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Eva och Henrik har levt tillsammans i femton år och har sonen Axel ihop. Deras äktenskap har sedan länge gått i stå och plötsligt inser Eva att Henrik har en annan kvinna. När han förnekar sin otrohet upplever Eva hans lögner som ett oförlåtligt svek och i vrede och desperation bestämmer hon sig för att hämnas. Samtidigt vakar en ung man vid en sjukhusbädd. I över två år har hans flickvän legat i koma efter en olycka. Alla dessa dagar har Jonas skött och älskat henne som om ingenting har hänt, men nu börjar hans tärande längtan bli alltmer plågsam. Och han börjar bli besviken på Anna som vägrar vakna. Som inte rör honom. Som sviker ännu en gång ...
310 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2003
46 people are currently reading
788 people want to read
About the author
Karin Alvtegen
23 books178 followersThe Queen of Crime in Scandinavia.
Missing was awarded the premier Scandinavian crime writing award the Glass Key in 2001 and was also nominated for the Poloni Award and Best Crime Novel 2000 in Sweden.
Shame was shortlisted for the Crime Writers' Association Duncan Lawrie International Dagger award for crime novels in translation upon publication in English.
Alvtegen lives in Stockholm. She is grand-niece of the popular children's novelist Astrid Lindgren.
Missing was awarded the premier Scandinavian crime writing award the Glass Key in 2001 and was also nominated for the Poloni Award and Best Crime Novel 2000 in Sweden.
Shame was shortlisted for the Crime Writers' Association Duncan Lawrie International Dagger award for crime novels in translation upon publication in English.
Alvtegen lives in Stockholm. She is grand-niece of the popular children's novelist Astrid Lindgren.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 181 reviews
April 8, 2022
A psychological thriller/chiller from one of the best Swedish mystery writers.
This book is not so much a murder mystery (although there is a murder) as it is an exquisite step-by-step portrayal of the devastation felt by a woman with a young child when she learns her husband wants to leave her for another woman.
She seeks revenge by plotting to disgrace her husband’s lover at her workplace and by having a fling with a guy who turns out to be a stalker and a psycho.
There are multiple betrayals in this story.
The Swedish author is best known for her novel Missing. Unfortunately she announced in 2013 that she suffers from chronic fatigue syndrome and can no longer write. Her last two books were published in 2010 and 2013 and have not yet been translated into English.
Photo of Stockholm from planetware.com
The author from Wikipedia
[revised 4/8/22, pictures added]
This book is not so much a murder mystery (although there is a murder) as it is an exquisite step-by-step portrayal of the devastation felt by a woman with a young child when she learns her husband wants to leave her for another woman.
She seeks revenge by plotting to disgrace her husband’s lover at her workplace and by having a fling with a guy who turns out to be a stalker and a psycho.
There are multiple betrayals in this story.
The Swedish author is best known for her novel Missing. Unfortunately she announced in 2013 that she suffers from chronic fatigue syndrome and can no longer write. Her last two books were published in 2010 and 2013 and have not yet been translated into English.
Photo of Stockholm from planetware.com
The author from Wikipedia
[revised 4/8/22, pictures added]
March 9, 2019
Un thriller desavarsit, mi-a placut foarte mult stilul, povestea, personajele. Oare o aventura de noapte compenseaza o alta tradare?
Do you want a one night stand? Think again!
Do you want a one night stand? Think again!
August 14, 2012
Definitely one of creepiest books I have ever read (in a good way). I agree with one reviewer who characterized it as Scenes From A Marriage meets Alfred Hitchcock. The author basically takes one concept, that of betrayal, and builds upon that to create a story that is very unnerving. A wife finds out that her husband has betrayed her. A mother finds out that her son has betrayed her. The repercussions of all this play out over the rest of the book. I think that this book is so impactful because so much of the internal dialogue that we hear in the book hits close to home. The nature of relationships, trust and deceit, how people view love, etc. Throw a misunderstood mind or two into the equation, not to mention an unbalanced one, and you have a recipe for a real nail biter. I found myself rooting for the book to end one way, but the author moved unforgivingly in another direction. An excellent read. I still get the shivers just thinking about it. P.S. The author’s two prior works were excellent as well, most notably Missing.
