Contents:
Un Re in Ascolto. Mooch the Magnificent [excerpt]. Rufus and Rita [excerpt]. Thanks to my eyes. The Smile at the Foot of the Ladder. The Spiritual Biography of a Witch's Accuser [excerpt]. Riders of the Purple Sage [trailer]. A View from the Bridge [excerpt]. Oskar und die Dame in Rosa [excerpt]. La jeune fille au livre. IQ et OX [excerpt].
Everyone is Good for Something. A More Perfect Union.
Sanft schwingt der Tod Kommissar Niels Bentzon wird mitten in der Nacht zu einem dringenden Einsatz gerufen: Eine junge Frau will sich in der Kopenhagener. Der Schlaf und der Tod: Thriller (Niels Bentzon 2) (German Edition) eBook: A. J. Kazinski, Günther Frauenlob: www.farmersmarketmusic.com: Kindle Store.
The House of Words. Shala Fears for the Poor Jona, de Nee-zegger [excerpt]. The Rape of Lucretia. The Turn of the Screw. Unverhofftes Wiedersehen [trailer] Unexpected Reunion. A Bird in your Ear. The Firework Maker's Daughter. The Secret Agent [excerpts]. Les ananas magiques de Dame Pancetta [excerpt]. Men of Blackmoor [excerpt]. La Passion selon Sade. Bellye Nochi White nights. Mark Twain and the General. The Cask of Amontillado. Les quatre jumelles [excerpts]. Sweets by Kate [excerpt]. Bonjour Mr Gauguin [excerpt].
La piccola vedetta lombarda [excerpt]. No Easy Walk to Freedom [excerpts]. La philosophie dans le labyrinthe [excerpts]. LByron, un estiu sense estiu [excerpt]. Alice in Wonderland [excerpt]. Panfilo and Lauretta then Los visitantes The Visitors. The Miraculous Staircase [excerpt]. The Orphan Das Waisenkind [excerpts]. A Midsummer Night's Dream [excerpt].
Evening, Night and Morning Mr. Il caso Mortara [excerpts]. Sarah and Hagar [excerpts]. Il Ghetto - Varsavia The Tender Land [excerpts]. The Ghosts of Versailles. The Money Man [excerpt]. La tectonique des nuages [excerpt]. Bianco, Rosso e Verdi. Lear on the 2nd Floor. Nero and the Fall of the Lehman Brothers [excerpt].
Der Traum von dir [excerpt]. En susurros los muertos [excerpt]. O scrisoare pierduta [excerpt]. The Woman Who Walked into Doors [trailer]. The House of Sleeping Beauties [excerpt]. La gatta Cenerentola [excerpt]. Die Verurteilung des Lukullus [trailer].
Saint Kilda, The Island of the Birdmen [excerpts]. Der Wunsch, Indianer zu werden. Der leuchtende Fluss [trailer]. The Adventures of Pinocchio. Life is a Dream. A Mysterious Key [excerpt]. La demande en mariage [excerpt]. Les livres de ton silence Books of silence. The Color of Gold [excerpt]. The Theory of Everything [excerpt]. The Curious Case of Benjamin Button [excerpt].
Why I Live at the P. TheSnail Die Schnecke [excerpt]. Ocean of time [excerpt]. Love and Other Demons. Joseph is a Fruitful Bough. Opera Ifigenia Cruel [overture]. The Island of the Ugly Sisters. Sir Gawain and the Green Knight. Avenida de los Incas The Judgment of Solomon. Victoria and the Men. Prince of Players [showcase]. The Enchantment of Dreams. The Fox and the Pomegranate [excerpt].
Unless the killer is one of them? Published July 19th by Mirror Books first published Det danske kriminalakademis debutantpris. To see what your friends thought of this book, please sign up. To ask other readers questions about Unrest , please sign up. Lists with This Book. This book is not yet featured on Listopia.
