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Leona #1
Tärningen är kastad
A naked and bloody seven-year-old girl walks into a bank, clutching a grubby teddy bear. She plays a threatening recording, demanding money. No one dares intervene.
The child leaves the bank and disappears, without leaving a trace of evidence.
This daring robbery is trusted to highly regarded investigator Leona Lindberg of Stockholm’s Violent Crimes Division. But why is Leona ignoring witness statements, and calling in suspects on the barest thread of suspicion? When a second robbery takes place, how does she manage to be the first one at the scene?
Leona: The Die is Cast is a gripping crime thriller featuring an unusual heroine who holds on to reality by the skin of her teeth. In life, as in poker, Leona is unwilling to fold, despite so much being at stake.
The child leaves the bank and disappears, without leaving a trace of evidence.
This daring robbery is trusted to highly regarded investigator Leona Lindberg of Stockholm’s Violent Crimes Division. But why is Leona ignoring witness statements, and calling in suspects on the barest thread of suspicion? When a second robbery takes place, how does she manage to be the first one at the scene?
Leona: The Die is Cast is a gripping crime thriller featuring an unusual heroine who holds on to reality by the skin of her teeth. In life, as in poker, Leona is unwilling to fold, despite so much being at stake.
367 pages, Paperback
First published July 17, 2014
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July 10, 2017E-galley graciously provided by Edelweiss, Other Press and Author, Jenny Rogneby for my honest review. A shout out also to GR friend Denise's review.
To be published August 1, 2017.
This international crime thriller defies the genre and anything you thought you knew. The first in a series, it features Leona Lindberg of Stockholm’s Violent Crime Division. A seven-year old girl is used as a pawn in bank robbery in broad daylight. Crawling, naked and bloody she enters and deposits a tape recording of a thunderous man’s voice demanding the money and threatening the girl’s well being. Leona is a capable detective but is thwarted at every turn by her boss, a medium, and even her own husband.
The author's webpage is worth a look also, particularly this bio:
Jenny Rogneby's bio.a>
To be published August 1, 2017.
This international crime thriller defies the genre and anything you thought you knew. The first in a series, it features Leona Lindberg of Stockholm’s Violent Crime Division. A seven-year old girl is used as a pawn in bank robbery in broad daylight. Crawling, naked and bloody she enters and deposits a tape recording of a thunderous man’s voice demanding the money and threatening the girl’s well being. Leona is a capable detective but is thwarted at every turn by her boss, a medium, and even her own husband.
The author's webpage is worth a look also, particularly this bio:
Jenny Rogneby's bio.a>
July 31, 2017
2.75 stars
Triggers? Yes.
This story was about blackmail, murder, and hope. There were two storylines tag-teaming each other and it made for an interesting book, but overall, I didn't connect with any of the characters. Leona's flat affect jumped out at the reader from each page and suggested from the start that she was emotionally disconnected from her environment and from people in general. Her antisocial behavior at work and at home was heavily emphasized, but I loathed being in her thoughts most of the time. As the story progressed, her actions and thoughts became more unbelievable, irrational, and foolish, but the flashback scenes provided some of the answers behind her questionable decisions. I waited patiently to see her downfall, but this book ended abruptly.
◆ This was an okay read for me. I didn't love or hate it and hope other readers will enjoy this book more than I did.
*NetGalley ARC provided by Other Press in exchange for an honest review.
Triggers? Yes.
This story was about blackmail, murder, and hope. There were two storylines tag-teaming each other and it made for an interesting book, but overall, I didn't connect with any of the characters. Leona's flat affect jumped out at the reader from each page and suggested from the start that she was emotionally disconnected from her environment and from people in general. Her antisocial behavior at work and at home was heavily emphasized, but I loathed being in her thoughts most of the time. As the story progressed, her actions and thoughts became more unbelievable, irrational, and foolish, but the flashback scenes provided some of the answers behind her questionable decisions. I waited patiently to see her downfall, but this book ended abruptly.
◆ This was an okay read for me. I didn't love or hate it and hope other readers will enjoy this book more than I did.
*NetGalley ARC provided by Other Press in exchange for an honest review.
November 10, 2020
Leona is a hoot:
Q:
Until I was fifteen, I hadn’t realized that smiling gave me an advantage. By studying other people I had learned how to socialize. (c)
Q:
He’d had several seconds to make his excuses. He could at least have mumbled something apologetic when he opened the door. It was only polite — that much I had picked up about everyday social niceties. When he didn’t speak I realized that there would be no apology. The look of surprise on his face confirmed my conclusion. (c) Well, she should've learned people better :)
I'm pretty sure Leona's colleagues love working with her.
Q: They didn’t all need to know everything. The most important thing was that everyone had enough information to carry out their part of the work. Normally I would have switched to autopilot. Now I had to think a few steps ahead.
I was being watched. (c) She's paranoid and hogs the info all the time.
Her supervisor loves working with her up to the point of throwing her out of department meetings. Criminals - they should just cry and run away since they have no chance against Leona.
The racial solutions is great actually, our MC is a born Ethiopean and people don't pay attention to anything. Which is a great preview of racism-free society, the way it should have long since been if not for some racist idiots.
Leona's somewhere really far out there on the autistic spectrum even though she's functioning quite well if one doesn't count her.... eh... asocial tendencies and lashing out at random. She does have excellent reasons for all of that, though.
Q:
I straightened two pens that were lying on the table in front of me. Didn’t like having sharp objects pointing in my direction. Besides, they were at an angle. (c)
Q:
For my entire life I had sought, searched for, and tried to imitate real emotions. (c)
Her hubby is a hoot:
Q:
Between work, taking the kids to and from day care, shopping, cooking, playing, story time, and bedtime, there was never enough time to do anything for several hours in a row. (c) Well, yeah, that's time management for you baby. Harder than nuclear physics and time travel.
Drat, everyone in here is a piece of work. Wow. The plot is so... entangled...
Funny stuff:
Q:
He acted as if the question had been asked from somewhere near the ceiling at the far end of the room. (c)
Q:
I shook my head, astonished that Peter still hadn’t realized that it was pointless to try to play on my conscience. (c) Ah-hah! This bit is lovely!
Q:
...I reeled off a string of words in my head, swearing to myself that I would never work with criminals again.
Never.
They were simply unable to commit crimes. (c)
Q:
It didn’t bother me that Claes had scolded me in front of my colleagues. I found it stimulating, oddly enough. (c)
Q:
(c)
Q:
... it was the manager’s task to make every misery seem like an amazing opportunity (c)
Q:
Until I was fifteen, I hadn’t realized that smiling gave me an advantage. By studying other people I had learned how to socialize. (c)
Q:
He’d had several seconds to make his excuses. He could at least have mumbled something apologetic when he opened the door. It was only polite — that much I had picked up about everyday social niceties. When he didn’t speak I realized that there would be no apology. The look of surprise on his face confirmed my conclusion. (c) Well, she should've learned people better :)
I'm pretty sure Leona's colleagues love working with her.
Q: They didn’t all need to know everything. The most important thing was that everyone had enough information to carry out their part of the work. Normally I would have switched to autopilot. Now I had to think a few steps ahead.
I was being watched. (c) She's paranoid and hogs the info all the time.
Her supervisor loves working with her up to the point of throwing her out of department meetings. Criminals - they should just cry and run away since they have no chance against Leona.
The racial solutions is great actually, our MC is a born Ethiopean and people don't pay attention to anything. Which is a great preview of racism-free society, the way it should have long since been if not for some racist idiots.
Leona's somewhere really far out there on the autistic spectrum even though she's functioning quite well if one doesn't count her.... eh... asocial tendencies and lashing out at random. She does have excellent reasons for all of that, though.
Q:
I straightened two pens that were lying on the table in front of me. Didn’t like having sharp objects pointing in my direction. Besides, they were at an angle. (c)
Q:
For my entire life I had sought, searched for, and tried to imitate real emotions. (c)
Her hubby is a hoot:
Q:
Between work, taking the kids to and from day care, shopping, cooking, playing, story time, and bedtime, there was never enough time to do anything for several hours in a row. (c) Well, yeah, that's time management for you baby. Harder than nuclear physics and time travel.
Drat, everyone in here is a piece of work. Wow. The plot is so... entangled...
Funny stuff:
Q:
He acted as if the question had been asked from somewhere near the ceiling at the far end of the room. (c)
Q:
I shook my head, astonished that Peter still hadn’t realized that it was pointless to try to play on my conscience. (c) Ah-hah! This bit is lovely!
Q:
...I reeled off a string of words in my head, swearing to myself that I would never work with criminals again.
Never.
They were simply unable to commit crimes. (c)
Q:
It didn’t bother me that Claes had scolded me in front of my colleagues. I found it stimulating, oddly enough. (c)
Q:
(c)
Q:
... it was the manager’s task to make every misery seem like an amazing opportunity (c)
September 28, 2017
This debut fiction has so many divergences from a standard police procedural that we are held in thrall to the last page, not believing our eyes. During the process of investigating a series of bank robberies, Investigator Leona Lindberg reveals certain unsavory truths about her police department and the people in it. Someone who was abused as a child apparently turned around as an adult and inflicted the same kind of suffering on another child. For money.
In fact, there is so much going on that is different in this novel that it begs to be discussed in a book group. One of the first things that captured my attention is that the author is a woman of color, born in Ethiopia, adopted and schooled in Sweden. She became a criminal investigator in Stockholm after graduation from Stockholm University, gleaning enough information to create the character Leona Lindberg and the circumstances under which Leona does her job.
It is not clear that Leona is a woman of color. It is never mentioned in this first novel. Leona is desirable—several men on the workforce make plays for her attention at different points—and her hair is described as “brown, curly and fluffy.” When I realized that Rogneby wrote this novel without pointing to race, I realized how unusual that would be in America.
The writer Chris Abani, born in Nigeria and now an American citizen, says America has a unique relationship with race: “Slavery in America is not really over.” Blacks from countries with black majorities naturally think of themselves differently than do black Americans. Jenny Rogneby, though growing up in a white majority country like Sweden, is also different than American blacks, who probably wouldn’t consider writing a book where race is not mentioned simply because it is so much a part of their daily calculations. Even now I am here having a big discussion about race when it is not even mentioned in this book. What does this say about us? What does it say about Jenny Rogneby?
Of course, Leona has more important things to worry about than skin color. She registers on the autism spectrum, and has a son with Crohn’s disease who requires expensive repeat surgeries to fix a long-term life-or-death ailment. Her daughter is of an age to require parental oversight, and her husband gets insufficient attention. Leona herself stays up many nights to gamble online. Meanwhile, she is heading up one of the most perplexing series of robberies in modern Swedish crime history. It’s a lot to juggle.
The novel itself at several points strains credulity. But Rogneby manages to pull us back from the brink, partly because she is coming at this from such a strange angle that we are dying to see how she is going to manage it. Knowing what we do about large bureaucracies where everyone is very busy, we sometimes can buy her explanations for how things are overlooked. If we remember we have information that the police department in general does not, in contrast to most novels of this sort, we could be convinced.
It is worth hanging around to the end because Rogneby manages to pull off something so devilishly clever and so disturbingly depraved that we really feel as though the term “crime novel” has just been invented.
The multi-talented Jenny Rogneby worked as a pop singer in Sweden before going to university for criminology and working for some years with Stockholm City Police Department. In that authors reveal a great deal about themselves in what they write, I will admit I looked for clues to Rogneby’s experiences in her work. According to her website, Rogneby
In fact, there is so much going on that is different in this novel that it begs to be discussed in a book group. One of the first things that captured my attention is that the author is a woman of color, born in Ethiopia, adopted and schooled in Sweden. She became a criminal investigator in Stockholm after graduation from Stockholm University, gleaning enough information to create the character Leona Lindberg and the circumstances under which Leona does her job.
It is not clear that Leona is a woman of color. It is never mentioned in this first novel. Leona is desirable—several men on the workforce make plays for her attention at different points—and her hair is described as “brown, curly and fluffy.” When I realized that Rogneby wrote this novel without pointing to race, I realized how unusual that would be in America.
The writer Chris Abani, born in Nigeria and now an American citizen, says America has a unique relationship with race: “Slavery in America is not really over.” Blacks from countries with black majorities naturally think of themselves differently than do black Americans. Jenny Rogneby, though growing up in a white majority country like Sweden, is also different than American blacks, who probably wouldn’t consider writing a book where race is not mentioned simply because it is so much a part of their daily calculations. Even now I am here having a big discussion about race when it is not even mentioned in this book. What does this say about us? What does it say about Jenny Rogneby?
Of course, Leona has more important things to worry about than skin color. She registers on the autism spectrum, and has a son with Crohn’s disease who requires expensive repeat surgeries to fix a long-term life-or-death ailment. Her daughter is of an age to require parental oversight, and her husband gets insufficient attention. Leona herself stays up many nights to gamble online. Meanwhile, she is heading up one of the most perplexing series of robberies in modern Swedish crime history. It’s a lot to juggle.
The novel itself at several points strains credulity. But Rogneby manages to pull us back from the brink, partly because she is coming at this from such a strange angle that we are dying to see how she is going to manage it. Knowing what we do about large bureaucracies where everyone is very busy, we sometimes can buy her explanations for how things are overlooked. If we remember we have information that the police department in general does not, in contrast to most novels of this sort, we could be convinced.
It is worth hanging around to the end because Rogneby manages to pull off something so devilishly clever and so disturbingly depraved that we really feel as though the term “crime novel” has just been invented.
The multi-talented Jenny Rogneby worked as a pop singer in Sweden before going to university for criminology and working for some years with Stockholm City Police Department. In that authors reveal a great deal about themselves in what they write, I will admit I looked for clues to Rogneby’s experiences in her work. According to her website, Rogneby
“took a year's leave from work, sold her apartment and all her furniture in Stockholm, moved abroad and wrote LEONA - The Die is Cast. She submitted her manuscript to Swedish publishers and 10 publishing houses were interested in publishing her debut. Now the book series is sold to 13 countries and the film rights are sold to Hollywood.”You must admit, her life as been interesting so far. Might as well see where it goes from here.
June 23, 2017
I found this one of the best mysteries I've read all year. It was like being on a high speed roller coaster where it was difficult to catch your breath. Just when I thought I had things figured out, something else would happen and off I'd go again.
Leona Lindberg, of Stockholm's Violent Crimes Division, is assigned the case of the seven year old girl bank robber. Yes, a naked girl covered in blood and bruises would walk in a bank with a back pack and a tape recorder and walk out with millions in money. She would then vanish. Not a word was spoken by the girl and no one tried to stop her. It's an unusual crime and they put Leona on it as she has had a great career in solving crimes.
It is noticeable that Leona has problems. She has to remind herself to look at people in their eyes. She reminds herself to make small talk to others, to talk nicely to them, and to pretend to take interest in her colleagues. At first, I though she had autism but then something is revealed and I thought that's why she's that way. Then something else is revealed and I think that explains it and then something else is told and I had to tell myself just to hold on and let the story unwind.
There's plenty else going on. There's a nosy reporter trying to expose a corrupt Minister of Finance. There's a second robbery by the little girl. Her young son has Crohn's Disease and needs major surgery not even done in Sweden. Her husband wants to buy a new house. Leona needs sleep. I need to catch my breath.
This is a Swedish Noir book and is full of dark, gritty, unpleasant things but it keeps you enthralled. I just kept turning the pages to see what was going to happen next. It's been awhile since a mystery captured my attention with so many unexpected twists and turns. I highly recommend this book but do want to warn that it is very graphic and may not set well with some people. No punches are pulled.
Leona Lindberg, of Stockholm's Violent Crimes Division, is assigned the case of the seven year old girl bank robber. Yes, a naked girl covered in blood and bruises would walk in a bank with a back pack and a tape recorder and walk out with millions in money. She would then vanish. Not a word was spoken by the girl and no one tried to stop her. It's an unusual crime and they put Leona on it as she has had a great career in solving crimes.
