READ: The Keeper of Lost Causes by Jussi Adler-Olsen

A novel with a disfunctional detective and his quirky side kick Assad set in Denmark.  There is not alot of detective fiction set in Denmark.  This book is a mix of James Lee Burke and Stig Larrson.  The book does jive until page 67.  It took me 3 days to get that far.  But believe me, it is well worth going the distance on those first 67 pages.  The rest of the book is well written mystery and funny, in that dry sense of humor way.

I say the book reminds me of James Lee Burke's, Dave Robicheaux character, as he is dealing with some demons from a police incident.  Those demons come back to haunt him in the novel:  for good and bad.  His partner, Hardy, is paralyzed in the incident and Carl Morck cannot get past it.  Furthermore, he is separated from his wife, Vigga, and has trouble interacting women.  (Robicheaux does not have the problem with women in my estimation!)  Vigga seems to call at all the wrong times.  Well, what are you going to do, she is the x-wife... 

The dry sense of humor kicks in as Carl takes solace after the break up of his marriage in living in the suburbs.  He says the comrodery saves him.  He enjoys hanging out with his neighbors at bbqs.  Not usual for police detectives I have come to know and love over the years.  He also is very funny about his ex-wife's escapades with her various lovers.  What will happen now???  Carl lives in a very a-typical household.  He has a elderly border in the basement that acts as the house wife and loves opera and his step-son living with him.  His step-sons one goal in life is to drink and party.  This fact is not lost on Carl.


Then we come to Assad.  He cracks me up.  Assad, how do you know how to do all these things?  How did you get to be a citizen so quickly?  How did you get the job with the police?  Is that a switch blade?  Carl should let Assad keep the switch blade!  Assad is very smart and intelligent comic relief when it comes to the more warped plot of the story.  Loved Assad!

Stig Larrson's Dragon Tattoo series comes into play with the strong female lead.   Like Lisbeth, Merete won't give up. She doesn't let anything stop her from believing in herself.  Now, back to the plot of the story.  It is not secondary to the novel.  Is is right up front along with the excellent character development.  I'd say this novel is more suspense then mystery, but you judge.  It's kind of creepy, but the story line keeps you reading.  What happens next to Merete?  Well now, you just have to read the book.  Enjoy Denmark and meeting Carl and Assad!