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ojtheviking's reviews
116 reviews
Survivor Song by Paul Tremblay
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
My first read in 2025! And we're off to a great start.
This is the second Tremblay story I have read dealing with concepts of the end of the world, but while one was shrouded in mystery and what-ifs, this one feels more plausible, and quite close to home due to recent events in the real world.
In terms of narration, Survivor Song has a different energy than the more subtle, haunting mysteries from his past. It begins more chaotic and fast-paced, and the suspense does stay mostly consistent throughout, albeit with some veritable moments to breathe and build character.
One thing I am please to still see present, is Tremblay's knack for getting to the heart of every scenario, whether it's a full-on horror novel, or if it's a borderline disaster movie-style situation. He is great at taking us out of the moment and shedding some light on the internal life of the characters, and the actual circumstances are more of a background setting for some human exploration to find place. Again, this is still present in Survivor Song, albeit a tad less so to make room for the intensity of the challenges they are faced with.
I also enjoyed how he approached this from a slightly opposite angle than one may have expected. Unlike most zombie or zombie-adjacent stories, the main focus here is the journey of someone who is already infected. The awareness of the inevitable, the moments of grief and panic, and in the middle of it all, a mother's desperation to make sure her child will be safe no matter what. It's an emotional journey, and that's where Tremblay always shines even in his most fantastical stories.
Some things are also very on point. While the actual predicament has more in common with something like the rage virus in 28 Days Later, there are some undeniably intentional parallels to our real-history COVID pandemic. It is especially made clear through some not-so-hidden social and political commentary.
A solid, gripping read!
This is the second Tremblay story I have read dealing with concepts of the end of the world, but while one was shrouded in mystery and what-ifs, this one feels more plausible, and quite close to home due to recent events in the real world.
In terms of narration, Survivor Song has a different energy than the more subtle, haunting mysteries from his past. It begins more chaotic and fast-paced, and the suspense does stay mostly consistent throughout, albeit with some veritable moments to breathe and build character.
One thing I am please to still see present, is Tremblay's knack for getting to the heart of every scenario, whether it's a full-on horror novel, or if it's a borderline disaster movie-style situation. He is great at taking us out of the moment and shedding some light on the internal life of the characters, and the actual circumstances are more of a background setting for some human exploration to find place. Again, this is still present in Survivor Song, albeit a tad less so to make room for the intensity of the challenges they are faced with.
I also enjoyed how he approached this from a slightly opposite angle than one may have expected. Unlike most zombie or zombie-adjacent stories, the main focus here is the journey of someone who is already infected. The awareness of the inevitable, the moments of grief and panic, and in the middle of it all, a mother's desperation to make sure her child will be safe no matter what. It's an emotional journey, and that's where Tremblay always shines even in his most fantastical stories.
Some things are also very on point. While the actual predicament has more in common with something like the rage virus in 28 Days Later, there are some undeniably intentional parallels to our real-history COVID pandemic. It is especially made clear through some not-so-hidden social and political commentary.
A solid, gripping read!
Jackal by Erin E. Adams
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.25
Well, one of the better reads of 2024 came right at the end of my 30-book goal!
This story was haunting, atmospheric, very well written and gave me some vibes similar to things like The X-Files or Twin Peaks, especially with the concept of mysterious disappearances and an ominous entity in the woods of a small town, combined with how Adams excellently handles a wide array of characters. Some parts were somewhat uneven, but to such an insignificant degree that I feel nitpicky just for mentioning it.
One of my favorite elements is how well the characters' internal life is describe, especially the main character, as well as the overall psychological aspect of the events taking place; subtle at times. The social commentary feels very on point and blends very well into the overall fictional parts. It's very nuanced; subtle things like mother/daughter dynamics, and more awareness-raising moments like pointing out various racial issues.
The story can at some times be a slow burn, but there is still a very heavy, gloomy atmosphere that keeps the suspense going. The writing in and of itself is masterful, with several moments where simple phrases speaking volumes. The plot twists and the overall development can potentially be a bit divisive for readers, but I really enjoyed how things turned out.
I feel like this is one of those books that I would like to read again some day to fully absorb more of the nuances!
