Mandela-effekten

Selma Falck #3

by Anne Holt

Under et venninnetreff på en fortausrestaurant i september 2019 faller ett enkelt skudd fra en snikskytter. Skuddet treffer Selma Falcks gamle håndballvenn Linda Bruseth i hodet, og skader Selma i armen. Linda er en anonym og ukjent stortingsrepresentant, og både pressen og politiet antar umiddelbart at Selma var det egentlige målet for attentatet. Hun ser ingen grunn til å tvile på dem.

Nærmere undersøkelser fra politiets side viser raskt at alle tar feil: Et parlamentsmedlem er altså likvidert på åpen gate. Når så en dommer i Høyesterett blir funnet hengt og et regjeringsmedlem dør under mystiske omstendigheter, aner Selma at det er et mønster i både valg av ofre og drapsmetoder. Mens hun leter etter svar, snubler hun inn i et tilsynelatende kaos av myndighetsmisbruk, konspirasjoner og personlige tragedier. Og et iskaldt, infamt hevntokt det ser ut til å være umulig å stanse.

Genres: Crime, Audiobook, Mystery, Thriller, Fiction, Womens, Noir

378 pages, Hardcover

First published September 25, 2020

About the author

Anne Holt was born in Larvik, grew up in Lillestrøm and Tromsø, and moved to Oslo in 1978. She graduated with a law degree from the University of Bergen in 1986, and went on to work for The Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation (NRK) and then the Oslo Police Department, earning her right to practice as a lawyer in Norway. In 1990 she returned to NRK, where she worked one year as a journalist and anchor woman for the news program Dagsrevyen.

Holt started her own law practice in 1994, and served as Minister of Justice in Cabinet Jagland for a short period from November 25, 1996 to February 4, 1997.

In 1993 Holt made her debut as a novelist with the crime novel Blind gudinne, featuring the lesbian police officer Hanne Wilhelmsen. The two novels Løvens gap (1997) and Uten ekko (2000) are co-authored with former state secretary Berit Reiss-Andersen.

Holt is one of the most successful crime novelists in Norway. She has been published in 25 countries.




Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.

Reviews

[Ellie Spencer (catching up from hiatus) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rounded up from roughly 2.5 stars ⭐️

A Memory for Murder follows private investigator Selma Flack. At a lunch date with friends a shot rings out. Selma’s friend is killed and Selma is injured. But more suspicious deaths are happening. Many secrets are being covered up.

At first I struggled a little to get into this book, but that was mainly because it’s quite political and that is not my strong suit. However, this book taught me a bit about Norwegian political issues in a way which was easy for me to follow and understand. I love it when I can learn something from a book, books have taught me so much over the years.

However, I really really did not like Selma. I found her rude, selfish and unkind. When her friend is dealing with the most difficult time in their life, all she can care about is herself. I found it so difficult to warm to her nature. She came across as very cold and self centred. I also found a small section where a character was judged because of their choice of religious clothes - particularly difficult to swallow. I almost stopped reading the book completely, it just felt very inappropriate. It is very possible that some parts were just lost in translation, as I did find the translation a little difficult to follow at times. I am aware that there may be cultural differences in how these characters are perceived. I personally won’t be reading any of the other books in this series. But I urge other readers to not be put off by my opinion, you may really enjoy the book and characters. They just weren’t for me unfortunately!

I would recommend this to people who like political thrillers with a ‘strong’ female lead. I want to thank Readers First, Corvus Publishers and Anne Holt for allowing me to read this and give my personal thoughts.

[Paromjit · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the 3rd in Anne Holt's Scandi-Noir series set in Oslo, Norway and featuring her ex-lawyer, now private investigator, Selma Falck. I have read the first in the series but somehow missed the second, this one has Falck meeting close friends, MP Linda Bruseth and Vanja Vegge at a cafe. Falck finds herself injured, the victim of a sniper attack which kills Linda. Falck is a celebrity in Norway, she has a successful sporting background, a contestant on many reality shows, and a reputation for solving difficult and complex cases, with a big presence on social media. Initially, everyone, including the media, assume that Falck was the real target, but she and the police, in the form of Inspector Fredrik Smedstuan, change their minds when a police consultant, ex-military Birgar Jal Nilson, convinces them it was clearly Linda, and that Falck was collateral damage.

