knit_the_resistance 's review for:

The Keeper of Lost Causes by Jussi Adler-Olsen

4.75

challenging dark emotional funny mysterious sad tense fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

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If there is any flaw in the book, it is probably from some slightly clunky translation. It's a little bit older, and it's translated from the Norwegian, so some of the sexism and mild xenophobia (as the Norwegian MC gets used to working with a colleague from Syria) are forgivable. I watched this after watching the horrifying Netflix series based on the book and both are fantastic. 
I was concerned that the narration would irritate me but actually it was impressive -- a North American narrator does Norwegian and Syrian accents really well. 
The story of a grumpy, messy detective solving an unsolved mystery is not a new plot. You find yourself yelling "Karl! get your service revolver! get a freaking flashlight! call for backup!" at the denouement. 
WARNING if you have a horror of dental issues, fast forward or skip over the truly horrific teeth scenes. 
I really enjoyed it and will read others in the series. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child death, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Gun violence, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Excrement, Vomit, Grief, Medical trauma, Stalking, Car accident, Death of parent, Murder, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Injury/Injury detail

Minor: Animal cruelty