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3.45 AVERAGE
3.45 AVERAGE
First off, Finland doesn't have the highest suicide rate in the world. While alcohol may be the number one killer there, I don't think everyone runs around drunk for a good month of the year.
With that aside, I enjoyed this story. I love Finland (even though I've never been there... sad face) so I was really excited to see a book by a new American/Finnish author. I had two main problems with this book (besides the factual errors and exaggerations). I really didn't like the character of his wife. I hope she evolves into something different because she is very close-minded and adds a negative feeling to the book. Also, I don't like the negative light he paints Finland in. First off, he's an American who VOLUNTARILY moved to Finland. If it was that bad and depressing, why would he do that? I'm sure he could find inspiration for novels elsewhere. Maybe he paints it in a negative light to discourage other people from moving there and stealing some of his beautiful wilderness space.
Goodreads lists this as "Inspector Kari Vaara, #1) so I hope that means that Thompson is planning on writing another book. I'll look forward to reading that and hope for some improvements. It's hard to judge a first novel because sometimes authors haven't gotten into their specific styles and don't describe situations or details as well in the beginning. If Thompson can move from less telling to more showing, this will be a series to watch for in the future. I'll give this 4 stars with the expectation that his next effort will be better.
I'd love to read a Finn's impression of this book. I think that would put a really interesting spin on things and shed some light on my issues with the way Finland is portrayed.
With that aside, I enjoyed this story. I love Finland (even though I've never been there... sad face) so I was really excited to see a book by a new American/Finnish author. I had two main problems with this book (besides the factual errors and exaggerations). I really didn't like the character of his wife. I hope she evolves into something different because she is very close-minded and adds a negative feeling to the book. Also, I don't like the negative light he paints Finland in. First off, he's an American who VOLUNTARILY moved to Finland. If it was that bad and depressing, why would he do that? I'm sure he could find inspiration for novels elsewhere. Maybe he paints it in a negative light to discourage other people from moving there and stealing some of his beautiful wilderness space.
Goodreads lists this as "Inspector Kari Vaara, #1) so I hope that means that Thompson is planning on writing another book. I'll look forward to reading that and hope for some improvements. It's hard to judge a first novel because sometimes authors haven't gotten into their specific styles and don't describe situations or details as well in the beginning. If Thompson can move from less telling to more showing, this will be a series to watch for in the future. I'll give this 4 stars with the expectation that his next effort will be better.
I'd love to read a Finn's impression of this book. I think that would put a really interesting spin on things and shed some light on my issues with the way Finland is portrayed.
This is your typical mystery book except who the killer was really surprised me. Since I live in the US, the Finnish Arctic Circle setting in the middle of winter (when it was always dark) was appealing to me. It is very different from where I live and the author has some idea of Finnish culture and people since he married a Finn and lives in Finland.
The violence in the book does all take place "off page" but there are brutal descriptions of the aftermath so be aware of this if that kind of thing offends you. The people in the book are interesting and all seem to be on the verge of hanging on to sanity. This adds many layers to what would otherwise be a very straightforward murder mystery book.
I am now looking forward to reading the next books in this series.
The violence in the book does all take place "off page" but there are brutal descriptions of the aftermath so be aware of this if that kind of thing offends you. The people in the book are interesting and all seem to be on the verge of hanging on to sanity. This adds many layers to what would otherwise be a very straightforward murder mystery book.
I am now looking forward to reading the next books in this series.
The body of a Somali immigrant is found in the field of a reindeer farm in Lapland, north of the Arctic Circle in Finland. Her murder has both sexual and racial overtones. Kari Vaara, the lead detective of a small-town police force, investigates. As the investigation progresses, the circles of suspects and victims expand. Both circles touch Vaara in a personal way.
The reader is introduced not only to Vaara's professional life but also to his personal life. His newly pregnant American wife is having difficulty adapting to "kaamos," the polar midwinter when the sun does not make an appearance, the language of Finland, and its culture of silence and isolation.
This police procedural thriller is a satisfying read. The multiple suspects and scenarios keep the reader guessing, and there are a number of twists and turns, all logical in hindsight.
What makes the book especially interesting is that it is chock full of information about Finnish culture and attitudes.
Please check out my blog (http://schatjesshelves.blogspot.ca/) and follow me on Twitter (@DCYakabuski).
The reader is introduced not only to Vaara's professional life but also to his personal life. His newly pregnant American wife is having difficulty adapting to "kaamos," the polar midwinter when the sun does not make an appearance, the language of Finland, and its culture of silence and isolation.
This police procedural thriller is a satisfying read. The multiple suspects and scenarios keep the reader guessing, and there are a number of twists and turns, all logical in hindsight.
What makes the book especially interesting is that it is chock full of information about Finnish culture and attitudes.
Please check out my blog (http://schatjesshelves.blogspot.ca/) and follow me on Twitter (@DCYakabuski).
Todos os policiais deviam ser como este, sem "palha", sem andar a enrolar..
Foi uma surpresa mesmo boa, tinha-o na estante há imenso tempo e gostei mesmo muito.. Não consegui largar enquanto não acabei.
Bem pensado, deixa-nos sempre em ânsias de saber quem matou Sufia, e tanto o detective como a mulher são personagens que gostei muito.
Por causa de tudo isto, as 5* são merecidas na minha opinião.
Foi uma surpresa mesmo boa, tinha-o na estante há imenso tempo e gostei mesmo muito.. Não consegui largar enquanto não acabei.
Bem pensado, deixa-nos sempre em ânsias de saber quem matou Sufia, e tanto o detective como a mulher são personagens que gostei muito.
Por causa de tudo isto, as 5* são merecidas na minha opinião.
This was ok, maybe a 3.5 if that was an option. Obviously not terrible because I finished it but the plot was a little lazy at times and the dialogue was pretty flat throughout.
Absolutely not to be compared with stieg Larsen though, absolute no-no.
Absolutely not to be compared with stieg Larsen though, absolute no-no.
The story was great. It is always tough with stories from another country as the language and cultural differences create some obstacles. Names are harder to relate to people as it is difficult to determine gender but it's a learning experience and I wouldn't not read the book just because I didn't understand the names of characters. That's why we read. I love to learn about different cultures and hear their stories. And apparently some small villages in Northern Finland get quite murdery.
Longer review coming, but solid police detective novel set in the exotic location of Finland.
Great book but I'm as depressed as the characters after reading it.
Can't finish it. In the first few chapters, a woman is called a cunt and a fucking whore. Then a woman is violated with a broken beer bottle and has part of her breast sliced off. Sorry this guy's mom breastfed him too long and/or he couldn't get a date for the Prom but dude, go to counseling and stop writing books.
Seeing the high ratings by women disturbs me greatly....
Seeing the high ratings by women disturbs me greatly....