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alana_jg's review
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-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
3.0
meggied's review against another edition
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? It's complicated
3.5
mbfox's review against another edition
challenging
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
smilesgiggle's review against another edition
3.0
This story is told via dual narrative - present by Eleanor, past by Annushka - a young maid at the country home.
Eleanor enters her grandmother's home for their weekly meal. She finds Vivianne’s dying from multiple stab wounds, bleeding out with no hope for recovery.
Months later, Eleanor leaves the hospital - her shock and grief less all encompassing. To her surprise, she is called to her grandmother's country estate, an asset Eleanor has never heard of. Her aunt, Veronika, along with her boyfriend Sebastian meet the family lawyer at the estate to itemize the contents.
Eleanor hears someone else in the house - gets pushed in the abandoned dumb waiter but no one believes her, only have her shaky recovery emphasized.
Annushka tells the story of Sir and Ma'am, the wealthy owners of the country home employing her. Ma'am is desperate for a child, yet fails to conceive. Annushka provides considerable insight into the owners' lives, also becoming embroiled in their scandal.
Great twist, somewhat predictable. I enjoyed these characters and the family mystery.
Eleanor enters her grandmother's home for their weekly meal. She finds Vivianne’s dying from multiple stab wounds, bleeding out with no hope for recovery.
Months later, Eleanor leaves the hospital - her shock and grief less all encompassing. To her surprise, she is called to her grandmother's country estate, an asset Eleanor has never heard of. Her aunt, Veronika, along with her boyfriend Sebastian meet the family lawyer at the estate to itemize the contents.
Eleanor hears someone else in the house - gets pushed in the abandoned dumb waiter but no one believes her, only have her shaky recovery emphasized.
Annushka tells the story of Sir and Ma'am, the wealthy owners of the country home employing her. Ma'am is desperate for a child, yet fails to conceive. Annushka provides considerable insight into the owners' lives, also becoming embroiled in their scandal.
Great twist, somewhat predictable. I enjoyed these characters and the family mystery.
themysterymaven's review against another edition
4.0
Atmosphere abounds in this book…I loved it so much! A long-abandoned mansion in the deep woods of Sweden…a mysterious door hidden within the wallpaper…a groundskeeper gone missing…footprints and shadows in the snow…I really felt like I was there.
We’re following Victoria five months after she witnesses the murder of her grandmother, whose will & estate includes a looming, large house and hunting grounds in the forest. As Victoria —- who prefers to go by Eleanor — ventures with her aunt Veronika (and others) to take stock of the grounds, so many secrets from the past start seeping into the story, ultimately unwinding into the motive for murder.
The characters are female-driven and all their names start with V, beginning with matriarch (and grandmother/victim) Vivianne, controlling and manipulative in life, right down to the letter, so to speak. I think Eleanor’s choice to instead use her middle name is one way for her to glide out from under that grip. Eleanor is also a very unique main protagonist bc she has prosopagnosia, or face blindness.
This bit torments her as she fears the winter darkness at the mansion bc she is unable to identify her grandmother’s killer, even though she saw him in the act. Therefore, each indistiguishable shadow she senses seems like the killer has followed her into the woods. And the plot really ramps up as everyone becomes a suspect, and everyone equally has become trapped at the isolated mansion.
If you like wintry thrillers with twists and suspense set in long-forgotten places put into motion by a mysterious murder, you will like this novel! It has a very claustrophobic locked-room feel despite the expanse of the entire estate. The setting in itself is so good, perfect for a-wrapped-up-in-blankets nighttime read!!
We’re following Victoria five months after she witnesses the murder of her grandmother, whose will & estate includes a looming, large house and hunting grounds in the forest. As Victoria —- who prefers to go by Eleanor — ventures with her aunt Veronika (and others) to take stock of the grounds, so many secrets from the past start seeping into the story, ultimately unwinding into the motive for murder.
The characters are female-driven and all their names start with V, beginning with matriarch (and grandmother/victim) Vivianne, controlling and manipulative in life, right down to the letter, so to speak. I think Eleanor’s choice to instead use her middle name is one way for her to glide out from under that grip. Eleanor is also a very unique main protagonist bc she has prosopagnosia, or face blindness.
This bit torments her as she fears the winter darkness at the mansion bc she is unable to identify her grandmother’s killer, even though she saw him in the act. Therefore, each indistiguishable shadow she senses seems like the killer has followed her into the woods. And the plot really ramps up as everyone becomes a suspect, and everyone equally has become trapped at the isolated mansion.
If you like wintry thrillers with twists and suspense set in long-forgotten places put into motion by a mysterious murder, you will like this novel! It has a very claustrophobic locked-room feel despite the expanse of the entire estate. The setting in itself is so good, perfect for a-wrapped-up-in-blankets nighttime read!!
jessica_lovely's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
geauxgetlit's review against another edition
4.0
Wow, considering this is a translated book…it still brought to life that dark atmospheric, creepy, crawly, haunted feeling that isn’t always found.
Eleanor has face blindness and when she was knocking on Vivianne’s door, her grandmother, to visit and upon arrival the door opened. It wasn’t Vivianne in the doorway but someone else who had blood on them and scissors in there hand and flew past her. Her grandmother was brutally murdered by this killer, but why didn’t this killer attack her also?
She now must go to an estate she’s never heard of in the Swedish Woods with the lawyer, her husband and her aunt.
Why did Vivianne keep this estate from her and who is the killer and why didn’t they kill her also?
As with most old houses, they have a story to tell and this estate is hiding plenty of secrets.
Twisted and Spooky!
Eleanor has face blindness and when she was knocking on Vivianne’s door, her grandmother, to visit and upon arrival the door opened. It wasn’t Vivianne in the doorway but someone else who had blood on them and scissors in there hand and flew past her. Her grandmother was brutally murdered by this killer, but why didn’t this killer attack her also?
She now must go to an estate she’s never heard of in the Swedish Woods with the lawyer, her husband and her aunt.
Why did Vivianne keep this estate from her and who is the killer and why didn’t they kill her also?
As with most old houses, they have a story to tell and this estate is hiding plenty of secrets.
Twisted and Spooky!
vacantbones's review against another edition
4.0
Creepy, twisty, and super atmospheric. While I am concerned about the fact that the main character is pushing 30 and doesn't know what a dumbwaiter is, I found myself actually surprised by the way the mystery unfolded (Elanor's prosopagnosia is implemented so well into the story, whereas other books have used similar neurological disorders and fell flat in their execution).
I do think the book flap, in its quest to sell this one, is extremely dramatic when trying to communicate how CrAzY the story is, but it's still a pleasant read nonetheless.
I do think the book flap, in its quest to sell this one, is extremely dramatic when trying to communicate how CrAzY the story is, but it's still a pleasant read nonetheless.
ekilburn529's review
3.5
Intriguing and well written. I wish the prosopagnosia played more of a role. Here it felt as significant as saying the room was dark and she couldn’t see the persons face. It could have been left out and the story would be just as compelling. I like the isolation and the pacing was great - short chapters, back and forth between two timelines - all things I enjoy. Just missed the mark a bit. I love seeing all sorts of disabilities, especially invisible ones.
hannahinpages's review against another edition
3.0
Imagine me banging my fists on a table while I say MORE DISABILITY REP IN BOOKS !!!
Been doing terrible on my read more translated books goal so here's to bettering that!
Been doing terrible on my read more translated books goal so here's to bettering that!