📖 Overview
Department Q detective Assad faces his most personal case when a murder in Berlin connects to his traumatic past in Syria and Iraq. His colleague Carl Mørck works to help Assad confront his demons while investigating the killing.
A parallel narrative follows a troubled young man in Copenhagen who becomes obsessed with violent video games and a refugee death that makes headlines. Meanwhile, a journalist in Spain pursues a story about victim 2117 - a refugee whose death sets multiple plots in motion.
The investigation leads Assad and the Department Q team through Europe and the Middle East as they race to prevent an act of terrorism. Old secrets emerge that force Assad to reckon with his former identity and actions.
This eighth installment in the Department Q series explores themes of trauma, redemption, and how past violence ripples into the present. The narrative examines how different characters process and respond to experiences of war and displacement.
👀 Reviews
Readers note this is a darker, more personal entry in the Department Q series that delves into Assad's backstory. Many appreciate the dual narratives and complex character development, particularly Assad's emotional journey and hidden past.
Liked:
- Fast-paced action sequences
- Deep exploration of Assad's character
- Relevant modern terrorism themes
- Emotional depth compared to previous books
- Strong procedural elements
Disliked:
- More violent/graphic than other books in series
- Some found the gaming subplot unnecessary
- Less humor than typical Department Q novels
- Multiple storylines felt disconnected to some readers
- Assad's backstory contradicts hints from previous books
Ratings:
Goodreads: 4.3/5 (16,000+ ratings)
Amazon: 4.5/5 (3,800+ ratings)
"Assad's story was worth the wait" appears in many reviews. Some readers called it "intense but rewarding." Several noted it works as a standalone but carries more impact for series followers.
📚 Similar books
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson
A Nordic police investigation uncovers layers of family secrets and institutional corruption through parallel narratives of a journalist and a troubled investigator.
Three Seconds by Roslund & Hellström An undercover operative infiltrates the Polish mafia in Sweden, leading to a complex web of police corruption and personal vendettas.
The Keeper of Lost Causes by Jussi Adler-Olsen A Copenhagen detective reopens a cold case about a missing politician, revealing connections to political conspiracies and institutional cover-ups.
The Snowman by Jo Nesbø Detective Harry Hole tracks a serial killer in Norway who leaves snowmen at crime scenes while confronting his own personal demons.
Faceless Killers by Henning Mankell Inspector Kurt Wallander investigates a brutal farm murder in Sweden that sparks racial tensions and forces him to examine societal changes in contemporary Scandinavia.
Three Seconds by Roslund & Hellström An undercover operative infiltrates the Polish mafia in Sweden, leading to a complex web of police corruption and personal vendettas.
The Keeper of Lost Causes by Jussi Adler-Olsen A Copenhagen detective reopens a cold case about a missing politician, revealing connections to political conspiracies and institutional cover-ups.
The Snowman by Jo Nesbø Detective Harry Hole tracks a serial killer in Norway who leaves snowmen at crime scenes while confronting his own personal demons.
Faceless Killers by Henning Mankell Inspector Kurt Wallander investigates a brutal farm murder in Sweden that sparks racial tensions and forces him to examine societal changes in contemporary Scandinavia.
🤔 Interesting facts
🔍 Author Jussi Adler-Olsen worked in publishing and comics before becoming Denmark's #1 crime writer
📚 "Victim 2117" is the eighth book in the Department Q series, focusing on Assad's mysterious past for the first time
🌍 The title refers to the 2,117th refugee victim documented by a newspaper in the Mediterranean Sea crisis
🏆 The book spent 20 weeks on Der Spiegel's bestseller list in Germany after its release
🔄 The story weaves together three parallel plots: Assad's past in Syria, a terrorist plot in Germany, and a disturbed young man in Copenhagen