A Necessary Death

Selma Falck #2

by Anne Holt

Andre bok i serien om Selma Falck. Selma våkner til et mareritt. Hun er naken i en brennende hytte på snaufjellet. Hukommelsen er borte, hun aner verken hvor hun er eller hvordan hun har havnet der. Mørbanket og blødende er det bare med nød og neppe hun berger seg ut av koia. Uten klær, men i et par altfor store gummistøvler, ser hun hytta brenne ned til ingenting. Det er ingen tegn til bebyggelse i nærheten, temperaturen synker og en snøstorm setter inn.Selma må overleve. Mens Selma kjemper mot skader og frost, sult og tørst, kommer minnene tilbake i brokker. Hun strever med å sette dem sammen, men etterhvert danner det seg et skremmende bilde av det siste halvårets hendelser. Selma innser at det ikke bare er viktig å leve videre, men å komme seg raskt tilbake til sivilisasjonen. Drap er begått, stor urett må stanses. Det står om selve nasjonens framtid. Og Selmas frist for å gripe inn er dessuten uhyggelig kort.

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

480 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2019

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

[Uhtred · Rating 2 out of 5]

A silly book. 590 useless pages, very slow, where something happens only towards the end. Perhaps the Norwegians will find interesting all the implications related to the stories of the Norwegian secret services, but for everyone else I think it is a boring book. Calling it "a Selma Falk investigation" is really such a huge exaggeration that it seems like a mockery. Bad.

[Mario · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is quite a departure from Anne Holt's two previous series, both of which I very much enjoyed.

It is a political drama, involving an undercover subversive organisation, which had it’s roots in the Second World War, that destabilises people and politicians it doesn't agree with. I’m afraid the story simply didn't appeal to me at all.

In addition I found the main character, Selma Falck, to be totally unbelievable. Beautiful, olympic medalist, famous celebrity, brilliant at everything and single handedly solving crimes that the police are unaware of.

The writing style is enjoyable and there is drama and tension at certain stages which lift it to two stars but looking at the next in the series, which is another political drama, I've decided I shall be putting Anne Holt on the back burner until a new protagonist arrives.

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Necessary Death, (Selma Falck #2) by Anne Holt 2020

I confess I preferred Anne Holt’s earlier series and have difficulty warming to Selma but this was a very challenging storyline with a great many twists of politics and nationalism from the past, WWII to current day issues and influences. Extremely well written plus the survival techniques and issues Selma had to use after the fire to survive were truly fascinating, daunting and quite an adventure! Many good to powerful characters. Very much recommend this good read.

[Paula · Rating 1 out of 5]

Oh,my.

[Lesley Williamson · Rating 4 out of 5]

The plot of this novel was astonishing - and based on something historically accurate and carefully researched. The narrative was fascinating and it was frightening that the issues raised continue to get even worse.
Although I find Selma Flack an amazing character, I felt that some of the events in the Autumn sections were pushing belief a bit! However, the rest of the novel was great with the characters and narrative so believable and interesting.
I am really looking forward to the next novel.

[Scott · Rating 3 out of 5]

Definitely could have been 100 pages shorter, felt like a lot of nothing happening, and a lot of padding it out.

[Astrid · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75*

[Björn · Rating 1 out of 5]

Långtråkig. Efter att ha läst en tredjedel lade jag ner läsandet. Mycket textutfyllnad. Det spännande med Selma var lite under den delen. Den kanske slutar bra men dit orkar jag inte läsa. Ettan var bättre.

[Jessica · Rating 3 out of 5]

Andra boken om Selma Falck, kändisadvokaten/privatdetektiven med spelproblem. Jag minns nu att jag började på den första, men tyckte inte den var intressant, oops.

Den här är bra, även om politiska konspirationer inte är min grej riktigt. Bästa delen är när Selma försöker överleva att ha blivit lämnad på fjället utan varken kläder, mat eller telefon...

[Saj · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ihan mukaansatempaava jännäri, josta tosin poliittisten kiemuroitten ja historian osuutta olisi ollut varaa reilusti vähentää. Varsinainen juoni oikaistiin nyt lopussa, vaikka loppuratkaisu ihan tyydyttävä muutoin olikin. En arvannut kaikkia käänteitä ja päähenkilö oli kaikessa ongelmallisuudessaan kyllä varsin kiinnostava. 

