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Kørner and Werner #4
Il porto degli uccelli
In una bella giornata di primavera, Oscar Dreyer-Hoff, quindici anni, sparisce. Visto il difficile rapporto con i genitori, noti galleristi e commercianti d’arte, la cosa più probabile è che sia scappato di casa. E che entro ventiquattr’ore sarà già di ritorno. Ma le ore passano, passano anche i giorni, e di Oscar ancora nessuna traccia. Dal momento che si tratta di una famiglia in vista, che per di più ha ricevuto una serie di lettere minatorie, l’indagine viene affidata a Jeppe Kørner e Anette Werner. I due poliziotti della sezione Omicidi di Copenaghen cominciano a scavare nella vita del ragazzino, per scoprire, tra le altre cose, che da tempo riceveva messaggi anonimi, e che a casa sua tutti hanno un modo di fare molto ambiguo. Perché qualcuno lo minacciava? Cosa nascondono quelli che gli stanno intorno? E cosa c’entra Oscar con i traffici equivoci che agitano il porto di Copenaghen? Tra adulti troppo carichi di impegni, adolescenti ombrosi e artisti imbroglioni, il duo meglio assortito del corpo di polizia danese indaga nei passaggi segreti di fortezze marine, in cunicoli sotterranei e su isole abbandonate, per trovarsi inevitabilmente di fronte ad anime sole e inquietanti segreti di famiglia.
324 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 22, 2019
346 people are currently reading
17380 people want to read
About the author
Katrine Engberg
17 books1,241 followersKatrine Engberg is a Danish crime fiction author and former choreographer, dancer, stage director and actor.
Her debut novel was the novel “Crocodile Guardian” otherwise known as “The Tenant” that she first published in 2016 to widespread popularity. The book became a massive hit among reviewers and readers and got several nominations for a range of prestigious awards. She followed it up with “Blood Moon” an excellent crime novel that the Copenhagen newspaper wrote that crime queens should be shaking in their boots at the upstart soon taking their place. The novel would earn her an author of the year nomination. She would then write her third novel in the series titled “Glasvinge,” which was also a huge success just like her previous two works. The third novel got a MARTHA award nomination in 2018 and 2019.
Katrine Engberg was brought up in Østerbro and still lives in the town with her husband and their child.
Her debut novel was the novel “Crocodile Guardian” otherwise known as “The Tenant” that she first published in 2016 to widespread popularity. The book became a massive hit among reviewers and readers and got several nominations for a range of prestigious awards. She followed it up with “Blood Moon” an excellent crime novel that the Copenhagen newspaper wrote that crime queens should be shaking in their boots at the upstart soon taking their place. The novel would earn her an author of the year nomination. She would then write her third novel in the series titled “Glasvinge,” which was also a huge success just like her previous two works. The third novel got a MARTHA award nomination in 2018 and 2019.
Katrine Engberg was brought up in Østerbro and still lives in the town with her husband and their child.
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January 11, 2023
The Harbor by Katrine Engberg
Once again we are in Copenhagen with Jeppe Kørner and Anette Werner doing their job as investigators with the Violent Crimes Department. A fifteen year old boy has disappeared and there is a note that could be from the boy, a kidnapper, or a part of a school lesson. It's not clear what the note is meant to be, if anything. But the parents are wealthy and had threats to their lives several years ago and are sure that their son has been kidnapped.
Jeppe and Anette hit brick walls everywhere they look. So many people are not telling them things they know. And then a body is found and things get even more desperate. For both Jeppe and Anette this missing boy has them thinking about children, parenthood, and their own relationships.
As with the previous two English translations, this story is dark. It's full of the feel of the Copenhagen harbor, the sounds, smells, and sights coming alive on the page. Jeppe and Anette's emotions are a part of the story, too, as their lives continue to evolve. Sadly, even though there are five or so books in this series, the English translations skip some books and it's easy to know we've missed happenings in the lives of Jeppe and Anette. I would have loved to get to read these books in order but know to be thankful for the translations that we have gotten. I don't read a series out of order but I'm willing to do so when we get the next book translated into English.
Pub: Feb 22, 2022
Thank you to Gallery Books and NetGalley for this ARC.
Once again we are in Copenhagen with Jeppe Kørner and Anette Werner doing their job as investigators with the Violent Crimes Department. A fifteen year old boy has disappeared and there is a note that could be from the boy, a kidnapper, or a part of a school lesson. It's not clear what the note is meant to be, if anything. But the parents are wealthy and had threats to their lives several years ago and are sure that their son has been kidnapped.
Jeppe and Anette hit brick walls everywhere they look. So many people are not telling them things they know. And then a body is found and things get even more desperate. For both Jeppe and Anette this missing boy has them thinking about children, parenthood, and their own relationships.
As with the previous two English translations, this story is dark. It's full of the feel of the Copenhagen harbor, the sounds, smells, and sights coming alive on the page. Jeppe and Anette's emotions are a part of the story, too, as their lives continue to evolve. Sadly, even though there are five or so books in this series, the English translations skip some books and it's easy to know we've missed happenings in the lives of Jeppe and Anette. I would have loved to get to read these books in order but know to be thankful for the translations that we have gotten. I don't read a series out of order but I'm willing to do so when we get the next book translated into English.
Pub: Feb 22, 2022
Thank you to Gallery Books and NetGalley for this ARC.
May 28, 2022
Oh my… this is my third waltz with Jeppe&Anette! Did I miss them? Absolutely I did! Jeppe’s never ending emotional turmoils after his divorce, adjusting his new life with his new partner means he needs to learn how to become a father of teenagers as Anette deals with becoming a baby mama ( at the second book we witness how she struggled to be a mother of newborn, running away from the house to help the investigation of Jepper’s last case)
It seems like Anette already balanced personal life and the responsibilities of the work: looking so fit ( thanks to her morning jogs) but Jepper still deals aftermath of his divorce, hanging with actor friend who has his own troubles with reporters, struggles with commitment issues.
Their new case is related with finding whereabouts of 15 years old kid who recently disappeared without informing his family. His name is Oscar Dreyer-Hoff. He’s kid of a very powerful,prominent family who owns the auction house called Nordhjem . Because of their wealth and reputation, they have been getting threats for years and informed the officers about several incidents.
When nobody hears from Oscar after he leaves the schoolyard, his family receives a letter contains a quote of Oscar Wilde ( whole quote is taken fro. Picture of Dorian Gray reflects author’s tribute to youth,his satirical skewering of the vanity of his era. )
So what does it even mean? Kidnapping a powerful family’s son and leaving an enigmatic letter without demanding ransom money?
When a body is found at the garbage incinerator facility, the tension escalates and the investigation’s direction leads our favorite Copenhagen officers to the most feared places they never intend to confront!
It was riveting, exciting, fast pacing thriller like the other books of the series! I am looking forward to read the next book of the series in near future!
Special thanks to NetGalley and Galley Books/ Scout Press for sharing this digital reviewer copy with me in exchange my honest opinions.
It seems like Anette already balanced personal life and the responsibilities of the work: looking so fit ( thanks to her morning jogs) but Jepper still deals aftermath of his divorce, hanging with actor friend who has his own troubles with reporters, struggles with commitment issues.
Their new case is related with finding whereabouts of 15 years old kid who recently disappeared without informing his family. His name is Oscar Dreyer-Hoff. He’s kid of a very powerful,prominent family who owns the auction house called Nordhjem . Because of their wealth and reputation, they have been getting threats for years and informed the officers about several incidents.
When nobody hears from Oscar after he leaves the schoolyard, his family receives a letter contains a quote of Oscar Wilde ( whole quote is taken fro. Picture of Dorian Gray reflects author’s tribute to youth,his satirical skewering of the vanity of his era. )
So what does it even mean? Kidnapping a powerful family’s son and leaving an enigmatic letter without demanding ransom money?
When a body is found at the garbage incinerator facility, the tension escalates and the investigation’s direction leads our favorite Copenhagen officers to the most feared places they never intend to confront!
It was riveting, exciting, fast pacing thriller like the other books of the series! I am looking forward to read the next book of the series in near future!
Special thanks to NetGalley and Galley Books/ Scout Press for sharing this digital reviewer copy with me in exchange my honest opinions.
May 9, 2022
“When you’re passionate about something, you become unscrupulous. When you love, you hurt. Even in the best of families there’s greed and deception, and even in the most profound love, you find hooks and grief.”
Fifteen-year-old, Oscar Dreyer-Hoff goes missing, leaving a strange note for his parents. Subsequently, his backpack has been found on a boat dock a few hundred meters from the family’s apartment and the family boat is also discovered missing. Oscar’s family, are founders of an auction house but were embroiled in scandal after rumors of shill-bidding made waves which led to a fall in fortunes for the family and those associated. A few days later the body of his school teacher is found in the waste silo of the incineration plant in Copenhagen.
