susanneanette's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
jimmypat's review
3.0
I’m not sure how to rate this one. On the plus side, the atmosphere is terrific and very creepy. The descriptions of the woods, lake, and cabin are great. The book also moves at a good pace and I enjoyed the characters (especially Mork). However, the resolution to the mystery is totally obvious by the end of the second chapter. I hoped for a twist or some kind of alternate ending, but alas. The telegraphed ending wasn’t the worst thing, though. The explanation by the sleuth was completely ridiculous, not to mention a huge info dump. It’s worth a read, but I’m skeptical that this is truly “the great Norwegian thriller.”
musicspoon's review
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
3.5
kamzilla's review against another edition
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
skywalkerem's review
4.0
I really liked the writing style. I have a habit of highlighting quotes I like and then writing them down later…I shudder to think how many I highlighted in this book.
Edit: I forgot to mention the main downside of the book - the casual misogyny. But given when this book was written, that’s not super shocking.
Edit: I forgot to mention the main downside of the book - the casual misogyny. But given when this book was written, that’s not super shocking.
_suppo07's review
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
3.5
gurofl's review against another edition
mysterious
3.0
Spoiler
Eg synest ikkje noko om mordmysterier der løysinga har eit overnaturleg elementdamrod92's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.25
raforall's review
4.0
Review in the January 2022 issue of Library Journal and on the blog here: https://raforall.blogspot.com/2022/01/what-im-reading-horror-column-in.html
Three Words That Describe This Book: translation, mystery-ghost story hybrid, compellingly creepy
Draft Review:
Norwegians’ consistently list titles by Fossum, Nesbo, and this 1942 classic in the top three of their all time favorties. Werner, a young scholar, disappeared while investigating a sensational murder from over 100 yrs before. Now, a year later, his sister, and his friends-- a psychologist, an occult specialist, a stage actress, and our narrator, a mystery novelist and private detective-- plan a trip to the haunted lake hoping to find him. Written with an enticing first person narration, directly addressing the reader, and with chapter titles like, “ In which a madman's diary is presented,” it is as if Bjerke is daring readers to put the novel down, a herculean task once started. This forgotten classic, with an excellent, new translation, allows the creepy setting, menacing tone, and very real danger of this compelling and engaging story to shine in all its 1940s glory for a modern audience.
Verdict: While some of the views on women are a bit outdated here, they are directly addressed in the excellent introduction, leaving room for this title to appeal to a huge swath of readers from fans of Yrsa Sigurðardóttir or Anthony Horowitz, to atmospheric Horror-Mystery hybrids by Cynthia Pelayo or Simone St. James.
Great, accesible translation of a book that in Norway is consistently in the top 3 of favorite books by Norwegians coming in only behind Nesbo and Fossum! Originally published in 1942. Never available in an American edition.
Out dated notions of women but it is 1942! The translation makes it shine in all of its glory though. Captures the voice well.
Super creepy and atmospheric, mystery-ghost story hybrid, compelling pace. I especially loved the titles for each chapter which are a leading statement to get you to just read one more chapter. For ex.. "Chapter 5: In which a madman's diary is presented." Who could resist one more chapter with that hanging over you.
Reads like a 1940s mystery-- ala Agatha Christie with a strong first person narration by the investigator who is a crime fiction writer. The book breaks the 4th wall often. A
I really enjoyed being immersed in the 1940s feel but the super creepy lake house and the menacing tone, and VERY REAL danger, were not outdated in anyway.
Readers of mysteries like those by Anthony Horowitz will enjoy this and of course Nordic Noir fans. Especially fans of Yrsa Sigurðardóttir. But also light horror like Alma Katsu's THE DEEP
Three Words That Describe This Book: translation, mystery-ghost story hybrid, compellingly creepy
Draft Review:
Norwegians’ consistently list titles by Fossum, Nesbo, and this 1942 classic in the top three of their all time favorties. Werner, a young scholar, disappeared while investigating a sensational murder from over 100 yrs before. Now, a year later, his sister, and his friends-- a psychologist, an occult specialist, a stage actress, and our narrator, a mystery novelist and private detective-- plan a trip to the haunted lake hoping to find him. Written with an enticing first person narration, directly addressing the reader, and with chapter titles like, “ In which a madman's diary is presented,” it is as if Bjerke is daring readers to put the novel down, a herculean task once started. This forgotten classic, with an excellent, new translation, allows the creepy setting, menacing tone, and very real danger of this compelling and engaging story to shine in all its 1940s glory for a modern audience.
Verdict: While some of the views on women are a bit outdated here, they are directly addressed in the excellent introduction, leaving room for this title to appeal to a huge swath of readers from fans of Yrsa Sigurðardóttir or Anthony Horowitz, to atmospheric Horror-Mystery hybrids by Cynthia Pelayo or Simone St. James.
Great, accesible translation of a book that in Norway is consistently in the top 3 of favorite books by Norwegians coming in only behind Nesbo and Fossum! Originally published in 1942. Never available in an American edition.
Out dated notions of women but it is 1942! The translation makes it shine in all of its glory though. Captures the voice well.
Super creepy and atmospheric, mystery-ghost story hybrid, compelling pace. I especially loved the titles for each chapter which are a leading statement to get you to just read one more chapter. For ex.. "Chapter 5: In which a madman's diary is presented." Who could resist one more chapter with that hanging over you.
Reads like a 1940s mystery-- ala Agatha Christie with a strong first person narration by the investigator who is a crime fiction writer. The book breaks the 4th wall often. A
I really enjoyed being immersed in the 1940s feel but the super creepy lake house and the menacing tone, and VERY REAL danger, were not outdated in anyway.
Readers of mysteries like those by Anthony Horowitz will enjoy this and of course Nordic Noir fans. Especially fans of Yrsa Sigurðardóttir. But also light horror like Alma Katsu's THE DEEP