It is noticeable that Leona has problems. She has to remind herself to look at people in their eyes. She reminds herself to make small talk to others, to talk nicely to them, and to pretend to take interest in her colleagues. At first, I though she had autism but then something is revealed and I thought that's why she's that way. Then something else is revealed and I think that explains it and then something else is told and I had to tell myself just to hold on and let the story unwind.
There's plenty else going on. There's a nosy reporter trying to expose a corrupt Minister of Finance. There's a second robbery by the little girl. Her young son has Crohn's Disease and needs major surgery not even done in Sweden. Her husband wants to buy a new house. Leona needs sleep. I need to catch my breath.
This is a Swedish Noir book and is full of dark, gritty, unpleasant things but it keeps you enthralled. I just kept turning the pages to see what was going to happen next. It's been awhile since a mystery captured my attention with so many unexpected twists and turns. I highly recommend this book but do want to warn that it is very graphic and may not set well with some people. No punches are pulled.
November 7, 2017
Have you ever been in a meeting at work and wished you could just blurt out all the snarky thoughts in your head and damn the consequences? If so, Leona Lindberg is the cop for you. She’s an outspoken misanthrope with a dark past who manages to keep her job on the Stockholm police force because she’s a good detective--and decidedly not because anyone likes her.
Her latest case is a weird one: banks are being robbed by a young girl who comes in naked and covered in blood. Leona’s colleagues don’t want the case because robberies are small potatoes compared to murders, but Leona’s motivations for volunteering to add it to her caseload are...complicated, it turns out. Very complicated.
I like “cop with a dark side” stories as much as the next girl, but you have to really be okay with darkness to be a fan of Leona. If you can’t get behind an antihero, maybe give this one a pass, especially because at 450 pages, you’re going to have to spend a lot of time with her. If you don’t mind your detectives on the shady side, though, step right up.
More book recommendations by me at www.readingwithhippos.com
Her latest case is a weird one: banks are being robbed by a young girl who comes in naked and covered in blood. Leona’s colleagues don’t want the case because robberies are small potatoes compared to murders, but Leona’s motivations for volunteering to add it to her caseload are...complicated, it turns out. Very complicated.
I like “cop with a dark side” stories as much as the next girl, but you have to really be okay with darkness to be a fan of Leona. If you can’t get behind an antihero, maybe give this one a pass, especially because at 450 pages, you’re going to have to spend a lot of time with her. If you don’t mind your detectives on the shady side, though, step right up.
More book recommendations by me at www.readingwithhippos.com
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June 3, 2017Stop -- this is a suspense thriller unike anything you have read before! Beware the havoc that comes from within.
A girl, only seven years old, walks into a bank -- bruised and covered in blood. She sets down a tape recorder. She takes the money and disappears. Leona is a detective assigned to the case. But she doesn't appear to be chasing down the leads, doing the interviews, or following the investigative techniques that are normally applied. Leona has some problems -- she's hounded by a journalist, beset by personal problems at home, and is on thin ice with her superiors.
This is a police procedural, but also an incredibly different take on crime fiction. I loved it! I won't say more due to spoilers, but this one (the first in a series) took me by surprise! I love Scandanavian noir, and this is set in Sweden. Although the protagonist is not very likeable, she is complex and her choices are quite disturbing. She's sort of an anti-hero(ine) and I can't wait to read more. This ends on a bit of a cliffhanger, and I hate that, but definitely I am hooked. I am definitely going to want to read the next book!!
Thank you to NetGalley and Other Press for the e-book ARC to review.
A girl, only seven years old, walks into a bank -- bruised and covered in blood. She sets down a tape recorder. She takes the money and disappears. Leona is a detective assigned to the case. But she doesn't appear to be chasing down the leads, doing the interviews, or following the investigative techniques that are normally applied. Leona has some problems -- she's hounded by a journalist, beset by personal problems at home, and is on thin ice with her superiors.
This is a police procedural, but also an incredibly different take on crime fiction. I loved it! I won't say more due to spoilers, but this one (the first in a series) took me by surprise! I love Scandanavian noir, and this is set in Sweden. Although the protagonist is not very likeable, she is complex and her choices are quite disturbing. She's sort of an anti-hero(ine) and I can't wait to read more. This ends on a bit of a cliffhanger, and I hate that, but definitely I am hooked. I am definitely going to want to read the next book!!
Thank you to NetGalley and Other Press for the e-book ARC to review.
August 21, 2015
Any readers looking for something different - LEONA: THE DIE IS CAST could be just the ticket. There's so much here in the writing, and the styling that is very brave of this author.
Leona Lindberg is both a highly regarded investigator and an outsider. She has a personality disorder which makes her a tricky person to work with, and an even harder protagonist for a reader to establish a connection with. Her internal dialogue clearly shows she's aware of her limitations, that her interactions with others are flawed, and able to moderate that to some extent. Every now and again her true self breaks out though - and she offends, and annoys many around her.
She's also the one that's more than willing to take on yet another case in a workload that's killing her and her colleagues - the really odd case of a naked, bloody young girl who has robbed a bank.
Whilst that case, and subsequent crimes by this young child stay in the forefront of the investigation aspects of the book, Lindberg's personal life, her family and her background are slowly revealed. There is much that gives pause for thought about this protagonist, and whilst you might struggle to see her in the role of victim, there's a real challenge being thrown at the reader throughout this book. Getting inside the head of somebody who is so different, so blatant and so matter-of-fact about her own self-interest isn't a straight-forward experience, but it's very worthwhile in LEONA. The reveals are built deftly into the narrative, in exactly the matter-of-fact style you'd expect of somebody like Lindberg, and there's no doubt whatsoever from the very start that there's something about her that's not quite right.
Spending time in Lindberg's head is hard work to be honest, she's not the nicest of people to be around, and her ruthless use and disregard for everyone around her is startling, fascinating and profoundly discomforting. It's also instructive and, for this reader, surprisingly moving in the end. This is a woman who simply doesn't seem to give a damn about anybody else, and for a while readers will have to wonder why.
Needless to say the revelations come solidly throughout LEONA and saying much about the actual plot is difficult without huge spoilers. But if you're lucky enough to get a chance to read this book, no matter how off-putting you find your initial introduction to Leona Lindberg, stick with it. This is an unusual approach to the psychological crime thriller, from a style of crime fiction that concentrates on "why", rather than who or how or gotcha.
http://www.austcrimefiction.org/revie...
Leona Lindberg is both a highly regarded investigator and an outsider. She has a personality disorder which makes her a tricky person to work with, and an even harder protagonist for a reader to establish a connection with. Her internal dialogue clearly shows she's aware of her limitations, that her interactions with others are flawed, and able to moderate that to some extent. Every now and again her true self breaks out though - and she offends, and annoys many around her.
She's also the one that's more than willing to take on yet another case in a workload that's killing her and her colleagues - the really odd case of a naked, bloody young girl who has robbed a bank.
Whilst that case, and subsequent crimes by this young child stay in the forefront of the investigation aspects of the book, Lindberg's personal life, her family and her background are slowly revealed. There is much that gives pause for thought about this protagonist, and whilst you might struggle to see her in the role of victim, there's a real challenge being thrown at the reader throughout this book. Getting inside the head of somebody who is so different, so blatant and so matter-of-fact about her own self-interest isn't a straight-forward experience, but it's very worthwhile in LEONA. The reveals are built deftly into the narrative, in exactly the matter-of-fact style you'd expect of somebody like Lindberg, and there's no doubt whatsoever from the very start that there's something about her that's not quite right.
Spending time in Lindberg's head is hard work to be honest, she's not the nicest of people to be around, and her ruthless use and disregard for everyone around her is startling, fascinating and profoundly discomforting. It's also instructive and, for this reader, surprisingly moving in the end. This is a woman who simply doesn't seem to give a damn about anybody else, and for a while readers will have to wonder why.
