English Translations of Scandinavian/Nordic Mysteries & Thrillers discussion

Maureen wrote: "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 h..."

I like him very much, too! And the humor is excellent, I agree . . . I've seen the author interviewed in a few places, and he seems very articulate and charming.

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 ..."

I am also reading The Drowning. At first I found the flashbacks annoying rather than Erica's interjections - especially in The Stonecutter (#3) where I saw absolutely no relation to the Agnes flashbacks and the story itself...although I was proved wrong in that case. However what frustrates me more than anything with Camilla is her tendency to have Patrik or Martin have a sudden flash of inspiration and then leave us hanging on for a chapter or 2 before the revelation is revealed to the reader.
Having said all that I personally find Camilla Läckberg to be the best of all the Swedish writers that I have read - simply because I love the intricate, dark plots...which is the same reason I think Yrsa Sigurdardottir is the best of the Icelandic writers.

Hi I'm new to GoodReads and to this group, but wow, great resource!

Currently reading Faceless Killers and loving it. Fits the winter season very well. Coming from John Rebus' Edinburgh it seems I am working my way up north.

Marcel wrote: "Hi I'm new to GoodReads and to this group, but wow, great resource!

Currently reading Faceless Killers and loving it. Fits the winter season very well. Coming from John Rebus' Edinburgh it seems I..."

A Rebus fan...you are then indeed in a good place. Enjoy.

I'm reading Faceless Killers by Henning Mankell and the German TV (ARD) is showing the film with Kenneth Branagh. I can;t make my mind whether I should watch it... :/

Eva wrote: "I'm reading Faceless Killers by Henning Mankell and the German TV (ARD) is showing the film with Kenneth Branagh. I can;t make my mind whether I should watch it... :/"

Depends on your German. The original YellowBird productions are IMHO much better but some English folks like the Branagh. ARD often shows the originals but sadly for me all dubbed. YellowBird made an incredible number of TV films 1.5 hour ...way more than there are Wallander books and they are incredible.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wallande...

I also prefer the Swedish Wallander (played by Krister Henriksson) to the British version (although I like Branagh in many other films). Eventually I decided to have it on but I didn't watch it. So I don't know who the perp is. Anyway, it confirmed the fact that (unfortunately) the British do not have the same atmosphere as it is in Swedish films where the suspense is palpable, here it is transformed into boredom - my opinion.

Sharon wrote: "Eva wrote: "I'm reading Faceless Killers by Henning Mankell and the German TV (ARD) is showing the film with Kenneth Branagh. I can;t make my mind whether I should watch it... :/"

Depends on your ..."

Eva wrote: "I also prefer the Swedish Wallander (played by Krister Henriksson) to the British version (although I like Branagh in many other films). Eventually I decided to have it on but I didn't watch it. So..."

And do you know, there's even a third Wallander actor? There were Swedish films made, I believe before the Yellow Bird series. Has anyone seen them? There are one or two available at Amazon Instant Video, and I haven't yet taken the plunge.

The two (three) Wallander debate reminds me of the two Lisbeth Salander debate--interesting to see so many interpretations of one character!

Florence wrote: "Eva wrote: "I also prefer the Swedish Wallander (played by Krister Henriksson) to the British version (although I like Branagh in many other films). Eventually I decided to have it on but I didn't ..."

Yes, I have seen the original series and about four versions of Before The Frost too. I enjoy them but all the YellowBird with KH are my favorite. The chap that played in the original films years ago, is the same as in another series and I like him much better in it. He IMHO did not ever fit the part of Kurt Wallander for me. KH does and is also the favorite (from what I read) of HM himself. In fact, read on FB that HM has just written a play for KH to star in. If you buy them, they are available from YellowBird direct ordering if memory serves me. I have them in sets and with various sub titles. We have had them on tv a few times Belgium, Holland, Germany and UK.

We are really big Branagh fans in this house and loved his Shakespeare films and so much more over the years but as well as he does everything, having been into the books and series for so many many years before KB started making his versions, we cannot get into them. They just don't feel right. I can watch but my husband just finds it really not a good fit. This surprised us as we are, as said, big fans of KB but in all cases and including the three Salander and The Killing....we will every time take the originals over remakes. I tried watch the Yankee version of The Killing and it was just a total joke and should not have carried the same name. Same with the Millennium film.....originals were way better and closer to the books. Sad for people that have trouble with subtitles. They lose out on so much art.

