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sallison's review against another edition
2.0
This was definitely a quick read. I figured out the ending pretty quickly, which is disappointing; I like to be surprised. I think something gets lost in the translation: I found Ruth to be so annoying. Perhaps she doesn't come across that way in the original text. I found the investigators to be kind of incompetent, and one of the plots was never resolved. Also, we never found out the outcome of those who did the crime.
mayhdez's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.75
kikiandarrowsfishshelf's review
5.0
If I were a talented reviewer, I would write a wonderful essay about how this book deals with family interests, conflicts, and psychology.
But I’m not.
This was so good that I almost missed my stop on the subway. Honestly, if the train hadn’t been delayed I would have.
Don't have to say anymore.
Crossposted at Booklikes.
But I’m not.
This was so good that I almost missed my stop on the subway. Honestly, if the train hadn’t been delayed I would have.
Don't have to say anymore.
Crossposted at Booklikes.
5wamp_creature's review
3.0
Fine police thriller. I figured it out a little before the end. More seasoned detectives will probably have it much earlier. But the writing became better and better as the story went on. Maybe because that's as details were doled out. Short and just worth the time. Definitely along the lines of the Martin Beck series. Those are more "noir-ish."
dkeane2007's review
4.0
A solid mystery where you know what's coming, but still want to keep reading.
eswee's review
4.0
Another good one in the Konrad Sejer series. I love these! It's multi-layered and the plot never unfolds too soon. It keeps you wanting to read on, to find out what truly happened. Meanwhile you also get to know more about Konrad's life and how a good investigation is not as easy as it most of the time seems on any regular tv-show. Looking forward to reading the next one (again).
carolmariee's review
4.0
I've been flying through the Inspector Sejer series and I absolutely love all of them!
canadianbookworm's review
4.0
This novel of psychological suspense is centered around the disappearance of an extremely cute seven-year-old girl. She has set off on her bicycle to go to the nearby shop but never arrives. The police are called in and organize searches, but Ida seems to have vanished without a trace. Many characters have their own secrets and stories, and this adds to the suspense. In Ida's own family her two cousin's react very differently, one not wanting to speak of her at all. A friend of the cousin is involved in the local drug trade and is trying to avoid police suspicion, an elderly woman tries to protect her son, who appears to be autistic. Inspector Sejer is a thoughtful, caring police officer who takes his job seriously and tries to consider all options. I have found this series very enjoyable and this latest book is no exception.
michaelnlibrarian's review
4.0
This is part of series; I have read the preceding two (or is it three) titles in the series in the last couple of years. This is the sort of well executed "police procedural" set in a foreign country (Norway) with good characters and an interesting crime set-up that I like. It's a lot easier, I guess, to write about books that I have problems with than one like this that I read through too quickly and simply enjoy.
ibeforem's review
5.0
This book is part of a detective series, but it’s written like literary fiction. I thought there was some really fantastic imagery; for example, this passage, which alludes to the book’s title:
Her heart was pounding hard and it hurt; she could hear the clock on the wall ticking mechanically. She had always thought of seconds as tiny metallic dots; now they turned into heavy black drops and she felt them fall one by one.
That stuck with me throughout the entire book, and we’re brought back to it in the end as Ida’s cousin Tomme hears a ticking in his head. The plot here consists of several strings that Inspector Sejer masterfully manages to pull together as one. We’re treated to the points of view of several people — Sejer and his partner, Jacob Skarre; Ida’s mother, Helga; Ida’s aunt, Ruth; Tomme; and even Elsa and Emil Johannes Mork — and this gives us a more well-rounded view of the story. Unlike other crime series, the focus here is much more on the story than on one single character. I thoroughly enjoyed this, and look forward to exploring more of Fossum’s work. This emerging genre of 'nordic noir' is quickly becoming one of my favorites.
Her heart was pounding hard and it hurt; she could hear the clock on the wall ticking mechanically. She had always thought of seconds as tiny metallic dots; now they turned into heavy black drops and she felt them fall one by one.
That stuck with me throughout the entire book, and we’re brought back to it in the end as Ida’s cousin Tomme hears a ticking in his head. The plot here consists of several strings that Inspector Sejer masterfully manages to pull together as one. We’re treated to the points of view of several people — Sejer and his partner, Jacob Skarre; Ida’s mother, Helga; Ida’s aunt, Ruth; Tomme; and even Elsa and Emil Johannes Mork — and this gives us a more well-rounded view of the story. Unlike other crime series, the focus here is much more on the story than on one single character. I thoroughly enjoyed this, and look forward to exploring more of Fossum’s work. This emerging genre of 'nordic noir' is quickly becoming one of my favorites.
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