chceswieta's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
kurwaczytaj's review against another edition
3.0
První díl této série mi připomněl Mlýn na mumie. Odehrává se kolem Noci dlouhých nožů v Polsku nyní již zabraném Němci. Uznávaný polský detektiv se nyní musí potýkat nejen s politickými tlaky ale i s tím, že mu vyšetřování komplikuje i mocenský boj mezi různými složkami nacistické mocenské mašinérie. Jinak zde najdeme podobné rekvizity a lokace jako v Mlýně: luxusní bordely, temná rodinná tajemství, pomstu z dávných věků a daleké země, zákulisní boje, tajné společnosti, tajné agenty, komplikované a teatrální vraždy.
Sem tam trochu teatrální, sem tam malinko přibarvená fakta ale celkově děj plyne slušným tempem a čtenář se dobře baví. Jednoduše mírný nadprůměr.
Sem tam trochu teatrální, sem tam malinko přibarvená fakta ale celkově děj plyne slušným tempem a čtenář se dobře baví. Jednoduše mírný nadprůměr.
octygon's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
0.5
I loathed this book. There was not a single likable character in here. The writing was terrible. The translation was abysmal. I probably would have given it one star just for the poor writing but the content made it even worse. Every page is more torture, violence, abuse. The violence against and general contempt for women was overwhelming. I know many of the characters were Nazis, so they are supposed to be terrible men, but the main characters showed the same contempt for women, Jews, and any other minority. It was so prevalent, it felt like the author was getting off on the exploitation. The whole book was distasteful and very difficult to read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism, Body horror, Police brutality, Pedophilia, Murder, Vomit, Sexual violence, Religious bigotry, Antisemitism, Blood, Gore, Violence, Sexual assault, and Sexual content
ewatx's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
catusgeekus's review against another edition
2.0
Sorry, ale porzucam w połowie. Wielkie rozczarowanie, nawet nie zachęca mnie na tyle żeby to dokończyć.
mimi_the_pooh's review against another edition
2.0
+1 za Wrocław, ale poza tym to marna mieszanka kryminału i niemieckiej mapy miasta.
breazy_reader_724's review against another edition
1.0
This book was such a disappointment. It was recommended to me by its publisher (Melville International Crime) as an alternative to the Duca Lamberti "Milano Quartet" of novels- of which MIC disappointingly decided to only publish the first two (very good) volumes. This book (also a series of novels) was extremely slow-paced and unfocused. There were long sections where I was forcing myself onward despite no actual interest in what was going on. While labeled as an Inspector Mock Investigation, most of the time I wasn't sure he was remotely the main character in the story. In fact, even after the book was completed, I knew very little about Inspector Mock and his motivations, background, etc. Detective Herbert Anwaldt, the other (main?) protagonist of the story, is newly transferred from Berlin to Breslau on account of his drinking problem. Coincidentally (or not? - no clue) ** spoiler alert * Det. Anwaldt is unknowingly connected in some way to the lurid murder victim whose demise, and its peculiar circumstances, are the central idea of the plot. Apparently the motivation for this scorpion-involved symbolic killing goes back hundreds of years, and we are asked to believe that rival cults are following each others' lineage for generations waiting for the moment when precisely the right conditions exist to exact a symbolic revenge. What a colossal waste of time for these sect members- talk about holding a grudge! While the centuries-old original murder is in fact heinous, it seemed preposterous to me that the horrible crime could only be avenged under exactly the same circumstances no matter how many long years would transpire before they arose. I guess it is irony- the book felt like it took centuries for me to read. I will not wait so long for my revenge- I will not be reading any of the other books in this series- take that!
voya_k's review against another edition
3.0
It's not in my attention span to read the whole thing and find out whodunnit, but I spent a pleasant evening starting this book and admiring its stylish coldheartedness and super Polish-ness. Breslau is a rough town!
ip_freely's review against another edition
4.0
I was entertained by the colorful cast of screwed-up characters, and I thought the far-fetched plot was fun. Krajewski liked to give us detailed directions whenever a character went from one location to another. I wasn't so impressed by those GPS moments, but overall the novel moved quickly and was enjoyable. I would definitely read more books in the series.