Lars Winther is a journalist who has previously worked with Falck, he is not a happy man when his boss, the editor insists that he picks up an exclusive investigation instigated by his colleague, Jonathan Herse, on child services. Child services are usually a nightmare issue to take on, but with Herse now dead after a cycling accident, Lars goes through his papers, becomes interested but finds it hard to decipher his notes, going to Falck for help. Personally, Falck finds herself shaken and shocked when she becomes aware that an intruder has been entering her supposedly safe apartment, a stalker that must know her well as items that have meaning for her are left behind. She turns to traumatised ex-police officer Einar Falsen for help, a man she has helped and supported. Formerly homeless and suffering from a range of mental health issues, Falsen is improving dramatically, as he becomes familiar with just how helpful the internet can be in his investigations. Falck works with Fredrik as further murders occur, a hanging and poisoning.

This a complex case for the flawed Falck, who to be honest can be a unappealing character, she has to battle hard to resist her addiction to gambling. She has a powerful motivation to resist gambling, her daughter, Anine, who has the gift of seeing through her lies, will stop her seeing her young grandson, Skjalg, with whom she has built a strong connection. Falck pays fast and loose with how helpful she is prepared to be with Fredrik and with Lars as she gets closer to the shocking truth, but has little idea of just how much danger she is in. This is a wonderfully entertaining and engaging Scandi-crime read that I think many crime and mystery readers will enjoy. Many thanks to the publisher for an ARC.

[Daniel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fall 3 für Selma Falck
Eine mysteriöse Mordserie startet und die Ermittlerin ist mittendrin, denn sie wird beim ersten scheinbar versehentlich angeschossen? Oder war sie doch das Ziel?
Zusätzlich ist ein Journalist tödlich verunglückt, der gerade an einem Jugendrechtsfall arbeitet, dieser Fall wird weitergereicht.
Gibt es hier eventuell einen Zusammenhang.
Die ersten beiden Fälle haben mich sehr begeistert, dieser hier fällt etwas ab, aber insgesamt immer noch gut.
Gerne mehr!

[Cathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Memory For Murder (translated from the Norwegian by Anne Bruce) is the first book I’ve read by Anne Holt but, on the strength of this one, it certainly won’t be the last!  Although it’s the third in the author’s Selma Falck series, I didn’t feel at a disadvantage from not having read the previous books. True, there are a few references to events in the earlier books (A Grave For Two and A Necessary Death) but if anything it made me even keener to read them at some point.

I really enjoyed getting to know Selma Falck, even if she’s described as being ‘seldom completely herself’. A former lawyer turned private investigator, she’s also been variously a world class handball player, a social media star and a (mostly reformed) gambling addict. She’s also a grandmother eager to be allowed a closer relationship with her grandson, and that forms a key part of her motivation for finding out exactly who was the target of the sniper attack – her or her friend? – who was responsible and why they did it.

Safe to say, there are plenty of twists and turns in a plot which encompasses stalking, government malpractice, contingency planning, adoption, child welfare policy, investigative journalism and much, much more.  It might seem too many topics to cram into one book and still keep the plot moving along and the reader engaged, but Anne Holt manages it – and how! Frequently introducing new characters and different points of view shouldn’t work either, but it does; it’s just more people to either suspect or wonder how they fit into the story. Oh, and never has a round object or an emoji etched in dust been more chilling.

I thought A Memory For Murder was terrific and I simply raced through the pages, admiring the way the author brought all the different threads together to reveal a final picture that’s a good deal darker than you might have expected.

[Melina Roy]

Korrekturlyssning

[Eloise Mohan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm going to start by clarifying that I didn't hate this book, it just wasn't really for me.

