Status
Available
Genres
Collection
Publication
New York : Pantheon Books, 2006.
Description
Fiction. Mystery. Thriller. HTML: International Bestseller Internationally bestselling author Häkan Nesser makes his U.S. debut with this riveting tale of murder and suspense that reveals the deep humanity of the characters portrayed even as it sends chills up the spine. Chief Inspector Van Veeteren is called to the sleepy coastal town of Kalbringen to assist the local police in the investigation of two recent ax murders. Soon the case turns from bad to worse when another body turns up and one of Van Veeteren�??s colleagues, a young female detective, disappears without a trace. Now Van Veeteren must find the killer, and, it is hoped, his colleague, before anyone else comes to harm. Riveting and intellectually satisfying, Borkmann�??s Point unfolds like a chess match where each move could prove dead… (more)
User reviews
LibraryThing member christiguc
This is the second book in the Van Veeteren series by Swedish mystery writer Hakan Nesser. It is the first that I have read.
When Van Veeteren is nearing the end of his vacation on the coast, he gets called in to assist in a serial murder investigation in a nearby town. By the time Van Veeteren is
Van Veeteren joins the local police: Bausen, the chief who is set to retire in one month and who just wants everything closed by then, Kropke, the pompous computer-literate man, and Beate, an ambitious young woman who feels the need to prove herself. Those four, with later one of Van Veeteren’s underlings from the city, attempt to find the killer before too many others die.
The mystery was straightforward. It was okay. There was nothing outstanding about it, but it clung together cohesively. There are short sections interspersed between chapters which give outtakes from the killer’s point of view. Between those and the information gathered by the detectives, the reader should be able to figure out the mystery—but not too early in the story.
Nesser’s writing-style, however, made the reading difficult at the beginning. He writes in short sentences. Or incomplete sentences. Sentences like I am using right now. To illustrate the point. Making the flow somewhat isolating. Perhaps that was what he was going for. Then he would have achieved it. (I don’t think I can keep it up). His writing construction feels like rapid-fire, catching the reader off guard and making him pay attention (or put the book down). The isolation achieved by the writing construction further adds to the wonderful descriptions of the atmosphere and to the passive attitudes of the characters to give the book a well-developed sense of place.
The other good point, in addition to the formation of setting, is the characters. Most of them are not very likable, but they are very real. In a genre that is full of clichéd, contrived, or condensed characters (some of whom are in very good books—nothing against them), it is refreshing to find an author who can hit the mark.
I wouldn’t recommend this book for everybody, but if you like atmospheric novels with real, though not particularly endearing, characters and with a bit of crime to work through, you will probably like this book. I will buy the next one.
When Van Veeteren is nearing the end of his vacation on the coast, he gets called in to assist in a serial murder investigation in a nearby town. By the time Van Veeteren is
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consulted, two have been killed, and the killer has been practically beheading his victims, earning him the title ‘The Axman’ in the press.Van Veeteren joins the local police: Bausen, the chief who is set to retire in one month and who just wants everything closed by then, Kropke, the pompous computer-literate man, and Beate, an ambitious young woman who feels the need to prove herself. Those four, with later one of Van Veeteren’s underlings from the city, attempt to find the killer before too many others die.
The mystery was straightforward. It was okay. There was nothing outstanding about it, but it clung together cohesively. There are short sections interspersed between chapters which give outtakes from the killer’s point of view. Between those and the information gathered by the detectives, the reader should be able to figure out the mystery—but not too early in the story.
Nesser’s writing-style, however, made the reading difficult at the beginning. He writes in short sentences. Or incomplete sentences. Sentences like I am using right now. To illustrate the point. Making the flow somewhat isolating. Perhaps that was what he was going for. Then he would have achieved it. (I don’t think I can keep it up). His writing construction feels like rapid-fire, catching the reader off guard and making him pay attention (or put the book down). The isolation achieved by the writing construction further adds to the wonderful descriptions of the atmosphere and to the passive attitudes of the characters to give the book a well-developed sense of place.
