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3.78 AVERAGE
3.78 AVERAGE
I have enjoyed her first 5 books and looked forward this this one. It was okay but not as good as the first ones. However will have to continue reading the series as she left us hanging at the end of this book
Although the style of writing was extremely light and pleasant, I felt really confused, especially at the beginning of the book. Maybe it's because I wasn't familiar with the main characters of the series (This was the first book I've read from the Patrik Hedström series), but I don't feel like this should have been an issue. Some things could be improved to make everything more clear to the readers: first of all, the plot was based around characters that were too alike: same age, same village, all of them didn't really like their wives or had trouble with them etc.
Secondly, the characters from the police station were quite flat. They didn't really change, and some aspects were too cheap, even too childish in my opinion. The wife of the inspector who actually saw what was really going on, the chief inspector who was arrogant etc. I don't know why, but it was rather irritating.
Then, I also felt like some things were page-fillers. This could have been some hundred pages less if it was told a bit more fluent. Near the end, every paragraph ended with a cliffhanger. Maybe this is just because I've read a book with a similar plot just now (I won't tell you which one ;) ), but I had figured out the main ideas of the plot about 150 pages before I finished it.
So... Should you read this book? If you like light reads, and you like some suspense (one of the things that actually was really good: Läckberg sure knows how to make me want to read more horrible stuff that is going to happen) then yes! You really should. The overall plot was not really that new I guess, but it had some interesting ideas. I could definitely see me reading this with the sun shining on my face on a hot summer's day (although the book is set in winter). Enjoy!
Secondly, the characters from the police station were quite flat. They didn't really change, and some aspects were too cheap, even too childish in my opinion. The wife of the inspector who actually saw what was really going on, the chief inspector who was arrogant etc. I don't know why, but it was rather irritating.
Then, I also felt like some things were page-fillers. This could have been some hundred pages less if it was told a bit more fluent. Near the end, every paragraph ended with a cliffhanger. Maybe this is just because I've read a book with a similar plot just now (I won't tell you which one ;) ), but I had figured out the main ideas of the plot about 150 pages before I finished it.
So... Should you read this book? If you like light reads, and you like some suspense (one of the things that actually was really good: Läckberg sure knows how to make me want to read more horrible stuff that is going to happen) then yes! You really should. The overall plot was not really that new I guess, but it had some interesting ideas. I could definitely see me reading this with the sun shining on my face on a hot summer's day (although the book is set in winter). Enjoy!
Kinda drawn out and the ending was sorta dumb. I think it's the worst book of the series so far, but I like the series so maybe it's not that bad? But why is the series named after Patrik? Erica started the series, she's the one that moved back to her hometown, and she solved the first few books without the help of Patrik who became her husband later. It's the Erica series for me. I still enjoyed it, but the mystery wasn't as complex as the other books in the series. But boy did it end on a cliffhanger!
Voor mij het op één na beste boek in deze reeks tot nu toe (Ijsprinses was nog beter). In de vorige boeken had ik halverwege ongeveer door hoe het zat, maar met dit verhaal bleef het raden en gissen tot het laatste hoofdstuk.
En dan dat open einde.... dat is niet eerlijk, voor iemand die zichzelf voorgenomen heeft om eerst iets anders te lezen dan nog een boek van Läckberg.
En dan dat open einde.... dat is niet eerlijk, voor iemand die zichzelf voorgenomen heeft om eerst iets anders te lezen dan nog een boek van Läckberg.
I personally love Scandinavian crime stories and Camilla Läckberg is honestly one of the best authors out there and although I’ve read only 2 books I do surely want to read more. But now about the book. It was so good and amazingly written and let me just tell you - I didn’t see the end coming. Honestly. I’m still unsure about few things, though (like for example Alice was real right? But there was also a schizophrenic personality Alice?) but my point is, that if you like Swedish crime stories this is probably one of the best ones you can find out there.
Entertaining mysteries set in the small Swedish town of Fjällbacka. Problematic hiding of facts from readers, but enjoyable characters.
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https://www.instagram.com/p/B_N6A6ihNBE/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
This is my least favorite of the series so far. I appreciated all of the build up/frustration of Erica's theory of who was the killer and whatnot, but the actual 'reveal' was not explained really well like in her previous novels. It made me feel bored when that part happened instead of surprised like I normally am when I'm reading her books.
Dear Camilla,
If you-know-who actually died in that cliffhanger ending, we are no longer friends.
Love,
Jessica
PS Because I feel like we are friends, since you write characters that I would be friends with.
If you-know-who actually died in that cliffhanger ending, we are no longer friends.
Love,
Jessica
PS Because I feel like we are friends, since you write characters that I would be friends with.
Oh, to be a Swede! Imagine six hour work days...ample family leave time...and an old age that does not involve eating cat food in a budget nursing home. No wonder they refrain from slaughtering one another on a daily basis. Those Scandihoovians really have something to live for (once you get past the weather.)
Although Sweden has a rep as being one of the most humane and peaceful of modern societies, murder comes to town on the regular in Camilla Lackberg's addictive Patrik Hedstrom police detective series. The Drowning is the sixth in a non stop parade of page turning mysteries set in the western Swedish outpost town known as Fjallbacka. This little seaside community may buzz with tourists and 'summer people' during the few warm months. Once the Arctic weather takes its grip, however, the pace in the community is decidedly slow -- unless you take into account these amazing murder plots.
