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William Wisting #10
Le disparu de Larvik
Hummel-saken har plaget William Wisting i over et halvt år. Etterforskningen av hva som skjedde da drosjesjåfør Jens Hummel ble meldt savnet, har vært resultatløs, og han må tåle kritikk. Et overraskende funn gjør at mistanken rettes mot Dan Roger "Danny" Brodin. Problemet er bare at Danny har et solid alibi. Han sitter allerede fengslet, siktet for et annet drap. Agder politidistrikt er sikre på at de har rett mann.
Wisting er vant til å kunne stole på egne vurderinger og bygge opp en solid straffesak. Men denne gangen må han bruke all sin kunnskap og erfaring til å plukke fra hverandre en sak som andre mener er endelig avgjort. Han går sine egne veier og følger sin egen overbevisning – helt inn i rettssalen.
Wisting er vant til å kunne stole på egne vurderinger og bygge opp en solid straffesak. Men denne gangen må han bruke all sin kunnskap og erfaring til å plukke fra hverandre en sak som andre mener er endelig avgjort. Han går sine egne veier og følger sin egen overbevisning – helt inn i rettssalen.
480 pages, Paperback
First published May 30, 2015
301 people are currently reading
1629 people want to read
About the author
Jørn Lier Horst
152 books1,614 followersJorn 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.
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.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 319 reviews
January 9, 2021
Being already a great fan of Scandinavian noir, I tucked into this with relish.
Author, Jorn Lier Horst was a real life policeman, eventually becoming head investigator in Larvik, Norway, where he has set his series featuring William Wisting, who is himself Chief Inspector in Larvik CID. So there is an air of authenticity that striates this gripping narrative
Wisting is a 55-year-old widower with a grown-up son and daughter. His daughter, Line, to whom he is particularly close, has recently moved in to a house almost next door to his. She is an investigative journalist, but is currently on maternity leave. She is no longer in a relationship with the father, and is secretly very nervous about becoming a single mother, although she would never admit this to her father.
One day when she is out in the town, she meets a former school-friend, Sophie. They have not been in contact for many years. She too is a single mother, and has inherited an imposing house in Larvik from her grandfather, Frank Mandt. Sophie has no pleasant memories of him, as he was a well-known local criminal. Her intention is to expunge everything that was his from the house. The furniture has already gone, but in the basement is a large safe which is too heavy to move. Sophie enlists the aid of Line.
Wisting is in the meantime struggling with a very difficult case involving the disappearance of a local taxi driver, Jens Hummel, together with his taxi. Wisting is receiving a large amount of flak from his superiors because of his lack of progress. He is very relieved when eventually the missing taxi [but not its driver] is found on an isolated farm.
In the meantime, the two girls employ a locksmith to open the safe. It contains old recorded cassettes, sets of ring binders, a very large amount of cash, and a gun. Line gives the gun to her father to hand to the police, without revealing where it came from.
The neighbouring police in Kristiansand have someone in custody for a murder which took place on New Year's Eve. The trial is soon to take place, and it seems an open-and-shut case, as two witnesses saw the killing, when a young woman was shot in the town centre. The police have the bullets, but not the gun. The assumed culprit, however, refuses to answer any questions about the murder. When forensics have examined the gun, Wisting is astonished to discover that it is the one that was used in the New Year's Eve murder. When he also learns that the farm on which the taxi was found was owned by Frank Mandt he begins to wonder whether the Kristiansand police have the right man, despite all the evidence to the contrary
From this point there are some fiendish twists and turns in the plot. The Kristiansand investigator, Ryttingen, refuses point blank to co-operate with Wisting, as he wants his successful day in court. Sofie and Line fall into grave danger as Line has not told her father the full story. The run-up to the final resolution is absolutely gripping.
Author, Jorn Lier Horst was a real life policeman, eventually becoming head investigator in Larvik, Norway, where he has set his series featuring William Wisting, who is himself Chief Inspector in Larvik CID. So there is an air of authenticity that striates this gripping narrative
Wisting is a 55-year-old widower with a grown-up son and daughter. His daughter, Line, to whom he is particularly close, has recently moved in to a house almost next door to his. She is an investigative journalist, but is currently on maternity leave. She is no longer in a relationship with the father, and is secretly very nervous about becoming a single mother, although she would never admit this to her father.
One day when she is out in the town, she meets a former school-friend, Sophie. They have not been in contact for many years. She too is a single mother, and has inherited an imposing house in Larvik from her grandfather, Frank Mandt. Sophie has no pleasant memories of him, as he was a well-known local criminal. Her intention is to expunge everything that was his from the house. The furniture has already gone, but in the basement is a large safe which is too heavy to move. Sophie enlists the aid of Line.
Wisting is in the meantime struggling with a very difficult case involving the disappearance of a local taxi driver, Jens Hummel, together with his taxi. Wisting is receiving a large amount of flak from his superiors because of his lack of progress. He is very relieved when eventually the missing taxi [but not its driver] is found on an isolated farm.
In the meantime, the two girls employ a locksmith to open the safe. It contains old recorded cassettes, sets of ring binders, a very large amount of cash, and a gun. Line gives the gun to her father to hand to the police, without revealing where it came from.
The neighbouring police in Kristiansand have someone in custody for a murder which took place on New Year's Eve. The trial is soon to take place, and it seems an open-and-shut case, as two witnesses saw the killing, when a young woman was shot in the town centre. The police have the bullets, but not the gun. The assumed culprit, however, refuses to answer any questions about the murder. When forensics have examined the gun, Wisting is astonished to discover that it is the one that was used in the New Year's Eve murder. When he also learns that the farm on which the taxi was found was owned by Frank Mandt he begins to wonder whether the Kristiansand police have the right man, despite all the evidence to the contrary
From this point there are some fiendish twists and turns in the plot. The Kristiansand investigator, Ryttingen, refuses point blank to co-operate with Wisting, as he wants his successful day in court. Sofie and Line fall into grave danger as Line has not told her father the full story. The run-up to the final resolution is absolutely gripping.
August 14, 2017
3.5 Somehow or another I managed to blunder my way into the tenth is a series I have not previously read. Though I did read that in the USA only five have been translated and published. The author though did the reader a great service by including, in the opening pages of the book, a few pages of preview bringing us up to date on Wistings life. Greatly appreciated.
This is a meticulously, detailed police procedural. I was extremely impressed with the writing and the tightness of the plot. Will admit that the cases being investigated were not ones I am normally interested in, but found the way the cases were put together, as well as the doggedness and integrity of Wistings character, made up for it. My favorites parts included his grown daughter, very pregnant, and her newfound friend Sophie. Enjoyed the personal touches as Wistings tried to balance his responsibility to his daughter, with his work. So all in all an intriguing enough read for me to seek out additional books in this series.
ARC from Netgalley.
This is a meticulously, detailed police procedural. I was extremely impressed with the writing and the tightness of the plot. Will admit that the cases being investigated were not ones I am normally interested in, but found the way the cases were put together, as well as the doggedness and integrity of Wistings character, made up for it. My favorites parts included his grown daughter, very pregnant, and her newfound friend Sophie. Enjoyed the personal touches as Wistings tried to balance his responsibility to his daughter, with his work. So all in all an intriguing enough read for me to seek out additional books in this series.
ARC from Netgalley.
February 13, 2021
3.5 stars rounded up - This book is different from my usual fare. It’s a police procedural and a nice change of pace. Norwegian author, Jorn Lier Horst has created a likable main character in Chief Inspector William Wisting. Wisting is steadfast, relentless, and intelligent in an approachable and down-to-earth way, a pragmatist. This is the tenth book in a series that I didn’t even realize was a series, but I didn’t feel off-kilter by jumping out of line. It worked as a stand-alone. The author catches readers up on Wisting’s history in an introductory note at the beginning of the book. Wisting is also the name of the Norwegian TV series based on Horst’s novels. Before Jorn Lier Horst became a writer, he worked as a policeman in Larvik, Norway, the setting of this novel.
Sofie Lund along with her one-year-old daughter, Maja, is moving into a house she inherited from her grandfather, Frank Mandt. Mandt had criminal connections, so when Sofie finds a large locked safe in the basement, she enlists the help of Line Wisting, an old school acquaintance. Line is pregnant and on leave from her job as a journalist. Line has moved into a house across from her father’s house. William Wisting is facing public criticism because of his team’s inability to discover what happened to a person that went missing six months ago. Events will soon set the case in motion again.
I found the narrative a wee bit dry, but that may be due to the fact that I read more character-driven books than plot-based ones. There is character development in this story, but it is the plot that propels the book forward. It was nicely paced and I found myself invested. Curiosity as to what was going to happen next kept me turning the pages. This is definitely a show, don’t tell author, which is good. However, I found myself missing interior dialog, which often reveals character motivations.
One fascinating aspect of the novel is how Wisting merges the findings of the Harvard study of 'The Invisible Gorilla' into his police work. The experiment consisted of a videotape of three people in white shirts and three people in black shirts playing basketball. A person is told to count the number of basketball passes between the people in white shirts. A person in a gorilla suit walks into the middle of the action, beats their chest, then leaves. Half the people who watch the video miss the gorilla altogether. In the novel, Wisting says, “The human brain was not designed for detailed recollection.” Wisting uses the experiment to support his idea that perhaps eyewitness accounts of a crime might not be reliable.
All in all, a positive reading experience. I would definitely read this author again.
The Invisible Gorilla Experiment:
http://www.theinvisiblegorilla.com/go...
Sofie Lund along with her one-year-old daughter, Maja, is moving into a house she inherited from her grandfather, Frank Mandt. Mandt had criminal connections, so when Sofie finds a large locked safe in the basement, she enlists the help of Line Wisting, an old school acquaintance. Line is pregnant and on leave from her job as a journalist. Line has moved into a house across from her father’s house. William Wisting is facing public criticism because of his team’s inability to discover what happened to a person that went missing six months ago. Events will soon set the case in motion again.
I found the narrative a wee bit dry, but that may be due to the fact that I read more character-driven books than plot-based ones. There is character development in this story, but it is the plot that propels the book forward. It was nicely paced and I found myself invested. Curiosity as to what was going to happen next kept me turning the pages. This is definitely a show, don’t tell author, which is good. However, I found myself missing interior dialog, which often reveals character motivations.
One fascinating aspect of the novel is how Wisting merges the findings of the Harvard study of 'The Invisible Gorilla' into his police work. The experiment consisted of a videotape of three people in white shirts and three people in black shirts playing basketball. A person is told to count the number of basketball passes between the people in white shirts. A person in a gorilla suit walks into the middle of the action, beats their chest, then leaves. Half the people who watch the video miss the gorilla altogether. In the novel, Wisting says, “The human brain was not designed for detailed recollection.” Wisting uses the experiment to support his idea that perhaps eyewitness accounts of a crime might not be reliable.
All in all, a positive reading experience. I would definitely read this author again.
The Invisible Gorilla Experiment:
http://www.theinvisiblegorilla.com/go...
July 28, 2017
4.5/5 stars for this one!! Read my full review here: http://crimebythebook.com/blog/2017/7...
This is a fantastic police procedural. Slow burning but with a certain energy to it that kept me hooked. It's part of a series but CAN be read as a standalone!
This is a fantastic police procedural. Slow burning but with a certain energy to it that kept me hooked. It's part of a series but CAN be read as a standalone!
December 15, 2019
Antras skaitytas Horsto detektyvas! Pirmas buvo 9-as serijoje apie Viljamą Vistingą, šitas - 10-as. Galima skaityti pavieniui, bet šįkart turbūt pavieniui skaityt mažiau verta. Nebent esant die-hard Horsto fanu ar fane.
Vistingas tiria nužudymą, paaiškėja, kad jo tiriama byla susijusi su kitos vietovės tiriama byla, čia dar veikia jo ex-žurnalistė dukra Lina ir irgi kažką nudirba. Bet "Urviniam žmoguj" buvo daug žiaurumo ir daug veiksmo, o čia - labiau "einamieji reikalai". Kažkas kažką patiria, pabendrauja su kolegom, išsiaiškina, susipyksta... Nieko net iš darbo neišmeta. Nei nusikaltimai, nei jų tyrimai pernelyg neįtraukia, o dukra šįkart - išvis ne pagalbininkė (ankstesnėj knygoj ji paraleliai tyrė nusikaltimą ir vis atsidurdavo pavojuj), o visai statistinė figūra.
Kaip rašo tinklaraštininkės, dėl ko skaityti: vienintelė įdomesnė priežastis - dukra Lina, kuri yra 9 mėnesį nėščia, bet nuolat pritupia, atsistoja, vėl pritupia; nešioja sunkius daiktus; gana greit ir vikriai juda; reikiamais momentais "uždeda ranką ant pilvo" ir.... kas gi kas gi galėtų būti tas įdomus siužeto posūkis......... PRADEDA GIMDYTI PAČIU NETINKAMIAUSIU MOMENTU. Haha! Suspoilinau visą knygą! Ir didžiausiam knygos spoilui net nereikėjo pasakyti, kas yra žudikas! Ant kiek tai intriguojantis detektyvas!
(Nežinau, ar net galėčiau pasakyti, kas yra žudikas, nes jau pamiršau per 2 dienas po knygos perskaitymo :( )
Vistingas tiria nužudymą, paaiškėja, kad jo tiriama byla susijusi su kitos vietovės tiriama byla, čia dar veikia jo ex-žurnalistė dukra Lina ir irgi kažką nudirba. Bet "Urviniam žmoguj" buvo daug žiaurumo ir daug veiksmo, o čia - labiau "einamieji reikalai". Kažkas kažką patiria, pabendrauja su kolegom, išsiaiškina, susipyksta... Nieko net iš darbo neišmeta. Nei nusikaltimai, nei jų tyrimai pernelyg neįtraukia, o dukra šįkart - išvis ne pagalbininkė (ankstesnėj knygoj ji paraleliai tyrė nusikaltimą ir vis atsidurdavo pavojuj), o visai statistinė figūra.
Kaip rašo tinklaraštininkės, dėl ko skaityti: vienintelė įdomesnė priežastis - dukra Lina, kuri yra 9 mėnesį nėščia, bet nuolat pritupia, atsistoja, vėl pritupia; nešioja sunkius daiktus; gana greit ir vikriai juda; reikiamais momentais "uždeda ranką ant pilvo" ir.... kas gi kas gi galėtų būti tas įdomus siužeto posūkis......... PRADEDA GIMDYTI PAČIU NETINKAMIAUSIU MOMENTU. Haha! Suspoilinau visą knygą! Ir didžiausiam knygos spoilui net nereikėjo pasakyti, kas yra žudikas! Ant kiek tai intriguojantis detektyvas!
(Nežinau, ar net galėčiau pasakyti, kas yra žudikas, nes jau pamiršau per 2 dienas po knygos perskaitymo :( )
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November 15, 2018Ακόμα ένα βιβλίο στο γνώριμο στυλ και άκρως ικανοποιητικό επίπεδο του συγγραφέα.
Μια ωραία αστυνομική ιστορία με επιμέρους ιστορίες που είναι αλληλένδετες αλλά οι συνδέσεις τους παραμένουν κρυφές μέχρι το τέλος και πλοκή που εξελίσσεται αργά αλλά απολαυστικά.
Διαβάζεται και ανεξάρτητα αλλά εγώ θα πρότεινα και τα άλλα βιβλία της σειράς.
Μια ωραία αστυνομική ιστορία με επιμέρους ιστορίες που είναι αλληλένδετες αλλά οι συνδέσεις τους παραμένουν κρυφές μέχρι το τέλος και πλοκή που εξελίσσεται αργά αλλά απολαυστικά.
Διαβάζεται και ανεξάρτητα αλλά εγώ θα πρότεινα και τα άλλα βιβλία της σειράς.
February 4, 2022
Iki dabar nebuvau dar susipažinusi su šio norvegų rašytojo detektyvinėmis istorijomis. Tokias knygas aš labai mėgstu, o ir skandinaviškas stilius man yra prie širdies. Tik keista, jog Lietuvoje šios knygos išleistos yra vos penkios ir ne pagal serijos eiliškumą.
Viename iš Norvegijoje esančių uostamiesčių be žinios dingsta taksi vairuotojas. Kuomet ima atrodyti, jog mįslingas dingimas taip ir liks neišaiškintas, šiaudo griebiasi detektyvas Viljamas Vistingas. Ir visai netrukus tyrimas pasisuka visiškai kita bei nenumatyta linkme. Į policiją yra pristatomas ginklas, kurio norima švariai atsikratyti. Tačiau paaiškėja, jog būtent tuo ginklu buvo įvykdytas vienas nusikaltimas.
Daug naujų dėlionės detalių, klausimų bei intrigų atveria šis ginklo atsiradimas. Vistingas imasi tirti šį tyrimą ir jis yra pasiryžęs nenuleisti rankų iki kol nebus pasiektas teisingumas.
Galiu tvirtai teigti, jog pažintis su autoriumi buvo vykusi. Man patiko rašymo stilius bei tai, kaip klostysi tyrimo eiga. Skaitant šią knygą tikrai buvo galima jausti, jog istorija parašyta neatmestinai, o įdėta tikrai nemažai darbo. Aš tikiu, jog prie šios autotiaus sėkmės prisidėjo ir tai, jog jis yra buvęs policijos pareigūnas.