[BoardInMalibu · Rating 5 out of 5]

A NECESSARY DEATH by Anne Holt is the second installment in the Selma Falck series. Selma is an accidental detective that has found great success after solving her first case. In just 5 months, Selma is now financially secure and has established herself as a private detective with a sterling reputation.

Selma is still estranged from her family after her gambling addiction is revealed, so an invitation to her only daughter’s wedding is irresistible. The grooms sudden, shocking death at the wedding reception intrigues Selma. The grooms death hints at a *deep state* but could this conspiracy theory really be possible in a liberal democracy? Holt explores the impact of social media on politics, politicians, citizens and journalism. The timing of the English translation of this book, immediately following the 2020 US Presidential election is uncanny. Right-wing and Left-wing extremists trolling the internet, active Russian influence campaigns, international alliances under siege, online and print journalism integrity questioned are all tightly packed in this crime thriller.

The protagonist is much more developed in this book. In book #1, it took a leap of faith to *like* the whip smart, rather selfish Selma. In book #2, Selma is relate-able and interesting. We learn that Selma is an Olympic Silver medalist, a frequent TV/radio guest, an A-list celebrity, a straight single woman, a generous friend and actually does want a relationship with her family.

Holt is an author I have read for years, I always become invested in her protagonists and the same is true with this new series. I’d say this new book in the Selma Falck series is a much more enjoyable than the debut, it’s tense, the descriptions are rich, it’s beautifully written and it is a great plot. I’m looking forward to the next book in the Selma Falck series. Highly recommended.

[Nina Høegh-Larsen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Both an interesting and a scary read. Couldn't put it down once it got going. The only problem is that I for some reason totally dislike the main character. Which is a feat in itself from the author, actually :)

[Lynda Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn't like this second story as much as the first featuring Selma Falck. I tended to get a little bogged down with the surfeit of political "stuff" in this one and it made me glaze over here and there. Especially being another country's politics. I'm not THAT over-enamoured with our own, let alone trying to grasp what's occurring over in Norway !! Once more there are a lot of characters, necessitating quite a bit of flicking backwards and forwards to remind me who was who.
However, you can't fault this author for weaving a tremendous tale. As soon as I had a firmer grasp on who was who I enjoyed it a lot more. I delighted in Selma and Einar's relationship once again, and her great deal of thought and kindness in her dealings with him. I also like Jesper a great deal, so I hope he'll pop up in book 3. I was torn with the inclusion of Lupus as I was convinced she was going to overlook him, so the ending made me sniffy where he was concerned and Selma went up in my estimation a great deal. I hope we see him once again as well. If she'd been mean to him or abandoned him I would've been finished with her as I'd have disliked her intensely for that. Mina drove me to drink......what a whiny, horrible brat altogether she was !! Another quite detestable person was Anine. I wouldn't have been sorry if some awful fate had befallen either of these women !
Considering Ms Holt's prior career, the storyline behind this one really makes you think....of course she advises us that it's fiction but of course all fiction derives from personal experience in some fashion.....and the story is very topical, even including Mr Trump.
Once again I had a chuckle at the obligatory mention of the Farris Water. She never lets them down !! So I do hope they appreciate her efforts. There are too many formatting/grammatical mistakes in a bestseller's book, however. Random spaces in words then missed ones, the same for commas and apostrophes......
Something else I spotted was the reference to Heinz soup needing dilution and that Campbell's doesn't. It's the opposite way round here. I Googled pulkas only to find it should be pulks, too.
One line I highlighted which I really liked, "Her whole dad was shaking." Halfway through this I wasn't sure I'd stick with this series but I'm pleased I stuck with it and look forward to the next story now, assuming she is writing one !!

