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slhandy45's review against another edition
4.0
Not exactly a "thriller" but a satisfying whodunnit. A fun weekend read.
readballoon's review
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
1.75
vacuumcle4ner's review against another edition
emotional
funny
mysterious
relaxing
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0
macfiar's review against another edition
2.0
This book is supposed to be a thriller. This is about a detective named Erlandur who is sent to a Reykjavik Hotel where the Doorman/handyman/Santa Claus has been murdered in his tiny room in the basement. He is wearing a Santa suit and has his pants around his ankles. He is wearing a condom.
The writing is easy to read even though there were some jarring translation errors. However, by page 133 nothing had happened. We find out that the dead man was a famous child star. He was a choir boy whose voice broke when he was twelve and his father never forgave him. So he left home and never came back. Erlandur also goes on a weird and awkward date.
THAT IS ALL THAT HAPPENS. 133 pages. I don't mind a slow burn mystery. But don't call it a thriller if there is nothing thrilling about the book. I got very bored. I am DNFing for now. I might come back to it later.
The writing is easy to read even though there were some jarring translation errors. However, by page 133 nothing had happened. We find out that the dead man was a famous child star. He was a choir boy whose voice broke when he was twelve and his father never forgave him. So he left home and never came back. Erlandur also goes on a weird and awkward date.
THAT IS ALL THAT HAPPENS. 133 pages. I don't mind a slow burn mystery. But don't call it a thriller if there is nothing thrilling about the book. I got very bored. I am DNFing for now. I might come back to it later.
andrew61's review against another edition
4.0
It's a few years since I picked up an Inspector Erlendur book and had forgotten what a joy it was to return to the world of this morose Rekjavik detective.
In this it is Christmas and a murder has occurred in a hotel gearing up for the festivities. Erlendur , lonely , troubled, not wanting to return home hetakes a room for a few days to investigate . If you like classic crime such as Christie the setting would be perfect for any reader as he solves the crime whilst dealing with his difficult daughter, his relationship with her , and because the victim was a famous child soprano choir boy which triggers his own childhood ghost.
A great read especially on a sunny summers day.
In this it is Christmas and a murder has occurred in a hotel gearing up for the festivities. Erlendur , lonely , troubled, not wanting to return home hetakes a room for a few days to investigate . If you like classic crime such as Christie the setting would be perfect for any reader as he solves the crime whilst dealing with his difficult daughter, his relationship with her , and because the victim was a famous child soprano choir boy which triggers his own childhood ghost.
A great read especially on a sunny summers day.
limonik's review against another edition
3.0
I was expecting a cold but thrilling Nordic Noir, but this mystery, set around Christmas, is definitely cozy and slow. The doorman dressed as Santa is found dead at a fancy hotel, so our detective Erneldur starts investigating the hotel and the dead man’s past. There’s a big tragedy in his childhood. It took me some time to feel connected to the story. I did not guess the killer, but it was certainly not groundbreaking. I will continue reading the series.
katrinkirjat's review against another edition
3.0
Kolmas islantilainen dekkari luettu. Samaa pöhinää kuin aiemmissakin. Islanti kirjojen taustalla jaksaa yhä kiehtoa, sillä näistä irtoaa kiinnostavia palasia esimerkiksi Islannin historiasta ja turismista pari mainitakseni. Dekkarina tämä on varmaan sellaista keskitasoa parempaa. Ihan kiinnostava rikos, jota tutkiessa avataan sekä rikokseen liittyvien ihmisten elämää että aina päähenkilöiden elämää lisää kirja kirjalta. Ei pelkkää rikoshuttua, vaan vähän muutakin. Lisäksi pidän näiden dekkareiden hitaasta, vähän jopa lakonisesta tyylistä. Aika synkkiä kirjoja ovat.
Luulenpa, että tulen lukemaan näitä jatkossakin, mutta nyt aion pitää pienen tauon ja lukea vähän muuta.
Ps. Tässä kirjassa on niin sysiruma kansi, että kirjaan tarttuminen on ollut välillä suorastaan vastenmielistä. Ei tee mieli edes myöntää, että luen kirjaa, jossa on näin kamala kansi :D
Luulenpa, että tulen lukemaan näitä jatkossakin, mutta nyt aion pitää pienen tauon ja lukea vähän muuta.
Ps. Tässä kirjassa on niin sysiruma kansi, että kirjaan tarttuminen on ollut välillä suorastaan vastenmielistä. Ei tee mieli edes myöntää, että luen kirjaa, jossa on näin kamala kansi :D