herthrillingreads's review
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-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
4.5
zuzaperkowska's review against another edition
4.0
Omg końcówka super!! tylko kurde czy w całej serii morderca będzie umierał na końcu -.-
karolinapaulson's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
lisaeirene's review
3.0
Not my favorite book of hers. I like her writing and her stories but this book in the series was the weakest. I wasn't quite sure why she was spending so much time on the 1920's story line and even at the end when it all came together it didn't really gel for me.
fleuribeur's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-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
4.5
chrispyschaller's review against another edition
3.0
Another cozy Nordic noir as Nora kicks the creep to the curb.
cj_mo_2222's review against another edition
4.0
In the summer, the small Swedish island of Sandhamn is known for its "beautiful beaches and delightful regattas", but on a stormy Fall night, a young woman named Lina Rosen has disappeared. Four months later, the case is still unsolved and it's up to D.I. Thomas Andreasson, his partner Margit Grankvist, and his friend Nora Linde to find out the truth about what happened to Lina.
I've read quite a few Scandinavian mysteries and I really like this novel by Viveca Sten. This is third in a series, but the first I have read. I feel like I didn't get to know Margit very well from this book and it could be that background was given in one of the prior two books. I liked Thomas as a person and an investigator and his friend Nora is likeable, sympathetic, and intelligent.
In addition to the current mystery, the narrative includes flashbacks to a Sandhamn family going back as far as 1899. The tragic events related in those chapters are eventually and smoothly tied in to the present. I couldn't wait to see what, if anything, these characters from the past had to do with the current case.
The book is well-written and suspenseful. The writing style and the use of history paired with current event reminds me of Swedish author Camilla Lackberg, who is one of my favorites. As mentioned above, not all of the characters are as fully fleshed out as I would have liked, but that could be due to reading this book without reading the prior installments. The case is solved by the end of the book, but I was disappointed that a huge cliffhanger regarding an important character was left unresolved. Luckily, the next book comes out in English later this year. Until then, I plan to catch up on the first two books of this series. I'm so glad I was able to read this book and discover a new author that I really like.
I received this book from the Goodreads First-Reads program. The book was provided to me and in turn, I have provided an honest review.
I've read quite a few Scandinavian mysteries and I really like this novel by Viveca Sten. This is third in a series, but the first I have read. I feel like I didn't get to know Margit very well from this book and it could be that background was given in one of the prior two books. I liked Thomas as a person and an investigator and his friend Nora is likeable, sympathetic, and intelligent.
In addition to the current mystery, the narrative includes flashbacks to a Sandhamn family going back as far as 1899. The tragic events related in those chapters are eventually and smoothly tied in to the present. I couldn't wait to see what, if anything, these characters from the past had to do with the current case.
The book is well-written and suspenseful. The writing style and the use of history paired with current event reminds me of Swedish author Camilla Lackberg, who is one of my favorites. As mentioned above, not all of the characters are as fully fleshed out as I would have liked, but that could be due to reading this book without reading the prior installments. The case is solved by the end of the book, but I was disappointed that a huge cliffhanger regarding an important character was left unresolved. Luckily, the next book comes out in English later this year. Until then, I plan to catch up on the first two books of this series. I'm so glad I was able to read this book and discover a new author that I really like.
I received this book from the Goodreads First-Reads program. The book was provided to me and in turn, I have provided an honest review.
jricchio's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
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? It's complicated
4.5
biteintobooks's review against another edition
5.0
I love having a good crime/thriller series that you can just binge on. Those series where you can follow the lives of the main characters and every book is a new crime or murder case. I've loved series by Karin Slaughter, M.J. Arlidge and now this series by Viveca Sten is high on my list to binge read this year!
Full review can be found at BiteIntoBooks
If you love those crime/mystery series that follow certain main-characters and their lives during the several books in a series; this is a series to read! The setting is so unique; Sandhamn in Sweden. After reading 3 books in this series, it just feels like coming home. And then in this third book Viveca Sten shows us she has some tricks up her sleeve... With that huge CLIFFHANGER. You gotta love it, and I do!
Full review can be found at BiteIntoBooks
If you love those crime/mystery series that follow certain main-characters and their lives during the several books in a series; this is a series to read! The setting is so unique; Sandhamn in Sweden. After reading 3 books in this series, it just feels like coming home. And then in this third book Viveca Sten shows us she has some tricks up her sleeve... With that huge CLIFFHANGER. You gotta love it, and I do!
morganperks's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- 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
3.0
A little to mush POV-changing for my liking. Still enjoyed being back in Sandhamn.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Infidelity, Emotional abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Child abuse, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Confinement, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Child death, Grief, Alcohol, Physical abuse, and Death
Minor: Sexism, Rape, Medical content, Suicidal thoughts, Misogyny, and Cursing