This story was haunting, atmospheric, very well written and gave me some vibes similar to things like The X-Files or Twin Peaks, especially with the concept of mysterious disappearances and an ominous entity in the woods of a small town, combined with how Adams excellently handles a wide array of characters. Some parts were somewhat uneven, but to such an insignificant degree that I feel nitpicky just for mentioning it.
One of my favorite elements is how well the characters' internal life is describe, especially the main character, as well as the overall psychological aspect of the events taking place; subtle at times. The social commentary feels very on point and blends very well into the overall fictional parts. It's very nuanced; subtle things like mother/daughter dynamics, and more awareness-raising moments like pointing out various racial issues.
The story can at some times be a slow burn, but there is still a very heavy, gloomy atmosphere that keeps the suspense going. The writing in and of itself is masterful, with several moments where simple phrases speaking volumes. The plot twists and the overall development can potentially be a bit divisive for readers, but I really enjoyed how things turned out.
I feel like this is one of those books that I would like to read again some day to fully absorb more of the nuances!
Djevelpakten by Max Seeck
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
The thing I like the most about the Niemi series, is the overall dark and occult brutality of these cases. I'm used to Scandinavian crime overall, but there is a darker and sinister tone in Seeck's series that I enjoy. Especially the continued vague tease of something a little on the supernatural side, but presented in a way where you never truly know. Even in this third book, it continues to be left ambiguous as to whether something is actually going on or just a symptom of a certain mental illness.
At the same time, things can ironically be a bit one-dimensional, in the sense that this series continues along mostly the same tracks. There's a little bit more character development, but it's still a bit too plot driven for my taste, with characters just going from A to B to solve the case, and so on. Jessica Niemi continues to have monopoly on actual development. When this series overall is centered around a lot of occultism and human's darkest aspects, it can become paradoxically monotonous when it's all mostly a plot device, and essentially just a more morbid whodunit. The depth of man's corrupted psyche isn't as thoroughly explored as it could have been for a series like this, so the villains become a bit clichéd after all.
Then again, it's a bit hard to comment too much on the writing, since this is a translation. However, depending on how loyal the translator is to the core material, and how accurately things have been possible to translate, I'd say that Max Seeck is a capable enough writer for the crime genre. Even though I say these books are very plot driven, the way he drives a plot can be pretty effective. There are some good ideas along the way that increases the suspense. Sometimes I would just simply care just a tad more about some of the other characters and what happens to them if they were more thoroughly developed and/or didn't have some stereotypical traits.
I don't know if this makes it sound like I've had a mostly negative reading experience. I haven't; they have been quite entertaining for the most part. And they have been enjoyable in the kind of way where you see the less ideal aspects more clearly, like a stain on an otherwise clean surface, wishing for that part to look cleaner as well.
Had this series been intended as a trilogy, some plot points would have felt more like coming full circle here, as we revisit some stuff from the first book. But I know that a fourth one is already out. It does close up some things, but leaves the door open for future developments, which I assume we'll see more of in the fourth book, which I currently do not own.
At the same time, things can ironically be a bit one-dimensional, in the sense that this series continues along mostly the same tracks. There's a little bit more character development, but it's still a bit too plot driven for my taste, with characters just going from A to B to solve the case, and so on. Jessica Niemi continues to have monopoly on actual development. When this series overall is centered around a lot of occultism and human's darkest aspects, it can become paradoxically monotonous when it's all mostly a plot device, and essentially just a more morbid whodunit. The depth of man's corrupted psyche isn't as thoroughly explored as it could have been for a series like this, so the villains become a bit clichéd after all.
Then again, it's a bit hard to comment too much on the writing, since this is a translation. However, depending on how loyal the translator is to the core material, and how accurately things have been possible to translate, I'd say that Max Seeck is a capable enough writer for the crime genre. Even though I say these books are very plot driven, the way he drives a plot can be pretty effective. There are some good ideas along the way that increases the suspense. Sometimes I would just simply care just a tad more about some of the other characters and what happens to them if they were more thoroughly developed and/or didn't have some stereotypical traits.
