read_between_the_wines's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
relaxing
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
isabell_'s review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-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? It's complicated
5.0
helenelian's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
3.5
marco5599's review against another edition
1.0
Thrillers with a countdown. 5,4,3.. Will they make it in time? So exciting! Not. Of course they will. Not the only embarrassing aspect of this book, almost every move it makes is. Well-known people are being killed and the lead detective (Blix) decides to leak information to a celebrity blogger (Ramm) for personal reasons. Am I supposed to root for this guy? I had enough trouble doing that after the prologue, in which he also screws up. With deadly consequences, I might add. Ramm can't save it either. Her most striking feature, a shiny one, made me laugh. Preposterous. And it doesn't stop there. The police work usually ends up with one of those cringeworthy aha moments and the killer, well, he sure is something. Unbelievable how he does it, how he gets away with it. Literally. Zero credibility and by the end of it (hi, mom!) downright laughable. If you can't guess where the finale will take place after the first chapter, this contrived Hollywood drivel is for you.
the_coycaterpillar_reads's review against another edition
5.0
Some publishers are just complete go-to. Crime fiction and Nordic Noir are phrases that are somonis with Orenda Books. This blog tour invitation for Death Deserved was an automatic YES YES YES. Nordic Noir is a relatively new genre for me, but I am quickly falling head over heels. It has restarted my heart and gave me a passion for crime fiction once more. I couldn’t wait to get my grubby little hands on this exciting and riveting read.
I was expecting huge things from this superstar double act. The anticipation was melting my brain. The prologue created that taut tension that I crave and live for. My eyes couldn’t stop the uncontrollable speed that they took in the lines of the book. The words took on a life of its own. They grew legs and marched straight up to my face and smacked me silly…it had my full attention.
Deserved Death was an interesting title choice but one that seeped in a rightness as soon as the final page was put to rest. Is any untimely death deserved? What events in a person’s life would make it a given that they deserve to die. I’m sure at some point in our lives we have done something that was immoral or bad, does it necessarily mean that our deaths would be deserved? The authors captured everything that I anticipate in Nordic Noir. They led you down a deserted road, one that had the hairs on the back of your neck stand to attention, military style. The possibilities were endless, and my stomach churned like it was on the super spin cycle. Nausea and crime is my favourite combination.
This book sets the tone. The dark and dangerous tone. Just sit and imagine taking in the words and the ominous theme tune to the exorcist playing in the background. You know it isn’t going to be like visiting your sweet aunt for the afternoon. It’s going to be a rollercoaster ride over the Grand Canyon except that half of the track is missing. Heart in mouth. Senses threatening to leave your body. It truly challenges the control you have over your own emotions.
Two narrators. Two broken characters. Connections intertwined. We meet Alexander Blix, a quiet police officer who has gone through the emotional wringer both professionally and personally. He acts from the heart frequently and is more an action man than a procedure man. It causes him difficulties in his job, but he is respected and admired by his close- nit team. He instantly spoke to me on a deep level. He is relatable and is living a life in the shadows not fully grasping it by the balls. A victim of his past. He threatens to become a victim of his future too.
We also meet Emma Ramm, celebrity blogger. She also has her own skeletons in the cupboard. She can appear cold but progressively you uncover the real her, layer by complex layer. At times she seemed like a rubix cube. Frustrating and complex to fathom out.
Set in Oslo, ex-former long-distance runner, Sonja Nordstrøm has recently released her scathing autobiography. Emma Ramm discovers her lack of contact for a TV interview and visits her home. There appears to have been a struggle. There is, however, no sign of her. The police launch an official investigation. An intriguing Number One has been attached to the TV. The scene is unsettling, and you can feel a lingering shadow threatening to creep beyond the edges.
There is a bigger picture emerging. The police investigation is stretched taut to its very limits. Blix is still haunted by the tragedy that saw him kill a 5-year-old girl’s father. Guns still make him nervous, but his persona belies the man he portrays to the world. The cracks threaten to split. Can he keep it together until the end of the investigation?
