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3.83 AVERAGE
3.83 AVERAGE
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
challenging
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I read this cause I loved the Netflix adaptation. The basic storyline is the same with enough differences to keep me going. Mind you, the book is darker.
What I really didn’t like was the misogynistic comments we get through Carl’s narrative.
What I really didn’t like was the misogynistic comments we get through Carl’s narrative.
challenging
dark
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-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:
Yes
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
"Department Q is a department of one, and Carl's got only a stack of Copenhagen's coldest cases for company." - from Goodreads.
I realize the above one sentence summary doesn't tell you a lot but honestly it gives you just enough. I picked this one up when I started hearing about the new Netflix series based off of it and I wanted to read the book first. I am so very curious now after finishing to see how the show and this book compare. But anyways...I'm really glad that I finally picked this one up. The premise of this book was really interesting with Carl basically being assigned to investigate cold cases by himself. The case he starts digging into is one that had my absolutely hooked. I'm being careful here not to give anything away especially since the summary doesn't tell you much either. I will just say that reading this book had me tense and even anxious at times (especially towards the end). There were some intense scenes, but they just added to the levels of tension and suspense that kept me turning the pages as fast as I could. I also really, really liked Assad who is assigned to assist Carl. The banter between the two of them worked so well for me and gave the book that little bit of levity to keep it from turning too dark. The mystery was solid and the ending perfection. I can't wait to continue on with this series (and already have book two waiting for me at the library).
Mystery readers, Nordic noir fans, and those who are just looking for a suspenseful read to get lost in need to pick this book up. If you're thinking about reading it before watching the show, I definitely recommend. I still need to watch the show myself. Also, if you enjoyed The Mountain King by Anders de la Motte check this one out. Four stars.
I realize the above one sentence summary doesn't tell you a lot but honestly it gives you just enough. I picked this one up when I started hearing about the new Netflix series based off of it and I wanted to read the book first. I am so very curious now after finishing to see how the show and this book compare. But anyways...I'm really glad that I finally picked this one up. The premise of this book was really interesting with Carl basically being assigned to investigate cold cases by himself. The case he starts digging into is one that had my absolutely hooked. I'm being careful here not to give anything away especially since the summary doesn't tell you much either. I will just say that reading this book had me tense and even anxious at times (especially towards the end). There were some intense scenes, but they just added to the levels of tension and suspense that kept me turning the pages as fast as I could. I also really, really liked Assad who is assigned to assist Carl. The banter between the two of them worked so well for me and gave the book that little bit of levity to keep it from turning too dark. The mystery was solid and the ending perfection. I can't wait to continue on with this series (and already have book two waiting for me at the library).
Mystery readers, Nordic noir fans, and those who are just looking for a suspenseful read to get lost in need to pick this book up. If you're thinking about reading it before watching the show, I definitely recommend. I still need to watch the show myself. Also, if you enjoyed The Mountain King by Anders de la Motte check this one out. Four stars.
I wanted to like this book more than I actually did. The premise was interesting enough -- Carl Mørck, a brilliant but depressed curmudgeon of a detective, and Assad, his mysterious but ever-helpful assistant, open Department Q, a cold case department, due to bureaucratic pressure, and Mørck begrudgingly starts investigating a case to justify having his job. The characters of Mørck and Assad and the interplay between the two were the highlights of the book, as the characters were fully fleshed out and three-dimensional, and more importantly, quite interesting.
However, the segments focused on the victim and her captivity were much less interesting, as neither she nor her captors were very compelling, and the segments became very repetitive, adding little to the narrative, and grinding the book to a halt whenever they came up. Add to that that the mystery was incredibly easy to solve, made it quite a slog at some points.
The book did somewhat redeem itself with an exciting, action-packed third act, but then immediately followed that with an uninteresting epilogue, leaving an unsatisfying taste in my mouth. While I don't regret reading this book, I wouldn't go out to read the next book in the series either.
However, the segments focused on the victim and her captivity were much less interesting, as neither she nor her captors were very compelling, and the segments became very repetitive, adding little to the narrative, and grinding the book to a halt whenever they came up. Add to that that the mystery was incredibly easy to solve, made it quite a slog at some points.
The book did somewhat redeem itself with an exciting, action-packed third act, but then immediately followed that with an uninteresting epilogue, leaving an unsatisfying taste in my mouth. While I don't regret reading this book, I wouldn't go out to read the next book in the series either.
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced