What do you think?
Rate this book
Varg Veum #13
The Consorts of Death
When detective Varg Veum takes a telephone call in his office, his mind is suddenly thrust back 25 years, to his days as a child protection officer and the case of a small boy separated from his mother under tragic circumstances. This same boy has surfaced in several other cases, in connection with a sudden death in his new foster home and, a decade later, in a dramatic double murder in Sunnfjord. Now that boy is an adult on the run in Oslo, determined to take revenge on those responsible for destroying his life-among them his former child protection officer, detective Veum.
336 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2006
52 people are currently reading
204 people want to read
About the author
Gunnar Staalesen
135 books281 followersGunnar Staalesen is a Norwegian writer. Staalesen has a cand.philol degree from Universitetet i Bergen and he has worked at Den Nationale Scene, the main theater in Bergen.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews
September 10, 2011
Set in Bergen and rural Norway, this sad, funny and nearly implausible story follows a social service worker interacting with a wee boy who eventually becomes a criminal. It is a shame that this is Staalesen's only novel available on Kindle. With good reason, Staalesen is very popular in Europe. His protagonist Varg Veum, a social worker turned private investigator, is a sympathetic narrator about how life conspired against Johnny Boy, who keeps turning up like a wooden nickel, first as a baby taken away from his incapacitated mother, then twice as a foster child, and finally on his own. Apparently the book was made into a film which is available for a free download -- I haven't tried it, but I may.
February 7, 2017
The main character is Varg Veum, a social worker turned private eye. And since I used to be a social worker (for 21 years) these stories really appeal to me - I can identify :)
The story goes back in time when he was a young social worker and was sent to the home of "Johnny Boy" a 3 year old boy and possible victim of abuse. We follow the progress of Johnny boy and Varg over a period of several years. The conditions of the home and people involved when johnny boy (Jan Elgin) was first seen by Varg
And then again when Johnny boy is 6 years old and has adoptive dad has a mysterious fall down the stairs and dies. Varg is again on the scene and takes Johnny boy to the treatment center and becomes involved in his life again
Many years later, when VArg has left social services, and is a Private investigator - he once again is called in as Johnny boys foster parents are both found murdered. DId Johnny Boy do it? Varg again becomes involved and learns of many twisted and interconnected relationships in the story of Johnny Boy
The story goes back in time when he was a young social worker and was sent to the home of "Johnny Boy" a 3 year old boy and possible victim of abuse. We follow the progress of Johnny boy and Varg over a period of several years. The conditions of the home and people involved when johnny boy (Jan Elgin) was first seen by Varg
And then again when Johnny boy is 6 years old and has adoptive dad has a mysterious fall down the stairs and dies. Varg is again on the scene and takes Johnny boy to the treatment center and becomes involved in his life again
Many years later, when VArg has left social services, and is a Private investigator - he once again is called in as Johnny boys foster parents are both found murdered. DId Johnny Boy do it? Varg again becomes involved and learns of many twisted and interconnected relationships in the story of Johnny Boy
December 7, 2024
A rather ho-hum addition to the Varg Veum canon, but whether a result of the author's efforts or the translator it is hard to say. The story spans nearly thirty years, fitfully tracing the tragic life of a client of Varg's from a small boy (Jan Egil) to a thirty-year-old ex-con. A hidden web of relationships becomes clear to Varg as he stumbles along uncovering the truth behind multiple murders and systematic betrayals that have ruined Jan's life. The final scene, though explaining the remaining questions, is incomplete and unsatisfying. The much altered and abbreviated movie version is considerably better than the novel.
April 10, 2020
3+. It was a 4 until the ending, which left everything up in the air. Complex but not too complex, it follows Varg’s interactions over 25 years with Johnny Boy, whom Varg first met as a troubled 2-year-old.
May 21, 2019
Geniální práce spisovatele Gunnara Staalesona (68) je ryzí ukázkou severských detektivek. Pokrevní pouta vás vezmou na cestu plnou dramatických zvratů, precizních dialogů a do poslední stránky vás nenechá vydechnout.