I don't know if this makes it sound like I've had a mostly negative reading experience. I haven't; they have been quite entertaining for the most part. And they have been enjoyable in the kind of way where you see the less ideal aspects more clearly, like a stain on an otherwise clean surface, wishing for that part to look cleaner as well.
Had this series been intended as a trilogy, some plot points would have felt more like coming full circle here, as we revisit some stuff from the first book. But I know that a fourth one is already out. It does close up some things, but leaves the door open for future developments, which I assume we'll see more of in the fourth book, which I currently do not own.
Jenta under isen by Max Seeck
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I found the second novel in the Nordic Noir series about Detective Jessica Niemi to be a decent enough read, with enough solid points for it to be entertaining and enjoyable, although I had some minor gripes here and there. I did like that Seeck's style continues to convey a dark, grim vibe, exposing some of the most deviant and morbid sides of humanity.
The story takes place roughly six months after the events of the first novel, and we have a self-contained mystery involving what seems to be a human trafficking ring and dead influencers. However, there are also elements that continue from the previous book and elaborates on that overall arc. As such, I feel that the writing is very ambitious, but is sometimes on the verge of inconsistency.
It's very meticulous when it comes to a realistic approach to the investigation, although I sort of found myself missing more red herrings along the way. The overall story is a slow burn, although it has some random bursts of suspense, plus a sex scene that seemed very detailed and graphic out of the blue. Some aspects of Jessica's reality seem somewhat less vague this time, when it comes to the concept of visions vs. hallucinations, but it seems like Seeck still intentionally keeps it ambiguous.
As for character development, I do see some improvements compared to the first novel, but mostly revolving Jessica, and I feel that some of the characters' motivations are a bit shallow, which at times shines through with the old "male author clumsily tries to write female character" trope.
Overall, the story had some good concepts and interesting ideas, but could potentially have been executed in a few different ways. As such, this second installment felt a bit slower, and as I mentioned, less consistent compared to the first one, but I liked it for what it was.
The story takes place roughly six months after the events of the first novel, and we have a self-contained mystery involving what seems to be a human trafficking ring and dead influencers. However, there are also elements that continue from the previous book and elaborates on that overall arc. As such, I feel that the writing is very ambitious, but is sometimes on the verge of inconsistency.
It's very meticulous when it comes to a realistic approach to the investigation, although I sort of found myself missing more red herrings along the way. The overall story is a slow burn, although it has some random bursts of suspense, plus a sex scene that seemed very detailed and graphic out of the blue. Some aspects of Jessica's reality seem somewhat less vague this time, when it comes to the concept of visions vs. hallucinations, but it seems like Seeck still intentionally keeps it ambiguous.
As for character development, I do see some improvements compared to the first novel, but mostly revolving Jessica, and I feel that some of the characters' motivations are a bit shallow, which at times shines through with the old "male author clumsily tries to write female character" trope.
Overall, the story had some good concepts and interesting ideas, but could potentially have been executed in a few different ways. As such, this second installment felt a bit slower, and as I mentioned, less consistent compared to the first one, but I liked it for what it was.
Heksejakt by Max Seeck
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
I believe this is the first time I have read anything by a Finnish author. But it was a solid read. It had that Nordic crime novel flair that I have seen from Norwegian authors, too. However, this story is somewhat darker, colder, and more morbid, and explores occult concepts.
The premise was very cool, people being murdered in the same vein as in the book of a bestselling author. So we have a book within a book here, so to speak, but not in a way that makes it too meta; the fictional book is more of a source material for both the killers and the policemen to work off of.
The suspense begins almost immediately, and things start escalating already during the investigation of the first crime scene, only to continue to branch out until it's borderline too convoluted, with a significant body count along the way.
Seeck's writing feels very direct and controlled, almost systematic. He sticks very closely to the plot most of the time, which can cause character development to suffer a little bit. Most of the time is spent exploring the main character, Jessica Niemi, giving us some insight into her traumatic past. Some of the characters feel like they are just there to help her story progress, so they become a bit one-dimensional.
Some of the occult elements also came close to being a bit clichéd at times, reminiscent of the Satanic Panic in the 1980s. But Seeck still managed to create an eerie vibe overall that prevents it from being silly. These elements were also left a bit ambiguous, which I actually appreciate.
