It is not well known that the brilliant Norwegian poet Olaf Bull also wrote a mystery novel. First published in serial form in 1914, this novel is a forgotten masterpiece. The characters are exquisitely drawn and the plot well constructed. The final chapter, with its gentle mocking of Bull's friend, the more well known mystery writer Sven Elvestad (Stein Riverton) is hilarious. The 1973 edition has a fascinating and erudite introduction by Norway's other poet-mystery-writer, André Bjerke. ( )