Hlavním hrdinou je bývalý pracovník Úřadu na ochranu dětí Barnevernet, muž jménem Varg Veum. Události se však točí i kolem jeho chráněnce, chlapce Jana Egila, tedy po česku Jeníčka. Jako tříletého ho s kolegyní odebrali feťácké trosce, která byla v podstatě náhodou jeho matkou. Veum se musí vrátit ve vzpomínkách do minulosti a hledat v ní způsob, jak přijít na kloub několika zločinům. Na první pohled je nic nespojuje. Jakou roli v následujících tragických událostech hraje Jan? Pokrevní pouta z jemných náznaků a nevinných předvojů budoucích událostí gradují v brutálních vraždách a předkládají vynikající detektivku, která jde až na dřeň. Nic není černobílé a viník nemusí být tak snadno odhalitelný.
Staaleson je pevný v kramflecích zejména při tvorbě postav. Není jich mnoho a jsou tak propracované, že doslova ožívají na papíře a v představách čtenáře. Vše poznáváme z pohledu Varga Veuma, kniha je napsaná v první osobě a nebylo by lepší volby. Nejen, že díky tomu je postava detektiva uvěřitelnější (chybuje a tápe), ale dá se s ním konfrontovat. Je tu místo na intriky, drama, zvraty a hlavně skvěle napsané dialogy. Chladný i citlivý, cynický i něžný - takový je příběh Pokravních pout. Propletenec záhad a tajemství baví a dráždí, odhalíte je všechny? Čeho jsou lidé schopni pro lásku? Jakou roli v tom všem hrají úmysly? Zběsilá cesta příběhem vás nenechá vydechnout a bude postupně klást otázky i odhalovat odpovědi.
Příběh si neříká, on přímo řve o zfilmování! Také se dočkal a Varg Veum se objevil na plátně i obrazovkách hned několikrát. Podle této knihy vznikl v roce 2011 film Varg Veum: Společníci smrti (mimochodem přesný překlad originálního názvu předlohy Dødens drabanter). Norský herec Trond Espen Seim (44) si však detektiva Veuma zahrál poprvé v roce 2007 ve snímku Detektiv Varg Veum: Hořké květy, opět podle Staalesonovy knihy. Od té doby zvárnil detektiva v dalších filmech i úspěšném seriálu. Ale zpět ke knize. Zaslouží totiž vysoké hodnocení a nezbývá než napsat: pusťte se do ní.
Hlavním hrdinou je bývalý pracovník Úřadu na ochranu dětí Barnevernet, muž jménem Varg Veum. Události se však točí i kolem jeho chráněnce, chlapce Jana Egila, tedy po česku Jeníčka. Jako tříletého ho s kolegyní odebrali feťácké trosce, která byla v podstatě náhodou jeho matkou. Veum se musí vrátit ve vzpomínkách do minulosti a hledat v ní způsob, jak přijít na kloub několika zločinům. Na první pohled je nic nespojuje. Jakou roli v následujících tragických událostech hraje Jan? Pokrevní pouta z jemných náznaků a nevinných předvojů budoucích událostí gradují v brutálních vraždách a předkládají vynikající detektivku, která jde až na dřeň. Nic není černobílé a viník nemusí být tak snadno odhalitelný.
Staaleson je pevný v kramflecích zejména při tvorbě postav. Není jich mnoho a jsou tak propracované, že doslova ožívají na papíře a v představách čtenáře. Vše poznáváme z pohledu Varga Veuma, kniha je napsaná v první osobě a nebylo by lepší volby. Nejen, že díky tomu je postava detektiva uvěřitelnější (chybuje a tápe), ale dá se s ním konfrontovat. Je tu místo na intriky, drama, zvraty a hlavně skvěle napsané dialogy. Chladný i citlivý, cynický i něžný - takový je příběh Pokravních pout. Propletenec záhad a tajemství baví a dráždí, odhalíte je všechny? Čeho jsou lidé schopni pro lásku? Jakou roli v tom všem hrají úmysly? Zběsilá cesta příběhem vás nenechá vydechnout a bude postupně klást otázky i odhalovat odpovědi.