Needless to say the revelations come solidly throughout LEONA and saying much about the actual plot is difficult without huge spoilers. But if you're lucky enough to get a chance to read this book, no matter how off-putting you find your initial introduction to Leona Lindberg, stick with it. This is an unusual approach to the psychological crime thriller, from a style of crime fiction that concentrates on "why", rather than who or how or gotcha.
http://www.austcrimefiction.org/revie...
July 7, 2016
Nyt tuli Ruotsista Leona, poliisi, joka teki työtä ja eli sata lasissa lain molemmilla puolilla. Tämä oli melkein Harry Holeen verrattavissa oleva dekkari. Jännitystä piisasi ensimmäiseltä sivulta viimeiselle. Jos luet vain yhden dekkarin tänä kesänä, lue Leona. Alku on huippulataus, koko matkan jännitystä piisasi ja lopun huippu, en voi sanoin sitä kertoa vain kehoittaa lukemaan.
February 2, 2016
3.5
Das Buch hat für mich ziemlich zäh begonnen und es hat einige Zeit gedauert bis ich in das Buch reingefunden habe. Ich hatte sogar schon mit dem Gedanken gespielt das Buch abzubrechen, dann aber doch noch ein wenig weitergelesen und prompt wurde das Buch besser.
Ich fand das ganze Szenario um den Fall ziemlich interessant und eine absolute neue und eigenwillige Art einen Krimi zu schreiben. Besonders hiermit hat das Buch sein Pluspunkte gesammelt.
Leona war mir weder sonderlich sympathisch noch extrem unsympathisch. Eigentlich müsste sie einem aufgrund einiger Handlungen wirklich unsympathisch sein, aber man hatte manchmal so einen kleinen Funken von Verständnis, daher konnte ich sie nicht wirklich hassen. Ich bin sonst kein Fan von so widersprüchlichen Charakteren, aber hier hat es für mich gepasst.
Insgesamt war das Buch für mich einen spannende Unterhaltung und durch den flüssigen Schreibstil ist es dann doch noch zum Pageturner geworden.
Das Buch hat für mich ziemlich zäh begonnen und es hat einige Zeit gedauert bis ich in das Buch reingefunden habe. Ich hatte sogar schon mit dem Gedanken gespielt das Buch abzubrechen, dann aber doch noch ein wenig weitergelesen und prompt wurde das Buch besser.
Ich fand das ganze Szenario um den Fall ziemlich interessant und eine absolute neue und eigenwillige Art einen Krimi zu schreiben. Besonders hiermit hat das Buch sein Pluspunkte gesammelt.
Leona war mir weder sonderlich sympathisch noch extrem unsympathisch. Eigentlich müsste sie einem aufgrund einiger Handlungen wirklich unsympathisch sein, aber man hatte manchmal so einen kleinen Funken von Verständnis, daher konnte ich sie nicht wirklich hassen. Ich bin sonst kein Fan von so widersprüchlichen Charakteren, aber hier hat es für mich gepasst.
Insgesamt war das Buch für mich einen spannende Unterhaltung und durch den flüssigen Schreibstil ist es dann doch noch zum Pageturner geworden.
June 13, 2017
Jenny Rogneby played with everyones feelings for the underdog. The little girl that committed all the robberies was the first on my list. She had everything bad going for her, the cuts and bruises, you kept wanting her to do everything right. Leona, what can I say about her. She was her own best enemy. But she manages to get out of all her faults and escape each situation. We let the end take care of her conscience.
Rogneby wrote a very edge story, where it starts out on a good note and then it transforms into a noir story. I wasn't at first liking it, but it really grew into something that I could live with almost. Her story was quite interesting and I think my readers would enjoy it.
Rogneby wrote a very edge story, where it starts out on a good note and then it transforms into a noir story. I wasn't at first liking it, but it really grew into something that I could live with almost. Her story was quite interesting and I think my readers would enjoy it.
June 23, 2018
Kirjan alussa hämmennyin, kun Leona muistutti turhan paljon Silta-sarjan Asperger-piirteistä Sagaa, mutta persoonallisen Leonan takaa löytyikin kirjan edetessä paljon ihan muuta. Yllätyksiä sateli toinen toisensa perään ja loppu tulikin sitten niin puskista, ettei voi kuvitellakaan lukevansa seuraavana mitään muuta kuin Leona-sarjan kakkososan, joka sekin on onneksi tuossa käden ulottuvilla. Sateisen ja kolean juhannuksen viihdykettä parhaimmillaan!
March 22, 2021
Hoo boy, I have so many Opinions™ about this book. I went in expecting a fairly standard Nordic noir/thriller/detective mystery, and to Rogneby's credit, it is not what I expected at all: it kept surprising me with the outrageous turns that it took, and like a popcorn thriller, kept me glued to the pages and I absolutely had to keep reading to find out what would happen next. It's like watching a trainwreck in slow motion, as Leona Lindberg systematically divebombs her entire life.
It starts off seemingly normal: Leona is a police officer working in Stockholm's Violent Crimes division, investigating a bank robbery that was acted out by a 7-year-old girl who walked into the bank covered in blood. But then it escalates and escalates, as you start unearthing more about Leona's true nature.
While reading this with my friend Karin, I kept making comparisons to Breaking Bad -- in terms of a supposed 'good guy' breaking bad, and turning to crime for selfish reasons. But where Walt starts off sympathetic and understandable, and then slowly progressively develops into the villain, Leona is just... dreadful from the start. Her motivations are even more self-centered and stubborn and prideful than Walter White's(!!!), to the extent that I hesitate to call her the heroine of the novel, or even the antihero, because I hate her so much!! I wanted more actual police investigation plot, not Leona merely pretending to work and instead progressively fucking up her life.
And there are some interesting aspects about this: she's an unreliable narrator, hiding crucial information from the reader. She's emotionally detached to the point of being straight-up sociopathic, which I feel like might be an inversion of the "brilliant asshole misanthrope detective" trope, except that she's a woman. And some of the snarky, obsessive-compulsive-ish traits to her persnickety narration is kinda funny.
She's also a wife and a mother, but not particularly a loving/caring one (she seems to care about her children, and yet the way she self-sabotages her own child's access to medical care...). You could also say that so many of Leona's mistakes are a realistic depiction of addictions, and how they can tank your life. In contrast, Gillian Flynn's also done such great examinations of toxic femininity and unlikeable female characters, and I love her stuff.
So what gives? Why don't I like this one as much??
But I think it boils down to: juggling all those things is a delicate balance to walk, and it's hard to get it right. Leona is so vehemently, absurdly unlikeable that I just disliked being with her in the book. You're not rooting for her to succeed, by the end I was rooting for her to fail, but because the POV is centered on her, it's hard to latch onto the opposing characters and root for them, either, since you're stuck with Leona as a protagonist. I can't believe there are four of these books so far!! How does she keep getting away with it, and yet also not escaping this everyday life yet that she hates so much?
As the book goes on, it takes even more outlandish and ludicrous turns as things escalate. I was on board for the most part, but then Leona loses me when it comes to e.g. her dynamic with her boss (which depending on your viewpoint is either her sexually manipulating him, or him taking advantage of her as a superior, and both of these are bad??); when her son's life-saving surgery isn't even the motivation for her actions; when a gaping plot hole at the end of the book seems to undermine the whole point of her trainwreck crimes anyway.
The characterisation is hard for me to pin down, too: Is Leona a clever, methodical genius? Or an absolute buffoon who makes elementary mistakes? Or is she a genius, but she makes elementary mistakes because she's so exhausted and hasn't slept in ages and is running on sleeping pills and caffeine? It's hard to tell, especially with her constant lack of consequences and failing upward, and so I wish that had been clearer.
Similarly: Leona's narration makes constant mention of her abusive childhood, and it seems like we're supposed to sympathise with her over it and understand that she developed her sociopathy as a result of it. But her childhood didn't actually seem that bad, particularly compared to what Olivia winds up going through, and how Leona perpetrates even worse onto an even more vulnerable child?? Trigger warning for child abuse (verbal and physical and emotional) throughout this book; I eventually started skimming the Olivia chapters after a while, because it was just repetitive misery stacked on top of misery. If we were supposed to feel for Leona's childhood experiences, then Olivia's alternating chapters instead just made it worse.