[Liselotte Howard · Rating 3 out of 5]

Det är lite kul att läsa efterordet till den här boken, och inse att Holt hade fått höra mina betänkligheter redan under skrivstadiet. Då från sin fru, som - precis som jag - undrade om "den liberala demokratins kris" verkligen var material för en underhållningsroman...
Det är det inte riktigt.
Hur mycket jag än uppskattar smarta författare som är insatta i sitt material (vilket i princip alltid gäller för Holt), och hur mycket jag än håller med om analysen och - till skillnad från seriemördar-deckare med Freudianska förklaringsmodeller - anser att den f.d. politikern här verkligen hittat en samtida samhällsfråga att gräva i, så... blir det en konstig konstruktion att trycka in i en "vår egensinniga hjälte löser brott som tangerar hennes eget liv"-bok.
Att Selma Falck själv är konstig har jag lättare att hantera, och stör mig lite mindre på än i första boken. Den boken fick en trea - och det får den här också. På något sätt känns det lite snålt, för Holt sticker som sagt ut med sin kunskap - både om fakta och form. Men samtidigt läser jag deckare för underhållning och verklighetsflykt. Hotade politiker, åsikter som drar iväg för långt åt både höger och vänster, samt ryska fake news är alla lite för nära dagens demokratiska problem för att fylla den funktionen.
Jag hoppas Anne lyssnar lite mer på frugan nästa gång (för ja, jag fortsätter läsa henne, precis som jag gjort ända sedan 90-talet.)

[Marles Henry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Selma is surprisingly gifted and intelligent. A once Olympic Silver medalist and TV/radio personality, she is well known and high profile. And she is also a mother, estranged from her daughter, a gambling addict, and seems so isolated. I met Selma in “A Necessary Death” where she attends her estranged daughter’s wedding at the invitation of her future son-in-law of some minutes. It is his demise at the wedding that plagues Selma – is there more to this incident?  How can there be so much treachery and collusion surrounding a death at a wedding? So much detail and layering of motives and back stories fill this book. It was a slower read for me because of the intricacies in each of the story lines emerging and intertwining . Selma’s relationship with Einar Falsen dotted the story with some lightness and human emotion.  I could feel the icy coldness through my bones as Selma walked on for her survival. I had a sense of anger around Mejer and his family, in particular to his daughter, Mina.  This is where Anne Holt brought in our reality into her book: the impact of social media, the dangers of corruption and government, trolls and vindication. And all of their connections back to Selma and her family may seem incredible, yet plausible. Highly recommend this book.

[Mai Laakso · Rating 5 out of 5]

Norjalaisen Anne Holtin Jäinen painajainen jatkaa Selma Falck-sarjaa. Päähenkilö on siis asianajaja Selma Falck, jolta on viety mahdollisuus toimia asianajajana. Jäinen painajainen meinaa viedä häneltä hengen, mutta päähenkilönä hän jää henkiin ja selvittää Norjan valtakuntaa ravistelevan skandaalin. Myös sarjan ensimmäisessä dekkarissa Falck selvitti skandaalin hiihtopiireistä. Lisäksi kirjoissa ratkaistaan henkirikoksia dekkarityyliin.

Anne Holt on itse asianajaja, joten päähenkilön ammatista taitaa olla omakohtaisia kokemuksia. Tällä kertaa tarinassa liikutaan politiikan huipulla. Politiikastahan liikkuu Suomessakin kaikenlaista kommentointia, poliitikotkin kun ovat ihmisiä ja tekevät virheitä. Selma Falck pääsi politiikkovävynsä kutsumana tyttärensä häihin, joihin hänellä ei olisi muuten ollut mitään asiaa. Häissä tapahtui kuolemantapaus, jota Falck ryhtyi tutkimaan.

Anne Holtilla on varma draamantaju. Jäisen painajaisen alku koukutti minut välittömästi, sillä päähenkilö oli tajuttomaksi hakattuna mökissä keskellä ei mitään, alastomana ja ulkona oli talvi. Lisäksi mökki oli sytytetty palamaan. Siitä voit jatkaa tämän kirjan parissa ja olen varma, että kokutut heti kirjan alusta yhtä varmasti kuin minäkin.

[Ettlitetkapitel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Selma Falck vaknar naken i en brinnande stuga. Hon har inget minne av hur hon kom dit.
Hon lyckas ta sig ut ur stugan och ser den brinna ner till grunden. Nu står hon ensam på fjällen, inte en människa i närheten och temperaturen sjunker. Sakta börjar minne komma tillbaka till henne, och hon inser att hon måste överleva och ta sig tillbaka till civilisationen. Människors liv står på spel.

