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saltycorpse's review against another edition
2.0
I probably would have given this at least three stars if it weren't for the tacky, overplayed, groan-worthy ending. everything leading up to that point was well-written and interesting, though.
jhbandcats's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Disappointing. I had a lot of difficulty suspending disbelief. Part of my problem may be the difference between the Swedish and US medical systems, or perhaps different terminology.
It seems impossible that even a small hospital would have only one on-call doctor and two nurses - and no security guard - to take care of patients overnight. Maybe a Swedish ICU is more inpatient surgery followup, not a ward of desperately ill patients. Even so, the descriptions of the hospital and its staffing beggared belief.
Part of the plot is that someone sees a ghost and thinks that’s the murderer. So much is made of this ghost! Why would police possibly believe in the ghost in the first place, and then devote so much energy to discussing it? The police keep saying they clearly don’t believe in the ghost, but their behavior belies their words.
We still have the issue of outright sexism and misogyny. At one point one of the detectives calls a coworker a bitch behind her back, and the Detective Superintendent silently agrees.
I’m willing to try the first few chapters of the next in the series but if I find it all annoying, I’m not spending any more time on it.
Edited to add: Nope. Nope. Nope. No more of this foolishness. Less than halfway into the first chapter of The Torso, the third book, I was assaulted by all those features that drive me bonkers about this series. So I quit.
It seems impossible that even a small hospital would have only one on-call doctor and two nurses - and no security guard - to take care of patients overnight. Maybe a Swedish ICU is more inpatient surgery followup, not a ward of desperately ill patients. Even so, the descriptions of the hospital and its staffing beggared belief.
Part of the plot is that someone sees a ghost and thinks that’s the murderer. So much is made of this ghost! Why would police possibly believe in the ghost in the first place, and then devote so much energy to discussing it? The police keep saying they clearly don’t believe in the ghost, but their behavior belies their words.
We still have the issue of outright sexism and misogyny. At one point one of the detectives calls a coworker a bitch behind her back, and the Detective Superintendent silently agrees.
I’m willing to try the first few chapters of the next in the series but if I find it all annoying, I’m not spending any more time on it.
Edited to add: Nope. Nope. Nope. No more of this foolishness. Less than halfway into the first chapter of The Torso, the third book, I was assaulted by all those features that drive me bonkers about this series. So I quit.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infertility, Infidelity, Misogyny, Sexism, Violence, Medical content, Murder, and Fire/Fire injury
taradactyl24's review against another edition
4.0
I loved this book so much! The story is Scandinavian Noir, my favorite, and this author has added a touch of Scooby-Dooishness (if I may) to a dark and eerie mystery. I can tell you that murders are happening and a ghost may or not be the prime suspect in these killings. Great story, very engrossing and interesting, and I really like the main character Inspector Irene Huss as well. Loved it.
iheartchickens's review against another edition
3.0
I enjoy these books and Irene and her co-workers. The first half of this book was slow, too much about the process and not enough movement on the plot. The second half was faster paced.
trekkifulshay's review against another edition
3.0
I found this one more predictable than the first book in the series. I don't know if that's her writing style or that cheating on your partner usually leads to trouble. IDK. It was still enjoyable.
sannastar's review against another edition
3.0
Liked. 3¾ *
Book was a present and has the authors dedication.
Book was a present and has the authors dedication.
quietjenn's review against another edition
3.0
Second book in this Swedish series - twisty and solid.
chfugal's review against another edition
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Audio library
2nd book in series. Good mystery. But will her one twin daughter always get in trouble with extreme groups?
2nd book in series. Good mystery. But will her one twin daughter always get in trouble with extreme groups?