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oleandreasen's review against another edition
5.0
Once again I came to the conclusion of this great book series. I feel empty, losing touch with Frieda and all the other characters. Eight great books, and I just want more.
But... of course I can always go back sometime, and re-read them again (or listen, actually). No doubt that I will.
But... of course I can always go back sometime, and re-read them again (or listen, actually). No doubt that I will.
dovesfalling's review against another edition
4.0
In short, I wanted to like this much more than I actually did.
I've been an avid fan of the writing team known as 'Nicci French' since the first book came out. I loved The Memory Game, and my favourite book of theirs by far is Land of the Living (READ IT). It's been fascinating watching Gerrard and French delve into a series like this, with such an elusive, aloof protagonist.
What's interesting about Frieda Klein is that while she so treasures her anonymity and her solitude, she attracts attention and hangers-on everywhere she goes. It's this dichotomy that fuels the books. Frieda is such a mirror for other people that she is irresistible to them - family, friends, even serial killers. They all see something in her, whether it's there or not, and so she can never truly be left alone like she wants.
Throughout the series, a dark thread has been spooling, and it's in this book that it finally pulls taut and snaps. A psychopathic killer named Dean Reeve has been taunting Frieda since day 1, killing to get her attention, anxious to get inside of her mind, possess her, and ultimately murder her. At the beginning of this chapter in Frieda's journey, she's in hiding, and it's only with the arrival of curious and bubbly Criminology student Lola (who is researching a thesis based on Frieda), that she must emerge from the darkness and try to face the threat upon her life.
While the middle / end of this book was compelling, I think I have to note that Lola is an infuriatingly bratty character, and her presence spoiled much of the reading for me. Part of her purpose is how different she is to Frieda, it's true, and she's a catalyst for much of the action, but GodDAMN she was annoying, and truly, I think I would have enjoyed this book about fifty times more if she wasn't in it.
The end is quiet, and subtle, and about what I expected - although I thought for a second they were going to kill Frieda off, and I wondered how that would do for the sales of previous novels!!! I liked the hints as to Frieda's future as well (especially in regards to. All in all, my favourite book in this series was 'Waiting for Wednesday', and I'm quite sad to say goodbye to Frieda.
I've been an avid fan of the writing team known as 'Nicci French' since the first book came out. I loved The Memory Game, and my favourite book of theirs by far is Land of the Living (READ IT). It's been fascinating watching Gerrard and French delve into a series like this, with such an elusive, aloof protagonist.
What's interesting about Frieda Klein is that while she so treasures her anonymity and her solitude, she attracts attention and hangers-on everywhere she goes. It's this dichotomy that fuels the books. Frieda is such a mirror for other people that she is irresistible to them - family, friends, even serial killers. They all see something in her, whether it's there or not, and so she can never truly be left alone like she wants.
Throughout the series, a dark thread has been spooling, and it's in this book that it finally pulls taut and snaps. A psychopathic killer named Dean Reeve has been taunting Frieda since day 1, killing to get her attention, anxious to get inside of her mind, possess her, and ultimately murder her. At the beginning of this chapter in Frieda's journey, she's in hiding, and it's only with the arrival of curious and bubbly Criminology student Lola (who is researching a thesis based on Frieda), that she must emerge from the darkness and try to face the threat upon her life.
While the middle / end of this book was compelling, I think I have to note that Lola is an infuriatingly bratty character, and her presence spoiled much of the reading for me. Part of her purpose is how different she is to Frieda, it's true, and she's a catalyst for much of the action, but GodDAMN she was annoying, and truly, I think I would have enjoyed this book about fifty times more if she wasn't in it.
The end is quiet, and subtle, and about what I expected - although I thought for a second they were going to kill Frieda off, and I wondered how that would do for the sales of previous novels!!! I liked the hints as to Frieda's future as well (especially in regards to
Spoiler
Karlsson, a character I really have affection for - he seems like such a good manmeghan_rasnake's review against another edition
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? No
4.0
osaoh's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
hedgehogreads01's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
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
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, Blood, Stalking, Car accident, and Murder
teresaalice's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars. Though I never warmed to the character of Freida Klein I’ve always enjoyed this series. Until this book took a bit of a departure. It doesn’t even mention Freida until chapters in, and the secondary characters introduced are annoying and grating. Definitely not the best in the series, too bad it was the conclusion.
dancemaster's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75