Axel is a disturbed, divorced man with a 5 year old daughter, Emma. He still has strong feelings for his ex-wife, Cecilie, has real problems sleeping, is fearful of death, smokes hash and has vibrant erotic dreams. It is , he is the only cop who lives in the troubled mixed district of Norrebro, where the police have gone in heavy handed to close down the Youth House. Not unexpectedly, the area has not taken this provocation lying down as the place goes up in flames with riots, molotov cocktails are flying at the police, whilst the police are coming down hard and brutally on protesters.
Axel has watched his home turf burn the night before when he is woken by a phone call in the early hours. A murdered man, dressed as a autonomist with a balaclava over his head, has been posed sitting against a wall at the Assistens Cemetery. What is a completely frightening scenario is that the man has been killed in an area closed off to all but the police, raising the dynamite and horrendous possibility that the killer is a police officer.
This is going to be a nightmare for the police, this will inflame local tensions even more.
It is a political priority that the perpetrator is identified as soon as possible. Axel is not looked upon favourably by the police chief Corneliusson, Axel is a maverick, he will do what he thinks need to be done, he is hard to manage, but he gets results. In an incendiary climate with the media scrambling for any exclusive with their intense focus, the investigation looks at why the cops failed in their duty, given there were patrols and guards.
Video footage that could help the case is taken by a young man, Piver, looking to build up his revolutionary credentials. The drugs gangs, like the BGP, led by Moussa, have to be looked at, with drugs and more being supplied from the Balkans. The murder victim's history is pored over, how did he come to be at the cemetery and why was he murdered? Axel finds himself in choppy waters, struggling to remain on the police team as slurs are cast on his reputation but he is a man determined to get to the truth, even if it shows the police in a poor light.
Jesper Stein writes a fantastic crime thriller set amidst the turbulence of riots, and gives us a mesmerising protagonist in Axel, who lives in Norrebro, knows it and the local community well. He is not going to fall for the prejudices and stereotypes that so many cops have of it's poor, colourful and political residents with their high number of migrants, especially the autonomists.
The story is complex, with a wide range of characters, and a number of sub plots, and I was never less than enthralled with the narrative, finding it gripping and entertaining. I liked how there was a pertinent social and politically commentary so well and beautifully integrated in the book. Stein shows a real gift in characterisation and in his ability to adeptly handle and portray a crime investigation amidst the disturbing background of riots.
A brilliant read that I recommend highly. View all 12 comments. Author Jesper Stein is the third best-selling author in Denmark, with film rights already sold for his first three books and his work translated in more than ten countries. However, this is the first time his work has appeared in English and Mirror Books are planning to publish the first five in the series. I am pleased that, with translation, we get the first book in a series appearing in print so many publishers seeming to go with the most successful novel, even if it is third, or fifth, in a Author Jesper Stein is the third best-selling author in Denmark, with film rights already sold for his first three books and his work translated in more than ten countries.
I am pleased that, with translation, we get the first book in a series appearing in print so many publishers seeming to go with the most successful novel, even if it is third, or fifth, in a series and, therefore, making those of us who like to read a series in order slightly crazy! The main character is homicide detective Axel Steen — aged thirty eight, in love with his ex-wife, having issues with access to his five year old daughter, depressed, lonely and fearful of death.
As such, a rather typical Scandinavian detective, as we readers have come to know them; with a whole host of problems and issues. To make things worse, Axel is distrusted by his superiors and is known to be a difficult and uncompromising investigator. He gets results and that enables him to stay in a job, but you sense it would not take much for Detective Chief Inspector Darling to get rid of him. Steen lives in a rather bad area of Copenhagen and, on the night we are introduced to him, there are full scale riots going on outside, due to the police clearance of the nearby Youth House.
With over two hundred people arrested and violence and vandalism in full swing, he is called to the discovery of a hooded corpse, who is found in the cemetery. This is a gritty, dark and violent start to a series. It involves organised crime, Axel having to cope with unwelcome collaboration into the investigation and also having to juggle his fortnightly visit with his daughter, along with the case. Those readers who like Nordic Noir may well find a new series here, with a flawed hero and a novel which does not let up on the action. I received a copy of this book from the publisher, via NetGalley, for review.