The other good point, in addition to the formation of setting, is the characters. Most of them are not very likable, but they are very real. In a genre that is full of clichéd, contrived, or condensed characters (some of whom are in very good books—nothing against them), it is refreshing to find an author who can hit the mark.
I wouldn’t recommend this book for everybody, but if you like atmospheric novels with real, though not particularly endearing, characters and with a bit of crime to work through, you will probably like this book. I will buy the next one.
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LibraryThing member merideth1775
The audio edition was of this book was excellent. I adore Simon Vance, whom I first loved for his reading of The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. Vance does an excellent job bringing the characters to life and engaging the listener. Borkmann’s Point was an first-rate mystery with well developed
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characters. Though at times it became a bit slow, the plot was still good and had an interesting twist at the end. This was my first Inspector Van Veeteran book and I am excited to read more in the series. Show Less
LibraryThing member John
Chief Inspector Van Veeteren, like so many police detectives has his personal devils: a divorce and an estranged son who, in this novel, is briefly out on parole (though we don’t see him). Van Veeteren is called in on an axe murder in a small town near where he has been holidaying; it is the
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second murder and a third one follows. A competent story and plot and some characters with a little edge, but it doesn’t rise much above pleasant. Show Less
LibraryThing member annbury
Another excellent thriller from Hakan Nessar, featuring Inspector Van Veeteren. This time, the inspector has been called to a small seaside town to investigate an axe murder. It turns out to have been number two of a series, and another follows, sending the town into panic. The strong points of the
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other Van Veeteren novels are much in evidence -- compelling characterization, a supple use of time and perspective, and an undertone of humor. Nesser has a large body of work in Sweden, but only four Van Veeterens are available in the US, though a fifth has recently made an appearance in the UK. Let's get those translators going! Show Less
LibraryThing member jimrbrown
First Nesser book I have read and I'm very impressed. Just been to the library and borrowed Woman With a Birthmark. Must read more of this author.
LibraryThing member shelleyraec
A little slow for me but well crafted with developed characters and a solid mystery. Not a lot of atmosphere though - it could have been happening in any part of the world. The translation was first rate - Ive read a few by similar authors such as Mankell where the translation is just a little bit
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off. Show Less
LibraryThing member bookczuk
Kind of a funny thing about this book. I read a review by a friend and put it on my wish list, then forgot about it.
Two years later, I found a copy of Borkmann's Point at the local Goodwill and grabbed it up, confusing Nesser's Van Veeteren with the mystery writer Janwillem Lincoln van de Wetering,
Well written mystery, with a really great lead character, who will keep me seeking out other books in the series. The story was well paced, the plot with enough twists and turns to keep the reader occupied. (It's my firm belief that plot summaries are readily available elsewhere. I prefer to give you my thoughts and feelings about the books I read.) I found myself easily visualizing the police chief's cottages lost in the tangle of roses, the lonely cliff side and beach of coastal Kaalbringen, a sleepy town awake with fear from two recent ax murders. But most of all, it is the quirky nature and quiet intelligence of the inspector that charmed me. I am very glad that at the closing of my local Indie bookstore, I had the foresight to snag Van Veeteren #3 (now being read by javaczuk.)
