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calturner's review
4.0
Review to follow for the blog tour. A stunning and multilayered historical thriller that I thoroughly enjoyed.
btpbookclub's review
4.0
I have read and enjoyed previous books by Kjell Ola Dahl so this was a must read for me. What a brilliantly written and translated story! This is the perfect historical, crime novel. Really takes you back to the 1940s and 1960s during WWII. It also links to the present day, each is set out clearly so there is no confusion for the reader.
This is not your everyday, average mystery its unique and written perfectly. I loved the two female characters Ester and Ase. It is a page turner of a read which you will not want to put down. I wanted more after finishing this I just loved it all! Fast paced story for me, devoured it. Also contains short chapters which I love! I was lost into this story and didn’t want to come back to reality.
Highly recommend. A well deserved four stars from me. One you won’t regret reading. A story that I won’t forget for a long time.
This is not your everyday, average mystery its unique and written perfectly. I loved the two female characters Ester and Ase. It is a page turner of a read which you will not want to put down. I wanted more after finishing this I just loved it all! Fast paced story for me, devoured it. Also contains short chapters which I love! I was lost into this story and didn’t want to come back to reality.
Highly recommend. A well deserved four stars from me. One you won’t regret reading. A story that I won’t forget for a long time.
mpr2000's review
5.0
This is a complex story, told between three times; with softness and expertise the author Kjell Ola Dahl will tell us a story (maybe not so far from reality) that will move and shock any reader.
The story starts in the present, with a beautiful piece of bracelet that has a tragic past behind; murder, lies and betrayal; all of them connected to the second War and Ester; a Jew courier that survived the war but lose her best friend in a horrendous crime.
Ester’s story is not easy to digest, she was betrayed the same day her father was detained, she doesn’t know who to trust or where to go, so she asks for help to her childhood best friend Åse. 25 years later, Gerhard Falkum, a war hero, wants vengeance for the death of her wife Åse. The return of Gerhard Falkum will make Ester to remember some horrible memories of her escape and family, but at the same time will prompt her to want to discover the truth, who betrayed her and her family.
This is not an easy book, but it’s a twisted read that will get to any reader. The story is not easy, but is beautifully written and so detailed that you will be part of the story since the first page.
I don’t like much reading about the war, I find it difficult and sad, The Courier is difficult and sad, but it allows the reader to see the survivor side, their fear and pain; and how they copped to continue living while their friends and family could not.
We can not forget that this is a mystery book, and of course there will be some possible killers; all of them with a strong motive, but in this case, the murder is just what glues all the story and characters, is more interesting the surrounding story than the murder per se.
I loved this book, every page of it, and I am sure that if you take a chance on The Courier you will love it too.
The story starts in the present, with a beautiful piece of bracelet that has a tragic past behind; murder, lies and betrayal; all of them connected to the second War and Ester; a Jew courier that survived the war but lose her best friend in a horrendous crime.
Ester’s story is not easy to digest, she was betrayed the same day her father was detained, she doesn’t know who to trust or where to go, so she asks for help to her childhood best friend Åse. 25 years later, Gerhard Falkum, a war hero, wants vengeance for the death of her wife Åse. The return of Gerhard Falkum will make Ester to remember some horrible memories of her escape and family, but at the same time will prompt her to want to discover the truth, who betrayed her and her family.
This is not an easy book, but it’s a twisted read that will get to any reader. The story is not easy, but is beautifully written and so detailed that you will be part of the story since the first page.
I don’t like much reading about the war, I find it difficult and sad, The Courier is difficult and sad, but it allows the reader to see the survivor side, their fear and pain; and how they copped to continue living while their friends and family could not.
We can not forget that this is a mystery book, and of course there will be some possible killers; all of them with a strong motive, but in this case, the murder is just what glues all the story and characters, is more interesting the surrounding story than the murder per se.
I loved this book, every page of it, and I am sure that if you take a chance on The Courier you will love it too.
chelsl's review
emotional
informative
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
frederica49's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Terrific story.
yvo_about_books's review
4.0
Finished reading: March 9th 2019
"You can hide, you can move to an island, build a hut and wander on a beach for years, lonely. But when the past comes calling you are the same person."
*** A copy of this book was kindly provided to me by Anne Cater and the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Thank you! ***
Spoiler
Those who know me are probably already aware of the fact I have a special interest in WWII historical fiction and I always enjoy a good mystery. Add an international setting you don't see every day and the fact that it's Nordic Noir in the first place and you'll find me jumping up and down out of sheer excitement. Oh yes, I couldn't wait to dive into my copy of The Courier and it turned out to be just as good as the reviews I saw popping up kept promising me. Want to know why?
