Master, Liar, Traitor, Friend

a Leo Junker case
Christoffer Carlsson (trans. Michael Gallagher)

‘A multi-layered book with a complex intrigue, but above all a beautiful, well-written and plaintive book about Sweden, about betrayal, shortcomings and atonement.’

Dagens Nyheter

‘It’s skillfully accomplished, […] Carlsson is, also this year, one of the most original and interesting Swedish authors writing in the genre.’

Sydsvenskan

View all reviews

‘Carlsson has always been a confident writer and his poetic noir style is easily recognized … Master, Liar, Traitor, Friend is not a book you throw yourself over to read in one sitting, but rather a jigsaw puzzle to assemble a few pieces at a time whenever the opportunity is given … Through a dramatic denouement the already worn out Leo Junker hits a kind of bottom, hopefully to return with regained strength in the next instalment of this dark but unusually empathetic crime series.’

Hallandsposten

‘Christoffer Carlsson has a flow to his language, it’s clear that he’s found inspiration from the masters of the genre. This forces the reader to constantly be on their toes, to be prepared for the unexpected … A style that feels forceful, authentic and alive.’

DAST Magazine

‘Christoffer Carlsson is skillful and has no trouble portraying four parallell narratives that he weaves together in the end. The fact that he also connects the fictitious murder case in Bruket with the [real] unsolved murder of journalist Cats Falck adds an extra dimension to the third book about Leo Junker.’

Skaraborgs Allehanda

‘Has Christoffer Carlsson lost it? Is Leo Junker’s crime solving starting to feel routine? Is the crime mystery bleak and the plot slow? A resounding no to all of these questions! He’s more interesting than ever! The complexity and depth makes it so much more than a thrilling crime mystery. The characters flourish and come alive while at the same time the prose flows and maintains a nerve in the story … A perfect read to cuddle up in the couch with on a chilly autumn day.’

Litteraturmagazinet

‘Christoffer Carlsson’s books are permeated with great storytelling zest, and in each book his narrative technique and ability to create milieus and atmosphere is developed further … I like it a lot, and one can simply conclude that Swedish crime literature has been awarded with a new, great storyteller. When you turn the last page of Master, Liar, Traitor, Friend you can’t help but start waiting for Christoffer Carlsson to give us yet another book to be captivated by.’

Johannas deckarhörna, blog

‘Master, Liar, Traitor, Friend is a book entirely to my liking. On all levels. A book that was a pure pleasure to read … There’s something about Christoffer Carlsson’s way of writing that is so appealing that it lets me enjoy every word … I will definitely be on the lookout for Christoffer Carlsson’s next book. Please hurry with it!’

Lottens bokblogg, blog

‘Christoffer Carlsson has also made a leap forward language-wise in this new novel, and through great turns of phrase he manages to create images that stay with you … Carlsson has once again managed to write a really good crime novel, well in the same class as the first Leo Junker novel … I warmly recommend Master, Liar, Traitor, Friend.’

Crimegarden, blog

‘Of the crime novels I’ve read so far this year, Christoffer Carlsson’s new one is without a doubt the best.’

Icakuriren

Charles Levin, Detective Leo Junker’s mentor — and the same man who betrayed Leo — is dead.

Now Leo must find out why. He must follow the thread of the dead man’s own tragedies, which will lead inexorably to the betrayal of Charles Levin’s soul — and the soul of his nation.

Inspired by a string of scandals and murders that rocked Sweden in the 1980s, particularly the killing of journalist Cats Falck, Christoffer Carlsson tells his own chilling version of what happened in those dark days.

‘A multi-layered book with a complex intrigue, but above all a beautiful, well-written and plaintive book about Sweden, about betrayal, shortcomings and atonement.’

Dagens Nyheter

‘It’s skillfully accomplished, […] Carlsson is, also this year, one of the most original and interesting Swedish authors writing in the genre.’

Sydsvenskan

View all reviews

Hallandsposten

DAST Magazine

Skaraborgs Allehanda

Litteraturmagazinet

Johannas deckarhörna, blog

Lottens bokblogg, blog

Crimegarden, blog

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Details

Format:Paperback

Size: 234mm × 153mm

Extent:384pp

ISBN (13):9781925321821

RRP:$32.99

Pub date:3 Jan 2017

Rights Held: UK & Commonwealth incl Canada

High-res cover:Download Image

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AUTHOR

Christoffer Carlsson

Christoffer Carlsson has a PhD in criminology, and is a university lecturer in the subject. He has written five crime novels, including the bestselling The Invisible Man from Salem and the Young Adult noir October is the Coldest Month.

TRANSLATOR

Michael Gallagher

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