marco5599's review against another edition
3.0
Like a game of chess. Van Veeteren mentions he sometimes plays an opening he invented himself, but this book feels like a game that closely follows theory. By that I mean it's not very exciting. A bit of been there, read that. A tad lackluster. I like Van Veeteren, there is something weirdly philosophical and amusingly snobby about him, but his pensive personality can be a drag. I figured it would pick up some momentum at some point, that would be when someone disappears, I guess, but, well, been there, read that. Not bad, but ask me in a month or so and I'll probably shrug my shoulders.
lilla_my's review against another edition
dark
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
kai1313's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
amhenni's review against another edition
challenging
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
emily_bg's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
thereadingsparrow's review against another edition
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- 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
kgraham10's review against another edition
3.0
Not much character development and I spotted the murderer from the beginning.
andrew61's review against another edition
3.0
Having seen this author on the bookshelves I decided to give him a try as I do like a different Scandi noir writer. The detective in this Van Veeteren is a suitably world weary hero who is sent to a quiet town to help the local police investigate a gruesome axe murder. As is the way with detective stories a good starting point is whether you like the policeman and perhaps its a sign of age but the grumpier they seem to be the more I like them especially those truly laconic Scandinavians. The plot is ok and the finale not bad but the enjoyment is in the characters so I will definitely read more.