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angrygreycatreads's review
1.0
I really wanted to like this book. I generally like Nordic Noir. I picked it up and attemped it multiple times over a two week period but just couldn't. At first I thought perhaps it was the translation, I have encountered other books in which the translation has made for a bad read in English but after reading other revies, I have found that this translator, Steven T. Murray, is excellent and not the cause of the issues.
1 - repetitive sentence structure, often short and choppy.
2 -confusing point of view switches at times
3 - lots of telling, little showing - as in, you find out how the investigation is progressing through the staff meetings where they discuss the investigation.
4- not much in the way of character building so there is little to care about in the characters
5- The writing has a very "freshman" feel to it - lots of adverbs
I almost never DNF but this is one that I could not justify spending any more time on. It is putting me behind on my reading challenge.
1 - repetitive sentence structure, often short and choppy.
2 -confusing point of view switches at times
3 - lots of telling, little showing - as in, you find out how the investigation is progressing through the staff meetings where they discuss the investigation.
4- not much in the way of character building so there is little to care about in the characters
5- The writing has a very "freshman" feel to it - lots of adverbs
I almost never DNF but this is one that I could not justify spending any more time on. It is putting me behind on my reading challenge.
kimmerp's review
4.0
Good police procedural. The translation is a little clunky, but it was worth working through. I enjoyed the juxtaposition of Irene's home life as a mom of teenagers. Will read more in the series.
kikiandarrowsfishshelf's review
3.0
I think my favorite television channel is MHZ because they have international mysteries. At first, they had Wallander and Varg Veum, and some werid Italian mystery were everyone was sleeping with everyone. Not only that, but the Detective mano couldn't figure out his partner's daughter was his, even though everyone watching knew within two secs. Eventually they changed the mysteries up and started showing other ones, including Irene Huss. The Irene Huss movies aren't my favorite. They are rather melo-dramatic, but I liked the character and the actress who plays her enough to try the book when Amazon put it on sale. (In fairness, Huss is better than the Detective Burno whoseit mysteries. Filmed in Venice, but done in German).
The book is, as always, better than the films, even though Sammie the dog is a different breed in the book. The mystery isn't as compelling or dark as say Rebus or Erlander. There is something to be said, however, for not being dark. This is the best aspect of the series. Irene has a dog, a husband, and two daughters. Is her life perfect? No, but her life is normal. And that is actually really good. She has a healthy home life and is good at her job. She isn't super, booze swilling detective genius, but she isn't dumb either. She is very skilled in judo, but she isn't super crime fighting butt kicking girl. And it is the mental as well as physical aspect of judo.
The character of Irene is really what rises the series.
The book is, as always, better than the films, even though Sammie the dog is a different breed in the book. The mystery isn't as compelling or dark as say Rebus or Erlander. There is something to be said, however, for not being dark. This is the best aspect of the series. Irene has a dog, a husband, and two daughters. Is her life perfect? No, but her life is normal. And that is actually really good. She has a healthy home life and is good at her job. She isn't super, booze swilling detective genius, but she isn't dumb either. She is very skilled in judo, but she isn't super crime fighting butt kicking girl. And it is the mental as well as physical aspect of judo.
The character of Irene is really what rises the series.
honeycomb_system's review
adventurous
informative
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
ginadapooh's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
sonyaw's review
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
writerlibrarian's review
3.0
First novel introducing the Violent Crime unit of Goteborg and Detective Inspector Irene Huss. Almost four stars. The plot is a little confusing and takes the long, long, long way to resolve itself but Tursten introduces all of the member of the unit in due time and it's integrated into the plot. The pace is a little clunky, a little "brouillon" but she sets the bases for an intriguing case and quite a few more to come.
5wamp_creature's review
3.0
It's gotta be the translation: tons of potential, but the writing is clunky. Sometimes preachy. Long long final exposition. I get that the solution has to be buried, but...
The lead detective is female, married, has relatively average family life, not alcoholic--how often do you see that in modern fiction? It's refreshing. And Hell's Angels in Sweden? That's just crazy. Wh0 woulda thunk?
The lead detective is female, married, has relatively average family life, not alcoholic--how often do you see that in modern fiction? It's refreshing. And Hell's Angels in Sweden? That's just crazy. Wh0 woulda thunk?
skinnypenguin's review
3.0
A bit slow. Can't believe foreigners cops would act and talk they way they are protrayed in this book. Sort of dry. Just no snap to the book for me.