Yesterday I watched my first episode of the Swedish Wallander (luckily with English subtitles). I have to say he was very much like the Wallander that is in my minds eye. I haven't watched a British version episode yet. Will have to wait until it is broadcast on TV either in Holland, Belgium, Germany or BBC.

Also, about the Swedish films: I have a collection of 9 of them but haven't watched them yet. I will let you know how they are as soon as I have.

Thanks for the info, good to know . . . I will try to check out this third Wallander soon!

Cphe wrote: "Hello everyone.

I've just started Echoes From The Dead by Johan Theorin

Has anyone else read any of his books?"

Hi, it's a great thriller I'm sure you will enjoy reading it.

Yes, I am waiting for the newest one. Love his books.


Lili wrote: "Cphe wrote: "Hello everyone.

I've just started Echoes From The Dead by Johan Theorin

Has anyone else read any of his books?"

Hi, it's a great thriller I'm sure you will enjoy reading it."

Now I am all excited because I have not read Johan Theorin.

I am wading through The Quiet Girl by Hoeg. Afraid I really miss Semilla Sense of Snow.

Elizabeth wrote: "Now I am all excited because I have not read Johan Theorin.

I am wading through The Quiet Girl by Hoeg. Afraid I really miss Semilla Sense of Snow."

Goodness SSofS must be an old book now! Remember when it was big in the news and seems many years ago. Just googled and it was not that long ago...always meant to read it. Thanks for the reminder.
Miss Smilla's Feeling for Snow or Smilla's Sense of Snow (Danish: Frøken Smillas fornemmelse for sne) is a 1992 novel by Danish author Peter Høeg. It was translated into English by Tiina Nunnally (credited as "F. David" in the British edition) 1996.
The book was also produced as a 1997 motion picture entitled Smilla's Sense of Snow, starring Julia Ormond, Jim Broadbent, Gabriel Byrne, Richard Harris, Jürgen Vogel, Mario Adorf and Tom Wilkinson, directed by Bille August. It was released in the UK on the 31st October 1997, and has a running time of 121 minutes.

Just made a start on The Caller by Karin Fossum....my first of hers. Kindle.
My paper read at the moment is The Book of Unholy Mischief, Elle Newmark....time of the Borgias but in lovely Venice!

Is Miss Semilla's Feeling for Snow the same Semilla's Sense of Snow?

Just waiting for Echoes from the Dark by Theorin to arrive.

Still my favorite this month is Mankell's Italian shoes.

Elizabeth wrote: "Is Miss Semilla's Feeling for Snow the same Semilla's Sense of Snow?

Just waiting for Echoes from the Dark by Theorin to arrive.

Still my favorite this month is Mankell's Italian shoes."

Miss Smilla's Feeling for Snow or Smilla's Sense of Snow (Danish: Frøken Smillas fornemmelse for sne) is a 1992 novel by Danish author Peter Høeg. It was translated into English by Tiina Nunnally (credited as "F. David" in the British edition) 1996.
The book was also produced as a 1997 motion picture entitled Smilla's Sense of Snow, starring Julia Ormond, Jim Broadbent, Gabriel Byrne, Richard Harris, Jürgen Vogel, Mario Adorf and Tom Wilkinson, directed by Bille August. It was released in the UK on the 31st October 1997, and has a running time of 121 minutes.

I have great memories of HM book Italian Shoes and look fwd to the film.

Finished Only One Life: A Novel by Sara Blaedel. It was a little spooky with the stuff going on in CT. However once by that everything seem to follow a good path. Sara is a good author to try.

Just got The Bat as a Christmas present! Excited to begin . . . Also just finished a few Anne Holt books, so it's a Norwegian crime fest at the moment.

Awesome, Florence :) I got my Bat a few weeks ago (from UK), and have been trying to resist the urge to start it... so I'll start it on Xmas eve.
And I guess after the holidays I'll need to send all the rest of my Nesbøs to my husbands parents - I got them hooked in the series. Ha!

