Mobsters, drug dealers, corruption and loads of action. Currently working as a Freelancer, based in Cologne Germany. I thought this book was even better than the first. by Silveroak. Terrific book--it reads very smoothly and kept my interest from beginning to end. Call him Paula. These two authors, one of them a former criminal, write so well and thoroughly draw out their characters in addition to developing a walloping good story. At times the book was hard to read because of the street names and foreign names throughout the book but overall it did not take away from the story. Buy THREE SECONDS by (ISBN: ) from Amazon's Book Store. Deciding to become a police informant puts Piet Hoffman in the position of having to hide his criminal past and lie to his wife and sons. // The plot is hair-raising and The Americans have already begun to rejoice in the victory, they were sure that in these three seconds the outcome of the match will not change. THREE SECONDS. Just a moment while we sign you in to your Goodreads account. That’s what his handlers in the Stockholm police do. Their books have been translated into seventeen languages and are currently being adapted for the screen. // When [Three Seconds] is all over, the reader has experienced an incredibly dramatic and moving journey that doesn’t loosen it’s grip for a single second. The subject is just as explosive and blazing as the jacket cover and I totally recommend it to everybody!”, “Three Seconds is just as its predecessors very well-written, in a prose that is a joy for the soul. I listened to the audiobook, and I have a feeling it made the book better. It’s an operation assigned by the police force. ** The story is so engrossing that it all just stayed put in my brain--yay! And another, secret life in which he every single day risks losing everything. /.../ Three Seconds puts Roslund and Hellstrom in the company of Henning Mankell and Stieg Larsson. ~ ~ ~ “You have to be fucking kidding me, Lee Jeno!” Renjun screamed into his phone as he hurriedly grabbed his jacket, keys and wallet and stuffed his feet into a pair of shoes. Hoffmann must desperately maintain his cover; else he is a dead man walking. In addition, Three Seconds is undoubtedly their best book so far. // But above all Three Seconds is a well-written, suspenseful and terribly good story.”, ”Roslund & Hellström are in a league of their own. But I really didn't have to do tha. // They hold their readers in a tight grip and don’t evenlet go when the book comes to an end.”, “Three Seconds is this summer’s definite must-read when it comes to Swedish crime novels.”, “The strongest action thriller by Roslund & Hellström so far, impossible to put down before the unexpected end.”, “Roslund & Hellström appear to have parked, once and for all, on the pinnacle of the Swedish crime writing elite. It's a contemporary look at the ambiguities in Sw. He is attempting to stop the organization from controlling drug distribution in Sweden’s prisons, and all the while, Hoffman is also a family man with a wife and two young sons. This was a fantastic Sweedish read By Anders Roslund and Borge Hellstrom and written in the style of the "Girl with the Dragon Tattoo" series by Stieg Larsson. And I would be pretty surprised.”, “I read it in one sitting and 592 pages went by in no time! He is forced to seize control of one of Sweden’s maximum security prisons, from the inside. A dark and brutal book that is not an easy read, Three Seconds is also a riveting story that serious readers will find worthwhile and memorable. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of, Published Refined and narrated without clichés. Ex-con Piet Hoffman, now a “covert human intelligence source” for the Stockholm police, is deeply implanted into the Polish Mafia. The title hints at the sense of 'real time' pacing of the story and the characters are ones that you grow to like/admire despite their human frailties. No butlers were hurt in the making of Three Seconds. The gritty details of drug dealing, of prison life and of the relations between cops and informants are all rendered with convincing authority in Three Seconds. Names we will definitely be hearing a lot more of in this country. [s], Review of "Three Seconds" By Anders Roslund & Börge Hellström, The Best Mystery & Thriller Adaptations Since 'Gone Girl'. Exciting story, started a little slow building the story but really took off and what a great ending. This book cover says it is the best book of the year. This is one of the best crime novels I have read in a long time. None of the