author_d_r_oestreicher's review against another edition
5.0
The Caller by Karin Fossum (Norwegian) is a dark psychological mystery, #10 in the Inspector Sejer series). The story opens with a couple finding their young child sleeping in her pram and covered in blood. When the frantic parents bring her to the hospital, they discover that this was a prank, but the loss of security and psychological damage has been done. These “pranks” escalate as the reader follows Sejer’s investigations and the 17-year-old prankster’s angry life.
If you like dark explorations of psychological stress and pain, this book is perfect. Just don’t expect a happy, or even neat, ending.
For my expanded notes: https://1book42day.blogspot.com/2019/05/the-caller-by-karin-fossum.html
Check out https://amazon.com/shop/influencer-20171115075 for book recommendations.
If you like dark explorations of psychological stress and pain, this book is perfect. Just don’t expect a happy, or even neat, ending.
For my expanded notes: https://1book42day.blogspot.com/2019/05/the-caller-by-karin-fossum.html
Check out https://amazon.com/shop/influencer-20171115075 for book recommendations.
skiracechick's review against another edition
3.0
Interesting enough, but not amazing. The translation was a bit off in parts, which made it hard to follow. For example, houses had gardens, but I'm pretty sure they really were yards. And there was a pram, which I think (thank you Wikipedia) is a stroller or baby carriage or something like that.
Not much resolution at the end, either. Rather anti-climatic.
Not much resolution at the end, either. Rather anti-climatic.
snowflakeanddan's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
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
4.0
anye's review against another edition
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.75
chrispyschaller's review against another edition
3.0
No need for murder in this multi-character study.
bgg616's review against another edition
3.0
This was a quick read and a pretty good story, but not 4 stars. It tells about a series of pranks carried out by a 17 year old boy from a disfunctional family. The consequences of the pranks escalate and everything is tied up in the end.
bibliobethreads's review against another edition
4.0
I wasn't sure about this book at first, it seemed a bit saccharin-sweet at times (perhaps something lost in translation?). However, about halfway through, I really started to enjoy the story. We are aware of who the perp is from the beginning which I found interesting as we were able to assess his character in more detail. Great ending as well - I won't spoil it but you have to read it to see what I mean.
awelsh's review against another edition
3.0
2.5 stars. Easy to read and well drawn characters, but a lackluster sense of mystery and zero suspense.
b00kr3vi3ws's review against another edition
4.0
The book is set in a quaint peaceful town where people are in general happy in their own lives. But the peace of the town is soon broken by a series of really nasty pranks. It all started when Lily found her baby drenched in blood. Thinking that your perfectly healthy child is suddenly bleeding to death and then realize that it was someone’s idea of a prank is like going to hell and back. But for Inspector Sejer ‘hell’ is just the beginning or at least that’s what the perpetrator feels.
Okay seriously, what do these Scandinavian Authors eat and breathe? They certainly have the creepiest imagination ever! Just in case you are wondering I do mean it as a compliment. First, Stieg Larsson, then Jo Nesbo and now Karin Fossum – they all have something in common. There is certain darkness about at least one of their characters that will leave you thinking for days after you’ve finished reading the book. Absolutely, freakishly awesome.
As a book in the mystery genre, there wasn’t much to guess. The author provided us more than a glimpse into the perpetrator’s mind – we are offered a chance to actually see how he sees things and how he thinks. As the novel progresses, we also see that Inspector Sejer works out how he thinks too. So you would think that there’s not much in the book to take you by surprise. Oh well! Think again! There’s an ultimate twist in the tale that you should but will not see coming – be warned.
Overall, I liked the author’s simple writing style that was easy to get into. But mostly, I liked the sociological aspect that she has put into this novel. Growing up, our parents, the people around us and the society in general influence our personality and character whether we like it or not. Really an interesting read that I definitely recommend.
Okay seriously, what do these Scandinavian Authors eat and breathe? They certainly have the creepiest imagination ever! Just in case you are wondering I do mean it as a compliment. First, Stieg Larsson, then Jo Nesbo and now Karin Fossum – they all have something in common. There is certain darkness about at least one of their characters that will leave you thinking for days after you’ve finished reading the book. Absolutely, freakishly awesome.
As a book in the mystery genre, there wasn’t much to guess. The author provided us more than a glimpse into the perpetrator’s mind – we are offered a chance to actually see how he sees things and how he thinks. As the novel progresses, we also see that Inspector Sejer works out how he thinks too. So you would think that there’s not much in the book to take you by surprise. Oh well! Think again! There’s an ultimate twist in the tale that you should but will not see coming – be warned.
Overall, I liked the author’s simple writing style that was easy to get into. But mostly, I liked the sociological aspect that she has put into this novel. Growing up, our parents, the people around us and the society in general influence our personality and character whether we like it or not. Really an interesting read that I definitely recommend.