There's absolutely nothing wrong with the plot, and I got on okay with the writing style, it was just more of a slow burner than I anticipated.

I'm not sure how I feel about Selma, or any of the characters really. I didn't love any of them, but I guess I could understand that Selma was trying to solve the case herself so she could put it behind her and see her Grandchild again. But she also seemed quite selfish and motivated by being the 'the one'. The last few paragraph also enhanced this feeling too.

However, the storyline itself is a very clever and interesting concept. From the Authors note it appears to be based loosely on some true occurances. The second half of the book kept me interested a lot more and I enjoyed seeing how everything added together and i could start making my own theories along with them.

My biggest issue is that I'm not very political, so throwing politics and Norweigen names and places together was too much for my little brain. I'm sure some others will love this book though if these are not such big obstacles for them.

Thank you to @Readersfirst for the copy to read and review with my own honest opinions.

[Natalie Mackay · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received a free copy of this book from Reader’s First in exchange for an honest review.

I haven’t read the preceding books in this series, and I have to say that for the most part, I am glad.

Difficult to fully understand the main character, on the one hand is nonchalant, to the point of what appears to be boredom when told that someone she knew has died, one of her best friends is killed at the start of the book and I thought the dismissal of this was due to shock - it isn’t. This becomes more apparent when the child of someone who appears to be a close friend is injured and she positively glazes over at the news. On the other hand, she is painted to be a completely dedicated and besotted grandmother who is desperate to spend time with her grandchild - someone she cares for deeply and longs to be around and interact with and keep safe. That clash is difficult to comprehend.

Furthermore, the lead character, for me, is not a likeable character. She is depicted as an almost perfect specimen of a human being - fit and healthy for her age - her bullet wound appears to be almost healed within a week, she’s good looking and brilliant at everything she turns her hand to - whether this is being a lawyer, a private detective or playing handball. There is a fixation on status as well, not sure if this is a cultural difference but we are told how much she earns and she boasts about how much she used to earn in her previous job, she has a swanky expensive flat (where hers is the only one with a balcony, just to add exclusivity) and a brand new Volvo (mentioned more than once) - none of which adds anything to the storyline. She has an air of arrogance about her, she didn’t say it, but I did frequently think she was going to say to people “don’t you know who I am?” I realise she is relatively famous but it’s almost her defining trait.

It’s a real shame because the story is great, full of mystery, conspiracy and a bit of action. It’s clever in places but unfortunately for me, what could have been a 4 star is demoted to just a 3.

[Maria Lind · Rating 2 out of 5]

Dette var rett og slett en kjedelig krim som jeg kun fullførte for å bli ferdig med den.
Historien er ikke engasjerende og jeg er usikker på om jeg i det hele tatt liker hovedpersonen. Forrige bok var god - denne er jeg litt skufet over.

[Kin · Rating 1 out of 5]

Ce la siamo giocata! Una delle più valide gialliste europee incistata su questo personaggio, tra telenovelas e giornalismo d'inchiesta conplottista.Pesantissimo e noioso. A pag 270 abbandonato.

[Tilda · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting story but very slow and longwinded, at least from my point of view.

[Juliat · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the third book in the Selma Falck series by Anne Holt. It has been ably translated from Norwegian by Anne Bruce and the English prose flows well.

Selma is a super athlete with remarkable mental abilities. She started out as a high powered lawyer before becoming a private investigator who catches murderers.
The novel starts with her being shot with a ricochet that killed her friend and the plot twists and turns thereafter keeping you interested in reading more. The excitement continues as there are two other intriguing murders somehow linked together but all done very differently to the others. What’s the motivation?

This is an entertaining bit of escapism ideal to while away those long cold winter evenings with your feet up and finding out eventually who did it!

