Reviews tagging 'Cursing'

An Elderly Lady Is Up to No Good by Helene Tursten

6 reviews

crunch1009's review against another edition

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dark funny medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.75

A fun, and quick read. At times, it can be a bit confusing but the book is still enjoyable nonetheless.
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nebraskanwriter's review against another edition

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fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

1.0

This book was not for me. I did not realize going into it what I was getting myself into and that is on me, I acknowledge that.

I thought this book was going to be taking a more A Man Called Ove approach but instead it took a total Dexter approach.

This is an 88 year old serial killer who will kill anyone who wrongs her or thinks is going to wrong her. And I know many people in other reviews have said this was “hilarious” and I’m glad that they enjoyed it but how calculating she was, how she did not have any remorse and how she did it all for selfish reasons (even the abuse situation, she killed the husband so she could go back to having a peaceful Christmas day. She did not do it for the abused wife).

I thought this would be giving Carl from UP, where yes he goes against the people trying to take his home but it is kind of loveable and endearing, his grumpy outer exterior because you discover that inside, he is actually a really nice person. Or in A Man Called Ove, same thing he is rebelling against the system that is taking advantage of his wife’s horrible accident, but he does not go and kill the people that wrong him! And as the book goes on, we see that Ove does have a heart, like Carl.

There was nothing redeemable in Maude. She killed anyone that so much stepped a toe out of line or did her wrong in any way, even stabbing one of the men at the grocery store when he couldn’t get her the ham that she wanted.

I know many people loved this and thought this book was hilarious. It is definitely me, not you. I thought this was going to be a light hearted book but it was just a book about an old woman brutally murdering anyone who wronged her, that was it.
She even kills her sister.


Nope, not for me! 
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kibbles15's review against another edition

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dark funny medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

2.5

From the way people talk about this book, I was expecting something similar to the classic Arsenic and Old Lace (which I loved) and was looking forward to reading the book because of that. Unfortunately, I did not end up liking this book as much as I thought I would. While plot was cute and there were some funny parts, I found the main character to be very petty and unlikeable. I also thought that the sexual innuendos throughout each story, while minor, were unnecessary and actually a bit distracting to the plot. 
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parasolcrafter's review against another edition

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dark funny lighthearted mysterious fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.0

this was a vvv strange book. im still not sure if i liked it...? i mean...it was interesting, thats for sure!
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purplelake's review against another edition

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adventurous dark funny lighthearted mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

A little old lady who commits murder.
At times the translation is a bit awkward, but not enough to impact the story. The time difference between the stories, not being in strict chronological order, can lead to some confusion at fist. Specifically Maud’s comments about visiting the spa. However, the separated stories makes for a brilliant set-up/punchline structure. The stories all share the commonality of
Maud using her advanced age and unspoiled mind and body to get away with literal murder
, but each story takes a new spin on Maud’s character. I found Maud herself a thoroughly lovable character, not despite of, but because of her flaws. Her character being such a deviation from the norm of the genre also draws you into the story. The book’s twists makes for a darkly charming take on the mystery genre, even across cultures and languages.
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strudel_doodle's review against another edition

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adventurous dark funny lighthearted medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

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