I grab these books as soon as they hit the shelf at my local library, bring them home, and then log marathon time on my couch racing through them. I have come to know Patrik and his nosy-in-a-good-way true crime writer wife, Ericka Falke almost like real life friends. (And I wish they WERE real! They are always cooking...and eating 'buns' and cinnamon rolls and Swedish cookies. The coffee flows freely on every other page, and -- although I detest the taste of the stuff-- I can smell it brewing. I think about how cozy it would be to pull up a chair, grab a few thousand calories of home baked awesome and listen to the murder stories.)
But, as in my pipe dreams about security in my old age, reasonable work hours and adequate time to acknowledge that I have a family and would like to see and spend time with them on occasion...(alas, I live here in the States) --my fantasy about life in a little Swedish village gobbling buns must remain just that: a fantasy.
At least I have access to these books! (Bless the amazing Ohio public library system.)
This time around, Ericka has grown curious/concerned about her friend, Christian Thydall. He has just published his first novel -- a critically acclaimed downer called The Mermaid. We never get to read excerpts from this book...but the implication is that it is both amazing and darkly depressing. Christian definitely has his issues. He is secretive, cold toward his wife, and uncomfortable with his new found success. When Ericka discovers that a Person Unknown has been sending Christian threatening letters, her desire to help a friend and her unquenchable thirst for a new mystery to solve takes root.
Ericka, ahem, 'borrows' one of the letters Christian shows her when he is distracted. She takes the letter home to show her police officer husband, Patrik. Patrik, as is typical, exhorts Ericka to leave the matter to the professionals down at Tamunshede Police Station. Ericka, also as is typical, isn't about to play that.
The plot thickens when it is learned that all three of Christian's closest buddies in town have also received letters of a similar threatening nature. Arrogant douche/amoral development tycoon, Erik Lind (who also plays relentlessly on the side and is acrimoniously married to alcoholic Louise) ; diffident yes-man/Erik's second banana, Kenneth Bengstrom -- who is happily but tragically married to the dying-from-cancer Lisbet); and Magnus who is murdered straight off, and whom we only know as the nicer dead guy who leaves behind a wife and two teenage kids. What do all of these guys have in common? Who hates their guts so much? How long will any of them live?
Well, what are you waiting for? Start with book number one and catch up!
Meanwhile, I have put a reserve on No. 7....baking some cinnamon rolls...and anticipating another 12 hours on the couch.
Although Sweden has a rep as being one of the most humane and peaceful of modern societies, murder comes to town on the regular in Camilla Lackberg's addictive Patrik Hedstrom police detective series. The Drowning is the sixth in a non stop parade of page turning mysteries set in the western Swedish outpost town known as Fjallbacka. This little seaside community may buzz with tourists and 'summer people' during the few warm months. Once the Arctic weather takes its grip, however, the pace in the community is decidedly slow -- unless you take into account these amazing murder plots.
I grab these books as soon as they hit the shelf at my local library, bring them home, and then log marathon time on my couch racing through them. I have come to know Patrik and his nosy-in-a-good-way true crime writer wife, Ericka Falke almost like real life friends. (And I wish they WERE real! They are always cooking...and eating 'buns' and cinnamon rolls and Swedish cookies. The coffee flows freely on every other page, and -- although I detest the taste of the stuff-- I can smell it brewing. I think about how cozy it would be to pull up a chair, grab a few thousand calories of home baked awesome and listen to the murder stories.)
But, as in my pipe dreams about security in my old age, reasonable work hours and adequate time to acknowledge that I have a family and would like to see and spend time with them on occasion...(alas, I live here in the States) --my fantasy about life in a little Swedish village gobbling buns must remain just that: a fantasy.
At least I have access to these books! (Bless the amazing Ohio public library system.)
This time around, Ericka has grown curious/concerned about her friend, Christian Thydall. He has just published his first novel -- a critically acclaimed downer called The Mermaid. We never get to read excerpts from this book...but the implication is that it is both amazing and darkly depressing. Christian definitely has his issues. He is secretive, cold toward his wife, and uncomfortable with his new found success. When Ericka discovers that a Person Unknown has been sending Christian threatening letters, her desire to help a friend and her unquenchable thirst for a new mystery to solve takes root.
Ericka, ahem, 'borrows' one of the letters Christian shows her when he is distracted. She takes the letter home to show her police officer husband, Patrik. Patrik, as is typical, exhorts Ericka to leave the matter to the professionals down at Tamunshede Police Station. Ericka, also as is typical, isn't about to play that.
The plot thickens when it is learned that all three of Christian's closest buddies in town have also received letters of a similar threatening nature. Arrogant douche/amoral development tycoon, Erik Lind (who also plays relentlessly on the side and is acrimoniously married to alcoholic Louise) ; diffident yes-man/Erik's second banana, Kenneth Bengstrom -- who is happily but tragically married to the dying-from-cancer Lisbet); and Magnus who is murdered straight off, and whom we only know as the nicer dead guy who leaves behind a wife and two teenage kids. What do all of these guys have in common? Who hates their guts so much? How long will any of them live?
Well, what are you waiting for? Start with book number one and catch up!
Meanwhile, I have put a reserve on No. 7....baking some cinnamon rolls...and anticipating another 12 hours on the couch.