The Courier – Kjell Ola Dahl
The international bestselling godfather of Nordic Noir takes on one of the most horrific periods of modern history, in a stunning standalone thriller
In 1942, Jewish courier Ester is betrayed, narrowly avoiding arrest by the Gestapo. In a great haste, she escapes to Sweden, saving herself. Her family in Oslo, however, is deported to Auschwitz. In Stockholm, Ester meets the resistance hero, Gerhard Falkum, who has left his little daughter and fled both the Germans and allegations that he murdered his wife, Åse, who helped Ester get to Sweden. Their burgeoning relationship ends abruptly when Falkum dies in a fire.
And yet, twenty-five years later, Falkum shows up in Oslo. He wants to reconnect with his daughter. But where has he been, and what is the real reason for his return? Ester stumbles across information that forces her to look closely at her past, and to revisit her war-time training to stay alive…
Written with Dahl’s trademark characterization and elegant plotting, The Courier sees the hugely respected godfather of Nordic Noir at his best, as he takes on one of the most horrific periods of modern history, in an exceptional, shocking thriller.
My thanks to Karen at Orenda Books for my review copy and to Anne Cater for the chance to join the blog tour.
I don’t read enough historical fiction – The Courier makes me believe I should be reading a lot more of it! In the past I have found many historical novels too slow and (for me) excessively detailed on the setting – to the detriment of the story. However, if I could guarantee future historical reads were even half as good as The Courier then I would certainly be reading more of them.
A spy thriller and a murder tale which is set partially during World War 2 but also in the 1960’s and in more modern times too. This is a grand tale which tells the story of Ester and Gerhard. Their paths cross in Oslo during the war. Ester is a young Jewish woman hiding from Nazi soldiers and working with the resistance. When the Gestapo get too close she is forced to go into hiding. She stays at the home of Gerhard and his wife but this will not be a long stay and something occurs which will define the path their lives will take (no spoilers).
We catch up with their story in the 1960’s where we find many of the characters in the novel are keeping secrets (perhaps not unexpectedly given events during the war). There is an investigation to be enjoyed and there are slow reveals which keep the reader guessing as to where the story may lead.
While the tale may not be a fast paced espionage thriller it is most certainly a well crafted character drama. Kjell Ola Dahl makes you care about his characters and you want to keep reading The Courier to find what happens to Ester et all.
Orenda Books consistently treat us to terrific, emotive and engaging stories The Courier is another triumph.
The Courier is published by Orenda Books and is available in paperback and digital format. You can order a copy here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Courier-Kjell-Ola-Dahl-ebook/dp/B07KGLHC5X/ref=sr_1_fkmrnull_1?crid=3FCX5SYMRSXXO&keywords=the+courier+kjell&qid=1552412473&s=gateway&sprefix=the+courier+k%2Caps%2C147&sr=8-1-fkmrnull
Follow the Blog Tour:
