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rachelb36's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars
While I liked the story overall, I was able to determine the culprit early on - not the motive, however. I liked the author's writing style - it was easy to keep reading.
This is de Hahn's first book, and I'd be interested in reading her future works.
While I liked the story overall, I was able to determine the culprit early on - not the motive, however. I liked the author's writing style - it was easy to keep reading.
This is de Hahn's first book, and I'd be interested in reading her future works.
drea_design's review against another edition
3.0
I received this book in a Goodreads giveaway.
I enjoyed the plot and the array of characters. Interesting setting.
I enjoyed the plot and the array of characters. Interesting setting.
cook_memorial_public_library's review against another edition
4.0
A traditional mystery and a 2017 staff favorite recommended by Andrea. Read her review on the Cook Library blog, Shelf Life: https://shelflife.cooklib.org/2017/04/05/andreas-pick-of-the-week-swiss-vendetta-by-tracee-de-hahn/
Check our catalog: https://encore.cooklib.org/iii/encore/search/C__Sswiss%20vendetta%20de%20hahn__Orightresult__U?lang=eng&suite=gold
Check our catalog: https://encore.cooklib.org/iii/encore/search/C__Sswiss%20vendetta%20de%20hahn__Orightresult__U?lang=eng&suite=gold
hammychop's review against another edition
3.0
Loved the cover, amazing setting and architectural details but it needed more character development and interaction.
tpasta's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
lareads's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
jakewritesbooks's review against another edition
4.0
(3.5) A stirring debut. Spins its tires in the middle a bit much but has a decent end. de Haan has a good grasp of her writing style, which will bode well for the rest of the series. She can stand to improve on pacing but again, for a first novel, this is well done.
cantwelljr's review against another edition
3.0
The setting was great, the characters were interesting and not intensely cliche, and the mystery itself was interesting. However, I struggled to get past the protagonist's constant inner turmoil. Yes, it's natural under the circumstances, but dear god I do not want to read her every single flitting angsty thought. She struggles to focus on even important conversations. It's ridiculously annoying. I'm willing to read one more book from this series in the hopes that the next installment will have her more self-controlled and less dramatic.
thoughtsfromapage's review against another edition
5.0
4.5 stars
Tracee de Hahn’s debut novel, Swiss Vendetta, is a must-read for mystery lovers. The mystery itself is highly entertaining and the resolution believable (to me this is where a lot of mysteries fail), but my very favorite part of the novel is the Swiss setting, particularly the Chateau Vallotton.
As the book opens, Agnes Luthi, a Swiss police detective, has recently switched from Financial Crimes to Violent Crimes following the death of her husband. Lausanne, Switzerland is in the midst of the snow storm of the century when Luthi gets called to the Chateau Vallotton to investigate the murder of a young woman, Felicity Cowell, who was stabbed on the Chateau’s lawn. The wealthy Vallotton family had hired Felicity to inventory the family’s priceless art collection and other valuable treasures. Two weeks into her inventory project, she is found stabbed on the lawn of Chateau Vallotton in the height of the horrific storm. The blizzard has knocked the power out across the entire region, and the roads are nearly impassable by the time Luthi gets to the Chateau. Luthi and her team are tasked with solving the crime before someone else is killed.
Swiss Vendetta contains a fabulous cast of characters, each with their own agendas and secrets. My favorite character is Luthi who feels guilty about being apart from her children during the blizzard but finds peace in focusing on something other than her husband’s suicide. Count Arsov who lives in the neighboring mansion has his own mysterious past and meticulously kept home. The Vallottons are an insular group who are not used to sharing their home with the myriad of visitors brought there by the murder and seem more concerned with their own lives than who murdered Felicity. There are numerous other carefully created characters that play significant roles in this very entertaining mystery.