I was given this book by Readerfirst in return for an honest review

[Hazel Tyson · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was such a shame. I managed to get three quarters of the way through and then I just couldn’t take anymore. Just when you think something is going to happen you get hit with a whole load of political spiel, boring the tears out of me, and then you are steered slightly back on track only to find they are no further forward in the story. Each character is particularly bland, but could have had so much more potential. Selma Falck is a private investigator, pretty famous in the town she lives and rubs shoulders with fairly important people. Her government friend is shot dead whilst sitting right next to her and she has to decide whether to pursue trying to find out who shot her and why or find out who the mysterious person is entering her flat uninvited and leaving memorabilia from her childhood days behind. It’s all a little messy and just not entertaining enough for me. I’m sure it will tick someone else’s boxes though.

[Paula · Rating 1 out of 5]

Sloooooow, boring,predictable. And the main character is insufferable.
Holt did the same thing with her other series;Hanne Wilhelmsen started well,smart and likeable.
No more Holt for me

[Kicki · Rating 5 out of 5]

Så sjukt bra!! Ibland tänker jag att jag sätter för höga betyg på de böcker jag läser, men det är ju för att jag bara läser bra böcker 😆. Jag vet vad jag gillar och läser säkra kort oftast. Ibland gör jag någon utsvävning till någon populär bok i annan genre. Ibland blir det bra ändå, ibland inte…Anne Holts böcker är nog det säkraste kort som finns (möjligtvis förutom Stephen King) när man ska välja bok efter författare. Alla hennes böcker är bättre än bara bra. Den här, bok nummer tre om Selma Falck är inget undantag. Den är suverän! Storyn rör sig i nutidspolitisk diskussion, utifrån vårt nordiska perspektiv där människors tillit till vår styrning och våra myndigheter inte är fullt så stabil som den varit och behöver vara för att samhället ska vara starkt. Detta med inslag av härliga karaktärer och så Selma. Jag älskar henne trots att hon egentligen är en rätt kantig person. Det är svårt att lägga ifrån sig boken, man vill veta hur, vad, varför och tempot är högt utan att kännas stressigt eller konstlat. Tonen är som alltid en perfekt avvägning mellan korrekt och ironi/humor. Sååå bra! Har ni inte läst Annes böcker så läs dem, om Selma, om Hanne, om Inger Johanne och Sara. Olika serier, olika kvinnor, verkligen alla lika bra!
Storyn rör sig i nutidspolitisk diskussion, utifrån vårt nordiska perspektiv där människors tillit till vår styrning och våra myndigheter inte är fullt så stabil som den varit och behöver vara för att samhället ska vara starkt. Detta med inslag av härliga karaktärer och så Selma. Jag älskar henne trots att hon egentligen är en rätt kantig person. Det är svårt att lägga ifrån sig boken, man vill veta hur, vad, varför och tempot är högt utan att kännas stressigt eller konstlat. Tonen är som alltid en perfekt avvägning mellan korrekt och ironi/humor. Sååå bra! Har ni inte läst Annes läs dem, om Selma, om Hanne, om Inger Johanne och Sara. Olika serier, olika kvinnor, verkligen alla lika bra!

[loopyloulaura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Private investigator Selma Falck is enjoying a drink with friends when a shot rings out. Her best friend is dead and she herself has a flesh wound. Who was the real target and why?
A Memory For Murder is the third book to feature Selma Falck but it is the first book in the series that I have read. There are tantalising mentions of events in the past which I assume were covered in the first two books.
The majority of the book is written through Selma's third person narrative as she struggles to come to terms with her friend's death and the subsequent investigation. Meanwhile she gains password protected information about child welfare concerns. And more bodies are discovered...
There are also sections of the book from a man at the grave of his wife and this raises questions about the relevance to the main plot. This provided an emotional pull which was minimal in the rest of the book, as well as a mystery as to his identity.
The book is set is Oslo and deals a lot with politics as well as having a brief mention of a looming pandemic. This is not a country I am overly familiar with so it was interesting to read about how the government and police work in Norway.
I found it difficult to relate to Selma. I wonder if I would have warmed to her more if I knew more of her backstory from the previous book. She is a flawed character with her gambling addiction barely under control. Yet she doesn't seem to be very emotional even though someone has been in her apartment and her friend is dead, possibly an accident when she herself was the true target.
The character that really shone for me was Einar. I loved his vulnerability, excitability and anxious personality, and he seemed to be well developed compared to the other characters that feature in the book.
A Memory For Murder is an interesting book and I hope to read the previous books in the series.