There's all these threads that could have been something really interesting, but ultimately I just think it's kind of underdeveloped and unclear about how we're supposed to receive the protagonist. I'm chalking it down under debut novel strugs. The prose is also flat and the dialogue doesn't really sound natural or how people actually speak; I thought this might've been the effect of being in translation, but Karin confirmed that the writing is still flat in the original Swedish.
But I won't lie, it was super compelling and addictive to read, rofl, hence the second star. It's been optioned for a Hollywood movie, so honestly, a fun dumb thriller on the big screen might be the better way to experience this story.
It starts off seemingly normal: Leona is a police officer working in Stockholm's Violent Crimes division, investigating a bank robbery that was acted out by a 7-year-old girl who walked into the bank covered in blood. But then it escalates and escalates, as you start unearthing more about Leona's true nature.
While reading this with my friend Karin, I kept making comparisons to Breaking Bad -- in terms of a supposed 'good guy' breaking bad, and turning to crime for selfish reasons. But where Walt starts off sympathetic and understandable, and then slowly progressively develops into the villain, Leona is just... dreadful from the start. Her motivations are even more self-centered and stubborn and prideful than Walter White's(!!!), to the extent that I hesitate to call her the heroine of the novel, or even the antihero, because I hate her so much!! I wanted more actual police investigation plot, not Leona merely pretending to work and instead progressively fucking up her life.
And there are some interesting aspects about this: she's an unreliable narrator, hiding crucial information from the reader. She's emotionally detached to the point of being straight-up sociopathic, which I feel like might be an inversion of the "brilliant asshole misanthrope detective" trope, except that she's a woman. And some of the snarky, obsessive-compulsive-ish traits to her persnickety narration is kinda funny.
She's also a wife and a mother, but not particularly a loving/caring one (she seems to care about her children, and yet the way she self-sabotages her own child's access to medical care...). You could also say that so many of Leona's mistakes are a realistic depiction of addictions, and how they can tank your life. In contrast, Gillian Flynn's also done such great examinations of toxic femininity and unlikeable female characters, and I love her stuff.
So what gives? Why don't I like this one as much??
But I think it boils down to: juggling all those things is a delicate balance to walk, and it's hard to get it right. Leona is so vehemently, absurdly unlikeable that I just disliked being with her in the book. You're not rooting for her to succeed, by the end I was rooting for her to fail, but because the POV is centered on her, it's hard to latch onto the opposing characters and root for them, either, since you're stuck with Leona as a protagonist. I can't believe there are four of these books so far!! How does she keep getting away with it, and yet also not escaping this everyday life yet that she hates so much?
As the book goes on, it takes even more outlandish and ludicrous turns as things escalate. I was on board for the most part, but then Leona loses me when it comes to e.g. her dynamic with her boss (which depending on your viewpoint is either her sexually manipulating him, or him taking advantage of her as a superior, and both of these are bad??); when her son's life-saving surgery isn't even the motivation for her actions; when a gaping plot hole at the end of the book seems to undermine the whole point of her trainwreck crimes anyway.
The characterisation is hard for me to pin down, too: Is Leona a clever, methodical genius? Or an absolute buffoon who makes elementary mistakes? Or is she a genius, but she makes elementary mistakes because she's so exhausted and hasn't slept in ages and is running on sleeping pills and caffeine? It's hard to tell, especially with her constant lack of consequences and failing upward, and so I wish that had been clearer.
Similarly: Leona's narration makes constant mention of her abusive childhood, and it seems like we're supposed to sympathise with her over it and understand that she developed her sociopathy as a result of it. But her childhood didn't actually seem that bad, particularly compared to what Olivia winds up going through, and how Leona perpetrates even worse onto an even more vulnerable child?? Trigger warning for child abuse (verbal and physical and emotional) throughout this book; I eventually started skimming the Olivia chapters after a while, because it was just repetitive misery stacked on top of misery. If we were supposed to feel for Leona's childhood experiences, then Olivia's alternating chapters instead just made it worse.
There's all these threads that could have been something really interesting, but ultimately I just think it's kind of underdeveloped and unclear about how we're supposed to receive the protagonist. I'm chalking it down under debut novel strugs. The prose is also flat and the dialogue doesn't really sound natural or how people actually speak; I thought this might've been the effect of being in translation, but Karin confirmed that the writing is still flat in the original Swedish.
But I won't lie, it was super compelling and addictive to read, rofl, hence the second star. It's been optioned for a Hollywood movie, so honestly, a fun dumb thriller on the big screen might be the better way to experience this story.
September 26, 2017
Betyg: 4,5 av 5
Recension: ZellysBokhylla
Recension: ZellysBokhylla
June 1, 2017
I would like to thank Netgalley and Other Press for an advance copy of Leona: The Die is Cast, a psychological thriller set in Stockholm.
A bloody seven year old girl walks into a bank, plays a tape and walks out with a stack of cash. The police can't understand how it happened but put one of their best investigators, Leona Lindberg on the case. Leona has problems of her own and this could be the case that tips her over the edge.
This is not the novel I expected it to be - a straightforward police procedural with a damaged protagonist. Instead it is a clever, psychological thriller with some very good twists and turns. It is not a genre I particularly enjoy so I struggled with it but as it is well written and plotted with an unusual, original premise I have awarded it 4 stars in recognition of these qualities.
Leona is a deeply troubled person. At first I wondered if she was on the spectrum as she is unable to connect with people but it soon becomes clear that she is a psychopath. Her reasoning and behaviour are fascinating and goal oriented but it is impossible to empathise with her, which makes for strange reading.
As I said the novel has some good twists and while the ending is another good twist it is a little unbelievable. It is impossible to say more without spoilers.
I think that anyone who likes a good psychological thriller will find Leona: The Die is Cast unputdownable.
A bloody seven year old girl walks into a bank, plays a tape and walks out with a stack of cash. The police can't understand how it happened but put one of their best investigators, Leona Lindberg on the case. Leona has problems of her own and this could be the case that tips her over the edge.
This is not the novel I expected it to be - a straightforward police procedural with a damaged protagonist. Instead it is a clever, psychological thriller with some very good twists and turns. It is not a genre I particularly enjoy so I struggled with it but as it is well written and plotted with an unusual, original premise I have awarded it 4 stars in recognition of these qualities.
Leona is a deeply troubled person. At first I wondered if she was on the spectrum as she is unable to connect with people but it soon becomes clear that she is a psychopath. Her reasoning and behaviour are fascinating and goal oriented but it is impossible to empathise with her, which makes for strange reading.
As I said the novel has some good twists and while the ending is another good twist it is a little unbelievable. It is impossible to say more without spoilers.
I think that anyone who likes a good psychological thriller will find Leona: The Die is Cast unputdownable.
July 7, 2017
Leona: The Die Is Cast begins as a traditional procedural police mystery. Leona is an investigator in Stockholm’s Violent Crime Division and has just been assigned a robbery investigation – an unusual robbery that involved a young girl of seven or eight who walked into a bank with a threatening audio recording. The bank hands over the money to protect the girl from the threatened violence against her.
Most of the story is told from Leona’s point of view, but occasionally Olivia, the young girl is heard from. We also get the point of view of a reporter who becomes a bit of thorn in Leona’s side. So far, so good…until we learn very early that Leona is the mastermind behind the robberies, so even though she does not know how Olivia is being mistreated, her abuse is the result of Leona’s action. Everything that happens is the result of Leona’s actions.
Leona’s life is falling apart. Her kids like their dad more than her, though she interprets that as they don’t love her which shows the kind of emotional maturity she has. She’s a gambling addict though she does not realize it, thinking it terribly clever when she tells her husband she’s a gambling addict. She is a horrible person, an anti-hero, and really, she is not very appealing.
