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3.84 AVERAGE
3.84 AVERAGE
pleforge's review against another edition
The Blue Place was the first lesbian mystery novel I ever read. Unfortunately, that was too long ago to say much about it now, but I know I found it too violent for my taste. Aud is a shoot-first, shoot-later kind of gal. I have no desire to read the sequels, although Griffith's SF adventures are very enjoyable.
Note: This athor is included in my book The Art of the Lesbian Mystery Novel, along with information on over 930 other lesbian mysteries by over 310 authors.
Note: This athor is included in my book The Art of the Lesbian Mystery Novel, along with information on over 930 other lesbian mysteries by over 310 authors.
zephonsacriel's review against another edition
Nicola Griffith confirmed on twitter that all three Aud Torvigen novels will be finally reprinted summer 2025.
cransell's review against another edition
3.0
Nothing new or brilliant, but enjoyable. I read this for my book club and I'll definitely read the sequels when I am next in mystery mode.
ashurredly's review against another edition
4.0
This got a little slow towards the middle-ish, but then picked up almost frantically (though perhaps a little predictably - but maybe that's the point) again at the end. The very beginning unfolds slowly with some really beautiful, descriptive writing. Very dark and violent, but also excellent. Also: it's a book about lesbians Doing Things without being angsty about being queer, which is awesome.
no1heterophobe's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
egelantier's review against another edition
5.0
now that was a surprise. i've picked up the first book completely on a whim, to get distracted, and the beginning was almost laughably standard lesbian noir (if there IS a standar lesbian noir, that is). aud torvingen, a half-norvegian ex-policeman private security person, is cold, contained, gorgeous, violent, irresistible; she picks up women in bars and views people, aside from a couple of friends (or "friends") as objects to be moved at will. but she takes on a case of a distraught woman whose friend got killed, and then - changes.
about fifty pages in this paperback airport thriller premise deepens and unfolds into a beautiful, dense, breathing narrative that had me swallow the whole trilogy in a day and then wander stunned for a couple of days more. it's a surprisingly - adult? grown up? - story about grief, and trauma, and breaking the violence taboos, and reconnecting with your own humanity, and limits of self-defense (half of the third book is practically a self-defense manual, and it's amazing), and mothers and daughters, and various shades of feminism, and the true terror of falling in love. aud's "disturbing lesbian-chick Übermensch" (to quote a goodreads review) traits start out as a potential titillating cliche and get honestly, painfully, respectfully explored and challenged and made real, and her offhand, practical, solid kindness turns out to be a just as solid and needed foundation of her personality.
i've also really loved that aud's orientation was absolutely taken for granted by the narrative, without either excess drama or coy subtlety; it just was there, solid and accepted. almost all the important relationships in the books - romantic, friendly, filial - are about women, in glorious variety.
about fifty pages in this paperback airport thriller premise deepens and unfolds into a beautiful, dense, breathing narrative that had me swallow the whole trilogy in a day and then wander stunned for a couple of days more. it's a surprisingly - adult? grown up? - story about grief, and trauma, and breaking the violence taboos, and reconnecting with your own humanity, and limits of self-defense (half of the third book is practically a self-defense manual, and it's amazing), and mothers and daughters, and various shades of feminism, and the true terror of falling in love. aud's "disturbing lesbian-chick Übermensch" (to quote a goodreads review) traits start out as a potential titillating cliche and get honestly, painfully, respectfully explored and challenged and made real, and her offhand, practical, solid kindness turns out to be a just as solid and needed foundation of her personality.
i've also really loved that aud's orientation was absolutely taken for granted by the narrative, without either excess drama or coy subtlety; it just was there, solid and accepted. almost all the important relationships in the books - romantic, friendly, filial - are about women, in glorious variety.
candacesovan's review against another edition
4.0
Very well written lesbian mystery/romance. The main character seemed a bit too perfect to me, but the author humanized her and created a fairly believable character. The story began in Georgia but took an odd detour to Norway, but again, the author made it work. It wasn't hard to deduce — far sooner than the protagonist — who dunnit, but at least that was a logical conclusion.
Ambiance and description were excellent. I very much enjoyed reading this story.
Ambiance and description were excellent. I very much enjoyed reading this story.
andreacpowers's review against another edition
4.0
Agree with the reviewer who said the plot was not necessary. Loved the trip to Norway. Also disagree with the other reviewer who said there was no tension. I think there was a lot of suspense.
The 90's dressing and styling was funny in retrospect since we all wear grey sweats all the time.
The 90's dressing and styling was funny in retrospect since we all wear grey sweats all the time.
lbolesta's review against another edition
3.0
I have mixed feelings about this series. The narrator is at best a bit odd, usually vaguely unlikeable, and at worst seems borderline sociopathic. I got the 2nd book in the series from the library without realizing it was in a series, and even though that was definitely 3-stars as well that didn't deter me from seeing what the first book would be like.
vkshiro's review against another edition
3.0
Unfortunately, I had read the second book of this series first, when it was released. So I knew what was going to happen at the end of this book. I also figured out pretty early on who the "bad guy" was. I definitely think I would have enjoyed this book more if I hadn't read the 2nd book first.
One gripe I have, that I often have with books/movies, is when characters fall madly, deeply in love in a very short time. Sure, it's possible to fall in love that quickly but love has to prove itself over time. Anybody can "love" someone for a week, for a month but what about for a year? For a decade? That's real love and if it's taken away, that's real pain.
All of that being said, I did like the book, and liked Aud better once she got to Norway. I'll re-read the second book of this series and am looking forward the the last book.
One gripe I have, that I often have with books/movies, is when characters fall madly, deeply in love in a very short time. Sure, it's possible to fall in love that quickly but love has to prove itself over time. Anybody can "love" someone for a week, for a month but what about for a year? For a decade? That's real love and if it's taken away, that's real pain.
All of that being said, I did like the book, and liked Aud better once she got to Norway. I'll re-read the second book of this series and am looking forward the the last book.