increasingly inept language of crime writing can be found here. I was a little unsure at first what I would be getting into, as the setting is Sweden and there are lots of difficult-to- pronounce street names, a la Dragon Tattoo series (excellent reads, as well). Thank you Goodreads and Publishers! I may have vaguely known that investigators use criminal elements to spur - if not enable - their efforts. Perfect escapist summer reading for fans of Stieg Larssen’s “Girl with the Dragon Tattoo” trilogy. Anders Roslund is a Swedish author and journalist. Hoffmann must desperately maintain his cover, or else he is a dead man walking. Hoffman, unbeknownst to Inspector Grens, has been chosen by the police to infiltrate the Polish Mafia which is attempting to control the smuggling of drugs into the Swedish prisons. Then check out Cell 8, named by the Sunday Times as one of the 60 Best Thrillers and Crime Novels of the Past 6 Years. The crime novel-writing team of Roslund and Hellstrom tackles weighty subjects, and their credentials suggest we should take them seriously ... Trust me. Superb plotting and in depth characterizations highlight this novel. I enjoyed the fierce intensity that Ewert Grens had in this book, he doggedly pursued his investigation and at times I thought he was going to ruin the outcome of the story but in the end it all came together! It is so well written. Three Seconds hits its target. He realizes he is on his own, can trust no one, and that from the moment his double play is revealed he will become a huge liability for police and mafia alike. Hoffmann must desperately maintain his cover; else he is a dead man walking. A handful of hoity-toity English types — tasteful but troubled — gathers at a country manor and —mon Dieu — one of them turns up dead in a locked room. Ewert Grens, an old school homicide detective inspector and Piet Hoffman, a former criminal turned informer, code named, Paula. Even the most discerning reader will be really impressed…”, “… the authors have succeeded with a brilliantly written, but readable novel that keeps the reader in the excitement to last row… ” “… brilliantly written thriller, soon the readers get into a rhythm and start to devour the story… ”, “…duo Roslund & Hellström has succeeded again – not just to get the readers’ recognition but also because of its literary quality to get awarded with the Swedish Academy of Crime Writers’ Award 2009 for Best Swedish Crime Novel of the Year…” “…Three Seconds is a thriller of high tension…” “… besides the pleasure of rhythmic and exciting reading shows Three Seconds on the difficulty deciding whether there is a static boundary between good and evil, between victims and perpetrators… ”, “… an extraordinarily exciting novel, with a flawless construction. The most annoying aspect was the constant repetition of information - more editing please! The latest book from Roslund & Hellström is about the crooked dealings between the Swedish police and their well-placed informants. In this superb translation, Sweden's latest contribution to crime writing tackles some weighty subjects -- specifically, the nature of identity, the Swedish police force's use of civilians in its operations, and the safekeeping of its prisoners -- as it twists, turns, and hurdles towards its conclusion. In The Next Three Seconds… is a book of statistically-measured information. To do so with elegance and clarity as well, is a unique achievement.”, “Roslund & Hellström handle the subject with outstanding knowledge and substantial gravity. But they reckoned. There is corruption at every turn in Three Seconds, from the police officers who are supposed to be taking care of the informants to the politicians who pull the strings. The plot is extraordinarily Your neighbors are hiding a body. The Informer is a 2019 British crime thriller film directed by Andrea Di Stefano and written by Matt Cook, based on the novel Three Seconds by Roslund & Hellström. Riding high on the wave of Scandinavian novels breaking on our shores, comes this first rate thriller from the award winning team of Roslund and Hellstrom. No wonder Roslund and Hellstrom are the darlings of European crime fiction. Until the conclusion, it is difficult to predict who will survive and who will fall to their respective life choices. But I really didn't have to do that at all. Their ability to weave in social commitment and with the help of fiction take a stand in important issues is fascinating. But, in the doggedly-perceptive Ewert Grens, he has just made the most relentless of enemies. The book is shared by