View all 4 comments. Jul 25, Raven rated it really liked it. In the best possible way, Unrest is very much a what you see is what you get type of thriller, as it ticks every single box required of a Scandinavian crime novel, and is extremely reflective of the genre as a whole. Indeed, as I was reading, I felt echoes of Nesbo, Larsson, Staalesen and Nesser throughout the book particularly in terms of plot and characterisation, and the density and slow burning feel of the plot again fulfils perfectly the familiar characteristics of the genre, so plenty to e In the best possible way, Unrest is very much a what you see is what you get type of thriller, as it ticks every single box required of a Scandinavian crime novel, and is extremely reflective of the genre as a whole.
Indeed, as I was reading, I felt echoes of Nesbo, Larsson, Staalesen and Nesser throughout the book particularly in terms of plot and characterisation, and the density and slow burning feel of the plot again fulfils perfectly the familiar characteristics of the genre, so plenty to enjoy here for the Nordic noir fan… The reader is thrust straight into the familiar realm of police conspiracy, so beloved of the Scandinavian set, suffused with the gritty, unflinching gaze on the political and social ills of Danish society.
With a riot in full flow, the discovery of a body would seem an ordinary occurrence, but Stein perfectly hinges his whole narrative on why and how this victim is of such significance on a much larger canvas, and the wider ramifications of this killing. Stein presents a broad spectrum of issues including immigration, police corruption, the drug trade, trafficking and so on, and generally this is one of the more slow burning Scandinavian thrillers I have encountered, as reasons for, and suspects of the killing are slowly addressed, investigated and discounted as the plot develops.
It did take me a while to slow down to the pace of the plot, and begin to appreciate the more laborious style of investigation that the main police protagonist, Axel Steen, finds himself embroiled in, in contrast to say the more compact style of other Nordic writers. I think Unrest is extremely reminiscent of some of the fine Nordic TV dramas that we love, with chicanery, social and political division and big meaty issues at its core.
I thought he depicted beautifully the chasm between the areas of the city, both monetarily and structurally, and I loved the way his writing had shades of the old fashioned flaneur, with the very visual and observant tone of his descriptions, as Steen traverses the different neighbourhoods. Overall, I enjoyed this new-to-me author, and judging by the praise the author receives across Europe, I think there may be more enjoyment to come in the company of Detective Superintendent Axel Steen.
A solid Scandinavian thriller, and recommended for fans of the genre… I would like to thank Netgalley and Mirror Books for an advance copy of Unrest, the first novel to feature Danish detective, Axel Steen. In the midst of this Steen is called out to a murder where a man in a balaclava has been killed in a locked cemetery surrounded by police officers. I somewhat enjoyed Unrest which is a long, complicated novel with a bit of everything, I would like to thank Netgalley and Mirror Books for an advance copy of Unrest, the first novel to feature Danish detective, Axel Steen.
I somewhat enjoyed Unrest which is a long, complicated novel with a bit of everything, not least realism. I don't really know where to start trying to explain it but perhaps with the atmosphere which I can admire but not really enjoy. There is a real sense of hatred and danger which permeates the novel with the autonomists I translate that as left wing radicals and anarchists distrusting the police and willing to engage in rioting at the least sign of heavy handedness, which is frequently as heavy handedness seems to be the only way the police conduct their business.
There is no touchy-feely sensitivity in this version of the Copenhagen police, it is all hard edges and brutality and this approach is all inclusive, so covers not just social unrest but information gathering and protection of their interests and image. I found it a tough and disquieting read, especially as it has a real ring of authenticity about it. Obviously I need to man up. Aside from the tough, brutal atmosphere the novel has a good, if convoluted plot. Axel Steen is a dedicated detective, able to see past the obvious, so he works the case doggedly, unhindered by his boss who wants rid of him and the organised crime team who insist on "helping" but are working to their own agenda.