That would all be fine, if she were remotely believable, but she is not. She’s not particularly clever, in fact, she’s obtuse and inept. Of course, things fall apart, but a lot of her troubles are her own stupidity. I am cool with an anti-hero, but Leona’s not just an anti-hero, she gets a child abused and neglected and leaves her in jeopardy. She makes several questionable choices, beyond criminality, many of them on impulse and most completely unnecessary. Then, just for fun, there’s the medium.
I was ready to quit when the medium walked in the room. I probably should have. However, I was curious how it would shake out. Well, it shook out in a completely unbelievable and ridiculous way and ends, of course, on a cliff hanger. I am curious how Rogneby will write Leona out of her mess, but only mildly so, because I don’t care much about Leona. I don’t really care anything about Leona, I just wonder what completely unlikely and unprofessional and silly ploy will be employed to get her out of her mess.
Leona: The Die Is Cast will be released on August 1st. I received an advance e-galley from the publisher through Edelweiss.
https://tonstantweaderreviews.wordpre...
Most of the story is told from Leona’s point of view, but occasionally Olivia, the young girl is heard from. We also get the point of view of a reporter who becomes a bit of thorn in Leona’s side. So far, so good…until we learn very early that Leona is the mastermind behind the robberies, so even though she does not know how Olivia is being mistreated, her abuse is the result of Leona’s action. Everything that happens is the result of Leona’s actions.
Leona’s life is falling apart. Her kids like their dad more than her, though she interprets that as they don’t love her which shows the kind of emotional maturity she has. She’s a gambling addict though she does not realize it, thinking it terribly clever when she tells her husband she’s a gambling addict. She is a horrible person, an anti-hero, and really, she is not very appealing.
That would all be fine, if she were remotely believable, but she is not. She’s not particularly clever, in fact, she’s obtuse and inept. Of course, things fall apart, but a lot of her troubles are her own stupidity. I am cool with an anti-hero, but Leona’s not just an anti-hero, she gets a child abused and neglected and leaves her in jeopardy. She makes several questionable choices, beyond criminality, many of them on impulse and most completely unnecessary. Then, just for fun, there’s the medium.
I was ready to quit when the medium walked in the room. I probably should have. However, I was curious how it would shake out. Well, it shook out in a completely unbelievable and ridiculous way and ends, of course, on a cliff hanger. I am curious how Rogneby will write Leona out of her mess, but only mildly so, because I don’t care much about Leona. I don’t really care anything about Leona, I just wonder what completely unlikely and unprofessional and silly ploy will be employed to get her out of her mess.
Leona: The Die Is Cast will be released on August 1st. I received an advance e-galley from the publisher through Edelweiss.
https://tonstantweaderreviews.wordpre...
August 27, 2017
3.0 Stars
This book started out incredibly strong with so much potential! The premise sounded amazing. The first few chapters were incredibly compelling and I thought this could become a new favourite. Unfortunately, my reading experience went downhill from there.
The biggest draw of this thriller was the main character, Leona, who was intended to be a strong and memorable female lead. I actually loved her unapologetic personality. In the beginning, she was so unlikeable and emotionally detached that I originally believed the author had written a high functioning sociopath detective. However, as the story progressed, Leona`s personality became increasingly inconsistent. She wavered back and forth between being callous and being nurturing. Her actions and thoughts were constantly contradicting themselves. If the author wanted to write an unlikable character, then she needed to fully commit.
The writing was fairly average, with a simple, easy to follow style. The translated story was accessible for an English audience, yet managed to keep enough Swedish details to give the book a Scandianvian atmosphere.
Given the premise, this book included some fairly dark and potentially disturbing scnees. Readers must be okay reading with stories involving child abuse and other uncomfortable subject matter.
This thriller did contain some good, unexpected twists and turns.l. However, I reached a point where I broke my suspension of disbelief, lost immersion in the story and the plot just fell apart. If other readers are able to maintain their suspension of disbelief, they may enjoy this story more that I did. I wanted so badly to love this novel, but I was ultimately disappointed. The author had a bold idea, but failed ultimately failed to deliver.
This book started out incredibly strong with so much potential! The premise sounded amazing. The first few chapters were incredibly compelling and I thought this could become a new favourite. Unfortunately, my reading experience went downhill from there.
The biggest draw of this thriller was the main character, Leona, who was intended to be a strong and memorable female lead. I actually loved her unapologetic personality. In the beginning, she was so unlikeable and emotionally detached that I originally believed the author had written a high functioning sociopath detective. However, as the story progressed, Leona`s personality became increasingly inconsistent. She wavered back and forth between being callous and being nurturing. Her actions and thoughts were constantly contradicting themselves. If the author wanted to write an unlikable character, then she needed to fully commit.
The writing was fairly average, with a simple, easy to follow style. The translated story was accessible for an English audience, yet managed to keep enough Swedish details to give the book a Scandianvian atmosphere.
Given the premise, this book included some fairly dark and potentially disturbing scnees. Readers must be okay reading with stories involving child abuse and other uncomfortable subject matter.
This thriller did contain some good, unexpected twists and turns.l. However, I reached a point where I broke my suspension of disbelief, lost immersion in the story and the plot just fell apart. If other readers are able to maintain their suspension of disbelief, they may enjoy this story more that I did. I wanted so badly to love this novel, but I was ultimately disappointed. The author had a bold idea, but failed ultimately failed to deliver.
January 2, 2022
I... did not like this book. Among other things, the writing style grated on me (why are two characters describing Nina in the same way, only a few pages apart? And why is there repeats, such as “Her forehead looked damp. I wiped her damp forehead with a cloth.”
I have so many issues with the plot and the necessary suspense of disbelief in a hundred different ways, but my main thing is: this feels like reading a script for a tv show, not a book. It would make a good mini series or actiony movie! In book form it’s just... not enough. Too many plot holes, too many descriptions, not enough consequences.
I hate writing bad reviews but I hoped for so much more than this. Boo.
I have so many issues with the plot and the necessary suspense of disbelief in a hundred different ways, but my main thing is: this feels like reading a script for a tv show, not a book. It would make a good mini series or actiony movie! In book form it’s just... not enough. Too many plot holes, too many descriptions, not enough consequences.
I hate writing bad reviews but I hoped for so much more than this. Boo.
September 5, 2015
4,5 Sterne
Heiliger Strohsack - what a ride! Wer mal einen Krimi lesen will, der mit vielen Regeln des Genres bricht, weil seine Hauptfigur als Ermittlerin mit Doppelleben ebendies auch tut, sollte hier unbedingt zugreifen. Die Geschichte weiß mit vielen überraschenden Wendungen aufzuwarten und überzeugt, vor allem im letzten Drittel, durch ein sich ständig steigerndes Tempo und atemlose Spannung. Und mit dem Schluss, der einmal mehr alles über den Haufen wirft, stellt die Autorin gekonnt sicher, dass der Leser sich umgehend nach der Fortsetzung sehnt.
Heiliger Strohsack - what a ride! Wer mal einen Krimi lesen will, der mit vielen Regeln des Genres bricht, weil seine Hauptfigur als Ermittlerin mit Doppelleben ebendies auch tut, sollte hier unbedingt zugreifen. Die Geschichte weiß mit vielen überraschenden Wendungen aufzuwarten und überzeugt, vor allem im letzten Drittel, durch ein sich ständig steigerndes Tempo und atemlose Spannung. Und mit dem Schluss, der einmal mehr alles über den Haufen wirft, stellt die Autorin gekonnt sicher, dass der Leser sich umgehend nach der Fortsetzung sehnt.
October 16, 2017
Did not finish the "legal" way--I skipped from page 187 to the final chapters but still couldn't stand it, so I read the last chapter. I do not want to spoil it for those who might enjoy the story (actually, I did until . . . well, I can't tell you!). If you like Scandinavian mysteries, I would suggest something else, anything else.
July 1, 2018
Ich werde jetzt ein wenig spoilern… wobei die Autorin das schon nach einigen Seiten durchblicken lässt, aber der Klappentext eben nicht. Wer sich also die erste Spannung nicht verderben will, hört hier auf zu lesen.
Worum geht es?
