HELLE S HOUND
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A dead art historian. Cold War skulduggery.
An extremely hungry dog.
Dame Charlotte Lazerton - eminent art historian and former mentor of Danish academic Torben Helle - is dead. To make it worse, she was found partially eaten by her own pet dog. While the Metropolitan police believe that she died of natural causes, Torben becomes convinced that Dame Charlotte was murdered, although as usual no-one pays any attention to him. That is, until he gains the confidence of a detective inspector who has watched one too many Nordic Noir dramas, and is ready to listen to any Scandinavian in an extremely woolly jumper.
Aided - often grudgingly - by his old friend Leyla, Torben soon realises that there are plenty of people who might have wanted Dame Charlotte dead, from her competitors for a prestigious academic chair, to old enemies from her time in intelligence during the Cold War. One thing is for sure: Torben Helle is woefully unqualified to catch a killer, and the killer knows it...
This witty murder mystery puts a modern spin on the classic Golden Age whodunnit. A must-read for fans of Agatha Christie, Richard Osman and Janice Hallett.
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1 primary book#2 in Helle & Death
Helle & Death is a 1-book series first released in 2024 with contributions by Oskar Jensen.
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Book Review: Helle’s Hound by Oskar Jensen 🔎📚
Rating: 4 stars
I recently finished Helle’s Hound by Oskar Jensen, and I have to say, it was a refreshing and enjoyable read. This witty murder mystery follows Danish art historian Torben Helle as he stumbles into a puzzling case involving the death of his mentor, Dame Charlotte Lazerton. Dame Charlotte, an eminent figure in the art world with a shadowy Cold War past, is found dead — partially eaten by her own Irish wolfhound, Mortimer. While the police chalk her death up to natural causes, Torben suspects foul play and embarks on an investigation that quickly spirals into a tangled web of academic rivalries and old espionage grudges. 🕵️♂️🐕
What I really appreciated about this book was how it cleverly blends the classic elements of a Golden Age whodunit with a modern twist — all set against a Scandinavian backdrop that fans of Nordic Noir will recognize (and enjoy). Torben, despite being completely out of his depth as an amateur detective, is a charming and relatable protagonist. His partnership with Leyla, an old friend, adds a nice dynamic that keeps the story engaging. 🇩🇰📚
The plot is well-crafted and intelligent, with plenty of twists that kept me guessing without feeling contrived. Plus, the cast of characters is memorable and well-drawn, making the mystery not just about whodunnit but also about the complex relationships and motivations behind the crime. 🔍✨
Also, I can’t help but mention the book’s cover — it’s absolutely delightful and really caught my eye right away. All in all, Helle’s Hound is a thoroughly entertaining mystery that I’d recommend to anyone who enjoys a smart, character-driven whodunnit with a bit of Scandinavian flair. I’m definitely looking forward to more adventures with Torben Helle. 🎨📖
⚠️This review was written based on personal opinions and experiences with the book. Individual preferences may vary⚠️
Originally posted at tinyurl.com.
I didn't realise, until I was a couple of chapters in, that Helle's Hound is actually part of a series. As it is book #2 however, I didn't feel as though I'd missed anything crucial. I do really want to read book #1 though.
Back to Helle's Hound.
