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booksnbrains's review
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.75
sarah1984's review against another edition
4.0
3/5 - I only finished this two weeks ago and already I needed a refresher from other people's reviews to remind me of exactly what happened. I'm not sure if it's me or the book (from looking at those other reviews, I think the evidence is screaming "It's you!!!").
Anyway, enjoyed this while I was reading. I liked the back and forth between 1888 London and 2015 Sweden/London,. I knew there was going to be a twist at the end and the first one I got, the second came out of nowhere and gave me quite a surprise. The most surprising part was that Emily didn't report what she'd deduced, when I read the scene I didn't understand that Emily was going to let them go, so I was quite surprised when that was finally revealed on the last page (when I read the words I had to go back and reread the second half of the previous scene to see what I'd missed). I look forward to any future books Gustawsson publishes.
Anyway, enjoyed this while I was reading. I liked the back and forth between 1888 London and 2015 Sweden/London,
Spoiler
but at the end it became clear that Jack the Ripper really had nothing to do with the current crimes and I was a little unsure why the connection was pushed so hard (although, the idea of a little bit of Jack being carried forward through the genes of someone involved in the case was very interesting, maybe that was the only reason for the 1888 scenes)clair_82's review against another edition
5.0
About this time last year, I was introduced to Johana Gustawsson’s wonderful writing (and Maxim Jakubowski’s seamless translation from French into English) through Block 46 which was one of my top reads of 2017. Suffice to say, I was hughly excited about the release of Keeper!
Keeper is the second book in the Roy and Castell’s series however both books can be easily read as standalone stories. For me, what really stood out about Block 46 was its dual timelines between the fictional modern-day investigation along the factual back drop of the concentration camps during the Holocaust. Initially, I wasn’t sure of the relevance between the two however the narrative came together into a very clever storyline. I am pleased to say that Keeper uses the same formula. This time, the factual backdrop starts in Whitechapel, London in 1888 during the time of Jack the Ripper. What is absolutely brilliant within this book is how the narrative style changes between 2015 and 1888/early 1900’s – you actually feel like you are transported in time with the sentence structures and phrases that you don’t hear so much these days. It was always clear reading the book which timeframe you were in.
In Keeper true-crime writer and Canadian profiler find themselves once again working together following the kidnap of an actress outside of her home early one morning – seemingly disappeared into thin air. As if that’s not even to be contending with, there are also murders in Sweden which have all the hallmarks of a previous serial killer however he’s locked up in Broadmoor. Did they get the wrong man or is there a very clever and twisted copy cat killer in action? I enjoy that fact that Roy and Castells are not in the police force which gives this crime thriller an interesting edge.
At the start there are a few characters to get used to but soon the reader is drawn into the investigation and starts to piece together the relationships. I found that this book initially started as a slow burn (not in a bad way, I was immersed in the plot from the start!) but soon the pace is ramped up and doesn’t let go – I was desperate to find out who the killer was and what Jack the Ripper had to do with the modern-day events.
Gustawsson has again created a very plausible storyline which is dark and twisted – a brilliantly complex plot that has twists and turns throughout. It’s no mean feat to manage dual timelines as well as two locations for the modern-day investigation! Also, I imagine that the differing voices throughout the story was challenging to Maxim Jakubowski however he has once again translated it beautifully, there was no point during the book that I noticed that it wasn’t written in English – translators continue to amaze me with their magic!
A fantastic read – a massive 5 stars from me and highly recommended. Also, I know it’s only April, but this is going to be a top read for 2018 – LOVED it! Roll on book three.
Keeper is the second book in the Roy and Castell’s series however both books can be easily read as standalone stories. For me, what really stood out about Block 46 was its dual timelines between the fictional modern-day investigation along the factual back drop of the concentration camps during the Holocaust. Initially, I wasn’t sure of the relevance between the two however the narrative came together into a very clever storyline. I am pleased to say that Keeper uses the same formula. This time, the factual backdrop starts in Whitechapel, London in 1888 during the time of Jack the Ripper. What is absolutely brilliant within this book is how the narrative style changes between 2015 and 1888/early 1900’s – you actually feel like you are transported in time with the sentence structures and phrases that you don’t hear so much these days. It was always clear reading the book which timeframe you were in.
In Keeper true-crime writer and Canadian profiler find themselves once again working together following the kidnap of an actress outside of her home early one morning – seemingly disappeared into thin air. As if that’s not even to be contending with, there are also murders in Sweden which have all the hallmarks of a previous serial killer however he’s locked up in Broadmoor. Did they get the wrong man or is there a very clever and twisted copy cat killer in action? I enjoy that fact that Roy and Castells are not in the police force which gives this crime thriller an interesting edge.
At the start there are a few characters to get used to but soon the reader is drawn into the investigation and starts to piece together the relationships. I found that this book initially started as a slow burn (not in a bad way, I was immersed in the plot from the start!) but soon the pace is ramped up and doesn’t let go – I was desperate to find out who the killer was and what Jack the Ripper had to do with the modern-day events.
Gustawsson has again created a very plausible storyline which is dark and twisted – a brilliantly complex plot that has twists and turns throughout. It’s no mean feat to manage dual timelines as well as two locations for the modern-day investigation! Also, I imagine that the differing voices throughout the story was challenging to Maxim Jakubowski however he has once again translated it beautifully, there was no point during the book that I noticed that it wasn’t written in English – translators continue to amaze me with their magic!
A fantastic read – a massive 5 stars from me and highly recommended. Also, I know it’s only April, but this is going to be a top read for 2018 – LOVED it! Roll on book three.
toofondofbooks's review against another edition
4.0
This review was originally posted on my blog: https://rathertoofondofbooks.com/
I read Johana Gustawsson’s first novel Block 46 last year and it was an incredible read; it made my top books of 2017 and even now, months later, I still think about the novel! So when I was invited to read Keeper I jumped at the chance and I’m really pleased to say that it’s a brilliant follow-up!
Keeper is told in dual timelines: one during the time of Jack the Ripper in Whitechapel and the other in the present day where another serial killer appears to be back even though the police believed the killer was serving his sentence in Broadmoor. This novel features profiler Emily Roy and crime writer Alexis Castells again and it was so good to be back with them and seeing how they were after the last time they worked together.
I really liked seeing more of the relationship between Emily and Alexis. This case is closer to home because it turns out to have a connection to Alexis’ personal life, which puts her on a slightly different path in the investigation. Emily is very single-minded and once she’s on the track of something she very much focuses and it feels like she can’t let emotions come into it. It’s very apparent that Emily and Alexis do look out for each other though and I’m already really keen for the next book to be out so that I can be back with them both.
I loved in Block 46 how there was a connection between the two timelines, and Keeper is the same but again it had me beat! I thought I was on to something with connecting the dots and I was close but ultimately wrong. The ending had me stunned when the reveal came… this is one of those very rare books where the twist was genuinely something I didn’t see coming!
I have to mention the translator in this review. Maxim Jakubowski has translated this so well that it genuinely felt like I was reading a novel that had been written in english.
Johana Gustawsson is such a brilliant writer; there were moments in this book that turned my stomach as the writing was so evocative that it gave me a visceral reaction. I could sense the murky fog of whitechapel around me; I could smell the squalor of the living conditions and the rotting flesh. It’s not often that I feel so completely immersed in a novel but Gustawsson’s writing really gets under my skin. She takes her readers to the darkest sides of humanity and does it in such a way that you can’t look away even when it’s so dark and disturbing. Yet alongside this her writing is beautiful and so you simply can’t stop reading, even during the darkest parts.
Keeper is a deeply disturbing and unflinching novel that will leave you feeling very unnerved but it’s an utterly brilliant read and I can’t recommend it highly enough! I’m now eagerly anticipating whatever Johana Gustawsson writes next!
I read Johana Gustawsson’s first novel Block 46 last year and it was an incredible read; it made my top books of 2017 and even now, months later, I still think about the novel! So when I was invited to read Keeper I jumped at the chance and I’m really pleased to say that it’s a brilliant follow-up!
Keeper is told in dual timelines: one during the time of Jack the Ripper in Whitechapel and the other in the present day where another serial killer appears to be back even though the police believed the killer was serving his sentence in Broadmoor. This novel features profiler Emily Roy and crime writer Alexis Castells again and it was so good to be back with them and seeing how they were after the last time they worked together.
