1222
By Anne Holt
Translated by Marlaine Delargy
Read by Kate Reading
The Hanne Wilhelmsen Novels: Book 8
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From Norway’s #1 bestselling crime writer comes a suspenseful locked-room mystery, the US debut of a new series, set in an isolated hotel where guests stranded during a monumental snowstorm begin turning up dead. A train on its way to the northern reaches of Norway careens off the track during a massive blizzard, 1,222 meters above sea level. The passengers abandon the train for a nearby, century-old hotel that is practically empty except for the staff. With plenty of food and shelter from the storm, the passengers think they are safe—until one of them turns up dead. With no sign of rescue and the storm continuing to rage, retired police inspector Hanne Wilhelmsen is asked to investigate. Paralyzed by a bullet lodged in her spine, Hanne has no wish to return to police work. Bitter and antisocial, she is slowly coaxed back to her old habits as curiosity and a natural talent for observation compel her to take an interest in the passengers and their secrets. When another body turns up, Hanne realizes that time is running out and she must act fast before panic takes over. Trapped in her wheelchair, trapped by the storm, and now trapped with a killer, Hanne has to fit the pieces of the puzzle together before they strike again. Anne Holt’s books have sold more than five million copies in Europe, and her books are #1 bestsellers in Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Iceland, and Finland. Now she is poised to gain a huge American following with this captivating new mystery that pays homage to Agatha Christie and her classic book, And Then There Were None.
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Summary
Summary
Winner of the AudioFile Earphones Award
A 2012 Edgar Allan Poe Award Nominee for Best Novel
A 2012 Shamus Award Nominee for Best Hardcover PI Novel
A 2012 Macavity Award Nominee for Best Mystery Novel
A Kirkus Reviews “New and Notable Title”, December 2011
From Norway’s #1 bestselling crime writer comes a suspenseful locked-room mystery, the US debut of a new series, set in an isolated hotel where guests stranded during a monumental snowstorm begin turning up dead.
A train on its way to the northern reaches of Norway careens off the track during a massive blizzard, 1,222 meters above sea level. The passengers abandon the train for a nearby, century-old hotel that is practically empty except for the staff. With plenty of food and shelter from the storm, the passengers think they are safe—until one of them turns up dead. With no sign of rescue and the storm continuing to rage, retired police inspector Hanne Wilhelmsen is asked to investigate. Paralyzed by a bullet lodged in her spine, Hanne has no wish to return to police work. Bitter and antisocial, she is slowly coaxed back to her old habits as curiosity and a natural talent for observation compel her to take an interest in the passengers and their secrets. When another body turns up, Hanne realizes that time is running out and she must act fast before panic takes over. Trapped in her wheelchair, trapped by the storm, and now trapped with a killer, Hanne has to fit the pieces of the puzzle together before they strike again.
Anne Holt’s books have sold more than five million copies in Europe, and her books are #1 bestsellers in Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Iceland, and Finland. Now she is poised to gain a huge American following with this captivating new mystery that pays homage to Agatha Christie and her classic book, And Then There Were None.
Editorial Reviews
Editorial Reviews
Reviews
Reviews
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Excellent
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Retired police Inspector Hanne Wilhelmsen is not an openly warm person who invites confidences. When she is stranded at an isolated mountain resort due to a train derailment during the worst winter storm in Norway's history, all she wants is to be left alone. The other 268 survivors just want to get warm and be rescued as soon as possible. None of them had any suspicion that there was at least one murderer in their midst. Hanne is quite content to leave the case alone for when the police can arrive, but is spurred to action when a second murder is discovered.
The story is set in a hotel in the remote area of Finse along the route from Oslo to Bergen at an elevation of 1222 metres. The temperature is so cold and the storm so severe that no one can come in and no one can leave. It might be a great place to commit a murder, but not to escape from. Will rescue come before the murderer can strike again.
I liked the way that the Norwegians on the train seemed to take the whole situation in stride. They just sat back and waited, with the exception of a few who were demanding of attention and intervention. These people made for interesting events and possibilities. Even though the majority of the story took place in the lobby/sitting area of the hotel, I never felt confined. Hanne is such a large and commanding character than I never had the urge to leave her presence. She seems a cool, indifferent person, but she is drawn to young Adrian and likewise, he is drawn to her. I do hope that this unlikely relationship continues in a future book.
I totally enjoyed listening to this audio book I feel that I learned a bit about Norway, on the surface, stark and cold, but once you look below the surface, all sorts of richness, emotions and depths emerge.
This book was translated from the Norwegian to English by Marlaine Delargy. She has included some familiar English terms, though they do not deter from the enjoyment or readability of the story,
I listened to the audio book as read by Kate Reading. Blackstone Audio, unabridged 10 hours 39 minutes. Ms. Reading brought Hanne to life for me. I could feel the resignation in her voice, that she was making this trip only because she had to, and would have rather been anywhere but in a hotel in Finse.
While 1222 is the eighth book in the series, it can be read as a stand alone novel.
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A Scandinavian "And Then There Were None"
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This was my first Anne Holt book and I can see why she's so popular. A smart, calculated book with a new take on the classic "locked door" murder mystery. Ex-cop Hanne is sarcastic and grumpy - not your typical heroine - but with Sherlock Holmes-like instincts, making sharp observations about her fellow travelers.
The momentum is a bit slow to build, and it's definitely a more subtle thriller than most, but one that still holds your attention and keeps you guessing who the murderer is. Most of the references to Scandinavian politics and culture were lost on me, but didn't detract from the story. Kate Reading's narration style fits the main character well.
There is plenty of misdirection, and maybe a few underdeveloped plotlines and characters, but overall the story is engaging and you're rooting for reluctant Hanne to save the day.
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A New Class of Detective!
- For years, all the great, gritty, hard-nosed detectives have been men. Finally, Anne Holt delivers a story with some true class! Our heroine is not the sexy, blond goddess of old time Dick Tracy. She's a snarling, quick witted, reluctant savior. Kate Reading really adds some bite to this witty dialog and brings life to new kind of detective!
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An Excellent Locked-Room Mystery
- I'm a huge Agatha Christie fan, so when I saw people comparing Anne Holt to Ms. Christie, I couldn't resist. Though this is not the first book in the series, I didn't feel having not read the others in the series detracted too much from the story. This is an excellent locked-room mystery a la Agatha Christie, and it lived up to the hype. I recommend it to mystery fans everywhere.
Author
Author Bio: Anne Holt
Anne Holt has worked as a journalist and news anchor and spent two years working for the Oslo Police Department before founding her own law firm and serving as Norway’s minister for justice for part of 1996 and 1997. Her first book was published in 1993, and her work has been translated into twenty-five languages. She lives in Oslo with her family.
Details
Details
| Available Formats : | Digital Download, Digital Rental, CD, MP3 CD |
| Category: | Fiction/Mystery & Detective |
| Runtime: | 10.65 |
| Audience: | Adult |
| Language: | English |
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