two main characters. Dark, suspenseful, and more riveting than any thriller at the local cineplex, Three Seconds is the latest novel from best-selling Swedish duo Anders Roslund and Börge Hellström-heirs apparent to Stieg Larsson and Henning Mankell as the masters of Scandinavian crime. Try Prime Hello, Sign in Account & Lists Sign in Account & Lists Returns & Orders Try Prime Basket. *Starred Review*, “Duo's Three Seconds does Stieg Larsson one better. I enjoyed the narrator. Involved weapons being secreted inside a prison. The book is shared by two main characters. Then check out Cell 8, named by the Sunday Times as one of the 60 Best Thrillers and Crime Novels of the Past 6 Years. Three Seconds (Book) : Roslund, Anders : Ex-convict Piet Hoffman--a family man, a rising member of Stockholm's Polish mafia, and an undercover police informant--is sent to a maximum security prison to make himself the boss of the amphetamine trade so the police can shut it down. You are without a doubt superior in the Swedish crime genre and you keep your readers in a tight grip that one neither can nor wants to get out of.”, ”This is a real page-turner, which cost me a couple nights of troubled sleep. Skip to main content. But, in the doggedly-perceptive Ewert Grens, he has just made the most relentless of enemies. Scandinavian crime fiction has been hot for many years now, but in the wake of the unexpected success of the Steig Larsson books, it appears to be even more ubiquitous. Hoffman moves skillfully, like a chess master who anticipates his opponent's moves and plans his strategy accordingly. // Moreover, Three Seconds is awfully well told when it comes to He leads a double life. // In the steady flow of Swedish thrillers, Roslund & Hellström are the only ones who clearly uphold the heritage of Sjöwall & Wahlöö. Sandwiched between the homicide investigation lead by the doggedly determined Grens and the ruthless Polish Mafia which will not hesitate to kill a snitch. The book is incessantly driven forward by the condensed language and intense plot.”, “Roslund & Hellström present 600 pages packed with drama. This story takes place in Stockholm and surrounds the plight of "Paula" (the main character is male) who is caught up in the Polish mafia's attempt to flood the Sweedish drug trade as well as being hung out by the justice system. It is an exciting book that builds suspense throughout the story. While Inspector Ewert Grens investigates the murder, Hoffman's Mafia masters want him in prison to take over drug operations there. A secret arm of the law agrees, and offers him and his family protection and new identities for breaking the drug operations of the Mafia in the Swedish prison system. It is more than worth the night of sleep you’ll sacrifice at its altar. But this book, written collaboratively by a former journalist and former criminal, blows us away with the 2 camps' mutual dependence, their degree of support for one another, and the callousness that must sometimes rule the game. Probably 3.5 stars, the book wanders at times and no explanation of the treachery is provided. I love Scandinavian Crime Fiction. It is also the dazzling duo Roslund & Hellströms best so far. Can't get enough of DCI Ewert Grens? It is characterization of the highest degree. THREE SECONDS. Hoffmann must desperately maintain his cover; else he is a dead man walking. This is Roslund & Hellströms fifth novel starring Police Superintendent Ewert Grens. The woman who just bumped into you is a stalker. Gun play, explosions, betrayals and the ingenious ways drugs and weapons are smuggled into prisons give this novel, Roslund & Hellström's fifth, an eau de testosterone level that's through the roof.”, “Three Seconds, the title, is the time in the book that a shot being fired hits its target. American fans of crime novels will be pleased with Three Seconds, a complex and surprising novel that was not only 2009’s Swedish Crime Novel of the year, but also is still a European bestseller. Sound about right? It¹s fast-paced and intensely suspenseful.”, “Three Seconds is incredibly skillfully constructed.”, “Roslund & Hellström’s strength is in the ability to handle the darkest mechanisms in us all with credibility, and to shape them and their hosts with empathy. But, in the doggedly-perceptive Ewert Grens, he has just made the most relentless of enemies. It is a tour de force.”, “Looking for a cozy mystery to warm the winter months? It features a lot of facts about France, the U.S., Britain, and about different kinds of humans, animals, and other things in general. ** Three Seconds Movie Check out the official plot synopsis of Three Seconds, the upcoming action thriller movie directed by Andrea Di Stefano from a script he co-wrote with Matt Cook, Rowan Joffé, and Alex Garland based on the Swedish novel by Anders Roslund and Börge Hellström: Piet Hoffman, Swedish undercover police informer, has climbed very high in the ranks of the Polish Mafia when he haplessly witnesses a murder during a drug deal gone terribly wrong. 