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3.78 AVERAGE
3.78 AVERAGE
After the better-than-average adventures of The Hidden Child, Camilla Läckberg returns to her normal schtick in this, the sixth entry in her more-than-competent crime and domestic drama series. The seeds for the crime in this one were planted in the previous novel, particularly given that the normal linkages between these novels exist solely in the realm of the personal.
The thing is that the crime this time is straightforward, but the solution is outlandishly close to pop-psychology, the sort of thing that you'd see in a briefly popular mid-nineties movie thriller. Läckberg has always done the dual narratives thing, and this one isn't particularly arresting: the identity of the unnamed parallel protagonist is pretty much impossible not to immediately guess, and the "child reacts to emotional abuse and neglect by overeating" device has already been used in this series. The twists aren't so twisty at all, just kind of strange, even desperate - sensationalism rather than well plotted crime is never a good way to go.
On the personal front, Patrik spends the whole book being pale and Erica spends all of her time failing to be properly communicative. It's good that Erica has something to do, but it's better when these people work as a team. There's no real instance here where acting as a tighter unit would have changed the outcomes for the better, although it doesn't make any sense that no one reads the central author's novel until just before the end.
While Erica and Patrik are relatively strong, the rest of the police force suffer. Mellberg's adventure isn't an adventure at all, but a brief epilogue to his last one. Martin, Gösta, Paula and Annika are going through the motions - their lives are happening in the background, but Läckberg has nothing interesting to say about them this time around.
Unfortunately for me I didn't make much of the final passage until my aunt complained about it. My original interpretation made it seem like it wasn't about much, but a shift of perspective makes it much more important. Läckberg could perhaps have stood to be clearer - or I could have stood to be smarter.
Anyway, this isn't top-shelf Läckberg, but it will do.
The thing is that the crime this time is straightforward, but the solution is outlandishly close to pop-psychology, the sort of thing that you'd see in a briefly popular mid-nineties movie thriller. Läckberg has always done the dual narratives thing, and this one isn't particularly arresting: the identity of the unnamed parallel protagonist is pretty much impossible not to immediately guess, and the "child reacts to emotional abuse and neglect by overeating" device has already been used in this series. The twists aren't so twisty at all, just kind of strange, even desperate - sensationalism rather than well plotted crime is never a good way to go.
On the personal front, Patrik spends the whole book being pale and Erica spends all of her time failing to be properly communicative. It's good that Erica has something to do, but it's better when these people work as a team. There's no real instance here where acting as a tighter unit would have changed the outcomes for the better, although it doesn't make any sense that no one reads the central author's novel until just before the end.
While Erica and Patrik are relatively strong, the rest of the police force suffer. Mellberg's adventure isn't an adventure at all, but a brief epilogue to his last one. Martin, Gösta, Paula and Annika are going through the motions - their lives are happening in the background, but Läckberg has nothing interesting to say about them this time around.
Unfortunately for me I didn't make much of the final passage until my aunt complained about it. My original interpretation made it seem like it wasn't about much, but a shift of perspective makes it much more important. Läckberg could perhaps have stood to be clearer - or I could have stood to be smarter.
Anyway, this isn't top-shelf Läckberg, but it will do.
Lackberg po raz drugi łapie temat kojarzony z amerykańską literaturą sensacyjną - morderczego psychopatę - a i tym razem efekt jest kiepski. Nigdy wcześniej - poza nędzną "Ofiarą losu" - dialogi nie były tak sztuczne, a zapach papieru nie unosił się z każdej przedstawionej sceny. O ile lubię pisarstwo Lackberg za skandynawską specyfikę - powolność akcji, banalność ale i zakorzenienie złą - o tyle w "Syrence" te cechy przesłonięte są przekombinowaną postacią prześladowcy.
Jeśli ktoś nie ma parcia na przeczytanie wszystkich części cyklu, albo nie chce stracić sympatii do Eriki i Patrika, powinien raczej omijać tę książkę. Nuda, przerost formy nad treścią i w ogóle.
Jeśli ktoś nie ma parcia na przeczytanie wszystkich części cyklu, albo nie chce stracić sympatii do Eriki i Patrika, powinien raczej omijać tę książkę. Nuda, przerost formy nad treścią i w ogóle.
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
This is the seventh book in the Patrik Hedstrom series and it is just as good as all the others. This time the story revolves around four friends who are dragged into a conspiracy of threats, lies and cover-ups stemming from their childhoods with deadly consequences. This story is driven more by the human element than previously but this doesn't detract from the mystery and suspense but rather adds an extra dimension. And while some elements can be solved as the story continues the finale is unexpected and utterly heart-wrenching as the truth of the past and present comes to light. Overall another brilliant read and I cannot wait to continue with the series.
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
I love Lackberg with a burning passion. Her writing never fails to keep me on the edge of my seat.