November 11, 2011
Though an easy read, I didn't find it gripping or intriguing. Upon finishing the novel I was left with mixed feelings as to the believability of the overall story, especially how it pertained to Eva. Yes, she's not innocent in this; however, I do not believe she deserved the animosity set upon her from the community. An interesting twist at the end, yes; but Henrik deserved to be punished and I don't believe he was.
Henrik not only cheated on Eva for almost a year, he continuously lied to her on so many levels, eventually everything was a lie. He had ample opportunities to come clean and admit the truth, but instead chose to hurt Eva over and over again as though she deserved it. Yes, what Eva did to Linda was cruel and reprehensible and I'm not excusing her behaviour. She should have owned up to her part instead of hiding from it when she was caught. However, it was the reaction of her neighbors and parents of the children at the daycare that bothered me the most. They found her to be more evil than what Henrik did? I don't think so. I would think what Henrik and Linda did was much, much worse. The fact that Linda didn't lose her job when school policy for having an affair with a parent is dismissal, is absurd. Instead, everyone feels sorry for her because she tried to commit suicide. Yet, Eva ends up as being the villain in everyone's eyes. Not to mention, they all think she tried to commit suicide when she didn't. Talk about a community full of idiots.
As for Henrik, it was obvious that he didn't know what he wanted. Everything he said and did was for his own selfish reasons. In the end, all his lies blew up in his face and he destroyed several lives: Eva, Linda, Eva's parents; and more importantly, their child Axel.
As for Jonas, he's just plain psycho. Not to mention that it would be hard to believe that he could get away with this twice. I would think that the doctor at the first hospital would hear of another woman, even in a different hospital, ending up in a comatose state like Anna. Most likely, he would have read about it in the newspaper. If he inquired about her, which I believe a doctor would, he would realize that something was amiss as Jonas is also holding vigil by Eva's side just like he did with Anna. Not to mention, the timeline Jonas provided about their affair would have proven that he lied about it.
Yes, the novel is fiction, but let's make it somewhat believable.
Henrik not only cheated on Eva for almost a year, he continuously lied to her on so many levels, eventually everything was a lie. He had ample opportunities to come clean and admit the truth, but instead chose to hurt Eva over and over again as though she deserved it. Yes, what Eva did to Linda was cruel and reprehensible and I'm not excusing her behaviour. She should have owned up to her part instead of hiding from it when she was caught. However, it was the reaction of her neighbors and parents of the children at the daycare that bothered me the most. They found her to be more evil than what Henrik did? I don't think so. I would think what Henrik and Linda did was much, much worse. The fact that Linda didn't lose her job when school policy for having an affair with a parent is dismissal, is absurd. Instead, everyone feels sorry for her because she tried to commit suicide. Yet, Eva ends up as being the villain in everyone's eyes. Not to mention, they all think she tried to commit suicide when she didn't. Talk about a community full of idiots.
As for Henrik, it was obvious that he didn't know what he wanted. Everything he said and did was for his own selfish reasons. In the end, all his lies blew up in his face and he destroyed several lives: Eva, Linda, Eva's parents; and more importantly, their child Axel.
As for Jonas, he's just plain psycho. Not to mention that it would be hard to believe that he could get away with this twice. I would think that the doctor at the first hospital would hear of another woman, even in a different hospital, ending up in a comatose state like Anna. Most likely, he would have read about it in the newspaper. If he inquired about her, which I believe a doctor would, he would realize that something was amiss as Jonas is also holding vigil by Eva's side just like he did with Anna. Not to mention, the timeline Jonas provided about their affair would have proven that he lied about it.
