English Translations of Scandinavian/Nordic Mysteries & Thrillers discussion

Perhaps it's grief that makes people argue over possessions, an expression of their anger.
I've not read any of the later books discussing Larsson and the money made from his books; but am I right in thinking Larsson's partner contributed some input towards his books.

Lili wrote: "Perhaps it's grief that makes people argue over possessions, an expression of their anger.
I've not read any of the later books discussing Larsson and the money made from his books; but am I right..."

She claims to have played a great part in their creation. I see no reason not to believe her. Of course, what is considered an important role is subjective, and she isn't listed as co-author and so needs documentation. It seems insufficient documentation has been provided to satisfy the courts, so she's up the proverbial creek without a paddle. One would think that there's so much money that his family could give her a generous sum, but don't want to because of old bad blood. I still think it's stingy to the point of bad taste though. She was, in effect, his wife, probably would like her to have a chunk of his earnings if he could speak, and it seems right set personal feelings aside, and to abide by the probable wishes of the dead.

James wrote: "Lili wrote: "Perhaps it's grief that makes people argue over possessions, an expression of their anger.
I've not read any of the later books discussing Larsson and the money made from his books; b..."

Sorry, no one can convince me a chap bright enough to have his career and write as he did plus a woman also with a career life, if intent were there, were not bright enough to scribble up a contract of intent between themselves or a will..... These are people making their living writing! There is some goss about no contact with family etc until death and their dislike of her too...gossip! Still, even a hand written note with his or her effects would show a court intent.... Something from day this news years ago broke...and there has been so much press covering every step....just does not add up to my little mind!

James wrote: "Lili wrote: "Perhaps it's grief that makes people argue over possessions, an expression of their anger.
I've not read any of the later books discussing Larsson and the money made from his books; b..."

Exactly, Jim I so agree, as you say if he could speak, I'm sure he would have expected his family to be kind.

Lili wrote: "James wrote: "Lili wrote: "Perhaps it's grief that makes people argue over possessions, an expression of their anger.
I've not read any of the later books discussing Larsson and the money made fro..."

Worked in law most of my life and it never ceases to amaze me how many people, otherwise quite with it, that refuse to look to the future and that life is short. People have kids without proper contracts, wills....amazing. The huge mess and expense to set things right, is tragic....more so because it is not necessary. No one should assume nor expect, they should prepare and plan then live happily.

I've seen that simple lack of preparation over and over, devastating families. Death is a common enough experience, that you'd think it wouldn't be so shrouded in fear. Once can download simple wills from the internet. I requires witnesses that sign in from of a Notary. (A note: If you want to, for instance, leave your estate to your kids, put in the codicil that if they predecease you, their part goes equally to their children. Otherwise that child's part goes to your other children.)

I've noticed that many people, particularly urban dwellers, have never seen either a birth or a death, a newborn or a corpse, have no concept of the circle and cycle of life, and because they don't understand it, are terrified of it. To make a will is an acknowlegement that you will die. Some people psychologically fight hard to maintain the pretense of immortality,even find aging near impossible to cope with, and the laws of inertia make it easy to never prepare for the inevitable, and so never make a will. At least, that's my observation.

James wrote: "I've noticed that many people, particularly urban dwellers, have never seen either a birth or a death, a newborn or a corpse, have no concept of the circle and cycle of life, and because they don't..."

Agree totally but there are also a good many that scream they don't want to pay life and or health insurance because "they don't need it"!! Bit late once you do. Paperwork is hard for many IMO as well as facing the realities of existence.

Glad to live in a country with free universal healthcare. To my mind, it is one of the things that still define Britain as an extremely civilized place to live. Not sure, but I think our rules for dividing assets when common law marriages end are pretty reasonable as well with no need for bits of paper unless you have kids when you've got to be mad not to make a will.

True, we often moan but Britain is a Great country; certainly if someone dies without leaving a will a life partner would be taken into consideration by a court.