The story of their involvement borders on farce when it's finally revealed but, again, smacks of reality, involving as it does cover-up, arrogance and ambition. There is hardly a single pleasant character in the novel and as there are plenty of them Mr Stein has a field day stripping back human nature to its corrupt venality at worst, indifference at best.
Even Axel Steen is a poor specimen with his insomnia, hypochondria, hash smoking and loneliness, just a man trying to get by, making mistakes and trying to live with it. It paints a stark picture of modern mankind. I feel that Unrest is not really sure about what it wants to be, social commentary or murder investigation so the investigation gets somewhat lost in some of the digressions and the focus is not always on it fully. As it stands it is a very interesting read but as a procedural it could do with a prune and a sharper focus.
It will not be to everyone's taste but I have no hesitation in recommending it as a good, if gritty and sometimes uncomfortable read. I am a huge fan of Scandinavian Noir so this was a book I knew I wanted to read immediately. Jesper Stein is a multi-award winning crime writer. He is also the third bestselling author in Denmark.
Stein has written a number of books featuring Detective Chief Inspector Axel Steen and the rights to three of them have been purchased by SF I am a huge fan of Scandinavian Noir so this was a book I knew I wanted to read immediately.
Stein has written a number of books featuring Detective Chief Inspector Axel Steen and the rights to three of them have been purchased by SF Studios producers of "The Bridge" with the intention of making three films based on Axel's exploits. His crime novels have been sold to more than ten countries, including France, Germany, Holland and Norway.
It's safe to say he is a big talent. Why didn't I know about him sooner? The corpse of unidentified man is found bound and hooded propped up against a gravestone at the central cemetery. Axel Steen is assigned to the case and it initially looks as though the culprit could be a member of the police force when camera footage is found. There also appears to be a link to the demolition of the nearby Youth House, a notorious spot where left-wing militants meet. However, Axel soon discovers that many people, both inside and outside of the police force, seem to be hindering the investigation in what looks like an attempt at stopping the case being solved.
The clues then take him to unexpected places such as the Copenhagen underworld where drugs and gangs are rife. Axel will not stop until the killer is caught, no matter the consequences. And the consequences for Axel himself may turn out to be greater than expected. I admired Axel's tenacity but he has some real personal issues to contend with. He is divorced from his wife who is hellbent on keeping him from being able to see his daughter. Axel's character is well-developed and despite him always being at odds with his bosses, I enjoyed reading about him. The story is well written, easy to get into and fast paced.
I read it within a day as I couldn't put it down, it was so good. I cannot wait to read more from Stein as I loved his writing style and the creation of a flawed character in Steen. There is a lot of circumstances and situations throughout the story where you feel sympathy for Steen.
I didn't mind that the author used that old trope of a Detective with personal issues which is really overused in crime fiction. It worked here and as I liked Axel this was neither here nor there for me. All in all, a fantastic, dark and gritty read that I had fun with. I cannot wait to pick up some of Stein's other books, I know I am late to the party but better late than never, as they say!
Mirror Books have secured the first five books in this series and this is the first time Stein's crime fiction has been translated into English.
I look forward to the reading the whole of the series. I was not required to post a review and all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own. Unrest — A riot through Copenhagen Being woken up in the middle of the night by headquarters, was never nice as it meant there was a fresh corpse for him to look at. Detective Axel Steen, not the most popular detective in Copenhagen, but the one that was the most terrier like when he was on a case. Fortunately for Stein the body was not far from his apartment and was in the cemetery.
The Norrebro district where he lives, is a bohemian district of Copenhagen and had been on fire for most of the da Unrest — A riot through Copenhagen Being woken up in the middle of the night by headquarters, was never nice as it meant there was a fresh corpse for him to look at. The Norrebro district where he lives, is a bohemian district of Copenhagen and had been on fire for most of the day. This all due to the police raid on the Youth House and all the violence that followed. So, when Stein got to the cemetery past all the smoke-filled barriers and resting police, is a dead body that looks like another left- wing protester.