Yes, the novel is fiction, but let's make it somewhat believable.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 24, 2018
Kad knygą vertinčiau gerai, kartais užtenka vien to, jog ji man sukeltų kokią nors ryškią emociją. Šį kartą tai buvo siaubas. Niekam nelinkėčiau susidurti su Junu. Jau nuo pat pradžių man jis buvo įtartinas ir, kuo toliau, tuo labiau mano įtarimai tvirtinosi, kad su juo kažkas negerai. Galiausiai tą įvardinau kaip . Ir pabaigoje net širdis daužėsi iš įtampos, kaip visa tai pasibaigs.
Kartais būdamas geru žmogumi gali nukentėti. Yra tokių, kurie draugiškumą ir mandagumą palaiko flirtu. Ir baisiausia yra suvokti, kad tai vyksta, nes nebežinai, ką tas asmuo iškrės, o tiesiai šviesiai situacijos negali aptarti, nes nenori pasirodyti nemandagus, nenori įžeisti.
Veikėjos Evos veiksmams visiškai nepritariau. Čia supratau asmens duomenų įstatymo svarbą – tikrai nenorėčiau, kad bet kas nuėjęs į valstybinę instituciją vien pagal mano vardą pavardę rastų, kur aš gimiau, ar buvau ištekėjusi ir kodėl santuoka nutrūko ir pan.
Knygoje aprašomos kelios išdavystės ir kaip skirtingai į jas reaguoja įvairūs veikėjai. Bet viena yra bendra – jie jaučiasi sugniuždyti ir tyliai kuria keršto planą. Todėl vietomis šią knygą norėjosi laikyti lengvesne Gillian Flynn „Dingusi“ versija.
Kartais būdamas geru žmogumi gali nukentėti. Yra tokių, kurie draugiškumą ir mandagumą palaiko flirtu. Ir baisiausia yra suvokti, kad tai vyksta, nes nebežinai, ką tas asmuo iškrės, o tiesiai šviesiai situacijos negali aptarti, nes nenori pasirodyti nemandagus, nenori įžeisti.
Veikėjos Evos veiksmams visiškai nepritariau. Čia supratau asmens duomenų įstatymo svarbą – tikrai nenorėčiau, kad bet kas nuėjęs į valstybinę instituciją vien pagal mano vardą pavardę rastų, kur aš gimiau, ar buvau ištekėjusi ir kodėl santuoka nutrūko ir pan.
Knygoje aprašomos kelios išdavystės ir kaip skirtingai į jas reaguoja įvairūs veikėjai. Bet viena yra bendra – jie jaučiasi sugniuždyti ir tyliai kuria keršto planą. Todėl vietomis šią knygą norėjosi laikyti lengvesne Gillian Flynn „Dingusi“ versija.
August 29, 2025
Красиво закільцьований сюжет, щось таке і підозрювалося.
March 30, 2015
Karin Alvtegen is a Swedish author of crime fiction. She was born on 8 June 1965 in Huskvama, Sweden. Alvtegen’s psychological thrillers are generally set in Sweden. Four of her books have been translated into English: Missing, Betrayal, Shadow and Shame. She has been nominated for the Edgar Award for Best Novel and the CWA International Dagger and is seen as The Queen of Crime in Scandinavia, She lives in Stockholm. She is grand-niece of the popular children’s novelist Astrid Lindgren. I loved those Pippi Longstocking books as a child but Betrayal was the first of Karin Alvtegen’s novels that I had read.
The story tells about Eva and Henrik who have been living together for fifteen years. They have a son together but Eva discovers that her husband is seeing another woman. So, she decides to seek revenge. Also, a young man, Jonas, has for the past two years been sitting by a hospital bed where his girlfriend lies in a coma after an accident.