[Mai Laakso · Rating 4 out of 5]

Norjalaisen Anne Holtin Hyytävä kosto on kolmas osa Selma Falck-sarjassa. Kirjan alussa oltiin vuodessa 2010, mutta muuten kirja kertoi vuoden 2019 syyskuun tapahtumista. Tällä kertaa päähenkilö Selma Falck joutui heti alussa ammutuksi ja tapahtumassa kuoli hänen hyvä ystävänsä, joka toimi kansanedustajana. Ystävä oli hyvin kiltti ihminen, joten media oli sitä mieltä, että ampujan kohteena oli ollut vain ja ainoastaan Selma. No Selmallahan riitti vihollisia. Niitä hän oli kerännyt toimiessaan asianajajana.

Selma Falck on reilu viiskymppinen entinen asianajaja, joka ei ihan vähästä lannistu. Sarjan kakkososassa hänet yritettiin murhata, mutta niinpä vain sai selvitettyä senkin tapauksen. Selmalla on aikuinen tytär ja yksi lapsenlapsi, jota hän hoitaisi mielellään, mutta tytär rankaisi häntä jatkuvasti kieltämällä yhteydenpidon ja yhdessäolon lapsensa kanssa. Aika tuttua touhua monessa perheessä.

Anne Holtin Hyytävä kosto vei syksyiseen Osloon, jossa tappaja oli kehittänyt suunnitelman yhteiskunnan päättäjiä kohtaan. Suunnitelman, joka herättäisi kohua. Anne Holtin huippulaadukas Selma Falck-sarja on koukuttanut minut, joten jännityksellä odotan seuraavaa sarjan dekkaria.

[Tony Nielsen · Rating 4 out of 5]

My love affair with the Nordic noir genre is still alive and well. A Memory for Murder is again an engrossing read with now private investigator Selma Falck as the focal character. Be warned. While Anne Holt has written a mesmerising story, the plot and characters do, at times, demand your intense concentration.

The storyline is based almost exclusively in Norway and in the inner sanctums of Government. A series of deaths at first seem to not be linked. The first is obviously a murder as a female MP is shot while in a local cafe. The second seems like suicide hanging and the third is perplexing but finally is found to also be a murder with the drug ricin.

Selma Falck is a very interesting character and high profile in Norway because of her earlier exploits in solving a major mystery. A Memory for Murder requires her to bring her crime solving skills beyond which she thought possible. For a start its much more personal as her own life seems to be unraveling. This is a book that you may struggle with but in the end is very rewarding.

[Arianna · Rating 3 out of 5]

The plot was ambitious and quite complex. There were quite a few characters and I did struggle at times to remember who was who. I think this was made more tricky for me because it took me a fair while to read as I didn't find it gripping.

I did enjoy the story and it was a really good whodunnit. I was not able to work out who was responsible until it was unveiled but the ending didn't wow me. It was a satisfying end but didn't blow me away.

This is the third book in a series and I think many of the issues I had with this read would not have been a problem had I have read the earlier books in the series. It does work as a standalone book but I would recommend starting from the first book with this particular series.

I loved the start of the book and found throughout the book that there were bits I really enjoyed and then other bits that seemed unnecessarily long and drawn out.

A real mixed bag all in all!

[Zoe · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an exceptional read. At first, I was not excited about this book. My first impression was that it was just... OK and was indecisive of whether I would want to read it as I lacked interest from my first impression. Nonetheless, I thought that it is a genre I enjoy reading and would therefore give it a chance and wow, how glad I am that I did. My opinion of this book completely changed as I got further and further into the story.
There is a lot going on throughout the book and it may seem impossible to fit so much in, such as different aspects of malpractice and negligence and crime. Along with many different characters which are introduced throughout the book. But it works, I feel as a reader that I am not overwhelmed and am able to follow the plot well and understand each aspect and character. Anne Bruce is a fantastic author who has made a very engaging book that I would recommend to many.

