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3.33 AVERAGE
3.33 AVERAGE
adventurous
dark
informative
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Jag har läst alla de åtta tidigare böckerna om Annika Bengtzon, men det var drygt sex år sedan jag läste förra delen (En plats i solen). Varför denna har blivit stående oläst är ett mysterium, speciellt som det faktiskt är så att jag gillat de tre föregående delarna mycket mer än de första. Läs mer på http://bokslut.blogspot.se/2015/05/du-gamla-du-fria-av-liza-marklund.html
ARC; Via Netgalley
Nordic crime fiction does tend to be rather dark and have depressing characters. It is successful in part because of its mood. It is difficult for an American to image a Nordic version of Poirot or Miss Marple. Nordic fiction goes good with hard liquor.
But Liza Marklund doesn’t quite flow this pattern in her Annika Bengzton series. In fact, of the female Nordic mystery writers I have read (which I will admit is few), the books on a whole tend to be a little less dark, a little more bright.
Not that it’s all sunshine and roses. Not that’s roses.
In this installment of the Annika Bengzton series, Annika finds herself as the news instead of reporting the news when her husband Thomas is taken hostage in Africa. While Annika with the help of Thomas’ boss Jimmy tries to get her husband back, her co-workers at her newspaper deal with what could be a serial killer murdering house wives in Stockholm.
What stops the book for simply becoming a run of the mile Nordic crime book are Annika’s relationships with her children and those around her. Annika may not be the most socially apt personal in the universe. She’s a bit too blunt, a bit too pessimist, a bit too judgmental, a bit too driven – yet for all those flaws she comes across as far more believable than many other detectives. She’s isn’t as far off “normalcy” (whatever that is) than Lisbeth Salander, from a far more famous Swedish series (which gets a mention in this book btw). While her relationship with her husband, Thomas, is not the best, her relationship with her children is a loving and close one. Considering how many Nordic mysteries have fathers suffering the guilt or effects of a bad relationship with children, this makes for a nice change. Also is the fact that despite Annika’s societal clumsiness she does have friends, and in fact, is able to seemingly add to that, adeptly, small list in this installment. Annika’s relationship is so refreshingly every day that it is a wonder.
The use of the two plots- the kidnapping and the possible serial murder is rather interesting. Another different aspect is the inclusion of Thomas’ voice every so often as Marklund illustrates how he is dealing with his captivity. And it isn’t a Hollywood version of a kidnapping, things are messy and unpleasant. Thomas, who has never been the most sympathetic character in the series, actually comes across as sympathetic, even if you think he is a douche. What is interesting in the kidnapping plot is not only Annika’s reaction to being the news and how she uses it, but also the amount of effort and detail that goes into her resolution. Furthermore, the plot is more timely and terrifying because it is so based in reality. Marklund also includes some political debate – in particular about race and kidnapping - that make the plot more fleshed out and more realistic.
The serial killer plot concerns mostly the other workers at Annika’s paper, though she does make a secondary appearance in this plot as well. What makes this interesting is the close up view of the newspaper in the modern world as it struggles along with blogs, webcams, and whatnot. There is a debate about news versus sensationalism that plays out over the course of the story. If you loved the last season of HBO’s The Wire, the secondary plot in this book is right up your alley. The emphasis on and the theme of journalistic ethics also appears in the kidnapping plot but more in relation to Annika and her status as a reporter.
There is not a wasted word or scene in this book and it is what it says it is - a thriller. It’s a shame that Annika is not as popular or as famous as her Nordic compatriots, for she is far more interesting.
Nordic crime fiction does tend to be rather dark and have depressing characters. It is successful in part because of its mood. It is difficult for an American to image a Nordic version of Poirot or Miss Marple. Nordic fiction goes good with hard liquor.
But Liza Marklund doesn’t quite flow this pattern in her Annika Bengzton series. In fact, of the female Nordic mystery writers I have read (which I will admit is few), the books on a whole tend to be a little less dark, a little more bright.
Not that it’s all sunshine and roses. Not that’s roses.
In this installment of the Annika Bengzton series, Annika finds herself as the news instead of reporting the news when her husband Thomas is taken hostage in Africa. While Annika with the help of Thomas’ boss Jimmy tries to get her husband back, her co-workers at her newspaper deal with what could be a serial killer murdering house wives in Stockholm.