De Hahn’s vivid, thoughtful descriptions of the Chateau and the eeriness created by the lack of electricity create a somber, spooky setting for Swiss Vendetta. The candlelight in the Chateau’s cavernous rooms cast shadows in corners and leave large areas in the dark adding to the mood. De Hahn capitalizes on this mysterious atmosphere and the various odd rooms that ancient chateaus might have such as dungeons, long, dank tunnels, and hidden rooms to create the perfect setting. Her equally fabulous depiction of the bitterly cold weather Luthi and her crew endure made me feel like I was right in the midst of the storm.
I highly recommend Swiss Vendetta and cannot wait to read the next installment in the series. Thanks to NetGalley and Minotaur Books for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Tracee de Hahn’s debut novel, Swiss Vendetta, is a must-read for mystery lovers. The mystery itself is highly entertaining and the resolution believable (to me this is where a lot of mysteries fail), but my very favorite part of the novel is the Swiss setting, particularly the Chateau Vallotton.
As the book opens, Agnes Luthi, a Swiss police detective, has recently switched from Financial Crimes to Violent Crimes following the death of her husband. Lausanne, Switzerland is in the midst of the snow storm of the century when Luthi gets called to the Chateau Vallotton to investigate the murder of a young woman, Felicity Cowell, who was stabbed on the Chateau’s lawn. The wealthy Vallotton family had hired Felicity to inventory the family’s priceless art collection and other valuable treasures. Two weeks into her inventory project, she is found stabbed on the lawn of Chateau Vallotton in the height of the horrific storm. The blizzard has knocked the power out across the entire region, and the roads are nearly impassable by the time Luthi gets to the Chateau. Luthi and her team are tasked with solving the crime before someone else is killed.
Swiss Vendetta contains a fabulous cast of characters, each with their own agendas and secrets. My favorite character is Luthi who feels guilty about being apart from her children during the blizzard but finds peace in focusing on something other than her husband’s suicide. Count Arsov who lives in the neighboring mansion has his own mysterious past and meticulously kept home. The Vallottons are an insular group who are not used to sharing their home with the myriad of visitors brought there by the murder and seem more concerned with their own lives than who murdered Felicity. There are numerous other carefully created characters that play significant roles in this very entertaining mystery.
De Hahn’s vivid, thoughtful descriptions of the Chateau and the eeriness created by the lack of electricity create a somber, spooky setting for Swiss Vendetta. The candlelight in the Chateau’s cavernous rooms cast shadows in corners and leave large areas in the dark adding to the mood. De Hahn capitalizes on this mysterious atmosphere and the various odd rooms that ancient chateaus might have such as dungeons, long, dank tunnels, and hidden rooms to create the perfect setting. Her equally fabulous depiction of the bitterly cold weather Luthi and her crew endure made me feel like I was right in the midst of the storm.
I highly recommend Swiss Vendetta and cannot wait to read the next installment in the series. Thanks to NetGalley and Minotaur Books for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
booksuperpower's review against another edition
4.0
Swiss Vendetta by Tracee de Hahn is a 2017 Minotaur publication.
I love a good ‘whodunit’, and am thankful anytime I find one with a fresh approach, with a nice spin on a classic formula. The very slight Gothic tones didn’t hurt, either.
As a debut novel, the author did a wonderful job with the plot, atmosphere, and characterizations, making a very nice impression!
Anyone who loves mysteries will enjoy this novel!
4 stars
This review is the copyrighted property of Night Owl Reviews. To read the full review, click on this link- https://www.nightowlreviews.com/v5/Reviews/Gpangel-reviews-Swiss-Vendetta-by-Tracee-De-Hahn
I love a good ‘whodunit’, and am thankful anytime I find one with a fresh approach, with a nice spin on a classic formula. The very slight Gothic tones didn’t hurt, either.
As a debut novel, the author did a wonderful job with the plot, atmosphere, and characterizations, making a very nice impression!
Anyone who loves mysteries will enjoy this novel!
4 stars
This review is the copyrighted property of Night Owl Reviews. To read the full review, click on this link- https://www.nightowlreviews.com/v5/Reviews/Gpangel-reviews-Swiss-Vendetta-by-Tracee-De-Hahn