I really liked seeing more of the relationship between Emily and Alexis. This case is closer to home because it turns out to have a connection to Alexis’ personal life, which puts her on a slightly different path in the investigation. Emily is very single-minded and once she’s on the track of something she very much focuses and it feels like she can’t let emotions come into it. It’s very apparent that Emily and Alexis do look out for each other though and I’m already really keen for the next book to be out so that I can be back with them both.
I loved in Block 46 how there was a connection between the two timelines, and Keeper is the same but again it had me beat! I thought I was on to something with connecting the dots and I was close but ultimately wrong. The ending had me stunned when the reveal came… this is one of those very rare books where the twist was genuinely something I didn’t see coming!
I have to mention the translator in this review. Maxim Jakubowski has translated this so well that it genuinely felt like I was reading a novel that had been written in english.
Johana Gustawsson is such a brilliant writer; there were moments in this book that turned my stomach as the writing was so evocative that it gave me a visceral reaction. I could sense the murky fog of whitechapel around me; I could smell the squalor of the living conditions and the rotting flesh. It’s not often that I feel so completely immersed in a novel but Gustawsson’s writing really gets under my skin. She takes her readers to the darkest sides of humanity and does it in such a way that you can’t look away even when it’s so dark and disturbing. Yet alongside this her writing is beautiful and so you simply can’t stop reading, even during the darkest parts.
Keeper is a deeply disturbing and unflinching novel that will leave you feeling very unnerved but it’s an utterly brilliant read and I can’t recommend it highly enough! I’m now eagerly anticipating whatever Johana Gustawsson writes next!
shelfofunread's review against another edition
4.0
Keeper is the second in Gustawsson’s Roy and Castells series and sees the return of Canadian profiler Emily Roy, now working for as a Behavioural Investigative Advisor for the Metropolitan Police and French true-crime writer Alexis Castells, whose personal connection to the Tower Hamlets killings could jeopardise their new investigation. The two ladies make engaging leads, with Roy’s icy genius contrasting nicely to Alexis’ more emotional, instinct based approach.
With chapters told from a number of different viewpoints and a large cast, it would be easy for characters to become redundant but Gustawsson manages to make each person feel distinct – from the suave and capable DCS Jack Pearce to the Alexis’ scene-stealing mother Mado.
The mystery itself is also incredibly detailed, with plot strands weaving through from 1888 to 2015 and moving between London and Sweden throughout. Dual timelines are tricky to pull off in any novel but especially in crime fiction. Yet despite adding an international cast and fair bit of country hopping into the mix however, Johana Gustawsson handles the various strands of Keeper’s complex plot like a pro, ratcheting up the tension with every turn of the page and delivering a multi-layered mystery that combines nordic noir with psychological compulsion. There were times when the rip-roaring pace left me losing one of the threads, necessitating a quick flick back a page or two to pick up on the key piece of information I’d sped past – but these were few and far between which is a real achievement for a book that features a celebrity abduction, two identical murders in two different countries, a series of high profile historic crimes and a killer whose origins may all link back to Jack the Ripper.
As you’d probably expect from a novel that mixes Nordic noir with Jack the Ripper, the book isn’t for the faint-hearted. Gustawsson doesn’t shy away from the gritty detail so if you like your crime cosy, this one probably isn’t going to be for you. That said, Keeper never feels gratuitous in its violence – if it’s depicted on the page it’s there for a reason.
Dark and disturbing but beautifully crafted, with mesmerising twists and turns and astute attention to detail, Keeper is a fast-paced read that will leave crime thriller fans breathless.
The above is an edited version of my blog post as part of the Keeper blog tour, the full version of which can be found at https://theshelfofunreadbooks.wordpress.com/
With chapters told from a number of different viewpoints and a large cast, it would be easy for characters to become redundant but Gustawsson manages to make each person feel distinct – from the suave and capable DCS Jack Pearce to the Alexis’ scene-stealing mother Mado.
