Journal 64 (Afdeling Q, #4) Summary & Key Insights

Jussi Adler-Olsen's Journal 64, the fourth installment in the Afdeling Q series, centers on the investigation of a seemingly simple cold case: the disappearance of a young woman, Merete Lynggaard, twenty-four years prior. The case file, inexplicably revived by a cryptic message, is assigned to the unconventional Afdeling Q team, led by the gruff but brilliant Carl Mørck. His team includes the equally unconventional Assad, and the perpetually injured Rose.

The initial investigation into Merete's disappearance unveils a web of deceit and long-buried secrets. Merete was a social worker at a residential home for girls, a home rife with abuse and manipulation overseen by the seemingly benevolent but deeply sinister Pastor Lippert. As Afdeling Q delves deeper, they discover that Merete wasn't just a missing person; she was actively fighting against the systematic abuse within the home, and her disappearance was no accident.

The investigation reveals the horrific truth: Pastor Lippert, along with a network of complicit individuals, orchestrated a vast conspiracy involving the systematic sexual abuse and exploitation of the girls in his care. The abuse was meticulously documented in a series of diaries – "journals" – kept by one of the girls, which have been mysteriously kept hidden for decades. The search for these crucial journals becomes central to unraveling the entire conspiracy. This pursuit leads Carl and his team down a rabbit hole of deception, facing threats from individuals determined to protect their dark secrets and maintain their power.

A key element of the plot involves the discovery of a hidden basement under the residential home, revealing further evidence of the abuse and the fate of several girls. This reveals a more extensive pattern of crimes stretching far beyond the residential home, implicating key figures in the political and religious establishments. The investigation is fraught with danger, as Carl and his team encounter numerous obstacles and near-fatal encounters with the perpetrators and their protectors.

Throughout the investigation, Carl grapples with his own past trauma and the emotional toll of uncovering such horrific crimes. Assad's meticulous investigation and Rose's relentless pursuit of forensic detail are crucial to piecing together the complex puzzle. The overarching theme is the systemic nature of abuse and the power structures that enable and protect perpetrators. The novel explores the long-lasting consequences of such trauma on victims and the societal implications of failing to address such issues. Journal 64 ultimately highlights the importance of pursuing justice, even when the truth is buried deep and powerful forces are working to conceal it. The narrative successfully blends elements of crime thriller, investigative journalism, and social commentary, creating a gripping and thought-provoking reading experience.