Two years later, I found a copy of Borkmann's Point at the local Goodwill and grabbed it up, confusing Nesser's Van Veeteren with the mystery writer Janwillem Lincoln van de Wetering,
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and his wonderful series of books starring Grijpstra and de Gier, a pair of Amsterdam police officers. The book was snagged by my darling husband, who is a huge fan of Scandinavian mystery writers. He liked the book a great deal. He returned it to me to read, but before I could get to it, he loaned it out to a mutual friend, who had it since December. She returned it two weeks ago, and I again put it on my TBR pile. Then, the day of our BookCrossing meetup, he handed me a pile of books to take, pointing to this book, and asked that I give it to Kiptrix to read. That did it. I'd reached my Borkmann's point ("the point beyond which we really don't need any more information. When we reach that point, we already know enough to solve the case by means of nothing more than some decent thinking. " ) I knew that I had all the information I needed. If I didn't read this book NOW, I'd have to wait another two years. I took the hint, and devoured the book in a day.Well written mystery, with a really great lead character, who will keep me seeking out other books in the series. The story was well paced, the plot with enough twists and turns to keep the reader occupied. (It's my firm belief that plot summaries are readily available elsewhere. I prefer to give you my thoughts and feelings about the books I read.) I found myself easily visualizing the police chief's cottages lost in the tangle of roses, the lonely cliff side and beach of coastal Kaalbringen, a sleepy town awake with fear from two recent ax murders. But most of all, it is the quirky nature and quiet intelligence of the inspector that charmed me. I am very glad that at the closing of my local Indie bookstore, I had the foresight to snag Van Veeteren #3 (now being read by javaczuk.)
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LibraryThing member ritaer
Inspector Van Veeteren is challenged by murders of three apparently unrelated men by an axe weilding killer. Are the victims chosen at random by a maniac? or is there a connection between them that, once discovered, would lead to the killer. The stakes are raised by the disappearance of one of the
The reading of this CD version is excellent, with differing "voices" distinguishing the characters clearly.
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detectives on the case. The pressure to find the killer is increased by public panic and the imminent retirement of the city's chief of police. The reader is let in on the killer's motives from early on, but the identity comes as a surprise.The reading of this CD version is excellent, with differing "voices" distinguishing the characters clearly.
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LibraryThing member enetikovt
easy and quick read with good twist
LibraryThing member bcquinnsmom
Borkmann's Point: "the point beyond which we really don't need any more information. When we reach that point, we already know enough to solve the case by means of nothing more than some decent thinking. " And it is precisely at this point that Inspector Van Veeteren begins to focus on the identity
I really enjoyed Nesser's style of writing here. Very unhurried, very understated, so that the reader just sort of falls into the story very easily. It's the same with his portrayal of Van Veeteren -- you just sense that the inspector is going to get his job done, but that he's biding his time. I enjoy this style and this sort of characterization.
General mystery readers will truly enjoy this one, as will those who already read such authors as Henning Mankell or Kerstin Ekman who also hail from Sweden. I am now off to by the next book featuring Van Veeteren.
Recommended.
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of the Axman, so called because of his propensity to commit murder with an axe. The inhabitants of the small Swedish town of Kaalbringen have become paralyzed with fear after the third murder, and it is up to Inspector Van Veeteren, along with the members of the local police force, to stop this man before he can strike again. There are a couple of fine red herrings put before the reader along the way, and the ending threw me for a loop.I really enjoyed Nesser's style of writing here. Very unhurried, very understated, so that the reader just sort of falls into the story very easily. It's the same with his portrayal of Van Veeteren -- you just sense that the inspector is going to get his job done, but that he's biding his time. I enjoy this style and this sort of characterization.
General mystery readers will truly enjoy this one, as will those who already read such authors as Henning Mankell or Kerstin Ekman who also hail from Sweden. I am now off to by the next book featuring Van Veeteren.
Recommended.
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LibraryThing member kaulsu
I had come to the conclusion that the fiction offered by Early Reviewers was all bunk. This was fabulous.
I had come to the conclusion that Swedish writers were too "dark" for my tastes. This was fabulous.
I had come to the conclusion (okay, so only after one audio book) that Simon Vance was not a
The mystery unfolds in a rather different manner than most. Although I didn't guess the 'evil-doer' for a long while, I did know the motive. And although I did guess--in a manner of speaking-- [no spoiler alert] who done it, I didn't quite get there until the end.
