An engaging and sharply observed cosy crime, featuring Danish academic Torben Helle and his friend and maybe love interest Leyla. There is reference to a previous story in this series but the book worked well as a stand-alone book and was no less compelling for that. The narration was outstanding and managed to convey each of the characters beautifully whilst also conveying the dry humour of the writing. It brings together the best of Nordic Noir and cosy crime.

With thanks to Kobo, NetGalley and the author for the opportunity to listen to this audiobook in exchange for an honest review. I would rate the book four stars but the narration lifts it to a five.

As always with any audiobook, the narrator is key and Gunnar Cauthery is superb here. His narration of Torben sounds very authentic and believable. All the characters were distinguishable from one another and he delivered the humour with consummate timing.

Helle’s Hound is the second book in the Torben Helle series and although the previous book is referred to, I think this works as a stand alone. The story is a new one and is self contained. Any recurring characters are re-introduced so you don’t feel you are missing out on anything.

The plot is a busy one, there are a lot of characters; which throws up quite a few red herrings when trying to work out whodunnit. I guessed the ‘how’ thanks to spending my youth watching episodes of US Crime drama Columbo but I was way off with the ‘who’ and the ‘why’. There is also a romantic ‘will they, won’t they’ side story which adds lightness and humour to the main murder mystery element.

Overall an enjoyable audiobook, I think the character of Torben is enhanced through the narration. I recommend to anyone who enjoys an unusual mystery with a touch of humour.

The audiobook narrator does a great job, but unfortunately, I wasn’t convinced by the plot. I usually don’t mind suspending my disbelief a bit but here the plot felt a bit unrealistic and in general rather slow. I think the setting of the first novel fitted the set up much better.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC. I really enjoyed this audiobook with is the second in the series. The ending was a total shock when it came - really quite a clever twist, kept me guessing. I look forward to other instalments in this series.

I was given an early release audio copy of this work via Netgalley free of charge in return for an honest review.

The narration is perfect. They bring each character giving them their own voice and accent so you never have to guess at which character is speaking. Love it!

In this book we again meet up with Torben Helle several months after the incident at his friend's country house where he had been half convinced he was a murderer. Here he is in London teaching in college and dropped into yet another murder mystery when his old thesis advisor drops dead mysteriously.

Will he catch the killer ? Find out in this amazing story. It will keep you reading and guessing right up to the end.

I enjoyed throughly loved the 1st adventure and this one is not diffrent . Perfect for a lazy wet Sunday afternoon or evening.

This is my first book in the series, and it was very entertaining. Torben is sometimes so sloppy and bumbly, especially when it comes to Leyla. I am glad they sorted their affections out. The mystery was exciting, fast-paced, and went in ten different directions before it got sorted out. A great audiobook with good narration by Gunnar Cauthery.

#netgalley #HellesHound

🎧Audio Book Review🎧

Helle's Hound
Oskar Jensen

🌟🌟🌟🌟

This time last year, I read Helle & Death - Torben Helle's first outing and a locked room case that was packed with twists.
When I spotted this new release, I was so excited to dive in and see what was in store for Torben this time around.

This was a case much closer to home with one of Helle's mentors coming to a rather gruesome ending only a few days after they last met.
Again, a seemingly innocent natural death that Torben just couldn't believe wasn't murder.
With the help of his good friend Leyla, the pair start to take a look into who would like Charlotte dead.

This was another great case and I loved the complexities within the investigation.
There were a fair few suspects around, but nothing seemed concrete and as such, it was really difficult for us to spot what had happened.

I tried to come up with a couple of theories along the way, but never managed to grasp enough before the next twist would come and send me back to square one.
The ending being a total shock when it came - really quite a clever twist.

I really like Helle as a character. Lots of Nordic noir vibes to be had - but with familiar settings and culture that kept this relatable too.
I liked seeing some of the returning characters from the first book - albeit only briefly - but loved seeing the relationship between Helle and Leyla develop (slowly!).

I did really enjoy this read, but it just didn't quite grab me in as much as Helle & Death - probably because I loved the locked room setting, which was missing here.
That said, wouldn't it get very boring if every case was the same!?
Still a strong 4* read and I'll definitely be looking out for book 3 coming out in the future.
It will be great to see what Helle has done to the house since.....



💕Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for my ARC copy - this is my honest review 💕

I found it hard to keep engaged in the story. I think the narrator is very talented but the way in which they narrated the story made me really disconnect and zone out a lot when trying to concentrate on what going on in the book

So much of this book isn't about the mystery - it's scenes of the characters enjoying food and wine that they keep bewailing is beyond their means, but clearly isn't since they keep doing it. Maybe that's why I feel a bit baffled having finished the story about what it was all about. The mystery is complex, there are loads of characters, and yet much of the story is about will-they won't-they love interest; the renovation of Torben's house, and cheesecake. Often with this sort of cosy mystery it feels like the murder is almost not taken seriously, everyone's having such fun investigating and they're so pleased with themselves and the conversation is so much witty banter, that the characters seem to have forgotten that their friend's actually died - there's a lack of depth and emotion.

Overall it was okay but I probably won't continue if there are further books in the series.

I liked the audiobook narration, particularly since the narrator actually knew how to pronounce all the Danish words that Torben uses!

This is a second meeting with the jumper wearing Danish throb and amateur sleuth Torben Helle. His friend and mentor Charlotte Lazerton is dead and he is suspicious, as Charlotte confided in him before her death about someone tapping her phone calls. He has five suspects and a trusty sidekick, Leyla, but also no idea how to proceed. I think Torben is such a peculiar character that people either love him or find him incredibly annoying. I am in the first group, of course. The book takes place (mostly) in a very posh and intellectual part of London, and I enjoyed following the characters through the streets and landmarks, visiting restaurants and cafes, talking about art and alibis. Once again Oskar Jensen created a funny and engaging story with very likeable characters and some nice detecting action, but this book in particular tickled me because of all the amount of food eaten. It also made me hungry. In order to interrogate people Torben invites them to different restaurants and I am telling you, I want a schnitzel and a cheesecake now. I also want another book about Torben, for helvede!

Regarding the audiobook itself, I believe that Gunnar Cauthery, is British/Icelandic and maybe it is the proximity to Denmark or the general Nordic connection that makes him a great narrator for this book. He certainly can use Danish swearwords convincingly and his manner of speaking (self-deprecating, clear but rather distinctive) made him a perfect for for this role.

I felt a little bit disappointed when it slowly became apparent that this was the second book in a series, and I hadn't read book 1, which I think I would have really enjoyed.
Having said that, I still enjoyed Helle’s Hound. It can definitely be read as a stand alone, but I reckon book 1 would have been really good.
I was attracted by the idea of the book being a mash up of Scandi and cosy crime, and it was exactly that. I like both, so this really suited me. The cast of characters were likeable and intriguing (another reason I wish I had read book 1 first – to understand more about them.). And I can never resist a well portrayed canine character.
The narrator (Gunnar Cauthery) did a really good job. I was very happy to listen to them. A couple of long car journeys flew by.
If I get time, I may go back and read book 1 and I will certainly look for any further books in the series or by the author.

I enjoyed listening to the audiobook of this second instalment in the Helle series, a cosy mystery with a literary and Nordic slant.

This was a more confident and put together book than the first in the series and focuses on the murder of Dame Charlotte Lazerton, a distinguished academic and friend of Jensen’s protagonist, Torben Helle. Ruled an accident, Torben is sure that her death was actually murder and sets out to prove it, causing chaos in some influential circles.

The pace is still a little slow for my taste, both literally and figuratively and I did move the playback speed up to 1.25 but it was an enjoyable, tongue-in-cheek rollick with a satisfying conclusion.

With thanks to NetGalley, Oskar Jensen and Profile Books Audio for an arc of this audiobook.

I enjoyed the previous book in this series and it was nice to see what Torben got up to next.

This was another slow-burn, easy to read mystery that I recommend if you are in the mood for a witty cosy crime story with some scandi flair!

"Helle's Hound" by Oskar Jensen is the second novel in his mystery series, starring the Danish art historian, Torben Helle. Torben loves a mystery, and despite his impressive collection of Scandinavian sweaters (think Sarah Lund on The Killing), Helle is not an actual detective.
This time around, Torben is again joined by two good friends; Leyla (barrister) and Ruth (police), who use their individual expertise and connections to assist him. Torben's longtime friend, Dame Charlotte Lazerton has recently been found dead. And while everyone else believes the tragedy to be an accident, Torben has other ideas. And he is soon dragging Ruth and Leyla along with him - though to be fair, they are willing participants for the most part.
This is a slow burn storyline, with the pace picking up towards the end. And the commentary from Torben is often quite amusing. Similar to popular novels, such as the Ernest Cunningham series, there is a sense of breaking the fourth wall as Torben speaks directly to the reader, sharing his ideas and questions. Again, while set in contemporary London, the story has a strong sense of old-fashioned mystery. A highly enjoyable mystery, and the narration by Gunther Cauthery really adds to the atmosphere.

I was underwhelmed by the first book (everything from prose choices to character to pacing of the climax) but I was willing to give book two a go, and I had a better time. The POV was once more either a narrow omniscient or a head-hopping close third, I’m not sure what the author was going for, but unlike last time none of the POV characters are also suspects (which massively irritated me in book 1). I was also more interested in the actual murder mystery, which we got to earlier. The cast of suspects was provided plenty of intrigue. There was also some development in the potential romance between Torben and Leyla.