The mystery itself is also incredibly detailed, with plot strands weaving through from 1888 to 2015 and moving between London and Sweden throughout. Dual timelines are tricky to pull off in any novel but especially in crime fiction. Yet despite adding an international cast and fair bit of country hopping into the mix however, Johana Gustawsson handles the various strands of Keeper’s complex plot like a pro, ratcheting up the tension with every turn of the page and delivering a multi-layered mystery that combines nordic noir with psychological compulsion. There were times when the rip-roaring pace left me losing one of the threads, necessitating a quick flick back a page or two to pick up on the key piece of information I’d sped past – but these were few and far between which is a real achievement for a book that features a celebrity abduction, two identical murders in two different countries, a series of high profile historic crimes and a killer whose origins may all link back to Jack the Ripper.
As you’d probably expect from a novel that mixes Nordic noir with Jack the Ripper, the book isn’t for the faint-hearted. Gustawsson doesn’t shy away from the gritty detail so if you like your crime cosy, this one probably isn’t going to be for you. That said, Keeper never feels gratuitous in its violence – if it’s depicted on the page it’s there for a reason.
Dark and disturbing but beautifully crafted, with mesmerising twists and turns and astute attention to detail, Keeper is a fast-paced read that will leave crime thriller fans breathless.
The above is an edited version of my blog post as part of the Keeper blog tour, the full version of which can be found at https://theshelfofunreadbooks.wordpress.com/
meggyroussel's review against another edition
5.0
I am one of the lucky one who get to read Johana Gustawsson’s stories first. Being able to read in French has its advantages! I read Mör a few months ago but had kept quiet about it as I wanted to review both books on the same day. It was so difficult not to shout just how mind-blowing the story is and how her beautifully bloody and elegant writing style immerse you in the shadows of the worst kind. But I did it. And weeks later I got the chance to read the translation, called Keeper and published by Orenda Books. Now you might know I am in love with many Orenda Books stories but you never know how you will feel about the next. Some stories just don’t work. Guess what. This one did.
Keeper. A word with promises. If you have read her first story in the Roy and Castells series, you think you know what you are getting into. Except you don’t really. There is no word to describe how dark and deep Keeper is. A raw gem wrapped in the most striking, cutting, astonishing narration. I couldn’t breathe at times. I couldn’t stop reading. Yes, I did cringe at some details, as our Johana knows how to make her reader feel the events are happening in front of them and she puts them at the heart of the story with no protection whatsoever. This is the best way to enjoy both the characters and the story.
Roy and Castells are back, for better or for worse! Demons from the past are coming back to haunt them, giving us the chance to get to know them better. I love those women. They couldn’t be more different. At least, that is what you are meant to believe. Emily is like a cat - independent, she doesn’t let you in, a protection cloak surrounds her. It would have been easy for her to become a cliché, to be cold and steer clear of any human contact, but there is more to it. Thanks to the author, layers of our favorite profiler are peeled, we get into her head and we start to understand her better. In her own way, she maintains relationships, and Alexis Castells is one of them. Alexis, struck and beaten by the past. Alexis, struggling and fighting to find a way out. Her feelings broke my heart, her strength made me more courageous. Did I say I loved those women?
But the magic doesn’t stop here. The characterization is so acute that every protagonist, main or secondary, comes with a history which makes the book richer, stronger, and better. You recognize names, you discover new ones, you wonder, you ask for more. I followed every thread with the same interest, coming back and forth from the past to the present, looking for clues and for answers.
Keeper is the perfect example of a story with the right balance between character development and action.
Here comes the action! Jack the Ripper rings a bell? We have all heard and/or read about it, but this time it feels personal. Knowing the characters, watching them retrace steps in two separate time frames, was completely fascinating. I cannot say much about what happens. Let’s say Johana Gustawsson brilliantly mixes the past and the present, coloring them both with blood and presenting us with the most realistic and chilling scenario. Having had the chance to meet her, I wonder where those intense and noir ideas come from! Because Keeper is not a happy story with butterflies and rainbows. Keeper is dartense! (dark and intense, a word I had to create for her first story, Block 46, as I was stuck and couldn’t express how I felt!) Actually, I even thought it was darker than the first book! Your mind screams for more and your emotions are all over the place as you imagine yourself being a victim, coming face to face with the bad guys, being right there with Emily and Alexis.
I would like to thank the translators, Maxim Jabulowski and David Warriner, for their fabulous work to allow Johana Gustawsson’s touch to shine through the translation.
Keeper cuts through your mind and body and leaves scars, letting you beg for more from one of the best French voices in literature.
karlou's review against another edition
5.0
I've been looking forward to reading Johana Gustawsson's second book ever since I reached the end of her superlative debut, Block 46 last year. The first Emily Roy and Alexis Castells Investigation was one of my top reads of 2017.
I can say without any hesitation that Keeper will be featuring in my top reads of 2018 come December. It's perhaps too soon to declare an author as a favourite after just one book but now I can categorically state that Johana Gustawsson has become one of those must-read writers for me. Keeper is quite simply a masterclass in tense, complex and shocking thriller writing.
As with Block 46 the contemporary investigation in Keeper is intertwined with events from the past but with this novel the real life inspiration comes from further back in history. Serial killers feature regularly in crime novels but perhaps none have ever quite captured the imagination as much as the notorious Jack the Ripper. In 1888 at least five women were murdered in the Whitechapel area of London. All five were prostitutes and all but one, Elizabeth Stride, were mutilated. Many people will be aware of these facts but perhaps won't know that Elizabeth Stride originally came from Sweden. In Keeper we are introduced to Freda, another Swedish immigrant who moved to Victorian London hoping for a bright future but instead finds only the grime and stench of the back streets of the East End of London. The dark alleys of this desperately poor, crime and disease-ridden area are brought vividly to life with the filth and despair exuding from the pages that follow Freda. At first a hopeful young woman, she is taken under the wing of the streetwise prostitute Liz Stride. The tragic murder of her friend becomes the catalyst for her to seek a different life but eventually leads to her almost inevitable decline, another broken victim of those grim times. Her life story is interspersed through the pages of Keeper as we gradually learn how she is linked to a contemporary investigation into a serial killer who is slaughtering women and leaving them horrifically mutilated. Has the story of Jack the Ripper really come full circle?
In 2015, Alexis Castells and Emily Roy reunited as they try to discover who has abducted actress Julianne Bell. An ominous calling card left at the scene where she went missing followed by news of a horrific killing in Sweden seems to suggest that the Tower Hamlets murderer is active again. How can that be the case though when the killer was caught and has been in Broadmoor Hospital for almost ten years? The investigation has a particular resonance for Alexis and it's fascinating to see how this impacts on her relationship with the formidably driven Emily. That said we also see glimpses of Emily's vulnerability during the course of the book. Both women have tragedies in their pasts and we learn more of them here but there is undoubtedly more to come and I'm intrigued to discover more in future books in the series. They are joined in Keeper by a number of faces from Block 46 as once again the narrative switches between the cases in London and Falkenberg. Detectives Bergström and Olofsson appear once more but this time two more highly skilled and ambitious women become involved with the investigation. Detective Karla Hansen's looks means she has had to battle misogynistic preconceptions throughout her career but it swiftly becomes apparent that she is no airhead. Meanwhile Alienor Lindbergh is the new girl in the office; a student of criminal law and legal psychology, Alienor has Asperger's Syndrome which means she doesn't always find the nuances of social interactions that easy to navigate but it transpires that her analytical skills and knowledge are an invaluable asset to the investigation. It's particularly refreshing to note that there is no hero (or heroine) coming in to save the day here, this is a case that will be solved though teamwork.
I realise I've not written very much about the investigation itself. I really don't want to give too much away about the plot - it deserves to be read rather than read about. This is a complex and utterly absorbing thriller in which the story is allowed to develop steadily as the layers are gradually pulled back to reveal the grisly and shocking truth. Keeper is a beautifully written book, which may seems at odds with the macabre subject matter but Johana Gustawsson uses the darkness to examine just what drives people to perpetuate the most evil of crimes. It may be a disquieting read as it delves into the depths of human behaviour and there is no doubt that the crimes here are absolutely horrific - I recommend not reading while eating - but it bears saying that though the victims are subjected to sickening acts it never feels graphic. I was actually reminded of Silence of the Lambs in that we actually see very little actual violence; the book is rendered psychologically disturbing through our own imaginations as we learn about the horror after it has taken place.
