Reviews

The Reckoning by Yrsa Sigurðardóttir

deedee63's review

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dark mysterious tense fast-paced

4.0

bookishgurl's review against another edition

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4.0

I received a complimentary ARC copy The Reckoning (Children's House #2)
by Yrsa Sigurdardottir from NetGalley & St. Martin's Press/Minotaur Books in order to read and give an honest review.

Yrsa Sigurdardottir the Queen of Nordic noir does it again with the dark and intricately plotted follow up to the Legacy...



Yrsa Sigurdardottir has definitely earned the nickname "Queen of Nordic noir". True to form, Yrsa has produced yet another dark, clever, incredibly gruesome and deliciously deceptive Nordic noir novel. The Reckoning is the second book in the Children's House series. Although this book would work as a stand-alone reading the Legacy first just adds to the story.

When a local school opens a time capsule they discover a letter spewing anger, claiming revenge and containing a list composed of just initials of those who will meet their end in 2016.  When a gruesome discovery is made that appears to have a connection to the list an investigation is launched.  In this book we have disgraced detective Huldar biding his time hoping that the events that occurred in the previous installment will soon blow over. At the beginning of the book, he is at his all-time low and relegated to boring meaningless cases.  His former partner and shunned admirer Erla is now his boss which makes for definite tension and an interesting predicament. 

When the investigation heats up and the leads point to a past case involving a murdered child, Huldar turns Freyja at the Children's House for help.  Once connections are made involving the release of a former pedophile and murderer there is a manhunt and a race to find and save the next on the list. 
The book builds at a breakneck speed culminating in a shocking but fantastic ending. This is not recommended for those with a squeamish stomach, there are parts that are incredibly gruesome, although not bad enough for me to put down the book. The only downside for me in this book was although there is character development,  I wish there was a little bit more, especially between Freyja and Huldar, the relationship storylines fell a little flat for me. 

  All-in-all a fantastic book in a fantastic series, a must-read!

mitrusheva's review against another edition

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4.0

3.5 *

sharongrigg's review against another edition

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5.0

Not a run of the mill thriller. Some exciting twists. Very dark. Enjoyed this a lot!

laslusen's review

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dark mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

rainbowbookworm's review against another edition

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5.0

Huldar and Freyja are my favorite crime-solving duo after Cormorrant Strike and Robin! In this book they try to stop a series of murders based on a disturbing letter found when a school opens up a time capsule. Just like with [b:The Legacy|34953107|The Legacy (Children's House, #1)|Yrsa Sigurðardóttir|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1516443007l/34953107._SY75_.jpg|43170571], there are a lot of twists and turns that keep you guessing--and reading up past your bedtime--until the last page.

freyjajok's review against another edition

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4.0

3.5

kmfb87a5's review

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challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

kmmi_booklover's review against another edition

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5.0

4.5 *s rounded up!

Yrsa Sigurdardóttir is one of my favorite Nordic Noir authors. The Reckoning is book 2 in the Children’s House series featuring Detective Huldar and child psychologist Freyja. A note is found in a time capsule at a school threatening to kill 6 people identified only initials. Since the note was written by a child, Huldar brings Freyja in to help. This novel has everything I love about good crime fiction. It is multi-layered with many interesting characters and I did not guess the killer. I am looking forward to seeing Huldar and Freyja’s characters develop more throughout this series.

yetanothersusan's review against another edition

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4.0

Huldar and Frejya are brought together again after both being humiliated and demoted after the scandal in the first book in this series. Huldar seems to be taking it in stride but Frejya is upset. They are thrown together again when a child's note from a time capsule predicts several murders. It is an excuse for Huldar to contact Frejya but then the murders start happening. Once again, the awkwardness of their relationship provides a balance to the wickedness of the crimes. I guess in Iceland if you are going to bother to kill someone, you are going to be senselessly brutal about it. Ms. Siguroardottir obviously has long-term character development planned for Huldar and Frejya and hasn't been inclined to rush it like many authors. Instead, we almost get 2 books: the evolution of their characters and a crazy mystery. I really enjoy her writing! I was only left with one question: when will the rest of this series be translated? I need more!

A copy of this book was provided by NetGalley and St. Martin's Press in exchange for an honest review.