Příběh si neříká, on přímo řve o zfilmování! Také se dočkal a Varg Veum se objevil na plátně i obrazovkách hned několikrát. Podle této knihy vznikl v roce 2011 film Varg Veum: Společníci smrti (mimochodem přesný překlad originálního názvu předlohy Dødens drabanter). Norský herec Trond Espen Seim (44) si však detektiva Veuma zahrál poprvé v roce 2007 ve snímku Detektiv Varg Veum: Hořké květy, opět podle Staalesonovy knihy. Od té doby zvárnil detektiva v dalších filmech i úspěšném seriálu. Ale zpět ke knize. Zaslouží totiž vysoké hodnocení a nezbývá než napsat: pusťte se do ní.
August 22, 2020
L'aspetto piu' interessante di quest'opera e' a mio avviso la feroce critica da parte dell'Autore al Sistema Socio-Assistenziale norvegese.
Protagonisti del racconto sono un assistente sociale divorziato, Varg Veum, che diventa investigatore privato; un bambino, che seguiamo fino all'eta' adulta, figlio di una tossicodipendente, che viene preso in consegna dai Servizi Sociali, e dato in affido; e un corollario di personaggi colleghi di Varg. Ci sono diverse morti misteriose, che coprono un arco di 20 anni, e che gravitano intorno alla figura di Janegutt, in bambino in affido. Ma alla fine dell'opera Varg Veum svelera' il mistero di una vicenda intricata dove si mischiano malavita, spaccio di droga, contrabbando di alcoolici, e personalita' importanti. Un quadro del profondo Nord piuttosto cupo.
Protagonisti del racconto sono un assistente sociale divorziato, Varg Veum, che diventa investigatore privato; un bambino, che seguiamo fino all'eta' adulta, figlio di una tossicodipendente, che viene preso in consegna dai Servizi Sociali, e dato in affido; e un corollario di personaggi colleghi di Varg. Ci sono diverse morti misteriose, che coprono un arco di 20 anni, e che gravitano intorno alla figura di Janegutt, in bambino in affido. Ma alla fine dell'opera Varg Veum svelera' il mistero di una vicenda intricata dove si mischiano malavita, spaccio di droga, contrabbando di alcoolici, e personalita' importanti. Un quadro del profondo Nord piuttosto cupo.
July 2, 2023
Yes.
Same Sexist author, same sexist hero, same iterations of descriptions of the same thing, same details not needed, like what streets he took when driving though oslo.
A great whodunit tho, which great characters, again a few too many.
Our hero who figures things out with his smart ass talk and questions outwits the police - again.
I wasn't thrilled with the ending and considering how difficult it is to read these in order, I lucked out and have the next one and the first chapter catches one up.
I do recommend you read in publication and not translation date order, however. They can be read as standalone, but you will miss a few things - but the world won't end either.
These are very different whodunits and can't recommend enough. And although I didn't commit, my thoughts on how allt his would work out were correct for a change.
Same Sexist author, same sexist hero, same iterations of descriptions of the same thing, same details not needed, like what streets he took when driving though oslo.
A great whodunit tho, which great characters, again a few too many.
Our hero who figures things out with his smart ass talk and questions outwits the police - again.
I wasn't thrilled with the ending and considering how difficult it is to read these in order, I lucked out and have the next one and the first chapter catches one up.
I do recommend you read in publication and not translation date order, however. They can be read as standalone, but you will miss a few things - but the world won't end either.
These are very different whodunits and can't recommend enough. And although I didn't commit, my thoughts on how allt his would work out were correct for a change.