Als in Stockholm ein siebenjähriges Mädchen eine Bank ausraubt, bekommt Leona Lindberg den Fall zugeteilt. Das Mädchen ist nackt, mit Verletzungen und hatte nur einen Kassettenrekorder und einen Teddy bei sich. Und verschwindet nach dem Raub spurlos. Es gibt kaum Spuren oder brauchbare Zeugenaussagen, doch das kommt Leona gerade recht. Steckt sie doch hinter dem Raubüberfall und plant noch weitere Überfälle mit dem Mädchen.
Leona
Leona ist ein Miststück und ich kann mir nicht vorstellen, dass es viele Leser gibt, die sie sympathisch finden oder gar Handlungsweisen von ihr verstehen. Sympathie ist aber nun auch kein Muss für eine Protagonistin, jedenfalls nicht für mich. Stellenweise habe ich überlegt, ob sie nicht ein Psychopath ist und schlicht keine Gefühle für andere Menschen aufbringen kann. Aber am Ende packt sie dann doch noch ein paar Gefühle aus. Sie ist verheiratet und hat zwei Kinder, aber führt ein Doppelleben. Nachts verzockt sie die Ersparnisse der Familie, trotz anstehender, schwer benötigten und teuren Operation für ihren Sohn. Sie ist ständig davon überzeugt, die Schulden wieder wett machen zu können – typisches Spielerverhalten eben. Und dann ist da ja noch die Sache mit dem Raub.
Ermittlungen durch den Täter
Eigentlich basiert die Haupthandlung darauf, dass Leona versucht, Ermittlungen durchzuführen, die ins Leere führen. Natürlich will sie nicht, dass das Verbrechen aufgedeckt wird. Sie ist allerdings eine gute Polizistin, hat eine hervorragende Verbrechensaufklärungsquote. Ein kleiner Star in ihrer Abteilung, wenn auch nicht unbedingt beliebt. In dem Raub kommt sie also nur schleppend voran. Das liegt daran, dass sie den Raub gut geplant hat – wer sonst als eine Polizistin könnte das besser planen? – aber eben auch daran, dass sie kleine Fragmente verschwinden lässt oder gar nicht erwähnt, Aussagen in die richtige Richtung manipuliert oder Hinweise gar ignoriert. Schwierig wird das, als sie neue Kollegen und später einen Hellseher zugeteilt bekommt.
Das Mädchen und der Journalist
Abwechselnd wird die Geschichte auch von dem kleinen Mädchen erzählt, welches den Bankraub verübt hat. Ihre Sicht ist kindlich angepasst und gut vorstellbar. Außerdem gibt es noch den Journalisten Christer, der eigentlich hinter einem Politiker her ist und ihn zu Fall bringen will, der aber Leona in der Hand hat und erpresst, damit er seinen Fall voran treiben kann. Von ihm erhofft man sich zuerst am meisten – bis sich dann eben herausstellt, dass man ihn auch keineswegs sympathisch findet.
Standard oder Besonders?
Wer bei Leona einen Standard-Krimi aus Skandinavien erwartet, wird enttäuscht werden. Zwar sind die Ermittler zumeist depressiv, aber zumindest nicht korrupt. Im Gegensatz zu Leona. Wer aber was Außergewöhnliches erwartet, wird wohl auch nicht ganz zufrieden sein. So wie ich. Leona war anders, ganz klar, aber das Buch weist doch einige Längen auf und auch ich musste mich erst mal über die ersten 50-100 Seiten arbeiten, bevor es mich packen konnte. Ich bin ehrlich gesagt noch unschlüssig, ob ich die Trilogie ganz lesen werde und werde das wohl kurzentschlossen entscheiden, wenn mir der zweite Teil in einer Buchhandlung mal über den Weg läuft.
Fazit:
Entweder man mag Leona oder man mag sie nicht – ein Dazwischen gibt es hier nicht. Ungewöhnlich, aber mit ein paar Längen.
Worum geht es?
Als in Stockholm ein siebenjähriges Mädchen eine Bank ausraubt, bekommt Leona Lindberg den Fall zugeteilt. Das Mädchen ist nackt, mit Verletzungen und hatte nur einen Kassettenrekorder und einen Teddy bei sich. Und verschwindet nach dem Raub spurlos. Es gibt kaum Spuren oder brauchbare Zeugenaussagen, doch das kommt Leona gerade recht. Steckt sie doch hinter dem Raubüberfall und plant noch weitere Überfälle mit dem Mädchen.
Leona
Leona ist ein Miststück und ich kann mir nicht vorstellen, dass es viele Leser gibt, die sie sympathisch finden oder gar Handlungsweisen von ihr verstehen. Sympathie ist aber nun auch kein Muss für eine Protagonistin, jedenfalls nicht für mich. Stellenweise habe ich überlegt, ob sie nicht ein Psychopath ist und schlicht keine Gefühle für andere Menschen aufbringen kann. Aber am Ende packt sie dann doch noch ein paar Gefühle aus. Sie ist verheiratet und hat zwei Kinder, aber führt ein Doppelleben. Nachts verzockt sie die Ersparnisse der Familie, trotz anstehender, schwer benötigten und teuren Operation für ihren Sohn. Sie ist ständig davon überzeugt, die Schulden wieder wett machen zu können – typisches Spielerverhalten eben. Und dann ist da ja noch die Sache mit dem Raub.
Ermittlungen durch den Täter
Eigentlich basiert die Haupthandlung darauf, dass Leona versucht, Ermittlungen durchzuführen, die ins Leere führen. Natürlich will sie nicht, dass das Verbrechen aufgedeckt wird. Sie ist allerdings eine gute Polizistin, hat eine hervorragende Verbrechensaufklärungsquote. Ein kleiner Star in ihrer Abteilung, wenn auch nicht unbedingt beliebt. In dem Raub kommt sie also nur schleppend voran. Das liegt daran, dass sie den Raub gut geplant hat – wer sonst als eine Polizistin könnte das besser planen? – aber eben auch daran, dass sie kleine Fragmente verschwinden lässt oder gar nicht erwähnt, Aussagen in die richtige Richtung manipuliert oder Hinweise gar ignoriert. Schwierig wird das, als sie neue Kollegen und später einen Hellseher zugeteilt bekommt.
Das Mädchen und der Journalist
Abwechselnd wird die Geschichte auch von dem kleinen Mädchen erzählt, welches den Bankraub verübt hat. Ihre Sicht ist kindlich angepasst und gut vorstellbar. Außerdem gibt es noch den Journalisten Christer, der eigentlich hinter einem Politiker her ist und ihn zu Fall bringen will, der aber Leona in der Hand hat und erpresst, damit er seinen Fall voran treiben kann. Von ihm erhofft man sich zuerst am meisten – bis sich dann eben herausstellt, dass man ihn auch keineswegs sympathisch findet.
Standard oder Besonders?
Wer bei Leona einen Standard-Krimi aus Skandinavien erwartet, wird enttäuscht werden. Zwar sind die Ermittler zumeist depressiv, aber zumindest nicht korrupt. Im Gegensatz zu Leona. Wer aber was Außergewöhnliches erwartet, wird wohl auch nicht ganz zufrieden sein. So wie ich. Leona war anders, ganz klar, aber das Buch weist doch einige Längen auf und auch ich musste mich erst mal über die ersten 50-100 Seiten arbeiten, bevor es mich packen konnte. Ich bin ehrlich gesagt noch unschlüssig, ob ich die Trilogie ganz lesen werde und werde das wohl kurzentschlossen entscheiden, wenn mir der zweite Teil in einer Buchhandlung mal über den Weg läuft.
Fazit:
Entweder man mag Leona oder man mag sie nicht – ein Dazwischen gibt es hier nicht. Ungewöhnlich, aber mit ein paar Längen.
