timeswary's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
reflective
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
3.0
kimmkoning's review against another edition
3.0
I would like to thank Netgalley, the publisher and the author for granting me a copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.
This is my first Anne Holt novel. For the last three years or so, I have been introduced to Scandinavian noir and I have quickly fallen in love with these cool thrillers and mysteries. I had not heard of Anne Holt but the moment I saw this book on Netgalley I knew I wanted to read it.
From the opening of this book, I was intrigued. I love locked room mysteries and I do like political intrigue and this book opens with both. For all intents, it looked like I was in for another enjoyable read. But as I read on, I was disappointed. The premise of this book was brilliant and the characterisations of each character was done very well. But this story quickly became clunky and confusing to me. There seemed to be too many characters for me to keep interested. I didn't particularly like the main investigator, Billy T, either. I have never taken more than a day or two to finish a Scandinavian mystery/thriller but I took weeks to finish this story. As for the political intrigue, the politics of this books seemed a little too dry for my own tastes.
I'm in two minds on this review. The characterisations were well-written and there were definite moments that grabbed me but ultimately there were fewer page-turner moments for me. This left the plot feeling clunky with too many dry political details and too many characters, and muddied what should have been a really good read. I give this book a sober 3 stars.
This is my first Anne Holt novel. For the last three years or so, I have been introduced to Scandinavian noir and I have quickly fallen in love with these cool thrillers and mysteries. I had not heard of Anne Holt but the moment I saw this book on Netgalley I knew I wanted to read it.
From the opening of this book, I was intrigued. I love locked room mysteries and I do like political intrigue and this book opens with both. For all intents, it looked like I was in for another enjoyable read. But as I read on, I was disappointed. The premise of this book was brilliant and the characterisations of each character was done very well. But this story quickly became clunky and confusing to me. There seemed to be too many characters for me to keep interested. I didn't particularly like the main investigator, Billy T, either. I have never taken more than a day or two to finish a Scandinavian mystery/thriller but I took weeks to finish this story. As for the political intrigue, the politics of this books seemed a little too dry for my own tastes.
I'm in two minds on this review. The characterisations were well-written and there were definite moments that grabbed me but ultimately there were fewer page-turner moments for me. This left the plot feeling clunky with too many dry political details and too many characters, and muddied what should have been a really good read. I give this book a sober 3 stars.
oblivione's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
marite's review against another edition
3.0
Ujevn, denne her. Skyldes det at det er to forfattere? Flotte beskrivelser av bl.a. Politihuset kontra nærmest revyaktige dialoger. Billy T. er det vanskelig å tro på som fungerende i det moderne arbeidsliv. Løsningen på krimgåten er overraskende, men lite troverdig. Romanen er 24 år gammel, og derfor en smule datert for en nåtidig leser (det har skjedd en god del i denne tidsperioden), men samtidig et uhyggelig forvarsel om 22. juli, i og med at det skjer fæle ting i regjeringskvartalet.
inamerata's review
3.0
A decent mystery with some sweet moments, but this isn't my fave. The politics could be dry, and there just wasn't enough Hanne overall. Knowing what's coming, I may skim or outright skip the next two novels and just imagine whatever explanation for the interim.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Suicide, and Murder
Moderate: Death of parent, Child death, Xenophobia, Infidelity, and Homophobia
Minor: Racism, Antisemitism, Pregnancy, Fatphobia, and Adult/minor relationship
trineeg's review
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
caseythecanadianlesbrarian's review
3.0
This kept me guessing until the end! On the one hand, this was a pretty interesting foray into Norwegian politics, medical scandals, and infidelity. On the other hand, it didn't have nearly enough of Hanne. Also I think I like the previous audiobook narrator more!
lasbulle's review against another edition
2.0
Spännande men med lite för mycket politikersnack för mig.
jennoctavia's review
1.0
The opening was wow, murder of Prime Minister! Then there are too many blabbering bout the organization involved, too many names being interrogated and unexpected ending but I kinda guess it before I flipped through the last two chapters.
It is kinda disappointed because there are so many good saying about this book, I tried to like the series but I guess it is not as I expected and I will stop reading the series. Somehow the writing style, the pattern in every book how the murder start, how the police get involved just bored me, it doest make me excited till the last page and mostly through out the series I could guess the ending.
It is kinda disappointed because there are so many good saying about this book, I tried to like the series but I guess it is not as I expected and I will stop reading the series. Somehow the writing style, the pattern in every book how the murder start, how the police get involved just bored me, it doest make me excited till the last page and mostly through out the series I could guess the ending.