Is Oscar’s disappearance connected to the death of his teacher? Was Oscar kidnapped because of his family’s shady activities? Did he run away after committing a crime? Will Investigators Werner and Korner of the Copenhagen Police find Oscar before it's too late?
This is the fourth book in the Danish noir series featuring Copenhagen detectives Jeppe Korner and Anette Werner ( the third, translated into English). With its atmospheric setting, interesting premise and engaging mystery, The Harbor by Katrine Engberg starts great but then loses its way in the middle but redeems itself at the end. The plot progression was on the slower side and a tad haphazard in presentation. I do not know if this was deliberate because I felt that the author overdid it in the red herrings department and also the detailed drama in the investigators' personal lives dampened the “thrill” in the plot. Admittedly, the author touches upon many sensitive and important issues such as the emotional and mental well-being of children, sexual exploitation of minors and bullying. I enjoy reading crime procedurals and I loved the procedural aspects of crime-solving as described in the narrative but I was annoyed with how much space in the narrative is devoted to the personal lives and romantic relationships of the investigators and the ensuing melodrama. Esther de Laurenti makes an appearance once again and helps identify the literary connection to the note Oscar left behind. I wish she had a more prominent role in the series. The author does well in bringing all the threads in the story together towards the end. I did enjoy how the case is ultimately resolved. Overall a twisty, atmospheric “thriller” that needed to deliver more “thrills” and less focus on the marital drama, potential infidelity and troubled romantic relationships of the lead investigators. After the crisp and smart, The Butterfly House, this book was a tad disappointing.
Despite the flaws in this book I remain a fan of the series and will be looking forward to more books in the future.
Fifteen-year-old, Oscar Dreyer-Hoff goes missing, leaving a strange note for his parents. Subsequently, his backpack has been found on a boat dock a few hundred meters from the family’s apartment and the family boat is also discovered missing. Oscar’s family, are founders of an auction house but were embroiled in scandal after rumors of shill-bidding made waves which led to a fall in fortunes for the family and those associated. A few days later the body of his school teacher is found in the waste silo of the incineration plant in Copenhagen.
Is Oscar’s disappearance connected to the death of his teacher? Was Oscar kidnapped because of his family’s shady activities? Did he run away after committing a crime? Will Investigators Werner and Korner of the Copenhagen Police find Oscar before it's too late?
This is the fourth book in the Danish noir series featuring Copenhagen detectives Jeppe Korner and Anette Werner ( the third, translated into English). With its atmospheric setting, interesting premise and engaging mystery, The Harbor by Katrine Engberg starts great but then loses its way in the middle but redeems itself at the end. The plot progression was on the slower side and a tad haphazard in presentation. I do not know if this was deliberate because I felt that the author overdid it in the red herrings department and also the detailed drama in the investigators' personal lives dampened the “thrill” in the plot. Admittedly, the author touches upon many sensitive and important issues such as the emotional and mental well-being of children, sexual exploitation of minors and bullying. I enjoy reading crime procedurals and I loved the procedural aspects of crime-solving as described in the narrative but I was annoyed with how much space in the narrative is devoted to the personal lives and romantic relationships of the investigators and the ensuing melodrama. Esther de Laurenti makes an appearance once again and helps identify the literary connection to the note Oscar left behind. I wish she had a more prominent role in the series. The author does well in bringing all the threads in the story together towards the end. I did enjoy how the case is ultimately resolved. Overall a twisty, atmospheric “thriller” that needed to deliver more “thrills” and less focus on the marital drama, potential infidelity and troubled romantic relationships of the lead investigators. After the crisp and smart, The Butterfly House, this book was a tad disappointing.
Despite the flaws in this book I remain a fan of the series and will be looking forward to more books in the future.
April 11, 2023
[Revised 4/11/23]
A Nordic noir mystery by a new (to me) Danish author. This is the third book in the series about a male-female team of Copenhagen detectives, Korner and Werner - Jeppe and Anette. We follow Jeppe and Anette not only on their investigation but also in their intriguing romantic lives. Anette is married; she's 46, but has a toddler. Jay is younger, single and in a difficult relationship with a divorced woman who has two girls. One of the girls is approaching her teens and giving them difficulties.
The story begins with a high school sophomore boy who is missing. The only clue is a mysterious computer note left. Who left the note? The missing boy? His murderer? His kidnappers? It’s a quote by Oscar Wilde from Dorian Gray:
“He looked around and saw the knife that had stabbed Basil Hallward. He had cleaned it many times, till there was no stain left upon it. It was bright and glistened. As it had killed the painter, so it would kill the painter’s work, and all that that meant. It would kill the past, and when that was dead, he would be free.”
The missing boy’s mother and father act suspiciously. And that's just the beginning of the suspicious characters in this story. They include a caretaker on a fortress island who spends his time creating taxidermized birds. There’s divorced engineer, an alcoholic who has a difficult life with his teenage daughter who lives with him.
And then we have a retired female professor (an Oscar Wilde specialist) who is caring for an elderly live-in male friend who is getting Alzheimer's. There’s a strange woman who works in a museum and a high school teacher who's a hermaphrodite. There's a gay friend of Jeppe’s who shares his apartment, although Jeff is not gay. Jeppe’s woman friend is a coworker who examines digital evidence when people's laptops are seized.
Since we are introduced to 15 or so folks in the first 30 pages who reappear in the story, I found it helpful at first to make a list.
This author’s style is different from most other mysteries I've read in that we follow the personal lives of 10 or so folks in addition to the two main characters who are the detectives. The plot is complex but you can follow it and it kept me guessing. The body count ends up at two.
I won't go into details of the plot but there's a lot of nefarious stuff going on including
I enjoy books with local color and on that, I give this one a 10. The author works into the story many of the attractions of Copenhagen and a bit of its history. She gives us a tour of the harbor area and a lot of the action takes place at Copenhagen’s now world-famous waste-to-energy incinerator that incorporates an artificial grass ski slope. This is a real facility and tourist attraction called Amager Bakke (Amager Hill), aka Copenhill.
I liked the story very much and I would read more by this author. As I said it's a complex plot but you don't get lost in it if you keep track of the characters. However, I felt the ending was a little flat and it seemed a bit rushed. Obviously we end up knowing ‘who done what to who and why’ but a little more detail on the when and how would have helped. At the end we are given details on where the two main characters are in their personal relationships but with some of the other characters we might wonder about we are left hanging.
The author has written a half-dozen novels mostly featuring the Korner-Werner duo. Her best-known work in English is the first in the series, The Tenant. This book I am reviewing is #3 of the series in English. However there is some confusion in the numbering because this book is actually #4 in Danish and on Goodreads, but it’s listed as #3 on Amazon, apparently because #2 in Danish was never translated. The author (b. 1975) is also an actress, dancer and choreographer.
Top photo: Copenhagen by fozelek on flickr.com
The Amager incinerator from nytimes.com
The author from xwhos.com
A Nordic noir mystery by a new (to me) Danish author. This is the third book in the series about a male-female team of Copenhagen detectives, Korner and Werner - Jeppe and Anette. We follow Jeppe and Anette not only on their investigation but also in their intriguing romantic lives. Anette is married; she's 46, but has a toddler. Jay is younger, single and in a difficult relationship with a divorced woman who has two girls. One of the girls is approaching her teens and giving them difficulties.
The story begins with a high school sophomore boy who is missing. The only clue is a mysterious computer note left. Who left the note? The missing boy? His murderer? His kidnappers? It’s a quote by Oscar Wilde from Dorian Gray:
“He looked around and saw the knife that had stabbed Basil Hallward. He had cleaned it many times, till there was no stain left upon it. It was bright and glistened. As it had killed the painter, so it would kill the painter’s work, and all that that meant. It would kill the past, and when that was dead, he would be free.”
The missing boy’s mother and father act suspiciously. And that's just the beginning of the suspicious characters in this story. They include a caretaker on a fortress island who spends his time creating taxidermized birds. There’s divorced engineer, an alcoholic who has a difficult life with his teenage daughter who lives with him.
And then we have a retired female professor (an Oscar Wilde specialist) who is caring for an elderly live-in male friend who is getting Alzheimer's. There’s a strange woman who works in a museum and a high school teacher who's a hermaphrodite. There's a gay friend of Jeppe’s who shares his apartment, although Jeff is not gay. Jeppe’s woman friend is a coworker who examines digital evidence when people's laptops are seized.
Since we are introduced to 15 or so folks in the first 30 pages who reappear in the story, I found it helpful at first to make a list.
