Having loved the first in the series I was hoping that Helle’s Hounds lived up to my expectations. It exceeded them. The character development was fantastic. The plot was full of twists and unexpected turns. I was left wanting more! Can’t wait for Book 3.

***advance review copy received from NetGalley in return for an honest review***
I read the first book last year, also for NetGalley, and after a slow start it built to a genuinely interesting and unusual reveal, so I was quite excited to read the next instalment.
Unfortunately this one does not meet the standard of the previous. It feels overlong and complicated, where the previous book benefited from being confined to one spot this isn’t and I think the plot suffers for it.
Intertwined with particularly slow murder mystery is an equally slow romance - or, at least, a requited interest on both parts that the other seems not to notice.
The payoff and reveal is weak, and for me at least a little silly. It also became obvious to an extent when I stopped and thought about what was staring me in the face about the book - this revelation for me came about half way through the book but sadly not until the last handful of pages for our intrepid amateur Poirot, so it was a bit of a slog.

Up on Goodreads now, live on the blog on 27 January:

Torben Helle is back and what a treat it is! First of all, you needn’t have read Helle & Death to enjoy Helle’s Hound, the story stands alone and the various relationships are clear without any background. On the other hand, it was an excellent debut and you should read it anyway!

So, Torben Helle is back and this time, he introduces us to his former mentor, Dame Charlotte Lazerton, whom I immediately took a liking to. Quick wit and a sharp tongue under a proper English lady veneer, I was all: oh Dame Charlotte, we are going to have A BALL! And then she died. Yes, I could have known that by reading the blurb, but what’s a blurb between old friends, and that’s most certainly what Torben Helle feels like, so no, I didn’t pay attention.

Even though she doesn’t make it past the first few chapters, this is very much Dame Charlotte’s story, as Helle is convinced she didn’t have an accident and die, she was in fact murdered. And off he goes, combing through the Dame’s desk, inspecting her memoirs and stacks of other papers, sifting through possible suspects and plausible motives, trying to enlist help from old friends and a few select police officers.

I won’t spoil what ensues, suffice it to say that Helle’s Hound is another engrossing, clever and highly inventive murder mystery that takes all the classic Golden Age whodunnit elements into the 21st century, adding the most disarmingly charming protagonist and a healthy dose of wit to boot. I loved it and I can’t wait to find out what Torben gets up to next.

Helle’s Hound is out in digital formats, audio and hardcover on 30 January 2025, with the paperback to follow in October.

Massive thanks to Viper Books and NetGalley for the DRC. All opinions are my own.

I quite enjoyed the first in the Torben Helle series, "Helle and Death" but the sequel "Helle's Hound" by Oskar Jensen isn't as strong. It takes a while to realise that these books are set in the present day rather than the 1930s as they start off setting the scene of Golden Age mysteries. Some enjoyable moments but I think that Torben Helle needs to bed into these books to make me want to return for a third go.

I loved returning to Torben Helle’s unique narrative voice, in parts brilliant and hopelessly naive. There is a great sense of humour in these novels and a locked room style that is reminiscent of the Golden Age of Crime. Curl up by a fire and get cracking.

This is the second book featuring academic and amateur sleuth, Torben Helle. His mentor is found dead in very odd circumstances and he’s not convinced it’s natural causes. This book works well as a standalone. In fact it’s possibly better as a one off read as it’s difficult to imagine that one indigents so embroiled in more than one curious murder mystery . He’s likeable enough as a character; quirky, original and amusing. I’m a little mixed about this as I found most of the scenarios totally implausible. I’m happy to suspend belief from time to time, but you really need to put reality to one side for this to work. It’s cosy crime, well written and told from a number of viewpoints, sometimes rather confusing. I enjoyed the first book more and found this one difficult to buy into.

Amateur crime is habit forming, as rarely does a decent novel about a non-professional sleuth not get followed by a sequel. The likelihood of a real person getting involved in more than one hideously complicated murder mystery is basically zero, so plausibility quickly declines, something that I find more jarring with modern novels than with those set in the 'golden age' of the early 20th century. Nevertheless, art historian Torben Helle has not long returned from solving the murder of a former friend in an isolated country house, when his elderly mentor dies unexpectedly and shortly after she dropped hints to him that someone wanted her dead. So he launches himself into an investigation that brings him up against a sinister M16 agent, a corrupt politician, a retiree obsessed with Rumpole of the Bailey, and an Irish wolfhound called Mortimer.

It's not a bad read, quite humorous and Torben is a likeable enough character. However the plot is ludicrous, and the 'will-they-won't-they' relationship between him and old friend Leyla is annoying rather than tantalising. I'm not sure whether to lambast or praise the eventual solution - I alternate between thinking it rather clever, and utterly silly. One thing can be fairly said though, I would never have guessed it. The way the plot jumps between character viewpoints constantly is another thing that I found frustrating about it to read. I've no problem with multiple viewpoints, but not every other paragraph and with nothing to warn you of the switch.

Ultimately whilst I didn't mind reading it, I do think Jensen should have stuck with just the one book about these characters. If you love 'cosy crime', then it should be added to your reading list. If however you want to read a range of genres and only the best from each, this one wouldn't make it.

I didn't realise, until I was a couple of chapters in, that Helle's Hound is actually part of a series. As it is book #2 however, I didn't feel as though I'd missed anything crucial. I do really want to read book #1 though.
Back to Helle's Hound. 🐕 This is a wonderfully entertaining mystery, with some very likeable characters. The Helle of the title is Torben Helle, a Danish academic living in London. Torben is something of an amateur sleuth, and when his mentor, Dame Professor (Emerita) Charlotte Lazerton, is found dead, Torben suspects foul play. With the help of his friend, Leyla Moradi, Torben sets out to find out what really happened.
Helle's Hound is a well paced, suspenseful mystery. Dare I call it a cosy mystery? Yes, I dare. With its likeable characters and its sprinkles of humour, this is a captivating read. 🐕
Thanks to Viper, Serpent's Tail, Profile Books and Netgalley for the digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Torben is back! And again the Danish glossary on the first page sets the tone and lets you know it is going to be an original and funny read.
Helle's Hound is a captivating and humorous blend of classic mystery and academic intrigue. The novel follows Torben Helle, a Danish academic with a penchant for unraveling mysteries, who becomes embroiled in a case involving his former mentor, Charlotte Lazerton, an eminent art historian found dead under peculiar circumstances. Though the police chalk it up to natural causes, the scene is far too bizarre—Charlotte was found partially eaten by her own dog. Torben, unconvinced by the official verdict, embarks on an investigation that leads him into a tangled web of Cold War-era secrets, academic rivalries, and the murky world of intelligence.
Jensen's writing excels in blending suspense with biting wit. Torben, a neurotic, often clueless character, makes for a wonderfully unlikely detective, which injects a refreshing layer of comedy into the story. His interactions with his friend Leyla, who reluctantly joins his amateur sleuthing, are both tense and humorous. Their dynamic provides a rich contrast to the darker themes of the book, as Torben grapples with a world he is ill-prepared to navigate.
What makes this book stand out is its sharp commentary on the academic world, espionage, and the human tendency to ignore inconvenient truths. The Cold War backdrop adds an extra dimension to the plot, with old grudges and hidden alliances resurfacing in the search for the truth. Torben's persistence is both admirable and frustrating—he is out of his depth, but his refusal to back down makes him a compelling protagonist.
Ultimately, Helle's Hound is well-paced and engaging, offering a unique twist on the traditional detective story. Jensen’s ability to balance humor, suspense, and character development makes for a gripping read.
Thank you to NetGalley and Viper, Serpent's Tail and Profile Books for an advanced copy in exchange for my review.

3.5 stars. Torben Helle is back trying to solve a death with the help of his conveniently trained friends Leyla (barrister) and Ruth (police) - his mentor Dame Charlotte Lazerton is found at the bottom of her stairs at home, gnawed on by her Irish Wolfgound, Mortimer. At first only Torben suspects anything is amiss, but gradually he persuades those around him to investigate.

It’s again a slower pace for most of the book, until it all speeds up and resolves at the end - so bear this in mind if you like your mysteries more evenly paced. But the characters are pretty likeable and the writing humorous, so I’d recommend it as a series.

I received a free ARC copy of this via NetGalley and the publishers in return for an unbiased review.

If you are looking for a witty, entertaining and rather charming murder mystery featuring a reluctant sleuth and a desperate dog, look no further.

When the police determine that Lady Charlotte Lazerton's death was due to natural causes (though the situation was certainly not helped by her dog Mortimer eating part of her!), her protege Torben Helle finds himself in an awkward position when he begins to suspect otherwise.

Inevitably, this leads to a further investigation by Torben, who teams up with an unlikely ally in his search for justice for his mentor. There's plenty of action to come, including some red herrings served on a platter, with a satisfactory conclusion for all concerned. This is an enjoyable and satisfying read and gets 3. 5 stars.

Oh this is good! Cosy crime but some really good mystery elements in two. It's very funny too in parts and just a really good read. I liked the first and I loved the second!