January 23, 2022
Staalesen på sitt beste og det da jeg trodde jeg hadde fått dosen min av Varg Veum. Virkemidlene er forsåvidt kjente og nærmest selvfølgelig har handlingen lange tråder bakover i historien. Denne gangen er godt over halvparten av historien i fortiden fra særlig tre ulike tidspunkt og vår helt spiller en rolle i alle. Vi blir derfor enda bedre kjent med Varg i denne boka, ikke minst fra den tiden han jobbet i barnevernet. Bøkene har ofte blitt dårligere, når vi forlater Bergen, det gjelder ikke denne boka. I store deler av boka er vi i og rundt Førde og mot slutten et lengre parti i Oslo. De lange linjene gjør også at vi blir godt kjente med de ulike personene og forstår dem bedre. At jeg forstod hvem skurken var lenge før slutt, ødela heller ikke for spenningen.
August 5, 2018
This is my second Staalesen novel. Where Roses Never Die Being my first. This is a solid work - a nice mix of Chandleresque detective story with slight tips of the cap to the social commentary of the Swedish police procedural. There are 20 or so of these novels in print in Norway but the best I can tell only 8 have been translated to English. I have been lucky to find his books on the shelves at Mysterious Bookshop but even then their selection is limited. I can find more in London and will raid the shelves at Foyles next time I am in town.
This book was a genuine treat, I just wish more of his work was in translation.
This book was a genuine treat, I just wish more of his work was in translation.
October 28, 2019
Social worker turned private eye series, combining both worlds. In this one an abused child apparently commits a series of crimes and Veum keeps track of him over the years. The story involves an incredibly complicated genealogy of families, abuse, and crimes as well as a murky criminal conspiracy to smuggle alcohol and drugs. There’s even a 19th century murder thrown in as an allegory that things are not always what they seem. The ending comes out of left field as a literal and figurative car crash. Beware the helping professions! Also, as before, a lot of the writing is stilted and just a bit off: a translation problem? Less than 3 stars.
January 19, 2024
Accrochez-vous!
Les aventures de Varg sont toujours épiques!
Le détective privé divorcé, avec une passion sans nom pour l’Aquavit, en somme, tout à fait ordinaire a le chic pour se retrouver dans des dans des situations impossibles.
Dans ce volume, il nous fait traverser plusieurs décennies pendant lesquelles nous partageons le destin d’un petit garçon jusqu’à l’âge adulte. La vie s’acharne contre lui, mais Varg Veum sera le seul à vouloir l’aider car il ne croira jamais à la culpabilité trop facile du garçon. Entre Berga et Oslo, entre autres, embarquez pour une aventure rebondissante !
Les aventures de Varg sont toujours épiques!
Le détective privé divorcé, avec une passion sans nom pour l’Aquavit, en somme, tout à fait ordinaire a le chic pour se retrouver dans des dans des situations impossibles.
Dans ce volume, il nous fait traverser plusieurs décennies pendant lesquelles nous partageons le destin d’un petit garçon jusqu’à l’âge adulte. La vie s’acharne contre lui, mais Varg Veum sera le seul à vouloir l’aider car il ne croira jamais à la culpabilité trop facile du garçon. Entre Berga et Oslo, entre autres, embarquez pour une aventure rebondissante !
May 6, 2024
Amazon sold me a kindle proof copy version which I am very annoyed about. I am sure it is an infringement of the author’s copyright and it is downright theft from me. Luckily for Mssrs. Amazon I am a great fan of Staalesen’s work. He writes exquisite prose and the plots in this novel are as intricate and clever as they always are. Highly recommended, but make sure that you are not sold a proof copy.
June 9, 2017
This is my 1st Norway's book that I read and I love it. Sometimes i am confuse with the places because not familiar wih the word nor spelling, but the story is so thrilling made me curious how it will be end. 3 stars for this!
March 30, 2018
2017 and 2018 all appear to be about Nordic thrillers. This was a pretty interesting read, except I didn’t realise it was #15 of a series. I liked it but not enough to read the first 14. Maybe a couple.
