s dry humour and wry characterisations of all manner of humanity he encounters. Told in first person, we see the world through Veum’s eyes, but you’ll have to keep guessing who the culprit is. The detective keeps his cards close to his chest for purposes of suspense, but he is generous with his observations of the town folk, their dialects and the transformation of Norway’s historical urban landscape. You can see why Jo Nesbo calls Staalesen a Norwegian Chandler.
Veum learns that the one thing all of the murdered paedophiles have in common is that hours before their deaths an unidentified pastor came calling. His search for this man of the cloth extends as far as Berlin, but back home some dark doings continue in the family of one of the dead paedophiles, and what Veum stumbles across by accident is as horrific as anything he’s ever encountered. As always, the uninvited Veum is one step ahead of the police and he insinuates himself into a very dangerous unfolding drama that puts his life into danger. The ensuing confrontation between him and the unmasked killer is high drama at its best and the chaos he causes for the weary local police is one of the defining comic attributes of this great series.
If you’re a fan of Varg Veum, this is not to be missed, and if you’re new to the series, this is one of the best ones. You’re encouraged to jump right in, even if the Norwegian names can be a bit confusing to follow.
June 21, 2019
The title of this latest book in the long-running Varg Veum series is an indication that Veum will be forced to once again confront the case which saw him wrongly accused of being involved in child pornography in a previous story, Wolves in the Dark. Although the events in that book are the direct catalyst for what happens here, new readers can rest assured that Wolves at the Door can be enjoyed as a standalone novel.
When Veum is almost hit by a car one dark evening, the private investigator could have assumed it was just a coincidental near-accident caused by a reckless driver. However, a man like Varg Veum has more than his fair share of enemies but perhaps most worrying is the fact that he is aware of two recent deaths which have been passed off as 'died suddenly and unexpectedly.' The two dead men had both served time for child sexual abuse crimes and with Veum having briefly been accused of the same crime, he immediately senses that somebody has a plan - which probably includes him.
In Wolves in the Dark, he was a man broken by the tragedies that had befallen him and arguably easy prey for those who set him up. By the time of the last book in the series, Big Sister, it seemed that he mostly had his demons under control and the same is true here. He has a dry sense of humour and proactively responds to what he perceives could be a threat against him, rather than being forced to act to clear his name, as happened before.
He still has a melancholy air to him, of course, and retains his close relationship with a bottle of aquavit. Perhaps he is best summed up by the few lines where he recalls New Year,
'The turn of the year had never been high on the list of occasions I wanted to celebrate. I had spent most of them in solitary majesty, except for my loyal companions - a bottle of aquavit and the rain.'
He is a man who, during his career as a social worker and then as a private investigator, has seen the very worst that people are capable of. The topic of child abuse is never easy to read about and there are some disturbing scenes here but they are never graphic or gratuitous and actually, it's the words that are left unsaid which left a powerful impression on me. Wolves at the Door might be about Veum needing to ensure his own safety but it also sensitively and perceptively explores the devastating long-term effects of child abuse.
Varg Veum isn't the sort of man who avoids dangerous situations - and he actively ignores the instructions from the police to leave well alone but this is not an action thriller; it's a slower paced book which allows its protagonist the time to not only conduct his painstaking investigation but also to contemplate some thought-provoking topics, including the very natural desire for retribution and revenge. This is a complex novel with a number of characters who are linked by a dark and upsetting subject. As the book progresses, it becomes increasingly clear that what Veum uncovers is just the tip of the iceberg and the situation is far worse. In a world where young, vulnerable refugees are displaced from their families and the intricacies of the Dark Web mean paedophiles can easily share their abuse of their young victims across the world, it's depressing but not surprising that the authorities are struggling to cope.
Wolves at the Door is a necessarily challenging read, which will compel readers to consider their own moral perspective. If the perpetrators of these heinous crimes escape severe punishment, is it acceptable or excusable for a different form of justice to be meted out? As much I like to believe that I could never support vigilantism, if I discovered my own children had been targeted, I suspect I would think very differently and it's hard to find much sympathy for certain characters who are ostensibly the victims themselves here. This isn't a novel to race through; it deserves to be appreciated more slowly and with that in mind, Don Bartlett's excellent translation should be mentioned here as he ensures that the atmospheric, absorbing qualities of Gunnar Staalesen's words are retained throughout.
