English Translations of Scandinavian/Nordic Mysteries & Thrillers discussion

Ken wrote: "Bobbi wrote: "Ken. So sorry to here this. I also am receiving radiation for cancer. One week down...three more to go. Let’s kick cancer in the butt together!"

Sounds like a plan."

@Ken - I just saw this. Best of luck with this process. We'll be here with all of our books to discuss when and as you're able to join us.

Kim wrote: "Just finished the excellent The Chestnut Man by Søren Sveistrup

5 star read for me - would thoroughly recommend it. My review..."

I was approved for this ARC and very excited to read it, albeit trying to figure out how to work that page-count into my April life. Glad to see your endorsement.

I wish you strength Ken:)

Thank you for your best wishes everyone. I must note that this is the second time I've been treated and one thing I notice is that the books I read are slowing down, I won't get 80 books this year. I'm only on 28 and should be around 40. Oh well, thanks again.

Ken wrote: "Thank you for your best wishes everyone. I must note that this is the second time I've been treated and one thing I notice is that the books I read are slowing down, I won't get 80 books this year...."

I always wonder when my friends say how much they've gotten read when bedridden or otherwise experiencing illness. I lose my focus and read less. I hope you enjoy the 40 you get to.

I hope you’re doing well, Ken. Sometimes it’s more important to focus your energy on yourself, the reading can come back later!
Take care.

Excellent thriller from the creator of the TV series "The Killing".
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Hope things are going well, Ken. Take care.

Sandy wrote: "

Excellent thriller from the creator of the TV series "The Killing".
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Hope things are going well, Ken. Take care."

Screenplay writer from David Hewson’s book The Killing. Sounds like a good read, thanks. Downloaded.

I'm reading Blackout Ingénue by Christoffer Petersen almost done and I'm suprised he didn't write about Greenland but Denmark in this book.
Slowing me down I'm also reading The Summer of Ellen by Agnete Friis who also wrote The Boy in the Suitcase with and Slowing me down further I'm reading one of Soren Kierkegaard's book The Seducer's Diary which was written sometime before his death in 1855. I'll have all their reviews sometime in the future.

Here's my review of Blackout Ingénue by Christoffer Petersen .

Christoffer Petersen has struck another winner in Blackout Ingénue (Detective Freja Hansen #1) by Christoffer Petersen and I'm excited, it is the second book in a series the first book is Fell Runner. This book is not about Greenland, which he excels at, but it is in Denmark where he now lives. He makes the characters vibrate with emotions that are meant to be the actual feelings you may feel at any given time. He takes Freja (half Scottish and half Danish), who's the main character and gives her a case that leaves you guessing, who and why, and brings characters back into her life that she wants to forget. She stubborn, smart, married, has a child, and a father that loves her, because she's just like her mother, who died. It's a story that can take you in and make you feel like a character yourself. I like Christoffer Petersen and he has a new person in Freja to make stories about. I think you'll like to read this.

Here's my review of The Summer of Ellen by Agnete Friis .

Agnete Friis Made a story so lifelike that it almost scared me with its realism. With changes here and there it could have happened in real life, in my case it really happened but with no Lise. Several guys and I worked on a dairy farm haying, I learned to drive there on hay trucks, and tractors of all kinds. And the girls were there also riding horses. But I had a similar experience too that of Utzon, only we had a death on a nearby hill (it was natural). It was amazing I could throw bales up 8 high. In the story there was kind of a love triangle, much larger than that, so you can read about it. Things go on for the rest of your life. They happen, they effect your decisions, and they may play out not how you expect them too. They do in the story.

I loved this book, as dark as it is! "The Wolf and the Watchman", by Niklas Natt och Dag. Totally original and riveting. Not for everyone...but I was captivated.

Clare wrote: "I loved this book, as dark as it is! "The Wolf and the Watchman", by Niklas Natt och Dag. Totally original and riveting. Not for everyone...but I was captivated."

I'm waiting for his next book at this time. The Wolf and the Watchman was on the very dark side. His next book may not be, but we'll see. He has a book called 1793 but it isn't translated to English yet or its The Wolf and the Watchman because it starts out in 1793.

Just finished all 10 volumes ( Martin Beck) written by Per Wahlöö and Maj Sjöwal. Totally blown away by how well they were written, translated and constructed! their influence on H Mankell and others is profound.

Read the 10 and some of the books by Per Wahlöö. I have all 10 books in paperback and Per's books on my Kindle. I prefer the paperbacks, my Kindle always changes the page and I have to play with it to find out where I was, also its easier to go back and find characters you put into your reviews with paperbacks. I would believe most of the Scandinavian authors were influenced by them. Thats why I have their picture in the masthead.

anneliese wrote: "Just finished all 10 volumes ( Martin Beck) written by Per Wahlöö and Maj Sjöwal. Totally blown away by how well they were written, translated and constructed! their influence on H Mankell and othe..."

Agree .... And on a connected note, the series is running now for so many years and truly a joy to follow. BECK.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beck_...

I can’t seem to find where to watch Beck! Not on Netflix or Hulu. Any suggestions?

anneliese wrote: "I can’t seem to find where to watch Beck! Not on Netflix or Hulu. Any suggestions?"