February 16, 2021
My favorite neonoir character
If you have never met Varg Veum, you should. A modern version of Sam Spade or Philip Marlowe, he walks the same streets they did a hundred years ago. And he is just as interesting, and just as good in a bent sort of way....
If you have never met Varg Veum, you should. A modern version of Sam Spade or Philip Marlowe, he walks the same streets they did a hundred years ago. And he is just as interesting, and just as good in a bent sort of way....
July 5, 2021
This author and his characters grow on you! I have not read S’s books in order, but no matter! This one was very complicated. I did not figure it out until the author revealed the villain. I love surprises!
July 21, 2017
I love Varg Veum. This is the book that the author, Gunnar Staalesen, suggests as an intro to the Veum books.
September 15, 2017
4.5--this is another terrific read from Gunnar Staalesen. Not perfect but quite nicely done and translated. The narrator is Colin Mace and he does a good job of several characters and Varg himself.
November 18, 2017
Two time winner of the golden Pistol award. Johnny Boy resurfaces. Veum remembers him from early in is working career as a child protection officer.
May 5, 2019
Interesting main character but too much padding, too many coincidences, a predictable villain and an unsatisfactory ending.
July 10, 2020
Veldig bra
September 12, 2023
Enda en god Varg Veum-krim
https://tinesundal.blogspot.com/2023/...
https://tinesundal.blogspot.com/2023/...
April 27, 2021
My foray back into the past of Varg Veum has been everything I hoped it would be. I am loving getting to know more about what makes him tick and what has moulded the man I came to know through the more recent releases. And there is plenty to learn about Varg's past in Consorts of Death as the latest 'case' that he investigates is a potential threat to his own live which links back to a case and a young man who first came to Varg's attention when he was a social worker.
There are many elements to this story, some disturbing, some emotional, but all carefully and skilfully crafted and developed with Gunnar Staalesen's usual ease. This is the story of Johnny Boy a young man whose life has been one complication and drama after another, his upbringing traumatic and his connection to Varg part of a long and very twisted story. We are given not only the background to their first meeting, but all of the various times in which their lives have intersected throughout the years. Johnny boy is a very complex character, very angry, understandably so the more we learn of his past, but whether it is fair that his hatred is aimed towards Varg, we have to let the story unravel to find out.
This is another book which explores from very important issues. Amongst them are the impacts of early childhood trauma or disturbance on the way in which they behave in the future, and also the way in which the adults in Johnny boys life are willing to make sacrifice anything in order to protect, or incriminate him. As much as we are privy to the threat against Varg, and the sense that the danger is drawing ever closer, there is a real emotional core to the story as always, and i could not help but feel real sympathy for Johnny boy, in spite of the crimes he stood accused of.
I love the way in which Gunnar Staalesen so clearly sets the scene in all of his books, be it giving us a clear picture of the key players, or in the way in which he allows us to travel to Bergen and its surrounds, both in location and in time, letting us ride on Varg's ample if already burdened shoulders. Told in Varg's voice, there is a more conversational style to the tale, a recounting of what happened as much as being fully immersed in the action itself, and perhaps it is Varg's innate sympathy that rubs off on me as a reader, but it really does make me more invested in the story and in what becomes of the people Varg strives to help.
These are not fast paced stories, although there are real moments of jeopardy littered throughout, and there is always a sense that trouble is only a moment away from our hero. The ending is shocking, the story ending on somewhat of a cliffhanger, but the tragedy that ensues fits in with the whole book perfectly, even if it can't be said that justice is felt to be fully done. If you like books with a real heart, in which the emotional toll of the investigation is avery bit as important and the case itself, then I definitely recommend this series.
