Irene Huss and her colleagues in Göteborg’s murder investigation unit must unravel the complex circumstances surrounding related murders. The murder victims are all connected by business and/or family ties to an internet company that crashed when the dot com bubble burst, enriching its founders at the expense of its investors. One survivor knows more than she is telling, and Irene and her partner search for a way to persuade her to talk. Meanwhile, Irene is distressed by some personal news shared by her partner and best friend, Tommy.

In some ways, this is the best book in the series so far. Irene’s domestic life didn’t distract from the murder investigation. Her husband, twin daughters, and dog made limited appearances in this book. The audio reader does a nice job with the narration and dialogue. I wish my library had more of this series available in audio format. There were some enjoyable scenes in a hospital near the end of the book. My other favorite in the series had a hospital setting, so perhaps the medical scene is a familiar one for the author. The ending is spoiled when the tension peaks to early and the investigation concludes with a long briefing (i.e. information dump) from an FBI officer. ( )

Helene Tursten’s books centering on Maude cause laughter and remorse, the The Golden Calf following Irene Huss, fails to live-up to the Maude series. Irene Huss and her chef husband, Krister, and their twin daughters live a hum-drum existence. Krister cooks fabulous meals for his family, especially when Irene must work long hours to solve a murder investigation. This story involves too many extra unimportant characters that drag the story. Who is the Golden Calf? The answer arrives much later in the novel and centers on the true father of Sanna’s baby. A New York Mafia family and money laundering figures heavily in the murders. Too many red herrings in this sea of family obligations. Give me more Maud and less Irene Huss. ( )

Tursten continues to deliver excellent dialog, timing, atmosphere in The Golden Calf. But... I did find it harder to follow than some of her other novels.

Fast-paced and exciting.

A good addition to the series, although the ending is a little over the top, ( )

Ein neuer Fall für Irene Huss, Kriminalinspektorin aus Göteborg: Der 50jährige Hotel- und Restaurantbesitzer Kjell B. Ceder wird in seiner luxuriösen Villa in den Schären bei Göteborg erschossen aufgefunden. Niedergestreckt mit zwei Schüssen. Ehedrama oder Mord unter Geschäftspartnern? Irene Huss nimmt die Ermittlungen auf – und stößt auf eine heiße Spur, die sie bis nach Paris führt. Dann wird die fast verweste Leiche eines Mannes gefunden, und die Karten scheinen völlig neu gemischt zu werden ...