This author’s style is different from most other mysteries I've read in that we follow the personal lives of 10 or so folks in addition to the two main characters who are the detectives. The plot is complex but you can follow it and it kept me guessing. The body count ends up at two.
I won't go into details of the plot but there's a lot of nefarious stuff going on including
I enjoy books with local color and on that, I give this one a 10. The author works into the story many of the attractions of Copenhagen and a bit of its history. She gives us a tour of the harbor area and a lot of the action takes place at Copenhagen’s now world-famous waste-to-energy incinerator that incorporates an artificial grass ski slope. This is a real facility and tourist attraction called Amager Bakke (Amager Hill), aka Copenhill.
I liked the story very much and I would read more by this author. As I said it's a complex plot but you don't get lost in it if you keep track of the characters. However, I felt the ending was a little flat and it seemed a bit rushed. Obviously we end up knowing ‘who done what to who and why’ but a little more detail on the when and how would have helped. At the end we are given details on where the two main characters are in their personal relationships but with some of the other characters we might wonder about we are left hanging.
The author has written a half-dozen novels mostly featuring the Korner-Werner duo. Her best-known work in English is the first in the series, The Tenant. This book I am reviewing is #3 of the series in English. However there is some confusion in the numbering because this book is actually #4 in Danish and on Goodreads, but it’s listed as #3 on Amazon, apparently because #2 in Danish was never translated. The author (b. 1975) is also an actress, dancer and choreographer.
Top photo: Copenhagen by fozelek on flickr.com
The Amager incinerator from nytimes.com
The author from xwhos.com
October 2, 2025
4.5
The lowermost circle of hell isn’t for traitors … It’s for people who hurt children.
In this dark, unsettling and suspenseful atmospheric Nordic noir the detectives’ search for a missing teenage boy leads to the discovery of two dead bodies and the unearthing of secrets and lies involving a heinous crime.
The lowermost circle of hell isn’t for traitors … It’s for people who hurt children.
In this dark, unsettling and suspenseful atmospheric Nordic noir the detectives’ search for a missing teenage boy leads to the discovery of two dead bodies and the unearthing of secrets and lies involving a heinous crime.
February 25, 2022
This was another cracking story in the Jeppe Kørner and Annette Werner series. It all boils down to greed! Fifteen year old student, Oscar Dreyer-Hoff is reported missing. Two days later a crane operator at a waste management facility which turns waste into green energy halts the machine when he sees a leg dangling from the bucket. The body is carefully extracted but it is not Oscar, although it is a young teacher from his school, Malthe Saether. Are these events related?
The search for Oscar continues. It now seems he took his father’s boat out into the harbour but there is no sign of it. All the facilities and islands are searched to no avail.
Kørner and Werner are getting some strange vibes from Oscar’s family. His friend Iben is hiding something and her dad, Kaspe Skytte, who is a process engineer at the waste management facility is definitely hiding something and acting very hinky. Jenny Kaliban, Oscar’s aunt is also up to something. Another teacher at the school dies - apparently falling in front of a train. All this adds up to … what?
It was certainly a complex plot with a lot of characters to keep track of but the author pulled it all together really well. Greed, corruption, betrayal of the worst kind and child abuse are themes in this book. And I have to say, while I struggled a little to follow it all at the start it came home like a bullet train. The characters are depicted so well with their warts and all. Annette is attracted to the caretaker of one of the islands and I feared for her marriage. While Jeppe’s happy life with Sara, the teams IT guru, is under threat as she has to put her children first.
I love these Scandi thrillers with their dark but realistic themes and characters that you can really relate to. There are no super cops here, just hard working people struggling to combine work and family life. The harbour setting was very atmospheric. I will be keen to see what is next for this team. Many thanks to Netgalley and Hodder & Stoughton for the much appreciated arc which I reviewed voluntarily and honestly.
The search for Oscar continues. It now seems he took his father’s boat out into the harbour but there is no sign of it. All the facilities and islands are searched to no avail.
Kørner and Werner are getting some strange vibes from Oscar’s family. His friend Iben is hiding something and her dad, Kaspe Skytte, who is a process engineer at the waste management facility is definitely hiding something and acting very hinky. Jenny Kaliban, Oscar’s aunt is also up to something. Another teacher at the school dies - apparently falling in front of a train. All this adds up to … what?
It was certainly a complex plot with a lot of characters to keep track of but the author pulled it all together really well. Greed, corruption, betrayal of the worst kind and child abuse are themes in this book. And I have to say, while I struggled a little to follow it all at the start it came home like a bullet train. The characters are depicted so well with their warts and all. Annette is attracted to the caretaker of one of the islands and I feared for her marriage. While Jeppe’s happy life with Sara, the teams IT guru, is under threat as she has to put her children first.
I love these Scandi thrillers with their dark but realistic themes and characters that you can really relate to. There are no super cops here, just hard working people struggling to combine work and family life. The harbour setting was very atmospheric. I will be keen to see what is next for this team. Many thanks to Netgalley and Hodder & Stoughton for the much appreciated arc which I reviewed voluntarily and honestly.
January 18, 2022
Jeppe Korner and Annette Werner #4.
''Wonderful wonderful Copenhagen '' although as Jeppe and Annette discover in this investigation things are far from wonderful in several households. A crane operator at an incineration plant unearths something very unexpected amongst the waste and a missing 15 year old boy Oscar Dreyer -Hoff from a prominent wealthy family with an enigmatic note with a quotation. Is there a connection between the two?
At first the novel seems a bit disjointed as there are several strands and points of view but as I've read Katrine Engberg before so you know to trust her to bring it all together which she does effectively and cleverly. Right from the start there are some distinctly whiffy off notes, some weird vibes concerning the Dreyer -Hoff family, that is one strange household. As the plot progresses it becomes darker and darker and more intense. The case has some good red herrings and dead ends, there are well thought out twists and turns that are done effectively. As the pace ramps up it becomes chilling and in parts quite shocking and then all the strands connect seamlessly as it heads to a dramatic conclusion.
The Copenhagen setting is absolutely fantastic with some excellent atmospheric descriptions, you really get a good tour especially around the harbour. Those locations fit the storyline perfectly and some send a shiver down the spine.
The characterisation is very good especially of Jeppe and Annette who are both settling into different kinds of domesticity. You get a good mix of the personal with the details of the case. All the characters are portrayed well but there is one who is falling apart and this effectively deepens the several mysteries.
I really like this series and I can't wait to read the next one!
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Hodder and Stoughton for the much appreciate arc in return for an honest review.
''Wonderful wonderful Copenhagen '' although as Jeppe and Annette discover in this investigation things are far from wonderful in several households. A crane operator at an incineration plant unearths something very unexpected amongst the waste and a missing 15 year old boy Oscar Dreyer -Hoff from a prominent wealthy family with an enigmatic note with a quotation. Is there a connection between the two?
At first the novel seems a bit disjointed as there are several strands and points of view but as I've read Katrine Engberg before so you know to trust her to bring it all together which she does effectively and cleverly. Right from the start there are some distinctly whiffy off notes, some weird vibes concerning the Dreyer -Hoff family, that is one strange household. As the plot progresses it becomes darker and darker and more intense. The case has some good red herrings and dead ends, there are well thought out twists and turns that are done effectively. As the pace ramps up it becomes chilling and in parts quite shocking and then all the strands connect seamlessly as it heads to a dramatic conclusion.
The Copenhagen setting is absolutely fantastic with some excellent atmospheric descriptions, you really get a good tour especially around the harbour. Those locations fit the storyline perfectly and some send a shiver down the spine.
The characterisation is very good especially of Jeppe and Annette who are both settling into different kinds of domesticity. You get a good mix of the personal with the details of the case. All the characters are portrayed well but there is one who is falling apart and this effectively deepens the several mysteries.
I really like this series and I can't wait to read the next one!
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Hodder and Stoughton for the much appreciate arc in return for an honest review.
September 4, 2022
3.5 In Copenhagen a fifteen year old boy goes missing. Korner and Werner have this case and there seems to be more questions than answers. Is he a runaway or has he come to harm? The more that is revealed the more tangled the threads become, and there are multi threads, multi suspects. The investigation becomes the forefront but in the background personal matters are simmering.
A good mix of detective work and the personal lives of the detectives. I have a weak spot for these Nordic mysteries and I enjoy this series. Solid and we'll written. I love this cover, really makes me want to visit there one day. But then again, hope springs eternal
A good mix of detective work and the personal lives of the detectives. I have a weak spot for these Nordic mysteries and I enjoy this series. Solid and we'll written. I love this cover, really makes me want to visit there one day. But then again, hope springs eternal
January 30, 2022
3.5 stars
Akin to a “meh” episode of Law & Order - something to watch and you’ll be entertained, but not 🤯.