Simon Vance did an excellent job of distinguishing the voices of the various characters--though a Swedish speaking listener may object that they mostly sounded British--which is not necessarily that easy in making it all sound "foreign." As most foreign-language translations, not being familiar with the character names takes some getting used to. All authors--all editors--all publishers should think hard about having each character's name start with a different phonetic sound!!
I hope if you read this, or listen to this, you enjoy it as much as I did.
I had come to the conclusion that Swedish writers were too "dark" for my tastes. This was fabulous.
I had come to the conclusion (okay, so only after one audio book) that Simon Vance was not a
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good narrator. This was fabulous.The mystery unfolds in a rather different manner than most. Although I didn't guess the 'evil-doer' for a long while, I did know the motive. And although I did guess--in a manner of speaking-- [no spoiler alert] who done it, I didn't quite get there until the end.
Simon Vance did an excellent job of distinguishing the voices of the various characters--though a Swedish speaking listener may object that they mostly sounded British--which is not necessarily that easy in making it all sound "foreign." As most foreign-language translations, not being familiar with the character names takes some getting used to. All authors--all editors--all publishers should think hard about having each character's name start with a different phonetic sound!!
I hope if you read this, or listen to this, you enjoy it as much as I did.
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LibraryThing member wdwilson3
This is a review of the audio book version of this police procedural, by the Swedish author Hakan Nesser. This mystery has some very familiar elements – the mysterious serial killer whose motive (if any) is unknown; an aging, world-weary detective (we know him only as Detective Inspector Van
My personal reaction to most northern European mysteries is, I have to say, depression. Like so many protagonists in such books, Van Veeteren is obsessive, keeps his thoughts to himself, and doesn’t seem to have any friends or family. If he were a Sherlock Holmes and promptly identified the killer, one would understand why he is a revered homicide detective, but, at least in this instance, he seems to be making little progress in his detection until the end.
Kudos to the narrator (Simon Vance), who manages to give the various characters their own voices, even if the police chief reminded me strongly of John Cleese.
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Veeteren, no first name); and a cast of police detectives of various skill levels and degrees of eccentricity. Nesser’s writing skill is really the only thing that sets this book apart from many Scandinavian counterparts. His dialogue is crisp, his descriptive paragraphs evocative. His plotting is not exceptional, at least in this volume, but the story keeps moving forward in fits and starts.My personal reaction to most northern European mysteries is, I have to say, depression. Like so many protagonists in such books, Van Veeteren is obsessive, keeps his thoughts to himself, and doesn’t seem to have any friends or family. If he were a Sherlock Holmes and promptly identified the killer, one would understand why he is a revered homicide detective, but, at least in this instance, he seems to be making little progress in his detection until the end.
Kudos to the narrator (Simon Vance), who manages to give the various characters their own voices, even if the police chief reminded me strongly of John Cleese.
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LibraryThing member dablackwood
This is an amazing novel which happens to be a mystery. Nesser is a wonderful writer. I listened to this book on an Early Reviewer CD and had to wait until my husband finished it before I could start. Steve came into the house chuckling that he knew who the axe murderer was and that it was a
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fabulous book. This from a man who almost never even reads fiction. I was excited to listen to it since I love Henning Mankell. The setting. characters, and plot were beautifully rendered. Though the crimes were horrific, Nesser was never gratuitous in his violence. What a great read. I will definitely read more by this fine writer. Show Less
LibraryThing member Jcambridge
This was the second of two Van Veeteren crime novels that I read during a recent trip that involved cross-country flights. While I found some aspects of the story interesting -- chapters that focused on the unidentified villain's reason for committing his crimes -- I was able to identify the
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villain about 3/4 of the way through the book, so the ending was not a surprise. It's worth reading, but does not come close to the work of other Scandinavian crime writers. Show Less
LibraryThing member RidgewayGirl
Borkman's Point is a solid police procedural by Hakan Nesser. Here, Inspector Van Veeteren is sent to the Swedish coastal town of Kaalbringen to assist local law enforcement when two men are killed with an axe-like weapon as they are walking home at night. The media shows up and the citizens of
The story is well put together, with no sudden surprises, although the eventual revealing of the Axeman's identity did surprise me. Van Veeteren is not flashy; his one conceit is that the sound system in his rusty Opel is worth much more than the aging car itself. He does solve the case, of course, but with a strong reliance on the value of ordinary police diligence than on being a super-detective.
