In "1222" by Anne Holt, a group of passengers are stranded at a snowbound hotel after a train crash in a storm on the Oslo Bergen trainline. The story follows Hanne Wilhelmsen, a retired police officer who is wheelchair-bound, as she reluctantly leads an investigation into a series of murders that occur during their stay. The book pays homage to Agatha Christie's style of murder mysteries, set in modern Norway, with a diverse cast of characters and a locked room mystery reminiscent of classic whodunits.

Characters:

Characters are distinct and diverse, with Hanne being a complex and observant main character who struggles with social interactions.

Writing/Prose:

The prose combines straightforward storytelling with character depth, humor, and tension-building elements.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot involves a train derailment in a snowstorm, leading to passengers sheltering in a hotel where murders occur, prompting an investigation.

Setting:

The setting is a snowbound hotel in the Norwegian mountains, which adds to the isolated and suspenseful atmosphere.

Pacing:

The pacing starts slow but increases in tension, intertwining character development with the unfolding mystery.

As it was only the train driver who died, you couldn’t call it a disaster. There were 269 people on board when the train, due to a meteorological phenomenon that I have not yet understood completely, ...

Notes:

The title '1222' refers to the height in meters where the train derailment occurs, which is 1222 meters above sea level.

Hanne Wilhelmsen, the main character, is a wheelchair-bound former police inspector due to a spinal injury from a shooting incident years earlier.

The story takes place during a fierce blizzard that cuts off communication and access to the outside world for the stranded passengers.

There are 269 passengers on the train, and after the derailment, they are evacuated to a nearby hotel for shelter.

The book has been compared to Agatha Christie's locked room mysteries, especially 'And Then There Were None', as one by one passengers are murdered.

The main character, Hanne, is described as grumpy, antisocial, and emotionally distant, which adds complexity to her character.

Hanne must solve the murder mystery using only observation and conversation as she has no access to forensic resources or autopsy reports.

The narrative style provides insight into Hanne's cynical inner thoughts, making her a unique and relatable protagonist.

Aside from the murder mystery, the book also explores themes of disability, immigration, and societal issues within a Norwegian context.

This is the eighth book in the Hanne Wilhelmsen series, but it was the first to be translated into English.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Triggers include discussions of murder, mental health issues related to trauma, and some intense interpersonal conflicts that may be upsetting to certain readers.

From The Publisher:

See work: https://openlibrary.org/works/OL15958523W

Ratings (2)

It Was OK (2)

Reader Stats (5):

Read It (2)
Want To Read (1)
Not Interested (2)

1 comment(s)

ColorfulLeo92

It Was OK

2 months

It was entertaining enough but wasn't something I had a lot of excitement picking up. Think Anne Holt have better books then this and might read something else. Don't remember if I've read anymoee

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1222

Anne Holt, Marlaine Delargy

Book 8 in the series:Hanne Wilhelmsen