strawberrytheauthor's review
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
relaxing
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
5.0
I would classify this book as a cozy thriller. There aren’t high stakes but there is murder.
This book is a compilation of short stories about 89 year old Maud and her no good deeds. I am still not sure if I want her to succeed or get caught.
This book is a compilation of short stories about 89 year old Maud and her no good deeds. I am still not sure if I want her to succeed or get caught.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol, Blood, Death, Death of parent, Ableism, Murder, and Gore
lmagie's review
dark
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
At first it seems funny, but it ends up being kinda creepy.
Narration could have been more enjoyable if it had been set in the “present”, without so many flashbacks and explanations
Narration could have been more enjoyable if it had been set in the “present”, without so many flashbacks and explanations
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Death, Murder, and Blood
Minor: Domestic abuse, Death of parent, Dementia, and Mental illness
bi_n_large's review against another edition
dark
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Blood, and Violence
Moderate: Death of parent and Domestic abuse
awaterswadesthrough's review
dark
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Murder
Minor: Death of parent, Gore, Mental illness, Physical abuse, and Blood
nebraskanwriter's review against another edition
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
This book was not for me. I did not realize going into it what I was getting myself into and that is on me, I acknowledge that.
I thought this book was going to be taking a more A Man Called Ove approach but instead it took a total Dexter approach.
This is an 88 year old serial killer who will kill anyone who wrongs her or thinks is going to wrong her. And I know many people in other reviews have said this was “hilarious” and I’m glad that they enjoyed it but how calculating she was, how she did not have any remorse and how she did it all for selfish reasons (even the abuse situation, she killed the husband so she could go back to having a peaceful Christmas day. She did not do it for the abused wife).
I thought this would be giving Carl from UP, where yes he goes against the people trying to take his home but it is kind of loveable and endearing, his grumpy outer exterior because you discover that inside, he is actually a really nice person. Or in A Man Called Ove, same thing he is rebelling against the system that is taking advantage of his wife’s horrible accident, but he does not go and kill the people that wrong him! And as the book goes on, we see that Ove does have a heart, like Carl.
There was nothing redeemable in Maude. She killed anyone that so much stepped a toe out of line or did her wrong in any way, even stabbing one of the men at the grocery store when he couldn’t get her the ham that she wanted.
I know many people loved this and thought this book was hilarious. It is definitely me, not you. I thought this was going to be a light hearted book but it was just a book about an old woman brutally murdering anyone who wronged her, that was it.
Nope, not for me!
I thought this book was going to be taking a more A Man Called Ove approach but instead it took a total Dexter approach.
This is an 88 year old serial killer who will kill anyone who wrongs her or thinks is going to wrong her. And I know many people in other reviews have said this was “hilarious” and I’m glad that they enjoyed it but how calculating she was, how she did not have any remorse and how she did it all for selfish reasons (even the abuse situation, she killed the husband so she could go back to having a peaceful Christmas day. She did not do it for the abused wife).
I thought this would be giving Carl from UP, where yes he goes against the people trying to take his home but it is kind of loveable and endearing, his grumpy outer exterior because you discover that inside, he is actually a really nice person. Or in A Man Called Ove, same thing he is rebelling against the system that is taking advantage of his wife’s horrible accident, but he does not go and kill the people that wrong him! And as the book goes on, we see that Ove does have a heart, like Carl.
There was nothing redeemable in Maude. She killed anyone that so much stepped a toe out of line or did her wrong in any way, even stabbing one of the men at the grocery store when he couldn’t get her the ham that she wanted.
I know many people loved this and thought this book was hilarious. It is definitely me, not you. I thought this was going to be a light hearted book but it was just a book about an old woman brutally murdering anyone who wronged her, that was it.
Spoiler
She even kills her sister.Nope, not for me!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gaslighting, Gore, Misogyny, Murder, Physical abuse, Body horror, Domestic abuse, Abandonment, Blood, Injury/Injury detail, Alcohol, Death, Death of parent, Toxic relationship, Alcoholism, Bullying, Cursing, Medical content, and Violence
parasolcrafter's review
dark
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
this was a vvv strange book. im still not sure if i liked it...? i mean...it was interesting, thats for sure!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Alcohol, Cursing, Death, Alcoholism, Blood, Domestic abuse, and Murder
Moderate: Dementia
bookishbutch's review against another edition
dark
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Murder
Moderate: Domestic abuse and Death of parent
sallysimply's review
dark
3.5
I picked this up randomly at the library, and it was an odd delight. It is somehow super dark and also lighthearted, which is impressive!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder and Death
Moderate: Sexism
Minor: Death of parent
vigil's review
adventurous
dark
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
on the rare occasion an older woman is introduced into a book, she’s usually a flat sweet grandmother character meant to occasionally support the (often male) protag.
maud, an 88 year old swedish female murderer is none of these things. its part of what makes her so delightful. another is the skill portrayed by helene tursten, in characterization, and plot. she’s a rotten old lady who’s first instinct to the slightest annoyance is murder, and it makes for an excellent read.
this is a collection of four short stories, easily read in one afternoon. i believe that they should be read in order, especially the last two, which are in direct relation to each other.
needless to say, i thoroughly enjoyed reading this book, and spending time in maud’s devious little brain. i absolutely plan on picking up the sequel.
maud, an 88 year old swedish female murderer is none of these things. its part of what makes her so delightful. another is the skill portrayed by helene tursten, in characterization, and plot. she’s a rotten old lady who’s first instinct to the slightest annoyance is murder, and it makes for an excellent read.
this is a collection of four short stories, easily read in one afternoon. i believe that they should be read in order, especially the last two, which are in direct relation to each other.
needless to say, i thoroughly enjoyed reading this book, and spending time in maud’s devious little brain. i absolutely plan on picking up the sequel.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Terminal illness, Violence, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, Murder, Toxic relationship, Alcoholism, Blood, Car accident, Chronic illness, Death, Death of parent, Mental illness, and Physical abuse
apoppyinthewind's review
dark
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
This was a delightfully dark and entertaining quick read. It’s a collection of short stories that are interconnected snapshots of Maud’s adventures as a elderly murderess. The title had caught my eye at the library & I borrowed it, expecting bad ass old lady shenanigans which it delivered. Imagine if Jessica Fletcher had decided to commit murders instead of solving them and she was a no-nonsense Swedish loner instead. I will be checking out the next collection of stories on my next library visit.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Blood and Murder
Minor: Mental illness, Dementia, Death, Domestic abuse, and Death of parent