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3.32 AVERAGE
3.32 AVERAGE
Nesser is a great psychologist. Mind's Eye kicks off with the murder of a young teacher. Her husband denies responsibility, saying he has no memory of what happened, which (predictably) doesn't do him much good in court. After his conviction, he's murdered in custody, and Van Veeteren sets about trying to find out what really happened. The detective's often sour and unpleasant character - a blurb on the back of the book compares him to Dr. House - plays better when he's with his regular team, and he has the investigative skills to back up his arrogance. Nesser plays the same tricks with point of view, but to a lesser extent. They still don't work. When he made the odd choice of spending a few pages with an extraneous victim just before her death, I skimmed and forgave. He hadn't given too much away. This may be a mixed review, but Van Veeteren seems like one worth following. I'll be starting The Return once I log off. Let's hope Nesser doesn't give too much away this time.
This review excerpted from my evaluation of the first two Van Veeteren mysteries: http://www.whatbookshouldireadtoday.com/2011/04/another-day-another-swedish-detective.html
This review excerpted from my evaluation of the first two Van Veeteren mysteries: http://www.whatbookshouldireadtoday.com/2011/04/another-day-another-swedish-detective.html
"When we finally find what we have been looking for in the darkness, we nearly always discover that it was exactly that. Darkness." C. G. Reinhart, police officer.
Fast-paced. Interesting premise. Janek Mitter, a history and philosophy teacher is charged with murdering his wife. His defense: "I wouldn't forget having drowned my wife. I don't remember having killed her . . . ergo, I didn't kill her." (76)
Fast-paced. Interesting premise. Janek Mitter, a history and philosophy teacher is charged with murdering his wife. His defense: "I wouldn't forget having drowned my wife. I don't remember having killed her . . . ergo, I didn't kill her." (76)
slow-paced
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Murder, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Incest
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
A fine example of Scandinavian noir: fast-paced, exciting and readable. I read the book almost in one sitting, and I will probably check the author's following books. And although I did enjoy it, I'm rather tired of some of the misogynistic cliches of the genre and it's very "manly" point of view. So half a point down for that, and the other half because I could solve the mystery as soon as the author provided more clues. So if you like your crime fiction a little old fashioned with lots of drinking and smoking this will be a good fit for you.
This was SO bad; I finished it solely for the sense of completion. I've never picked up a detective novel that sounded like the author was bored writing it, but that's how this is. Poor characterization and plotting, full of casual misogyny that doesn't add any depth to the narrative, and dialogue that reads like it was written to fulfill a word count. Give this a pass.
Really slow start getting into this book, but you’re in for a decent surprise ending. Just really be prepared to push through the first half of the book to get to the interesting stuff.
Non e' proprio da buttare. Ma la caratterizzazione dei personaggi qui e' decisamente debole, l'ispettore protagonista e soprattutto i comprimari traspaiono troppo poco. Inoltre la prima parte e' una blanda descrizione processuale priva di qualsiasi tipo di elemento investigativo, mentre nella seconda l'assassino e la risoluzione della vicenda viene fuori quasi dal nulla. Vicenda che pero' e' comunque decentemente congegnata.
Potrebbe valere la pena sperare che nella seconda prova dell'autore si possa assistere a qualcosa di piu' solido ed entusiasmante.
Potrebbe valere la pena sperare che nella seconda prova dell'autore si possa assistere a qualcosa di piu' solido ed entusiasmante.