Tiesa, šį kartą knygos skaitymas man neprailgo, tačiau pritrūko truputėlį veiksmo. Bent man to norėjosi 😊 Tačiau nepaisant to, knyga man tikrai patiko ir ateityje ketinu skaityti ir kitas Jorn Lier Horst knygas. Rekomenduočiau šią, jeigu norisi pagalaus, bet ne itin įtempto siužeto kriminalinio romano.
Viename iš Norvegijoje esančių uostamiesčių be žinios dingsta taksi vairuotojas. Kuomet ima atrodyti, jog mįslingas dingimas taip ir liks neišaiškintas, šiaudo griebiasi detektyvas Viljamas Vistingas. Ir visai netrukus tyrimas pasisuka visiškai kita bei nenumatyta linkme. Į policiją yra pristatomas ginklas, kurio norima švariai atsikratyti. Tačiau paaiškėja, jog būtent tuo ginklu buvo įvykdytas vienas nusikaltimas.
Daug naujų dėlionės detalių, klausimų bei intrigų atveria šis ginklo atsiradimas. Vistingas imasi tirti šį tyrimą ir jis yra pasiryžęs nenuleisti rankų iki kol nebus pasiektas teisingumas.
Galiu tvirtai teigti, jog pažintis su autoriumi buvo vykusi. Man patiko rašymo stilius bei tai, kaip klostysi tyrimo eiga. Skaitant šią knygą tikrai buvo galima jausti, jog istorija parašyta neatmestinai, o įdėta tikrai nemažai darbo. Aš tikiu, jog prie šios autotiaus sėkmės prisidėjo ir tai, jog jis yra buvęs policijos pareigūnas.
Tiesa, šį kartą knygos skaitymas man neprailgo, tačiau pritrūko truputėlį veiksmo. Bent man to norėjosi 😊 Tačiau nepaisant to, knyga man tikrai patiko ir ateityje ketinu skaityti ir kitas Jorn Lier Horst knygas. Rekomenduočiau šią, jeigu norisi pagalaus, bet ne itin įtempto siužeto kriminalinio romano.
March 19, 2016
Nordic Noir is a thing at the moment – some brilliant books arriving on our doorstep and Ordeal was such a book – distinctly atmospheric, with its own peculiar vibe I enjoyed it very much.
A great mix of police procedural and intensley intriguing character study, Jorn Lier Horst weaves a clever and perfectly paced tale around his main protagonists and has a clear and descriptive eye for interpersonal relationships that allows the reader to fully absorb into their world.
The mystery element is expertly done, Ordeal is light on action, heavy on authenticity, a quietly addictive read that keeps you turning those pages. I have a fondness for crime fiction with real soul, coming from writers that know how to engage and hold attention as the author did here, Ordeal is very much its own thing and that was the draw for me.
It has been said that it has all been done before and that is probably true – but often with this type of novel it is not so much the basics of the story but how it is executed, how a particular writer brings his or her own particular creative spirit to the table – in the case of Ordeal I loved the sense of it and it was a darn good yarn to boot.
If you are a fan of all things Nordic Noir then you will love this. Sometimes it really is that simple.
Recommended.
A great mix of police procedural and intensley intriguing character study, Jorn Lier Horst weaves a clever and perfectly paced tale around his main protagonists and has a clear and descriptive eye for interpersonal relationships that allows the reader to fully absorb into their world.
The mystery element is expertly done, Ordeal is light on action, heavy on authenticity, a quietly addictive read that keeps you turning those pages. I have a fondness for crime fiction with real soul, coming from writers that know how to engage and hold attention as the author did here, Ordeal is very much its own thing and that was the draw for me.
It has been said that it has all been done before and that is probably true – but often with this type of novel it is not so much the basics of the story but how it is executed, how a particular writer brings his or her own particular creative spirit to the table – in the case of Ordeal I loved the sense of it and it was a darn good yarn to boot.
If you are a fan of all things Nordic Noir then you will love this. Sometimes it really is that simple.
Recommended.
November 24, 2021
A durat un pic până am intrat în poveste, însă este un roman captivant, în care suspansul e bine dozat, iar ultima parte foarte palpitantă, cu nenumărate întorsături de situație!
„Înainte, oamenii veneau din proprie inițiativă să spună poliției ce știau și ce văzuseră. Acum, poliția se confrunta din ce în ce mai mult cu un zid al tăcerii, chiar și atunci când căutau informații doar tangențiale cu o infracțiune. Se strecurase frica. Lumea nu voia să se implice în nimic și se temea să ofere informații poliției. În același timp, oamenii se înstrăinaseră unii de alții și le păsa tot mai puțin de ceea ce se petrecea în jurul lor.“
„Martorii încurcau evenimentele imaginare cu cele reale. Memoria le era influențată de experiențele anterioare, de ceea ce le spuseseră alții și de felul cum erau formulate întrebările.“
„Înainte, oamenii veneau din proprie inițiativă să spună poliției ce știau și ce văzuseră. Acum, poliția se confrunta din ce în ce mai mult cu un zid al tăcerii, chiar și atunci când căutau informații doar tangențiale cu o infracțiune. Se strecurase frica. Lumea nu voia să se implice în nimic și se temea să ofere informații poliției. În același timp, oamenii se înstrăinaseră unii de alții și le păsa tot mai puțin de ceea ce se petrecea în jurul lor.“
„Martorii încurcau evenimentele imaginare cu cele reale. Memoria le era influențată de experiențele anterioare, de ceea ce le spuseseră alții și de felul cum erau formulate întrebările.“
May 12, 2016
The Nordic Noir genre has brought a sense of realism to the crime fiction world that I have high regard for, with its appreciation for the daily grind behind so much of police work and its wider social and political commentary. In Ordeal, Lier Horst brings a tale of everyday life in a neighbourhood which is reassuringly ordinary and chimes with readers. Combining the rigour and stringency of a police procedural with humane investigators, Ordeal exposes the darker element of an ever changing society and Wisting understands that both people, including police personal, and procedures can be fatally flawed.
Ordeal is the fifth of the William Wisting novels to be translated into English and sees Wisting aged fifty-five, a widowed man, father to two adult twins and soon to become a grandfather. Wisting is an upstanding and earnest policeman and along with high standards for his work he makes time for his family and colleagues and has risen through the ranks to become Chief Inspector of CID for Larvik Police. Thankfully free of the neuroses that plague so many of the Nordic Noir crime fighters he has a keen social awareness and a refreshingly normal relationship with both women and alcohol! A career policeman he may be but Wisting is not blinkered to the darker side of human nature and his understanding and acceptance that humans err and his job is evolving constantly is fundamental to the man.
Ordeal sees Wisting under fire from his superiors with the six month old disappearance case of taxi driver Jens Hummel remaining unsolved and a thinly veiled newspaper article implying substandard work by the police force has upped the ante. When the taxi, without Hummel, is recovered at an isolated barn things seem no clearer and it is former investigative journalist daughter, Line, who by chance presents Wisting with the first clue. Raising more complications as the case unravels Wisting discovers a web of intrigue which involves a murder case 100 miles away, an imminent trial and a long established narcotics trade in his own home town. When his discoveries threaten to derail a long considered closed case in a neighbouring town, the dissenting voice of the Chief of Police grows increasingly louder as Wisting threatens to make an awful lot of enemies amongst his colleagues in the force. Attempting to keep an eight months pregnant Line out of the equation, Wisting must simultaneously head off a possible miscarriage of justice.
William Wisting considers every new piece of information and it is his ability to stand back from the eye of the storm and evaluate is intrinsic to his success and it is patently obvious that Jorn Lier Horst himself has occupied a prominent role in the force. His invaluable insights and emphasis on the interpretation of a crime scene as opposed to simply the physical evidence that it holds is just one of numerous examples. It is these satisfying nuggets of information and his willingness to embrace new investigation methods and technologies that are central to Ordeal. Interestingly in the novel Wisting spends much of his time waiting the outcome of routine tests and the cross-over between what the investigator alone can offer and the less subjective evidence is highlighted brilliantly. Likewise, the delicate balance between the formal police role and the need to present a human face whilst never allowing it to detract from the leadership of the investigation was intelligently made.
The meaty sub-plots ensure readers maintain constant engagement with the storyline, from Line's pregnancy fears to Wisting's relationship with former girlfriend Suzanne and the overtones which colleague Christine appears to be making. This adds an element of frisson to the proceedings and alongside personal matters, the evolving challenges facing the police force are frequently brought into the light, reduced resources being central to this. Wisting recognises that the attitude of the public to the police force has hardened, people have become more remote from each other and he appreciates the demands that face public prosecutor Christine acting as a go between for the rank and file and the conflicting managers of the force who demand results.
Whilst Lier Horst may not bring the gung-ho action packed shoot outs common in so much of crime fiction, he packs an equally powerful punch with his pragmatism, intelligence and understanding of the minutiae which so much of crime fighting relies on. Jorn Lier Horst runs rings around his readers and even the most hardened crime fiction reader won't see the denouement coming! Prepare to be bamboozled and blindsided... With its subtle social commentary and reflections on how the job has changed Wisting sensitively explored and with a poignant parting shot, Jorn Lier Horst has one final sting in the tail to leave readers with a bittersweet aftertaste. Lier Horst has delivered a masterclass in ingenious plot construction and this is intelligent crime fiction which leaves you pondering.. Simply stunning and highly recommended.
The two page précis at the start of the novel introducing readers to the William Wisting character serves wonderfully as a handy guide to his police career and personal life which ensures that Ordeal can be read as a standalone. However, I saw more than enough here to tell me that Lier Horst and the admirable William Wisting will be making a repeat appearance on my reading list. With four novels already published in the series I will have plenty to keep me occupied ahead of the next release. A wonderfully fulfilling novel, with ingenious plotting and an understanding of just what it take to be a successful investigator, this is splendid stuff!
Ordeal is the fifth of the William Wisting novels to be translated into English and sees Wisting aged fifty-five, a widowed man, father to two adult twins and soon to become a grandfather. Wisting is an upstanding and earnest policeman and along with high standards for his work he makes time for his family and colleagues and has risen through the ranks to become Chief Inspector of CID for Larvik Police. Thankfully free of the neuroses that plague so many of the Nordic Noir crime fighters he has a keen social awareness and a refreshingly normal relationship with both women and alcohol! A career policeman he may be but Wisting is not blinkered to the darker side of human nature and his understanding and acceptance that humans err and his job is evolving constantly is fundamental to the man.
Ordeal sees Wisting under fire from his superiors with the six month old disappearance case of taxi driver Jens Hummel remaining unsolved and a thinly veiled newspaper article implying substandard work by the police force has upped the ante. When the taxi, without Hummel, is recovered at an isolated barn things seem no clearer and it is former investigative journalist daughter, Line, who by chance presents Wisting with the first clue. Raising more complications as the case unravels Wisting discovers a web of intrigue which involves a murder case 100 miles away, an imminent trial and a long established narcotics trade in his own home town. When his discoveries threaten to derail a long considered closed case in a neighbouring town, the dissenting voice of the Chief of Police grows increasingly louder as Wisting threatens to make an awful lot of enemies amongst his colleagues in the force. Attempting to keep an eight months pregnant Line out of the equation, Wisting must simultaneously head off a possible miscarriage of justice.
William Wisting considers every new piece of information and it is his ability to stand back from the eye of the storm and evaluate is intrinsic to his success and it is patently obvious that Jorn Lier Horst himself has occupied a prominent role in the force. His invaluable insights and emphasis on the interpretation of a crime scene as opposed to simply the physical evidence that it holds is just one of numerous examples. It is these satisfying nuggets of information and his willingness to embrace new investigation methods and technologies that are central to Ordeal. Interestingly in the novel Wisting spends much of his time waiting the outcome of routine tests and the cross-over between what the investigator alone can offer and the less subjective evidence is highlighted brilliantly. Likewise, the delicate balance between the formal police role and the need to present a human face whilst never allowing it to detract from the leadership of the investigation was intelligently made.
The meaty sub-plots ensure readers maintain constant engagement with the storyline, from Line's pregnancy fears to Wisting's relationship with former girlfriend Suzanne and the overtones which colleague Christine appears to be making. This adds an element of frisson to the proceedings and alongside personal matters, the evolving challenges facing the police force are frequently brought into the light, reduced resources being central to this. Wisting recognises that the attitude of the public to the police force has hardened, people have become more remote from each other and he appreciates the demands that face public prosecutor Christine acting as a go between for the rank and file and the conflicting managers of the force who demand results.
Whilst Lier Horst may not bring the gung-ho action packed shoot outs common in so much of crime fiction, he packs an equally powerful punch with his pragmatism, intelligence and understanding of the minutiae which so much of crime fighting relies on. Jorn Lier Horst runs rings around his readers and even the most hardened crime fiction reader won't see the denouement coming! Prepare to be bamboozled and blindsided... With its subtle social commentary and reflections on how the job has changed Wisting sensitively explored and with a poignant parting shot, Jorn Lier Horst has one final sting in the tail to leave readers with a bittersweet aftertaste. Lier Horst has delivered a masterclass in ingenious plot construction and this is intelligent crime fiction which leaves you pondering.. Simply stunning and highly recommended.
The two page précis at the start of the novel introducing readers to the William Wisting character serves wonderfully as a handy guide to his police career and personal life which ensures that Ordeal can be read as a standalone. However, I saw more than enough here to tell me that Lier Horst and the admirable William Wisting will be making a repeat appearance on my reading list. With four novels already published in the series I will have plenty to keep me occupied ahead of the next release. A wonderfully fulfilling novel, with ingenious plotting and an understanding of just what it take to be a successful investigator, this is splendid stuff!
November 2, 2024
Opinião em breve💕
January 19, 2023
Šī ir mana otrā sastapšanās ar izmeklētāju Vistingu. Un kāda sastapšanās!
Jaungada naktī uz ielas ar šāvienu mugurā tiek nogalināta jauna meitene ceļā uz ballīti ar draugiem. Laupīšana, kas nogājusi greizi. Tam ir liecinieki un pēc piecpadsmit minūtēm tiek apcietināts vainīgais pēc mēģinājuma aizbēgt no notikuma vietas. Tomēr Vistings, izmeklējot citu lietu - neizskaidrojamu taksista un viņa mašīnas pazušanu, - sāk saprast, ka viss nav tā, kā izskatās.
Šajā stāstā ir viss, ko sagaidu no slavas dziesmas pelnījuša trillera - vairākas it kā sākotnēji nesaistītas sižeta līnijas, spilgti un atmiņā paliekoši galvenie varoņi un antivaroņi, kāpināta spriedze un visi savērptie izmeklēšanas pavedieni loģiski atrisināti grāmatas izskaņā.
Vietām varbūt stāstījums likās nedaudz “pasauss”, bet norvēģi nav itāļi un personisko kaislību trūkums neko sliktu stāsta kopainai, manuprāt, nenodarīja.
Autora Jorna (nesaprotu, kāpēc latviski nepareizi rakstīts viņa vārds?) Ljēra Horsta stiprā puse ir viņa paša padsmit gadus ilgā pieredze izmeklētajā darbā - šis trilleris ir paraugstunda policijas darba procesuālajā atspoguļojumā. Bet neizpaliek arī pašu policijas darbinieku privātās dzīves ainiņas, kas stāstam piedod papildus dimensiju.
P.S. Grāmatu droši var lasīt arī neatkarīgi no pārejām padsmit sērijas grāmatām - sākumā ir ne vien kopsavilkums par to, kas noticis iepriekš, bet stāsta gaitā nav nekādu neskaidrību dēļ iepriekš notikušā - ja parādās kāds tēls no pagātnes, viņa loma uzreiz tiek paskaidrota.
Jaungada naktī uz ielas ar šāvienu mugurā tiek nogalināta jauna meitene ceļā uz ballīti ar draugiem. Laupīšana, kas nogājusi greizi. Tam ir liecinieki un pēc piecpadsmit minūtēm tiek apcietināts vainīgais pēc mēģinājuma aizbēgt no notikuma vietas. Tomēr Vistings, izmeklējot citu lietu - neizskaidrojamu taksista un viņa mašīnas pazušanu, - sāk saprast, ka viss nav tā, kā izskatās.
Šajā stāstā ir viss, ko sagaidu no slavas dziesmas pelnījuša trillera - vairākas it kā sākotnēji nesaistītas sižeta līnijas, spilgti un atmiņā paliekoši galvenie varoņi un antivaroņi, kāpināta spriedze un visi savērptie izmeklēšanas pavedieni loģiski atrisināti grāmatas izskaņā.
Vietām varbūt stāstījums likās nedaudz “pasauss”, bet norvēģi nav itāļi un personisko kaislību trūkums neko sliktu stāsta kopainai, manuprāt, nenodarīja.
Autora Jorna (nesaprotu, kāpēc latviski nepareizi rakstīts viņa vārds?) Ljēra Horsta stiprā puse ir viņa paša padsmit gadus ilgā pieredze izmeklētajā darbā - šis trilleris ir paraugstunda policijas darba procesuālajā atspoguļojumā. Bet neizpaliek arī pašu policijas darbinieku privātās dzīves ainiņas, kas stāstam piedod papildus dimensiju.
P.S. Grāmatu droši var lasīt arī neatkarīgi no pārejām padsmit sērijas grāmatām - sākumā ir ne vien kopsavilkums par to, kas noticis iepriekš, bet stāsta gaitā nav nekādu neskaidrību dēļ iepriekš notikušā - ja parādās kāds tēls no pagātnes, viņa loma uzreiz tiek paskaidrota.
July 6, 2023
Excellent series! I highly recommend Jorn Lier Horst and the William Wisting series.
May 26, 2020
A master class in police procedure,real tight plot.
July 22, 2020
Geras, neperkrautas detektyvas atsipalaidavimui.
https://knyguziurkes.wordpress.com/20...
https://knyguziurkes.wordpress.com/20...
June 19, 2016
SWEDISH REVIEW
Blindgång är den första boken jag har läst i William Wisting serien och trots att det är bok 10 så hade jag inga problem med att hänga med i handlingen. Jag kom att gilla William Wisting och hans dotter redan från början. Jag tyckte att de hade en väldigt fin relation och jag är nyfiken på Lines situation då hon är gravid och pappan till barnet är en amerikansk polis som bor i Amerika. Jag måste verkligen läsa de tidigare böckerna för att få reda på varför han var i Norge och arbetade och hur de träffades.
Handlingen var intressant, en försvunnen taxiförare, ett mord och ett upphittat vapen som har kopplingar med varandra. Jag gillade verkligen hur både William och Line är involverade i fallet på olika sätt och hur slumpmässiga möten och handlingar till slut ger svar på gåtan med vad som kände med taxichauffören Jens Hummel.
Boken är oerhört välskriven och spännande att läsa och jag tyckte att slutet i rättegångssalen är otroligt bra!
Tack till Lind & Co för recensionexemplaret!
ENGLISH REVIEW
Ordeal is the first book I have read in the William Wisting series and, despite this being book, 10 didn't I have any problems getting into the story. Instead, I found myself instantly liking both William Wisting and his daughter Line. I thought that they had a very loving relationship and I was curious about Line's situation being pregnant and the dad is a cop from America who is still living there. I really need to read the previous book to find out why he was in Norway and how they met.
The story is interesting, a missing taxi driver, a murder and a found weapon that have connections with each other. I liked that both William and Line were involved in the case in different kinds of ways and thanks to random meetings and events finally the mystery with the missing taxi driver will be resolved.
The book is well written and engrossing and I think the ending in the courtroom is incredibly good! I liked this book very much and I will definitely read more books in this series.
Thanks to Lind & Co for the review copy!
Blindgång är den första boken jag har läst i William Wisting serien och trots att det är bok 10 så hade jag inga problem med att hänga med i handlingen. Jag kom att gilla William Wisting och hans dotter redan från början. Jag tyckte att de hade en väldigt fin relation och jag är nyfiken på Lines situation då hon är gravid och pappan till barnet är en amerikansk polis som bor i Amerika. Jag måste verkligen läsa de tidigare böckerna för att få reda på varför han var i Norge och arbetade och hur de träffades.
Handlingen var intressant, en försvunnen taxiförare, ett mord och ett upphittat vapen som har kopplingar med varandra. Jag gillade verkligen hur både William och Line är involverade i fallet på olika sätt och hur slumpmässiga möten och handlingar till slut ger svar på gåtan med vad som kände med taxichauffören Jens Hummel.
Boken är oerhört välskriven och spännande att läsa och jag tyckte att slutet i rättegångssalen är otroligt bra!
Tack till Lind & Co för recensionexemplaret!
ENGLISH REVIEW
Ordeal is the first book I have read in the William Wisting series and, despite this being book, 10 didn't I have any problems getting into the story. Instead, I found myself instantly liking both William Wisting and his daughter Line. I thought that they had a very loving relationship and I was curious about Line's situation being pregnant and the dad is a cop from America who is still living there. I really need to read the previous book to find out why he was in Norway and how they met.
The story is interesting, a missing taxi driver, a murder and a found weapon that have connections with each other. I liked that both William and Line were involved in the case in different kinds of ways and thanks to random meetings and events finally the mystery with the missing taxi driver will be resolved.
The book is well written and engrossing and I think the ending in the courtroom is incredibly good! I liked this book very much and I will definitely read more books in this series.
Thanks to Lind & Co for the review copy!
August 24, 2023
Θες να γίνεις αστυνομικός και να δεις πως μια υπόθεση δολοφονίας ερευνάται και εξιχνιάζεται? Δε θα βρεις καλύτερο λογοτεχνικό δείγμα απο τα βιβλία του Χόρστ.
Θες ένα αστυνομικό χωρίς εξάρσεις και υπερβολές, με έναν ενδιαφέρον αλλά σχετικά απλό (σε σχέση με άλλα σκανδιναβικά) πρωταγωνιστή και με υποθέσεις ωραία δομημένες αλλά μέχρι εκεί? Η σειρά βιβλίων με τον Βίστιν είναι αυτό που ψάχνεις.
Θες ένα αστυνομικό με γρήγορο ρυθμό, τρομερές ανατροπές και έντονη δράση? Καλύτερα να ψάξεις αλλού.
6,1/10
Θες ένα αστυνομικό χωρίς εξάρσεις και υπερβολές, με έναν ενδιαφέρον αλλά σχετικά απλό (σε σχέση με άλλα σκανδιναβικά) πρωταγωνιστή και με υποθέσεις ωραία δομημένες αλλά μέχρι εκεί? Η σειρά βιβλίων με τον Βίστιν είναι αυτό που ψάχνεις.
Θες ένα αστυνομικό με γρήγορο ρυθμό, τρομερές ανατροπές και έντονη δράση? Καλύτερα να ψάξεις αλλού.
6,1/10
October 26, 2024
Probably my favourite of Horst's books. Line is not an annoying bitch this time, the structure of the book is different from the other ones, it's gripping, has commentaries and a great investigation. Wisting's a bit sexist, per usual, but oh well
May 20, 2016
In the latest William Wisting novel, Horst takes the reader on another wonderful adventure, where the law and justice meet, if only for a moment. After months of no leads on the case of a missing taxi driver and his vehicle, Wisting is forced to push it to the side. Juggling work and the potential of the early stages of a new relationship, Wisting must also focus on his daughter, Line, who is eight months pregnant and has just returned to raise her child alone. When Line meets an old school friend, Sofie Lund, they rekindle the acquaintance, which leads to a pact of mutual assistance in all areas related to single motherhood. When Sofie reveals that she is living in her grandfather's old home, Line is more than happy to help her sort things out, which includes getting into an old safe in the basement, the contents of which prove highly suspect. Along with the discovery, Sofie must also admit that her grandfather, Frank Mandt, is a notorious criminal and smuggler from decades past, a mark she wishes to scrub from her life. Along with a stack of money and a pile of cassettes in the safe, Line and Sofie discover an old revolver. Choosing the high road, Line takes it to her father to discard, though police procedure is to run ballistics tests before disposing of anything. These tests tie the gun to a shooting on New Year's Eve and an airtight trial set to begin the following week. Following some independent leads, Wisting and his team stumble upon an old barn and locate the missing taxi therein. When he receives the ballistic information on the gun and a property search reveals that Frank Mandt is tied to both, clues begin to fall into place, though a motive remains elusive or the proper timeline to have committed the crimes. As the investigation progresses, a body is discovered, though it is still a mystery as to who might be the murderer, with Mandt having no known reason to kill either victim. The more Wisting learns of the gun's place at the scene of the New Year's murder, the deeper he digs, even as he is cautioned from messing with the case before the courts. Wisting cannot ignore the call for justice, even if it contradicts all that fills boxes of evidence and witness statements. With the case pushing him in many directions and Line set to have her baby, William Wisting has little time for questions, but will not rest until the real killer is caught. Another wonderful addition to the William Wisting series that is sure to garner Horst more fans.
While there is no shortage of good crime fiction available today, Horst not only competes with other authors, but excels at his craft. His place amongst other Scandinavian writers is strengthened by the clear and precise prose he offers, alongside a story that keeps the reader wondering from one page to the next. Character development is continuous, though it does not take away from the story as a whole. Wisting is a complex character and one who will remain ever-evolving throughout the series, which has reached its tenth instalment. Without trying to draw parallels between Wisting and Harry Hole or Joona Linna, there is surely a strong characteristic that binds these three men, all of whom seek justice and find their own way to deliver it to the public, in their respective authors' ways. Horst should be applauded for his hard work and, truth be told, stellar delivery, even with the novel being written in Norwegian. That a novel can hold such strength while going through the translation process speaks volumes about its calibre.
Kudos, Mr.Horst for another stellar piece of work. I found myself wondering where things were going from the get-go. Now then, if only we could find a way to get the earlier novels translated into English for me to enjoy.
Like/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
While there is no shortage of good crime fiction available today, Horst not only competes with other authors, but excels at his craft. His place amongst other Scandinavian writers is strengthened by the clear and precise prose he offers, alongside a story that keeps the reader wondering from one page to the next. Character development is continuous, though it does not take away from the story as a whole. Wisting is a complex character and one who will remain ever-evolving throughout the series, which has reached its tenth instalment. Without trying to draw parallels between Wisting and Harry Hole or Joona Linna, there is surely a strong characteristic that binds these three men, all of whom seek justice and find their own way to deliver it to the public, in their respective authors' ways. Horst should be applauded for his hard work and, truth be told, stellar delivery, even with the novel being written in Norwegian. That a novel can hold such strength while going through the translation process speaks volumes about its calibre.