[Lucie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Once again, not my usual type of read, but I have been trying to challenge myself and read a bit outside of my usual genres over the last couple of years, so this was one of those attempts. Anne Holt is obviously well known for Nordic crime fiction, so this felt like a safe bet to give it a go although I had not previously read anything by the author. The book sets the scene pretty quickly, it reads well and at the beginning you just want to find out what happens next. And then, something strange happens and it all goes downhill from there. Pages and pages go and on without anything actually happening, it all gets very dry and confusing and you start losing interest and only keep going because you feel this is supposed to be a good book by a good writer. My research suggested that there are previous books with the same characters, so perhaps I missed out on getting to know them and connecting with them, but I just did not enjoy this book at all and found it painful to keep going.

[Sharon · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Memory for Murder, Selma Falck #3. Anne Holt. 6.49 March 2022. Pre ordered iBook.

Selma is just not a character I’m ever going to warm to but she gets cases solved in the end …. There are too many characters in this storyline and it could have been tightened up a little but it is a good read. As are all of Anne Holt’s books.

“””When former high-powered lawyer turned PI Selma Falck is shot and her oldest friend, a junior MP, is killed in a sniper attack, everyone - including the police - assume that Selma was the prime target.

But when two other people with connections to the MP are also found murdered, it becomes clear that there is a wider conspiracy at play.

As Selma sets out to avenge her friend's death, and discover the truth behind the conspiracy, her own life is threatened once again. Only this time, the danger may be closer to home than she could possibly have realised... “””
And so much more.

[Hannah · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'd first like to thank the team at Readers First for sending me a copy of this book in return for a review.

A Memory For Murder actually ticks all the boxes I'd usually have when it comes to finding the right book. There's a mystery, there's crime, there are secrets around every corner. However, I just couldn't get into this.

I have another Anne Holt book sitting on my to-read shelf, and after starting Memory For Murder, I just can't bring myself to try another one of Anne's novels for a while. I'm not sure whether it was a timing thing, or whether it was down to just being uninterested or simply because I hadn't read the others in the franchise, but I couldn't gel with the characters, I couldn't get sucked into the story. It didn't appeal to me on days when I really wanted to read.

I definitely think I am going to pick it back up again in the future, but for now... I have to mark this as DNF.

[Caroline · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed enjoyed this book. Thank you to Reader's First for sending me an advanced copy to read and review.
I read the first book in this series, and was really pleased to receive this book, as it is written in the same style and moves along at a good pace.
There are several references to previous books in the series which was a little jarring in places, but overall the story line was good, and Selma is a really interesting lead character who you want to succeed. I enjoyed her relationships with other characters in the book, particularly with her daughter which was really tough to read in places, but very well done.
Because it is translated from another language, there are a few places where the language feels a little odd, but generally it is very well done and does not distract from the overall story.
I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys crime fiction.

[Heather McKay · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Memory For Murder is the third offering in Anne Holt's Scandi Noir series featuring private investigator Selma Falck

The story opens with tragedy when Selma's friend is shot and killed when the group of three friends meet in a cafe.

The reason for the shooting is not known.... was it a targeted assassination, or a random shooting? Was Selma the real target?

As the body count rises, we discover more about Selma's discordant family and her physical, mental and emotional struggles following her injury and hospitalisation after a previous case put her in a lifethreatening position.

As we are introduced to the other players in in story, we are constantly encouraged to change our minds as to who has what secret , who is guilty, and who is innocent.

There are many likeable (and less likeable!) characters and the author builds and keeps a great level of tension as the tale progresses.