April 29, 2022
Olivias Teddy
Leona möchte so sein wie die anderen. Sie ist verheiratet mit zwei Kindern und sie arbeitet bei der Polizei. Doch sie ist auch getrieben. Wenn sie abends am Computer sitzt taucht sie in eine andere Welt ein. Als ein schrecklicher Überfall passiert, übernimmt Leona den Fall. Ein kleines Mädchen hat die Bank betreten und eine Kassette wurde abgespielt, auf der eine Männerstimme erklärt, dass es sich um einen Überfall handele und das Geld ausgehändigt werden soll. Geschockt erfüllen die Bankangestellten die Forderung. Leona ist in einer Zwickmühle. Das muss sie den Kollegen gegenüber allerdings verheimlichen.
Bei Leona Lindberg handelt es sich um eine sehr ungewöhnliche Ermittlerin bei der Stockholmer Polizei. Sie ist schlau und hat ein Händchen dafür, dem Verbrechen nachzuspüren. Glücklich ist sie jedoch nicht. Beinahe als sei sie eine geduldete Besucherin in ihrem eigenen Leben. Nun stürzt sich Leona in den neuen Fall, obwohl, weitere Fälle an den Hacken hat. Auch ihr Mann Peter richtet Forderungen an sie, er will ein drittes Kind, es soll ein Haus gekauft werden. Leona wirkt so als hätte sie lieber ihre Freiheit. Ihre Kinder sind ihr sehr wichtig, da sollte sich jeder Einsatz für die Familie lohnen.
Mit einer Beamtin wie Leona Lindberg muss man erstmal klarkommen. Natürlich sind Polizisten auch Menschen, jedoch könnte man sich fragen, ob man das in Romanform auch so genau wissen möchte. Leona wirkt nicht wie eine integre Persönlichkeit, doch sie ist intelligent und sie versteht es, die Leute zu manipulieren. Man fragt sich, was bei ihr schief gelaufen ist. Nach einer Weile lässt man sich dennoch auf die Konstruktion dieses ersten Falles ein. Nach und nach wird es spannend und die Chuzpe, mit der Leona vorgeht, nötigt einem Respekt ab. Ein solider Reihenbeginn, der allerdings noch Luft nach oben lässt.
Leona möchte so sein wie die anderen. Sie ist verheiratet mit zwei Kindern und sie arbeitet bei der Polizei. Doch sie ist auch getrieben. Wenn sie abends am Computer sitzt taucht sie in eine andere Welt ein. Als ein schrecklicher Überfall passiert, übernimmt Leona den Fall. Ein kleines Mädchen hat die Bank betreten und eine Kassette wurde abgespielt, auf der eine Männerstimme erklärt, dass es sich um einen Überfall handele und das Geld ausgehändigt werden soll. Geschockt erfüllen die Bankangestellten die Forderung. Leona ist in einer Zwickmühle. Das muss sie den Kollegen gegenüber allerdings verheimlichen.
Bei Leona Lindberg handelt es sich um eine sehr ungewöhnliche Ermittlerin bei der Stockholmer Polizei. Sie ist schlau und hat ein Händchen dafür, dem Verbrechen nachzuspüren. Glücklich ist sie jedoch nicht. Beinahe als sei sie eine geduldete Besucherin in ihrem eigenen Leben. Nun stürzt sich Leona in den neuen Fall, obwohl, weitere Fälle an den Hacken hat. Auch ihr Mann Peter richtet Forderungen an sie, er will ein drittes Kind, es soll ein Haus gekauft werden. Leona wirkt so als hätte sie lieber ihre Freiheit. Ihre Kinder sind ihr sehr wichtig, da sollte sich jeder Einsatz für die Familie lohnen.
Mit einer Beamtin wie Leona Lindberg muss man erstmal klarkommen. Natürlich sind Polizisten auch Menschen, jedoch könnte man sich fragen, ob man das in Romanform auch so genau wissen möchte. Leona wirkt nicht wie eine integre Persönlichkeit, doch sie ist intelligent und sie versteht es, die Leute zu manipulieren. Man fragt sich, was bei ihr schief gelaufen ist. Nach einer Weile lässt man sich dennoch auf die Konstruktion dieses ersten Falles ein. Nach und nach wird es spannend und die Chuzpe, mit der Leona vorgeht, nötigt einem Respekt ab. Ein solider Reihenbeginn, der allerdings noch Luft nach oben lässt.
July 7, 2017
Leona Lindberg is a real piece of work, and I don't mean that in a positive sense. She is a detective with the Violent Crimes Division of the Stockholm police department and displays more sociopathy than many of the criminals she deals with. She has a bad gambling habit and is in serious debt; is arrogant and condescending to her husband, colleagues and supervisor; acts narcissistically and is dismissive of others. If she has any legitimate positive emotions, they may be towards her small children whom she rarely sees.
When a naked seven year old girl, holding a teddy bear, walks into a bank and plays a taped recording demanding money, she is able to walk away from the bank without leaving a trace. The child appeared to be covered in blood and the recording stated that if anyone interfered with her, she would be hurt. Leona is given the case and is very controlling about doing everything on her own and her own way. She is able to intimidate her boss, act insubordinately, and gets away with it.
There is a secondary plot to this novel and it deals with some high level Swedish politicians who have been accused of soliciting a prostitute and have gotten away with it. A zealous journalist wants justice which, for him, means finding these politicians guilty of a crime.
If you are able to suspend belief about the goings on in this book and the unrealistic inter-personal 'relationships', you might enjoy reading this thriller. I found the parts dealing with child abuse very difficult to handle and if you are sensitive to reading about child abuse, you might want to skip this novel.
When a naked seven year old girl, holding a teddy bear, walks into a bank and plays a taped recording demanding money, she is able to walk away from the bank without leaving a trace. The child appeared to be covered in blood and the recording stated that if anyone interfered with her, she would be hurt. Leona is given the case and is very controlling about doing everything on her own and her own way. She is able to intimidate her boss, act insubordinately, and gets away with it.
There is a secondary plot to this novel and it deals with some high level Swedish politicians who have been accused of soliciting a prostitute and have gotten away with it. A zealous journalist wants justice which, for him, means finding these politicians guilty of a crime.
If you are able to suspend belief about the goings on in this book and the unrealistic inter-personal 'relationships', you might enjoy reading this thriller. I found the parts dealing with child abuse very difficult to handle and if you are sensitive to reading about child abuse, you might want to skip this novel.
June 3, 2020
I can't remember why this appealed to me. It certainly wasn't very good. It was supposed to be a new Nordic noir thriller but there weren't any thrills in it and I can't figure out what made me keep reading it. Leona Lindberg is a Swedish Investigator for the Violent Crimes Division and, at first, you think she's a psychopath and that this is going to be something really different. She's not really, though. Just somebody who was treated badly as a child and has a really severe gambling problem. So now she turns to crime to solve that problem which doesn't work of course. She just wants to leave her ordinary life which she took on in the first place so she could feel like everybody else. But that's not working for her anymore and she needs money to get away. Hence the turn to crime. When that takes a turn for the worse, she steps up to murder. She gets away with all of this even though a couple of people know all about it. The whole plot is idiotic.
There are apparently three more books in this series and I can't imagine how the author manages THAT!
There are apparently three more books in this series and I can't imagine how the author manages THAT!
July 8, 2017
Otroligt spännande deckare med rejäla thrillerinslag. Dessutom en mycket intressant kvinnlig polis i huvudrollen så jag ser fram emot att läsa kommande böcker om Leona. Länk till hela recensionen: https://ewelinasbokblogg.blogspot.se/...
October 3, 2019
Överdrivet hårdkokt, överdrivet knökad med brott och otroliga händelser, överdrivet i allmänhet och inte särskilt välskrivet. Men - jag vill på något sätt ändå veta vad som händer sen.
March 3, 2021
Sehr spannend nicht vorraus schaubar bis zum ende
August 8, 2021
immer wenn eins dachte „ok, jetzt ist aufgelegt was passiert“ dann kabooom passierte doch was anderes. ein sehr guter roman
September 10, 2022
“Leona” er en overraskende svensk krimi, både underholdende og anderledes!!!!!!!!
March 16, 2018
A dark and twisted Swedish thriller featuring a corrupt, conflicted and complex protagonist (a police officer named Leona) who you want to root for even as she does horrible things.
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