Historien i sig är en riktigt fullpoängare, den är stundtals så spännande att det inte går att sluta läsa.
Men den dras samtidigt ner av all politik och historia som gör att det stundtals tyvärr blir rätt sömnigt. Operation fosterland är precis som del 1 (En grav för två) välskriven, Holt utstrålar kunnighet om det hon skriver. Men trots att jag läser om denna fantastiska Selma Falck som jag bara älskar mer och mer för övrigt, så är där ändå stora partier i boken där jag faktiskt inte känner mig underhållen. Mer Selma Falck och mindre politik hade gett mig mer underhållning.

[Rex Fausett · Rating 4 out of 5]

Crime and politics are hardly strange bedfellows. Indeed, more politician need to be disposed of but apparently it's not a national sport yet. Perhaps it could be added as a Olympic sport, obviously the winter games in this book. I enjoyed it. I know very little about Norwegian politics but I know more now than when I started this book. Interesting that the immigrant problems as perceived by the locals are the same as they are in Sweden. Already noted by Jo Nesbo of course. I'll seek out more Holt stories. Note the two quotes at the front of the book.
It is a paradox that liberal democracy's greatest strength is also its greatest weakness: tolerance of those who wish to destroy it.
And:
Previously we politicians were made to pay if we did something wrong. Nowadays we're met with malice, contempt and hate when we do the right thing.

[Antonella Gramola-Sands · Rating 3 out of 5]

My first read of Anne Holt’s novels, one of Scandinavia's most important crime writers and former Minister of Justice in her country, who skilfully leads us into the complex dynamics that regulate power games. In addition to the very clever narrative construction, the book stands out for its strong topicality, since it deals with some burning issues: the intrusive weight of the media and social networks; the way in which groups of power use them to influence, in a more or less limpid manner, users who are less and less able to control sources and information; the growing risk of a rampant digital illiteracy, which, by preventing users from correctly disentangling themselves from the information found on the web, risks compromising the democratic stability of western political systems. A very interesting read, although I found it a bit too long and complicated at times.

[BoardInMalibu · Rating 5 out of 5]

A NECESSARY DEATH by Anne Holt is the second installment in the Selma Falck series. Selma is an accidental detective that has found great success after solving her first case. In just 5 months, Selma is now financially secure and has established herself as a private detective with a sterling reputation.

Selma is still estranged from her family after her gambling addiction is revealed, so an invitation to her only daughter’s wedding is irresistible. The grooms sudden, shocking death at the wedding reception intrigues Selma. The grooms death hints at a *deep state* but could this conspiracy theory really be possible in a liberal democracy? Holt explores the impact of social media on politics, politicians, citizens and journalism. The timing of the English translation of this book, immediately following the 2020 US Presidential election is uncanny. Right-wing and Left-wing extremists trolling the internet, active Russian influence campaigns, international alliances under siege, online and print journalism integrity questioned are all tightly packed in this crime thriller.

The protagonist is much more developed in this book. In book #1, it took a leap of faith to like the whip smart, rather selfish Selma. In book #2, Selma is relate-able and interesting. We learn that Selma is an Olympic Silver medalist, a frequent TV/radio guest, an A-list celebrity, a straight single woman, a generous friend and actually does want a relationship with her family.

Holt is an author I have read for years, I always become invested in her protagonists and the same is true with this new series. I’d say this new book in the Selma Falck series is a much more enjoyable than the debut, it’s tense, the descriptions are rich, it’s beautifully written and it is a great plot. I’m looking forward to the next book in the Selma Falck series. Highly recommended.

[Miki Jacobs · Rating 5 out of 5]

Selma Falck is engaged to find out who killed her son-in-law at his wedding to her estranged daughter. The person who asks for her help is the restaurant owner whose reputation and business will suffer dire consequences if they are found culpable.
In the meantime a group cloaked in secrecy have met to discuss national security and vote against a particular action.
When unfortunate things start happening to extremists no one joins the dots apart from members of the secret group.
However Selma has come to their attention and puts herself in peril.