I've come to eagerly anticipate each new Varg Veum instalment, knowing that I'll be treated to a beautifully written, challenging and contemplative read and that is most certainly true of Wolves at the Door. If you haven't yet been introduced to Varg Veum then I strongly recommend that you rectify that immediately, I guarantee you will not be disappointed.
When Veum is almost hit by a car one dark evening, the private investigator could have assumed it was just a coincidental near-accident caused by a reckless driver. However, a man like Varg Veum has more than his fair share of enemies but perhaps most worrying is the fact that he is aware of two recent deaths which have been passed off as 'died suddenly and unexpectedly.' The two dead men had both served time for child sexual abuse crimes and with Veum having briefly been accused of the same crime, he immediately senses that somebody has a plan - which probably includes him.
In Wolves in the Dark, he was a man broken by the tragedies that had befallen him and arguably easy prey for those who set him up. By the time of the last book in the series, Big Sister, it seemed that he mostly had his demons under control and the same is true here. He has a dry sense of humour and proactively responds to what he perceives could be a threat against him, rather than being forced to act to clear his name, as happened before.
He still has a melancholy air to him, of course, and retains his close relationship with a bottle of aquavit. Perhaps he is best summed up by the few lines where he recalls New Year,
'The turn of the year had never been high on the list of occasions I wanted to celebrate. I had spent most of them in solitary majesty, except for my loyal companions - a bottle of aquavit and the rain.'
He is a man who, during his career as a social worker and then as a private investigator, has seen the very worst that people are capable of. The topic of child abuse is never easy to read about and there are some disturbing scenes here but they are never graphic or gratuitous and actually, it's the words that are left unsaid which left a powerful impression on me. Wolves at the Door might be about Veum needing to ensure his own safety but it also sensitively and perceptively explores the devastating long-term effects of child abuse.
Varg Veum isn't the sort of man who avoids dangerous situations - and he actively ignores the instructions from the police to leave well alone but this is not an action thriller; it's a slower paced book which allows its protagonist the time to not only conduct his painstaking investigation but also to contemplate some thought-provoking topics, including the very natural desire for retribution and revenge. This is a complex novel with a number of characters who are linked by a dark and upsetting subject. As the book progresses, it becomes increasingly clear that what Veum uncovers is just the tip of the iceberg and the situation is far worse. In a world where young, vulnerable refugees are displaced from their families and the intricacies of the Dark Web mean paedophiles can easily share their abuse of their young victims across the world, it's depressing but not surprising that the authorities are struggling to cope.
Wolves at the Door is a necessarily challenging read, which will compel readers to consider their own moral perspective. If the perpetrators of these heinous crimes escape severe punishment, is it acceptable or excusable for a different form of justice to be meted out? As much I like to believe that I could never support vigilantism, if I discovered my own children had been targeted, I suspect I would think very differently and it's hard to find much sympathy for certain characters who are ostensibly the victims themselves here. This isn't a novel to race through; it deserves to be appreciated more slowly and with that in mind, Don Bartlett's excellent translation should be mentioned here as he ensures that the atmospheric, absorbing qualities of Gunnar Staalesen's words are retained throughout.
I've come to eagerly anticipate each new Varg Veum instalment, knowing that I'll be treated to a beautifully written, challenging and contemplative read and that is most certainly true of Wolves at the Door. If you haven't yet been introduced to Varg Veum then I strongly recommend that you rectify that immediately, I guarantee you will not be disappointed.
June 10, 2019
This is the latest outing for the author’s private investigator hero, Varg Veum. The reading of a series is always better if one has read the earlier novels, though how much so depends on the particular series and the particular book. While this could be read as a standalone, I think the enjoyment will be much heightened if the reader has read the previous title in the series, Wolves in the Dark, because the plot of this latest novel follows directly on from the last.