I can only assume that Seeck had decided to continue this story in a second installment by the time he was writing the ending of this first book, as some key plot points were left open-ended. Either way, we did get a second one, so it will be interesting to see whether the next one picks up from this or changes direction entirely.
The premise was very cool, people being murdered in the same vein as in the book of a bestselling author. So we have a book within a book here, so to speak, but not in a way that makes it too meta; the fictional book is more of a source material for both the killers and the policemen to work off of.
The suspense begins almost immediately, and things start escalating already during the investigation of the first crime scene, only to continue to branch out until it's borderline too convoluted, with a significant body count along the way.
Seeck's writing feels very direct and controlled, almost systematic. He sticks very closely to the plot most of the time, which can cause character development to suffer a little bit. Most of the time is spent exploring the main character, Jessica Niemi, giving us some insight into her traumatic past. Some of the characters feel like they are just there to help her story progress, so they become a bit one-dimensional.
Some of the occult elements also came close to being a bit clichéd at times, reminiscent of the Satanic Panic in the 1980s. But Seeck still managed to create an eerie vibe overall that prevents it from being silly. These elements were also left a bit ambiguous, which I actually appreciate.
I can only assume that Seeck had decided to continue this story in a second installment by the time he was writing the ending of this first book, as some key plot points were left open-ended. Either way, we did get a second one, so it will be interesting to see whether the next one picks up from this or changes direction entirely.
The Book Eaters by Sunyi Dean
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.25
I have to say, the fact that this is Sunyi Dean's debut novel is very impressive! She's flexing her author muscle from the get-go and has delivered a wonderful story that's charming, suspenseful, thought-provoking, and extremely well-written.
The concept in and of itself of a society of a humanoid species that literally devours books is intriguing, and it's all the more of a wonderful read due to the layers Dean has managed to add to that, sprinkling it with a lot of social commentary over this dark fantasy tale.
And the commentary is quite relevant. Feminist at the core, illustrating a severely patriarchal society filled with oppression and a lack of women's rights. And in that context, we have a badass main character willing to do what she can to take care of her son when he turns out to be not quite like the others, and desperately needs a type of medication to function, while the patriarchy considers him a deformity.
This scenario also expands into other themes like racism, ableism, the toxicity of religion, and LGBTQ. Perfectly allegorical, while it also feels like an overall tribute to literature, especially as several chapters start with quotes from other known books and authors, while they also symbolize the progression of the plot within that same chapter.
An overall enjoyable read, and I look forward to exploring more of Sunyi Dean's work in the future!
The concept in and of itself of a society of a humanoid species that literally devours books is intriguing, and it's all the more of a wonderful read due to the layers Dean has managed to add to that, sprinkling it with a lot of social commentary over this dark fantasy tale.
And the commentary is quite relevant. Feminist at the core, illustrating a severely patriarchal society filled with oppression and a lack of women's rights. And in that context, we have a badass main character willing to do what she can to take care of her son when he turns out to be not quite like the others, and desperately needs a type of medication to function, while the patriarchy considers him a deformity.
This scenario also expands into other themes like racism, ableism, the toxicity of religion, and LGBTQ. Perfectly allegorical, while it also feels like an overall tribute to literature, especially as several chapters start with quotes from other known books and authors, while they also symbolize the progression of the plot within that same chapter.
An overall enjoyable read, and I look forward to exploring more of Sunyi Dean's work in the future!
The Death of Mrs Westaway by Ruth Ware
3.5
This novel is a slow burn, and I felt that it was trying to channel old-school mystery novels similar to Agatha Christie's Poirot series (which is actually mentioned at some point too; definitely a respectful nod, there), or the Sherlock Holmes stories, only in a more casual, modern package. The part I feel is successful, is how the story starts out relatively simple, but new layers are unveiled along the way until the main character finds herself involved in the overall mystery in ways she initially hadn't imagined. And we, the readers, see everything through the main character's eyes, thus the plot thickens, as they say, for us too along with her.