⏰ 𝐒𝐡𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐒𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐄𝐯𝐞𝐫: Copenhagen. 15-year old Oscar has gone missing, so of course everyone is asking, “Did he run away?” Or did something nefarious happen? Enter Jeppe Korner and Anette Werner, the persistent duo of detectives on the case who swim through family secrets, hidden notes, and clandestine messages, and oops…. Some really dead bodies.
💡𝐓𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬: The word I would use for this police procedural mystery is “basic.” It’s basically good. Basically quick. Basically written. It’s basically effective and basically plot-driven.
I wasn’t wowed, but I wasn’t turned off. It’s what I affectionately call a “meh” read (that’s Gen Z for “ok” however I’m Gen X but I’m fluent) which is perfect for when you want to brain-wander, lost in a book but not quite up for any heavy thinking. The highlight is the plot - one that surprised me a few ways, along with some well-thought red herrings thrown in for fun.
The characters are plentiful though I didn’t feel attached to any of them (hence the 3.5); there really isn’t anyone to “cheer” for (not that this is necessary, but merely noteworthy) because they enter and exit pages quickly. Anette is by far the most interesting in the book, and the reader gets a peek into her life as a working mom detective, but it’s a mere glimpse… something that filled some pages but didn’t warrant intense or sustained FEELING.
My reaction is like that after watching a mediocre Law & Order episode- it was a way to pass some time. I was mildly entertained. So reading the book was a five-hour L&O episode, sans Jerry Orbach… or Ice-T.
𝗔𝗹𝗹 𝗺𝘆 𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄𝘀 𝗮𝘃𝗮𝗶𝗹𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗮𝘁 𝗦𝗰𝗿𝗮𝗽𝗽𝘆𝗠𝗮𝗴𝘀.𝗰𝗼𝗺 𝗮𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗽𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻.
📚𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐫𝐞: Police Procedural Mystery
😍𝐑𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨: If you’re in a rut and just need a quick mystery. Good airplane book. Also if you enjoy foreign mysteries - I did enjoy Googling some Copenhagen locales and now wish to ski on a garbage dump!
🙅♀️ 𝐍𝐨𝐭 𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨: If you’re craving excitement! Wow! Suspense! (Yeah, that’s not this one yo.)
Thank you to the author, NetGalley and Gallery Books/Gallery Scout Press for my advanced copy in exchange for my always-honest review and for making me add Copenhagen to my bucket list (minus the dead bodies!)
Akin to a “meh” episode of Law & Order - something to watch and you’ll be entertained, but not 🤯.
⏰ 𝐒𝐡𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐒𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐄𝐯𝐞𝐫: Copenhagen. 15-year old Oscar has gone missing, so of course everyone is asking, “Did he run away?” Or did something nefarious happen? Enter Jeppe Korner and Anette Werner, the persistent duo of detectives on the case who swim through family secrets, hidden notes, and clandestine messages, and oops…. Some really dead bodies.
💡𝐓𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬: The word I would use for this police procedural mystery is “basic.” It’s basically good. Basically quick. Basically written. It’s basically effective and basically plot-driven.
I wasn’t wowed, but I wasn’t turned off. It’s what I affectionately call a “meh” read (that’s Gen Z for “ok” however I’m Gen X but I’m fluent) which is perfect for when you want to brain-wander, lost in a book but not quite up for any heavy thinking. The highlight is the plot - one that surprised me a few ways, along with some well-thought red herrings thrown in for fun.
The characters are plentiful though I didn’t feel attached to any of them (hence the 3.5); there really isn’t anyone to “cheer” for (not that this is necessary, but merely noteworthy) because they enter and exit pages quickly. Anette is by far the most interesting in the book, and the reader gets a peek into her life as a working mom detective, but it’s a mere glimpse… something that filled some pages but didn’t warrant intense or sustained FEELING.
My reaction is like that after watching a mediocre Law & Order episode- it was a way to pass some time. I was mildly entertained. So reading the book was a five-hour L&O episode, sans Jerry Orbach… or Ice-T.
𝗔𝗹𝗹 𝗺𝘆 𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄𝘀 𝗮𝘃𝗮𝗶𝗹𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗮𝘁 𝗦𝗰𝗿𝗮𝗽𝗽𝘆𝗠𝗮𝗴𝘀.𝗰𝗼𝗺 𝗮𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗽𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻.
📚𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐫𝐞: Police Procedural Mystery
😍𝐑𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨: If you’re in a rut and just need a quick mystery. Good airplane book. Also if you enjoy foreign mysteries - I did enjoy Googling some Copenhagen locales and now wish to ski on a garbage dump!
🙅♀️ 𝐍𝐨𝐭 𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨: If you’re craving excitement! Wow! Suspense! (Yeah, that’s not this one yo.)
Thank you to the author, NetGalley and Gallery Books/Gallery Scout Press for my advanced copy in exchange for my always-honest review and for making me add Copenhagen to my bucket list (minus the dead bodies!)
June 10, 2023
The Harbor was filled with twists and turns. It kept me guessing the entire time. The central theme of all storylines was family. Each character has some semblance of family and all are in flux, most dysfunctional.
I loved the new setting(s) of a new waste disposal plant and the surrounding islands with abandoned forts. Even though I get the sense Jeppe is the main character, his partner, Annette, takes center stage and steals the show again in this installment of the series.
I appreciated further development of Saidani and Larsen and the introduction of a few new characters, especially Mads Teigen. Jeppe’s best friend Johannes returns and the arts continue to influence the story line. I liked the inclusion of Oscar Wilde and found the aspects of Death Masks interesting. Of course Esther is amazing and somehow gets herself involved.
Nothing was what I expected but it all came together in the end. Another great read! Two quotes that reflect my reading experience are:
“Logical and straightforward,” Jeppe said, smiling at his partner. “But that’s not how life is. Everything organic sends up shoots and branches, and twists in unexpected directions, crimes included.”
“From my perspective, art isn’t just about aesthetics. It’s a form of cognition that tells you something fundamental about being human.”
I loved the new setting(s) of a new waste disposal plant and the surrounding islands with abandoned forts. Even though I get the sense Jeppe is the main character, his partner, Annette, takes center stage and steals the show again in this installment of the series.
I appreciated further development of Saidani and Larsen and the introduction of a few new characters, especially Mads Teigen. Jeppe’s best friend Johannes returns and the arts continue to influence the story line. I liked the inclusion of Oscar Wilde and found the aspects of Death Masks interesting. Of course Esther is amazing and somehow gets herself involved.
Nothing was what I expected but it all came together in the end. Another great read! Two quotes that reflect my reading experience are:
“Logical and straightforward,” Jeppe said, smiling at his partner. “But that’s not how life is. Everything organic sends up shoots and branches, and twists in unexpected directions, crimes included.”
“From my perspective, art isn’t just about aesthetics. It’s a form of cognition that tells you something fundamental about being human.”
February 22, 2022
4 Atmospheric Copenhagen stars *now available
This is the third book I’ve read with these two Danish police officers. There are five published, but only three translated into English. I’m hoping the other two will be available soon.
This time Anette Werner and Jeppe Korner are trying to find a missing teenager. As the hours tick by, the chances of finding him alive dwindle. The police dig deeper into his family and try to decipher a note left behind. Was he kidnapped or what is the meaning behind this note?
This one felt very atmospheric, filled with scenes of the Copenhagen harbor and other sites around the city. The author digs a bit into the personal lives of the police officers as well and we see the stress their jobs take on their relationships.
The author had clever red herrings that threw me off, this one had a very different outcome than I was expecting – I must admit I like to be kept guessing!
Marilyn and I have been buddy reading this series and we're anxiously awaiting the next two!
Thank you to Gallery/Scout Press and NetGalley for the copy of this one to read and review.
This is the third book I’ve read with these two Danish police officers. There are five published, but only three translated into English. I’m hoping the other two will be available soon.
This time Anette Werner and Jeppe Korner are trying to find a missing teenager. As the hours tick by, the chances of finding him alive dwindle. The police dig deeper into his family and try to decipher a note left behind. Was he kidnapped or what is the meaning behind this note?
This one felt very atmospheric, filled with scenes of the Copenhagen harbor and other sites around the city. The author digs a bit into the personal lives of the police officers as well and we see the stress their jobs take on their relationships.
The author had clever red herrings that threw me off, this one had a very different outcome than I was expecting – I must admit I like to be kept guessing!
Marilyn and I have been buddy reading this series and we're anxiously awaiting the next two!
Thank you to Gallery/Scout Press and NetGalley for the copy of this one to read and review.
March 20, 2022
Unfortunately this one did not work for me. Not a bit.
It did start well, but it wasn’t good enough to keep me interested or curious. Every time I put this book down I did not feel encouraged to read it.