Perhaps, in that we agree, here, no matter what our country, or law of that land, we can let our loved ones know how we feel about this, and help them, if they're skittish. My Mother's turning 100 in a few weeks, and when I (playfully) asked her if I was ever going to get an inheritance, because she was like the Ever-ready Battery, she sat up straight, looked me in the eyes and mocked me out saying, "Na, na, na na-na!"

Just got The Phantom from the library; there were over a hundred people who had it on hold ahead of me, and now it's finally my turn! Perfect reading for a holiday weekend, and I look forward to it immensely . . .

Nancy, your mum has an awesome sense of humor :)

True. But getting life insurance is a different issue than having a will.

James wrote: "True. But getting life insurance is a different issue than having a will."

Mindset not that different in approach IMO......

No, not that different, but more difficult paperwork. Incidentally, I have neither a will nor life insurance. No life insurance because given my medical history, no company would be stupid enough to sell it to me. No will, because I have only two heirs, wife and son, and Finnish law would superceed the will. The only useful provisions would be making sure certain people received personal possessions. I don't care about "stuff," and have no personal possessions that have any significant worth or meaning to anyone besides myself. I just hope when I'm a dead writer, my royalties help out the wife and boy.

This might be something interesting for one's body after it expires...
One of the reasons at least I'll need a will for is to simplify things. To specify who'd get what (if other than spouse), and what to do (ashes dumped to an ocean or more than one ocean, although the forensic research with the remains sounds good too), and definitely what not to do (such as get my dead body to a cemetery or in a country or village I have not asked to).

Oh wait, I came here for wondering what to read next. Just finished Sail of Stone and quite enjoyed it too.
Maybe I'll use my cat picking method for picking the next read: get a bunch of alternatives laid out on the bed or the floor, and let one of the cats pick what to read next. :)

All depends on where you live. Here in Finland, if you want your ashes scattered in the ocean (maybe anywhere, I'm not sure), There is a site for that which--never trust me with translations--is called Jacob's Reef. Yes, I know I've been a professional translator here, but I notice that my main flaw is subtext over plain text. But that's neither here nor there. I would like my ashes, half at least, buried on my family farm in KY. Fertilizer maybe for some corn or maybe even flowers. A marker isn't neccesary. If it suits my Finnish family, leave a marker to visit if they wish. I'm dead, whatever brings them solace.

Anna wrote: "This might be something interesting for one's body after it expires...
One of the reasons at least I'll need a will for is to simplify things. To specify who'd get what (if other than spouse), and ..." Understand the need for a body farm in research, not sure my family left behind would like it. Somehow we've all grown rather maudlin from a discussion over Larsson's partner and his money!

Heh. :)
While still continuing a bit further with the dead stuff, my father-in-law has a similar plan for ashes, but he goes one step further in details. He knows the exact place he likes (in Scotland), and even which ship should be used to access that place, and which whiskey should be drank while there.
My ocean stuff should be either the closest nice ocean, or all of them (if I'll be able to afford someone to do that). At least I know a few nice places of oceans, one of them off the coast of Ireland, one around the Caymans, one (well the same but different place) in Brazil etc.

James wrote: "No, not that different, but more difficult paperwork. Incidentally, I have neither a will nor life insurance. No life insurance because given my medical history, no company would be stupid enough t..."

One also needs IMO to consider what would happen in the case of accident with a family....who then? The government...most....get rich from these situations.

Anna wrote: "Nancy, your mum has an awesome sense of humor :)"

Just spoke to her, and she broke a tooth, and they're figuring out what to do. After she filled me in, she added, "Well, there's always soup!" She is indeed a gem! Thanks.

Sharon wrote: "Florence wrote: "Just cracked open my first Arnaldur Indridason book, Voices. Love the Iceland setting, and so far the main character seems a little Wallander-like--divorced, troubled kids, excelle..."