The body is eventually identified, which leads to more questions than answers, while drawing him into the heart of the Copenhagen drugs trade, the Balkans and the Security Police. With nobody seemingly trusting Steen, he is slowly side-lined and ends up working the investigation his own way, but on his own. The investigation seems to be going off in different tangents, but Steen is not afraid to step back and look at all the information available.
Like a jigsaw puzzle without a picture, Steen is the one who slowly pieces everything together. Even if it does mean going out on a limb. Like any defective detective Axel Steen is not only the problem child of the Police Service, but the problem child with his ex-wife and his daughter. He has relationship problems that get him into trouble, before you count his dependency on hash.
A Laugh to Cry [excerpt]. So, when Stein got to the cemetery past all the smoke-filled barriers and resting police, is a dead body that looks like another left- wing protester. I had never heard of Jesper Stein until I read an interview with him and I thought I would take a chance on this, his first novel which has just been translated into English. Insgesamt ist der Krimi aber alles andere als schlecht und langweilig, nur eben nicht herausragend oder extrem hochspannend. The clues then take him to unexpected places such as the Copenhagen underworld where drugs and gangs are rife.
He is in the middle of a personal crisis, a career crisis, but he does not care he wants to solve the case and he will. Jesper Stein has created a wonderfully defective character in Axel Steen, that even when things are going wrong around him he carries on. Set with a background of the bohemian district, you get a flavour of part of Copenhagen not often seen by the tourist.
This is an engrossing read, showing that even the countries that are seen as sensible Europeans have an underbelly which is always willing to fight back. An excellent thriller that shows you not everything in Denmark is nice and shiny, but dark and gritty. An excellent addition to the Scandi Noir Oeuvre. Nordic noir is one of my favorite genres, so I was pleased to learn that a popular author from Denmark had recently been translated. Unfortunately this novel, with not even one likable character and a convoluted plot, really disappointed me.
Mijn nieuwsgierigheid is bevredigd. In mijn verwachtingen ben ik enigszins teleurgesteld, maar de drie sterren die ik 'Onrust' toebedeel zijn dik en vet. Stein laat zien dat hij de potentie heeft een zeer goede thriller te schrijven, het komt er in deel 1 van de driedelige Axel Steen-reeks echter nog net niet 'Onrust', de debuutthriller van de Deense auteur Jesper Stein Jesper Stein Larsen, , is een bestseller in zowel Denemarken als Duitsland, wat nieuwsgierig maakt en verwachtingen wekt.
Stein laat zien dat hij de potentie heeft een zeer goede thriller te schrijven, het komt er in deel 1 van de driedelige Axel Steen-reeks echter nog net niet helemaal uit. Alsof hij te veel wil, bang is om 'stiltes' te laten vallen, zijn lezers tekort te doen als hij te weinig gedetailleerd is. In Denemarken is deel 2 inmiddels verschenen, getiteld 'Bye buy blackbird', deel 3 staat op punt van verschijnen en heet 'Akrash', een begrip dat ook in deel 1 voorkomt.
Nu hopen dat 'Onrust' voldoende verkocht wordt om het voor uitgever De Geus interessant te maken de volgende delen in vertaling uit te brengen. Rechercheur van politie Axel Steen speelt de hoofdrol in 'Onrust'. Na de rellen wordt een dode aangetroffen, vermoord, terwijl de politie in groten getale aanwezig was.
Aan Axel Steen de taak uit te zoeken wie de dode is, hoe dit kon gebeuren en wie de moordenaar is. Steen heeft zijn eigen werkmethodes, die hem niet in dank worden afgenomen, en wordt van het onderzoek gehaald, op een zijspoor gerangeerd. Dat is voor hem geen beletsel om verder te wroeten tot de onderste steen boven is.