The writing was not very good with bad dialogues. I do believe that something was lost in translation.
The dynamic between partners was off, or so that’s the impression I had.
I just couldn’t connect with anything.
This is my third book by this author.
It did start well, but it wasn’t good enough to keep me interested or curious. Every time I put this book down I did not feel encouraged to read it.
The writing was not very good with bad dialogues. I do believe that something was lost in translation.
The dynamic between partners was off, or so that’s the impression I had.
I just couldn’t connect with anything.
This is my third book by this author.
May 28, 2022
An OK read. It’s the 4th in the series, which I didn’t know when I picked it up at the local book store. I don’t think it really matters, except maybe I missed out on the backdrop of the relationship between the two main characters.
The story takes place in Copenhagen, Denmark. A child missing, fraudulent father, disconnected mother, angry best friend… really nothing much is going on until the last few chapters. I kept asking myself, when will this book pick up pace? Where is the suspense? What is the point?
Abruptly, everything is explained in the last two chapters!!! What!!! That’s it? The ending felt rushed and some characters didn’t make any sense. However, it wasn’t an awful book. The atmospheric Copenhagen was really fun to read. I felt I was walking through the city. However, I don’t think I am interested in this series.
A solid ⭐️⭐️⭐️
The story takes place in Copenhagen, Denmark. A child missing, fraudulent father, disconnected mother, angry best friend… really nothing much is going on until the last few chapters. I kept asking myself, when will this book pick up pace? Where is the suspense? What is the point?
Abruptly, everything is explained in the last two chapters!!! What!!! That’s it? The ending felt rushed and some characters didn’t make any sense. However, it wasn’t an awful book. The atmospheric Copenhagen was really fun to read. I felt I was walking through the city. However, I don’t think I am interested in this series.
A solid ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Read
October 9, 2022Katrine Engberg what a great book. Loved this book, hated it too, as it revealed how depraved we humans can be. Well structured, with excellent character descriptions, this thriller left me longing for the next one.
This series just gets better and better. What seems like a simple runaway story turns into a twisted murder mystery. Highly recommend.
This series just gets better and better. What seems like a simple runaway story turns into a twisted murder mystery. Highly recommend.
March 29, 2022
Somehow GR insists that I read the original version on my Kindle which of course isn’t right, so I had to switch to ‘hardcover’ before I could publish this review. It’s also not clear now whether this is #3 in the series or #4.
Jeppe and Annette once again lead us through a story full of people who are not telling the whole truth or just plain lying, including, and here it gets interesting, the victim(s). While Jeppe and Annette both must deal with their personal problems, they also have to deal with a case that takes them to parts of Denmark they never went to, and parts of the human mind they wish they wouldn’t have to go to.
I liked the way the several stories came together although I would have loved to see more depth and background information in some of the characters. We are getting to know Jeppe and Annette quite well now and I like the way they are really trying to work together. A nice enough book hence the three stars, but not an ‘on the edge of your seat’ read.
Thanks to Netgalley and Hodder & Stoughton for this review copy.
Jeppe and Annette once again lead us through a story full of people who are not telling the whole truth or just plain lying, including, and here it gets interesting, the victim(s). While Jeppe and Annette both must deal with their personal problems, they also have to deal with a case that takes them to parts of Denmark they never went to, and parts of the human mind they wish they wouldn’t have to go to.
I liked the way the several stories came together although I would have loved to see more depth and background information in some of the characters. We are getting to know Jeppe and Annette quite well now and I like the way they are really trying to work together. A nice enough book hence the three stars, but not an ‘on the edge of your seat’ read.
Thanks to Netgalley and Hodder & Stoughton for this review copy.
March 18, 2022
The Harbor
Katrine Engberg
reviewed by Lou Jacobs
readersremains.com | Goodreads
An atmospheric police procedural that is dark and gritty and written in literary prose. This rare complex and twisted murder mystery is the fourth in a series, following the unique team of Copenhagen police detectives, Jeppe Korner and Anette Werner.
This tale as the others can be enjoyed as a standalone, as Engberg flawlessly provides the necessary backstory. However, reading all sequentially will allow the reader to appreciate the evolution of the character, foibles, and motivation of this intriguing pair. Jeppe is cuckolded and divorced, although still dealing with grief is trying to make a burgeoning relationship work with fellow team member, Sara and her two daughters. Anette at age forty-six, is a new mother of one year and nine-month-old daughter, Gudrun, and has become the parent she has strived for, for so long, She finds herself in a body that actually, after nursing and exercising, is more sleek and attractive than she can ever recall. She now questions the worthiness and desirability of her twenty-five-year long relationship with her husband, Svend. Engberg became a Danish crime author sensation in 2016 with the release of her debut novel, The Tenant (Korner and Werner #1). It was translated and published in the US in January of 2020.
Jeppe and Anette have been assigned the investigation of a missing fifteen-year-old boy, Oscar Dreyer-Hoff, who disappeared after school. He was supposed to stay overnight at his best childhood friends house to study for an upcoming exam. He does not show up the next morning at home, and Iben says he never showed up at her house. She has no idea where he is. Was he kidnaped or did he run away? Within hours a typewritten letter arrives at the Dreyer-Hoff house. The letter is somewhat obscure, and certainly is not a ransom note. Somewhat later, a friend of the investigative team, Esther de Laurenti, reveals that it is a quote at the end of Oscar Wilde’s book, “The Picture of Dorian Grey” Could it be some type of oblique and literary suicide note? –in as much as Dorian Grey, inadvertently kills himself by slashing the painting. The Dreyer-Hoff family although prominent and wealthy, have received threatening letters in the past, due to their questionable financial dealings at the online auction house they own, which deals with art and antiquities.
A multi-faceted investigation ensues, using all members of the task force, including Sara Saidani (computer whiz) and ambitious Detective Thomas Larsen, extensive interviews and interrogation reveal many potential clues and correlations. The Search and Rescue Team scour the multiple islands and forts that make up the harbor, without success. Engberg brings to life the setting of the harbor… as the sights , smells and sounds ooze off the page. Inexplicable events start to pile up. A teacher, at Oscar’s school, Malthe Saether, is bizarrely discovered in the waste silo of the incinerator plant, by two employees of the ARC (Amager Resource Center), and one of them is Kasper Skytte. He is the process engineer at the plant and also the father of Iben. His job is to not only monitor the harmful emissions of toxic substances from the burning process, but also to optimize the use of the energy that the incinerator produces. The team interviews Lis Christensen, a fellow teacher of Malthe’s, only to have her die the next day at the train station. Did she fall under the tracks or was she pushed? Are these events a coincidence or do they bode a more sinister solution?
Engberg proves to be a master storyteller and weaves a convoluted narrative involving greed, deceit, friendship, and love that propels into a thrilling and unexpected denouement. Engberg manages to interconnect the web of spun lies, into a propulsive and suspenseful slow burn tale that is satisfying but yet has the reader yearning for more Korner and Werner mysteries.
Thanks to NetGalley and Gallery Books / Scout Press for proving an Uncorrected Proof in exchange for an honest review.
Katrine Engberg
reviewed by Lou Jacobs
readersremains.com | Goodreads
An atmospheric police procedural that is dark and gritty and written in literary prose. This rare complex and twisted murder mystery is the fourth in a series, following the unique team of Copenhagen police detectives, Jeppe Korner and Anette Werner.
This tale as the others can be enjoyed as a standalone, as Engberg flawlessly provides the necessary backstory. However, reading all sequentially will allow the reader to appreciate the evolution of the character, foibles, and motivation of this intriguing pair. Jeppe is cuckolded and divorced, although still dealing with grief is trying to make a burgeoning relationship work with fellow team member, Sara and her two daughters. Anette at age forty-six, is a new mother of one year and nine-month-old daughter, Gudrun, and has become the parent she has strived for, for so long, She finds herself in a body that actually, after nursing and exercising, is more sleek and attractive than she can ever recall. She now questions the worthiness and desirability of her twenty-five-year long relationship with her husband, Svend. Engberg became a Danish crime author sensation in 2016 with the release of her debut novel, The Tenant (Korner and Werner #1). It was translated and published in the US in January of 2020.
Jeppe and Anette have been assigned the investigation of a missing fifteen-year-old boy, Oscar Dreyer-Hoff, who disappeared after school. He was supposed to stay overnight at his best childhood friends house to study for an upcoming exam. He does not show up the next morning at home, and Iben says he never showed up at her house. She has no idea where he is. Was he kidnaped or did he run away? Within hours a typewritten letter arrives at the Dreyer-Hoff house. The letter is somewhat obscure, and certainly is not a ransom note. Somewhat later, a friend of the investigative team, Esther de Laurenti, reveals that it is a quote at the end of Oscar Wilde’s book, “The Picture of Dorian Grey” Could it be some type of oblique and literary suicide note? –in as much as Dorian Grey, inadvertently kills himself by slashing the painting. The Dreyer-Hoff family although prominent and wealthy, have received threatening letters in the past, due to their questionable financial dealings at the online auction house they own, which deals with art and antiquities.
