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  • We Shall Inherit the Wind

  • Varg Veum
  • By: Gunnar Staalesen
  • Narrated by: Colin Mace
  • Length: 7 hrs and 57 mins
  • 3.9 out of 5 stars (77 ratings)
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We Shall Inherit the Wind cover art

We Shall Inherit the Wind

By: Gunnar Staalesen
Narrated by: Colin Mace
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Summary

It's 1998. Varg Veum sits by the hospital bedside of his long-term girlfriend, Karin, whose life-threatening injuries provide a deeply painful reminder of the mistakes he's made.

Investigating the seemingly innocent disappearance of a wind-farm inspector, Varg Veum is thrust into one of the most challenging cases of his career, riddled with conflicts, environmental terrorism, religious fanaticism, unsolved mysteries and dubious business ethics. Then the first body appears - tied to a cross, facing the mouth of the fjord.

In a chilling, timeless story of love, revenge and desire - deftly interwoven with contemporary issues, in a stunning plot that will leave you gripped to the final page - We Shall Inherit the Wind shows Staalesen at his most thrilling, thought-provoking best.

One of the fathers of Nordic Noir, Gunnar Staalesen was born in Bergen, Norway, in 1947. He made his debut at the age of 22 with Seasons of Innocence, and in 1977 he published the first book in the Varg Veum series.

He is the author of over 20 titles, which have been published in 24 countries and sold over four million copies. Twelve film adaptations of his Varg Veum crime novels have appeared since 2007, starring the popular Norwegian actor Trond Espen Seim. Staalesen, who has won three Golden Pistols (including the Prize of Honour), lives in Bergen with his wife.

©2015 Gunnar Staalesen (P)2015 Audible, Ltd

Critic reviews

"The Norwegian Chandler." (Jo Nesbo)
"The characters in the book are drawn with more nuances and more psychological insight than in most crime novels - there is generally something Ibsenian about this detective novel in which past sins play such an important part in the present." (Bergens Tidende)
"One of the finest Nordic novelists in the tradition of Henning Mankell." (Barry Forshaw, Independent)
"Staalesen's mastery of pacing enables him to develop his characters in a leisurely way without sacrificing tension and suspense." (Publishers Weekly)
"Gunnar Staalesen is one of my very favourite Scandinavian authors. Operating out of Bergen in Norway, his private eye, Varg Veum, is a complex but engaging anti-hero. Varg means 'wolf' in Norwegian, and this is a series with very sharp teeth Ian Rankin Gunnar Staalesen was writing suspenseful and socially conscious Nordic Noir long before any of today's Swedish crime writers had managed to put together a single book page...one of Norway's most skillful storytellers." (Johan Theorin)

What listeners say about We Shall Inherit the Wind

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Brilliant!

This book was absolutely brilliant. Unfortunately I can't find another book from this author on Audible....please hurry up and get another !!!!

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

A masterclass in Nordic Noir! Exquisite!

Would you listen to We Shall Inherit the Wind again? Why?

Yes. This is an audiobook which I can see myself returning to time and again.

At heart this is a highly original classic crime plot but what makes this so special is the wonderful eloquence of Gunnar Staalesen. He tells a story which is so much more than just 'a simple crime yarn'. With a complex, slightly jaded private investigator in the form of Varg Veum at the fore, and a cast of distinctive characters, this is a story with a beautiful human relationship element encompassing love and revenge and a breathtaking backdrop of the Nordic coast. With a focus on environmental issues this is a thought-provoking story and a cast of well drawn characters ensure this an suspenseful and fast moving tale.

What was one of the most memorable moments of We Shall Inherit the Wind?

For me it was the interactions between Varg Veum and girlfriend Karin. Both characters have a fascinating backstory and the fact that Varg blames himself for the plight of Karin comes across as emotional and realistic.

Would you listen to another book narrated by Colin Mace?

Yes, Infact prior to this I already had two books by this narrator in my library (both crime fiction). With every story he does a wonderful job of differentiating characters and undoubtedly his narration makes for a lively and engaging listen.

Colin Mace brought to life a brilliant Varg Veum - a world weary private eye who is only too well aware of what his mistakes in life have cost him. The dynamics with Karin were moving and I felt I understood just what his work has cost him. Mace has voiced numerous Audible books and he does a stellar job on all those I have heard.

Did you have an emotional reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

This is highly thought-provoking with a brilliant contemporary focus and on ending this story I was already itching to meet the fascinating Varg Veum again.

Any additional comments?

This is Nordic Noir with a social conscience - an understated story which is one to stand back and admire. A fantastic listen and one not to be missed.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Captivating understated thriller. Loved it.

The story is absorbing, the characters well defined, the sense of place is beautifully communicated.
Terrific narration by Colin Mace
More from this author please

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
  • J
  • 09-02-16

Good story beautifully narrated

What made the experience of listening to We Shall Inherit the Wind the most enjoyable?

Interesting slant on a who-done-it

What did you like best about this story?

Images of Norway

What about Colin Mace’s performance did you like?

Excellent - all those difficult names !

If you made a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

The title is already very appropriate

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Not brilliant

I found this somewhat tedious, however I was sufficiently interested to actually finish the book.
There seemed to be so many red herrings that weren't really plausible, it was a little confusing in parts, probably because the unfamiliar names were difficult to remember. Overall I was pleased when it came to an end.

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars

Average

Averagely written but with a good performance. A little clichéd and predictable. Lacking significant suspense.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Slow to start but good

It took me a while to get into this, it was different to what I'd been expecting, but I kept listening and was glad I did. The narrator was excellent and once I got into the story I really enjoyed it and listened whenever I could.

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