Roslund & Hellström

Three Minutes

Release date: June 1 2016 / Original title: Tre minuter

Three Minutes

He managed to reach into the inner circles of organized crime operated from within prison. He was caught inside the walls, left to die. Three seconds to survive.

Three years later and Piet Hoffman is still on the run with his family: his beloved wife Sofia, from whom he can no longer hide the truth, and his sons, Hugo and Rasmus. Far away from his old haunts in Sweden, Piet has infiltrated the heart of a cocain cartel on a mission for the American police. There he’ll be reunited with Police Detective Ewert Grens.

This time, however, they’ll be fighting on the same side. And the difference between life and death is three minutes.

Piet Hoffmann is back in a world class thriller journeying between Sweden, USA and Colombia. Three Minutes is a standalone of Three Seconds and Roslund & Helström’s seventh book. Three Seconds was awarded as ‘Best Swedish Crime Novel’ as well as by the ‘International Dagger Award’ and was celebrated both in Sweden and internationally.

“A graphic portrayal of a dirty, ugly slice of life ... Recommended for anyone seeking to know more about the drug cartels that threaten society. ”

New York Journal of Books (US)

“What ensues is a story that does not let up, from the shocking first chapter until the last page ... Roslund and Hellstrom accomplish what many thrillers do not do – create an intriguing main character who despite his actions, is entirely human and his flaws bleed onto the page. ”

Cemetery Dance Magazine (US)

“If Three Minutes is your first exposure to this writing duo, you are in for a ride you will never forget. If you have been following them from the beginning of their collaborations, you have yet another terrific reading experience to look forward to.”

The Book Reporter (US)

“The descriptions of the drug culture and the amoral character of its various people are gripping, as are the insights into the thinking and actions of police officials and U.S. politicians... The sixth and newest in the DCI Ewert Grens series, it is written with power when necessary and delicacy when appropriate, this is a novel to be savored.”

Spinetingler Magazine (US)

“Cleverly crafted and intricately plotted, it's a heart-thumping action thriller that grips the reader from start to finish.”

Choice Magazine (UK)

“Tension? This one’s so taut you might snap.”

The Sunday Sport (UK)

“A mercilessly thrilling case for Hoffmann.”

Hörzu (Germany)

“Three Minutes is in both writing, style, plot and pace suspenseful on almost all pages ... It delivers just the right cocktail of crime and true crime, which aficionados love.”

Politiken (Denmark)

“It’s an extremely successful thriller and a must-read ... The mix of facts and fiction works perfectly, and the plot is simply so tightly constructed that the almost 500 pages just fly by.”

Litteratursiden (Denmark)

“Swedish crime novels with their social criticism cruise at a higher gear; they’re harsher, more realistic and grimmer than what Danish crime writers can produce. This is also the case of the writer duo Roslund & Hellström’s Three Minutes, a stand-alone sequel to Three Seconds... It’s a nail-biting-inducing and suspenseful work that’s well tied together and carefully researched, with a wealth of details about weapons, vintage wines, satellite surveillance and what not. At the same time, the writer duo has a good understanding of the complicated political and corrupt situation in Colombia … The plot is also one that you can’t guess ahead of time and as the story develops, it grows increasingly bloody and merciless … It is well-written and credible, and the social criticism goes hand in hand with the depiction of the merciless brutality.”

Nordjyske Stiftstidende (Denmark)

“Roslund & Hellström go together like bullets in a chamber ... The authors tread an elevated path, both in terms of language and content, just like the majority of their Swedish crime fiction colleagues.”

Dagbladet (Norway)

“Utterly brilliant action thriller with a fast pace and similar style to Three Seconds.”

Dagens Nyheter (Sweden)

“The story is undeniably crafted in a way that makes the suspense its driving force ... The prose is straightforward, clean and without unnecessary curlicues ... With that said it’s the nail-biting, knowledgeable and illuminating depiction of the finale that’s the most gripping of all in Three Minutes.”

Göteborgs-Posten (Sweden)

“[Three Minutes] is just as thrilling as Three Seconds. And as is always the case with books by Roslund & Hellström, it is so much more than a page-turner of a crime fiction novel ... Three Minutes is this summer’s must-read crime fiction novel – or more simply put, it’s an obligatory read.”

Skånska Dagbladet (Sweden)

“As is the standard with Roslund & Hellström, it is damnably thrilling as they depict the society and world of today. They have a language that makes the reading flow as if by itself, and you simply have to read the next chapter. And the next.”

Upsala Nya Tidning (Sweden)

“As with all novels by Roslund & Hellström, I read Three Minutes in one sitting. It’s a gripping thriller that at times breathes James Bond. Sure, some events appear fanciful, but they’re cleverly constructed and thought-out. They could very well happen…”

Skaraborgs Allehanda (Sweden)

“Three Minutes has been worth the wait. It’s well-written and [Roslund & Hellström] have put much effort into their research ... Whoever gives the novel a go will be caught within three minutes.”

Nya Kristinehamns-Posten (Sweden)

“Three Minutes proves that Roslund & Hellström are in a league of their own.”