Some complaints: I’m so very tired of fat characters being sweaty with “piggy little eyes” etc. It’s so boring. Your job is to be creative, authors, maybe give that a try some time. The pacing was too slow for my taste in the first half, although it did pick up momentum towards the end. As far as the climax, I prefer to know what is happening rather than having it explained to me afterwards.

I can firmly say that I gave this series a second chance, but it’s not really for me. Fine for when I don’t have something more my taste to read, but otherwise meh. The narrator was Gunnar Cauthery who did a good job juggling all the accents.

Don your favourite nordic jumper, grab a hot cup of cocoa and settle yourself down to discover how Torben unravels the dilemma of his friends demise. Intricate, witty, and clever, and delightfully dotted with danish when Torben is hurried or stressed, With its vibrant narration to keep you fully absorbed, Helle's Hound is a joy to listen to,

This book had a very slow start but the story does pick up as it goes. Overall, worthwhile listen but could have started out a bit faster

Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Was Dame Charlotte Lazerton's death really an accident? Or is Torben following the right path when he thinks it could be murder?

Murder and mayhem with a charmingly clumsy detective! I enjoyed this story, even though I found the pace a bit slow to start with, it only really picks up at the end of the book. Torben is a likeable character, and I found myself urging him on to find the killer. He is witty and a bit clumsy with his interactions with Layla, which just makes him more relatable. Their playful banter added a touch of humor to the story.

I enjoyed the narrator's accent and found it was easy to follow and listen to. Torben could have had slightly more emphasis on his accent, but I appreciate that can make it harder for listeners to follow. There was good emphasis on character emotions, and when the pace picked up, the narrator managed to include the feeling of urgency when needed in his voice.

It felt like a golden age mystery in a modern setting, and while the ending might not have been the most satisfying conclusion, I enjoyed following the story along and trying to work out whodunit. While this is the second novel in the series, I have not read the first but had no issues following the story. It can be read as a standalone book. There are some references to the previous story, but not enough to play a vital role in this book.

The back-and-forth brainstorming between Torben and Layla was most enjoyable, and I think what held my interest, plus the ongoing miscommunication/misreading of each other, provided some lighter entertainment in what could have ended up being a boring fact-listing conversation. Plenty of scope for Torben to follow different theories kept me guessing (I will admit I don't read many murder mysteries, so for a seasoned reader, the conclusion may be obvious).

I'd recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a cozy crime novel with a Scandi twist. Get ready for a delightful dose of Scandi noir with a side of awkward charm.

Torben Helle met with Charlotte and she told him her phone was being tapped. A few days later she dies from falling down the stairs. Was this an accident or was someone responsible? Torben and friends will investigate to discover the truth, but is he qualified to catch a killer?

Very well written and well narrated witty novel (I listened to the audiobook). Great quirky characters who look for clues and attempt to find the truth. Torben may have gained a new home, thanks to Charlotte but he cares enough to honour her memory. Well paced, funny at times, serious at times too. Very enjoyable.

3.25* overall

This is a joint review for the Ebook and Audiobook of Helle's Hound:
4* audiobook
2.75* for the book overall

I was so excited to see that Torben Helle was coming back after the highly enjoyable 'Helle & Death' last year. Unfortunately 'Helle's Hound' didn't live up to the first book for me.

In this latest mystery for Torben, friend and mentor Dame Charlotte Lazerton is dead, found at the foot of her staircase partially eaten by her Irish wolfhound, Mortimer. Torben believes it's suspicious, the police, aside of one one Nordic Noir fan, don't, so it's up to Torben and Leyla to try and prove that it's murder.

This was overall a fun read but sadly was too long and winding and very slow to get going. It was also unevenly paced The final quarter of the book came at you like a train of information which, after the slow pace of much of the rest of the book, felt like an overload, especially as there were too many characters involved who weren't fully fleshed out for me. All of these points and what I felt was an overall unsatisfying conclusion means that sadly this one wasn't the win I hoped for.

For the audiobook, I felt that Gunnar Cauthery did a really good job with the narration. He really characterised our Torben and Leyla and their budding romance really helped break through the monotony of the bulk of the middle section of the book. He also brought out the humour of the narrative which I thoroughly enjoyed. He wasn't able to help break out the more minor characters as much as was needed to make them become proper characters but I feel that is because there were too many people involved with too few distinguishing features.

The audiobook was also really well edited and produced but was let down by the story not being as enjoyable for me.

This series has a lot of potential. The cosy scandi/nordic noir mystery set up is really appealing to me. I much preferred the tightly plotted, limited cast and isolated setting of Book 1 and hope we return to a similar style for Book 3 (if we're due another instalment).

Thank you to NetGalley and Serpent's Tail / Viper / Profile Books | Viper for a digital review copy of "Helle's Hound" and Profile Books Audio | Viper for a review copy of the Audiobook, both in exchange for my honest and voluntary review.