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mg_in_md_'s review against another edition
4.0
This was another of my Mom's First Reads wins, so my review is based on the advanced uncorrected proof. This is the second installment of the Hanne Wilhelmsen series that was first published in the 1990s. Even though it was written more than a decade ago, the story and issues still felt fresh and relevant. Hanne Wilhelmsen is a police officer who is handling a potentially grisly series of crimes -- although no bodies have turned up, so it is possibly a hoax -- and a rape case during a brutal heat wave. The story touches on the issues of immigration, violent crimes against women, and sexual identity in addition to offering a compelling mystery. The writing and translation were both excellent. I enjoyed being introduced to a new Scandinavian author and found Hanne an interesting and likable character. I'll definitely be on the lookout for more books in this series and look forward to spending more time in Hanne's world.
lan_raleigh's review against another edition
3.0
Primer libro de la autora que leo. Éste libro se sitúa en una serie de novelas con la misma detective, Hanne Wilhelmsen. Cuando leí la sinopsis quedé atrapado. La novela se trata de ésta detective, Hanne, que fue mandada a investigar sobre un caso de una escena macabra, llena de unos números escritos en sangre en la pared (sin ningún cadáver). Luego, hay violaciones y al parecer tienen relación. Bueno, hasta ahí iba todo bien.
Me gustó cómo escribía la autora. Hanne es un personaje chévere, pero no genial. La trama empezó bien, pero no me gustó cómo se resolvió todo, tal vez esperaba un twist que no cabía allí.
Me gustó cómo escribía la autora. Hanne es un personaje chévere, pero no genial. La trama empezó bien, pero no me gustó cómo se resolvió todo, tal vez esperaba un twist que no cabía allí.
beytwice's review against another edition
4.0
The second in a series I came across quite by accident, I'm pleasantly surprised with my experience thus far. It is hard to go wrong with such an affinity for Scandinavian crime novels such as mine, but nonetheless I was quite taken by the character of Hanne Wilhemsen and thoroughly impressed by the thoughtful exploration of the themes the book covers.
Rape culture and sexuality are two very near and dear subjects to my heart and I was thrilled to see them addressed so candidly and accurately in Blessed Are Those Who Thirst. The characters were heartwarming or downright abominable when necessary: I found myself understand each of their incentives and motivations as if they were my own.
A beautifully done story which will most certainly have my eyes peeled for other books within the series, or from Holt in general.
Rape culture and sexuality are two very near and dear subjects to my heart and I was thrilled to see them addressed so candidly and accurately in Blessed Are Those Who Thirst. The characters were heartwarming or downright abominable when necessary: I found myself understand each of their incentives and motivations as if they were my own.
A beautifully done story which will most certainly have my eyes peeled for other books within the series, or from Holt in general.
quercus707's review against another edition
3.0
Trigger warning: graphic description of a violent rape. It's not gratuitous, but it is more graphic than some may want to read.
lottie_c's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
timeswary's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
alibi313's review against another edition
3.0
Rather rudimentary police procedural, awkwardly translated. Second in a highly acclaimed series of books--either they must increase in quality over time or are simply better in the original Norwegian.
deniqd's review against another edition
1.0
I don't know how to start describing how much I disliked this book, there is actually nothing I enjoyed about it other than it's short and even that could have been made better by making it even shorter, as there are many sentences and even paragraphs that aren't needed and feel as if they were thrown in there to make the word count larger: starting with all the mentions and descriptions about the weather (and there are many and have nothing to do with the story!) and ending with sentences such as 'The bedroom was located where bedrooms usually are'... I mean, what the actual fuck?!
Then we have the characters: a lesbian policewoman who has been living with her partner for 15 years but nobody knows about it, I repeat, NOBODY!, not a single member of her family or friends know that she is a lesbian... 15 years! Next, Kristine, the rape victim and Finn, her dad, who decide to take matters in their own hands, no, no, no!
Finally, the translation was painful to read: I don't speak Norwegian so I can't really compare it to the original but it just felt too literal and unnatural, for example: 'It was raining cats and dogs. Not to mention elephants and minke whales'... what the what?
I felt cheated with this book as the comments on the jacket compare Anne Holt with Agatha Christie and, I'm sorry but no... just NO!
Then we have the characters: a lesbian policewoman who has been living with her partner for 15 years but nobody knows about it, I repeat, NOBODY!, not a single member of her family or friends know that she is a lesbian... 15 years! Next, Kristine, the rape victim and Finn, her dad, who decide to take matters in their own hands
Spoiler
when they find out where the rapist lives...Finally, the translation was painful to read: I don't speak Norwegian so I can't really compare it to the original but it just felt too literal and unnatural, for example: 'It was raining cats and dogs. Not to mention elephants and minke whales'... what the what?
I felt cheated with this book as the comments on the jacket compare Anne Holt with Agatha Christie and, I'm sorry but no... just NO!