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A review by bibliophilebookclub
Where Roses Never Die by Gunnar Staalesen
5.0
Having heard of Gunnar’s first book, We Shall Inherit The Wind, but not having gotten around to read it I jumped at the chance to read Where Roses Never Die as it sounded brilliant, and I was not disappointed!!!
The book begins with Veum meeting Mette’s mother 25 years after her daughter’s disappearance. She implores him to take a look into the case before the statute of limitations is up on the investigation. What ensues is a spellbinding narrative that pulls you in and doesn’t let you go.
There was nothing about this book I didn’t like. The location, the characters and the plot are so effortless that you just cannot stop reading once you start! I had no idea how I missed Gunnar Staalesen as an author before now as he writes my favourite genre, in my favourite climate, so it’s safe to say I am definitely a fan after reading Where Roses Never Die.
The subject matter of this book is a bit tough to read as a parent, as it’s genuinely one of your worst fears. The author has done a brilliant job of weaving together 25 years of history within the plot and its main players though. Varg Veum is a superb main character too! With echoes of Jo Nesbo’s Harry Hole, he is likeable but he is also a flawed and troubled investigator who is not without his own shortcomings.
Where Roses Never Die is an exceptionally plotted, well written and hauntingly evocative lesson in Norwegian crime writing. I experienced a wide range of emotions while reading it, and in the interest of full disclosure, this Ice Queen shed some tears reading it! I cannot recommend this book highly enough, and I am definitely going to be following Gunnar Staalesen’s writing after this!
The book begins with Veum meeting Mette’s mother 25 years after her daughter’s disappearance. She implores him to take a look into the case before the statute of limitations is up on the investigation. What ensues is a spellbinding narrative that pulls you in and doesn’t let you go.
There was nothing about this book I didn’t like. The location, the characters and the plot are so effortless that you just cannot stop reading once you start! I had no idea how I missed Gunnar Staalesen as an author before now as he writes my favourite genre, in my favourite climate, so it’s safe to say I am definitely a fan after reading Where Roses Never Die.
The subject matter of this book is a bit tough to read as a parent, as it’s genuinely one of your worst fears. The author has done a brilliant job of weaving together 25 years of history within the plot and its main players though. Varg Veum is a superb main character too! With echoes of Jo Nesbo’s Harry Hole, he is likeable but he is also a flawed and troubled investigator who is not without his own shortcomings.
Where Roses Never Die is an exceptionally plotted, well written and hauntingly evocative lesson in Norwegian crime writing. I experienced a wide range of emotions while reading it, and in the interest of full disclosure, this Ice Queen shed some tears reading it! I cannot recommend this book highly enough, and I am definitely going to be following Gunnar Staalesen’s writing after this!