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rtjasa's review
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Violence, Panic attacks/disorders, and Murder
litwithleigh's review against another edition
3.0
Writing: 3/5 | Plot: 3/5 | Ending: 3.5/5
SYNOPSIS
Sara's husband left her voicemail saying he arrived at the cabin with his besties, but hours later, said besties call and say he's not there. Tres mysterieux....
MY OPINION
I always ignore the Goodreads ratings for Nordic Noir, because I know the writing style isn't for everyone. So despite the questionable 3.37, I threw caution to the wind because I'm a hoe for Nordic Noir with a psychologist as a main character. But I have to agree with the ratings this time; this was very okay, much average, many meh.
Like all Nordic Noirs, this was very character driven, but I felt like it didn't go deep enough, especially with her father. Idk if it was the translation, but a lot of the relationships between Sara the MC and other characters wasn't explained until later. For example, her sister Annika is mentioned, but we don't find out it's her sister until a couple chapters later. Also, you glean that her dad must be an academic of some sort, but she doesn't come right out and say of what... ever tbh LOL. You just kinda put it together yourself. Also, maybe I was in the wrong degree or the wrong country or it's the fact I went to a glorified high school for my undergrad, but do students really fawn over their profs and camp out at his office? Seems like something you see in a movie but IRL this would be a major HR issue.
Anyways, I had a hard time with Sara's character too. She's a psychologist and while she's not as off the chain as Dr. Avery (hi, Derek) or the chick from Never Lie, she doesn't act or think like one. She randomly flies off the handle at her husband's friend's wife, but it's written in a way where this behaviour is acceptable to her? She never really delves into why she's dragging her feet about finding clients, etc... she just is who she is, and the reader has to accept this at face value.
The best part of this book is 1) the MC actually gets a state-of-the-art security system when suspicious things start occurring at her house and 2) the the final twist. The breadcrumbs were left behind, so I appreciate that, even if the baddie's actions were a lil OTT. There was no "catching up with a friend" type ending where everyone gets a happy ending thank fuck. I always just skim over those like I really don't care what the protagonist's sister is up to now. Are hoes in jail yes or no???
Not one of my fave Nordic Noirs, but not the worst. Maybe pick it up if you have no other options or it's on sale for zero dollars.
PROS AND CONS
Pros: had to respect the last twist because it was subtly foreshadowed, finally a MC gets some security cameras when spooky shit starts happening in her house
Cons: characterizations didn't go deep enough, just missing that "wowza" factor
___________________________
For some sick reason, do you want to hear more of my nonsense? Check out my podcast: Novels & Nonsense streaming everywhere.
SYNOPSIS
Sara's husband left her voicemail saying he arrived at the cabin with his besties, but hours later, said besties call and say he's not there. Tres mysterieux....
MY OPINION
I always ignore the Goodreads ratings for Nordic Noir, because I know the writing style isn't for everyone. So despite the questionable 3.37, I threw caution to the wind because I'm a hoe for Nordic Noir with a psychologist as a main character. But I have to agree with the ratings this time; this was very okay, much average, many meh.
Like all Nordic Noirs, this was very character driven, but I felt like it didn't go deep enough, especially with her father. Idk if it was the translation, but a lot of the relationships between Sara the MC and other characters wasn't explained until later. For example, her sister Annika is mentioned, but we don't find out it's her sister until a couple chapters later. Also, you glean that her dad must be an academic of some sort, but she doesn't come right out and say of what... ever tbh LOL. You just kinda put it together yourself. Also, maybe I was in the wrong degree or the wrong country or it's the fact I went to a glorified high school for my undergrad, but do students really fawn over their profs and camp out at his office? Seems like something you see in a movie but IRL this would be a major HR issue.
Anyways, I had a hard time with Sara's character too. She's a psychologist and while she's not as off the chain as Dr. Avery (hi, Derek) or the chick from Never Lie, she doesn't act or think like one. She randomly flies off the handle at her husband's friend's wife, but it's written in a way where this behaviour is acceptable to her? She never really delves into why she's dragging her feet about finding clients, etc... she just is who she is, and the reader has to accept this at face value.
