Camilla Lackberg out did herself in her first book Ice Princess. I didn't think she could write more books that were that interesting, but she has. I didn't want to like The Stonecutter after reading The Keeper of Lost Causes, but I do. Cannot put it down. Let me warn you, it is translated by an Englishman and you can tell. That's ok as it adds to the intelligent story line the author creates. Unlike The Keeper of Lost Causes, this is a mystery; a closed room mystery set in Fjallbacka, Sweden, like the rest of her translated novels.
Erica has just had baby Maja 2 months ago and is suffering from post-pardum depression. She's is not as big a character in this book as in the others. (Too bad...) So, the book centers around Patrik, Erica's husband, the police detective. Again, like The Boy In the Suitcase, this book centers around a child. That makes it alittle harder to read at first. That is why I didn't want to like it, but as usual, Ms. Lackberg puts another curve into the story to hook you in.
There is a tie in from book 1 and 2 with Erica's sister. In The Stonecutter, the interaction seems forced. So far, she has had 2 entries in the book and no real interaction with the plot. It is like Lackberg is wedging the information into the novel for the benefit of those who read the previous novels. It just doesn't fit right. Book 2 had the best character development, whereas the story/plot takes the higher priority in this novel.
There is a historical thread to the story, in Fjallbacka, in the early 1920s. At the beginning of every chapter, you are treated to alittle more information. I'm sure it ties into the story somehow. Also, the author picks a character, Morgan, who has Ausperger's syndrome to put in the novel. How the police detectives and his family deal with him is interesting. She also gives a good definition of what specifically the syndrome is. I have not encountered a character like this in many years, if every. Again, very intelligently done.
Well, the book is set in fall and the one of the police detectives, Goste, is lamentling not being able to play golf. He calls fall the worst season in Sweden as a result. He can remember the glory of the summer, but it's too rainy to be out on the course. It's not yet winter when he is dulled by the cold weather.
As the story progresses the past story line and the present story line begin to merge. The incidents with the ashes and the babies bridge the time gap and give the reader the continuity to make the connections. The last 100 pages of this novel are a roller coaster. The story has a surprise ending. You just have to figure out who done it!
The next book will be about Erica's sister, Anna. Hmm... I was right!
Main Characters - partial list
Present Day-
Kaj, Monica (wife) and Morgan live next to Lilian, Stig, Niclas Florin, Charlotte (wife), Albin and Sara (dec.)
Arne and Asta (wife) Antonsson Niclas's estranged parents also living in Fjallbacka
Patrik Hedstrom and Martin investigators; Ernst and Gosta investigators, Annika receptionist; Mellberg police chief
1924-
Agnes, Anders
Tuesday, May 22, 2012
READ: The Keeper of Lost Causes by Jussi Adler-Olsen
A novel with a disfunctional detective and his quirky side kick Assad set in Denmark. There is not alot of detective fiction set in Denmark. This book is a mix of James Lee Burke and Stig Larrson. The book does jive until page 67. It took me 3 days to get that far. But believe me, it is well worth going the distance on those first 67 pages. The rest of the book is well written mystery and funny, in that dry sense of humor way.
I say the book reminds me of James Lee Burke's, Dave Robicheaux character, as he is dealing with some demons from a police incident. Those demons come back to haunt him in the novel: for good and bad. His partner, Hardy, is paralyzed in the incident and Carl Morck cannot get past it. Furthermore, he is separated from his wife, Vigga, and has trouble interacting women. (Robicheaux does not have the problem with women in my estimation!) Vigga seems to call at all the wrong times. Well, what are you going to do, she is the x-wife...
The dry sense of humor kicks in as Carl takes solace after the break up of his marriage in living in the suburbs. He says the comrodery saves him. He enjoys hanging out with his neighbors at bbqs. Not usual for police detectives I have come to know and love over the years. He also is very funny about his ex-wife's escapades with her various lovers. What will happen now??? Carl lives in a very a-typical household. He has a elderly border in the basement that acts as the house wife and loves opera and his step-son living with him. His step-sons one goal in life is to drink and party. This fact is not lost on Carl.
Then we come to Assad. He cracks me up. Assad, how do you know how to do all these things? How did you get to be a citizen so quickly? How did you get the job with the police? Is that a switch blade? Carl should let Assad keep the switch blade! Assad is very smart and intelligent comic relief when it comes to the more warped plot of the story. Loved Assad!
Stig Larrson's Dragon Tattoo series comes into play with the strong female lead. Like Lisbeth, Merete won't give up. She doesn't let anything stop her from believing in herself. Now, back to the plot of the story. It is not secondary to the novel. Is is right up front along with the excellent character development. I'd say this novel is more suspense then mystery, but you judge. It's kind of creepy, but the story line keeps you reading. What happens next to Merete? Well now, you just have to read the book. Enjoy Denmark and meeting Carl and Assad!
I say the book reminds me of James Lee Burke's, Dave Robicheaux character, as he is dealing with some demons from a police incident. Those demons come back to haunt him in the novel: for good and bad. His partner, Hardy, is paralyzed in the incident and Carl Morck cannot get past it. Furthermore, he is separated from his wife, Vigga, and has trouble interacting women. (Robicheaux does not have the problem with women in my estimation!) Vigga seems to call at all the wrong times. Well, what are you going to do, she is the x-wife...
