The Hanging Girl

A Department Q Novel

By: Jussi Adler-Olsen

Narrated by: Graeme Malcolm

INSPIRATION FOR THE NETFLIX SERIES DEPT. Q

New York Times and internationally bestselling author Jussi Adler-Olsen delivers an exhilarating mystery in the Department Q series, featuring Detective Carl Mørck and his enigmatic assistants, Assad and Rose.

In the middle of his usual hard-won morning nap in the basement of police headquarters, Carl Mørck, head of Department Q, receives a call from a colleague working on the Danish island of Bornholm. Carl is dismissive when he realizes that a new case is being foisted on him, but a few hours later, he receives some shocking news that leaves his headstrong assistant Rose more furious than usual. Carl has no choice but to lead Department Q into the tragic cold case of a vivacious seventeen-year-old girl who vanished from school, only to be found dead hanging high up in a tree. The investigation will take them from the remote island of Bornholm to a strange sun-worshipping cult, where Carl, Assad, Rose, and newcomer Gordon attempt to stop a string of new murders and a skilled manipulator who refuses to let anything—or anyone—get in the way.

Critic reviews

Praise for The Marco Effect

"Engrossing...a roller coaster ride through Copenhagen's seedy underbelly." - Publishers Weekly

“This series goes from triumph to triumph…This is the best book I’ve read in 2014 so far. Highly recommended.” - Deadly Pleasures Mystery Magazine

"The Marco Effect works, because Marco is a compelling hero, the villains are truly odious, and Mørck and his quirky, savvy subordinates ultimately carry the day." - Booklist

“If you like the dark humor, wisecracking, and layered betrayals of Raymond Chandler, then read Adler-Olsen’s Department Q series.” -Men's Journal

"A tense, pleasurable read." - USA Today

"[T]his Scandinavian crime series has enough twists and turns to keep readers enthralled in nail-biting suspense. The fast pace, intricate plot, and gritty style will appeal to fans of Michael Connelly’s Harry Bosch mysteries.” - Library Journal

"Jussi Adler-Olsen has written a tense, riveting, suspenseful and quirky novel... The Marco Effect is, simply put, a gem." - Bookreporter.com

"Once again, Adler-Olsen vividly portrays a country and its people with a compassionate and often humorous eye. Grade: A." - The Cleveland Plain Dealer


Praise for Jussi Adler-Olsen and the Department Q novels:

"Adler-Olsen merges story lines...with ingenious aplomb, effortlessly mixing hilarities with horrors...This crime fiction tour de force could only have been devised by an author who can even turn stomach flu into a belly laugh."
— Publishers Weekly (starred review) on The Purity of Vengeance

“[A] sordid tale… inspired by actual events during a dark period of Danish history. Ah, but there is more, so much more in this frenzied thriller…”
— The New York Times Book Review on The Purity of Vengeance

“When your series relies on cold cases, it’s not always easy to craft plots that have both historical interest and an air of urgency, but it’s something Adler-Olsen is very good at.”
— Booklist on The Purity of Vengeance

“This series has enough twists to captivate contemporary mystery readers and enough substance and background to entertain readers with historical and literary tastes."
—Library Journal (starred review)

"Plan on putting everything else in your life on hold if you pick up this book.”
— The Oregonian on The Keeper of Lost Causes

Wonderfully written but. Sometimes crawled.

I loved the characters in dept. Q ! I hope it's not the end of Q.

boring 💤

I'm sorry i love this series but this book was a total snooze fest, way to long and drawn out.

interesting story

murder mystery from the past. way too much concentration on suicide and accepting death. this could have been two books.

No more “Christ on a bike” nor “Asaaasad” yelling

This book is quite different from previous installments. It focuses more on the investigation which is more complex a finally has some unexpected twists and surprises up in its sleeve. For the first time Carl is more involved and he doesn’t need to be so heavily convinced by the others about the case. He is not that lazy guy anymore (who just sits with his legs up and daydreaming about doing nothing). On the other hand there are still no breathtaking investigation techniques nor mind blowing deductions by the DepQ members. It is just about not giving up and doing thorough police work.

Again Dept Q entertains

I’ve read/listened to several Dept Q books and Hanging Girl does not disappoint. Lots to twists and turns, and of course attitude from Rose and Assad. Very entertaining!