The story flicks between the current day and events leading up to it and to begin with is slightly disconcerting to begin with, but you soon get into the groove.

[Rog Harrison · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am a fan of this Norwegian author's books and I really enjoyed her first book featuring Selma Falck so I was pleased to get hold of this second book. As ever the author gives you information about what is happening but does not reveal why it is happening until much later. Also the action in the book moves between the present and the past so it took me some time before I got into the swing of the story. The plot is outrageous but makes for a compelling read. However I did feel that things got a bit over-complicated. Apparently there is a further book in this series which has not yet been translated into English.

[Deborah · Rating 4 out of 5]

La vita di Selma Falck ormai è segnata e la causa dei suoi guai è lei stessa. Per questo quando si presenta l'occasione di riscattarsi agli occhi della figlia non esita un istante a buttarsi in mezzo ad un intrigo socio-politico. Purtroppo prima di poter risalire la china bisogna sempre toccare il fondo e in questo Selma è ormai un'esperta.
L'inizio è un pò lento, bisogna andare avanti con la lettura per capire come si incastrano gli eventi. Ho trovato un pò noiosi i discorsi sulla politica interna ed estera norvegese però la storia è coinvolgente.

[Vanesssssssssa · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the 2nd Selma Falck novel i have read. I preferred the first one because in addition to the investigation it also told her story.
As her story is known, this 2nd book lacks that dimension. I found the story confusing as it chopped around. I was very jetlagged when i read it so it could be partly that too! I will read the 3rd in the series to see how i find that one. The books can be read independently.

[Sonja Grönqvist · Rating 3 out of 5]

Toinen Selma Falch dekkari on ihan mukiin menevä, vaikka demokratiaa uhkaavia ääriliikkeitä käsittelevä rikosjuoni jää vähän hämäräksi.
Selma herää alasti palavasta mökistä ja päästyään ulos hän huomaa olevansa keskellä lumista erämaata. Selma henkiinjäämiskamppailuun sekoittuu takaumia aiemmista poliittisesta murhista. Samalla Selman omituinen erakkoluonne alkaa vähitellen aueta. Varsinkin äitinä selman käytös on kovin kummallista, ja kirjassa viitataan välttelevään kiintymissuhteeseen.

[Anna H · Rating 3 out of 5]

Första boken om Selma föll mig mer i smaken, även om jag fortfarande gillar den envist, stolta (klyschiga) intelligenta och kvinnliga ensamvargen. Boken är aktuell, som ofta med Anne Holt, samtida och spännande. Jag får först känslan att den är lite för otrolig, men när jag stänger ihop boken så...ja, det kan hända (händer redan), kanske. Välskriven, som alltid.

[Lone · Rating 4 out of 5]

En virkelig spændende bog, der giver mig lyst til at læse den første i denne serie. Jeg har ellers læst stort set alle bøger af Anne Holt og har været begejstret. Dog føler jeg af og til i denne bog, at de "politiske sider" er for indforstået og man bare skal have dem overstået. Det er en vanvittig spændende historie, hvor man har svært ved at lægge bogen fra sig.

[Rosemary Race · Rating 5 out of 5]

Blow me away this book!!!

It has all the seasons rolled into one!

Late at night reading this book chapter after chapter I couldn't honestly put it down its a fantastic read drama empathy dire straits love losing dramatics....just read a good book I was fascinated in her life but in death ethos was real.

[Kyle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Riding trains and boats around Scandanvia provided the perfect backdrop for a Norwegian crime thriller. Anne keeps the reader on the edge of their seat and hooked to the story as the story telling goes back and forth over time over the course of a year and eventually converges. Great read and will be looking to read another one in the series to scratch my next thriller itch.

[Pietro Bertino · Rating 4 out of 5]

Un thriller teso e avvincente, con una bad woman come protagonista decisa e ostinata nel perseguire i suoi scopi a qualunque costo. Il clima desritto nel libro, la radicalizzazione della politica, l'odio dei social, la manipolazione della veerità è sinistramente attuale, come l'idea di un deep state che agisce nell'ombra.
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