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3.99 AVERAGE
3.99 AVERAGE
I was provided with a complimentary copy of this book so I could give an honest review.
Stalker by Lars Kepler is the 5th novel in the Swedish police series involving the main character, Joona Linna. Linna is a detective who is on the hunt of an obsessive, stalking serial killer who secretly video records his victims before brutally murdering them. He taunts police by sending them videos showing the victim alive and clearly unaware they are being recorded.
This novel can stand-alone but, according to reviews on Goodreads, the earlier novels provide information and background stories on characters in the series. I have never read the previous books but have had several of them on my "want to read" list since the 4th book, Sandman, could be found all over social media last year.
I was hesitant to start the series because, I have found when a book has that much hype surrounding it, it feels like a disappointment when reading. I did not feel that when reading Stalker. The novel started off slowly. This may be because I was not familiar with the characters. Familiar or not, after the slow start, I was sucked into the story and will be moving the rest of the series to the top of my "want to read" list.
Review published on Philomathinphila.com on 3/21/19.
Stalker by Lars Kepler is the 5th novel in the Swedish police series involving the main character, Joona Linna. Linna is a detective who is on the hunt of an obsessive, stalking serial killer who secretly video records his victims before brutally murdering them. He taunts police by sending them videos showing the victim alive and clearly unaware they are being recorded.
This novel can stand-alone but, according to reviews on Goodreads, the earlier novels provide information and background stories on characters in the series. I have never read the previous books but have had several of them on my "want to read" list since the 4th book, Sandman, could be found all over social media last year.
I was hesitant to start the series because, I have found when a book has that much hype surrounding it, it feels like a disappointment when reading. I did not feel that when reading Stalker. The novel started off slowly. This may be because I was not familiar with the characters. Familiar or not, after the slow start, I was sucked into the story and will be moving the rest of the series to the top of my "want to read" list.
Review published on Philomathinphila.com on 3/21/19.
Ok, this might be a semi-spoiler but when Sandman ended, I wondered why if felt a little unfinished - perhaps a translation issue? Nope, it was setting up this book. It's far creepier than Sandman and has a twist I'm not sure I liked. We're veering off into Harry Hole territory, with Joona not being part of the force any longer but somehow compelled to return and help. Maybe that's just a feature of Scandinoir books?
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Deliciously disturbing.
Since it is a medium paced book, readers need to stick to it for a moment for the things to finally start falling in place. I assure you, you will NOT be disappointed.
I was pleasantly surprised when the truth was even more sicker and terror-striking than I had ever imagined. If you are someone who LOVES thrillers and doesnt mind gore or disturbing scenes, I would say Stalker makes a great read.
Since it is a medium paced book, readers need to stick to it for a moment for the things to finally start falling in place. I assure you, you will NOT be disappointed.
I was pleasantly surprised when the truth was even more sicker and terror-striking than I had ever imagined. If you are someone who LOVES thrillers and doesnt mind gore or disturbing scenes, I would say Stalker makes a great read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Stalking, Murder
"She wanted him to see her, to love and desire her. Her need was insatiable, until in the end, she was like a fire, growing and growing until everything was consumed."
Lars Kepler have proven again that they are the authors of best brutal and creepiest crime series. They do not disappoint when it comes to mind-boggling twists. This couple can easily make Dan Brown and David Baldacci run for their money. I can never be enough grateful to the authors for introducing me to such a gripping and chilling novel. Highly recommended for all those who love to sweat during winters.
Lars Kepler have proven again that they are the authors of best brutal and creepiest crime series. They do not disappoint when it comes to mind-boggling twists. This couple can easily make Dan Brown and David Baldacci run for their money. I can never be enough grateful to the authors for introducing me to such a gripping and chilling novel. Highly recommended for all those who love to sweat during winters.
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Overall I quite enjoyed this book, I thought that the plot twists were quite well established and plausible, while still being a surprise. There is quite a lot of background building, a lot of character introductions and time spent outlining information about those characters that it took me a while to understand their connection to the overall plot. The writing is quite descriptive but can fall a little heavy sometimes.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Violence, Stalking
Minor: Pedophilia, Sexual assault
I think this might be my first Nordic Noir read, and it really didn’t disappoint! @theladyscrime the has been bugging me to read this for nearly a year!
As you may know, Stalker is actually book 5 in the crime duo’s Joona Linna series. That said, I had no issue reading this as a stand alone!
It’s a larger book at 600 pages, but you soon forget this as you are pulled into the story. In this instalment, there is a serial stalker - killer on the loose! Joona isn’t actually as present in this book as I thought he would be. He spends a lot of it in hiding following on from a previous case. The spotlight is on detective Margot Silverman (who I loved!!) as she hunts down the sadistic killer. There’s also some other amazing characters, such as the psychologist come hypnotist Erik Bark.
I really found the duo’s writing style
As you may know, Stalker is actually book 5 in the crime duo’s Joona Linna series. That said, I had no issue reading this as a stand alone!
It’s a larger book at 600 pages, but you soon forget this as you are pulled into the story. In this instalment, there is a serial stalker - killer on the loose! Joona isn’t actually as present in this book as I thought he would be. He spends a lot of it in hiding following on from a previous case. The spotlight is on detective Margot Silverman (who I loved!!) as she hunts down the sadistic killer. There’s also some other amazing characters, such as the psychologist come hypnotist Erik Bark.
I really found the duo’s writing style
This. Was. Soooo. Unnecessary. Very. Very. Very. Veeeeeeryyy. Long. Book!
So many side boring characters. Why? This could have been 350 pages book.
I cared for some of the characters up until 300 pages, but after that I was bored out of my mind and could not possibly care for any of them and just wanted to be over. Also the descriptions were soo much paaaaaiiiin uuugh. Some of the things that happened, like 70-100 pages towards the end, were sooo unrealistic. And I get it it's fiction, but come ooon of all people Jackie ?!?
So many side boring characters. Why? This could have been 350 pages book.
I cared for some of the characters up until 300 pages, but after that I was bored out of my mind and could not possibly care for any of them and just wanted to be over. Also the descriptions were soo much paaaaaiiiin uuugh. Some of the things that happened, like 70-100 pages towards the end, were sooo unrealistic. And I get it it's fiction, but come ooon of all people Jackie ?!?
Visit the locations in the novel Lars Kepler takes us to Stockholm
It’s very strange reading a book set in a city you know well. All of the places, the ways the women walked home are very familiar to me and so this novel, with a stalker on the streets is particularly gripping and chilling.
Kudos to the translator first off – this is a long novel and the pace never falters and the tension never dims. I am now too afraid to go out and stay in on my own which is quite a result from a crime novel when you think. Maybe a bookshop would be the safest place? There is a lot of detail and analysis in this novel which could actually be of help to women( and men) everywhere.
There is a lot of savagery in the novel though – and it can get a bit much at times. Having said that I shall remember the ‘quiet’ scene when a woman is hiding in her toilet when she hears someone in her apartment – more than any other. It’s the calm before the storm moments that are the worst for me. The terror jumps from the page and smacks you in the face.
Stockholm doesn’t’ come across particularly well as you can imagine – but there’s a fair bit of travel in and out of the city – across to the islands and Katrineholm although it’s to visit an asylum so…
Don’t read at night and/or on your own but still recommended!