The first thing that stands out in The Courier is that this story is actually set in three different time periods which are connected by the main characters. The story mainly switches between 1942 and 1967, both having its own storyline and different angle to contribute to the plot. This mostly dual timeline was one of the strongest elements of this story for me and highly enhanced my reading experience. The fact that we are left in the dark about what happened in 1942 and what consequences it has on the characters in 1967 adds a healthy dose of suspense to the plot and the author is able to build this feeling of suspense and intrigue in both storylines. Both are equally strong for different reasons, a balance that is easy to achieve while using a dual timeline.
The writing and plot development also really stood out for me. This story managed to grab my attention right from the very first chapter and the engaging writing style made it easy to fully emerge myself in the story and travel back in time. The descriptions of time, place and characters are detailed and well developed, making it easy to imagine yourself as a spectator observing the story from a front row seat. The main characters felt real as they are realistically displayed with flaws and all; you will soon find yourself rooting for them and this makes connecting to the story all the easier.
Another thing I could really appreciate was the historical content and the many references to daily life in Norway and Sweden in 1942 and 1967. Especially since WWII historical fiction tends to focus on countries like Germany, Poland or France, I was excited to be offered a glimpse of the history of lesser known countries that were affected by that particular part of history. It was interesting to see the characters evolve over time as they react to the things that happen to and around them. The plot also has quite a few surprises in store and I can promise you that you will not see them coming. The Courier is a little Nordic Noir gem and a very satisfying read for fans of historical fiction and thrillers alike. Highly recommended!
P.S. Find more of my reviews here.
thebooktrail88's review
4.0
Visit the locations in the novel
The Courier is a novel set in a time period we all think we know a lot about, but after this I am doubting what I have read before and thinking about events of the war very differently indeed. It’s about Norway’s involvement in the war and its treatment of Jews. I admit to knowing nothing of this angle if you can call it that and is something we never studied at school, that’s for sure.
Kjell Ola Dahl normally writes police procedurals so how would he treat such a delicate and senstive subject in a new format? Brilliantly is the simple answer.
He takes us back to 1942 and we see the terror and uncertainty of the time through the eyes of Ester. She’d lived quite a nice life before the war broke out but little by little, she became troubled by the Nazis and their increasing levels of control and persecution. Her father is taken away before she can get to warn him which causes Ester severe anguish. She feels so useless and so Ester then joins the resistance.
She moves to Sweden and really starts work in the Resistance as there is a large number of people assisting the refugees here. Imagine having to move and flee only to constantly worry about your family back home! She meets Gerhard Falkum, who is accused of murdering his wife, Ester’s friend, Åse. Tragedy strikes and Ester is left all alone.
What happened to Gerhard and what happens to Ester? The next part of the story follows Ester as she becomes reacquainted with her past,whether she likes it or not. There are plenty of dangers in that past. People you wouldn’t want to meet again. But they come out of the shadows and Ester is forced to face her past. Except that this past could kill her…
The Courier really put a fresh and interesting spin on a war story. There’s a really fascinating thread about couriers, passing letters and secrets during this most troubled time and it was fascinating to be part of it. The war held many of its secrets close to its heart and they come out of the shadows one by one, tied back first by secrecy, classified documents and then the people caught up in their trap.
This is a strong novel with many layers, secretive and hidden which come to the fore. By the end, the bigger picture is quite something and you see things you might not have picked up during the novel itself. Stand back and admire as if The Courier was a painting of the war, which in a way, it is. The more you look, the more you find.
The settings of Oslo and Stockholm are carefully crafted and very well done across the time periods of 1942 and 1967. The landscape is one of fear, terror, outrage, injustice and not just for the Jewish population,
Kudos to Don Bartlett for making this so easy to read and so accessible to readers outside of Scandinavia.
bibliobethreads's review
4.0
3.5 stars from me!
First of all, a huge thank you to Anne Cater, Karen Sullivan and all at Orenda Books for inviting me onto this blog tour and for providing a complimentary digital copy of the novel in exchange for an honest review. I have to admit, I'm not familiar with the author's work but I was instantly intrigued by the promise of a gritty thriller set within the period around the Second World War. It's one of my favourite periods of history to read about and I'm always on the hunt for an author who can bring something fresh and unique to an era that we often see explored in multiple works of fiction. I've also found a new hunger as a reader for reading more translated novels and for me, Don Bartlett's words felt seamless and effortless to read which is always a pleasure to experience.
