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3.76 AVERAGE
3.76 AVERAGE
Thank you to NetGalley and Dutton for this reader's copy. In exchange, I am providing an honest review.
This is the title that got me into the series. When I saw it was book 7 I decided to read the first 6 books. I'm so glad I did! Not only did I find a new series and author to follow but sometimes you can pick up a book in a series and not feel like you missed anything by not reading the titles that precede it. But Adler-Olsen is doing some character development and there's a storyline beginning in book 1 that is getting built on in each book and I think I would feel a little confused if I hadn't read books 1-6 first.
The aftermath of the hypnosis from book 6 has mostly faded with Carl and Assad but not so with Rose. If anything it made her worse than she's ever been. For months she's been trying to put on a brave face and fight the mental fight but she's exhausted and she just can't do it any longer. Anything could be the straw that break's the camel's, or Rose's, back and it comes in the form of a mugging gone wrong and a cold case from the old supervisor of homicide. Meanwhile, a caseworker in Copenhagen has just been dealt a personal blow - she has breast cancer. The news shocks her into a crime spree that nobody can link to her and she knows it. She's on a mission to rid the world of the dregs of society, in her opinion, before the cancer takes her life. But who she targets happens to also be in the spotlight for both the mugging gone wrong and the cold case that sends Rose into a mental black hole. Carl, Asssad, and Gordon are racing against time to solve the 5 cases tacked up on the situation room board. The most important case for them to solve is the one of Rose, whom they can't imagine Department Q without.
This was a super intense backstory on Rose and I loved it. I love getting to know characters better. It was also a fascinating look at what can happen when someone reaches their breaking point as both Rose and the caseworker did. Adler-Olsen was able to channel the entitlement of some that makes others resort to violence. It was all very well done. What a deep, intense story and super deep character development.
This is the title that got me into the series. When I saw it was book 7 I decided to read the first 6 books. I'm so glad I did! Not only did I find a new series and author to follow but sometimes you can pick up a book in a series and not feel like you missed anything by not reading the titles that precede it. But Adler-Olsen is doing some character development and there's a storyline beginning in book 1 that is getting built on in each book and I think I would feel a little confused if I hadn't read books 1-6 first.
The aftermath of the hypnosis from book 6 has mostly faded with Carl and Assad but not so with Rose. If anything it made her worse than she's ever been. For months she's been trying to put on a brave face and fight the mental fight but she's exhausted and she just can't do it any longer. Anything could be the straw that break's the camel's, or Rose's, back and it comes in the form of a mugging gone wrong and a cold case from the old supervisor of homicide. Meanwhile, a caseworker in Copenhagen has just been dealt a personal blow - she has breast cancer. The news shocks her into a crime spree that nobody can link to her and she knows it. She's on a mission to rid the world of the dregs of society, in her opinion, before the cancer takes her life. But who she targets happens to also be in the spotlight for both the mugging gone wrong and the cold case that sends Rose into a mental black hole. Carl, Asssad, and Gordon are racing against time to solve the 5 cases tacked up on the situation room board. The most important case for them to solve is the one of Rose, whom they can't imagine Department Q without.
This was a super intense backstory on Rose and I loved it. I love getting to know characters better. It was also a fascinating look at what can happen when someone reaches their breaking point as both Rose and the caseworker did. Adler-Olsen was able to channel the entitlement of some that makes others resort to violence. It was all very well done. What a deep, intense story and super deep character development.
Is it just me or is he just getting more and more sexist?
The seventh instalment of Jussi Adler-Olsen’s Department Q series is quite an intriguing and multi layered plot with a whole lot of intersecting elements that come together to a satisfying conclusion. “The Scarred Woman” is essentially a very plot driven tale with less character development than I expected given the review I wrote after the previous read. I find I have mixed feelings about this series. While the books are inherently quite entertaining, I find them a tad frustrating, probably due the lack of depth in the main characters. Adler-Olsen has created Carl Mørck to be reasonably one dimensional and generally unlikable. While Assad is becoming less of a side kick, his character isn’t really developing. Rose is a little too outlandish and unbelievable for me and Gordon is kind of nothing.
All that aside, the tale that Adler-Olsen weaves in The Scarred Woman is quite interesting. There are parallel stories that come together throughout the story, connected by completely unrelated events. Anne-Lise Svendsen, dissatisfied and disgruntled public servant is at the centre of all these events, even though she has no idea of the interconnecting role that she plays. Rose’s breakdown is fairly explicit but I found myself not really relating to that particular sub-theme running through the book.
Overall a good read. Still only a 4 star book and series for me.
All that aside, the tale that Adler-Olsen weaves in The Scarred Woman is quite interesting. There are parallel stories that come together throughout the story, connected by completely unrelated events. Anne-Lise Svendsen, dissatisfied and disgruntled public servant is at the centre of all these events, even though she has no idea of the interconnecting role that she plays. Rose’s breakdown is fairly explicit but I found myself not really relating to that particular sub-theme running through the book.
Overall a good read. Still only a 4 star book and series for me.
Jussi Adler-Olsen books never ever disappoint! The incredibly complex intertwining plots and characters, coupled with the humor of Carl and Assad's daily lives, makes for binge-worthy entertainment. The translation is top notch to be able to convey all this. I love Department Q, this series far outranks damn near every mystery/thriller series available.
4.5 stars for the best Department Q story to date. The trauma of Rose and the downward spiral of Annili were wrenching. The weak parts were that Carl Morck's character remained somewhat undeveloped (unless there's just not much to this man), Rose could have saved herself a lot of mental anguish if she would have just moved out of her parents' home, and the conspiracy at the steel plant just wasn't convincing.
A little more intense than previous books, but great mysteries (there is more than one), and drama with Rose. That part was both sad and enlightening, explaining much of her past behaviour. And of course, Assad remains a puzzle. I’ll look forward to the next one.
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Me gusta mucho como escribe Jussi Adler-Olsen y su serie "Los casos del departamento Q" es una de mis favoritas dentro del género (si incluso me veo las pelis danesas basadas en los libros) pero he de reconocer que esta novela se me ha hecho bola, he tardado mucho en meterme en la historia. Rose merecía contar su historia, pero no así, tan a trompicones y mezclándola con mil cosas más. Porque aquí no había un caso frío a resolver sino un batiburrillo de casos, uno frío y varios actuales, que liaban la trama, por mucho que supieses que al final lo iban a juntar todo, por lo cual se hacía pesada y no retenía mi atención (conste que he tardado 22 días en leerme un libro sin haber dejado de leerlo ni un sólo día, pero es que a veces tras 5 páginas no podía más), supongo que hasta que Rose coge un poco más de peso y la cosa tiene un poco más de acción.
Para mi se queda lejos de "La mujer que arañaba las paredes", no es ni de lejos, de los mejor de la serie, pero seguiré con ella, porque por lo general es realmente buena.
Para mi se queda lejos de "La mujer que arañaba las paredes", no es ni de lejos, de los mejor de la serie, pero seguiré con ella, porque por lo general es realmente buena.
dark
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Started a little slow and at first I had no idea how all the different elements could fit. But as usual Olson seamlessly weaves together all the stories. Very intense and really delves into Rose’s character. I hope the next book we find out more about Assad!