Think it is now in season 7 but not here yet. There are a few early seasons on Netflix. However Netflix content varies greatly. We usually watch on Holland, Belgium or UK. I would suggest if it is not on you local ON DEMAND or local NETFLIX (and do try searching a few ways) then perhaps order a box set from season 1 onwards from your local public library (I have many friends in North America that have great success with European series like this) or order some box sets from Amazon. Try to get friends to share in this perhaps. It is a very good series IMHO and I am glad they continue with it even though they were to stop a few seasons ago..... Good luck.

In the USA it is available for rent on Amazon Prime Video. Or with a subscription to MHz.

Loved watching Beck!

Thought I'd give an update on my radiation treatments, I only have 3 days left. It's been 9 weeks but I have to makeup for days the machine was down. It was hectic with me in the machine and it was half way through, so a make up day. I was the second person for the day and we had different problems for 6 different days. The technicians were great but the machine had its ups and downs. This is the VA so what do you expect. You really bond with the guys you see day after day, so getting up at 5 o'clock and driving for a half an hour to be there at 6 o'clock (takes a half hour to get ready) can be taxing but there is no traffic to interfere with you driving there. Don't worry, I've even registered with the Patient Advocate Office and complained for other patients who will have to make up days. This made the technicians happy, that they were finally found out and will get new equipment, I hope. The only thing that bugs me is my reading has been off.

Ken wrote: "Thought I'd give an update on my radiation treatments, I only have 3 days left. It's been 9 weeks but I have to makeup for days the machine was down. It was hectic with me in the machine and it was..."

Thanks for the update Ken. Know you will be happy when it is done. But great that you are attempting to get things working better. Wishing you all the best. And that your reading gets back to pleasure and relaxed.

For Montalbano fans, here is a good obituary of the author, who passed away yesterday.

https://www.theguardian.com/books/201...

A Fist or a Heart by Kristín Eiríksdóttir was the book I read and here is my review (Iceland):

This is the first book that I read by Kristín Eiríksdóttir and I was surprised how much I could relate to what she talked about as Elín or as Ellen in her thoughts of different characters that she developed in her story. These thoughts have also come to me with taking care of my 104 year old father-in-law. Her fears with Ellen with people in general I can see in other people and wonder if they see their world in a different light than I do. I've had several strokes and have these funny feeling when I am in particular situations. She has her characters wonder about people and has them followed by Elín. And has Elín totally lost within herself at the end of the story. I would recommend that the people in my blog read this story to see how much empathy they have with the characters.

The Complete and Original Norwegian Folktales of Asbjørnsen and Moe by Peter Christen Asbjørnsen and Jørgen Moe to be published 17 September 2019. My review.

This is a cute book of folktales thats very much like what Hans Christian Anderson wrote. But it's full of 3 headed trolls, 6 headed trolls, and 9 headed trolls, which the Ash Lad had to take care of in order to win his princess. There was a blue ribbon that made the boy stronger than any troll. We had the boys work for their princesses by going 1000 miles, 2000 miles, and 4000 miles in one day. We had a lad changing into different horses to fool his master, eventually besting him. They had most of the stories with good endings. I only read one with a bad ending for the person. I would praise Peter Christen Asbjørnsen and Moe as exceptional storytellers where you could read one or two or more a night to your children before they slept. There was meaning in most of the stories for the better.

Off topic....but what to look out to watch rest of 2019/20 ....incredible list of international dramas...

https://thekillingtimestv.wordpress.c...

Just finished the latest Wisting from Jørn Lier Horst. Really enjoy this series.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

It's the wrong genre for this group but reading The Hunger by Alma Katsu https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3...

I am loving the audiobook of The Ice Princess by Camilla Laeckberg available on my Libby app through my local library! SO well narrated and written.

Very odd that my library, Phoenix Public Library, oonly owns an audio version but not an ebook or hardcover/paperback of it.

Has anyone else read/ heard this book??

Read it back in 2011 before I reviewed books.

Liked the book.

The Flood, Fredrika Bergman & Alex Recht # 6, iBook. 6/2019. But I am just getting to it now. Like this series so keen..........

Whats new is all the detectives are being put in prison, then getting out. We have Joona Linna in Lars Keplers book and then in the new authors category we have Thorkild Aske by Hein Bakkeid. Why this happening now?

Just finished The Second Sleep, Robert Harris. iBook. what a total mind twister.......not Scandinanivan but what a thriller in concept of what would survivors to survive in a new world....who would enforce control, rules..... Very timely read....

Happily starting on:
Lilja Sigurðardóttir Iceland, Translated by Quentin Bates.
Snare, Reykjavík Noir #1, iBook
Trap, Reykjavik Noir #2, iBook
Cage, Reykjavik Noir #3, iBook

Well I'm reading Will Dean's Red Snow and don't know if I want to keep reading about Tuva and I'm also reading Antti Tuomainen's book Little Siberia which Joe Huhta is a Pastor and we find his wife's pregnant. Can't make up my mind which one to finish first because each one is special. Books.