He yearns for closeness with her but she keeps letting him down by refusing to wake up. Betrayal deals with how devastating it can be to be let down and how our destructive actions create consequences far beyond our control. Two dark agendas intersect to create something more volatile than they would have been apart. This is definitely one of creepiest books I have ever read and I really enjoyed that. The author takes one concept, that of betrayal, and builds upon that to create a story that is unnerving. The destiny of Jonas and Eva is the consequence of other people’s actions and it is by chance that the roads of these two people cross.
The repercussions of all this play out over the rest of the book. I think that this book makes an impact because so much of the internal dialogue that we hear in the book hits close to home. It deals with things like the nature of relationships, trust, deceit and how people view love. The author then throws a misunderstood mind or two into the equation, along with an unbalanced one so the reader has a recipe for a real nail biter.
I found myself rooting for the book to end one way, but the author moved determinedly in another direction. It was an excellent read. I still get the shivers just thinking about it.
The story tells about Eva and Henrik who have been living together for fifteen years. They have a son together but Eva discovers that her husband is seeing another woman. So, she decides to seek revenge. Also, a young man, Jonas, has for the past two years been sitting by a hospital bed where his girlfriend lies in a coma after an accident.
He yearns for closeness with her but she keeps letting him down by refusing to wake up. Betrayal deals with how devastating it can be to be let down and how our destructive actions create consequences far beyond our control. Two dark agendas intersect to create something more volatile than they would have been apart. This is definitely one of creepiest books I have ever read and I really enjoyed that. The author takes one concept, that of betrayal, and builds upon that to create a story that is unnerving. The destiny of Jonas and Eva is the consequence of other people’s actions and it is by chance that the roads of these two people cross.
The repercussions of all this play out over the rest of the book. I think that this book makes an impact because so much of the internal dialogue that we hear in the book hits close to home. It deals with things like the nature of relationships, trust, deceit and how people view love. The author then throws a misunderstood mind or two into the equation, along with an unbalanced one so the reader has a recipe for a real nail biter.
I found myself rooting for the book to end one way, but the author moved determinedly in another direction. It was an excellent read. I still get the shivers just thinking about it.
July 28, 2014
I recently encountered Alvtegen for the first time when a blog recommended her second novel (the first in English translation), Missing. I tend not to read more than one book by the same author in the same month or two (although I'm planning to do that soon with some Eric Ambler novels), but I was so impressed by Missing that I got hold of a copy of Betrayal. And, having finished Betrayal, I'm about to get hold of her next novel, Shame . . .
Suburban wife Eva discovers that for months husband Henrik has been boffing Linda, an assistant at their child's daycare center. While plotting what to do about this, she on impulse picks up a much younger mam, Jonas, in a bar, and beds him. What she doesn't realize is that Jonas regards this encounter as a declaration of love, and that he has serious mental issues that he's only barely coping with . . .
Where Alvtegen is particularly adept is at weaving together the different interpretations her characters place on the same sequences of events. I found this novel, as the characters moved toward their near-inevitable fates, absolutely spellbinding. Alvtegen is often compared to Ruth Rendell/Barbara Vine, and I can understand why people should feel drawn to that comparison; but she has a voice of her own, and in some respects she's even better than the best of Rendell.
In short (which is all I have time for at the moment), this book's a knockout.
Suburban wife Eva discovers that for months husband Henrik has been boffing Linda, an assistant at their child's daycare center. While plotting what to do about this, she on impulse picks up a much younger mam, Jonas, in a bar, and beds him. What she doesn't realize is that Jonas regards this encounter as a declaration of love, and that he has serious mental issues that he's only barely coping with . . .
Where Alvtegen is particularly adept is at weaving together the different interpretations her characters place on the same sequences of events. I found this novel, as the characters moved toward their near-inevitable fates, absolutely spellbinding. Alvtegen is often compared to Ruth Rendell/Barbara Vine, and I can understand why people should feel drawn to that comparison; but she has a voice of her own, and in some respects she's even better than the best of Rendell.
