The second book in the bestselling series about Jacob Juul.
In the first book, retired priest Jacob Juul unexpectedly becomes a widower, a grandfather, and a murderer within days—forcing him to dispose of a dead debt collector and outwit a criminal conspiracy, all while caring for his fearless granddaughter, Isabella.
Now, the parsonage is buzzing as Pastor Maria prepares to marry Gjertrud, but chaos looms. A naked, oil-slicked corpse appears upstairs, ruthless bandits wreak havoc, and the summer is the hottest in memory. Meanwhile, aging pastor Jacob Juul struggles with declining health as he hosts the wedding, aided by his determined granddaughter, Isabella. But with Maria’s demanding mother stirring trouble and child services to convince, the celebration may not go as planned.
Anders Totland’s second book in the quirky, humorous, and slightly absurd crime series about the priest, moonshiner, and beekeeper Jakob Juul gives us more of what we fell in love with last time. This is hysterical madness between two covers.
Krimlitteratur
As in Jacob Juul’s first novel, the style is sharp, action-driven, and laced with wit—like the undertaker recommending a closed coffin after a violent death: ‘Some deaths it’s best to keep a lid on.’ Totland’s characters take a pragmatic view of corpses, making this well-written, Tarantino- and Fargo-esque happy violence—light-footed and fun.
Stavanger Aftenblad
Refractory novel about a retired priest who becomes a murderer on page one. If you’ve seen the Cohen brothers’ movie “Fargo,” you might have an idea of the solution to the priest’s problems. Recommended.
NRK, About A prayer for Jacob Juul
This is a humorous novel with clever dialogue, observations, and use of metaphors. It gives me associations to Arto Paasilinna’s books, where hysterical and funny situations arise.
Bokbloggeren
As soon as I started reading, I was captivated by the pace, characters, humor, and universe in general. “Now, here’s a movie, I thought, and I want to make it.”
Producer Finn Gjerdrum, Paradox, who will be making the film about Jacob Juul
I’ve never read such an absurd Christmas story – and never been so thoroughly entertained.
Per Straarup, owner and publisher, Straarup & Co, on A Prayer for Jacob Juul
Through this glorious chaos of literally bloody seriousness, the important things in life still emerge (….) about values and what one spends time on.
Bømlonytt, on A Prayer for Jacob Juul