One thing that was a bit borderline cheesy, though - and it's hard to precisely explain why without spoilers - was the fact that this story is set in modern times, and some of the family drama revealed along the way seems a bit exaggerated in this day and age, compared to how certain things would be a much greater scandal some decades ago. It makes me wonder if the overall plot would have worked better if it were more of a period piece. Mysterious, old secrets hidden in a big mansion belonging to a rich family ... secrets desperately waiting to come to light ... it somehow feels more fitting to have such a story take place in the late 1800s or early 1900s.
I suppose a good way to put it, is that in terms of the "classic, old-school mystery set in modern time" vibe, where a movie like Knives Out completely nailed it, this book didn't fully do so.
Aside from that, I found it to be a well-written novel, with the slow-burn approach providing a nice build-up that will keep you invested and keep you guessing. It was not without certain clichés, but again, I think those clichés would have been less apparent had the story taken place in a different era. The ensemble of characters is sufficiently fleshed out, and you get a good sense of their different personalities, although they also have that feeling of belonging in another time period.
In short, none of the issues I've pointed out are problematic enough for me to consider this a bad or disappointing read. I ultimately enjoyed it for what it was. And I liked how the main character's experience with being a somewhat deceptive Tarot card reader could be utilized in her emerging quest to drag the truth out of people and generally shed some light on the growing mystery.
One thing that was a bit borderline cheesy, though - and it's hard to precisely explain why without spoilers - was the fact that this story is set in modern times, and some of the family drama revealed along the way seems a bit exaggerated in this day and age, compared to how certain things would be a much greater scandal some decades ago. It makes me wonder if the overall plot would have worked better if it were more of a period piece. Mysterious, old secrets hidden in a big mansion belonging to a rich family ... secrets desperately waiting to come to light ... it somehow feels more fitting to have such a story take place in the late 1800s or early 1900s.
I suppose a good way to put it, is that in terms of the "classic, old-school mystery set in modern time" vibe, where a movie like Knives Out completely nailed it, this book didn't fully do so.
Aside from that, I found it to be a well-written novel, with the slow-burn approach providing a nice build-up that will keep you invested and keep you guessing. It was not without certain clichés, but again, I think those clichés would have been less apparent had the story taken place in a different era. The ensemble of characters is sufficiently fleshed out, and you get a good sense of their different personalities, although they also have that feeling of belonging in another time period.
In short, none of the issues I've pointed out are problematic enough for me to consider this a bad or disappointing read. I ultimately enjoyed it for what it was. And I liked how the main character's experience with being a somewhat deceptive Tarot card reader could be utilized in her emerging quest to drag the truth out of people and generally shed some light on the growing mystery.
Savage Season by Joe R. Lansdale
4.0
I first discovered the characters named Hap and Leonard through the TV show whose three seasons were based on the three first novels in the book series by Joe R. Lansdale. I really enjoyed the show, so I started to collect the books, and after finally having read this first installment in the series, I certainly don't regret that decision.
Less than 200 pages long, it's a somewhat compact story, but frankly, this is one of those cases where the story is no longer or shorter than it needs to be. It's a suspenseful thriller with a whiff of country noir, and Lansdale often manages to say a lot in few words, both in conveying the moods and emotions of the characters enough to make them feel sufficiently fleshed-out, as well as describing the surroundings well enough to establish a clear mental image.
In other words, I really like Lansdale's writing style. He has a way of telling the story as if it was just some guy laid back in his favorite chair, having a beer, maybe smoking a cigarette, and telling tall tales about the adventures of his past. The fact that the story is written in first-person from Hap's perspective really helps to establish that vibe. The writing is less formal than other novels because things are described the way Hap would tell it to a friend, complete with that way of spicing sentences up with idioms, analogies, and proverbs that only people from the South do.
One could also say that another reason for the short length of the story is that Lansdale sticks to the plot all the way without any particular digressions or other unnecessary forms of padding. If I had read the books before I even knew that there was a TV adaptation, I would have said that the compact way in which this novel is written would translate very easily into a movie script or episode scripts for a series. Given the fact that they did make a TV series out of this, I suppose I'm not the only one to pick up on that.
It was a very quick read, but an enjoyable one, and I look forward to reading the other installments in the future.
