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justdan's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
ella09's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
emamoretti03's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Veramente un bellissimo libro per il suo genere. 500 pagine che scorrono veramente come acqua. Molto psicologico, dark e crudo, sia negli argomenti che nella descrizione grafica. Veramente una lettura coinvolgente. Unica pecca è l'inverosimilità di alcuni combattimenti che sono un po' forzati ma per il resto è ottimo
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Grief, Infidelity, Rape, Body horror, Child death, Blood, Gaslighting, Fire/Fire injury, Gore, Murder, Pedophilia, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, Stalking, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Sexual content, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Gun violence, Abortion, Death, Domestic abuse, Self harm, Torture, Physical abuse, Suicide, Cursing, Drug abuse, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Violence, Suicide attempt, Child abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Infertility, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Misogyny, Sexism, Medical trauma, Suicidal thoughts, and Religious bigotry
jennylam's review against another edition
challenging
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
popsiwinkle's review against another edition
challenging
dark
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Stalking, Violence, Drug abuse, Grief, Infidelity, Animal cruelty, Death, Religious bigotry, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Slavery, Blood, Toxic friendship, Confinement, Injury/Injury detail, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Trafficking, Death of parent, Rape, Sexual content, Drug use, Gore, Infertility, Kidnapping, Murder, Toxic relationship, and Torture
sunflower_martha's review against another edition
2.0
2 e mezzo.
Seconda lettura dell'anno (sono già indietro sulla tabella di marcia, uffa) divorata in un giorno esatto.
Il libro é molto scorrevole e tiene incollati alle pagine con una vicenda complessa e stratificata in pieno stile dei coniugi Ahndoril.
L'ho presa come una lettura d'intrattenimento, senza troppe pretese, perché vedo che ormai il personaggio di Joona Linna inizia a scricchiolare, insieme al corollario di co-protagonisti e comparse occasionali. Vorrei che lasciassero riposare il povero commissario che tante ne ha passate e vinte, eppure il finale aperto mi lascia intendere che non è ancora giunto il momento per Joona di riporre la sua colt combat.
Nel corso della lettura ho capito più facilmente di altre volte chi fosse il colpevole, il pattern dei casi diventa riconoscibile, dopo molti libri.
Mi ha strappato un sospiro l'ennesimo ricaccione di Erik Maria Bark, ma lasciamo in pace pure lui, a scrivere i suoi libri.
Inoltre, ho trovato spesso fuori luogo l'eccessiva attenzione destinata a dettagli riguardanti le ragazze rapite o le donne in generale, come quando si soffermano a descrivere il modo in cui una delle ragazze si fosse fermata a fare pipì nel bosco prima di essere rapita, scendendo in particolari su come ha allargato le gambe per non essere colpita dalla pipì, li trovo dei particolari abbastanza sgradevoli ed eccessivi, non perché non realistici, per l'amor di Dio, ma semplicemente irrilevanti, voyeuristici.
Per quanto abbia apprezzato il chiaro sottolineare la problematica della violenza sulle donne, dei rapimenti di cui spesso la polizia e i media non si interessano abbastanza o non per un tempo sufficiente, ho trovato poi incongruente appunto questa attenzione ai dettagli come quello sopracitato o l'episodio del poliziotto che assume droga mentre è sotto copertura e si serve di una prostituta a caso e poi la cosa muore lì.
Interessante anche la dinamica madre-figlio ed il sistema di funzionamento all'allevamento dove le ragazze erano tenute. Ben rappresentato anche il delirio paranoide di cui Martin è vittima.
In conclusione, il libro è sicuramente avvincente, intrattiene, ma inizio a percepire note stonate e considerando come avevo accolto come una ventata di novità (e ben riuscita) il romanzo "il porto delle anime", scollegato da questa saga, direi che forse è ora per Lars Kepler di cambiare soggetto, per quanto sia affezionata a Joona Linna, dopo anni al suo fianco tra le pagine.
Seconda lettura dell'anno (sono già indietro sulla tabella di marcia, uffa) divorata in un giorno esatto.
Il libro é molto scorrevole e tiene incollati alle pagine con una vicenda complessa e stratificata in pieno stile dei coniugi Ahndoril.
L'ho presa come una lettura d'intrattenimento, senza troppe pretese, perché vedo che ormai il personaggio di Joona Linna inizia a scricchiolare, insieme al corollario di co-protagonisti e comparse occasionali. Vorrei che lasciassero riposare il povero commissario che tante ne ha passate e vinte, eppure il finale aperto mi lascia intendere che non è ancora giunto il momento per Joona di riporre la sua colt combat.
Nel corso della lettura ho capito più facilmente di altre volte chi fosse il colpevole, il pattern dei casi diventa riconoscibile, dopo molti libri.
Mi ha strappato un sospiro l'ennesimo ricaccione di Erik Maria Bark, ma lasciamo in pace pure lui, a scrivere i suoi libri.
Inoltre, ho trovato spesso fuori luogo l'eccessiva attenzione destinata a dettagli riguardanti le ragazze rapite o le donne in generale, come quando si soffermano a descrivere il modo in cui una delle ragazze si fosse fermata a fare pipì nel bosco prima di essere rapita, scendendo in particolari su come ha allargato le gambe per non essere colpita dalla pipì, li trovo dei particolari abbastanza sgradevoli ed eccessivi, non perché non realistici, per l'amor di Dio, ma semplicemente irrilevanti, voyeuristici.
Per quanto abbia apprezzato il chiaro sottolineare la problematica della violenza sulle donne, dei rapimenti di cui spesso la polizia e i media non si interessano abbastanza o non per un tempo sufficiente, ho trovato poi incongruente appunto questa attenzione ai dettagli come quello sopracitato o l'episodio del poliziotto che assume droga mentre è sotto copertura e si serve di una prostituta a caso e poi la cosa muore lì.