If Block 46 announced Johana Gustawsson's arrival to thriller lovers then Keeper cements her place as one of the most exciting and intelligent authors writing crime fiction today. The intricate linking of the multiple narratives, the fascinating character development and the shocking finale are complemented by the captivating prose. Once again Maxim Jakubowski should be complimented for his translation as without his work many of us would be denied the opportunity to read this first-rate novel. Keeper is a superb accomplishment and I cannot recommend it highly enough.
I can say without any hesitation that Keeper will be featuring in my top reads of 2018 come December. It's perhaps too soon to declare an author as a favourite after just one book but now I can categorically state that Johana Gustawsson has become one of those must-read writers for me. Keeper is quite simply a masterclass in tense, complex and shocking thriller writing.
As with Block 46 the contemporary investigation in Keeper is intertwined with events from the past but with this novel the real life inspiration comes from further back in history. Serial killers feature regularly in crime novels but perhaps none have ever quite captured the imagination as much as the notorious Jack the Ripper. In 1888 at least five women were murdered in the Whitechapel area of London. All five were prostitutes and all but one, Elizabeth Stride, were mutilated. Many people will be aware of these facts but perhaps won't know that Elizabeth Stride originally came from Sweden. In Keeper we are introduced to Freda, another Swedish immigrant who moved to Victorian London hoping for a bright future but instead finds only the grime and stench of the back streets of the East End of London. The dark alleys of this desperately poor, crime and disease-ridden area are brought vividly to life with the filth and despair exuding from the pages that follow Freda. At first a hopeful young woman, she is taken under the wing of the streetwise prostitute Liz Stride. The tragic murder of her friend becomes the catalyst for her to seek a different life but eventually leads to her almost inevitable decline, another broken victim of those grim times. Her life story is interspersed through the pages of Keeper as we gradually learn how she is linked to a contemporary investigation into a serial killer who is slaughtering women and leaving them horrifically mutilated. Has the story of Jack the Ripper really come full circle?
In 2015, Alexis Castells and Emily Roy reunited as they try to discover who has abducted actress Julianne Bell. An ominous calling card left at the scene where she went missing followed by news of a horrific killing in Sweden seems to suggest that the Tower Hamlets murderer is active again. How can that be the case though when the killer was caught and has been in Broadmoor Hospital for almost ten years? The investigation has a particular resonance for Alexis and it's fascinating to see how this impacts on her relationship with the formidably driven Emily. That said we also see glimpses of Emily's vulnerability during the course of the book. Both women have tragedies in their pasts and we learn more of them here but there is undoubtedly more to come and I'm intrigued to discover more in future books in the series. They are joined in Keeper by a number of faces from Block 46 as once again the narrative switches between the cases in London and Falkenberg. Detectives Bergström and Olofsson appear once more but this time two more highly skilled and ambitious women become involved with the investigation. Detective Karla Hansen's looks means she has had to battle misogynistic preconceptions throughout her career but it swiftly becomes apparent that she is no airhead. Meanwhile Alienor Lindbergh is the new girl in the office; a student of criminal law and legal psychology, Alienor has Asperger's Syndrome which means she doesn't always find the nuances of social interactions that easy to navigate but it transpires that her analytical skills and knowledge are an invaluable asset to the investigation. It's particularly refreshing to note that there is no hero (or heroine) coming in to save the day here, this is a case that will be solved though teamwork.
I realise I've not written very much about the investigation itself. I really don't want to give too much away about the plot - it deserves to be read rather than read about. This is a complex and utterly absorbing thriller in which the story is allowed to develop steadily as the layers are gradually pulled back to reveal the grisly and shocking truth. Keeper is a beautifully written book, which may seems at odds with the macabre subject matter but Johana Gustawsson uses the darkness to examine just what drives people to perpetuate the most evil of crimes. It may be a disquieting read as it delves into the depths of human behaviour and there is no doubt that the crimes here are absolutely horrific - I recommend not reading while eating - but it bears saying that though the victims are subjected to sickening acts it never feels graphic. I was actually reminded of Silence of the Lambs in that we actually see very little actual violence; the book is rendered psychologically disturbing through our own imaginations as we learn about the horror after it has taken place.