The dry sense of humor kicks in as Carl takes solace after the break up of his marriage in living in the suburbs. He says the comrodery saves him. He enjoys hanging out with his neighbors at bbqs. Not usual for police detectives I have come to know and love over the years. He also is very funny about his ex-wife's escapades with her various lovers. What will happen now??? Carl lives in a very a-typical household. He has a elderly border in the basement that acts as the house wife and loves opera and his step-son living with him. His step-sons one goal in life is to drink and party. This fact is not lost on Carl.
Then we come to Assad. He cracks me up. Assad, how do you know how to do all these things? How did you get to be a citizen so quickly? How did you get the job with the police? Is that a switch blade? Carl should let Assad keep the switch blade! Assad is very smart and intelligent comic relief when it comes to the more warped plot of the story. Loved Assad!
Stig Larrson's Dragon Tattoo series comes into play with the strong female lead. Like Lisbeth, Merete won't give up. She doesn't let anything stop her from believing in herself. Now, back to the plot of the story. It is not secondary to the novel. Is is right up front along with the excellent character development. I'd say this novel is more suspense then mystery, but you judge. It's kind of creepy, but the story line keeps you reading. What happens next to Merete? Well now, you just have to read the book. Enjoy Denmark and meeting Carl and Assad!
Thursday, May 10, 2012
The Midnight Palace by Carlos Ruiz Zafon - Loved It!!!
The Midnight Palace by Carlos Ruiz Zafon is Young Adult Fiction, but worth the read. Undoubtably one of my favorite authors, Carlos Ruiz Zafon works his magic in turn of the century India (Calcutta). Vivid descriptions take you back in time and beware: there are demons at work. Zafon highlights the evil in the world by the use of the characters and the meaning of family. Sheere and Ben separated at birth; their mother and father tragically killed; but their grandmother lives. Evil hunts them down...
Ben placed in an orphans home and Sheere (well, you got to read the book). While in the orphans home, Ben constructs a family out of other children there too. They call themselves the Chowbar Society and they meet in the Midnight Palace, an old run down mansion near the orphanage. What magic awaits them?
Seriously, grab this on your way to the beach. It's really good. You can even read/discuss with your kids if they are not too busy with school work. Enjoy!
Ben placed in an orphans home and Sheere (well, you got to read the book). While in the orphans home, Ben constructs a family out of other children there too. They call themselves the Chowbar Society and they meet in the Midnight Palace, an old run down mansion near the orphanage. What magic awaits them?
Seriously, grab this on your way to the beach. It's really good. You can even read/discuss with your kids if they are not too busy with school work. Enjoy!
The Boy in The Suit Case by Kaaberbol and Friis - Different, but Good
The Boy in the Suit Case by Lene Kaaberbol and Agnete Friis is an interesting book. Set in contemporary Denmark it is about child summgling, but is a mystery. It was on the list of NY Times noteworthy mysteries 2011. I have found very mystery/crime novels set in Denmark, so I had to read this one. The names are long and clumsy to someone not familiar with Danish, but you get use to it after few chapters. The first several chapters set up the plot and then the roller coaster ride begins.
Again, I won't ruin this one either, but the last 100 pages are a roller coaster and I could not put the book down. The book high lights subtle cultural differences in the Danes and the rest of the EU. Not good, not bad, just Danish. There are also some very strong female characters, very cool, in this novel.
I hope you will give this novel a chance, you will be happy you did. (It's not very long either...)
Again, I won't ruin this one either, but the last 100 pages are a roller coaster and I could not put the book down. The book high lights subtle cultural differences in the Danes and the rest of the EU. Not good, not bad, just Danish. There are also some very strong female characters, very cool, in this novel.
I hope you will give this novel a chance, you will be happy you did. (It's not very long either...)
The Devotion of Suspect X by Keigo Higashino - Like reading a chess game - Fascenating!
The Devotion of Suspect X by Keigo Higashino was an interesting mystery. Set in contemporary Japan, the author takes the reader on a journey similar to that of a chess game. Yasuko Hanaoka , a divorced mother, tries to turn her life around working in a sandwich shop. She cannot seem to get away from trouble. Her abusive ex-husband finds her and the trouble begins...
I don't want to give anything away, but let's just say, this is a great story. Detective Kusanagi of the Tokyo Police and Dr. Manabu Yukawa, a physicist nicknamed "Detective Galileo" shift into high gear to check and solve the mystery. The book is very analytical, but very readable at the same time. The reader also gets a glimpse of Japanese society in how the characters act.
I highly recommend this book - go out and read people!
I don't want to give anything away, but let's just say, this is a great story. Detective Kusanagi of the Tokyo Police and Dr. Manabu Yukawa, a physicist nicknamed "Detective Galileo" shift into high gear to check and solve the mystery. The book is very analytical, but very readable at the same time. The reader also gets a glimpse of Japanese society in how the characters act.
I highly recommend this book - go out and read people!