In short (which is all I have time for at the moment), this book's a knockout.
February 15, 2010
Karin Alvtegen's American publisher compares this book to Patricia Highsmith, and it really is like a variation on Strangers on a Train, with two dark agendas intersecting to create something more volatile than what they would have been apart. Alvtegen is a truly talented suspense writer, taking familiar elements and contorting them here into something unpredictable and shocking. Her method--of only gradually unveiling the full picture of events and motivations--feeds the reader’s curiosity right up to the end. No one would want to share the predicament these people are in, but it is frighteningly easy to see how things might get to this point.
For the most part, this is a white-knuckle read. True there are one or two unfortunate cliches along the way and at least one disappointing, unlikely plot device. And the ending wasn’t quite what I wanted. But I will read more Alvtegen, no question.
For the most part, this is a white-knuckle read. True there are one or two unfortunate cliches along the way and at least one disappointing, unlikely plot device. And the ending wasn’t quite what I wanted. But I will read more Alvtegen, no question.
April 16, 2013
I read this over two days. I probably would have read it in one sitting if I had the time. I found it difficult to put down. This story is very well paced. You wonder about Jonas, the initial impression is that he is okay but you find out that all is not right. With Eva and Henrik, I found myself near the end shouting at them to communicate, this I see was a good reaction. After the ending I was left wondering what next, it didn't quite draw a line under the story but was sufficiently creepy in line with the rest of the book. I enjoyed reading this.
January 22, 2011
Tense, taut tale of psychological suspense set in Sweden. Great characterizations, a chilling atmosphere, and an exploration of betrayals from various points of view made this a real page turner.
August 10, 2015
Had not read any books from this author before but will do so now. Solid story about life, communication love and how it can all go so wrong. Betrayal then leads to revulsion and revenge, this never usually ends well.....
June 15, 2024
Rättså Spännande, inte min absoluta favorit i den svenska kriminalgenren men absolut läsvärd.
May 23, 2023
Hoewel de schrijfster een fijne stijl heeft en het boek lekker leest, pakte het me toch niet helemaal. Sommige gebeurtenissen werden vanuit een ander perspectief na elkaar verteld en dit zorgde ervoor dat ik het boek soms iets te langzaam vond gaan. Echt een prima boek, maar niet mijn favoriet.
February 24, 2015
Karin Alvtegen is like a Swedish Ruth Rendell!
Coming from me that is high praise indeed.
Eva, a dynamic, successful young mother, is forced to reassess her marriage when her husband's apathy can no longer be ignored. Then she discovers he's been having an affair with her young son's day-care teacher and her grief and rage drive her into vengeful action. Fatefully, she comes across Jonas, an isolated young man who for the past two years has been keeping vigil beside his obstinately comatose girlfriend. Burdened with his own sinister history of betrayal and his quest for acceptance, he sees a chance to start afresh with Eva. When Jonas and Eva react to redress their wrongs, the combination proves lethal...
Coming from me that is high praise indeed.
Eva, a dynamic, successful young mother, is forced to reassess her marriage when her husband's apathy can no longer be ignored. Then she discovers he's been having an affair with her young son's day-care teacher and her grief and rage drive her into vengeful action. Fatefully, she comes across Jonas, an isolated young man who for the past two years has been keeping vigil beside his obstinately comatose girlfriend. Burdened with his own sinister history of betrayal and his quest for acceptance, he sees a chance to start afresh with Eva. When Jonas and Eva react to redress their wrongs, the combination proves lethal...
April 23, 2020
This is what I'm starting to think of as a typical Alvtegen. Complex, ambivalent characters, emphasis on family (relations and trouble), well written, slightly far-fetched coincidences and plot devices (that call) - and, most importantly, weirdly unputdownable. This one is a bit more horror than crime, and the ending, while having a bit of all of the problems mentioned above, is highly effective.