Unfortunately I have a disappointment to share. I was so looking forward to reading the book "Trolls" - Spjut. I forced myself to stay with it but I finally gave up about three quarters of the way through.It wasn't the subject matter but there was no character development. I didn't feel as if I knew these people so therefore I couldn't really care what happened to them. I read a book about trolls a few years ago. It was great! I would love to hear if anyone else read this book.

Mary wrote: "Unfortunately I have a disappointment to share. I was so looking forward to reading the book "Trolls" - Spjut. I forced myself to stay with it but I finally gave up about three quarters of the way ..."

I was also disappointed, my review:

I thought I would be happy with this book but it ran together so much I had a hard time finishing it. Stefan would have a paragraph going with some people and then the next paragraph he would be talking about other people. I couldn't keep track. The premise was a good one but it was hard to follow. The ending wasn't there with any meaning.

Yes! That's the other thing. Sometimes I never knew who was talking. I would have to backtrack to see if I missed something. Much too hard to follow. Glad I didn't waste any more time on it. I'm going to try to find out the name of the other book I read about trolls. That was a good one.

Happily reading Ian Rankin Westwind finally. Re issued and the only book that I never could find.

I have just finished the first in a 'new' Scandi-crime series by Samuel Bjørk, featuring Norwegian detectives Holger Munch and Mia Kruger:-

I'm Travelling Alone: by Samuel Bjørk

This was so good I rated it 5 stars and am delighted that I already have the second one sitting on my bookshelf waiting to be read!

So glad you liked it! I did, too! I read the two he has out and I see he has another one that came out in Oct. 2019. Have to get that one.

Mary wrote: "So glad you liked it! I did, too! I read the two he has out and I see he has another one that came out in Oct. 2019. Have to get that one."

Yes, Mary - I have the second book on my bookshelf and just realised that I have bought the third one on Kindle recently, which is called The Boy in the Headlights. Can't wait to get into them, especially as Camilla Lackberg hasn't produced anything recently!

I know the next book I an going to read will take me into 2020 And in the Vienna Woods the Trees Remain by Elisabeth Åsbrink published 21 January 2020. Sweden. I like the title because my daughter lives in the Vienna Woods. What this book is about is a Jewish boy who moves to Sweden and happens to know the startup of IKEA's founder. We'll see how interesting Elisabeth makes this true story of WWII.

I’m starting this year quietly with a good read of Plainsong by Kent Haruf. USA

Where You Once Belonged
The Tie that Binds.
Colorado Blues.
Plainsong. 1.
Eventide. 2.
Benediction. 3.
Our Souls at Night (26 May 2015) & film

JO Nesbo fans.
https://www.theguardian.com/books/202...

This Cold Heaven: Seven Seasons in Greenland
There is something strangely ethereal about the book which Ehrlich interlaces her experiences living with the Inuit Greenlanders of the farthest north in the 1990s-2000s and the descriptions by Rasmussen of his Fifth Thule expedition in the 1920s. The people, the grandeur, the danger of life in extremis.

Cynthia wrote: "This Cold Heaven: Seven Seasons in Greenland
There is something strangely ethereal about the book which Ehrlich interlaces her experiences living with the Inuit Greenlanders of the fa..."

I find that I can get this feeling in reading Christoffer Petersen's short stories or Mads Peder Norbo's or Peter Hoeg's books on Greenland. It puts a shiver up your spine if you think you are there.
With the glaciers melting now I'm sure they find a lot of things from the past.

I think DOUBLE BLIND: The Icelandic Manuscript Murders by Sara Winokur is going to be the next book that has everyone reading. She's got so much going for her in that she's got acknowledgements coming out her ears. I'll put her description of the book here:

A young boy disappears in the chill of North Iceland. Twenty years later, a mysterious poem lands on the desk of his twin sister Brynja, a forensic geneticist, and rekindles her hopes that her brother might be alive. As Brynja unravels the clues, more poems arrive, each bearing dire consequences for those who receive them: the guard of the medieval manuscript of Icelandic sagas that possibly has the answer to her burning question, the prime minister’s secretary, the local pastor.

Is the poet out to stop Brynja from finding her brother and shut down her access to the DNA database? Or is the verse maker simply a psychopath copycat killer?

Fighting the visual auras that have plagued her since childhood and now threaten everything she holds dear, Brynja must summon the strength to navigate the twisted labyrinth of the poet’s mind and confront the dark secret buried in her family’s past.

"DOUBLE BLIND: The Icelandic Manuscript Murders" is a wild ride through the cultural landscape of Iceland, from rural farmsteads to icy fjords to the high-tech world of DNA forensics. This crime thriller packed with twists and turns will keep you at the edge of your seat until the very end.

The Girl in the Woods. #10. Camilla Läckberg. Feb 2018. iBook. 17.99!!!!!! 1/20 6.49 finally!

Quite ambitious.... There are in my opinion three + storylines running in this book and three major timelines! 1600s, thirty years ago and present...... If they add this book to the tv series, it’s going to be an undertaking! Not easy to read because there are too many things and characters each chapter without a clear separator.... NOT a flowing reading experience!

Surprised to be struggling......at half way!