A conspiracy of epic porportions, a maze of clues and for fans of Dan Brown? Immediately, yes.

Countdown had big boots to fill however it didn't really start to get going until 45% in. It was highly detailed in places at the expense of us really getting to know the main characters Kurt, Storm and Birgitte. Personally I could have done with less of the 2 chapters of very detailed sex between Storm and Birgitte and more of who they are as people. That lack of detail made it hard to be invested in them. Kurt enjoys red wine (and vomiting apparently), we learned a lot obout his step dad, not so much about him.

When it did get going though, the pace became fast without feeling too rushed - until that ending...

The narration was good, Jeffrey Machado managed to perfom distinct enough voices that the characters didn't become muddled for me. If he narrates the other books, I hope someone tells him how to correctly pronounce "quay"..

Countdown is the kind of book that completely pulls you in—it’s got that easy, immersive style where you feel like you’re right there in the room with the characters. From the very first page (or first few minutes if you're listening to the audiobook), it grabs your hand and doesn’t let go. You feel every racing heartbeat, every desperate exclamation, every puzzle that needs solving. The secrets, the urgency, the race against time—it’s all there, and it’s relentless.

One of the coolest extras? The author provides QR codes and links (available via email from Johan Ottosen’s website) that let you explore real-world locations from the book. I loved being able to drop into street view and see the places described—it adds an interactive layer that most books don’t offer, and it makes the experience even more immersive.

That said, fair warning—this book doesn’t shy away from gritty, graphic detail. If you’re squeamish about bodily functions, just be aware that there are some explicit descriptions early on. But if that doesn’t bother you, Countdown delivers a gripping, high-stakes thriller that keeps you hooked until the very last moment!

I am becoming more and more obsessed with end-of-the-world stories!

Countdown is the kind of book that completely pulls you in—it’s got that easy, immersive style where you feel like you’re right there in the room with the characters. From the very first page (or first few minutes if you're listening to the audiobook), it grabs your hand and doesn’t let go. You feel every racing heartbeat, every desperate exclamation, every puzzle that needs solving. The secrets, the urgency, the race against time—it’s all there, and it’s relentless.

One of the coolest extras? The author provides QR codes and links (available via email from Johan Ottosen’s website- www.johanottosen.com) that let you explore real-world locations from the book. I loved being able to drop into street view and see the places described—it adds an interactive layer that most books don’t offer, and it makes the experience even more immersive.

That said, fair warning—this book doesn’t shy away from gritty, graphic detail. If you’re squeamish about bodily functions, just be aware that there are some explicit descriptions early on. But if that doesn’t bother you, Countdown delivers a gripping, high-stakes thriller that keeps you hooked until the very last moment!

This had all the potential to be the next Clive Cussler thriller, however with all the different characters and religious aspects, I only made it about 30% through in 3 days so I had to give up. The concept is great, just not my cup of tea!

If you like Dan Brown you will love this.

When journalist Kurt Østergaard's stepfather dies, he leaves behind clues to a devastating secret that could shake Denmark to its core. As Kurt investigates, he uncovers a chilling conspiracy reaching the highest levels of power.

I devoured this book in a day! It is a fast paced book that will keep you on your toes throughout. Originally released in print in 2012 it is now being released in audiobook format.

There are a lot of threads/characters to keep track of in this book and that would possibly be made easier in print than in audiobook format. But as this is book 1 of the series it has to set the scene for this book and the later ones in the series. That's not to say a lot of them aren't tied together in this one, they are.

It blends ancient mysteries, geopolitic and Norse mythology effortlessly.

Whilst the narrator threw me a bit in their pronunciation of a few words it is a great listen.

Thanks to NetGalley and BooksGoSocial for the audiobook ARC.