Okay, first of all, this is my FIRST NetGalley read. Thank you NetGalley for this hell of a read. Thank you also to the publisher for this ARC and THANK YOU VIVECA STEN (This is the first book of yours that I've ever read and you got me. You really got me with this one. I'm adding your books to my tbr.)
At the beginning it was sooo confusing, could've been because it's the 5th book of this series (haven't read the first 4 so I'm not sure if they are connected at all or not) or maybe it was really written like that, to be confusing in the beginning so you thirst for more details and clarity as you continue to read this, because danggg it does made me want to know mooore as the first chapters confused and intrigued the hell out of me.
Oh, in the early chapters, I hate Daniel sooo much, I have sooo many annotated/highlighted notes on my kindle, privately roasting him and his idiot POVs, likeee some personal vendetta lol he's a good police officer, yes, but danggg what an idiot when it comes to expressing his thoughts and emotions, I WAS SOOO ANNOYED (i have a one-way beef with him from likeee chapter 1 to maybe chapter 80) 😭🤣
I love how even if there were many characters being shown, it doesn't feel too much to take, it is confusing at times but you'll gradually understand it or it just all makes perfect sense as you continue reading. Each character's story has been given their own time, was put on spotlight and switched smoothly to another (every now and then, no matter how small or big the character might look, their stories were all properly told/shown) Also, it doesn't feel too much or complicated to follow. Everyone has their own little story but feels connected or a part of a bigger picture somehow. Oh, and I love the emotion each of their stories trigger in me, a rollercoaster of emotions indeed. For example, there's an extreme annoyance for Daniel HAHAHAHAHAHA (sorry I really have a one-way beef with him) if there's someone who's annoyed with his cowardness to face his emotions, a*shole-ness (if there's such a word lol) towards Hanna at the beginning and indecisiveness had affected Hanna (AND Clara too, coz tf he lead her on, likeee I know this ain't a love story but still, men, stop doing that to women who's clearly interested and exerting effort to make things work between you two... 😭) yep, that's definitely me lol.
I love how the author manages to squeeze in each of the characters' individual stories and whatnots, without overshadowing or confusing the actual crime/murder plot. The characters were written good enough for you to have second thoughts, like one might have motive at one point then another character might have a possibility too. You'll think you already know the answer or is already solving the mystery then you'll have second thoughts again. This book will keep making your brain think, feel something, stare at the wall, question things, theorize and have second thoughts, up until the last chapters. You'll keep on guessing but the real one must be or must've not been the one you expected. The author was sooo good in throwing us information that seems like it's adding to proofs of someone's guilt but then it's not, it's just a distraction to divert our attention away from the real culprit. I have 3 guesses, and idk about yall but none of my 3 guesses got who the REAL culprit is (this is why I can never be a police officer lol) Kidding aside, I'm glad this book ends with a bit of a closure for every character's story. They all got something to continue to live for. It wasn't grand or big ending for everyone, but it's genuine and realistic, good, I love that. Except of course, that kinda cliffhanging thing between Hanna and Daniel. Viveca, I need to know what will happen now to them. I. AM. GOING. TO. WAIT. FOR. THE. NEXT. BOOK. (and read the first 4 too 😘)
Lastly, this book was actually scary and sad, likeee no matter how 'right' you think your beliefs, views and opinions about life are, YOU ARE NOT GOD, YOU CAN'T PLAY GOD. Oh, and how sad it is to grow old, watch yourself start failing to do things you love to do (even the simplest basic things) and be alone. That some people might think, putting you to sleep means saving you or is giving you the last bit of mercy. Scary and sad, really.
PS—Wow, Viveca Sten, you got me with this one. YOU REALLY GOT ME. I am definitely adding your other books to my TBR. I love me some good ol' murder/crime genre reads, it really scratches a different itch in me. Whoaaa, a hell of a rollercoaster read this is, indeed.