Reviews

Ruthless by Anne Mette Hancock

kmreadstheworld's review

challenging dark mysterious tense medium-paced

3.75

lou_r85's review

5.0

One of the most enjoyable books I’ve read in a while! A really dark, Scandinavian crime noir book, we follow journalist Heloise and police detective Erik as the dig into an old case brought to their attention by a dying man. 

 

As they investigate, they uncover a complicated jigsaw of missing girls, unsolved murders, cover ups and the seedy world of trafficking and exploitation. 

 

The writing style is excellent and the narrative is fast paced, always leaving you wanting a little more. There are plenty of twists and revelations as we work through the book, and without spoiling anything, a really cracking ending! 

 

A must read for fans of crime or police procedural books. 

 

missrhinnan's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix

3.0

mjoiner11's review

adventurous 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? It's complicated

4.0

At least 6 typos/mistakes in this edition lol

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death and Murder

Moderate: Sexual assault

Minor: Pedophilia

ascher3's review

adventurous mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? N/A
• Loveable characters? N/A
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

pandasbookshelf's review

5.0

Ruthless is the third book in the Scandinavian noir series featuring journalist Heloise Kalder and detective inspector Erik Schafer. I’d recommend reading in order but this could be read as standalone as the backstory isn’t necessary to understand this one. This one focuses heavily on Kalder and her investigation of a cold case which comes up in relation to a story she is working on in the present. It took a little bit to get into this one but once I did I was hooked. The twists and turns this one takes you on will blow your mind and left me blindsided. Perfect for fans of this genre. I hope the author keeps writing this series and book 4 gets an English translation soon.

cmareads's review

dark emotional mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

herthrillingreads's review

dark mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Ruthless is book #3 in the Nordic Noir Kaldan and Schafer series by Anne Mette Hancock. I love this series that pairs Héloïse Kaldan, an investigative journalist, and Erik Schafer, a Copenhagen detective. In Ruthless, Héloïse is volunteering for a hospice charity when she stumbles across a deathbed confession that leads to her and Schafer investigating a cold case. 

I highly recommend this book and series, especially if you love dark crime novels. It’s fast paced, full of twists, and has an ending that is shocking (I really did not see it coming 🤯). 

Thank you @crookedlanebooks and @netgalley for allowing me to read this book ahead of publication in exchange for my honest review.

mandylovestoread's review

dark mysterious sad medium-paced

4.5

redhead_reader's review

dark mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

I devoured this book. I didn’t want to put it down. I really enjoyed the previous installments in the Kaldan and Schäfer series but this one has been my favorite so far. 
I did not see that ending coming, I literally gasped. 
I can’t wait to see what happens next for Kaldan and Schäfer. 

I can’t recommend this book or this series enough!