Wolves at the Door

Starred review from November 4, 2019
Varg Veum, whose Old Norse–derived name connotes “an outlaw,” prowls the mean streets of contemporary Bergen, Norway, in Staalesen’s searing 21st novel featuring the world-weary PI and former child welfare officer (after 2018’s Big Sister). Veum abandoned social work because he lost faith in his country’s ability to help children caught up in “pure evil,” but only 16 months earlier, he was arrested then found innocent of possessing child pornography. Now, after being nearly killed in a hit-and-run, he’s stubbornly tracking those responsible for the murders of other men similarly arrested and likely guilty of the same crime. Though often depressed, Veum doggedly pursues “life’s many shadowy beasts,” aided by “new Norwegian” Ghulam Mohammed and Tønsberg lawyer Svend Foyn. Eventually, Veum discovers who’s lying—nearly everyone—in this bleak parable of disintegrating Norwegian cultural values. Raymond Chandler fans won’t want to miss this one. Agent: Anne Cathrine Eng, Gyldendal Agency (Norway).

December 6, 2019

On a cold, dark Sunday evening in January in Bergen, Norway, private investigator Varg Veum is almost run over outside his client's house. While it's possible the driver did not see him, Veum has a worrisome thought. Included in a group of four men arrested for distributing child pornography (the charges against him were subsequently dropped), Veum wonders whether there is a connection, since two of the men recently died under suspicious circumstances. Although forensic reports ruled out murder, Veum draws a different conclusion. He requests local police, with whom he is familiar, to reopen the death investigations, while he also investigates. Much of the book deals with Veum visiting the ex-wives, children, partners, and associates of the deceased men, along the way discovering that pornography was the tip of a more dangerous and repugnant iceberg. Veum is tenacious in his investigation, visiting protagonists repeatedly with more questions, à la Columbo. VERDICT Although this 20th "Varg Veum" mystery (after Wolves in the Dark), only some of which are available in English, stands alone, reading the backstory from its predecessor would be helpful. Action takes place primarily in the denouement, but the series' signature strengths of well-developed characters and a engaging story line are on full display.--Edward Goldberg, Syosset P.L., NY

Copyright 2019 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

December 1, 2019
Bergen, Norway, PI Varg Veum is nearly hit by a car gunning for him on a quiet residential street. Veum's current cases are routine, so he's convinced the attack is linked to the recent deaths of two unsavory acquaintances. Eighteen months ago, Veum was arrested, along with Per Haugen, Mikael Midtb�, Karl Sl�tthaug, and Sigurd Svensb�, for possession of child pornography. Veum's charges were dropped after it was proved he was framed, and Svensb�, the ringleader, disappeared. The others served negligible sentences, and now Haugen and Midtb� have died under suspicious circumstances. As the police inquiry into Veum's attack stalls, Veum hunts for a killer between the two surviving members of the group. Veum finally earns the grudging trust of Haugen's daughter, who blows the lid off of a child-abuse ring led by a mysterious German. Clever, straight-shooting Veum gains depth here as he struggles against the albatross of his arrest. A strong dose of noir best enjoyed after reading Staalesen's Wolves in the Dark (2017).(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2019, American Library Association.)