The main theme running through this book is the human condition and it’s need and pure want of fame and the culture of celebrity. What drives people to want these things with such a hunger? We know from history that money doesn’t make you happy. More often than not it attracts ill mental health like a calling card. In this story the burden of celebrity attracts the dark. It has created a festering wound seeping in dysfunctionality and pain. It certainly made me think about the important things in life. I am quite happy being a nobody.
Death Deserved is a tautly woven, intricately written tale of suspense and layer upon layers visceral action. The authors nail the exact art of Nordic Noir and make you hunger for more.
I was expecting huge things from this superstar double act. The anticipation was melting my brain. The prologue created that taut tension that I crave and live for. My eyes couldn’t stop the uncontrollable speed that they took in the lines of the book. The words took on a life of its own. They grew legs and marched straight up to my face and smacked me silly…it had my full attention.
Deserved Death was an interesting title choice but one that seeped in a rightness as soon as the final page was put to rest. Is any untimely death deserved? What events in a person’s life would make it a given that they deserve to die. I’m sure at some point in our lives we have done something that was immoral or bad, does it necessarily mean that our deaths would be deserved? The authors captured everything that I anticipate in Nordic Noir. They led you down a deserted road, one that had the hairs on the back of your neck stand to attention, military style. The possibilities were endless, and my stomach churned like it was on the super spin cycle. Nausea and crime is my favourite combination.
This book sets the tone. The dark and dangerous tone. Just sit and imagine taking in the words and the ominous theme tune to the exorcist playing in the background. You know it isn’t going to be like visiting your sweet aunt for the afternoon. It’s going to be a rollercoaster ride over the Grand Canyon except that half of the track is missing. Heart in mouth. Senses threatening to leave your body. It truly challenges the control you have over your own emotions.
Two narrators. Two broken characters. Connections intertwined. We meet Alexander Blix, a quiet police officer who has gone through the emotional wringer both professionally and personally. He acts from the heart frequently and is more an action man than a procedure man. It causes him difficulties in his job, but he is respected and admired by his close- nit team. He instantly spoke to me on a deep level. He is relatable and is living a life in the shadows not fully grasping it by the balls. A victim of his past. He threatens to become a victim of his future too.
We also meet Emma Ramm, celebrity blogger. She also has her own skeletons in the cupboard. She can appear cold but progressively you uncover the real her, layer by complex layer. At times she seemed like a rubix cube. Frustrating and complex to fathom out.
Set in Oslo, ex-former long-distance runner, Sonja Nordstrøm has recently released her scathing autobiography. Emma Ramm discovers her lack of contact for a TV interview and visits her home. There appears to have been a struggle. There is, however, no sign of her. The police launch an official investigation. An intriguing Number One has been attached to the TV. The scene is unsettling, and you can feel a lingering shadow threatening to creep beyond the edges.
There is a bigger picture emerging. The police investigation is stretched taut to its very limits. Blix is still haunted by the tragedy that saw him kill a 5-year-old girl’s father. Guns still make him nervous, but his persona belies the man he portrays to the world. The cracks threaten to split. Can he keep it together until the end of the investigation?
The main theme running through this book is the human condition and it’s need and pure want of fame and the culture of celebrity. What drives people to want these things with such a hunger? We know from history that money doesn’t make you happy. More often than not it attracts ill mental health like a calling card. In this story the burden of celebrity attracts the dark. It has created a festering wound seeping in dysfunctionality and pain. It certainly made me think about the important things in life. I am quite happy being a nobody.
Death Deserved is a tautly woven, intricately written tale of suspense and layer upon layers visceral action. The authors nail the exact art of Nordic Noir and make you hunger for more.
mpr2000's review against another edition
4.0
What happens when the police is not enough to investigate a serial killer? When there are no new clues to investigate or new ideas to search? This is the case of the police detective Alexander Blix, but he will have the help of the celebrity blogger Emma Ramm, it seems a weird collaboration, but there’s much more to the naked eye!