A multi-faceted investigation ensues, using all members of the task force, including Sara Saidani (computer whiz) and ambitious Detective Thomas Larsen, extensive interviews and interrogation reveal many potential clues and correlations. The Search and Rescue Team scour the multiple islands and forts that make up the harbor, without success. Engberg brings to life the setting of the harbor… as the sights , smells and sounds ooze off the page. Inexplicable events start to pile up. A teacher, at Oscar’s school, Malthe Saether, is bizarrely discovered in the waste silo of the incinerator plant, by two employees of the ARC (Amager Resource Center), and one of them is Kasper Skytte. He is the process engineer at the plant and also the father of Iben. His job is to not only monitor the harmful emissions of toxic substances from the burning process, but also to optimize the use of the energy that the incinerator produces. The team interviews Lis Christensen, a fellow teacher of Malthe’s, only to have her die the next day at the train station. Did she fall under the tracks or was she pushed? Are these events a coincidence or do they bode a more sinister solution?
Engberg proves to be a master storyteller and weaves a convoluted narrative involving greed, deceit, friendship, and love that propels into a thrilling and unexpected denouement. Engberg manages to interconnect the web of spun lies, into a propulsive and suspenseful slow burn tale that is satisfying but yet has the reader yearning for more Korner and Werner mysteries.
Thanks to NetGalley and Gallery Books / Scout Press for proving an Uncorrected Proof in exchange for an honest review.
August 28, 2021
Jeppe and Anette are on the case again. Now they are investigating the disappearance of 15 year old Oscar Dreyer-Hoff. He is from a very prominent family that owns an auction house. At first the police assume this is a simple runaway situation. But when the family receives a strange letter they assume someone has abducted Oscar, but there is no ransom demand? Then soon after Oscar goes missing…his teacher is found murdered. Could there be a connection?
This was another riveting novel by Katrine Engberg. Although this is part of a series of books, it can read as a stand alone. I've enjoyed all of her books so far, in fact, I think each one keeps getting better and better. If you enjoy a good thriller, CSI type novel pick this one up. It is really good!!
Many thanks to NetGalley and Gallery Books for my ARC in exchange for my honest review.
This review will be posted to my Instagram Blog (@coffee.break.book.reviews) in the near future.
This was another riveting novel by Katrine Engberg. Although this is part of a series of books, it can read as a stand alone. I've enjoyed all of her books so far, in fact, I think each one keeps getting better and better. If you enjoy a good thriller, CSI type novel pick this one up. It is really good!!
Many thanks to NetGalley and Gallery Books for my ARC in exchange for my honest review.
This review will be posted to my Instagram Blog (@coffee.break.book.reviews) in the near future.
February 23, 2022
In this latest Danish police procedural set in Copenhagen featuring the team of Detectives Korner and Werner, teenaged Oscar Dreyer-Hoff has been reported missing and the Violent Crimes Division has been called in. When a body is found at the garbage incineration plant, it is feared it might be the boy's, but instead it only deepens the mystery. Lots of twists and turns and veiled hints kept this reader furiously turning pages.
This is one series where I do recommend readers start at the beginning and read in order as there is some excellent character development. I've come to really like this cast of characters with their complicated personal relationships. As always, it's enjoyable to spend a few hours escaping to Copenhagen and getting a dose of escapism. This author is rapidly becoming a favorite and I will look forward to more.
I received an arc of this new thriller from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Many thanks for the opportunity.
This is one series where I do recommend readers start at the beginning and read in order as there is some excellent character development. I've come to really like this cast of characters with their complicated personal relationships. As always, it's enjoyable to spend a few hours escaping to Copenhagen and getting a dose of escapism. This author is rapidly becoming a favorite and I will look forward to more.
I received an arc of this new thriller from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Many thanks for the opportunity.
April 8, 2022
I love crime and detective fiction and the Kørner and Werner series is by far one of my favorites to fill both of these genres at once. The Harbor is another great installment even though I am STILL waiting for them to publish book 2, and I am not salty about that at all. Katrine Engberg has quickly become yet another of my favorite authors and I love both her characters and the way she tells a story. The translator Tara F. Chace also seems to have done a wonderful job, and nothing about the book didn't make sense to me thanks to it being translated properly. I am always happy to be back in the world of Jeppe and Anette and I thought the case was very well thought out and complex. I really had no idea where the whole thing with Oscar was going to go, and that coupled with the interesting side story Anette has going on made things both tense and very curious to me.
Just like with the previous installments I listened to the audiobook and once again it was narrated by the very talented Mr. Graeme Malcolm. I have now listened to him voice several novels and he knocks it out of the park every single time. Without him, I wouldn't know how to say half of the names in this series, and I think listening to them is extremely helpful as well as engaging. I love that along with all the mystery and crime in The Harbor there is still a dash of humor which ends up being very helpful considering how dark the story went. I also loved how just like with the prior books of the series, we learned even more about Jeppe and Anette's lives, and I do enjoy the way Engberg uses several viewpoints to get us to the end. I am definitely in this series for the long haul and highly recommend the whole thing to fans of detective fiction, thrillers, mysteries, crime fiction, and Nordic noir.
Thank you to the publishers for my advanced listening and reader copies of this book. All opinions and thoughts are my own.
Just like with the previous installments I listened to the audiobook and once again it was narrated by the very talented Mr. Graeme Malcolm. I have now listened to him voice several novels and he knocks it out of the park every single time. Without him, I wouldn't know how to say half of the names in this series, and I think listening to them is extremely helpful as well as engaging. I love that along with all the mystery and crime in The Harbor there is still a dash of humor which ends up being very helpful considering how dark the story went. I also loved how just like with the prior books of the series, we learned even more about Jeppe and Anette's lives, and I do enjoy the way Engberg uses several viewpoints to get us to the end. I am definitely in this series for the long haul and highly recommend the whole thing to fans of detective fiction, thrillers, mysteries, crime fiction, and Nordic noir.
Thank you to the publishers for my advanced listening and reader copies of this book. All opinions and thoughts are my own.
August 6, 2021
April in Kopenhagen: An einem sonnigen Frühlingstag verschwindet der 15-jährige Oscar. Zunächst deutet einiges darauf hin, dass er weggelaufen sein könnte - bis ein Abschiedsbrief entdeckt wird. Anette Werner und Jeppe Kørner von der Kopenhagener Polizei werden auf den Fall angesetzt und decken nach und nach immer mehr dunkle Familiengeheimnisse auf. Als dann auch noch eine Leiche in der neuen Müllverbrennungsanlage auftaucht, droht ihnen alles zu entgleiten...
"Das Nest" ist bereits der vierte Teil der Kopenhagen-Reihe von Katrine Engberg - und was habe ich mich erneut auf diesen Krimi gefreut! Werner und Kørner sind zwei meiner liebsten Ermittler*innen und ich habe es auch dieses mal wieder sehr genossen, mit ihnen den Fall um den jugendlichen Oscar aufzudecken.
Die Autorin sucht sich in ihren Büchern meist ein zentrales Thema aus, um das herum sie dann ihren Kriminalfall baut. Dieses mal ging es um Kinder in den verschiedensten Altersstufen, um die Welt, in der sie aufwachsen und auch die Umstände, in denen sie sich zurecht finden müssen. Ich fand dieses Motiv wirklich sehr gut umgesetzt. Die Ermittlungen wurden dadurch sehr komplex und gerade die Bereiche Erziehung und Klimawandel nehmen einen großen Raum im Buch ein und verzahnen sich ineinander.
Besonders gut hat mir gefallen, dass auch Esther und Gregers wieder ihren Auftritt bekommen haben und erneut auch dem Privatleben von Werner und Kørner Platz eingeräumt wurde. Gerade die Entwicklung der Protagonist*innen zu beobachten macht viel Spaß und gibt den Kriminalromanen auch eine persönliche Note.
"Das Nest" ist ein toll recherchierter und ausgetüftelter Krimi, der viele aktuelle Belange aufgreift und dabei noch richtig spannend und gut zu lesen ist. Von mir gibt es auch dieses mal wieder eine Leseempfehlung und das nicht nur für Fans von Kriminalromanen!
"Das Nest" ist bereits der vierte Teil der Kopenhagen-Reihe von Katrine Engberg - und was habe ich mich erneut auf diesen Krimi gefreut! Werner und Kørner sind zwei meiner liebsten Ermittler*innen und ich habe es auch dieses mal wieder sehr genossen, mit ihnen den Fall um den jugendlichen Oscar aufzudecken.
