Scan barcode
kcfromaustcrime's review against another edition
4.0
Mons Kallentoft is not making any bones about using the weather conditions as a feature in his books - MIDWINTER SACRIFICE, and now SUMMERTIME DEATH. Given that temperatures of 45º+ aren't exactly record breaking in these parts, it's a real testament to the way that this book is written that makes the reader almost physically experience the effects of that heat in such an overwhelming manner. But there's also an ongoing device which is fascinating - the lead detective, Malin Fors, was told many years ago by a mentor to listen to all the voices in an investigation. Kallentoft uses that device - the voices of so many of the characters - to great effect.
Having now read both of these books, it's difficult not to be struck by how strongly character driven they are - obviously with the emphasis on the leading detective Malin Fors. Even allowing for the predictability of a separation from her husband, and the problems with raising a teenage daughter, she's an interesting character with flaws and foibles that make her very human. There's also something very subtle going on in the use of the voices of the investigation - at points it's somehow the voices of minor characters that make them real. It's also the voice of the victim - giving the character often incidental in crime fiction a personality, a life, a reality. It doesn't hurt that there are points at which the writing of these voices, in particular, is simply beautiful, often poignant and definitely moving.
The emphasis on the characters, and the use of the voices, does create a more measured, careful, studied exploration of the plot in SUMMERTIME DEATH though, so fans of quick fire, high tension thriller style books are probably going to find the journey a little too slow. For this reader, however, the use of those voices is engaging, thoughtful and almost haunting at points.
This is more of an immersion reading book than a roller-coaster ride to a conclusion. Whilst there is definitely a plot building in SUMMERTIME DEATH, and there is an imperative to solve these dreadful crimes, it's not until very late in the book that the pace really does ramp up, and to be honest, the threat at the end didn't really come as that big a surprise. But by then I was completely hooked by the voices, and looking forward to more of this series.
http://www.austcrimefiction.org/review/summertime-death-mons-kallentoft
Having now read both of these books, it's difficult not to be struck by how strongly character driven they are - obviously with the emphasis on the leading detective Malin Fors. Even allowing for the predictability of a separation from her husband, and the problems with raising a teenage daughter, she's an interesting character with flaws and foibles that make her very human. There's also something very subtle going on in the use of the voices of the investigation - at points it's somehow the voices of minor characters that make them real. It's also the voice of the victim - giving the character often incidental in crime fiction a personality, a life, a reality. It doesn't hurt that there are points at which the writing of these voices, in particular, is simply beautiful, often poignant and definitely moving.
The emphasis on the characters, and the use of the voices, does create a more measured, careful, studied exploration of the plot in SUMMERTIME DEATH though, so fans of quick fire, high tension thriller style books are probably going to find the journey a little too slow. For this reader, however, the use of those voices is engaging, thoughtful and almost haunting at points.
This is more of an immersion reading book than a roller-coaster ride to a conclusion. Whilst there is definitely a plot building in SUMMERTIME DEATH, and there is an imperative to solve these dreadful crimes, it's not until very late in the book that the pace really does ramp up, and to be honest, the threat at the end didn't really come as that big a surprise. But by then I was completely hooked by the voices, and looking forward to more of this series.
http://www.austcrimefiction.org/review/summertime-death-mons-kallentoft
inesmadrugo's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
lucy_qhuay's review against another edition
3.0
I've said it before and I'm going to say it again - Mons Kallentoft is a true artist with words and he really makes an impact on you.
That being said, I was kind of disappointed with this one.
First of all, Malin Fors totally steals the show.
Her inner struggle with herself, her thoughts, feelings, hopes and fears hook you in such a way that there is no space for anything else.
That can be a good thing, but it also sucks.
This is a thriller/mystery, after all, and you're supposed to be invested in who was killed, who is the killer, how, why and so on. That didn't happened with me. Usually, when I got to the parts about the investigation, I would get a bit bored.
Also, I found some of the events who happened in the book ridiculous.
How do you have teenage girls being raped by someone with a dildo and then killed and you immediately jump to the conclusion that the perp is a dildo-wielding, crazed lesbian?
Let me guess the logic - victims raped with a sex toy, lesbians like women, women don't have penises, so they have to find other ways to play, therefore the killer must be a lesbian with a penchant for kinky toys.
This is making me laugh now, but when I read it I was offended in the name of all lesbian women. Statements like these don't do the world any good.
sling's review against another edition
1.0
Not for me. I got about halfway through. I couldn't decide if it was the writing or the translation. The dessert of internal monologue garnished with lashings of pathetic fallacy were not to my taste.
Instead of drawing me deeper into the story, it brought me out and made me want to slap everyone and yell "Get your acts together! You have crimes to solve!"
Instead of drawing me deeper into the story, it brought me out and made me want to slap everyone and yell "Get your acts together! You have crimes to solve!"
00tania00's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.5
kimberwitch's review against another edition
3.0
It got exciting around the last 40 pages of the book.
gracenperdue's review against another edition
dark
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
catiacsantos's review against another edition
3.0
Apenas após 200 páginas o livro começou a ter algum interesse. Até lá, muita introspeção por parte da personagem principal, mas de uma forma não particularmente cativante.
Além disso, algo que já aconteceu no 1º livro desta série e que ficava particularmente agradecida se não acontecesse nos dois que ainda me faltam ler, irritam-me os pensamentos dos mortos. Estão sempre presentes, ao longo de toda a história, o que, na minha opinião, nos faz sentido nenhum.
Um policial que, durante metade do livro, esteve completamente apagado. Espero bem que os dois volumes seguintes sejam bastante superiores a este.
Além disso, algo que já aconteceu no 1º livro desta série e que ficava particularmente agradecida se não acontecesse nos dois que ainda me faltam ler, irritam-me os pensamentos dos mortos. Estão sempre presentes, ao longo de toda a história, o que, na minha opinião, nos faz sentido nenhum.
Um policial que, durante metade do livro, esteve completamente apagado. Espero bem que os dois volumes seguintes sejam bastante superiores a este.
ariereads's review against another edition
1.0
Skim read most of this - it's weirdly poetic, and turns out that's not a good thing. Slips from first to third person constantly, repeats, monotones, muses. The dead speak in chorus (which could have been amazing but wasn't). This, combined with the fact that I hadn't realised this was the second in a series meant I didn't have a clue what was going on.
I still don't exactly know what happened, but whatever is was was narrated like this:
Or (more often, in third person that flickers off into first again) like this:
Maybe this was better in Swedish.
I still don't exactly know what happened, but whatever is was was narrated like this:
Janne, you're not there, your warm warmth.
I want you both to come home now.
Even you have gone, Daniel. Taken your cool warmth and left me alone with the dream and myself in this depressing bedroom.
I think it was a bad dream, but perhaps it was good?
Or (more often, in third person that flickers off into first again) like this:
Teenage worlds.
Tove's world.
The way she didn't tell Malin about Marcus to start with. How Malin had been hoping that their lives would somehow get more similar the older Tove got, that they would have more things in common.
Has that happened?
No.
Although.
No. Don't lie to yourself, Malin.
I don't know if Tove is keeping secrets from me. God knows, I certainly annoy her. Sometimes, Malin thinks, I can see that she almost despises me and the life I lead.
Maybe this was better in Swedish.