In Wolves in the Dark, Veum was accused of online paedophilia, with his computer tampered with and child porn put on the hard disc. He managed to prove his innocence and discover who had attempted to set him up and why, but it was a close run thing. In Wolves at the Door, Veum is still trying to put his life back together. Mud sticks even when the claims are baseless while his work has suffered as he needed to concentrate on clearing his name.
One dark night while walking he is nearly knocked over by a speeding car. Veum is certain it wasn’t an accident, that someone tried to kill him, a notion that solidifies when he discovers that two of the men who were convicted for the child pornography have died suddenly in prison. He also becomes convinced that he is being followed, all of which leads to his mounting concern that he and those close to him are at risk.
I won’t divulge any more of the plot for risk of divulging spoilers, but needless to say Veum now investigates to get to the bottom of what he is up against. As with the last book, Wolves at the Door addresses issues of child abuse and paedophilia, and while not being too gratuitous, at points it can make for difficult reading.
Gunnar Staalesen is clearly influenced by Raymond Chandler and his creation, Varg Veum, has more of a touch of the Philip Marlowe about him, not least with his snappy dialogue. This is pulp American noir (I mean that in a good way) from the 1940’s updated to modern day Norway. To be sure, there’s a certain amount of suspension of disbelief needed; Veum traipses around Bergen asking questions, and for the most part people answer him, this despite the fact that he is not a police officer and has no legal force to compel them to. But it’s all good fun and compelling stuff and the author pulls it off with more than a little aplomb.
If you like the work of such greats as Raymond Chandler and Dashiell Hammett, as well as works of Nordic noir, then with this you’ll be in for a treat. A well written PI novel, this is an enjoyable, albeit at points slightly harrowing, read.
In Wolves in the Dark, Veum was accused of online paedophilia, with his computer tampered with and child porn put on the hard disc. He managed to prove his innocence and discover who had attempted to set him up and why, but it was a close run thing. In Wolves at the Door, Veum is still trying to put his life back together. Mud sticks even when the claims are baseless while his work has suffered as he needed to concentrate on clearing his name.
One dark night while walking he is nearly knocked over by a speeding car. Veum is certain it wasn’t an accident, that someone tried to kill him, a notion that solidifies when he discovers that two of the men who were convicted for the child pornography have died suddenly in prison. He also becomes convinced that he is being followed, all of which leads to his mounting concern that he and those close to him are at risk.
I won’t divulge any more of the plot for risk of divulging spoilers, but needless to say Veum now investigates to get to the bottom of what he is up against. As with the last book, Wolves at the Door addresses issues of child abuse and paedophilia, and while not being too gratuitous, at points it can make for difficult reading.
Gunnar Staalesen is clearly influenced by Raymond Chandler and his creation, Varg Veum, has more of a touch of the Philip Marlowe about him, not least with his snappy dialogue. This is pulp American noir (I mean that in a good way) from the 1940’s updated to modern day Norway. To be sure, there’s a certain amount of suspension of disbelief needed; Veum traipses around Bergen asking questions, and for the most part people answer him, this despite the fact that he is not a police officer and has no legal force to compel them to. But it’s all good fun and compelling stuff and the author pulls it off with more than a little aplomb.
If you like the work of such greats as Raymond Chandler and Dashiell Hammett, as well as works of Nordic noir, then with this you’ll be in for a treat. A well written PI novel, this is an enjoyable, albeit at points slightly harrowing, read.
March 14, 2025
This novel is part 2 of a previous story (Wolves in the Dark) where social worker turned private investigator Varg Veum was framed and charged for participating in a child pornography ring. While our hero was exonerated, three others were sentenced to modest jail time and a fourth drowned in a fjord while pursued by Varg.
Less than two years have passed and Varg is struck by two obituaries - two of the conspirators died in apparent accidents two months apart after their release from prision. Soon after the second death, Varg is nearly run down by a speeding car. The conincidence seems ominious and he begins to investigate. What follows is an indepth examination of the parties involved and the lives ruined by the perpertrators in the previous novel in exploring why the presence of such evil exists in such abundance.
