rojo25's review against another edition
5.0
I thought this book was outstanding. A brutal murder in 18th century Stockholm. It’s brutal at times and shows life in a tough environment. Very complex story. Extremely intense. Well written. Outstanding knowledge of the time period. Loved it.
pihlen76's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
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? It's complicated
4.0
muffinadorable's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
itstoniy's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-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
3.75
timemm's review against another edition
dark
emotional
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
4.5
oberonmallory's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
thain's review against another edition
3.0
Noir set in 1793 Stockholm in which a night watchman and a dying police consultant investigate the discovery of a body with no limbs, tongue or eyes. A grim and gruesome depiction of lives lived in squalor and degradation (and LOTS of sewage!). Comparisons to The Alienist are apt. Intriguing, but I felt the motive was lacking given the extreme nature of the crime.
grimbo's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
sad
medium-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? It's complicated
2.0
The story is well written and the mystery is good. However I found the book unremittingly bleak and depressing with horrendous depictions of crimes and poverty. There's almost a feeling of the author revelling in the sadness and misery he describes so well
tommooney's review against another edition
3.0
This isn't normally the kind of book I'd reach for but I quite enjoyed it. I mean, it's overwritten and a bit clunky at times. But it comes together in the end.
Set in Stockholm in the late 18th century, it depicts a city full of sickness, severed limbs and the scents of rotting shit. A truly disgusting place.
Amid all this, a limbless, eyeless, toothless torso is fished out if the festering water. It is then left to an odd couple team of investigators to find the identity of the body and how it met its grisly end.
The story unfolds against the backdrop of great political and royal upheaval, with the Swedish King Gustav recently assassinated and Mary Antoinette about to lose her head.
It reads almost like a very bleak and disgusting Sherlock Holmes at times (one scene in particular is one if the most harrowing things I have read). And certain parts reminded me of Varenne's Retribution Road, though it's not as gritty or as well written. As I mentioned above, it is a bit overwritten and a lot of the middle part could have easily been dropped.
But it is an enjoyable read and does a good job of conjuring up the fetid stink and horrific sights of a rotting city and its bereft citizens.
Set in Stockholm in the late 18th century, it depicts a city full of sickness, severed limbs and the scents of rotting shit. A truly disgusting place.
Amid all this, a limbless, eyeless, toothless torso is fished out if the festering water. It is then left to an odd couple team of investigators to find the identity of the body and how it met its grisly end.
The story unfolds against the backdrop of great political and royal upheaval, with the Swedish King Gustav recently assassinated and Mary Antoinette about to lose her head.
It reads almost like a very bleak and disgusting Sherlock Holmes at times (one scene in particular is one if the most harrowing things I have read). And certain parts reminded me of Varenne's Retribution Road, though it's not as gritty or as well written. As I mentioned above, it is a bit overwritten and a lot of the middle part could have easily been dropped.
But it is an enjoyable read and does a good job of conjuring up the fetid stink and horrific sights of a rotting city and its bereft citizens.
anikka's review against another edition
I was not interested in anything happening in the book.