Six weeks ago the second part of the Fredrik Beier-saga was released in Norway. Now the reviews are coming in. And they are better than I dared dream.

From Fædrelandsvennen

When I had read 100 pages of this novel, I thought that the author had taken on more than he could chew. After 300 pages I was sure; the author must have to use some easy tricks to get this through. But after 470 pages, the only thing I could do was to conclude that Johnsrud was in control, all the way through, writes the regional newspaper Fædrelandsvennen, and awards Kalypso (English title As We Fall) six out of six stars.

Out of the nine national and regional Norwegian newspapers that have reviewed Kalypso, three have awarded Beier#2 six out of six stars, four have awarded it five out of six, and one (Dagbladet), four out of six. The largest daily, Aftenposten, does not give out stars, but states:

Last year’s debut Wienerbrorskapet (Those Who Follow) demonstrated that Ingar Johnsrud is master of the vast majority of tricks when it comes to muscular action prose. /…/  The depiction of the past’s shadow falling over a snow-covered pre-Christmas Oslo, from its Russian embassy to a bomb shelter in Old Town, undeniably does something to the reader’s heart rate. Johnsrud writes succinctly, in detail, and above all well within the premises of the genre.

And here’s a few more:

• Ingar Johnsrud continues to deliver crime fiction at absolute international top level. /…/ Johnsrud showcases a literary talent of the highest order – he’s smart, precise and varied in his language. 

•  It isn’t often that an author succeeds in maintaining the level of suspense throughout an entire book, but Ingar Johnsrud does. As We Fall possesses an intense tension and momentum from the first till last page. /…/ Jo Nesbø and Jørn Lier Horst ought to look out for Johnsrud, who is emerging as the great star of Norwegian thriller and crime fiction literature.

• Johnsrud plays with genres and stereotypes and succeeds in adding something new and fresh. The book is well written, the peaks in the action many and excellent, the switch between the different eras perfect, and all of it is put together with greater precision even than in the debut.

• The prose, which impressed also in the debut novel, is still excellent. Johnsrud writes effectively and grippingly. /…/ The plot is tied together nicely, with a set of plot threads that are gathered beautifully.

• There is blood, gore and body fluids, internal rivalry in the police force, classic tension between protagonist and assistant, and an intrigue much like a puzzle, just as there should be in suspense novels. And all of it is steered by the supremely clever hand of this crime fiction writer.

•  [In Ingar Johnsrud] we have found a promising new crime fiction author. /…/ There is much to be impressed with in [As We Fall].

  Click here for more reviews in English. Or here for more in Norwegian.