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The Swede: A Novel Hardcover – July 7, 2015

by Robert Karjel (Author), Nancy Pick (Translator)

71 ratings

Book 1 of 2: Ernst Grip

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A sophisticated debut novel about a Swedish security force agent on a mysterious special assignment to the U.S., The Swede fuses the psychological tension of Jo Nesbø’s thrillers with the gripping international intrigue of I Am Pilgrim and Red Sparrow.

Ernst Grip of the Swedish security police has no idea why he’s been dispatched to a remote American military base in the Indian Ocean. Met by FBI agent Shauna Friedman, he learns that the U.S. wants him to determine whether a prisoner they’re holding is a Swedish citizen.

The detainee, known only as “N.," is a suspect in an Islamist-inspired terror attack in the U.S. heartland. Tortured by the CIA, he refuses to talk. Yet all the evidence points to a cabal of survivors from the devastating 2004 tsunami that struck Thailand: a ruthless American arms dealer, a Czech hit man, a mysterious nurse from Kansas, a heartbreakingly naïve Pakistani—and a Swede.

But the prisoner is not the only one harboring dangerous secrets. Grip hides a double life that will lead him into terra incognita, and Friedman, too, is not who she appears to be. In a world ruled by fear, mistrust, and deadly betrayal, these unlikely partners must learn to trust one another if they hope to stay alive.

Drawing on his military and diplomatic experience, Robert Karjel explores the uneasy repercussions of 9/11, illuminating the moral compromises that people—and nations—make in the name of security and survival.

Print length

352 pages
Language

English
Publisher

Harper
Publication date

July 7, 2015
Dimensions

1.3 x 6.1 x 9.1 inches
ISBN-10

0062339583
ISBN-13

978-0062339584
See all details

Robert Karjel
21
Hardcover
38 offers from $1.86

Editorial Reviews

Review

“[Karjel’s] English-language debut, which has already drawn comparisons to Homeland and been optioned for U.S. television, is consistently smarter and more nuanced than most genre fiction, and his cynical take on geopolitics has the ring of real experience. . . . A compelling read.” (Entertainment Weekly)

A “superior thriller…. Filled with rich characterization and unforeseeable twists and revelations, this mesmerizing first in a planned series will leave readers gasping for breath.” (Publishers Weekly (starred review))

“Think le Carré meets Homeland.” (Entertainment Weekly)

“With this smart, compelling English-language debut, Karjel deserves a place in the rankings of notable Nordic crime writers.” (Booklist (starred review))

From the Back Cover

A Swedish security agent is summoned to interrogate a terror suspect held by the FBI in this sophisticated, fast-paced thriller—but the prisoner isn't the only one with something to hide.

At a remote military base in the Indian Ocean, the FBI is trying to get a prisoner to confess. But the detainee, a suspect in an Islamist-inspired terror attack in the United States, refuses to talk.

Ernst Grip, a Swedish security officer, has no idea why he's been dispatched to New York City. The FBI agent he meets on arrival, Shauna Friedman, seems to know a little too much about him. And when he arrives at his real destination, the American authorities have just one question: Is their terror suspect a Swedish citizen?

In the process of uncovering the prisoner's true identity, Grip discovers the man's ties to a group of other suspects—a ruthless American arms dealer, a Czech hit man, a mysterious nurse from Kansas, and a heartbreakingly naive Pakistani. The closer Grip gets to the truth, the more complicated the deception becomes. Who is real and who is leading a double life?

The Swede is a riveting, intense novel about the compromises that people—and nations—make in the name of security and survival. Within this world built on secrets, Grip and Friedman have to learn to trust each other if they hope to stay alive.

Start reading The Swede: A Novel on your Kindle in under a minute.

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Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Harper (July 7, 2015)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 352 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0062339583
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0062339584
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.1 pounds
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 1.3 x 6.1 x 9.1 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #2,500,250 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #12,729 in Crime Action & Adventure
- #16,036 in International Mystery & Crime (Books)
- #22,109 in Mystery Action & Adventure

Customer Reviews:
71 ratings

Customer reviews

5 star		44%
4 star		16%
3 star		13%
2 star		17%
1 star		10%

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Top reviews from the United States

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Sulli7

A true mind twister

Reviewed in the United States on March 20, 2019

Verified Purchase

I was interested in reading The Swede for a variety of reasons. Having spent a lot of time in Sweden, the idea of having a Swedish main character I thought would be fascinating. Also, as a gay man, I have been searching for a book with an LGBTQ main character that wasn't part of the whole romance genre. As fun as those can be, they are also a bit too formulaic and really don't require too much attention, and, for the most part, are not very well written. The complete opposite is true for The Swede. You immediately realize that this is a book which will require some thought as you find yourself wondering how the relationships of the characters are related. This is not a "Who done it?" but more of a "How did this happen?" type of book. Another aspect of this book which I truly appreciated was that there was none of the excessive violence which is so prevalent in many of the Scandinavian mysteries. And, finally, for those concerned about the fact that the main character is bisexual, there really is no need for concern. There are no love scenes in the book and Grip's bisexuality is really more of a statement of who he is as a person and why he has done some of the things he has done. I highly recommend this book!

One person found this helpful

Helpful

Mebby

A Puzzle Worth Unraveling

Reviewed in the United States on June 24, 2018

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As if two or three authors had created their own plots and started writing, The Swede begins with disparate story lines, seemingly unrelated. Each narrative engaging in its own right, the lines come together in an ingenious and disturbing knot of tangled deceptions among the players.

Taut prose keeps the story compelling, the characters intriguing and the solution satisfying. I'll keep reading more of Karnel's work, for sure.

One person found this helpful

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Kindle Customer

Engrossing, A Magical Mystery without a Rabbit out of a Hat

Reviewed in the United States on November 14, 2018

Verified Purchase

Very literate, somewhat puzzling. Just when one thinks one knows which cup, the pea is concealed, it isn't. Read carefully and multi layered protagonists define which cup hasn't the pea. Wonderfully engrossing, and placed just right. Do NOT read the last chapter first, as many do, the magic will disappear...

One person found this helpful

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Terry Peck

Extremely Complex Tale

Reviewed in the United States on December 10, 2019

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This book is well written for the most part. But the plot has parallel themes and a number of participants. It also forced the reader to very present to stay on top the plots and action. But I enjoyed it.

Helpful

Willow Bee

Interesting thriller and worth the read

Reviewed in the United States on August 4, 2015

Verified Purchase

After reading the reviews expressing horror at the amount of explicit gay sex, I was expecting page after page of man-on-man action. There is almost no sex of any sort, and most of that is male/female. No idea why guys are being sad over not having been warned ahead of time that the main character, The Swede, has a male life partner. Anyway....

The plot was interesting and required the reader to pay attention to the small hints about how things not being what they seem. The translation could have been better or needed a better editor. Misused words and odd phrasing broke some of the reader's engagement and were jarring. The characters as a whole were intriguing and I enjoyed the take on the Westboro Baptist Church.

It was a good read and I hope to see more of this writer and The Swede.

6 people found this helpful

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Lora Carnahan

The next Nesbo

Reviewed in the United States on May 31, 2018

Verified Purchase

Loved reading this mystery. I’m a Nesbo fan and I can’t wait for this guys next book. The international setting was perfect. The Swede was a fantastic read.

2 people found this helpful

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Kindle Customer

Good book.

Reviewed in the United States on April 24, 2017

Verified Purchase

Not an easy read, but plenty of twists and turns to keep you guessing. Good characters who pull the reader in. Lots of unexpected surprises.

4 people found this helpful

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Mike