I have just started reading this book as well and it my first Arnaldur Indridason book. Is it worth going back to the start and reading the first two as well before reading any of the others? I am enjoying it so far. Took a while to get in to because I don't know the characters, but that is the same with any new series!

Sharon wrote: "James wrote: "No, not that different, but more difficult paperwork. Incidentally, I have neither a will nor life insurance. No life insurance because given my medical history, no company would be s..."

If I lived in the U.S. or a country where a person has more control over assets post-mortem, I would do things much differently. The government has hard and fast rules over division of assets. Wills don't change them. Interestingly enough, Lutheranism is theFinnish State religion. If you declare yourself a member, you pay I think a 1% income tax to support the church. When you die, in compensation for that contribution, you get a big discount when your remains are interred/disposed of.

James wrote: "Sharon wrote: "James wrote: "No, not that different, but more difficult paperwork. Incidentally, I have neither a will nor life insurance. No life insurance because given my medical history, no com..."

Actually, we have TWO State Churches in Finland, the Lutheran and the Orthodox. The Orthodox Church is very small but has the same status as the Lutheran.

And according the new Burials Act (2003) the churches can't charge more for the burial of a non-member than a member of the church.

Even if they did... It would only matter if you want to have your body be stored/located/whatever verb you prefer to use, in a Lutheran (or orthodox) cemetery.
One of the other odd (and sidetracking to the original topics) things with the Lutheran state church in Finland is that if you own a business, it will pay the same church tax. Even if the owners and no one working in said business is a member of any church. That on top of all the other insane taxes...

Hi Anna,

I got a laugh from that because I own a Finnish business, an Oy, and I didn't know that. I know very little about my own finances. My agent gets the money and my accountant handles it. I pay bills and send her receipts, she pays me a modest salary from the business account, and beyond that, I don't know a damned thing!

James wrote: "Hi Anna,

I got a laugh from that because I own a Finnish business, an Oy, and I didn't know that. I know very little about my own finances. My agent gets the money and my accountant handles it. I ..."

Goodness Jim....this makes me think of many celebs over the years that lost their shirts trusting their business life to accountants and managers.

Thanks Fizzy. Good info. I forgot about the Orthodox, and didn't know about the law change. I was a member of the Lutheran Church many years ago, but quit because of the taxes. I used to get a church newsletter. Do they still have one?

And we complain...

James wrote: "Thanks Fizzy. Good info. I forgot about the Orthodox, and didn't know about the law change. I was a member of the Lutheran Church many years ago, but quit because of the taxes. I used to get a chur..."

LOL, I wouldn't know. I've never been a member of the club in question. I think in Helsinki they have a newspaper (or is it just a newsletter) called Kirkko & kaupunki.

They do the same thing in Austria, if you say you belong to the church they take an automatic 1% out of your pay. Must be a European thing.

Jessiclees wrote: "Sharon wrote: "Florence wrote: "Just cracked open my first Arnaldur Indridason book, Voices. Love the Iceland setting, and so far the main character seems a little Wallander-like--divorced, trouble..."

As Sharon has suggested in other threads, I agree that it's probably always better to read these series in order. BUT sometimes that's not possible, so in that case I just plunge right ahead.

There is a back story in this series about his childhood (no spoilers!) which I'm sure you encountered. And there's also his daughter's story. These plots develop as the books do, but I don't think it's a deal-breaker in terms of reading them out of order.

I found these books very poignant and sad; the author writes with real emotional depth. Enjoy!

Great, thanks Florence. I think I will go back to book one after Voices and go from there.

Jessx

Yeah, I know I'm a lousy businessman. The people that handle all that stuff have long histories as impeccable at their jobs and being absolutely ethical. Of course there are no guarantees, but I can only bring myself to think about money when I don't have any, would fill out the mounds of paperwork late or never. Maybe not even open the related mail at all, and get myself into bad trouble very quickly. So, I figure I'm safer trusting them than myself.

