Locked In

What a dramatic and action-packed conclusion to the Department Q series by Jussi Adler-Olsen! This tenth and final book in the series is translated by Caroline Waight. Detective Carl Morck, the leader of Department Q, the small cold case division in Copenhagen, Denmark is arrested the last week in December in 2020.

After fifteen years, a violent and unsolved case from his past is suddenly crashing down around him. He’s charged with drug trafficking and murder along with other charges, but he’s innocent. Who is framing him and who has put a bounty on his head?

Most of Carl’s colleagues turn their backs on him. However, his small team of Rose, Assad, and Gordon defy orders and investigate with some trusted friends. But can they prove his innocence before Carl is killed?

Every character seemed to come alive. Readers get a great sense of what they value in life and how they approach their days. Carl is stoic, impatient, filled with a sense of honor, and uninterested in material goods. However, he is feeling somewhat helpless as he is locked away without resources to investigate. His character has depth and this reader immediately reconnected with him. The other characters are well rounded and readers get a sense of their professional and personal lives.

While the initial prologue takes place in 2005, the remaining portions of the novel progress from December 26, 2020 through January 11, 2021. While there are several of points of view throughout the story, the transitions are smooth, the flow is good, and the viewpoint characters are well identified. However, it does help if you have read the prior books. The novel takes place during the pandemic. Unlike the last book, in this one, the pandemic didn’t seem to add to the difficulties and complexities of the investigation.

This author has a way of drawing in readers with a great mix of characterization, world-building, and a breathtaking plot. He is a superb storyteller. Suspense and plot twists combine with action and emotional scenes leading up to a fantastic showdown and an ending that wraps everything up satisfactorily. The past and the present collide in this well-written and pulse-pounding crime thriller. Woven into the story are themes of greed, attempted murder, murder, desperation to help others, friendship, corruption, family, and much more.

Overall, this is a gripping, thought-provoking, and dynamic story that kept me turning the pages rapidly. I am sorry to see this series has ended. However, I am looking forward to the author’s next novel. Those who enjoy well-done police procedurals and crime thrillers will likely enjoy this book. Several books in the series have also been adapted into movies.

PENGUIN GROUP Dutton – Dutton and Jussi Adler-Olsen provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. The publication date is currently set for December 03, 2024.