As usual the reader is treated to a abundance of Norwegian character and place names, descriptions of the geography of Bergen and its environs, and commentary on the issues facing Norwegian society as it moves into the 21st century. Varg has cut down on his alcohol consumption and though his cynicism is unchanged, he is less prone to depression as before. His mouth continues to put him into situations that challenge his age and physical conditioning and as often happens, he manages to escape situations that look like the end of Varg Veum in the nick of time. How he manages to survive fianacially is as big a mystery as the cases he pursues.
Less than two years have passed and Varg is struck by two obituaries - two of the conspirators died in apparent accidents two months apart after their release from prision. Soon after the second death, Varg is nearly run down by a speeding car. The conincidence seems ominious and he begins to investigate. What follows is an indepth examination of the parties involved and the lives ruined by the perpertrators in the previous novel in exploring why the presence of such evil exists in such abundance.
As usual the reader is treated to a abundance of Norwegian character and place names, descriptions of the geography of Bergen and its environs, and commentary on the issues facing Norwegian society as it moves into the 21st century. Varg has cut down on his alcohol consumption and though his cynicism is unchanged, he is less prone to depression as before. His mouth continues to put him into situations that challenge his age and physical conditioning and as often happens, he manages to escape situations that look like the end of Varg Veum in the nick of time. How he manages to survive fianacially is as big a mystery as the cases he pursues.
June 11, 2021
Wolves at the Door sees Varg Veum revisit a dark time in his life as events that threatened his freedom now appear to be threatening his life. Although you don’t necessarily need to have read Wolves in the Dark to enjoy this book it does explain a lot of the things that get referenced throughout.
After Varg is convinced that someone tried to deliberately run him down he finds that two of the three people he stood accused of child pornography with are both now dead. Both deaths were ruled accidental, but Varg is not so sure and takes it upon himself to do some digging into the circumstances surrounding the deaths. If you have read any of the previous books in the series then you will know that when Varg Veum goes digging he will question anyone he thinks has information that will solve the case, no matter how hard and uncomfortable those questions may be.
You always get the feeling with Varg Veum that he is as happy in his own company as he is with being in a relationship. No matter what he is doing he will always do his utmost to protect those closest to him but once again he finds that his actions are putting loved ones in danger and this time it may just be one time too many and you can’t help but hope that he will find a way to solve the case and keep his relationships alive now that he is finally getting back to a good place. Although you know that he has flaws, he really wants to work through them and be the person that he knows he should be.
Throughout the series I have grown to love the writing style of Gunnar Staalesen. He describes places and situations with the same attention to detail that really draw the reader in. When dealing with the less savoury sides of the investigations the reader is left in no doubt as to what has taken place, but it is dealt with in a way that does not sensationalise it. The pacing of the book matches the tone of the investigation and for me that just adds to the tension and frustration you can sense in Varg as he slowly pieces everything together.
Wolves at the Door can be read as a standalone as there is always sufficient detail for the reader to follow any past events however having read several books in the series I would heartily recommend that you start at the beginning as Varg Veum is a character that you will love to follow.
After Varg is convinced that someone tried to deliberately run him down he finds that two of the three people he stood accused of child pornography with are both now dead. Both deaths were ruled accidental, but Varg is not so sure and takes it upon himself to do some digging into the circumstances surrounding the deaths. If you have read any of the previous books in the series then you will know that when Varg Veum goes digging he will question anyone he thinks has information that will solve the case, no matter how hard and uncomfortable those questions may be.
You always get the feeling with Varg Veum that he is as happy in his own company as he is with being in a relationship. No matter what he is doing he will always do his utmost to protect those closest to him but once again he finds that his actions are putting loved ones in danger and this time it may just be one time too many and you can’t help but hope that he will find a way to solve the case and keep his relationships alive now that he is finally getting back to a good place. Although you know that he has flaws, he really wants to work through them and be the person that he knows he should be.
Throughout the series I have grown to love the writing style of Gunnar Staalesen. He describes places and situations with the same attention to detail that really draw the reader in. When dealing with the less savoury sides of the investigations the reader is left in no doubt as to what has taken place, but it is dealt with in a way that does not sensationalise it. The pacing of the book matches the tone of the investigation and for me that just adds to the tension and frustration you can sense in Varg as he slowly pieces everything together.
Wolves at the Door can be read as a standalone as there is always sufficient detail for the reader to follow any past events however having read several books in the series I would heartily recommend that you start at the beginning as Varg Veum is a character that you will love to follow.
June 19, 2019
Set in Norway Private Investigator Varg Veum is nearly run down by an unknown person in a grey car….did someone just try to kill him?
There had been two recent deaths of men, who had been convicted of the horrific crime of child pornography, Veum had also been accused of too, but he had been exonerated after it was found his computer had been tampered with……he’s concerned these deaths may be linked and not the accidents the police believe them to be and there may be more in danger…….
So Veum begins his own investigation, meeting many victims of child abuse that had been perpetrated by those dead men….and others!
Yes, this is a difficult read about truly evil crimes against the most innocent of victims, children…but due to Gunnar Staalesen’s writing, this is a gripping, engrossing thriller and you get caught up in Veum’s journey, his intent on finding the ‘pigs’ and bringing them to justice….it will keep you guessing right to the end..
https://orlando-books.blog/2019/06/19...
Thank you to Anne Cater and Random Things Tours for the opportunity to participate in this blog tour and for the promotional materials and a free copy of the book in exchange for my honest, unbiased review.
There had been two recent deaths of men, who had been convicted of the horrific crime of child pornography, Veum had also been accused of too, but he had been exonerated after it was found his computer had been tampered with……he’s concerned these deaths may be linked and not the accidents the police believe them to be and there may be more in danger…….
So Veum begins his own investigation, meeting many victims of child abuse that had been perpetrated by those dead men….and others!
Yes, this is a difficult read about truly evil crimes against the most innocent of victims, children…but due to Gunnar Staalesen’s writing, this is a gripping, engrossing thriller and you get caught up in Veum’s journey, his intent on finding the ‘pigs’ and bringing them to justice….it will keep you guessing right to the end..
https://orlando-books.blog/2019/06/19...
Thank you to Anne Cater and Random Things Tours for the opportunity to participate in this blog tour and for the promotional materials and a free copy of the book in exchange for my honest, unbiased review.
May 23, 2021
I had expected more of this book, probably unduly influenced by the jacket copy comparing it to Dashiell Hammett and Raymond Chandler. As Scandinavian Noir goes, I found this to be no more than anthracite grey. The narrator, an ageing PI in Bergen, Norway, does not conform to my idea of a hard-boiled detective. First of all, I don't think of ex-child welfare workers with a cozy, albeit intermittent domestic life with a girlfriend and her daughter, as a hard-boiled detective. Second, too many computer searches and not enough, well, interesting detective work.
It might have been better if I'd read an earlier book in which the narrator was falsely accused of possessing incriminating materials on his computer. Three other men, in whose case the accusation was justified, were briefly incarcerated but are now out again. Two of them die in mysterious circumstances, and the narrator himself narrowly misses being run over by a car. So he starts investigating Norway's underground world of child pornography. Essentially he goes from conversation to conversation, with very little else happening, except him drinking some aquavit from time time.
So : this did not resonate with me.
It might have been better if I'd read an earlier book in which the narrator was falsely accused of possessing incriminating materials on his computer. Three other men, in whose case the accusation was justified, were briefly incarcerated but are now out again. Two of them die in mysterious circumstances, and the narrator himself narrowly misses being run over by a car. So he starts investigating Norway's underground world of child pornography. Essentially he goes from conversation to conversation, with very little else happening, except him drinking some aquavit from time time.
So : this did not resonate with me.
December 30, 2019
This is my second Varg Veum book. I read Big Sister in one day and now I have read Wolves at the Door also within a 24-hour period. In other words, this is the type of book that is difficult to put down. Veum is the Norwegian equivalent of the hard-boiled detective. It is not a “great” book. The author uses a few too many hackneyed similes and I don’t like similes of any type, even relatively unique ones. But the characters are well-defined, the plots clear and just convoluted enough to keep me wanting more, and the endings (of both books that I’ve read) very satisfactory. A good book to pick up when you want something entertaining. At least if you are a noir lover like me. The Norwegian names are a bit confusing at first, and I wish there was a map of the areas where events take place. Maybe maps will be added if Staalesen’s series becomes more popular in English. They’ve been a big hit in Norway for a long time; he started this series in 1977.