Die Autorin sucht sich in ihren Büchern meist ein zentrales Thema aus, um das herum sie dann ihren Kriminalfall baut. Dieses mal ging es um Kinder in den verschiedensten Altersstufen, um die Welt, in der sie aufwachsen und auch die Umstände, in denen sie sich zurecht finden müssen. Ich fand dieses Motiv wirklich sehr gut umgesetzt. Die Ermittlungen wurden dadurch sehr komplex und gerade die Bereiche Erziehung und Klimawandel nehmen einen großen Raum im Buch ein und verzahnen sich ineinander.
Besonders gut hat mir gefallen, dass auch Esther und Gregers wieder ihren Auftritt bekommen haben und erneut auch dem Privatleben von Werner und Kørner Platz eingeräumt wurde. Gerade die Entwicklung der Protagonist*innen zu beobachten macht viel Spaß und gibt den Kriminalromanen auch eine persönliche Note.
"Das Nest" ist ein toll recherchierter und ausgetüftelter Krimi, der viele aktuelle Belange aufgreift und dabei noch richtig spannend und gut zu lesen ist. Von mir gibt es auch dieses mal wieder eine Leseempfehlung und das nicht nur für Fans von Kriminalromanen!
January 24, 2022
Thank you so much to Gallery Press and Katrine Engberg for my copy of The Harbor. This is the third book in the Korner and Werner series and they only get better. This book was about a missing boy who left a very cryptic note that said
He looked around and saw the knife that had stabbed Basil Hallward. He had cleaned it many times, till there was no stain left upon it. It was bright and glistened. As it had killed the painter, so it would kill the painter’s work, and all that that meant. It would kill the past, and when that was dead, he would be free.
Thoughts: I love the evolution of this series. It was fun learning more about Jeppe and Anette, as well as Sara. Anette is one of my favorite main characters and is flawed in an interesting and relatable way. These books all have a dark and stormy setting, which is a fun feature of Nordic Noir. This is a character driven police procedural that takes the reader through the case along with the detectives.
There are some trigger warnings in this book, and it does have dark themes. It’s a slow burn in a great way and the characters really draw the reader into the story. There are lots of storylines tied into one story and every chapter keeps your interest. I recommend reading the other books in the series first so you can enjoy the progression of the characters. The ending was a bit predictable, but it was a great story. 4.5 stars.
He looked around and saw the knife that had stabbed Basil Hallward. He had cleaned it many times, till there was no stain left upon it. It was bright and glistened. As it had killed the painter, so it would kill the painter’s work, and all that that meant. It would kill the past, and when that was dead, he would be free.
Thoughts: I love the evolution of this series. It was fun learning more about Jeppe and Anette, as well as Sara. Anette is one of my favorite main characters and is flawed in an interesting and relatable way. These books all have a dark and stormy setting, which is a fun feature of Nordic Noir. This is a character driven police procedural that takes the reader through the case along with the detectives.
There are some trigger warnings in this book, and it does have dark themes. It’s a slow burn in a great way and the characters really draw the reader into the story. There are lots of storylines tied into one story and every chapter keeps your interest. I recommend reading the other books in the series first so you can enjoy the progression of the characters. The ending was a bit predictable, but it was a great story. 4.5 stars.
December 14, 2021
When the police in Copenhagen are notified of a missing teenager, they figure it's just another adolescent game. But as Jeppe and Anette look into the case, they realize that there is much more involved. It seems as if everyone involved in the case has secrets, and until they are revealed, the deaths may continue. A great choice for fans of the Nordic Noir genre. Thanks to Edelweiss and the publisher for the ARC.
February 9, 2024
This was a case of 'not for me'.
I'm not even sure what made me put the 4th book in a series on my list to read when I found this on my TBR in libby and it was available. A Danish crime drama that was hard to follow and had way to many characters / plot points for me to stay interested.
I'm not even sure what made me put the 4th book in a series on my list to read when I found this on my TBR in libby and it was available. A Danish crime drama that was hard to follow and had way to many characters / plot points for me to stay interested.
January 4, 2022
Jeppe Kørner and Annette Werner are back in Book 3 of the English translation of this series (It is technically book 4, but book 3 hasn't been translated into English yet).
Teenager Oscar has disappeared, leaving behind a cryptic note. Fearing he's been kidnapped, Kørner and Werner are brought in to investigate. When another body turns up in Copenhagen's incinerator, the detectives must see if this crime is connected to Oscar's disappearance.
I feel like this is the best of the three books so far. You can see the author is improving with each book. It's fun to check in with the characters and see how their relationship with each other and others progresses. In this book, you also get to see how the job wears on the detectives, which adds a sense of realism to the book. The plot moves at a nice pace and kept me guessing at what the outcome would be.
Thank you to Gallery Books, Scout Press, author Katrine Engberg, and NetGalley for gifting me a digital copy of this book. My opinions are my own.
Teenager Oscar has disappeared, leaving behind a cryptic note. Fearing he's been kidnapped, Kørner and Werner are brought in to investigate. When another body turns up in Copenhagen's incinerator, the detectives must see if this crime is connected to Oscar's disappearance.
I feel like this is the best of the three books so far. You can see the author is improving with each book. It's fun to check in with the characters and see how their relationship with each other and others progresses. In this book, you also get to see how the job wears on the detectives, which adds a sense of realism to the book. The plot moves at a nice pace and kept me guessing at what the outcome would be.
Thank you to Gallery Books, Scout Press, author Katrine Engberg, and NetGalley for gifting me a digital copy of this book. My opinions are my own.
July 28, 2021
Ich fand schon den Auftakt um das Duo Jeppe und Anette, „Krokodilwächter“, bereits spannend. Daher hatte ich mich schon von Anfang an gefreut „Das Nest“ zu lesen und wurde nicht enttäuscht. Mir gefallen die beiden Charaktere Jeppe und Anette sehr, insbesondere Anette. Der dänische Hintergrund gibt auch das gewisse Etwas und schafft es die skandinavische Atmosphäre mysteriös auszubauen.
Dieses Mal geht es um einen Jungen, der plötzlich verschwindet und dadurch (gewollt oder ungewollt) eine gewaltige Lawine von Kindesmissbrauch bis hin zu Wirtschaftsbetrug aufdeckt. Ich fand es gut, dass neben dem Kriminalfall auch viele alltägliche Themen angesprochen wurden, dadurch werden die Charaktere lebendiger und sympathischer. Es dreht sich auch viel um Familie und was Familie genau ausmacht. Die Geschichte wird dadurch menschlicher und zugänglicher.
Wie man es von einem guten Thriller gewohnt ist, gibt es viele Charaktere und Handlungsstränge, die den Leser in die Irre führen und mit Überraschungsmomenten dienen. Manche Charaktere wirkten etwas klischeehaft und vielleicht hätte man hier und da auch paar Dinge wegnehmen können, aber insgesamt hat es als Paket gepasst. Ich hatte viel Spaß beim Lesen dieser Geschichte und hoffe, dass es bald was neues um Jeppe und Anette gibt.
** Dieses Buch wurde mir über NetGalley als E-Book zur Verfügung gestellt **
Dieses Mal geht es um einen Jungen, der plötzlich verschwindet und dadurch (gewollt oder ungewollt) eine gewaltige Lawine von Kindesmissbrauch bis hin zu Wirtschaftsbetrug aufdeckt. Ich fand es gut, dass neben dem Kriminalfall auch viele alltägliche Themen angesprochen wurden, dadurch werden die Charaktere lebendiger und sympathischer. Es dreht sich auch viel um Familie und was Familie genau ausmacht. Die Geschichte wird dadurch menschlicher und zugänglicher.
Wie man es von einem guten Thriller gewohnt ist, gibt es viele Charaktere und Handlungsstränge, die den Leser in die Irre führen und mit Überraschungsmomenten dienen. Manche Charaktere wirkten etwas klischeehaft und vielleicht hätte man hier und da auch paar Dinge wegnehmen können, aber insgesamt hat es als Paket gepasst. Ich hatte viel Spaß beim Lesen dieser Geschichte und hoffe, dass es bald was neues um Jeppe und Anette gibt.
** Dieses Buch wurde mir über NetGalley als E-Book zur Verfügung gestellt **
February 21, 2022
The Harbor is Book 3 in the wonderfully crafted series of Copenhagen detectives Jeppe Korner and Anette Werner who always find themselves in unique situations both personally and professionally as they try to solve mysterious deaths. Engberg’s unique plots and plot twists immediately grab the reader’s attention with of course the usual gasp at its unlikely conclusion.