James wrote: "Yeah, I know I'm a lousy businessman. The people that handle all that stuff have long histories as impeccable at their jobs and being absolutely ethical. Of course there are no guarantees, but I ca..."

I cannot disagree.....I am so grateful my husband actually LIKES and is good at stuff like that. I stink... :-). Trust is necessary in this life....

Finished The Bat by Jo Nesbo and thought it explained quite a few things about Harry Hole's character. It's different in that it takes place in Australia, but I loved it!

I'm reading The Boy in the Suitcase and didn't think I would be able to stay with it (simply can't bear to read books about child abuse), but I've found it so engrossing and well written that I'm now a quarter from the end and can barely put it down.

Anita wrote: "Finished The Bat by Jo Nesbo and thought it explained quite a few things about Harry Hole's character. It's different in that it takes place in Australia, but I loved it!"

I did too as often in the many HH novels he refers back to that case and trip...was nice to put it into perspective IMO. Now, hope the translation into English of The Cockroaches comes out soon.....

Pat wrote: "I'm reading The Boy in the Suitcase and didn't think I would be able to stay with it (simply can't bear to read books about child abuse), but I've found it so engrossing and well written that I'm n..."

I had the same feeling. I actually had to peek at the last few pages because the tension was too much for me! Which I suppose is a sign of good writing. Usually I skip over details of such things, but since the boy's situation is ongoing, I couldn't do that here. I'm looking forward to reading the next book in this series!

Sharon you are always so way ahead of me. I've got to print out your lists!

Your going to find it hard to keep up with Sharon, good luck!

Ada-Lee wrote: "Sharon you are always so way ahead of me. I've got to print out your lists!"

They are not perfect but remember the saying that goes something like, a short pencil......I have not got a great memory and in the early years living in Europe it was, in my area, hard to access English novels so I would return to Canada and come back with suitcases lined with paperbacks. Then the years of ordering on line and now the marvelous digital age. I started following writers and listing everything they wrote and then researched when the next was due so I could figure out where and how to get the best price. I follow characters and like to read in order, so it makes some sense. Nowadays everything is out in paper or digital so quick it is like another age. I even suspect that my access in the Netherlands to new books IN ENGLISH is often quicker than NA and certainly than friends in Canada. And playing a role, I read mostly European authors now. Now pre ordering digital has been a joy but I am so backed up I doubt I will catch up. Seems writers I follow tend to all publish a new book around the same time too....go figure. What a luxurious problem :-)). But I still keep lists on my iPad....in the cloud. There is probably a nasty term for this but .......

I have just started reading The Drowning (Patrik Hedström #6) by Camilla Läckberg . Now as much as I love the intricate, interesting and dark plots she devises I become increasingly annoyed by the long domestic descriptions and the interference by Erica; in fact because of this I tend to skip some paragraphs, I realise that this is the method used by the writer as a way to establish facts, however it seems to detract the reader from what is essentially a very good story. Perhaps I’m just too impatient to get on with the main story?

Lili wrote: "I have just started reading The Drowning (Patrik Hedström #6) by Camilla Läckberg . Now as much as I love the intricate, interesting and dark plots she devises I become increasingly annoyed by the ..."

Haven't read any of hers yet. Good to know. I have that with a few writers lately. I just hate excessive description...want to use my imagination and experience to fill in a few details myself. My uncle had a method when a book was tedious with description of reading the first and last of long paragraphs or skipping to only dialogue until he was gripped again. I confess, I do use that now and then!

Sharon you are an inspiration.

Currently reading "Sebastian Bergman" by Hjorth Rosenfeldt. Not all what you would imagine and the main character, Sebastian, is not that easy to like.

Just started my 2nd Hakan Nessor book, Borkmann's Point. I was able to download the first in this series from my library. Amazing that for a new book, I was 1 on the download request!

I love the humor in these books. A nice change from the heavier ones I've read, like dear Kurt Wallander.

Finally got Jussi-Adler Olsen's first two books, after reading comments about them on this site and others for months. Looking forward to them!