I listened to the audio version of this book. The narrator was chosen, I believe, because he was able to interject Swedish names and expressions without pause. He also managed to make each character's voice distinct, without resorting to funny voices.
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Kaalbringen are terrified, but Van Veeteren pursues the Axeman with dogged determination. He's assisted by the affable local police chief, one of his own detectives and an ambitious Kaalbringen detective who throws herself into the investigation, determined to make a name for herself. The story is well put together, with no sudden surprises, although the eventual revealing of the Axeman's identity did surprise me. Van Veeteren is not flashy; his one conceit is that the sound system in his rusty Opel is worth much more than the aging car itself. He does solve the case, of course, but with a strong reliance on the value of ordinary police diligence than on being a super-detective.
I listened to the audio version of this book. The narrator was chosen, I believe, because he was able to interject Swedish names and expressions without pause. He also managed to make each character's voice distinct, without resorting to funny voices.
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LibraryThing member ccayne
I figured out who the axman was early on but that in no way diminished my opinion of the book. Nesser's strength is in showing the humanity of every person, of how one deals with the messy aspects of life, some better than others. Clearly, the axman could not absorb a loss in his life. It was well
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written and absorbing. Show Less
LibraryThing member pmfloyd1
First, I need to disclose that I am reviewing the audio book and that I received the Audio Book in the monthly readers auction. Second, I have read the book before I received this audio book, so I knew what to expect, but I was VERY impressed with the reader(Simon Vance) and with the audio book
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debut. It was like meeting knowing where we were going, but I did enjoy the ride. Now onto the book.... Borkman's Point. This is Nesser's second book in the Inspector Van Veeteren series. I have read 4 of his books - Mind's Eye, Borkmann's Point and Woman with a Birthmark and The Return. All four are excellent.... if a little gritty. The inspector is an interesting (and normal, customary and usual) Swedish character and the story has many twists and turns. This audio book is unabridged and runs for over 7 hours. I would highly recommend the audio book verison. Paul Floyd, Mpls, MN. Show Less
LibraryThing member RDHawk6886
The audio version of this book is an excellent production. I concur with the earlier reviewer who commented on the strength of the reader, Simon Vance. What distinguishes the audiobook is that Vance truly brings the story to life utilizing a variety of voices and convincing voice inflection. At
This is my first Van Veeteren book, although I have several of the books from the series waiting to be read. I was invested in the story and enjoyed all of the characters, whom were all well developed. I enjoyed Van Vetteren's musings and attitude. I can certainly understand Nesser's appeal to the discerning scandinavian mystery reader. I will definitely continue the series. Those things being said, I thought the wrap-up to be a bit thin. Typically, in a scandinavian thriller, I am not overly focused on the end, so long as the ride is worth it. I was mixed on this ending. On one hand it nicely pulled together some of the books earlier details, but in other aspects I thought it was a little forced. Regardless, the ride was worth it and I will tune in for his other adventures.
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many points, I wondered if there were additional readers. I prefer this style of reading and it really enhanced the experience for me. The audiobook is a superior production.This is my first Van Veeteren book, although I have several of the books from the series waiting to be read. I was invested in the story and enjoyed all of the characters, whom were all well developed. I enjoyed Van Vetteren's musings and attitude. I can certainly understand Nesser's appeal to the discerning scandinavian mystery reader. I will definitely continue the series. Those things being said, I thought the wrap-up to be a bit thin. Typically, in a scandinavian thriller, I am not overly focused on the end, so long as the ride is worth it. I was mixed on this ending. On one hand it nicely pulled together some of the books earlier details, but in other aspects I thought it was a little forced. Regardless, the ride was worth it and I will tune in for his other adventures.
