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  • Dead Joker

  • A Hanne Wilhelmsen Novel, Book 5
  • Written by: Anne Holt
  • Narrated by: Kate Reading
  • Length: 14 hrs
  • 4.3 out of 5 stars (3 ratings)

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Dead Joker cover art

Dead Joker

Written by: Anne Holt
Narrated by: Kate Reading
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Publisher's Summary

From Anne Holt, the internationally best-selling author of 1222, comes the next installment in her Edgar Award-nominated mystery series.

Chief Public Prosecutor Sigurd Halvorsrud's wife is found dead in front of the fireplace in the family living room. The cause of death: decapitation. Her husband, who witnessed the grisly murder and is himself covered in blood, immediately falls under suspicion, though he claims his wife's killer was Ståle Salvesen, a man he'd prosecuted years before.

Detective Inspector Hanne Wilhelmsen is called in to lead the investigation with her old colleague, Billy T. Despite the circumstantial evidence, Hanne is unconvinced of Sigurd Halvorsrud's guilt - that is until a witness says he saw Ståle Salvesen commit suicide by jumping off a bridge days before the murder took place. Then a journalist at one of Oslo's largest newspapers is found beheaded. What links these two horrifically violent crimes?

The demanding investigation soon clashes with a terrible crisis in Hanne's personal life. Cecilie, the woman she has lived with for almost 20 years, has fallen seriously ill and doesn't have much time to live.

With a savage killer on the loose, Hanne must ask herself: Is the truth worth chasing at all costs?

©2016 Anne Holt (P)2016 Blackstone Audio, Inc.
Women Sleuths Suspense
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Excellent Translation

This English version of a European Crime Thriller ('Død joker' - the fifth of the 'Hanne Wilhelmsen' series) is commendable. The cinema-quality description, realistic dialogue, and especially witty tone are remarkably maintained. Admittedly, I have never read the original iteration, but I can't see Anne Holt's intention being lost.. regardless, this is a creditable procedural/mystery.
Scandinavian Chief Detective Wilhelmsen is an interesting character [dedicated, intuitive, ferociously ethical, and (+/- significantly) lesbian], her colleagues are equally (and humorously) intriguing, the plot [involving the gruesome murder of a local prosecutor's wife among others] is sinuous and full of surprises, and the setting [the city of Oslo] is unfamiliar but fascinating.
Less fortunately, Holt obviously assumes that readers/listeners are as invested in her recurring characters as she is - fascinated with tribulations, relationships, health problems, etc.. to the point that the book leans too heavily towards personal circumstances to the detriment of case exposition
..and the banter between members of the investigative team is sometimes *painful* (Wilhelmsen's hulking 6'7" 300lb partner 'Billy T.' snuggling with his very pregnant coworker fiancée while loudly farting had me pinching the bridge of my nose.. eyes closed and head shaking. Ugh).

As to narration: Kate Reading has definitely done better reading. This performance is professional but unspectacular.
Ms. Reading narrates with typical spot-on tone, flawless diction, and great timbre/cadence.. but reads too slowly (setting playback at 1.15X restores a more "natural" rhythm) and - unusually for her - exhibits cartoonishly husky male voice interpretations.
As I said, not her best work.

In toto, I rate this audiobook a respectable 8 stars out of 10. If you can get the book as a 'Plus' offering (included with your subscription), Do Not hesitate.
Despite some deficiencies - were they to ask for a Credit, it would be worth it.

(I personally won't be seeking out further installments in the series, but fans of Crime Fiction looking for a non-N.Am/UK perspective are in for a quality tale - and could pretty easily fall in love with this Norwegian author and her characters)

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