I can ponder all the things that weren't perfect, but in the end I read all of it in one sitting and can feel the abyss looking into me.
I can ponder all the things that weren't perfect, but in the end I read all of it in one sitting and can feel the abyss looking into me.
April 20, 2014
wow what a book!!! only a scandinavian author can write something like this.
death of an unhappy marriage intertwined with descent of a deranged young man deeper and deeper into madness, there can be no happy ending.
really a masterpiece, didn't predict this type of ending. even better than the first book.
not so good as Karin Fossum (really hard to be better, at least in my humble opinion) but a must read for any fans of psychological (crime) fiction.
death of an unhappy marriage intertwined with descent of a deranged young man deeper and deeper into madness, there can be no happy ending.
really a masterpiece, didn't predict this type of ending. even better than the first book.
not so good as Karin Fossum (really hard to be better, at least in my humble opinion) but a must read for any fans of psychological (crime) fiction.
September 21, 2013
Really dark and disturbing; more psychological thriller than police procedural. Excellent read.
The only reason I didn't give it five stars is that the ending felt a little rushed for me. Also, I wasn't sure Eva would be as gullible (or that her parents and Henrik would be) as she was.
The only reason I didn't give it five stars is that the ending felt a little rushed for me. Also, I wasn't sure Eva would be as gullible (or that her parents and Henrik would be) as she was.
December 25, 2020
3,5, creepy and fast read
January 14, 2018
En BRA bok! Spännande och läsvärd. Intressant psykologi. Läste denna en varm semesterdag :)
February 10, 2018
Интересен и мрачен психо-трилър. 3.5*/5*
April 29, 2018
Das war das allerbeste Buch, das ich seit langer Zeit gelesen habe! So intensiv und spannend habe ich ein Buch lange nicht empfunden. Die Charaktere waren perfekt ausgearbeitet. Lest es!!!
July 24, 2020
Gillar tonen i Alvtegens böcker
June 11, 2024
É uma versão menos elaborada de "Dias perfeitos" do Raphael Montes. A história é meia boca, até promete, mas não entrega diferencial. É aquilo mulheres sofrendo nas mãos de homens eu prefiro homens sofrendo nas mãos de mulheres.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 2, 2018
This is a great read for those who enjoy a darkish psychological thriller.
Eva and Henrik are married with a young son Axel. Eva is devastated to learn that Henrik is having an affair with Axels teacher at kindergarten, Linda. She cannot believe that her comfortable family set-up is under threat, and plots ways to get revenge on Linda.
Jonas is a weird loner with OCD. His partner lies in coma in hospital with brain damage after a near drowning accident. His dedication to her is immense. His daily ministrations to her lying in bed are touching, but things may not be quite as they seem.
‘Betrayal’ brings Eva and Jonas together in an unexpected way. Both are desperate people who are bitter and enraged. What happens when they try and get what they want is what makes this such a great book.
Karin Alvtegen writes intelligently and keeps the intrigue going to the very last page. For a book that has been translated from the original Swedish the prose flows well and is not like some translations which can be cumbersome. If it wasn’t for the Swedish place names, you could easily forget it wasn’t written in English.
I highly recommend this book.
Eva and Henrik are married with a young son Axel. Eva is devastated to learn that Henrik is having an affair with Axels teacher at kindergarten, Linda. She cannot believe that her comfortable family set-up is under threat, and plots ways to get revenge on Linda.
Jonas is a weird loner with OCD. His partner lies in coma in hospital with brain damage after a near drowning accident. His dedication to her is immense. His daily ministrations to her lying in bed are touching, but things may not be quite as they seem.
‘Betrayal’ brings Eva and Jonas together in an unexpected way. Both are desperate people who are bitter and enraged. What happens when they try and get what they want is what makes this such a great book.
Karin Alvtegen writes intelligently and keeps the intrigue going to the very last page. For a book that has been translated from the original Swedish the prose flows well and is not like some translations which can be cumbersome. If it wasn’t for the Swedish place names, you could easily forget it wasn’t written in English.