There are many elements to this story, some disturbing, some emotional, but all carefully and skilfully crafted and developed with Gunnar Staalesen's usual ease. This is the story of Johnny Boy a young man whose life has been one complication and drama after another, his upbringing traumatic and his connection to Varg part of a long and very twisted story. We are given not only the background to their first meeting, but all of the various times in which their lives have intersected throughout the years. Johnny boy is a very complex character, very angry, understandably so the more we learn of his past, but whether it is fair that his hatred is aimed towards Varg, we have to let the story unravel to find out.
This is another book which explores from very important issues. Amongst them are the impacts of early childhood trauma or disturbance on the way in which they behave in the future, and also the way in which the adults in Johnny boys life are willing to make sacrifice anything in order to protect, or incriminate him. As much as we are privy to the threat against Varg, and the sense that the danger is drawing ever closer, there is a real emotional core to the story as always, and i could not help but feel real sympathy for Johnny boy, in spite of the crimes he stood accused of.
I love the way in which Gunnar Staalesen so clearly sets the scene in all of his books, be it giving us a clear picture of the key players, or in the way in which he allows us to travel to Bergen and its surrounds, both in location and in time, letting us ride on Varg's ample if already burdened shoulders. Told in Varg's voice, there is a more conversational style to the tale, a recounting of what happened as much as being fully immersed in the action itself, and perhaps it is Varg's innate sympathy that rubs off on me as a reader, but it really does make me more invested in the story and in what becomes of the people Varg strives to help.
These are not fast paced stories, although there are real moments of jeopardy littered throughout, and there is always a sense that trouble is only a moment away from our hero. The ending is shocking, the story ending on somewhat of a cliffhanger, but the tragedy that ensues fits in with the whole book perfectly, even if it can't be said that justice is felt to be fully done. If you like books with a real heart, in which the emotional toll of the investigation is avery bit as important and the case itself, then I definitely recommend this series.
November 3, 2023
Un roman policier sur fond de misère sociale et affective qui prend ses racines dans le passé pour maquiller le présent et des personnages principaux ambigus et plutôt attachants. Tout est réuni pour piquer ma curiosité et me donner envie de découvrir l'auteur. J'ai beaucoup aimé le fait que ce dernier brouille continuellement les pistes, en mélangeant le passé et le présent, en nous donnant quelques clés au fur et à mesure que l'on avance dans le roman. Gunnar Staalesen à travers ce livre trace le destin de ce petit garçon né sous une mauvaise étoile : d'une enfance ballotée entre différents foyers, à l'accusation du meurtre de ses deux parents adoptifs, quelle a bien pu être la vie de Janegutt pour en arriver là ?
Le tour de force de ce roman, c'est de rendre attachants certains des personnages pas forcément très sympathiques au départ, que ce soit Janegutt au comportement ambigu ou sa mère biologique droguée, aux fréquentations plus que douteuses, maltraitante et incapable de s'occuper d'un enfant… Finalement tous évolueront au cours du récit pour atteindre une certaine forme de rédemption. J'ai beaucoup aimé le soin apporté par l'auteur pour travailler la psychologie des différents personnages et réussir à nous attirer vers de nombreuses fausses pistes grâce au comportement et à l'évolution de ces derniers. Le lecteur se perd entre ses propres certitudes et les différents indices distillés par l'auteur au cours de l'enquête et le résultat est vraiment prenant et très réussi. Les personnages secondaires prennent tour à tour de l'ampleur et finissent par trouver leur place au fur et à mesure que l'enquête avance.
Si comme moi vous aimez les polars nordiques, vous ne serez pas déçus car l'on retrouve les grands thèmes présents dans la littérature du genre à savoir une critique de la société de consommation sur fond de misère sociale ou l'ennui le dispute à la violence quotidienne. A cela vous ajoutez un personnage principal border line, un brin looser, qui noie son dégoût du monde au fond d'une bouteille d'alcool et vous y êtes… J'ai donc retrouvé avec le personnage de Varm Veum beaucoup de similitudes avec Erlendur d'Arnaldur Indridason ou avec Harry Hole de Jo Nesbo, voire avec l'inspecteur Rebus de Ian Rankin en Ecosse. Là encore on est de plein pied dans ce genre de personnage, un ancien travailleur social devenu privé, désabusé et lucide sur les capacités de l'homme à nuire et à détruire son prochain… Seul petit bémol, une certaine lenteur dans le récit et la sensation de se perdre parfois entre le passé et le présent et les différentes intrigues qui se croisent continuellement et qui pourrait déstabiliser le lecteur par moment. Pour ma part, j'ai été vraiment conquise et j'ai lu ce roman très rapidement.