100?) Your husband is definitely poisoning you. 80? Even if you see the (multiple) ending(s) coming, you will be amazed by how Roslund and Hellström pull things off. Three Seconds is an intensely suspenseful thriller where people in all positions of society are put to the test. Fantastic Swedish crime when one starts to sympathise with the villain, against all odds. When selecting this book, two things jump out as possible risks to a good read. Let's see. Superb plotting and in depth characterizations highlight this novel. Relentless Inspector Grens orders the sniper to fire and then has to unravel the strange behavior of Hoffman. Roslund & Hellström’s previous novels have won several awards and great critical acclaim , and reached a … There is also a list of characters in the front, which always makes me wonder how many times I may have to flip back and forth throughout the story in order to keep up with who's who. Roslund & Hellström’s previous novels have won several awards and great critical acclaim , and reached a large audience. 592 pages generate respect, but there are no tedious passages and it never comes to a standstill infinitely suspenseful!”, ”Roslund & Hellströms latest book is terrifyingly good. Can't get enough of DCI Ewert Grens? It offers no suspicious servants, nobody wears an ascot, and it doesn't end with the entire cast (minus corpse) gathered around a dinner table for a shocking reveal. Until the conclusion, it is difficult to predict who will survive and who will fall to their respective life c. This was a fantastic Sweedish read By Anders Roslund and Borge Hellstrom and written in the style of the "Girl with the Dragon Tattoo" series by Stieg Larsson. Three Seconds (Audio Download): Amazon.co.uk: Books. And they do it with such devilish skill and engagement that I read their nearly 600-page book in one sitting.”, “Three Seconds is impossible to put down before one has finished it. This is pure straight up Crime Fiction, no chaser, no apologies.”, “Harsh and brutal ... Non-stop and the tension unlimited ... Well-written and powerful.”, “Three Seconds invites comparison with The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. I won this hot-off-the-torturous-translation-table Swedish thriller in a goodreads giveaway contest. Three Seconds Anders Roslund and Börge Hellström The pre-publication lead-up to THREE SECONDS by Anders Roslund and Börge Hellström has been careful to note that the book is the winner of the Swedish Academy of Crime Writers' 2009 award for Best Swedish Crime Novel of the Year, previously won by both Stieg Larsson and Henning Mankell. Three seconds before the end of the match, the Americans led by one point advantage. And at the same time the dramaturgical structure is brilliant. This is, according to myself, their best since their début. Of course, as is the case in many such stories, something goes wrong and Hoffman's role of informer is put at risk -- along with his life. This is the first one I have read by these authors and it was fantastic. 80? To see what your friends thought of this book, Not at all. Really 3.5. Prepare yourself for an electrifying standoff between a brilliant criminal who maps his future beyond death and a bulldog inspector with nothing to lose. And in Ewert Grens ...the authors have created an eccentric, alienated, socially inept hero worthy of comparison with Swedish mystery master Henning Mankell’s Inspector Kurt Wallander.”, “Ex-con Piet Hoffmann, who for the past nine years has led a double life as a family man and a police snitch infiltrating the Stockholm drug world, takes on his most dangerous assignment yet in Roslund & Hellstrom’s thrilling follow-up to Box 21 … The authors ratchet the suspense beautifully right up to the final, inevitable confrontation.”, “Three Seconds’ Full of Twists and Turns. Books. “This thriller is brilliantly told … For a long time I have not read such a dark, depressing, melancholy – and brilliant book. It was OK but if I knew when I started this book what I know now I probably would have passed on this one. 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