What stops the book for simply becoming a run of the mile Nordic crime book are Annika’s relationships with her children and those around her. Annika may not be the most socially apt personal in the universe. She’s a bit too blunt, a bit too pessimist, a bit too judgmental, a bit too driven – yet for all those flaws she comes across as far more believable than many other detectives. She’s isn’t as far off “normalcy” (whatever that is) than Lisbeth Salander, from a far more famous Swedish series (which gets a mention in this book btw). While her relationship with her husband, Thomas, is not the best, her relationship with her children is a loving and close one. Considering how many Nordic mysteries have fathers suffering the guilt or effects of a bad relationship with children, this makes for a nice change. Also is the fact that despite Annika’s societal clumsiness she does have friends, and in fact, is able to seemingly add to that, adeptly, small list in this installment. Annika’s relationship is so refreshingly every day that it is a wonder.
The use of the two plots- the kidnapping and the possible serial murder is rather interesting. Another different aspect is the inclusion of Thomas’ voice every so often as Marklund illustrates how he is dealing with his captivity. And it isn’t a Hollywood version of a kidnapping, things are messy and unpleasant. Thomas, who has never been the most sympathetic character in the series, actually comes across as sympathetic, even if you think he is a douche. What is interesting in the kidnapping plot is not only Annika’s reaction to being the news and how she uses it, but also the amount of effort and detail that goes into her resolution. Furthermore, the plot is more timely and terrifying because it is so based in reality. Marklund also includes some political debate – in particular about race and kidnapping - that make the plot more fleshed out and more realistic.
The serial killer plot concerns mostly the other workers at Annika’s paper, though she does make a secondary appearance in this plot as well. What makes this interesting is the close up view of the newspaper in the modern world as it struggles along with blogs, webcams, and whatnot. There is a debate about news versus sensationalism that plays out over the course of the story. If you loved the last season of HBO’s The Wire, the secondary plot in this book is right up your alley. The emphasis on and the theme of journalistic ethics also appears in the kidnapping plot but more in relation to Annika and her status as a reporter.
There is not a wasted word or scene in this book and it is what it says it is - a thriller. It’s a shame that Annika is not as popular or as famous as her Nordic compatriots, for she is far more interesting.
3.5 stars
Book #3 in this series featuring journalist Annika Bengtzon is an engrossing if disturbing read. She has reconciled with ex-husband Thomas & is back working at the Evening Post. When a young mother is found dead behind a school, she is added to the growing list of women who have been stabbed in & around Stockholm.
Meanwhile, Thomas is in Kenya as part of an international delegation discussing border security. When their vehicles are stopped by armed gunmen, the situation quickly disintegrates & the group is taken hostage by Somali terrorists.
Annika gets the news from Jimmy Halenius, Thomas' boss at he Dept. of Justice. Before she can catch her breath, her apartment becomes "Kidnap Control" as Jimmy moves in to monitor communications with the rebels & barter through ransom negotiations.
The story takes place over a period of 10 days & chapters alternate between Annika & Thomas as we follow the ordeal through their personal POV's.
Annika has to deal with shielding her children while trying to raise the ransom money. After approaching family & colleagues for help, she no longer knows who to trust as some reveal their true colours. The tables are turned as she becomes the target of reporters hungry for the inside scoop & she's forced to take a hard look at her life.
The chapters narrated by Thomas are graphic & disturbing. His situation becomes increasingly horrific as he & the other hostages suffer at the hands of a mad man. It's not for the faint of heart & all too believable in light of recent real life videos of people like David Haines & James Foley. As the days pass, Thomas is also forced to reexamine his life & some of the choices he's made.
Ms. Marklund has obviously done extensive research on the topic & political/news junkies will appreciate passages detailing previous high profile hostages such as Daniel pearl & Ingrid Betancourt. It touches on the reality of conditions in poverty stricken areas of Africa versus the EU mentality of protectionism.
Despite the short time frame, it's initially a slow, almost claustrophobic read. But this effectively mirrors what it might feel like to be a family in this situation where life as you know it hinges on the next phone call. The pace picks up considerably in the last few chapters as events spin out of control & Annika makes some tough decisions.
If you're a fan of this series or Scandinavian Noir in general, this is for you. It's a dark & haunting tale that will stay with you long after the last page.
Book #3 in this series featuring journalist Annika Bengtzon is an engrossing if disturbing read. She has reconciled with ex-husband Thomas & is back working at the Evening Post. When a young mother is found dead behind a school, she is added to the growing list of women who have been stabbed in & around Stockholm.
Meanwhile, Thomas is in Kenya as part of an international delegation discussing border security. When their vehicles are stopped by armed gunmen, the situation quickly disintegrates & the group is taken hostage by Somali terrorists.