Kudos, Mr.Horst for another stellar piece of work. I found myself wondering where things were going from the get-go. Now then, if only we could find a way to get the earlier novels translated into English for me to enjoy.
Like/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
May 11, 2019
3.5 stars and a wider plot than in the "usual" Wisting.
But I rounded it up for the baby Ingrid's birth. It's always the best days of all when the babies come. It is to me.
William is pushed a farther than usual inquiry even within a homicide tangent to a "missing" case. Because these bad guys are rather cabal length and wide as opposed to the random local inebriate.
And there is a new character friend of Line who is an old prime school buddy and she's interesting and owns a recently deceased mob chief Grandpa. Who has left her a bundle and a mansion.
Some of these Norway perps getting caught just don't ring true to me, regardless of the smooth series. Of course, they probably equate to equal "real desserts"? Hardly. And you never hear of them again after the confession? Trial? Sentence?
But beyond that larger crime picture; come on- that girl who was hitting the registers for herself at Suzanne's place? What thief with that kind of calculated and reasoned "method" would explain it and then say she would "pay back" the money taken? After all that time of personal increase too? Fiction indeed!
But I rounded it up for the baby Ingrid's birth. It's always the best days of all when the babies come. It is to me.
William is pushed a farther than usual inquiry even within a homicide tangent to a "missing" case. Because these bad guys are rather cabal length and wide as opposed to the random local inebriate.
And there is a new character friend of Line who is an old prime school buddy and she's interesting and owns a recently deceased mob chief Grandpa. Who has left her a bundle and a mansion.
Some of these Norway perps getting caught just don't ring true to me, regardless of the smooth series. Of course, they probably equate to equal "real desserts"? Hardly. And you never hear of them again after the confession? Trial? Sentence?
But beyond that larger crime picture; come on- that girl who was hitting the registers for herself at Suzanne's place? What thief with that kind of calculated and reasoned "method" would explain it and then say she would "pay back" the money taken? After all that time of personal increase too? Fiction indeed!
May 17, 2020
Seriously, I wanted this book to never end. Horst is not a literature writer but his stories are amazing and the details are really worked out well.
Already ordered his next book in the Wisting series.
Already ordered his next book in the Wisting series.
April 12, 2018
"Αδιέξοδο"! Ένας απόλυτα ταιριαστός τίτλος για την δέκατη περιπέτεια του επιθεωρητή Βίλιαμ Βίστιν, τέταρτη για εμάς εδώ, στην Ψαροκώσταινα -αν και υποψιάζομαι πως πολύ σύντομα οι εκδόσεις Διόπτρα θα καταφύγουν σε πρότερους τίτλους της σειράς, προκειμένου να ικανοποιήσουν τους διψασμένους fans του Horst. Μια περιπέτεια αρκετά διαφορετική από τις προηγούμενές του, τόσο ως προς την ουσία της, όσο και ως προς την αξιοποίηση των ευρύτερων παραμέτρων της και των στοιχείων που ιο συγγραφέας της θέλησε να σταθεί επιδεικνύοντάς μας, προς μεγάλη μας χαρά κι έκπληξη, κι άλλα ταλέντα του, μα και πτυχές του εαυτού του-και όχι μόνο.
Δεδομένου ότι η υπόθεση του βιβλίου είναι αρκετά περίπλοκη και μπερδεμένη, δεν θα μπω στη διαδικασία να σας πω πολλά σχετικά με την πλοκή, όχι επειδή δε δύναμαι να το κάνω, αλλά γιατί το θεωρώ λάθος. Όταν ένα κουβάρι είναι τόσο πολύ μπλεγμένο που αρχικά μοιάζει να μην βγάζει κανένα απολύτως νόημα, και, όμως, φτάνει η στιγμή εκείνη που βρίσκεις τις διαφορετικές άκρες του και ξετυλίγεις τα νήματα ένα προς ένα, με αποτέλεσμα να οδηγηθείς, όχι σε ασφαλή συμπεράσματα, αλλά στα συμπεράσματα που πρέπει να οδηγηθείς, τότε πρόκειται για ένα "ταξίδι" που πρέπει να το πραγματοποιήσεις μόνος σου, γιατί η ελλιπής γνώση μπορεί να σε κάνει να πάρει μονοπάτια που θα σε οδηγήσουν σε λάθος δρόμο, τελικά.
Συνήθως, οι τόσο περίπλοκες ιστορίες δεν είναι και πολύ του γούστου μου, πράγμα που οφείλεται, κυρίως, στην αδυναμία της πλειοψηφίας των συγγραφέων της αστυνομικής λογοτεχνίας, να συράψουν αυτά τα τόσα πολλά και διαφορετικά στοιχεία, μεταξύ τους, ώστε να έχουν λογική και νόημα. Ο Horst, λοιπόν, τα πετυχαίνει όλα αυτά, και όλα τα δεδομένα του έρχονται την κατάλληλη στιγμή, στο σωστό χρόνο και μέρος, για να "κολλήσουν" μεταξύ μας, προσφέροντάς μας, στο σύνολό της, μια σφιχτοδεμένη πλοκή που, αν εξαιρέσουμε ένα μικρό σημείο λίγο μετά τα μισά του βιβλίου όπου γίνεται η επιλεγόμενη "κοιλίτσα", μας καθηλώνει και που τροφοδοτεί συνεχώς και αδιαλείπτως το ενδιαφέρον μας.
Αυτό, όμως, που ξεχωρίζει, και που λάτρεψα, στο συγκεκριμένο βιβλίο, δεν είναι τόσο το αστυνομικό, μυστηριώδες σκέλος του, όσο η εξέλιξη του Βίστιν ως χαρακτήρα. Αν και καθόλα ειλικρινής -στοιχείο που ίσως να τον καθιστά και κάπως ευάλωτο, συνδυαστικά με την εσωτερική ευαισθησία που διαθέτει-, γεγονός που μας έχει επιτρέψει να δούμε και την καλή και την κακή πλευρά του εαυτού του, μέχρι σήμερα δεν είχε υπάρξει ποτέ πιο ανθρώπινος και προσιτός απ' ότι στο "Αδιέξοδο". Περισσότερο από κάθε άλλη φορά, μοιάζει να θέλει να παλέψει για τον εαυτό του, για τη ζωή του, για τον έρωτα, για την σχέση του με την κόρη του, που σύντομα θα του χαρίσει μία ακόμα ιδιότητα, αυτή του παππού. Ένιωσα σα να είδα έναν Βίστιν που θα μπορούσε να είναι ο γείτονας της διπλανής πόρτας, ένας άνθρωπος πιο οικείος και πιο ευκολοπλησίαστος, που αν και δεν είναι πάντα εύκολο, ψάχνει τις σωστές ισορροπίες ανάμεσα στη δουλειά και την οικογένεια, στην επαγγελματική και προσωπική του ζωή.
Εν κατακλείδι, στο μεγαλύτερο μέρος της αφήγησής του, το "Αδιέξοδο", είναι ένα μυθιστόρημα με αρκετή ένταση και γρήγορους ρυθμούς, με σταθερή ροή γεγονότων και μια πολυπλοκότητα που ναι μεν προβληματίζει αλλά που, ευτυχώς, δεν κουράζει τον αναγνώστη. Αυτό, όμως, που επιμένω πως θα εκτιμήσει το σύνολο του κοινού, είναι η τρομερή ανάπτυξη του ψυχογραφήματος του Βίστιν και το πως αυτή επηρεάζει την αλληλεπίδρασή του με τους γύρω του, είτε μιλάμε για συναδέλφους, είτε για οικείους του, γεγονός που θεωρώ πως δίνει πολύ καλό υλικό και για τη συνέχεια της σειράς. Πραγματικά, είμαι περίεργη να δω πως ο Horst θα αξιοποιήσει αυτή τη νέα πλευρά του Βίστιν και πως αυτή θα επηρεάσει, ή όχι, την ενεργό του δράση.
Δεδομένου ότι η υπόθεση του βιβλίου είναι αρκετά περίπλοκη και μπερδεμένη, δεν θα μπω στη διαδικασία να σας πω πολλά σχετικά με την πλοκή, όχι επειδή δε δύναμαι να το κάνω, αλλά γιατί το θεωρώ λάθος. Όταν ένα κουβάρι είναι τόσο πολύ μπλεγμένο που αρχικά μοιάζει να μην βγάζει κανένα απολύτως νόημα, και, όμως, φτάνει η στιγμή εκείνη που βρίσκεις τις διαφορετικές άκρες του και ξετυλίγεις τα νήματα ένα προς ένα, με αποτέλεσμα να οδηγηθείς, όχι σε ασφαλή συμπεράσματα, αλλά στα συμπεράσματα που πρέπει να οδηγηθείς, τότε πρόκειται για ένα "ταξίδι" που πρέπει να το πραγματοποιήσεις μόνος σου, γιατί η ελλιπής γνώση μπορεί να σε κάνει να πάρει μονοπάτια που θα σε οδηγήσουν σε λάθος δρόμο, τελικά.