[Nicola Albinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

The cover of Memory for Murder would not have drawn me to the book, however once I started reading it I found it hard to stop and I can see why the Author is Number One Crime writer in Norway. The book is fast paced and although it is the third instalment, it is a separate story so you will pick it up very quickly.
It all starts with three women meeting for lunch and one of them is killed but was she the target and if so why. This leads into lots of twists and turns and several stories all running alongside of the murder. Selma is the main character and she wants to find out if she was meant to be the target or why her best friend was killed. This means that she has to use all of her contacts and skills to discover a dark side of the Government department looking after Children and solve the connection.
Meanwhile there are other murders are these connected or not. Really enjoyed this book and will look out for more books by this author.

[Lauren · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the third book in Norwegian crime writer Anne Holt's Selma Falck series, but it stands well enough on its own that I understood everything despite not having read the others. Threads of history and the characters' pasts are woven into this particular narrative, so any questions I had about relationships or reactions were always answered.

I am in awe of how complex the plot is, and how the author manages to drop subtle hints throughout the book that you, as a reader, totally disregard until something is discovered that deems them important. There's a whole lot going on from start to finish, which can be tricky to follow at times, but when it all pulls together it's so brilliantly clever that it makes up for all the prior confusion.

Personally, I found Selma Falck unlikeable and unfeeling, although in her line of work and having lived through what she has, that's relatively understandable. She is also a great thinker and detective, and I definitely admired her drive and ambition.

All in all, if you enjoy twisty whodunnits with multiple perspectives and expertly hidden clues, look out for this one.

[Vix · Rating 3 out of 5]

I struggled to fully get into this one and I think it's because I really didn't like Selma and also there was quite a lot of politics.

Underneath all the descriptions and dialogue there was a good story that linked together well - however I was frustrated by the murderer.

I actually detested Selma, maybe if I'd read the other books I'd have more sympathy for her, but I felt she had no redeeming qualities and actually treated others very poorly - e.g. not caring about a "friend's son being in an accident".
I also felt there was a lot of text, too much; I skim read quite a few parts due to the unnecessary details.

Overall, it's difficult to say if I'd recommend it. If you like all the politics then it might be for you - depending if you can get over Selma's attitude.

*I received a complimentary copy of the book from Readers First and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

[bokhyllaniskuggan · Rating 2 out of 5]

❥ Recension

Del 3 i serien om Selma Falck.

Anne Holt är en riktigt bra författare som generellt har ett bra språk, persongalleri, miljöbeskrivningar och dialoger. Men det här blir tyvärr den sista boken jag kommer läsa i den här serien. Den är helt enkelt inte för mig. Jag älskar Anne Holts serie om Hanne Wilhelmsen men jag tycker böckerna i denna serie är för ojämna.

Precis som i förra boken, Operation Fosterland, och faktiskt även första boken, En grav för två, pendlar jag hela tiden mellan att tycka det är väldigt spännande och så plötsligt är det alldeles för politiskt och, enligt mig, tråkigt. Det är synd för huvudkaraktären Selma Falck tycker jag är suverän och även hennes side kick.

Boken får 🌲🌲 av 5.

[Don Miller · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have read some previous Anne Holt novels, but this was my first Selma Falck one. I must admit I found it fairly plodding, with the main character selfish and unlikeable. A pity, because I usually find Norwegian Noir interesting. Furthermore, there were times when your credibility was stretched - examples include Selma desperately trying to get hold of her police inspector friend on her phone, but nevertheless refusing to answer her own from other key players at the same time! The Mandela Effect is an interesting concept, which I suspect many people experience on occasion. Is it time to retire Selma Falck?

[Rog Harrison · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the fifteenth book which I have read by this Norwegian author and this is the third book in this series about a lawyer turned private detective.

In this story Selma has a stalker and gets wounded in a cafe when sitting with a friend who is killed by a sniper. At first Selma wonders if she were the intended victim but when another murder takes place she realises that there may be a motive for both murders. I found this a compelling read but this may not be to everyone's taste as some of the characters are bizarre and the plot is outlandish.