A Conspiracy of Faith by Jussi Adler-Olsen

 

(hb; 2013: third book in the Department Q series. Translated from the Danish by Martin Aitkin.)

From the inside flap

“Detective Carl Mørck holds in his hands a bottle that contains an old and decaying message, written in blood. It is a cry for help from two young brothers, tied and bound in a boathouse by the sea. Could it be real? Who are these boys, and why aren’t they reported missing? Could they possibly still be alive?

“Carl’s investigation will force him to cross paths with a woman stuck in a desperate marriage─her husband refuses to tell her where he goes, what he does, how long he will be away. For days on end she waits, and when he returns she must endure his wants, his needs, his moods, his threats. But enough is enough. She will find out the truth, no matter the cost to her husband─or to herself.

“Carl and his colleagues Assad and Rose must use all of their resources to uncover the horrifying truth. . .”

 

Review

Conspiracy is another slick, entertaining and thrill ride of a police procedural in the Department Q series, suspenseful and twist-filled, with supporting characters (e.g.  Assad and Rose)─with their secrets, some of them easy to suss out─who evolve in tone-consistent and surprising ways. Adler-Olsen again balances dark horrors with humor and warmth, and it’s a winning combination of tone and overall talent; top-notch mainstream work, this. Followed by The Purity of Vengeance.

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The resulting Danish film, Department Q: A Conspiracy of Faith, was released on March 6, 2016. Hans Petter Moland directed it, from Nicolaj Arcel and Mikkel Nørgaard’s concept.

Nikolaj Lie Kaas reprised his role of Carl Mørck (from Department Q: The Keeper of Lost Causes and Department Q: The Absent One). Fares Fares reprised his role of Assad (from the aforementioned prequels). Johanne Louise Schmidt reprised her role of Rose Knudsen (from The Absent One).

Amanda Collin played Rakel. Søren Pilmark reprised his role of Marcus Jacobsen. Morton Kirkskov reprised his role of Lars Bjørn (from the first two films). Michael Brostup reprised his role of Børge Bak (from the first two films). Jakob Oftebro played Pasgård.

Louis Sylvester Larsen play Trygve. Pål Sverre Hagen played Johannes. Lotte Andersen played Mia.