Karen Cole's Reviews > Little Drummer

Little Drummer is the fourth book in Kjell Ola Dahl's Oslo Detectives series; originally published in Norway in 2003, the technology within may be dated but the issues explored here feel bang up to date and it can easily be enjoyed as a stand-alone or, as I did, read as a sort of prequel to later instalments in the series.
One of the features I most love about Nordic Noir is the atmospheric sense of place and Little Drummer has that in spades. The scene where a woman's body is discovered in a parking garage is crushingly tense, using Lise Fagenrnes' claustrophobia to intensify the suspense until it becomes almost too much to bear. This may be a more slow-burning crime novel but it's not short on tension throughout the book as Gunnarstranda and Frølich try to discover who killed the young woman and how her death is connected to the disappearance of a Kenyan scientist.
With the Press pushing for updates, a reluctant Frølich is sent to Kenya to follow up a potential lead into the whereabouts of Stuart Takeyo. Taking the action to Africa is a bold move by Kjell Ola Dahl but as he superbly captures the essence of the country. This is a chilling book which examines global issues with penetrating insight without ever losing control of the multi-layered, twisty plot. The actions of criminals and opportunists who seek to make money from the HIV and AIDS crisis in parts of Africa drives part of the storyline but it's clear that Kjell Ola Dahl isn't suggesting that his Oslo Detectives are able to solve anything other than their own investigation. Nevertheless, there is a particularly powerful scene involving dried fishbones which has little to do with the actual search for the truth but which reveals the impact of Western imperialism and opportunistic investment into countries like Kenya. Highlighting subjects like this means that although the contrast between the two countries is searingly vivid, it remains unmistakably Nordic Noir.
As always, the authenticity of the prose cannot be faulted; the ordinariness of Gunnarstranda and Frølich means they are entirely believable characters who earn their results through dogged determination and attention to detail. Indeed, the revelation that the young woman in the car was murdered only comes about thanks to a petty decision by Gunnarstranda to push for an autopsy. Both men have distractions away from the case too; Frølich must negotiate a relationship which often leaves him baffled as to where he stands but although undoubtedly finds himself in more dangerous circumstances, it's actually Gunnarstranda who is forced to consider his own mortality. When Frølich attempts to hide his boss's cigarettes, it's done for the benefit of them both – this isn't a cheesy buddy pairing but neither is it a battle of egos and the mutual understanding between the two is far more subtle. Meanwhile, Lise Fagenrnes proves to be an excellent addition to the cast, she is a principled, resolute journalist but has a vulnerability about her which ensures she is totally convincing.
This is a serious story exploring dark and complex topics but there are moments of humour too. I mentioned in my review of a previous Oslo Detectives novel, The Ice Swimmer how much I enjoyed a scene where Gunnarstranda makes soup, despite it having nothing to do with the investigation and there's a similar moment here when Frølich gives a lift to his mother Edna and her friend, Karin. It's a delightful interlude that beautifully confirms not only how good Kjell Ola Dahl is at bringing characters to life but also what an excellent job Don Bartlett has done translating the book into English.
Little Drummer is elegantly compelling crime fiction that makes a real impact, I highly recommend it.