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LibraryThing member rwt42
A book where you turn the pages to see if it gets better, not because you are interested. It's his first that I've read and it's unlikely that I will read another. Sadly, there is a good mystery story here, but it's buried in endless, pointless writing with a raft of characters whom remain no more
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than names, some with titles who do nothiing but clutter and confuse the story. Unfortunately this seems to be a standard technique with the Scandinavian crime writers. Show Less
LibraryThing member Mijk
Mostly dull and tedious, with an implausible plot. In place of the usual red herrings and white elephants, the narrative here is sustained (and stretched beyond believability) by police failure. These cops seem lazy and stupid, though when you reach the end you do have to realise that the culture
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which impedes the investigation (indulgent long lunches, booze, sloppy interviewing, inadequate record-keeping and analysis of information, etc) may be a deliberate construction. It might repay a rereading after the final twist in the tale, but it's not well-written enough to warrant that. For someone who simply relishes the whodunnit element, this would probably be good enough, but the cliched characters and scenarios provide nothing more than that. It kept me reading until the end, but the repetitive, simplistic prose seemed a chore I had to plough through, and the increasing dramatic tension toward the end correlated directly with growing implausibility. Show Less
LibraryThing member rretzler
I received this audio book from the LibraryThing Early Reviewers program in exchange for an impartial review.
I have enjoyed many audiobooks, but for some reason, I just could not get into this one and did not finish it. I have heard such great things about this book and the series, and plan to read
I have enjoyed many audiobooks, but for some reason, I just could not get into this one and did not finish it. I have heard such great things about this book and the series, and plan to read
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it someday. As for this audiobook, as I did not finish it, I do not feel that I can give it a fair ranking, as I believe that I would like the book itself. Show Less
LibraryThing member cameling
This is the second in the Van Veeteren series. This isn't as dark as most Scandi crime fiction, but Nesser does a great job keeping his readers in suspense until the very end.
In this book, an ax murderer has killed 3 people in a small town. The local constabulary have no experience with murder and
I like the way the story builds. I had thought I figured out who the killer was and possibly what the motive was, but I was completely blown away when I discovered at the end that I was wrong and that I'd been barking up a wrong tree in a completely different forest.
In this book, an ax murderer has killed 3 people in a small town. The local constabulary have no experience with murder and
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Van Veeteren is called in to offer some assistance. There are no clues and no apparent motive. No witnesses or at least no reliable witnesses and most frustratingly, no apparent connection between the 3 men. I like the way the story builds. I had thought I figured out who the killer was and possibly what the motive was, but I was completely blown away when I discovered at the end that I was wrong and that I'd been barking up a wrong tree in a completely different forest.
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LibraryThing member MsGumby
A brilliant plot. I love the characters, and I love the atmosphere the author creates. He is one of those writers who can sketch a person or a place with just a few sentences, and you see everything so vividly. I am planning to read all his books!
LibraryThing member Eowyn1
Borkmann's Point: "the point beyond which we really don't need any more information. When we reach that point, we already know enough to solve the case by means of nothing more than some decent thinking. " It took me until page 75 to reach that point...
LibraryThing member stuart10er
I enjoyed this crime novel quite a bit. A series of murders using an ax terrorizes a small northern European town and the Inspector is brought in to help catch the murdered. It takes a while, strangely enough for a small town where everyone seems to know each other, but they do eventually uncover
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the murdered. Wonderful characters that seem real while also serious and funny. Not an easy combination. Show Less
Awards
Crime Writers' Association Awards (Shortlist — 2006)
Glass Key Award (Nominee — 1995)
Language
Original language
Swedish