Συνήθως, οι τόσο περίπλοκες ιστορίες δεν είναι και πολύ του γούστου μου, πράγμα που οφείλεται, κυρίως, στην αδυναμία της πλειοψηφίας των συγγραφέων της αστυνομικής λογοτεχνίας, να συράψουν αυτά τα τόσα πολλά και διαφορετικά στοιχεία, μεταξύ τους, ώστε να έχουν λογική και νόημα. Ο Horst, λοιπόν, τα πετυχαίνει όλα αυτά, και όλα τα δεδομένα του έρχονται την κατάλληλη στιγμή, στο σωστό χρόνο και μέρος, για να "κολλήσουν" μεταξύ μας, προσφέροντάς μας, στο σύνολό της, μια σφιχτοδεμένη πλοκή που, αν εξαιρέσουμε ένα μικρό σημείο λίγο μετά τα μισά του βιβλίου όπου γίνεται η επιλεγόμενη "κοιλίτσα", μας καθηλώνει και που τροφοδοτεί συνεχώς και αδιαλείπτως το ενδιαφέρον μας.
Αυτό, όμως, που ξεχωρίζει, και που λάτρεψα, στο συγκεκριμένο βιβλίο, δεν είναι τόσο το αστυνομικό, μυστηριώδες σκέλος του, όσο η εξέλιξη του Βίστιν ως χαρακτήρα. Αν και καθόλα ειλικρινής -στοιχείο που ίσως να τον καθιστά και κάπως ευάλωτο, συνδυαστικά με την εσωτερική ευαισθησία που διαθέτει-, γεγονός που μας έχει επιτρέψει να δούμε και την καλή και την κακή πλευρά του εαυτού του, μέχρι σήμερα δεν είχε υπάρξει ποτέ πιο ανθρώπινος και προσιτός απ' ότι στο "Αδιέξοδο". Περισσότερο από κάθε άλλη φορά, μοιάζει να θέλει να παλέψει για τον εαυτό του, για τη ζωή του, για τον έρωτα, για την σχέση του με την κόρη του, που σύντομα θα του χαρίσει μία ακόμα ιδιότητα, αυτή του παππού. Ένιωσα σα να είδα έναν Βίστιν που θα μπορούσε να είναι ο γείτονας της διπλανής πόρτας, ένας άνθρωπος πιο οικείος και πιο ευκολοπλησίαστος, που αν και δεν είναι πάντα εύκολο, ψάχνει τις σωστές ισορροπίες ανάμεσα στη δουλειά και την οικογένεια, στην επαγγελματική και προσωπική του ζωή.
Εν κατακλείδι, στο μεγαλύτερο μέρος της αφήγησής του, το "Αδιέξοδο", είναι ένα μυθιστόρημα με αρκετή ένταση και γρήγορους ρυθμούς, με σταθερή ροή γεγονότων και μια πολυπλοκότητα που ναι μεν προβληματίζει αλλά που, ευτυχώς, δεν κουράζει τον αναγνώστη. Αυτό, όμως, που επιμένω πως θα εκτιμήσει το σύνολο του κοινού, είναι η τρομερή ανάπτυξη του ψυχογραφήματος του Βίστιν και το πως αυτή επηρεάζει την αλληλεπίδρασή του με τους γύρω του, είτε μιλάμε για συναδέλφους, είτε για οικείους του, γεγονός που θεωρώ πως δίνει πολύ καλό υλικό και για τη συνέχεια της σειράς. Πραγματικά, είμαι περίεργη να δω πως ο Horst θα αξιοποιήσει αυτή τη νέα πλευρά του Βίστιν και πως αυτή θα επηρεάσει, ή όχι, την ενεργό του δράση.
March 29, 2016
This is character-driven police procedural set in small-town Norway, along the lines of Wallander or Beck. It places realistic human characters at the core of a criminal investigation; the discovery of a dead body juxtaposed alongside everyday domestic concerns. A meticulously crafted criminal plot runs in parallel to the events in Chief Inspector William Wisting’s personal life. But Wisting is not the typical melancholic, self-destructive fictional detective, and this is not a book about the bleak extremes of the human soul. Which is why the title doesn’t quite suit it…
As the tenth book in the Wisting series, Ordeal comes with a fully developed cast and a useful ‘previously on…’ intro at the front. A relatively simple missing persons investigation in his district becomes much more complicated when it develops links to other police districts and parallel enquiries. The pleasingly detailed routines of Wisting’s investigation are shadowed by his rising concern that a miscarriage of justice is in process – and how he reacts to that troubling scenario, in the face of concerted opposition from his colleagues – becomes the main theme of a multi-faceted story.
Refreshingly free from implausible action sequences, Ordeal also doesn’t delve into particularly explicit sex or violence, nor does it aim for an atmosphere of high-tension. The plot is intriguing and intelligent, not driven by pulse-pounding suspense. It’s written in crisp, clear, no-nonsense language which eschews the bitter emotional chill and the stark significance of the landscape so often utilised by Nordic writers. Very matter of fact and understated.
In truth, I probably prefer a bit more grit and grime than Ordeal provides. But it’s an extremely well-constructed mystery with a knotty moral conundrum at its core, and it held my attention throughout. So while I’m not rushing off to read the other nine Wisting books, I’d be happy to pick up another on a quiet afternoon.
8/10
There's a more detailed version of this review, and stacks about other crime / thrillers at:
https://murdermayhemandmore.wordpress...
As the tenth book in the Wisting series, Ordeal comes with a fully developed cast and a useful ‘previously on…’ intro at the front. A relatively simple missing persons investigation in his district becomes much more complicated when it develops links to other police districts and parallel enquiries. The pleasingly detailed routines of Wisting’s investigation are shadowed by his rising concern that a miscarriage of justice is in process – and how he reacts to that troubling scenario, in the face of concerted opposition from his colleagues – becomes the main theme of a multi-faceted story.
Refreshingly free from implausible action sequences, Ordeal also doesn’t delve into particularly explicit sex or violence, nor does it aim for an atmosphere of high-tension. The plot is intriguing and intelligent, not driven by pulse-pounding suspense. It’s written in crisp, clear, no-nonsense language which eschews the bitter emotional chill and the stark significance of the landscape so often utilised by Nordic writers. Very matter of fact and understated.
In truth, I probably prefer a bit more grit and grime than Ordeal provides. But it’s an extremely well-constructed mystery with a knotty moral conundrum at its core, and it held my attention throughout. So while I’m not rushing off to read the other nine Wisting books, I’d be happy to pick up another on a quiet afternoon.
8/10
There's a more detailed version of this review, and stacks about other crime / thrillers at:
https://murdermayhemandmore.wordpress...
August 4, 2025
(Lydbok)
3,5
3,5
January 20, 2024
Oh so tempted to say the title reflects my reading....but it didn't. I am not familiar with SW Norway and was lost in the locale. I usually check out location in most fiction I read. (FYI...any fairly new guidebook is perfect and usually very cheap when 2nd hand.) Larvik was not a spot I knew, but the story of the safe on its own was a hook of its own. And it was convoluted enough; with lots dope, nasty killers and a little human interest for the female readers in the persona of a VERY pregnant daughter of a widowed cop to pull me in. Of course it was fiction; there could not be that much dope in SW Norway....really? Did Line really wallpaper that room basically alone? In brown? That is the spoiler. I liked it. Not sure I will seek the series out; but the introduction to Wisting, the cop on whom the series is based, was a surprise and something I appreciated as I came into series on Book #10!.
September 21, 2021
5 stele fără nicio ezitare.
Una dintre cele mai bune apariții de la noi în literatura noir ale acestui an.
Anul trecut, atunci când am citit cel de-al treilea volum al acestei serii publicat la noi cu titlul Omul cavernelor (din păcate, editura Trei nu a tradus primele șase cărți), am fost convins că acesta va reprezenta un moment de vârf al seriei, ce va fi foarte greu de atins. Iată că, din fericire, m-am înșelat, astfel încât Adevăruri ascunse este cel puțin la fel de bun precum romanul precedent, ba chiar, dintr-un anumit punct de vedere, este superior acestuia.
La prima vedere, este vorba despre un roman polițist procedural, sintagmă ce tinde să devină un adevărat clișeu, ce este utilizat de fiecare dată atunci când personajul principal al unui roman este un polițist sau un grup de polițiști (de parcă ar dori cineva să citească un roman polițist doar pentru a fi la curent cu regulamentele/procedurile interne ale unei secții de poliție și nu pentru simpla plăcere a lecturii). În realitate, Adevăruri ascunse este în bună măsură un adevărat roman filosofic, în sensul în care filosofia este o artă a interogației, de a căuta răspunsuri la întrebări esențiale, precum și de a avea convingerea că nu ești unicul posesor al adevărului absolut.