Ölandsbladet (Sweden)

“Three Minutes is the result of what must be solid and skilled research, where the harsh lifestyle of the criminal world is depicted starkly, brutally, frighteningly, and with great horror ... Roslund & Hellström’s compassion for the people in the slum, the victims of the cartels’ cruelty, is great.”

Kristianstadbladet (Sweden)

“Outrageously skilled, both in terms of the research done on everything from drug smugglers in Colombia, to how you’d tattoo a dead body ... after just a few chapters you’ll be caught, till the last page, and already longing for the next book. This author duo has a rarely seen momentum in their prose as well as plot, which elevates the novel even further.”

Kommunalarbetaren (Sweden)

“The nail-biter of the year so far. Roslund & Hellström mop the floor with the majority of their colleagues in what is usually called the Swedish crime fiction wonder.”

Mariestads-Tidningen (Sweden)

“A tragic, extraordinarily thrilling and well-written novel.”

Västerviks-Tidningen (Sweden)

“This is a book that’s hard to put down before you reach the conclusion. And yet again Roslund & Hellström showcase their ability and skill in creating a suspenseful story of authenticity.”

Östra Småland (Sweden)

“Roslund and Hellstrom have exploded onto the scene, first with Three Seconds and now with the sequel, Three Minutes … Unknown settings make for exciting reads … What ensues is a story that does not let up, from the shocking first chapter until the last page. To say more about the plot would be to name spoilers, and with the number of twists and turns in the authors’ story, the reader will want to experience it for the first time without clues … Next up for this reviewer is to seek out and read the rest of the books in this series. Highly recommended for thriller lovers!”

Monster Librarian (UK)

“It is raw, strong and genuine. Roslund & Hellström describes living in the jungle, living in Colombian million cities and the The White House in a directly and lively way. The pulse is rising … i am holding my breath and keep hoping and hoping …”

BokBloggBerit (Norway)

“The pace quickens, mixing political skulduggery with ingenious action.”

The west Australian (Australia)

“Three Minutes is the sequel to the bestselling Three Seconds, but this book can be read as a standalone thriller, you certainly do not need to know what went before. The Swedish writing duo of Roslund and Hellstrom really know how to grip the reader and keep them all the way to the end on tenterhooks. This is a rollercoaster of a ride, well written, and shows what many of us already know, the United States’ ability of taking a sledgehammer to a Brazil nut and when its smash to bits, then ask why that happened, too much strength and not enough thinking … This is an excellent thriller that will keep you hooked from beginning to end where you do not know what will happen in a country where life is cheap.”

nudge-book (US)

“The new exciting chapter in the story of Piet Hoffman and Ewert Grens. I had not read the previous stories involving these characters. And it isn’t an issue here. The authors doing a good story of giving the background of the characters and how they are where today. A good thriller with some twists and turns and interesting characters in Piet and Ewert. I am looking forward to the next chapter in these characters lives.”

Red Carpet Crash (US)

“This is an action packed thrill ride … This is a great thriller and I am interested in reading the other books in this series.”

jbronderbookreviews (US)

“This thriller is not just a page-turner, it’s an emotionally packed story about the human cogs caught in an unchanging system, and once you get to know them, you’ll want to keep the bad guys alive.”

Detective & Thriller Guide (Netherlands)

“Full throttle in action thriller without any weak spots. Roslund & Hellström has grown to become one of the major Scandinavian crime fiction writers. Three Minutes is the sequel to Three Seconds / Bånn gass i actionmettet thriller uten særlige dødpunkter. Roslund & Hellström har med tiden vokst til å bli blant de store i Skandinavisk kriminallitteratur. Tre Minutter er oppfølgeren til Tre Sekunder.”

Adresseavisen (Norway)

“Also this seventh cooperation between a former crime reporter and an ex-con, who founded an organization to help criminals with their reintegration into society, is of high quality. Interesting characters, an exciting plot, a great setting and a well-founded, socially critical undertone, but never preachy or patronizing. Top!

Gazet van Antwerpen (Belgium)

“I quickly became stuck in this very well-written crime novel … As always when these authors presenting something you get a good portion of learning … Roslund & Hellström put their finger on the unspeakable and the unbearably frightening … The book is nearly 600 pages, and I usually complain about that, but this book almost feels too short. Page-turner is too overused, but I have no better … So far one of this year’s best reading experiences.”

Nisse Scherman Blog (Sweden)

”Really exciting and well written … Three Minutes is a very readable crime novel about the drug power of both money and people, no matter what kind of soul you are and where on earth you are.”

Corren (Sweden)

“This is a crisply narrated plot with great excitement, in places quite nasty elements. The depiction of the Latin American country testify to firsthand knowledge and especially the description of the leading mafia boss gives a terrifying impression. The resolution which is based in Sweden also contains surprising elements … Undoubtedly, this is a thriller that keeps very high international standard.

BTJ (Sweden)

“Anders Roslund and Börge Hellström is an outstanding duo among Swedish crime writers. After the last book Two Soldiers they had a break from each other (during that time Roslund wrote the book Made in Sweden with Stefan Thunberg) but are now back with renewed forces. And what forces then! Three Minutes is a well-researched, well-written, easy read and nail-biting thriller with awesome characters which reach over three continents.

Dast Magazine (Sweden)