A review by markhoh
Down for the Count by Martin Holmén
5.0
Harry Kvist... what can I say? This is 5 amazing stars for me. I loved 'Down for the count' even more than I loved the first book in this trilogy, 'Clinch' because I felt like I really got to know Harry more deeply, his grit, honour, conflict, heartache, loneliness, longing, determination and strength. I'm actually quite taken with him. I love it when an author can do that for me - give enough of a character that I can identify and connect with, without giving me everything and still letting me fill in the gaps.
'Down for the count' commences with Harry's release from Langholmen prison and immediately he is thrust into a need to avenge one of his most faithful friend's killers. I love the way he's got a steely determination to do what's needed to keep his promise to her, to take care of her son who is deaf. There's a tenderness to Harry that doesn't surface easily but is clearly seen here with his love for Beda and her son Petrus. I don't know if Harry would call it love but there's a depth here that is evident.
What I love about this book is glimpsing Harry's feelings for Doughboy. Doughboy keeps him going, motivates his every move and I could feel the warmth of Harry's love for him and was shattered for him on the last two pages of the book...
I also love how there is more of a glimpse of Harry's conflict over the years, his marriage to Emma, his love for his daughter Ida, and at the same time his deep dilemma over who and what he is in an era where this is illegal and completely immoral. I can only imagine the pain that he feels, has gone through and continues to experience. Fills me with an empathy and some sense of identification. 'There are some things one can't do anything about'... p228.
This was a compelling read for me... I'm looking forward to Harry Kvist 3 however, I don't want to read it immediately because I want to savour this one and hold onto anticipation for more. Thanks Martin Holmen for bringing an amazing character in one helluva story.
'Down for the count' commences with Harry's release from Langholmen prison and immediately he is thrust into a need to avenge one of his most faithful friend's killers. I love the way he's got a steely determination to do what's needed to keep his promise to her, to take care of her son who is deaf. There's a tenderness to Harry that doesn't surface easily but is clearly seen here with his love for Beda and her son Petrus. I don't know if Harry would call it love but there's a depth here that is evident.
What I love about this book is glimpsing Harry's feelings for Doughboy. Doughboy keeps him going, motivates his every move and I could feel the warmth of Harry's love for him and was shattered for him on the last two pages of the book...
I also love how there is more of a glimpse of Harry's conflict over the years, his marriage to Emma, his love for his daughter Ida, and at the same time his deep dilemma over who and what he is in an era where this is illegal and completely immoral. I can only imagine the pain that he feels, has gone through and continues to experience. Fills me with an empathy and some sense of identification. 'There are some things one can't do anything about'... p228.
This was a compelling read for me... I'm looking forward to Harry Kvist 3 however, I don't want to read it immediately because I want to savour this one and hold onto anticipation for more. Thanks Martin Holmen for bringing an amazing character in one helluva story.