If you know that Pia Juul’s novel The Murder of Halland (Mordet på Halland – Das Leben nach dem Happy End) plays with reader expectations, then you might enjoy this novel. If, however, you expect a conventional crime novel, you might be a little disappointed. Yes, it’s about a crime, but not a crime novel per se.
Pia Juul is a Danish writer, that’s why I read the German translation (I think that German is closer to most Nordic languages than English). While the English title is a literal translation of the Danish title, the German publisher chose to call the book “Life after the Happy End”. I don’t like the title but, at least, it didn’t sound like it was a crime novel.
The book opens with the murder of Halland. Or rather the discovery of his dead body. The man who found him says that Halland’s last words were “My wife killed me.” The reader knows that Bess, his partner, didn’t kill him. She was in the house, while he was shot.
Bess is a writer who left her first husband and her daughter because of Halland. She hasn’t seen her daughter since the girl was fourteen years old and has suffered because of this separation ever since. The daughter is now a young woman of 24.
Like most readers, even though I knew this wasn’t a typical crime novel, I assumed that the book would explore who shot Halland and why. The police does investigate, but it’s a half-hearted investigation. Of course, that’s not realistic, it was the writers choice to present the story this way. The reason for this is revealed later in the book when Bess watches a crime movie on TV and tells the reader that she’s never interested in the “who did it part” of a crime story and mostly forgets the end. She is much more interested in the people involved. The life of the victim, the investigator, and the friends and relatives of the victim. I feel a lot like Bess. I read crime novels for many reasons. Finding out who did it isn’t that important for me.
When Bess hears of Halland’s death, her first reaction is to call her estranged daughter. That reaction alone makes it clear we’re not going to read an ordinary story and from here on, Bess reacts in a rather unconventional way. And this is exactly why I found this book so great. Luckily, most of us will not encounter murder. We won’t find our partners shot dead or be friends with someone whose partner has been shot dead. So, why do we assume we know how a person would react under the circumstances? We think we know because we see how people in movies and books react. But maybe they wouldn’t cry and grief, maybe they would just go a little crazy? Maybe they would be so shocked that they wouldn’t react at all and just withdraw from the world?
Bess does go a little crazy but there are a lot of other things that are strange and the reader discovers with Bess that Halland may not have been who she thought he was and that he had secrets. Here again, expectations are not met. There are secrets but they are different from what we assume and possibly do not have anything to do with the murder as such. Or maybe they do? That’s for you to find out.
I really enjoyed this book. I found it refreshing, loved the brittle tone and how surprising it was. It’s never forseeable how Bess will react and in what direction the story will go next.
It’s a thought-provoking book that leaves a lot open. If you prefer the end of your novels to be less enigmatic, then this isn’t a book for you. If you like something more unusual, with unpredictable characters, then give it a try.
Here’s another take on the novel from Guy’s blog.
Beauty is a Sleeping Cat 
I came to this thinking it was a crime novel, so I had to adjust my expectations a bit on this one. Thanks for the mention.
I know but I think the edition you had US or Canada didn’t make it clear. I would have been really disappointed if I hadn’t known.
And you’re welcome.
Sounds intriguing – Peirene books are always a little left of centre, which is usually good!
I really enjoyed it. Very different. Pereine choose intriguing titles.
An excellent review, Caroline. I came to this book knowing that it subverts or pushes back against the traditional expectations of a murder novel, hence I was prepared for something a little different to the norm. Bess is quite an intriguing character, isn’t she? I agree, there’s an unpredictability about her behaviour that makes this such a refreshing read.
Thanks, Jacqui. Did you review this? I couldn’t find the post.
I was glad I knew what to expect and thought it was so interesting. She’s a very intriguing character. I can’t say I got all of her reactions but I felt it was believable. I’d like to read more of Pia Juul.
Yes, me too. It was a pre-blog read for me hence no review.
That’s why.
I have very fond memories of this book, as it was both my first Peirene and also my first ever review for Crime Fiction Lover. (Despite the fact, as you so rightly point out, that its’ not really crime fiction). I rather like books which play with crime fiction tropes and then completely sabotage them…
T.hat makes it very memorable. I think it still qualifies as some sort of crime novel. If you know of any great books that play with the crime fiction tropes, let me know. I like that too.
I bought this last year when I was in a bit of a Peirene buying phase but haven’t read it yet. At least I know now not to expect the typical crime novel
I’d love to hear what you think if it. It’s very unusual.
its likely to be a while before i get to it
There is no rush,
I really need to read more Peirene books, this sounds excellent.
I’ve been thinking the same. While I read some of their books in the original language or another translation, I like getting inspired by their choices.
I am definitely intrigued by this one, Caroline. Like you, I don’t really care who did it, but why. And how it affects everyone involved. Great review.
While I think you’d like this – one word of warning – the why isn’t answered either.
Hmmm, interesting.
I haven’t read this yet, though I have it. I wasn’t really expecting it to be crime even with the English title simply because it’s published by Peirene and that’s not really what they do.
The half-hearted investigation sounds a bit odd in what sounds otherwise like a fairly realist novel. It’s obviously fine not to focus on the investigation, the who and why often are far less interesting than the impact on those left behind, but that doesn’t mean the investigation need stick out as half-hearted. It sounds like a flaw in an otherwise obviously interesting novella.
I’m glad you picked up on that. Yes, it’s a bit of a fault because it’s not realistic at all. It might have been better to circumnavigate the investigation completely. But it didn’t damage the book.
I hope you’ll read soon. I’d love to hear what you think. Guy wasn’t too keen.
The characters and situations that you describe sound so interesting. The main character having left her daughter years ago in it self, sounds like a ripe situation for good fiction.
With so many cookie cutter stories out there it is good to hear about a mystery that is different.
You’re right. I think with all the crime novels out there, we almost forget that there’s some real crime happening. If you know what I mean.
Though I like crime novels, I also like novels which undermine the genre. I remember really enjoying this – ‘refreshing’ is a good word to describe the experience.
I’m glad to hear you liked it as well. I would like to read more of her but seem not to find anything else in translation.
I am sorry I am late in commenting, Caroline. Wonderful review! When I started reading crime novels I always wanted to find out who did it but these days I like learning more about the characters, their lives, their relationships, their motivations. Bess looks like a fascinating character. I can’t wait to read this. Peirene press is so wonderful, isn’t it 🙂
Thank you, Vishy. No need to be sorry. Pereine choose great books. I reyll enjoyed it. It was so different.