nglofile's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 stars
A young tenant is found brutally murdered, and the crime's horrific details are near-identical to an early draft of a crime novel being written by the older woman who owns the building. This Danish mystery makes a strong first impression, and there is a successful balance of clue discovery with episodes of tension-driven pacing. The third-act reveals become convoluted in both number and combination, but overall the conclusion will satisfy most.
One feature of note is the pairing of Detectives Jeppe Korner and Anette Werner, and I'm intrigued to know there are already three additional series volumes published in Denmark. It is far from revolutionary to draw investigative partners as markedly different in style, but these two seem mostly to tolerate one another, rather than outright clash or come to an eventual affinity, and I cannot help but find that an interesting choice.
A young tenant is found brutally murdered, and the crime's horrific details are near-identical to an early draft of a crime novel being written by the older woman who owns the building. This Danish mystery makes a strong first impression, and there is a successful balance of clue discovery with episodes of tension-driven pacing. The third-act reveals become convoluted in both number and combination, but overall the conclusion will satisfy most.
One feature of note is the pairing of Detectives Jeppe Korner and Anette Werner, and I'm intrigued to know there are already three additional series volumes published in Denmark. It is far from revolutionary to draw investigative partners as markedly different in style, but these two seem mostly to tolerate one another, rather than outright clash or come to an eventual affinity, and I cannot help but find that an interesting choice.
catreader18's review against another edition
3.0
This book started out interesting but slowed down towards the end. I struggled to finish the book. I’ve read a few Scandinavian crime books and and intrigued by the differences from US crime novels. It was no different with this book. I like reading about the differences and I enjoyed this part of the book. I found some of the characters uninteresting which made it difficult for me to get invested in the story.
kpbooks's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
mjoiner11's review against another edition
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death and Murder
Minor: Domestic abuse, Rape, and Child abuse
orangeagogo's review against another edition
mysterious
medium-paced
3.5
Totally fine. I feel like the translation was little awkward.
tangerinereads's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.0
fishy_books's review against another edition
dark
hopeful
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
habanana's review against another edition
4.0
I was a little confused at many points, especially towards the end, but it was discussed pretty clearly that made things make more sense. Some things that happened just needed to be said a few times before it made any sort of connection in my brain.
Also, I have discovered I do not like reading men being attracted to a woman from a man's POV. Yikes.
Also, I have discovered I do not like reading men being attracted to a woman from a man's POV. Yikes.
teekraenzchen's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5