I highly recommend this book.
July 6, 2015
I liked Jonas, as a character, and the way he was written. Jonas was, in fact, the only character that left me with a sort of feeling. An uneasy one, even. But that's as far as it goes, everything else was flat, unrealistic and badly written, including both plot and characters. I had no pity for Eva whatsoever, instead she came of as really annoying and well, unrealistic.
Having read lots and lots of scandinavian writers (more than listed here, as I'm updating rather sloppily), especially swedish ones as I usually read them in their original, swedish version (I'm having a real issue with translations, actually) I have never been disappointed until now, until I read Karin Alvtegen's "Betrayal".
I've heard of Karin Alvtegen to be a very good writer, actually, but this book was nowhere close to what I was expecting, if I was expecting something at all. It was a pretty slow read too, and I never cared for what would come next. I read 800 page novels in 3 days if I have the time, and even though I had the time it took me an entire week to finish this book. Meh, wouldn't recommed.
Having read lots and lots of scandinavian writers (more than listed here, as I'm updating rather sloppily), especially swedish ones as I usually read them in their original, swedish version (I'm having a real issue with translations, actually) I have never been disappointed until now, until I read Karin Alvtegen's "Betrayal".
I've heard of Karin Alvtegen to be a very good writer, actually, but this book was nowhere close to what I was expecting, if I was expecting something at all. It was a pretty slow read too, and I never cared for what would come next. I read 800 page novels in 3 days if I have the time, and even though I had the time it took me an entire week to finish this book. Meh, wouldn't recommed.
February 24, 2013
Loved the coldness of this novel, the setting, the actions of the characters,and their speech and mannerisms. This is nordic psychological suspense that is, in my opinion, done extremely well. Definitely reminds me of the novels of Sophie Hannah and Patricia Highsmith. From reading the jacket, I had a preconceived notion on what was going to happen in this book, and it didn't follow my script at all, which is probably a good thing. I have read two of hers now, I think 4 have been published in the states. Will now try to see if I can get the other two.
April 4, 2015
In this well written psychological thriller Karin Alvtegen explores how deceit and lack of communication can lead to disastrous results.
Betrayal in its many layers and by the various cast of characters is at the heart of this novel. At times I felt that I was reading a comedy of errors which was unsettling because of the darkness of the characters.
The ending was a surprise that disturbed me and would certainly bring up heated discussion in a criminology class. I won’t say more so as not to spoil it. But this is definitely a noir novel.
Betrayal in its many layers and by the various cast of characters is at the heart of this novel. At times I felt that I was reading a comedy of errors which was unsettling because of the darkness of the characters.
The ending was a surprise that disturbed me and would certainly bring up heated discussion in a criminology class. I won’t say more so as not to spoil it. But this is definitely a noir novel.
May 30, 2012
This was much better than her previous book Missing, though I have to agree with other readers I wasn't too thrilled with the ending. Im not sure how I wanted it to end, but it wasn't the way it did. The story was one of, you guessed it, betrayal. Two stories of betrayal to be clear. Jonas and Eva are betrayed and then their paths cross as does their betrayal and there the story really takes place.
February 4, 2013
A brilliant mystery by a Swedish author. Or more a character study: two obsessive pots of poison, and when they boil and meet, what happens...
Eva's marriage is failing (because of betrayal, her husband is having an affair).
Jonas' love, Anna, is in hospital (also kind of because of betrayal).
Awesome characters that drive the story and set the pace. Dark, but below the surface... the dark is in the characters, not in excessive external action in this case.
Eva's marriage is failing (because of betrayal, her husband is having an affair).
Jonas' love, Anna, is in hospital (also kind of because of betrayal).
Awesome characters that drive the story and set the pace. Dark, but below the surface... the dark is in the characters, not in excessive external action in this case.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 181 reviews