Interessante anche la dinamica madre-figlio ed il sistema di funzionamento all'allevamento dove le ragazze erano tenute. Ben rappresentato anche il delirio paranoide di cui Martin è vittima.
In conclusione, il libro è sicuramente avvincente, intrattiene, ma inizio a percepire note stonate e considerando come avevo accolto come una ventata di novità (e ben riuscita) il romanzo "il porto delle anime", scollegato da questa saga, direi che forse è ora per Lars Kepler di cambiare soggetto, per quanto sia affezionata a Joona Linna, dopo anni al suo fianco tra le pagine.
ttiiias's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
lynguy1's review against another edition
5.0
Lars Kepler brings action, suspense, and heart-wrenching moments to The Mirror Man, the eighth novel in the Joona Linna Killer Instinct series. This is an unforgettable police procedural and crime thriller set in Sweden. Lars Kepler is the pseudonym for the husband and wife writing team of Alexander Ahndoril and Alexandra Coelho Ahndoril. While this novel is the eighth in the series, it worked as a standalone novel for me. However, I believe reading the previous novels would reveal additional background and insights into Joona’s character growth as well as his family and work relationships.
Jenny Lind was abducted on her way home from school and taken to a remote location where she and other girls face many horrors. Five years later her body is found in a playground with few clues as to where she’s been and who her killer is. Detective Joona Linna gets involved and when another girl goes missing, he fears a killer is escalating his activities.
Joona is a likeable character who feels strongly that everything should be done to find the killer and rescue Mia Andersson. This doesn’t always sit well with his immediate superior who want the quick solution and often leads to some intense situations. His character is well-developed by this eighth novel. Of the secondary characters, Pamela and Martin Nordstrom as well as Dr. Erik Maria Bark have the most depth with believable flaws and are unique in their own ways.
The conflicts and sense of urgency move the story forward and through some unexpected twists. The internal dialogues and the narrative pulls readers into the inner world of the characters making us unsettled, distressed, and thankful that Joona has the tenacity to keep investigating.
A memorable beginning sets the stage for what is to come. Reading on, the suspense was high through-out most of the novel. The plot is complex and has twists and turns to keep a reader guessing. The high stakes kept me engaged throughout the story. The well-written story and the incredible characters, combined with unnerving action, culminates in an astounding conclusion.
What a novel! Will you guess the identity of the killer? This novel contains several graphic and disturbing scenes and the antagonist’s deranged actions have a terrifying realism that is memorable. However, it is well-written, with a brilliant plot, and extraordinary characters. This reader was transported to the dark and horrifying world of the investigator and the victims. Themes include abduction, murder, family, child abuse, grief, severe trauma, physical abuse, mental health disorders, and much more.
Overall, this was an intense, dark, and gritty story with complex characters that kept me turning the pages. I am looking forward to reading the prior books as I wait on the next one in the series. Crime enthusiasts and thriller fans may want to check out this series if they can handle the triggers.
Thanks to Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group – Knopf and the writing team of Lars Kepler for a digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley and the opportunity to provide an honest review. Opinions are mine alone and are not biased in any way. Publication date is currently set for January 18, 2022. This review was originally posted at Mystery and Suspense Magazine.
-------------------------------
My 5 star review of this crime drama will be posted 3-4 days after it appears in Mystery and Suspense Magazine.
Jenny Lind was abducted on her way home from school and taken to a remote location where she and other girls face many horrors. Five years later her body is found in a playground with few clues as to where she’s been and who her killer is. Detective Joona Linna gets involved and when another girl goes missing, he fears a killer is escalating his activities.
Joona is a likeable character who feels strongly that everything should be done to find the killer and rescue Mia Andersson. This doesn’t always sit well with his immediate superior who want the quick solution and often leads to some intense situations. His character is well-developed by this eighth novel. Of the secondary characters, Pamela and Martin Nordstrom as well as Dr. Erik Maria Bark have the most depth with believable flaws and are unique in their own ways.
The conflicts and sense of urgency move the story forward and through some unexpected twists. The internal dialogues and the narrative pulls readers into the inner world of the characters making us unsettled, distressed, and thankful that Joona has the tenacity to keep investigating.
A memorable beginning sets the stage for what is to come. Reading on, the suspense was high through-out most of the novel. The plot is complex and has twists and turns to keep a reader guessing. The high stakes kept me engaged throughout the story. The well-written story and the incredible characters, combined with unnerving action, culminates in an astounding conclusion.
What a novel! Will you guess the identity of the killer? This novel contains several graphic and disturbing scenes and the antagonist’s deranged actions have a terrifying realism that is memorable. However, it is well-written, with a brilliant plot, and extraordinary characters. This reader was transported to the dark and horrifying world of the investigator and the victims. Themes include abduction, murder, family, child abuse, grief, severe trauma, physical abuse, mental health disorders, and much more.
Overall, this was an intense, dark, and gritty story with complex characters that kept me turning the pages. I am looking forward to reading the prior books as I wait on the next one in the series. Crime enthusiasts and thriller fans may want to check out this series if they can handle the triggers.
Thanks to Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group – Knopf and the writing team of Lars Kepler for a digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley and the opportunity to provide an honest review. Opinions are mine alone and are not biased in any way. Publication date is currently set for January 18, 2022. This review was originally posted at Mystery and Suspense Magazine.
-------------------------------
My 5 star review of this crime drama will be posted 3-4 days after it appears in Mystery and Suspense Magazine.
margot_eliza's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0