If Block 46 announced Johana Gustawsson's arrival to thriller lovers then Keeper cements her place as one of the most exciting and intelligent authors writing crime fiction today. The intricate linking of the multiple narratives, the fascinating character development and the shocking finale are complemented by the captivating prose. Once again Maxim Jakubowski should be complimented for his translation as without his work many of us would be denied the opportunity to read this first-rate novel. Keeper is a superb accomplishment and I cannot recommend it highly enough.
keeperofpages's review against another edition
5.0
To say Keeper was a highly anticipated read would be an understatement; the first book in this series, Block 46, ranked number one in my top books of 2017, so you can only image the high expectations I placed on this novel. A round of applause for Gustawsson because, my oh my, did she deliver another superb instalment in this series. If you haven’t read Block 46, I highly recommend you do and follow it up with this novel. I do believe you can enjoy this one as a standalone as it’s a new case, but you’ll lose out on the backstory of the characters.
Gustawsson has this amazing ability to tell multiple stories at once. You have the narrative beginning in 1888, London, not only does this bring the chill of Jack the Ripper’s reign of terror but, it also gives this novel a darkly delightful element of historical fiction. Combined with two present day (2015) narratives, set in London and Sweden, you have a complex plot that will keep you interested throughout. What I’ve just explained is made easy to follow as this novel has chapter headings, and this allows you to know exactly what time period and location you’re in.
What makes this book, and series, unique is the two main protagonists – Emily Roy is a profiler and Alexis Castells is a crime writer, and their relationship isn’t how you’d usually expect a “crime fighting duos” to be. All the characters in this book are so well developed; and as I learnt from reading Block 46, never underestimate Gustawsson’s character creation!
Keeper has the perfect blend of suspense, thrills and chills. Granted, I didn’t find the twist as jaw-dropping as in the previous book, but, jeez, Gustawsson knows how to spin a twist!
Seeing all the puzzle pieces fall into place is what makes this novel so enjoyable. The way everything connects, not just the past and present, but how every aspect of the plot comes together, it’s so good, you just have to take a moment and reflect back on how good it is! A masterfully crafted novel. And, so much thanks to Maxim Jakubowski for providing the translation.
When I read Block 46 last year, I said, if you only read one book I’ve recommended, make it that one; well, I’m saying the same thing this year – if you only read one book I’ve recommended this year, make it Keeper. Without a shadow of a doubt, the Roy and Castells series is one of my favourites, and I cannot wait for book three!
*My thanks to the publisher (Orenda Books) for providing me with a copy of this book*
Gustawsson has this amazing ability to tell multiple stories at once. You have the narrative beginning in 1888, London, not only does this bring the chill of Jack the Ripper’s reign of terror but, it also gives this novel a darkly delightful element of historical fiction. Combined with two present day (2015) narratives, set in London and Sweden, you have a complex plot that will keep you interested throughout. What I’ve just explained is made easy to follow as this novel has chapter headings, and this allows you to know exactly what time period and location you’re in.
What makes this book, and series, unique is the two main protagonists – Emily Roy is a profiler and Alexis Castells is a crime writer, and their relationship isn’t how you’d usually expect a “crime fighting duos” to be. All the characters in this book are so well developed; and as I learnt from reading Block 46, never underestimate Gustawsson’s character creation!
Keeper has the perfect blend of suspense, thrills and chills. Granted, I didn’t find the twist as jaw-dropping as in the previous book, but, jeez, Gustawsson knows how to spin a twist!
Seeing all the puzzle pieces fall into place is what makes this novel so enjoyable. The way everything connects, not just the past and present, but how every aspect of the plot comes together, it’s so good, you just have to take a moment and reflect back on how good it is! A masterfully crafted novel. And, so much thanks to Maxim Jakubowski for providing the translation.
When I read Block 46 last year, I said, if you only read one book I’ve recommended, make it that one; well, I’m saying the same thing this year – if you only read one book I’ve recommended this year, make it Keeper. Without a shadow of a doubt, the Roy and Castells series is one of my favourites, and I cannot wait for book three!
*My thanks to the publisher (Orenda Books) for providing me with a copy of this book*
jess_reads_books's review against another edition
5.0
The body of a woman has been found mutilated and with feathers in her ears in Falkenberg, Sweden. Shortly after the discovery of this body, a well-known actress, Julianne Bell, is abducted from her London home. These two cases bear a striking resemblance to the Tower Hamlets murders. The problem is, a man was caught and charged with those murders ten years ago. Since his conviction and subsequent imprisonment in a mental hospital, no new crimes have been committed until these.