Putem afirma că autorul construiește un univers aflat dincolo de cel polițist procedural, în care la baza meseriei de polițist nu se află procedurile, ci propria sa conștiință. Astfel, principala caracteristică a lui William Wisting, 55 de ani și polițist cu o vechime de 32 de ani, este conștiința sa, faptul de a nu lăsa ca regulamentele rigide să devină un argument pentru comiterea unei nedreptăți. În acest sens, unul dintre citatele mele favorite din acest roman excepțional este următoarea observație a inspectorului Wisting: "Nu se reduce totul la munca de poliție. Facem judecăți și aprecieri tot timpul, îi cântărim pe ceilalți în funcție de hainele pe care le poartă, de mașina pe care o conduc, de casa unde stau, de educație și de ocupație. Uneori avem dreptate, alteori greșim". William Wisting este polițistul care dorește să descopere răspunsul la întrebările din cadrul unei anchete, chiar dacă acest lucru presupune un consum mult mai mare de timp decât să iei de-a gata răspunsurile de la alții.
O altă temă reprezentativă a acestui roman este aceea a eticii, romanul oferind un foarte bun exemplu în ceea ce privește faptul că binele este mai presus decât, citându-l pe inspectorul-șef, "activitatea de poliție de calitate, rapidă și eficientă". Rapiditatea și eficiența nu sunt întotdeauna reperele lucrului temeinic făcut.
Acțiunea romanului păstrează o legătură cu Omul cavernelor, de exemplu faptul că Line, 29 de ani, fiica inspectorului William Wisting, s-a mutat vizavi de tatăl său, în casa în care a locuit Viggo Hansen, bărbatul care a fost găsit mort în locuința sa la patru luni distanță de momentul decesului, dar și explicația pentru care Line, ce urmează să devină curând mama unei fetițe, va fi cel mai probabil o mamă singură.
Noul caz investigat de Wisting este în realitate un caz nerezolvat mai vechi, ancheta fiind foarte aproape de momentul suspendării. Dar a apărut un indiciu nou în acest caz al dispariției taximetristului de 34 de ani, Jens Hummel, în urmă cu mai multe luni.
În paralel cu ancheta derulată de Wisting, Line se întâlnește cu o fostă colegă de școală, Sofie Lund, ce s-a mutat recent în casa bunicului său decedat, Frank Mandt, împreună cu Maja, fiica sa. Frank Mandt a fost poreclit în anii 60 "regele contrabandei", iar Sofie vrea să șteargă din memorie orice urmă a acestuia, cu atât mai mult cu cât, în mod indirect, din cauza lui s-a sinucis în închisoare mama ei. Între cele două femei se va închega o frumoasă relație de prietenie, ce, în mod neașteptat, va aduce elemente noi în ancheta lui Wisting, deoarece în casa contrabandistului decedat există un seif ce conține probe ale unor infracțiuni din trecut. Pe cale de consecință, investigația condusă de Wisting se va dovedi extrem de complexă, dar și profund dilematică, întrucât probele vor indica o legătură cu un alt caz, ce este instrumentat de poliția din Kristiansand. Problema este că polițiștii de acolo sunt foarte aproape să obțină condamnarea pentru crimă a unui nevinovat, iar singura persoană care poate opri acest lucru este William Wisting. Lectură plăcută!
Una dintre cele mai bune apariții de la noi în literatura noir ale acestui an.
Anul trecut, atunci când am citit cel de-al treilea volum al acestei serii publicat la noi cu titlul Omul cavernelor (din păcate, editura Trei nu a tradus primele șase cărți), am fost convins că acesta va reprezenta un moment de vârf al seriei, ce va fi foarte greu de atins. Iată că, din fericire, m-am înșelat, astfel încât Adevăruri ascunse este cel puțin la fel de bun precum romanul precedent, ba chiar, dintr-un anumit punct de vedere, este superior acestuia.
La prima vedere, este vorba despre un roman polițist procedural, sintagmă ce tinde să devină un adevărat clișeu, ce este utilizat de fiecare dată atunci când personajul principal al unui roman este un polițist sau un grup de polițiști (de parcă ar dori cineva să citească un roman polițist doar pentru a fi la curent cu regulamentele/procedurile interne ale unei secții de poliție și nu pentru simpla plăcere a lecturii). În realitate, Adevăruri ascunse este în bună măsură un adevărat roman filosofic, în sensul în care filosofia este o artă a interogației, de a căuta răspunsuri la întrebări esențiale, precum și de a avea convingerea că nu ești unicul posesor al adevărului absolut.
Putem afirma că autorul construiește un univers aflat dincolo de cel polițist procedural, în care la baza meseriei de polițist nu se află procedurile, ci propria sa conștiință. Astfel, principala caracteristică a lui William Wisting, 55 de ani și polițist cu o vechime de 32 de ani, este conștiința sa, faptul de a nu lăsa ca regulamentele rigide să devină un argument pentru comiterea unei nedreptăți. În acest sens, unul dintre citatele mele favorite din acest roman excepțional este următoarea observație a inspectorului Wisting: "Nu se reduce totul la munca de poliție. Facem judecăți și aprecieri tot timpul, îi cântărim pe ceilalți în funcție de hainele pe care le poartă, de mașina pe care o conduc, de casa unde stau, de educație și de ocupație. Uneori avem dreptate, alteori greșim". William Wisting este polițistul care dorește să descopere răspunsul la întrebările din cadrul unei anchete, chiar dacă acest lucru presupune un consum mult mai mare de timp decât să iei de-a gata răspunsurile de la alții.
O altă temă reprezentativă a acestui roman este aceea a eticii, romanul oferind un foarte bun exemplu în ceea ce privește faptul că binele este mai presus decât, citându-l pe inspectorul-șef, "activitatea de poliție de calitate, rapidă și eficientă". Rapiditatea și eficiența nu sunt întotdeauna reperele lucrului temeinic făcut.
Acțiunea romanului păstrează o legătură cu Omul cavernelor, de exemplu faptul că Line, 29 de ani, fiica inspectorului William Wisting, s-a mutat vizavi de tatăl său, în casa în care a locuit Viggo Hansen, bărbatul care a fost găsit mort în locuința sa la patru luni distanță de momentul decesului, dar și explicația pentru care Line, ce urmează să devină curând mama unei fetițe, va fi cel mai probabil o mamă singură.
Noul caz investigat de Wisting este în realitate un caz nerezolvat mai vechi, ancheta fiind foarte aproape de momentul suspendării. Dar a apărut un indiciu nou în acest caz al dispariției taximetristului de 34 de ani, Jens Hummel, în urmă cu mai multe luni.
În paralel cu ancheta derulată de Wisting, Line se întâlnește cu o fostă colegă de școală, Sofie Lund, ce s-a mutat recent în casa bunicului său decedat, Frank Mandt, împreună cu Maja, fiica sa. Frank Mandt a fost poreclit în anii 60 "regele contrabandei", iar Sofie vrea să șteargă din memorie orice urmă a acestuia, cu atât mai mult cu cât, în mod indirect, din cauza lui s-a sinucis în închisoare mama ei. Între cele două femei se va închega o frumoasă relație de prietenie, ce, în mod neașteptat, va aduce elemente noi în ancheta lui Wisting, deoarece în casa contrabandistului decedat există un seif ce conține probe ale unor infracțiuni din trecut. Pe cale de consecință, investigația condusă de Wisting se va dovedi extrem de complexă, dar și profund dilematică, întrucât probele vor indica o legătură cu un alt caz, ce este instrumentat de poliția din Kristiansand. Problema este că polițiștii de acolo sunt foarte aproape să obțină condamnarea pentru crimă a unui nevinovat, iar singura persoană care poate opri acest lucru este William Wisting. Lectură plăcută!
July 23, 2025
3.5 sterren. Niet het sterkste deel van de reeks, maar wel weer spannend. Op naar het volgende deel, dat helaas niet in het Nederlands is vertaald en ik dus in het Noors ga lezen.
March 4, 2017
The fifth book in this excellent series to be translated into English see William Wisting investigating the case of a murdered taxi-driver and discovering that this crime is linked to an earlier murder in a neighbouring county; a murder for which the local police already claim to have the culprit. Both crimes are somehow linked back to recently deceased crime-boss Frank Mandt.
The author's previous career as a senior policeman adds a great deal of authenticity and credibility to this neatly plotted and well-paced procedural novel.
The author's previous career as a senior policeman adds a great deal of authenticity and credibility to this neatly plotted and well-paced procedural novel.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 319 reviews