The story also has pop-ins from characters who were in previous books such as roommates Esther and Gregers whose lives the readers are just as much invested in as we are the two detectives.
The story begins with a missing fifteen-year-old named Oscar Dreyer-Hoff who disappeared on his way home from school. His parents who own a profitable gallery think he has been the victim of a kidnapping. There was a note found at the home, but it’s meaning seems to make no sense. Is it possible someone other than a kidnapper could have written it? Something does not feel right about the whole kidnapping scenario to Detectives Korner and Werner. On top of this, Oscar’s family does not seem to be too open to giving out information.
Then it is discovered the Oscar’s father’s boat and boat key are missing from the harbor dock in which it is kept. Could Oscar have taken the boat? Or someone else? Was Oscar trying to get away from someone?
As the clues begin to pile up, it is discovered by interviewing some of the teachers at school that Oscar’s best friend, may have been sexually abused, and Oscar’s brother Victor had been bullying children at school which was squashed somehow and by someone. But what could Oscar’s involvement have been?
Then another body is found. Are too many questions being asked? Could they be getting close to what really happened? As the two detectives are in a race to save Oscar from whatever his fate, and with the family seemingly hiding things, they try to piece together Oscar’s last day and what could have happened.
In the meantime, Korner who has fallen in love is practically living full-time with his girlfriend and her two children, a situation which seems to be giving both of them anxiety as Korner who may be a brilliant detective has no idea about children. And Anette, who had a surprise baby with her husband a short while ago, is not sure she loves him anymore and suddenly feels tempted in ways she never imagined.
As they race to find Oscar, what Korner and Warner discover are chilling lies, secrets and skeletons which have hidden for years. The Harbor has it all! Surprising suspects and an amazing ending with more a personal storyline of the detectives and their friends lives which any reader of the series is now invested in.
The Harbor is intriguing, messy and juicy!
Thank you #NetGalley #Gallery/ScoutPress #TheHarbor #KatrineEngberg for the advanced copy.
The story also has pop-ins from characters who were in previous books such as roommates Esther and Gregers whose lives the readers are just as much invested in as we are the two detectives.
The story begins with a missing fifteen-year-old named Oscar Dreyer-Hoff who disappeared on his way home from school. His parents who own a profitable gallery think he has been the victim of a kidnapping. There was a note found at the home, but it’s meaning seems to make no sense. Is it possible someone other than a kidnapper could have written it? Something does not feel right about the whole kidnapping scenario to Detectives Korner and Werner. On top of this, Oscar’s family does not seem to be too open to giving out information.
Then it is discovered the Oscar’s father’s boat and boat key are missing from the harbor dock in which it is kept. Could Oscar have taken the boat? Or someone else? Was Oscar trying to get away from someone?
As the clues begin to pile up, it is discovered by interviewing some of the teachers at school that Oscar’s best friend, may have been sexually abused, and Oscar’s brother Victor had been bullying children at school which was squashed somehow and by someone. But what could Oscar’s involvement have been?
Then another body is found. Are too many questions being asked? Could they be getting close to what really happened? As the two detectives are in a race to save Oscar from whatever his fate, and with the family seemingly hiding things, they try to piece together Oscar’s last day and what could have happened.
In the meantime, Korner who has fallen in love is practically living full-time with his girlfriend and her two children, a situation which seems to be giving both of them anxiety as Korner who may be a brilliant detective has no idea about children. And Anette, who had a surprise baby with her husband a short while ago, is not sure she loves him anymore and suddenly feels tempted in ways she never imagined.
As they race to find Oscar, what Korner and Warner discover are chilling lies, secrets and skeletons which have hidden for years. The Harbor has it all! Surprising suspects and an amazing ending with more a personal storyline of the detectives and their friends lives which any reader of the series is now invested in.
The Harbor is intriguing, messy and juicy!
Thank you #NetGalley #Gallery/ScoutPress #TheHarbor #KatrineEngberg for the advanced copy.
February 22, 2022
3.5 stars
The Harbor by Katrine Engberg is the fourth in the Detectives Kørner & Werner series.
First, let me thank Edelweiss, the publisher Simon and Schuster (Gallery/Scout Press) and of course the author, for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Series Background: (Warning – May contain spoilers from previous books)
Inspector Jeppe Kørner is with the Copenhagen Police Department (Violent Crimes Division), is divorced, but dating. According to his colleague, Anette Werner, Jeppe is too sensitive and a wimp. Jeppe thinks of her as a loud bulldozer. Annette has been married for over 20 years, and much to her surprise, recently gave birth to a daughter. Their boss, Police Commissioner Irene Dam, thinks their diverse personalities complement each other, so usually assigns them cases together. Other members of their team consist of overly-ambitious Detective Thomas Larsen, old-timer Detective Torben Falck, and computer whiz Sara Saidani.
My Synopsis: (No major reveals, but if concerned, skip to My Opinions)
Oscar Dreyer-Hoff is 15, and is missing. Opinions differ as to if he was kidnapped, ran away, or committed suicide. A strange note was left, but opinions also differ whether it was a suicide note, or left by a kidnapper. It was an Oscar Wilde quote about death.
Jeppe Kørner and Anette Werner are called in to investigate, but are finding more than they bargained for. Oscar's family is a little strange. When a body is found in an incineration plant, they fear it may be the young boy.
Meanwhile, Jeppe and Sara have been dating for a while now, but her two young daughters may become an issue. Anette, on the other hand, is loving her 19 month old daughter, but is starting to question her love for her husband.
My Opinions:
I admit that I struggled with this one. Annette's attitude towards her marriage is annoying, and I'm not really enjoying the relationship between Jeppe and Sara.
I love seeing Esther back.
There was a lot going on in this one, and although it got tied together, it was a little much. Topics included everything from climate change to pornography to murder. Family dynamics was also front and center. All the topics were a little dark.
Overall, it was good, but I enjoyed the last book more, as I felt this one was a little slow moving, and I didn't particularly like the side stories of Jeppe and Annette.
For a more complete review of this book and others (including my reason for choosing to read this, author information and a favorite quotation or two from this book), please visit my blog: http://katlovesbooksblog.wordpress.com/
January 30, 2022
Besonders gut an Katrine Engbergs Krimis gefällt mir, dass man jedes Mal so viel Neues, Spannendes über ihre Stadt, Kopenhagen, erfährt. Das war für mich definitiv das Schönste und ich habe zusätzlich viel gegoogelt und große Lust bekommen, dort wieder hin zu reisen!! Natürlich ist es ein Krimi, sehr literarisch vom Stil her, und bietet alles von cosy bis hin zu einer spannenden Kriminalhandlung. Und Katrine Engberg schreckt auch nicht vor Abgründen zurück - allerdings ohne zu sehr ins Detail zu gehen. Das ist für mich perfekt.
November 27, 2022
Historia nórdica 100%.
Una desaparición de un menor, hijo de una familia rica. La cosa se va complicando con muertes y asuntos turbios.
Investigación pausada donde a veces el azar ayudar a seguir con el caso.
También mezcla vida personal de los personajes; no todo es tan idílico o maravilloso.
No he llegado a empatizar con ningún personaje, se repiten muchos clichés.
Novela entretenida con un final correcto
Una desaparición de un menor, hijo de una familia rica. La cosa se va complicando con muertes y asuntos turbios.
Investigación pausada donde a veces el azar ayudar a seguir con el caso.
También mezcla vida personal de los personajes; no todo es tan idílico o maravilloso.
No he llegado a empatizar con ningún personaje, se repiten muchos clichés.
Novela entretenida con un final correcto
December 28, 2022
3 stars
I think I read this one out of order, but each book is pretty much stand alone.
This is book #4 of the Korner and Werner series. I felt this one was just mediocre. I enjoyed the first two books of the series - skipped book three for some reason - and finished this one.
There was a mystery involved in this book, but the book really seemed to be more of a personal introduction to the two detectives, with the mystery taking second tier.
Oscar Hoff, 15 years old, is missing. The mystery is finding him, who abducted him and why he was abducted. As I said the mystery seemed to be over shadowed by the lives of the two detectives, which in my opinion was not very interesting.
I think I am done now with this series. It is not keeping my interest.
I think I read this one out of order, but each book is pretty much stand alone.
This is book #4 of the Korner and Werner series. I felt this one was just mediocre. I enjoyed the first two books of the series - skipped book three for some reason - and finished this one.
There was a mystery involved in this book, but the book really seemed to be more of a personal introduction to the two detectives, with the mystery taking second tier.
Oscar Hoff, 15 years old, is missing. The mystery is finding him, who abducted him and why he was abducted. As I said the mystery seemed to be over shadowed by the lives of the two detectives, which in my opinion was not very interesting.
I think I am done now with this series. It is not keeping my interest.
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