When The Devil Holds The Candle

Written by Karin Fossum

Narrated by David Rintoul

Andreas's disappearance is a mystery to all, including his inseparable friend Zipp. But as much as the police question him, its not easy for Zipp to come forward with details of the last time he saw his friend: following an old woman into her home, brandishing his knife. Zipp waited anxiously outside but Andreas failed to reappear.

Inspector Sejer and his colleague Skarre are baffled but while the confusion in the outside world continues, a chilling and heart-stopping drama is unfolding inside the old woman's home. In a plot in the tradition of Stephen King, Fossum deploys her trademark skill of looking realistically, terrifyingly, into the minds of criminal and victim. Appearances aren't always to be believed, and people are not always what they seem.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Random House UK Audio
• Release date: Jun 2, 2011
• ISBN: 9781446470343

Karin Fossum

KARIN FOSSUM is the author of the internationally successful Inspector Konrad Sejer crime series. Her recent honors include a Gumshoe Award and the Los Angeles Times Book Prize for mystery/thriller. She lives in Norway.

Reviews for When The Devil Holds The Candle

[ffortsa · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

It was difficult going from the previous Fossum to this one, because all the characters in He Who Fears the Wolf were interesting and even likeable, but in this round, not so much. The character who speaks directly to the reader is - well - unpleasant. I think we are meant to sympathize with her, but it's hard to justify any of her feelings or behavior.The reader knows more than the police, and sooner; it can be exasperating, but I suspect it illustrates exactly how the law end up grubbing around for details that will help reveal crime. Fossum keeps one jolt for the reader at the end, so the police aren't completely enlightened, even then.The romance brewing in the last book is advancing nicely, although I don't quite understand how the attraction is maintained in the face of such different life views. Must see how this goes on.

[gbelik_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This entry into the series featuring Norwegian detective Konrad Sejer was a foray into Ruth Rendell territory of psychological suspense. Well written and thoroughly enjoyable.

[sandrajohnson8harri · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Excellent mystery. Keeps you guessing up to the end. Fossum has developed a likable couple of main characters the reader identifies with easily. I already read her first inspector Sejer mystery and can't wait to start the third!

[steve6clason · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

Fossum has us spend a lot of time inside the heads of her victims and her antagonists, which I generally find refreshing, but I really had to struggle through this one. She deserves high praise for the narrative skill on display here, but I just didn't like the book.That said, I DO like Inspector Sejer and I'm moving right on to the next in the series, hoping to get further into his head and not so much into deranged criminals'.

[cameling_2 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Two delinquent teenagers begin their evening casually enough, by attempting to harass a little boy walking home but he manages to escape. The ensuing activities the teenagers engage in escalate in risk and violence, and a shocking secret is exposed. Inspector Sejer and his officer Skarre find themselves trying to resolve the murder of 2 young people and to find a missing boy. What appears to them, initially, to be separate and unconnected incidents suddenly take on the shape of pieces of a puzzle and they have to race against time to fit them together. The suspense mounts with each page turned, right up to the climactic end. The story is gripping and sweeps you along with the strength of a riptide.

[annbury_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A psychological thriller wrapped up in a police procedural, and an fascinating read. We see this crime from the perspective of the perpetrators, from the perspective of the police, and from the perspective of the victim. The end result is a layered presentation that creates an extraordinary depth.

[gooutsideandplay · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This is the third of her Konrad Sejer detective series I've read -- I don't know how many more have been translated into English. In my opinion, this is the best. For one thing, Konrad has a girl friend, which makes things interesting. His side-kick, detective Jacob Skarre has a meatier role in this one which I quite enjoyed --- loved his praying before interviewing the killer!! All around good detective-thriller-psycho drama. I can only imagine how good it must be in the original -- although I think this must be a very fine translation. As per usual, Fossum doesn't quite tie up the loose ends of the case -- so we are left with the uneasy feeling that all is not well. I'm starting to get used to that and enjoy it more and more. Can't wait to read the next one!

[smik_3 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Translated from the Norwegian and once again starring her detective creation, Inspector Konrad Sejer and his sidekick, Jacob Skarre, the book tells the tale of two delinquent youths who accidentally kill a child when snatching a purse from a pram.Later that day, a life-changing event occurs between the two friends, Andreas and Zipp, who – in order to erase its memory – choose to rob an elderly woman.Except that Andreas enters her house, but never leaves again. While Zipp ponders where he is and the police close the net around the baby's murderers, Fossum takes you inside the house to witness the grim goings on.She draws the reader into the mind of the old woman, explaining her actions and her perceptions of the young man she has trapped there, even as she recounts the grisly events taking place behind her closed doors.It also touches on the ongoing saga of Sejer, his newfound love for Sara and the hassles that affect his family and friends.

[dioritt · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Great story, shame about the shoddy translation.