The best part of this book is 1) the MC actually gets a state-of-the-art security system when suspicious things start occurring at her house and 2) the the final twist. The breadcrumbs were left behind, so I appreciate that, even if the baddie's actions were a lil OTT. There was no "catching up with a friend" type ending where everyone gets a happy ending thank fuck. I always just skim over those like I really don't care what the protagonist's sister is up to now. Are hoes in jail yes or no???
Not one of my fave Nordic Noirs, but not the worst. Maybe pick it up if you have no other options or it's on sale for zero dollars.
PROS AND CONS
Pros: had to respect the last twist because it was subtly foreshadowed, finally a MC gets some security cameras when spooky shit starts happening in her house
Cons: characterizations didn't go deep enough, just missing that "wowza" factor
___________________________
For some sick reason, do you want to hear more of my nonsense? Check out my podcast: Novels & Nonsense streaming everywhere.
irenemg's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
idahelene123's review against another edition
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
ifollowedthatrabbit's review against another edition
3.0
Sara's husband tells her he will spend the weekend with a couple of friends in the cabin of one of them. Early in the morning, on friday, Sigurd kisses goodbye Sara and she continues sleeping until is time to work. She doesn't even have to leave the house at all to go to work. Her office is above the garage. She's a psychologist. That morning goes by like usual. It's until the afternoon when she discovers her husband is lying. His friends calls her to ask when is he going to arrive, and she thinks there must be a mistake. It must be a joke. Her husband left her a message in her voice mail telling her he had arrived to the cabin. She even hears noises and he says it's one of his friends carrying some wood to make the fire.
Suddenly, a series of details come to her mind. Why is her husband's plan holder missing when he said he wouldn't go to the office? And most important, why did he send her a message saying he was with his friends already? Who's lying, her husband or his friends?
Once she can report her husband "missing", the police starts suspecting her. Who's lying now? Little by little we start to know more about Sara's life and her marriage. Important details are reveal here to help us try to discover the truth. Although... who can we trust?
Suddenly, a series of details come to her mind. Why is her husband's plan holder missing when he said he wouldn't go to the office? And most important, why did he send her a message saying he was with his friends already? Who's lying, her husband or his friends?
Once she can report her husband "missing", the police starts suspecting her. Who's lying now? Little by little we start to know more about Sara's life and her marriage. Important details are reveal here to help us try to discover the truth. Although... who can we trust?
bookiebook's review
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
tatileelibros's review against another edition
2.0
Este libro prometía mucho y me ha decepcionado bastante. No me ha enganchado en ningún momento, se me ha hecho largo y los personajes no tienen ningún atractivo.
maryellen_13's review against another edition
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
babs_reviews's review against another edition
3.0
So, this one is hard to review. On one hand, it was a really slow going pace of unhappenings and on the other (which is to say the last 20% or so...) really gripped me and couldn't put down.
I liked how the writing was leaning into the therapist being the one to be under the scope so to speak. Her career has her prying into the lives of her clients in order to help them. When the tables are turned and the prying is happening TO her the feelings begin to shift.
Overall, the ending was a bit shocking though it was the very last second we found out. I would have liked to know a tiny bit more beyond our ending.
Thank you to Netgalley and Quercus books for supplying me an ARC.
I liked how the writing was leaning into the therapist being the one to be under the scope so to speak. Her career has her prying into the lives of her clients in order to help them. When the tables are turned and the prying is happening TO her the feelings begin to shift.
Overall, the ending was a bit shocking though it was the very last second we found out. I would have liked to know a tiny bit more beyond our ending.
Thank you to Netgalley and Quercus books for supplying me an ARC.
danacanterino's review against another edition
3.0
Es un libro bastante regular, me es muy del estilo de la chica del tren, o de an anonymus girl, esa forma de narrar tan detallista e intrascendente que me es exasperante. Parece mucho al YA, pero más seco y anodino.
A pesar de ello, te engancha y es ligero. Sin duda un thriller que no va a pasar a más en mi mente, pero está bueno para leer en unas tardes.
A pesar de ello, te engancha y es ligero. Sin duda un thriller que no va a pasar a más en mi mente, pero está bueno para leer en unas tardes.