Anna wrote: "Awesome, Florence :) I got my Bat a few weeks ago (from UK), and have been trying to resist the urge to start it... so I'll start it on Xmas eve.
And I guess after the holidays I'll need to send a..."

I love getting people hooked on Scandi crime! There's been a couple of people I've lured in so far, and they're all very happy.

I want to put in a good word for Viktor Arnar Ingolfsson "House of Evidence". Set in Iceland in 1973 , it's an interesting procedural without DNA cellphones or even computers. What's really interesting is the state of forensic science. I mean who remembers doing ballistics calculations with a slide rule? For that matter who remembers a slide rule? Ingolfsson's characters are developing nicely and the mystery is a puzzler with its roots planted in a similar crime which occurred nearly 30 years earlier. Ingolfsson also wrote "The Flatley Enigma" but the two novels are very dissimilar except that they are both great reads.

Anna wrote: "Awesome, Florence :) I got my Bat a few weeks ago (from UK), and have been trying to resist the urge to start it... so I'll start it on Xmas eve.
And I guess after the holidays I'll need to send a..."

Delightful....

My dad swore by his slide rule lol

So did mine - he was an aircraft designer!

Sharon, have you finished reading The Caller yet? I'd love to hear your opinion.

Cphe, I agree that Johan Theorin is a wonderful writer you ask why we don't hear much of him, I guess it's because he only has two books translated into English,(unless someone knows of more) but I really hope others will come along soon.

Just finished Invisible Murder by Lene Kaaberbøl & Agnete Friis. Took me awhile to get into the book, but it was better once I was into it, about half way. That's when everything started to flow together.

I've done ballistics with all manner of weapons, but the ones that interested me with at least half KM range rifles. The challenge: to place an object roughly the size and shape of a pencil into a crosshair of the same size and shape into an exact point at that distance. Cool shooters can do it sporadically at 1 KM. I'm not that cool. At my best, I could do plus/minus 1 cm at half a klick. But I was hunting, not target shooting, so acceptable for an amateur.

James wrote: "I've done ballistics with all manner of weapons, but the ones that interested me with at least half KM range rifles. The challenge: to place an object roughly the size and shape of a pencil into a ..."

Slide rule not acceptable any longer. A few manufactures now make ammo so precise and provide ballistics charts so accurate that all else is irrevelant. You can possible smooth the bullet tips with a fine sandpaper if you wish, but in the end, it comes down to if the barrel matches the ammo. A barrel is like a tuning fork. If the bullet vibrates properly as it passes through and exits the barrel, like a fine musical instrument, you can make that 1 KM shot. If not, experiment with ammo or replace the barrel, as nothing may work. The barrel of a sniper rifle should be floating in the stock, not fixed to it. It's a lot to demand. You made need to try a few combinations, with the advice of your gunsmith along the way, before you find one that suits you.

Ada-Lee/ eyehavenofilter wrote: "Sharon, have you finished reading The Caller yet? I'd love to hear your opinion."

Slow due to seasonal time but have to say it is the most different and indeed thought provoking read in a long time.....a totally different slant on nuisance and the havoc it creates. Only over half way and find I put it down and get busy with something but realize I am thinking about the latest prank and the fallout........

Cphe wrote: "Lili wrote: "Cphe, I agree that Johan Theorin is a wonderful writer you ask why we don't hear much of him, I guess it's because he only has two books translated into English,(unless someone knows o..."
I haven't read either of these, I'll put them onto my to read list. Thanks

Just Finishing Echoes of the Dead by Johan Theorin. This for me is an absolutely outanding read. I am living through every character. His standard of suspense is outrageous!!!!!!!! Translate , translate, please

Just started OUTRAGE, Indridason, Arnaldur - 'Outrage' (translated by Anna Yates). Glad it has Elinborg as the main character as having seen the film Jar City, I hesitated tackling this book that I had downloaded some time ago. In the film I was less than impressed with Erlendur, despite his ability to solve the crime, his personal life and glimpses of his own society with the whore plus addict daughter was just totally as off putting as the food eaten....gross! I am hopeful Elinborg having written a cookbook may be less old fashioned Icelandic in her tastes! And so far the family sound normally dysfunctional.