June 18, 2021
The victims of evil
Five stars for an engrossing mystery that delves deep into the heart of the victims of evil when truly wolves are already in the door. This can be a tough read if you, like me are a victim of child sexual abuse. It comes in many forms and slithers like a snake through generations. This is a crime novel and a well written mystery. Sometimes when reading fiction about this subject, the author doesn't get down to the nitty gritty but Staalesen does it with finesse. He weaves through personalities and develops characters you won't forget. The TV series is also good.
Five stars for an engrossing mystery that delves deep into the heart of the victims of evil when truly wolves are already in the door. This can be a tough read if you, like me are a victim of child sexual abuse. It comes in many forms and slithers like a snake through generations. This is a crime novel and a well written mystery. Sometimes when reading fiction about this subject, the author doesn't get down to the nitty gritty but Staalesen does it with finesse. He weaves through personalities and develops characters you won't forget. The TV series is also good.
September 6, 2019
Eg klarte ikkje å la vere, enda eg eigentleg hadde gitt opp Staalesen og Veum.
Som andre har påpeikt, dette er Veum på tomgang, du har lest dette meir eller mindre før.
Lettlest som alltid, men blir aldri spennande på noko som helst måte.
Skurkane er igjen temmeleg ein-dimensjonale og gjerningspersonen er ikkje vidare vanskeleg å gjette seg fram til om ein har lest Veum før (det er òg eit temmeleg hardhendt hint tidleg i boka).
Men Varg Veum er vel ein sikker seljar, så skjønnar at ein fortsatt kjørar på, heldigvis har me stadig biblioteket som velferdstilbod...
Som andre har påpeikt, dette er Veum på tomgang, du har lest dette meir eller mindre før.
Lettlest som alltid, men blir aldri spennande på noko som helst måte.
Skurkane er igjen temmeleg ein-dimensjonale og gjerningspersonen er ikkje vidare vanskeleg å gjette seg fram til om ein har lest Veum før (det er òg eit temmeleg hardhendt hint tidleg i boka).
Men Varg Veum er vel ein sikker seljar, så skjønnar at ein fortsatt kjørar på, heldigvis har me stadig biblioteket som velferdstilbod...
November 19, 2023
Another good book in the series.
And although some of these can be read out of order, this one relies pretty heavily on the previous one, although Mr Staalesen does a good job of trying to keep you 'current'
Again, not a police procedural, but can be put in the whodunit genre as there are bad guys, and, as usual, I had no clue.
Our hero just runs around asking questions, again and again and again, connecting the dots until 1+1 = 2 rather than three.
Enjoyed. Sadly, running out of books in the series.
And although some of these can be read out of order, this one relies pretty heavily on the previous one, although Mr Staalesen does a good job of trying to keep you 'current'
Again, not a police procedural, but can be put in the whodunit genre as there are bad guys, and, as usual, I had no clue.
Our hero just runs around asking questions, again and again and again, connecting the dots until 1+1 = 2 rather than three.
Enjoyed. Sadly, running out of books in the series.
February 13, 2020
I am kinda torn on this one. I did like the story, however depressing, but I think the translation from Norwegian to English hurt the book. He sure seemed to like coffee, driving around, and calling people. The story was there, the twists and turns, but it was a bit hard to follow for me, and the names were so long, I kept having to go back and look at who was who. Forget the cities, their names had 12-15 letters! But a good read, overall.
November 14, 2020
As always, it's great to read this series since it takes me around my city. But I notice that Varg Veum is getting old. This isn't a very long book, about 300 pages, which I read in one sitting. The investigation in this isn't very exciting, and almost no action. I'm wondering if the series will soon come to an end? Not that I want it to end, but I haven't read most of the older books, so I still have a lot to go back to.
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