Le tour de force de ce roman, c'est de rendre attachants certains des personnages pas forcément très sympathiques au départ, que ce soit Janegutt au comportement ambigu ou sa mère biologique droguée, aux fréquentations plus que douteuses, maltraitante et incapable de s'occuper d'un enfant… Finalement tous évolueront au cours du récit pour atteindre une certaine forme de rédemption. J'ai beaucoup aimé le soin apporté par l'auteur pour travailler la psychologie des différents personnages et réussir à nous attirer vers de nombreuses fausses pistes grâce au comportement et à l'évolution de ces derniers. Le lecteur se perd entre ses propres certitudes et les différents indices distillés par l'auteur au cours de l'enquête et le résultat est vraiment prenant et très réussi. Les personnages secondaires prennent tour à tour de l'ampleur et finissent par trouver leur place au fur et à mesure que l'enquête avance.
Si comme moi vous aimez les polars nordiques, vous ne serez pas déçus car l'on retrouve les grands thèmes présents dans la littérature du genre à savoir une critique de la société de consommation sur fond de misère sociale ou l'ennui le dispute à la violence quotidienne. A cela vous ajoutez un personnage principal border line, un brin looser, qui noie son dégoût du monde au fond d'une bouteille d'alcool et vous y êtes… J'ai donc retrouvé avec le personnage de Varm Veum beaucoup de similitudes avec Erlendur d'Arnaldur Indridason ou avec Harry Hole de Jo Nesbo, voire avec l'inspecteur Rebus de Ian Rankin en Ecosse. Là encore on est de plein pied dans ce genre de personnage, un ancien travailleur social devenu privé, désabusé et lucide sur les capacités de l'homme à nuire et à détruire son prochain… Seul petit bémol, une certaine lenteur dans le récit et la sensation de se perdre parfois entre le passé et le présent et les différentes intrigues qui se croisent continuellement et qui pourrait déstabiliser le lecteur par moment. Pour ma part, j'ai été vraiment conquise et j'ai lu ce roman très rapidement.
February 27, 2017
Excellent livre, histoire bien prenant et qui tiens debout
Seul b-mol: l'auteur fait beaucoup d'aller/retour dans le temps, entre 1996 - 1970 - 1986 - 1973 - 1986 - 1996, et des fois, j'avais un peu de mal à suivre et à bien me situer au bon moment et au bon endroit
Seul b-mol: l'auteur fait beaucoup d'aller/retour dans le temps, entre 1996 - 1970 - 1986 - 1973 - 1986 - 1996, et des fois, j'avais un peu de mal à suivre et à bien me situer au bon moment et au bon endroit
February 16, 2017
In Consorts of Death Staalesen reaches back into Varg's early days working for social services. He and a colleague go into a drug den and take away a little baby called Johnny Boy from his addict mother Matte and her thug boyfriend Terrje.
Johnny Boy is fostered out and Varg runs into him again as a six year old when his foster father is found dead. He is fostered again, and about ten years later is involved in another murder scene. Years later, Varg hears that the now-adult Johnny Boy wants to kill him.
This is a twisting yarn with gradually revealed connections that swirl around Johnny Boy's miserable life. We also get a good insight into the reasons why Varg has such empathy for children. Less formulaic than most, this is one of the better Varg Veum books.