Sharon wrote: "Just started OUTRAGE, Indridason, Arnaldur - 'Outrage' (translated by Anna Yates). Glad it has Elinborg as the main character as having seen the film Jar City, I hesitated tackling this book that ..."

The scene where he eats the sheep's head is memorable, but not in a good way! I totally agree . . . :)

Just ordered The Darkest Room by Johan Theorin. Am anxious to see what I think of the second book of his that I am going to read.

Ooh Sharon, that sounds good. Elinborg... why not? Sometimes when a background character develops to a main one it can be awesome. And definitely rather Elinborg than Eva Lind!
I'm loving the Bat so far (aka Harry Hole #1, UK print) :) (the fresh Harry, before all the Norwegian serial killers and all the bad stuff ruined him)

Really looking forward to it Anna - has finally arrived for me at the library.

Anna wrote: "Ooh Sharon, that sounds good. Elinborg... why not? Sometimes when a background character develops to a main one it can be awesome. And definitely rather Elinborg than Eva Lind!
I'm loving the Bat s..."

Look fwd to how you feel once finished The Bat.....let me know. :-)
Yes, I like Elinborg but just started, so early to tell but glad it is not same crude stuff just yet as the chap in Jar City.

I was really looking forward to getting back into reading with the book group here for the January read along. Sadly, my library only has Last Rituals, which I have already read, and no other books by Yrsa Sigurðardóttir. So now I've started Gorky Park by Martin Cruz Smith. Not Scandinavian crime, but its been on my reading list for ages. My library does have Frozen Assets, the first in the Officer Gunnhilder series by Quentin Bates, so I may start that here shortly.

Ada-Lee/ eyehavenofilter wrote: "Sharon, have you finished reading The Caller yet? I'd love to hear your opinion."

Just see this....have you seen my review since? I really like this writer and the book made me stop and think many times as I was reading it. Cleaver story build up. And you?

Damir wrote: "After the TV series “Broen/Bron” and “Forbrydelsen”, I have discovered Scandinavian crime fiction. I have read ”Se deg ikke tilbake” by Karin Fossum and am currently reading “Elskede Poona” (in Ser..."

Reading them for years and addicted to books, TV series and films but only read my first Karin Fossum, The Caller last month and really am impressed with the author and this particular story.

Borgen 2 just started and we are enjoying it again too.
The series, Those that Kill ...also Danish, was hard to watch but well done. Too much suspense for me though. Prefer the many others.....

Nearly finished Midwinter Sacrifice by Mons Kallentoft - and I'm not convinced by the style. For a start I have never been a fan of books written in the present tense and also find it very jumpy at times - sometimes the short sharp sentences don't make for easy reading IMO.

Finished Blind Goddess by Anne Holt really liked it. There were plots and subplots galore. Hanne was really into everything, riding motorcycles, getting bashed on the head, fighting at a fire, wow. She's becoming my favorite character by far

Reading "The Day is Dark"for our book read of the month and Yrsa you have captivated me one more time. Anxious to hear the discussions that her books bring forth.

Hey guys....In case you find yourselves in Oslo in March.....there's a crime festival!

http://thornews.com/2013/01/17/myster...

Also, check out the article on Jo Nesbo and his new Harry Hole novel Politi. It's in Norwegian-I've only just started reading it, so I have no idea what all it says. It's been two years since I've had to use my limited Norwegian!

http://issuu.com/aschehoug/docs/asche...

Sounds interesting, I may have to go to Austria by way of Norway.

I'll have to go up the street to get that deciphered, I have Norwegian neighbors. Best I can do.

Is it an ARC or do you have an original copy from Norway?

Finished Call Me Princess by Sara Blaedel and really found it interesting as if it happened today. Which most likely happened. People can be real dogs.

Ian wrote: "Nearly finished Midwinter Sacrifice by Mons Kallentoft - and I'm not convinced by the style. For a start I have never been a fan of books written in the present tense and also find it very jumpy a..."

Well I finished it and I must say I was incredibly disappointed with the ending (or lack thereof). It all seemed incredibly hurried almost as though the author got bored. There were so many unanswered questions too - like what the heck were Valkyria and her husband all about?