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Series Review
Before Time Runs Out
In each of the five books in the Department Q Thrillers series, the disgruntled members of police Department Q race against the clock to solve the case before the next victim dies. They succeed in spite of the fact that their police department is restructured so frequently that most of the cops can no longer find their offices. Set in Denmark
Quirky heroes, dark humor, thrilling suspense. Stieg Larsson fans should try these.
These books are genuinely suspenseful thrillers, so it is not surprising that they top Danish--and international--bestseller lists. And the denizens of Department Q--one burned-out cop, Morck, one assistant recently promoted from janitor, Assad and another assistant, Rose, who is highly eccentric--are a likeable team of oddballs. I root for their success and am always somewhat amazed that they have brought it off. There's humor here, too, but it is very dark.
Series Guide
As for where to start? Jump in anywhere.
Book Summaries
Below, a list of the Department Q thrillers in chronological order.
The Keeper of Lost Causes (2011, Department Q Thrillers #1, APA: Mercy)
A politician kidnapped five years ago is assumed dead. But she isn't...yet.The Absent One (2012, Department Q Thrillers #2, APA: Disgrace)
Somebody in the police hierarchy is playing Morck as he tries to investigate the double murder of a brother and sister.A Conspiracy of Faith (2013, Department Q Thrillers #3, APA: Redemption)
A message-in-a-bottle, written in blood, starts the investigation into a psychopathic kidnapper who is targeting religious groups.The Purity of Vengeance (2013, Department Q Thrillers #4, APA: Contempt)
New evidence in the crime that almost killed Morck and incapacitated his fellow officer is connected to a bizarre set of kidnappings. The Marco Effect (2014, Department Q Thrillers #5)
Everybody--from a Roma clan to child-soldier assassins to Eastern European gangsters--wants to kill fifteen-year-old pickpocket Marco because he knows where the body is buried. Can Department Q get Marco to safety before the bad guys blow him away?Book Reviews
Department Q Series
(From newest to oldest; Dates refer to publication in the US in English;
# refers to series order)
Above, from top to bottom:
Bridge in Copenhagen, Denmark; Graffiti in Copenhagen; Nightclub in Copenhagen
(2011, Department Q Thrillers #1, APA: Mercy)
by Jussi Adler-Olsen
Translated to English by Lisa Hartford
WINNER! 2012 Barry Award for Best Novel
NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER
Hugely entertaining and suspenseful.
Plus: Affordable housing shortage makes for strange bedfellows
Plus: A janitor with a surprising skill-set
Plus: Grossest murder method ever
(Bestsellers. Police Procedurals. Set in Denmark.)
(2012, Department Q Thrillers #2, APA: Disgrace)
by Jussi Adler-Olsen
Translated to English by K.E. Semmel
NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER
Riveting mystery and high-octane suspense. Highly recommended.
(Bestsellers. Police Procedurals. Set in Denmark.)
(2013, Department Q Thrillers #3, APA: Redemption)
by Jussi Adler-Olsen
Translated to English by Martin Aitken
WINNER! Glass Key Award
Terrific story! PLUS: More mysteries about Rose and Assad revealed.
(Bestsellers. Police Procedurals. Set in Denmark.)
(2013, Department Q Thrillers #4,
APA: Contempt)
by Jussi Adler-Olsen
Translated to English by Martin Aitken
This well-told tale of crime and vengeance kept me reading long into the night.
(Bestsellers. Police Procedurals. Set in Denmark.)
Other mystery book series set in Denmark:
- Nina Borg Thrillers/ Mystery Books by Lene Kaaberbol and Agnete Friis
- Detective Louise Rick/ Reporter Camilla Lind Mystery Books by Sara Blaedel
Indexes
The Marco Effect (2014, Department Q Thrillers #5)
by Jussi Adler-Olsen
Translated to English by Martin Aitken
Edge-of-the-seat suspense in an exciting and original page-turner from a master of the genre. It's got everything: action, intrigue, a dark political cover-up, scary villains, and loveable heroes.
PLUS
--Mona dumps Carl
--Morten gets a boyfriend
--Hardy gets out of bed
(Bestsellers. Police Procedurals. Set in Denmark.)
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