Everything will start when one of the celebrities that Emma has to interview doesn’t appear on time and when she starts looking for her it seems that it has been kidnapped. Of course the detective who investigate the case will be Alexander Blix, no surprises here, but there’s a connection between them, something that will make that their relation will be much deeper than you ever thought, and don’t expect romance, this is a thriller! When they discover that this is not the first celebrity to disappear, and there are no clues to whom or why they are appearing dead; they will have to run against the clock to keep everyone safe.
I was glued to the story since the first moment, I’ll admit that I love thrillers, so if there’s a body I am in, but there was much more to the story; the connection between the victims and the main characters, the killer and their motives!
I’ll admit that in the end I would have loved to know a little bit more of the main characters, there were some bits of information, but it seems that they have so much background that I really can’t wait to discover more about them!
This is a classic thriller, with a killer, a detective and a very interesting investigation, let’s say the truth, this is a detective I will return as long as he has cases; smart, brave and respectful with the people around him, and that’s what makes a “simple” book an amazing saga!
Death Deserved is the next case you have to read if you are searching for a good investigation case, I can assure it will not disappoint you!
Everything will start when one of the celebrities that Emma has to interview doesn’t appear on time and when she starts looking for her it seems that it has been kidnapped. Of course the detective who investigate the case will be Alexander Blix, no surprises here, but there’s a connection between them, something that will make that their relation will be much deeper than you ever thought, and don’t expect romance, this is a thriller! When they discover that this is not the first celebrity to disappear, and there are no clues to whom or why they are appearing dead; they will have to run against the clock to keep everyone safe.
I was glued to the story since the first moment, I’ll admit that I love thrillers, so if there’s a body I am in, but there was much more to the story; the connection between the victims and the main characters, the killer and their motives!
I’ll admit that in the end I would have loved to know a little bit more of the main characters, there were some bits of information, but it seems that they have so much background that I really can’t wait to discover more about them!
This is a classic thriller, with a killer, a detective and a very interesting investigation, let’s say the truth, this is a detective I will return as long as he has cases; smart, brave and respectful with the people around him, and that’s what makes a “simple” book an amazing saga!
Death Deserved is the next case you have to read if you are searching for a good investigation case, I can assure it will not disappoint you!
vanjaaa's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
thebooktrail88's review against another edition
5.0
A short Christmas review:
When two top writers get their heads together, what can you expect? Brilliant new Nordic Noir that's what. I am on a role with good creepy, complex books at the moment and this one is a great addition.
A police officer and a media blogger join forces in what is a very unique and modern way.I haven't read of this mix before in a crime novel - at least not in this way - and I loved the match of the serious and the not so serious aspects of our society. There are a lot of questions up for discussion with this novel. What is celebrity and what causes controversy nowadays?
Clues being left around the city - now that's a nice touch and this really stood out for me how the city and the sites lead to more clues. I LOVED the fact this was a new series and the two characters soon felt as if I'd known them for years. They're very different but a good match. Complex too. Blix's past in particular - well you just know that is going to come back to haunt him in later books.
First book of many I hope!
When two top writers get their heads together, what can you expect? Brilliant new Nordic Noir that's what. I am on a role with good creepy, complex books at the moment and this one is a great addition.
A police officer and a media blogger join forces in what is a very unique and modern way.I haven't read of this mix before in a crime novel - at least not in this way - and I loved the match of the serious and the not so serious aspects of our society. There are a lot of questions up for discussion with this novel. What is celebrity and what causes controversy nowadays?
Clues being left around the city - now that's a nice touch and this really stood out for me how the city and the sites lead to more clues. I LOVED the fact this was a new series and the two characters soon felt as if I'd known them for years. They're very different but a good match. Complex too. Blix's past in particular - well you just know that is going to come back to haunt him in later books.
First book of many I hope!
gitruz's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.75