Less than 200 pages long, it's a somewhat compact story, but frankly, this is one of those cases where the story is no longer or shorter than it needs to be. It's a suspenseful thriller with a whiff of country noir, and Lansdale often manages to say a lot in few words, both in conveying the moods and emotions of the characters enough to make them feel sufficiently fleshed-out, as well as describing the surroundings well enough to establish a clear mental image.
In other words, I really like Lansdale's writing style. He has a way of telling the story as if it was just some guy laid back in his favorite chair, having a beer, maybe smoking a cigarette, and telling tall tales about the adventures of his past. The fact that the story is written in first-person from Hap's perspective really helps to establish that vibe. The writing is less formal than other novels because things are described the way Hap would tell it to a friend, complete with that way of spicing sentences up with idioms, analogies, and proverbs that only people from the South do.
One could also say that another reason for the short length of the story is that Lansdale sticks to the plot all the way without any particular digressions or other unnecessary forms of padding. If I had read the books before I even knew that there was a TV adaptation, I would have said that the compact way in which this novel is written would translate very easily into a movie script or episode scripts for a series. Given the fact that they did make a TV series out of this, I suppose I'm not the only one to pick up on that.
It was a very quick read, but an enjoyable one, and I look forward to reading the other installments in the future.
Hidden Pictures by Jason Rekulak
0.0
Transphobic, racist, fatphobic and anti-atheist drivel in a way where it's the author's personal views that clearly shine through, rather than the fictional characters' personality traits. The story could have been good otherwise, but that ruins it for me.
Everyone In My Family Has Killed Someone by Benjamin Stevenson
3.0
Sometimes choosing to read a book simply because of its title pays off. This is definitely such a case. I had not heard of this book (nor, admittedly, its author) before I randomly discovered it in some list of recommended novels. And honestly, the title caught my eye so much that I decided to give it a chance. No regrets whatsoever.
This novel takes the typical murder mystery and puts a few spins on it, including a humorous one. It sort of makes sense, as author Benjamin Stevenson is also a stand-up comedian. But it's a very smooth blend with solid pacing; the humor never gets too silly, nor does the mystery get too convoluted.
One of the most interesting parts of this novel is how meta it is. The narrator is very self-aware. He's sometimes talking directly to the reader/listener (yes, he even accounts for the possibility that some of us are listening to the audiobook), he knows when he's being vague or somewhat misleading, he knows what parts come across as clichéd, and he keeps referring to things that will be revisited in later chapters. In essence, not only is he a character in a crime novel, he is also aware that he is in one, and even acknowledges that his role as a narrator is the only reason he comes across as a main character. That's a very nice approach.
Still, the writing is solid beyond being funny. If you stripped away all the humor, the actual mystery would still be intriguing and cleverly put together. It's just that with the added humor, the drama within the family has a touch of parody in it. Old secrets and lies, betrayals, rumors – all of the stuff you'd expect in a crime mystery involving a family gathered (and isolated) at a ski resort.
It's a quick and fun read, recommended if you want a decent mystery that will also make you chuckle every now and then!
This novel takes the typical murder mystery and puts a few spins on it, including a humorous one. It sort of makes sense, as author Benjamin Stevenson is also a stand-up comedian. But it's a very smooth blend with solid pacing; the humor never gets too silly, nor does the mystery get too convoluted.
One of the most interesting parts of this novel is how meta it is. The narrator is very self-aware. He's sometimes talking directly to the reader/listener (yes, he even accounts for the possibility that some of us are listening to the audiobook), he knows when he's being vague or somewhat misleading, he knows what parts come across as clichéd, and he keeps referring to things that will be revisited in later chapters. In essence, not only is he a character in a crime novel, he is also aware that he is in one, and even acknowledges that his role as a narrator is the only reason he comes across as a main character. That's a very nice approach.
Still, the writing is solid beyond being funny. If you stripped away all the humor, the actual mystery would still be intriguing and cleverly put together. It's just that with the added humor, the drama within the family has a touch of parody in it. Old secrets and lies, betrayals, rumors – all of the stuff you'd expect in a crime mystery involving a family gathered (and isolated) at a ski resort.
It's a quick and fun read, recommended if you want a decent mystery that will also make you chuckle every now and then!