I found The Courier to be quite a fascinating reading experience and it was certainly one that has left me still mulling over it a few days now after finishing. Set across multiple timelines from the early 1940's to the 1960's and then contemporary times we follow a number of different characters but primarily Ester, who delivered illegal newspapers during the war, making a stand against the harsh Nazi regime. However, the focus of this novel is ultimately directed towards the suspicious death of one of Ester's friends Åse. The narrative follows Ester just prior to Åse's death and additionally, Åse's husband, Gerhard who becomes the primary suspect in his wife's murder but until now, has been presumed to have died in a fire. Piece by piece and across the years, the truth about what happened is gradually revealed and the unravelling of a multitude of secrets has the potential to keep you on the edge of your seat.
In general, I have quite mixed feelings about this novel. It's definitely what you would call a slow-burner and whilst it's true that I usually gobble up stories that take their time to unfold, there were points where I couldn't quite gel with the pacing. That is to say, at times I couldn't get enough of where the author was taking the plot and then there were other times where it didn't work as well, personally speaking. Kjell Ola Dahl has an undeniable talent and a genuine flair for the dramatic and there were moments where I was "thrilled," on the edge of my seat and frantically turning the pages.I honestly believe fans of espionage novels will devour this story, particularly the political relationships between the characters and the slow, considered reveals that have the reader questioning everything. Perhaps it wasn't a stand out read for me because I've struggled so deeply with espionage in the past? Although this particular novel was not primarily espionage I hasten to add, it did read at points for me like an espionage thriller. In the hands of a different reader I'm certain this would be a hugely rewarding reading experience and I think the author has a clear, individual writing style all of his own that has already gained him a legion of loyal fans. I would certainly urge anyone with a love of history, intricate plotting and strong female leads to give it a try!
For my full review and many more, please visit my blog at http://www.bibliobeth.com
First of all, a huge thank you to Anne Cater, Karen Sullivan and all at Orenda Books for inviting me onto this blog tour and for providing a complimentary digital copy of the novel in exchange for an honest review. I have to admit, I'm not familiar with the author's work but I was instantly intrigued by the promise of a gritty thriller set within the period around the Second World War. It's one of my favourite periods of history to read about and I'm always on the hunt for an author who can bring something fresh and unique to an era that we often see explored in multiple works of fiction. I've also found a new hunger as a reader for reading more translated novels and for me, Don Bartlett's words felt seamless and effortless to read which is always a pleasure to experience.
I found The Courier to be quite a fascinating reading experience and it was certainly one that has left me still mulling over it a few days now after finishing. Set across multiple timelines from the early 1940's to the 1960's and then contemporary times we follow a number of different characters but primarily Ester, who delivered illegal newspapers during the war, making a stand against the harsh Nazi regime. However, the focus of this novel is ultimately directed towards the suspicious death of one of Ester's friends Åse. The narrative follows Ester just prior to Åse's death and additionally, Åse's husband, Gerhard who becomes the primary suspect in his wife's murder but until now, has been presumed to have died in a fire. Piece by piece and across the years, the truth about what happened is gradually revealed and the unravelling of a multitude of secrets has the potential to keep you on the edge of your seat.
In general, I have quite mixed feelings about this novel. It's definitely what you would call a slow-burner and whilst it's true that I usually gobble up stories that take their time to unfold, there were points where I couldn't quite gel with the pacing. That is to say, at times I couldn't get enough of where the author was taking the plot and then there were other times where it didn't work as well, personally speaking. Kjell Ola Dahl has an undeniable talent and a genuine flair for the dramatic and there were moments where I was "thrilled," on the edge of my seat and frantically turning the pages.I honestly believe fans of espionage novels will devour this story, particularly the political relationships between the characters and the slow, considered reveals that have the reader questioning everything. Perhaps it wasn't a stand out read for me because I've struggled so deeply with espionage in the past? Although this particular novel was not primarily espionage I hasten to add, it did read at points for me like an espionage thriller. In the hands of a different reader I'm certain this would be a hugely rewarding reading experience and I think the author has a clear, individual writing style all of his own that has already gained him a legion of loyal fans. I would certainly urge anyone with a love of history, intricate plotting and strong female leads to give it a try!
For my full review and many more, please visit my blog at http://www.bibliobeth.com