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tombomp's review against another edition
3.0
The crime itself isn't particularly mysterious and the ending sort of whiffs out a bit. But it keeps your interest enough and as others have said it's mainly about the characters, which are well written and believable.
The book is full of a sort of understated and sometimes grim humour which makes it pretty enjoyable to read. The characters feel very real and a lot is made of their daily routine, their home life, what they like to eat and drink, their frustrations with police work... it gives it an edge over much of the "gritty" stuff that usually turns me off because it's super unrealistic and macho. Also I feel justified in thinking some of the characters are utter pricks and bad and I feel the author agrees with me on that. I dunno, it's just a refreshing change of style. There's a few crappy moments here and there but nothing too awful.
Also it's really interesting reading a book where the Greek junta is talked about as present but without it being a plot point. A lot of late 60s politics appears as background in these books and it interests me
The book is full of a sort of understated and sometimes grim humour which makes it pretty enjoyable to read. The characters feel very real and a lot is made of their daily routine, their home life, what they like to eat and drink, their frustrations with police work... it gives it an edge over much of the "gritty" stuff that usually turns me off because it's super unrealistic and macho. Also I feel justified in thinking some of the characters are utter pricks and bad and I feel the author agrees with me on that. I dunno, it's just a refreshing change of style. There's a few crappy moments here and there but nothing too awful.
Also it's really interesting reading a book where the Greek junta is talked about as present but without it being a plot point. A lot of late 60s politics appears as background in these books and it interests me
esmu's review against another edition
2.0
I didn't capture my attention as much as the previous books. I missed Martin Beck who was not as involved as earlier. But the book told a little more about the society and time.
mvcalcagno's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
senkahawke's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
pepsipepe's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
5.0
felicitydisco's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
This series is just such a consistent delight. SO well-done.
etakloknok's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
arthurbdd's review against another edition
3.0
Engaging read, but it feels like the authors are beginning to go through the motions here - and the central mystery relies too much on wild coincidences, which is the sort of thing which might be realistic but isn't narratively satisfying. Full review: https://fakegeekboy.wordpress.com/2022/08/17/a-random-slice-of-martin-beck/
chukg's review against another edition
3.0
Pretty good, I'll keep going with the series. Feels like it's the ancestor of modern Scandinavian crime fiction.