minniepauline's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
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? No
4.0
This is an enjoyable, week-written mystery. I did guess a few of the big twists, but I didn’t mind too much. I’m looking forward to the next one.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Kidnapping
rachiebeeee's review against another edition
3.0
A good first book in the series. Looking forward to reading the rest.
nerdygigi's review against another edition
4.0
Great story overall. I think I'm going to enjoy this series. The characters are very likable and I hope that they continue to build on that throughout the storyline.
Why was it not a 5⭐️?
The ending was predictable. I worked it out about 75% of the way through.
There were also a few things that irked me a bit. One being the very strange way a character is introduced and evolved. The other being the main character's actions at times. Without being too specific as to not spoil it...I'll just say that they're unrealistic and would never happen in the real world.
I still enjoyed the book, loved the characters, and can't wait to read the next one.
Why was it not a 5⭐️?
The ending was predictable. I worked it out about 75% of the way through.
There were also a few things that irked me a bit. One being the very strange way a character is introduced and evolved. The other being the main character's actions at times. Without being too specific as to not spoil it...I'll just say that they're unrealistic and would never happen in the real world.
I still enjoyed the book, loved the characters, and can't wait to read the next one.
kbrown5455's review against another edition
4.0
First in a series where a psychiatrist, Frieda Klein, an intelligent, analytic, Londoner helps solve a crime.
sooky's review against another edition
2.0
I just don't get this book... There was a lot going on, but hardly anything happened in the first half. It was meant to be a story about a child kidnapping and the surrounding investigation, involving a psychotherapist. Sounds great, no? Well, that poor child was barely mentioned, he was more like an afterthought people every now and then remembered to mention in the background.
A strange mood enveloped the room where they sat, dreamy and sad.
And that strange and sad mood spilled our all over the whole story. The atmosphere was great. London at its most depressing. But there were just too many moments of staring out windows, sitting around tables and walks at 3 a.m.
Frieda Klein is a psychotherapist, or, according to her sister in law some kind of a doctor with a bunch of stuff after her name. But she's also turned out to be a technophobe, Christmas-hater, miserable moron who is scared to be happy.
In fact, it had only been in the last year that she had finally bought an answering machine and she steadfastly refused to have a mobile, to the incredulity of all those around her, who didn’t believe that people could actually function without one. But Frieda wanted to be able to escape from incessant communications and demands.
Because having a mobile means having to be glued to it, doesn't it? You can't, like... heaven forbid, put it away or turn it off, can you?
Great start for someone who is supposed to be there for people to help putting their lives back together, right? But her constant negativity would put a damper on any happy person.
‘What am I doing this summer, you mean? I should warn you that I hate flying. And sunbathing on beaches.’
Yes, Frieda, we get it, everything's shit. But we have no clue why, so it's just annoying, sorry. I sometimes wondered if she even likes anything, apart from munching on toast in front of the fireplace.
There were quite a few pointless characters. Starting with Sandy, the boyfriend. What for? Poor dude appeared a few times, just so we get it that Frieda is afraid of commitment. I almost started feeling sorry for her that she's taking so long to trust someone and not staying overnight or letting them come to her place, when the dude dropped a bombshell (new job, moving overseas) and turned out they know each other for some weeks only. WTF?
Jack, Frieda's student-protege-trainee whatever was another one of these people who just hung around to basically explain the obvious. Josef, the Ukranian dude who drove Frieda around, cooked meals for her and was perpetually confused because he didn't bloody understand half the time what anyone was talking about and basic words had to be explained to him. Duh. Have they become friends? Fuck knows...
I did like Chief Inspector Karlsson though. A cool dude, who is trying his best. He at least resembled something we'd call a reasonable person.
Since this series is mainly about Frieda, I doubt I will read the next book.
A strange mood enveloped the room where they sat, dreamy and sad.
And that strange and sad mood spilled our all over the whole story. The atmosphere was great. London at its most depressing. But there were just too many moments of staring out windows, sitting around tables and walks at 3 a.m.
Frieda Klein is a psychotherapist, or, according to her sister in law some kind of a doctor with a bunch of stuff after her name. But she's also turned out to be a technophobe, Christmas-hater, miserable moron who is scared to be happy.
In fact, it had only been in the last year that she had finally bought an answering machine and she steadfastly refused to have a mobile, to the incredulity of all those around her, who didn’t believe that people could actually function without one. But Frieda wanted to be able to escape from incessant communications and demands.
Because having a mobile means having to be glued to it, doesn't it? You can't, like... heaven forbid, put it away or turn it off, can you?
Great start for someone who is supposed to be there for people to help putting their lives back together, right? But her constant negativity would put a damper on any happy person.
‘What am I doing this summer, you mean? I should warn you that I hate flying. And sunbathing on beaches.’
Yes, Frieda, we get it, everything's shit. But we have no clue why, so it's just annoying, sorry. I sometimes wondered if she even likes anything, apart from munching on toast in front of the fireplace.
There were quite a few pointless characters. Starting with Sandy, the boyfriend. What for? Poor dude appeared a few times, just so we get it that Frieda is afraid of commitment. I almost started feeling sorry for her that she's taking so long to trust someone and not staying overnight or letting them come to her place, when the dude dropped a bombshell (new job, moving overseas) and turned out they know each other for some weeks only. WTF?
Spoiler
Yet, he also thought it was a great idea to suggest she moves with him, and then when didn't work, to suggest they get married. But sure, he's the great, reliable dude, isn't he.Jack, Frieda's student-protege-trainee whatever was another one of these people who just hung around to basically explain the obvious. Josef, the Ukranian dude who drove Frieda around, cooked meals for her and was perpetually confused because he didn't bloody understand half the time what anyone was talking about and basic words had to be explained to him. Duh. Have they become friends? Fuck knows...
I did like Chief Inspector Karlsson though. A cool dude, who is trying his best. He at least resembled something we'd call a reasonable person.
Since this series is mainly about Frieda, I doubt I will read the next book.
annevdh's review against another edition
3.0
I read the sixth book in this series last year, which was a good book to read on its own. However, it might have spoiled this one for me because I already guessed most of the plotpoints based on what I had read in the sixth book. Even though I could guess the outcome of the crime mystery, it was still written very well.
sai2712's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
bunnyju's review against another edition
4.5
Not really a thriller crime fan. This was the only book of the genre that I actually considered interested and surprising. Absolutely brilliant.
sofielser's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
4.0