Annika gets the news from Jimmy Halenius, Thomas' boss at he Dept. of Justice. Before she can catch her breath, her apartment becomes "Kidnap Control" as Jimmy moves in to monitor communications with the rebels & barter through ransom negotiations.
The story takes place over a period of 10 days & chapters alternate between Annika & Thomas as we follow the ordeal through their personal POV's.
Annika has to deal with shielding her children while trying to raise the ransom money. After approaching family & colleagues for help, she no longer knows who to trust as some reveal their true colours. The tables are turned as she becomes the target of reporters hungry for the inside scoop & she's forced to take a hard look at her life.
The chapters narrated by Thomas are graphic & disturbing. His situation becomes increasingly horrific as he & the other hostages suffer at the hands of a mad man. It's not for the faint of heart & all too believable in light of recent real life videos of people like David Haines & James Foley. As the days pass, Thomas is also forced to reexamine his life & some of the choices he's made.
Ms. Marklund has obviously done extensive research on the topic & political/news junkies will appreciate passages detailing previous high profile hostages such as Daniel pearl & Ingrid Betancourt. It touches on the reality of conditions in poverty stricken areas of Africa versus the EU mentality of protectionism.
Despite the short time frame, it's initially a slow, almost claustrophobic read. But this effectively mirrors what it might feel like to be a family in this situation where life as you know it hinges on the next phone call. The pace picks up considerably in the last few chapters as events spin out of control & Annika makes some tough decisions.
If you're a fan of this series or Scandinavian Noir in general, this is for you. It's a dark & haunting tale that will stay with you long after the last page.
Skulle den här boken handla om mördade mammor? Man kunde tro det, om man läser baksidan av boken, men det är bara en bisak. Boken handlar till 99% om journalisten Annika Bengtzons man Thomas som blir kidnappad i Afrika tillsammans med en internationell delegation. Det här kunde ha varit bra. Det borde ha känts viktigt. Kidnappningsdramat är fullständigt ointressant. Till trots för alla äckliga och blodiga detaljer så berörde det ingenstans.
Annika har försonats med Thomas, men vet att han fortfarande är otrogen när tillfälle erbjuds. Hon vill självklart ha honom tillbaka levande iallafall. Thomas chef Jimmy Halenius förhandlar med kidnapparna för att få ner kravet på 40 miljoner dollar i lösensumma till något Annika kan betala. Det är synd om Annika. Hon har inga vänner kvar efter senaste konfrontationen med Anne Snapphane Blodsugare. Hennes man är en notorisk vänsterprasslare, hennes chef uppskattar henne inte och hon är inte fin nog för svärmor.
Jag försöker fortfarande att förstå vitsen med att ha skrivit den här romanen. Är det nåt jag missade? Det känns så. Det skulle vara en kommentar om internationell flyktingpolitik och kvinnomisshandling, men skotten bommar fullständigt. "Du gamla, du fria" är en lättläst och oerhört medelmåttig "thriller". Eller vad man nu ska säga. Att den är lättläst så att jag inte behövde slösa mer tid än en eftermiddag på den är bokens enda goda kvalitet. Jag förväntar mig bättre av Liza Marklund.
Annika har försonats med Thomas, men vet att han fortfarande är otrogen när tillfälle erbjuds. Hon vill självklart ha honom tillbaka levande iallafall. Thomas chef Jimmy Halenius förhandlar med kidnapparna för att få ner kravet på 40 miljoner dollar i lösensumma till något Annika kan betala. Det är synd om Annika. Hon har inga vänner kvar efter senaste konfrontationen med Anne Snapphane Blodsugare. Hennes man är en notorisk vänsterprasslare, hennes chef uppskattar henne inte och hon är inte fin nog för svärmor.
Jag försöker fortfarande att förstå vitsen med att ha skrivit den här romanen. Är det nåt jag missade? Det känns så. Det skulle vara en kommentar om internationell flyktingpolitik och kvinnomisshandling, men skotten bommar fullständigt. "Du gamla, du fria" är en lättläst och oerhört medelmåttig "thriller". Eller vad man nu ska säga. Att den är lättläst så att jag inte behövde slösa mer tid än en eftermiddag på den är bokens enda goda kvalitet. Jag förväntar mig bättre av Liza Marklund.
tense
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
tense
fast-paced
emotional
informative
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Well written page turner. But if you don't like violence, skip this one. There's one scene in particular that I wish I had never read. I'd like to excise it from my brain; I keep thinking of it and feel sick.