These new crimes and the Tower Hamlets murders mimic the work of Jack the Ripper. In 1888, London was saturated in fear of Jack the Ripper. I local woman, Freda, witnessed a close friend of hers be discovered as one of his victims. Does Jack the Ripper and his murderous reign have a connection to the cases of present day? Emily Roy and Alexis Castells have once again been called in to assist with these new cases. Roy is there serving as a profiler hoping to catch the killer and Castells is involved because her past holds an deadly connection to the Tower Hamlets murders. Can this duo save Julianne Bell before she is murdered?
Last month I read BLOCK 46, the first book in this series, and Johana Gustawsson absolutely blew my mind. Reading KEEPER was an equally fantastic experience! KEEPER once again ties London and Sweden together with the past through an entirely fresh set of cases and killers. This time around Emily and Alexis are on the case of a missing actress, whose abduction screams similarities to a closed case known as the Tower Hamlets murders. These cases and the abduction also appear to be tied to the body of a woman who was found murdered Jack the Ripper style with the strange edition of black feathers in her ears.
All the while the reader is learning about these present cases, they are also treated to interwoven chapters focused in the past, starting in the year 1888, which just happens to be when Jack the Ripper was terrorizing London. See the connections happening? Also mixed throughout are chapters about Julianne’s abduction and imprisonment. Seems like a lot to take in right? Well Gustawsson spells everything out in an engaging, spell-binding style that leaves the reader with no choice, but to continue flipping pages.
Each narrative section of KEEPER stands alone as an interesting topic, but woven together, they truly create a masterful book. Chapter are kept short, but information and suspense filled, as they propel the reader towards the truth. I simply couldn’t stop myself from becoming invested in Emily and Alexis, who are intriguing and complicated women with strong intellectual gifts. These characters and the cases that they are solving make KEEPER a perfect read for any crime fiction, mystery, or thriller fan. I cannot wait to see what Johana Gustawsson comes up with next!
A special thank you to Orenda Books for providing me a free copy of this book in exchange for my full review!
These new crimes and the Tower Hamlets murders mimic the work of Jack the Ripper. In 1888, London was saturated in fear of Jack the Ripper. I local woman, Freda, witnessed a close friend of hers be discovered as one of his victims. Does Jack the Ripper and his murderous reign have a connection to the cases of present day? Emily Roy and Alexis Castells have once again been called in to assist with these new cases. Roy is there serving as a profiler hoping to catch the killer and Castells is involved because her past holds an deadly connection to the Tower Hamlets murders. Can this duo save Julianne Bell before she is murdered?
Last month I read BLOCK 46, the first book in this series, and Johana Gustawsson absolutely blew my mind. Reading KEEPER was an equally fantastic experience! KEEPER once again ties London and Sweden together with the past through an entirely fresh set of cases and killers. This time around Emily and Alexis are on the case of a missing actress, whose abduction screams similarities to a closed case known as the Tower Hamlets murders. These cases and the abduction also appear to be tied to the body of a woman who was found murdered Jack the Ripper style with the strange edition of black feathers in her ears.
All the while the reader is learning about these present cases, they are also treated to interwoven chapters focused in the past, starting in the year 1888, which just happens to be when Jack the Ripper was terrorizing London. See the connections happening? Also mixed throughout are chapters about Julianne’s abduction and imprisonment. Seems like a lot to take in right? Well Gustawsson spells everything out in an engaging, spell-binding style that leaves the reader with no choice, but to continue flipping pages.
Each narrative section of KEEPER stands alone as an interesting topic, but woven together, they truly create a masterful book. Chapter are kept short, but information and suspense filled, as they propel the reader towards the truth. I simply couldn’t stop myself from becoming invested in Emily and Alexis, who are intriguing and complicated women with strong intellectual gifts. These characters and the cases that they are solving make KEEPER a perfect read for any crime fiction, mystery, or thriller fan. I cannot wait to see what Johana Gustawsson comes up with next!
A special thank you to Orenda Books for providing me a free copy of this book in exchange for my full review!
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