Johnny Boy is fostered out and Varg runs into him again as a six year old when his foster father is found dead. He is fostered again, and about ten years later is involved in another murder scene. Years later, Varg hears that the now-adult Johnny Boy wants to kill him.
This is a twisting yarn with gradually revealed connections that swirl around Johnny Boy's miserable life. We also get a good insight into the reasons why Varg has such empathy for children. Less formulaic than most, this is one of the better Varg Veum books.
October 25, 2016
Les vies de Varg Veum et Janegutt se sont croisées à de nombreuses reprises, le premier tentant de venir en aide au second, tout d’abord en tant qu’agent de la Protection de l’enfance, puis comme détective privé, répondant à l’appel du jeune homme.
On suit ainsi Janegutt à travers les yeux de Varg Veum, durant de nombreuses années, retrouvant cet enfant à chaque étape tragique de sa vie. Et chaque personne croisée à ces moments-là a une importance dans le destin de Jan. Gunnar Staalesen brouille les pistes avec brio, dressant des portraits ambigus, mêlant détresse sociale, trafic, appât du gain et appels au secours dans un récit au final bouleversant, bien qu’une révélation concernant la relation Veum/Janegutt parait rapidement évidente, le fait que l’auteur mette des mots dessus la rend plus puissante encore.
Une intrigue vraiment bien menée.
https://deslivresdesfilsetunpeudefari...
On suit ainsi Janegutt à travers les yeux de Varg Veum, durant de nombreuses années, retrouvant cet enfant à chaque étape tragique de sa vie. Et chaque personne croisée à ces moments-là a une importance dans le destin de Jan. Gunnar Staalesen brouille les pistes avec brio, dressant des portraits ambigus, mêlant détresse sociale, trafic, appât du gain et appels au secours dans un récit au final bouleversant, bien qu’une révélation concernant la relation Veum/Janegutt parait rapidement évidente, le fait que l’auteur mette des mots dessus la rend plus puissante encore.
Une intrigue vraiment bien menée.
https://deslivresdesfilsetunpeudefari...
May 2, 2011
I get a channel called Mind. It comes on Channel 35 here in Philly, well Channel 35 and the secondary channels. On the secondary channels, Mind shows International mysteries every Sunday night. I like the Scandivan ones. Wallender, Irene Russ, and Varg Veum. This is the first Varg Veum novel I've read.
While different from the movies shown on Mind, the book is good. Varg is older and has a son, but that's about the only difference. He still has sex with almost every woman he meets (why is this a thing in the north?) and the mystery is engrossing.
Varg is haunted by a child from his social worker past, a child who has issues. A child whose adults tend to end up dead. Is it the bad seed or something else? Varg must journey to the past to find out.
While different from the movies shown on Mind, the book is good. Varg is older and has a son, but that's about the only difference. He still has sex with almost every woman he meets (why is this a thing in the north?) and the mystery is engrossing.
Varg is haunted by a child from his social worker past, a child who has issues. A child whose adults tend to end up dead. Is it the bad seed or something else? Varg must journey to the past to find out.
November 16, 2014
Initially I believed this was a poorly translated book, changed from Norwegian to English, verbatum. Where, what was actually needed was for it to be completely rewritten in English. This was how I thought book translations were done. Translated by writers not just someone who spoke the lingo.
I continued with this opinion up until the last twenty or thirty pages when it became apparent the author was truly mediocre and the reason I decided against awarding it an average three stars was that the finale was absolutely dreadfull. Mobsters do not tell each other to shut up like a couple of gays having a lovers tiff.
One other thing, all of his books claim to be best sellers having sold two million copies. What everyone? Coincidence or blatent lie.
I continued with this opinion up until the last twenty or thirty pages when it became apparent the author was truly mediocre and the reason I decided against awarding it an average three stars was that the finale was absolutely dreadfull. Mobsters do not tell each other to shut up like a couple of gays having a lovers tiff.
One other thing, all of his books claim to be best sellers having sold two million copies. What everyone? Coincidence or blatent lie.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews