Nordic Noir discussion

And the winner of April's Author of the Month run-off poll (by one vote) is Håkan Nesser.

So what are you guys going to read this month? Is he a new to you author or have you read him before?

I'm thrilled. I read & really liked Mind's Eye. I'm hoping this month to read both The Return: An Inspector Van Veeteren Mystery & Borkmann's Point: An Inspector Van Veeteren Mystery but at least the first for sure.

Unfortunately, I am caught up with his VV mysteries and Barbori hasn't been translated yet...another reason to be ticked at the publishing companies! ;)

Read most but always keep one in reserve to keep me going.
The Unlucky Lottery, Hakan Nesser I'll bump this up my list and read it before Outrage-promise.

I just reserved Borkmann's Point at the library - it should be in in the next day or so

Naomi - did you know there was a TV series made of this series?? Amazon has it streaming - I was looking to see if someone else had it

Do you own Unlucky Lottery, Richard? I have tried to find that EVERYWHERE to no avail.

Naomi - there are some sellers on 'zon that have it - http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listin... - but 'zon itself doesn't

Yeah, I don't want to pay the bucks for it that they want. I think when I threw in shipping, it was close to $20 and it isn't a VV mystery although GR says it is. I think HN was trying to spin it into another series.

maybe...sounds like it might have been released in the UK and just hasn't made it to the US yet

right...

I have paid that for Karin Fossum's books...but this one was panned.

its only out in hardcover in the UK where new it costs 10 pounds which is $16 US plus shipping

Yeah, I am too cheap for that!

lol...haha!

yeah, you're laughing cuz you know it is the truth!

Naomi www.goldsborobooks.com - I bought a signed copy. www.amazon.co.uk have it in Hardback @ £10.20 and it is due out in p/back on April 12th. Good to know that the UK is ahead of the USA in somethings. Have you read all the others?

I saw they had the pb listed, but no release date, so April is cool ;)

Richard wrote: "Naomi www.goldsborobooks.com - I bought a signed copy. www.amazon.co.uk have it in Hardback @ £10.20 and it is due out in p/back on April 12th. Good to know that the UK is ahead of the USA in somet..."

Oh, yeah..he is one of those authors that I am on top of. I think I will grab it when it comes out in PB and see what the cost is like. I don't keep print books(yes, I know it is a quirk of mine), so the second I am done with them, they head off to a library for their use. Love the comment about the UK..now that was funny!!

Hope to start The Return soon....but very behind! Just finally downloaded James' Helsinki White and am rather stumped in Nesbo's Phantom!

HN two I read were quietly good.....especially relaxing compared to Thompson Nesbo and Larsson.....therefore a more relaxed read.

Anyone agree?

I don't think Nesser is as graphic as Thompson. I do like him better than Nesbo and Larsson though. I think his writing flows better and it is much easier to get into the character.

Don't you think it is also down to the translator as I have certain favourites among these usual suspects that lift most books they collaborate on. Do I sense a new topic developing?

Sharon you are so write - HN's writing is to savour

Richard..have you read Karin Fossum yet?

Richard if you want to start a topic about translators feel free - i'd be interested in hearing people's thoughts

Richard wrote: "Don't you think it is also down to the translator as I have certain favourites among these usual suspects that lift most books they collaborate on. Do I sense a new topic developing?"

Jim Thompson actually was talking about this I think on this thread. I love NN but get really tired of waiting for the books to be translated. I have actually considered taking language lessons in Swedish to no longer have to wait.

Wow, that is going too far.. Surely? I love Stockholm though and I could think of worse places to live whilst learning the language. Last time I was there it was a real pain looking in a bookshop top ten crime fiction and knowing it would be 2-4 years before I get them in English!

Richard wrote: "Sharon you are so write - HN's writing is to savour"

like to read in chronological order and couldn't take to it. Do you have a book in mind that is a good intro to her books?

Well the first one isn't translated. The first one that is Don't Look Back. A fantastic read. Now, the last book she had out The Caller, I did buy from the UK Amazon, but then once I finished, it headed off to my library.

Haven't read anything by this author. Which should I read first?

the first one in the series is Mind's Eye

Thanks, Dee. I'll try to read that one next week.

I did write several posts on translations. Are GR posts archived anywhere? Learning Swedish isn't that hard for a native English speaker, but that would still leave you with the other Nordic languages to contend with. They're related, but not closely enough to read them all from studying one.

I read Borkmann's Point a few weeks ago. Enjoyed it a lot. Haven't checked out any of the other books

I'm going to read Borkmann's Point, since I've only read Mind's Eye in the past.

I have had Mind's Eye on my bookshelf for a long time but have never got around to reading it. I guess now is the perfect time!

Richard wrote: "Sharon you are so write - HN's writing is to savour"

Agree and having just read Phantom and then Helsinki White I am ready for HN or more AL. Meanwhile went to some quieter reading with The Paris Wife.....Paula McLain. Nice break. Will start The Return next.

Totally enjoyed both Mind's Eye and Borkmann's Point....will start The Return soon and happy to see there are more on the list.

Find it strange that he writes a book but the translations seem to be out of sync or is it my bad list making? ? Are books I cannot track down so far.
Hakan Nesser.  .....Inspector Van Veeteren Mysteries #
The Wide-Meshed Net,  1993. ?
Borkmann's Point  #2. 2007......1994. Read
The Return.   #3. 2008 iBook
Mind's Eye #1.   on kindle first read  2009. Read
Woman with Birthmark.  #4.  2010 .....1996 iBook
The Inspector and Silence   #5.   2011 iBook 
Carambole, 1999. ?
The Unlucky Lottery  2000 #6. Look for

Just got through Borkmann's Point.

Are HN books worth reading in order? I had Carambole shipped from England, but then I got so fascinated with Mind's Eye (best first chapter I've read in a Nordic Noir) that I started considering reading the whole lot. Unfortunately another five books is a bit to ask when there are other authors to read.

Any books that stand out above the others?

Brad wrote: "Just got through Borkmann's Point.

Are HN books worth reading in order? I had Carambole shipped from England, but then I got so fascinated with Mind's Eye (best first chapter I've read in a Nordi..."

YES!!!Why can't you get the books from your library? I live in the sticks and was able to get all mine.

this is another series I need to get back to - i was listening to the audiobooks...ugh, so many books, so little time

Whoops..I take that back Brad. I saw that you live in China. I don't know how their libraries are. My favorite of his was The Return and then Woman with a Birthmark. I have not been as tickled pink with his latest novels.

I'm actually back in the US now. I meant in terms of time not money. I buy the books used for 4-5$ a piece, so its fairly affordable as far as bad habits go. Carambole (which is not in print yet in the US) I managed to have shipped for around 10$, which I figured was a good enough deal. At least as long as I finish it before it goes into print in the US!

I would do the Return next then.