Book Briefs: Lane's Picks

Genghis Khan and the Making of the Modern World by Jack Weatherford

Though this best-selling book was published in 2005, I didn't read it until 2009. Before then, my reading material rarely included invading empire-building conquerors. This was before Game of Thrones (GOT), both the books and HBO series, became an addiction in my household.

What little I had learned about Genghis Khan was that he was a violent and ruthless invader, on horseback, wearing fabulous fur fashion. I especially loved the hats. It turns out there was much more to the man than brutal empire building.

The name Genghis has become synonymous with savagery and brutality. More of a movie villain than an actual man. So, it was interesting to read Weatherford's depiction of Khan as a visionary leader. One who attempted to use religious tolerance, meritocracy, a universal alphabet, public education, and globalization of commerce to create and maintain an empire that was twice as big as any before or since.

The book covers the time from Genghis's birth through the reign of his grandson Kubalai Khan. Before his death, Genghis promoted those in his army through meritocracy and not birthright or status and wanted his closest advisor to be his successor, not his sons. Despite his wishes, however, Mongolia was ruled by his descendants until the last was finally deposed in 1920.

Even if historical non-fiction has not been at the top of your book list, consider giving this book a try. The love of GOT is not a requirement.

The Keeper of Lost Causes: The First Department Q Novel (Department Q Series Book 1) by Jussi Alder-Olsen

In 2009, I was introduced to Scandinavian crime novels. Considering this is a region with a very low crime rate, it seemed like a stretch; after reading the wildly popular Girl with the Dragon Tattoo trilogy by Stieg Larsson, I needed to find the next series.

I was lucky to discover the Department Q series by Jussi Alder-Olsen. Author Jussi Alder-Olsen is not the typical morose Nordic writer; he has humor and develops interesting and multi-layered characters. The stories are twisted puzzles that give you clues well before the crime is solved. However, the answers do not easily come, and I found the twists and turns fun, scary, and just out of reach until the end.

Danish detective Carl Morck blames himself for the shooting death and disabling of two fellow officers in a botched murder investigation. Back to duty, Morck is "promoted" to handle cold cases in the newly designated Department Q. He is now located in the basement, without furniture, windows, or staff.

His long history with the police has given him the knowledge to squeeze (blackmail) out funds for his new department's budget. The best use of this money is hiring Assad, a Syrian refugee who walks in off the street to become the department's janitor. Of course, he turns out to become so much more and is a perfect foil for Morck's difficult personality.

Remember, it is a Scandinavian noir, so Marck is a true anti-hero, unpleasant and sharp-tongued. Usually, these detectives work outside the rules and are disliked by jealous coworkers and threatened bosses because they are doggedly focused and get results. Unlike other noir detectives, however, Morck is also lazy. Having lost interest in his job, the world, and anyone around him, he spends a lot of time feeling sorry for himself.

In The Keeper of Lost Causes, the first book of the series, he cannot stay hidden behind his basement desk for long. Despite his antipathy, he gets drawn into a cold case involving a young Danish politician who disappeared five years earlier.

Adler-Olsen creates interesting characters and finds ways to develop them further in the following books. Each book gives more depth and understanding of the recurring characters. The latest book in the series, Victim 2117: A Department Q Novel, came out in March 2020. This installment ties a current event to Assad's background, answering many questions about Morck's trusted sidekick and the skills he has brought to previous cases.