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Voracious mystery lovers will likely pick up this title enthusiastically; the more discerning reader will end up disappointed and frustrated. [See Prepub Alert, 10/20/13.]
The fifth mystery—and final volume in the series (Arjouni died of pancreatic cancer at age 48 in January 2013)—is packed with humor, false leads, seduction, and brutality. A fast-paced, witty read sure to satisfy all kinds of mystery lovers.
Overall, Black's latest Quirke mystery (Christine Falls; A Death in Summer; Vengeance) is an exhausting and airless read. [See Prepub Alert, 2/25/13; library marketing.]
This debut novel begins in a hushed voice, then, slowly, the beauty of Wheeler's writing, the beguiling character of Lilly, and the tale's deeply complicated revisions and distortions concerning sex and gender reach utterly absorbing heights. Wheeler's truly original, fanciful, and transformative story will delight fantasy lovers of all types, as well as those readers attached to coming-of-age narratives and feminist sf.
This debut thriller by two Danish siblings unfolds in chapters that flit back and forth across the perspectives of the detectives and the vigilantes: one chapter is narrated by Simonsen, another by the leader of the killers, another by a reporter, etc. This method, while illuminating detail and motive, adds confusion to the overly long tale, providing constant description rather than clarity. Further, in its central theme of violence against children and societal response to it, this novel attempts to instill an ethical depth that it ultimately cannot deliver. Still, some fans of Scandinavian crime fiction may be interested. [Previewed in Kristi Chadwick's "Following the Digital Clues: Mystery Genre Spotlight," LJ 4/15/13.]
The best-selling European series that follows the criminal trials and personal tribulations of Flemish Detective Van In makes its U.S. debut with this fun read. Containing its fair share of mayhem and intrigue but with little blood spilled, the novel maintains a fast pace, a light touch, and a joy in the telling. Highly recommended for mystery lovers of all types and ages.
The fourth novel in Sigurdardóttir's series (after Ashes to Dust) following lawyer-cum-detective Thora Gudmundsdottir and her usually rural and always ominous adventures is full of outrageous characters and mysterious leads, building into a potentially supernatural thrill ride. As its pages accumulate, however, the suspense dissipates, the thrills dissolve, and the novel becomes a bit of a drag. Recommended for fans and followers of international mystery novels, particularly those with a yen for Scandinavian lit who haven't encountered many Icelandic mysteries.
The fourth book in Tursten's series (after Night Rounds) is a well-crafted, if overwrought, keep-you-guessing mystery, stuffed full of intriguing characters, subplots, and extraneous details. Both readers new to the series and avid fans will enjoy investigating this puzzling case with Inspector Huss.
This first volume of a projected trilogy is brimming with characters, subplots, betrayals, and tragedies. Yet Söderberg's decision to weave these facets into each other—each chapter contains multiple narrators, perspectives, and dramatic arcs—leads to an ultimately overwhelming and overwrought tale. What begins as a thrilling adventure through the Swedish criminal underworld gradually becomes an exhausting, cynical trek teeming with extreme violence. Still, some hard-core fans of Scandinavian mysteries may want to try this thriller.