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The Trap
A twisted debut thriller about a reclusive author who sets the perfect trap for her sister's murderer—but is he really the killer?
The renowned author Linda Conrads is famous for more than just her bestselling novels. For over eleven years, she has mystified fans by never setting foot outside her home. Far-fetched, sometimes sinister rumors surround the shut-in writer, but they pale in comparison to the chilling Linda is haunted by the unsolved murder of her younger sister, whom she discovered in a pool of blood twelve years ago, and by the face of the man she saw fleeing the scene.
Now plagued by panic attacks, Linda copes with debilitating anxiety by secluding herself in her house, her last safe haven. But the sanctity of this refuge is shattered when her sister's murderer appears again--this time on her television screen. Empowered with sudden knowledge but hobbled by years of isolation, Linda resolves to use her only means of communication with the outside world--the plot of her next novel--to lay an irresistible trap for the man.
But as the plan is set in motion and the past comes rushing back, Linda's memories of that traumatic night--and her very sanity--are called into question. Is this man really a heartless killer or merely a helpless victim?
The renowned author Linda Conrads is famous for more than just her bestselling novels. For over eleven years, she has mystified fans by never setting foot outside her home. Far-fetched, sometimes sinister rumors surround the shut-in writer, but they pale in comparison to the chilling Linda is haunted by the unsolved murder of her younger sister, whom she discovered in a pool of blood twelve years ago, and by the face of the man she saw fleeing the scene.
Now plagued by panic attacks, Linda copes with debilitating anxiety by secluding herself in her house, her last safe haven. But the sanctity of this refuge is shattered when her sister's murderer appears again--this time on her television screen. Empowered with sudden knowledge but hobbled by years of isolation, Linda resolves to use her only means of communication with the outside world--the plot of her next novel--to lay an irresistible trap for the man.
But as the plan is set in motion and the past comes rushing back, Linda's memories of that traumatic night--and her very sanity--are called into question. Is this man really a heartless killer or merely a helpless victim?
352 pages, Paperback
First published March 9, 2015
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,126 reviews
April 22, 2018
Find all my reviews on my blog: https://thesuspenseisthrillingme.com
Date Read: 07/01/16
Pub Date: 07/05/16
4 STARS
In this twisted debut thriller, a reclusive author sets the perfect trap for her sister’s murderer — but is he really the killer?
For 11 years, the bestselling author Linda Conrads has mystified fans by never setting foot outside her home. Haunted by the unsolved murder of her younger sister–who she discovered in a pool of blood–and the face of the man she saw fleeing the scene, Linda’s hermit existence helps her cope with debilitating anxiety. But the sanctity of her oasis is shattered when she sees her sister’s murderer on television. Hobbled by years of isolation, Linda resolves to use the plot of her next novel to lay an irresistible trap for the man. As the plan is set in motion and the past comes rushing back, Linda’s memories — and her very sanity — are called into question. Is this man a heartless killer or merely a helpless victim?
This was a most unusual and deliciously unique read. I didn’t know until after I had requested this from NetGalley that it was a translation, which made me a little anxious as I sometimes struggle with reading these more. I’ve seen multiple reviews where this has been a problem, or at least a factor in their reading experience, and I think these are justified, although it didn’t affect me as much as originally thought.
This was not a book that I flew through; this was more of a slow, building suspense than a rip roaring thriller, but if you are patient it pays off in the end. My friend Linda hit many points perfectly in her review (you can find it here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show... ) regarding the pros and cons of this being a translation, the pacing, and the strengths and weaknesses of the plot. I do believe my favorite aspect of this story though was Linda’s slow, steady descent into madness. Wouldn’t it drive you crazy if you knew who murdered your sister and they got away with it? Her sanity is questioned more at every turn, and that is what caused me to give this book a higher rating. I’m going to keep this review short as to not spoil the plot, but if you like a pleasant challenge, I’d recommend this book. This was a story that I felt satisfied once finished, as though I had completed some feat that otherwise would have left me wondering had I not given it the chance. I’m interested in more from the author as she clearly is talented and can weave together a deliciously creepy novel.
*I received my copy from NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review. Many thanks to Grand Central Pub for providing my copy!
Date Read: 07/01/16
Pub Date: 07/05/16
4 STARS
In this twisted debut thriller, a reclusive author sets the perfect trap for her sister’s murderer — but is he really the killer?
For 11 years, the bestselling author Linda Conrads has mystified fans by never setting foot outside her home. Haunted by the unsolved murder of her younger sister–who she discovered in a pool of blood–and the face of the man she saw fleeing the scene, Linda’s hermit existence helps her cope with debilitating anxiety. But the sanctity of her oasis is shattered when she sees her sister’s murderer on television. Hobbled by years of isolation, Linda resolves to use the plot of her next novel to lay an irresistible trap for the man. As the plan is set in motion and the past comes rushing back, Linda’s memories — and her very sanity — are called into question. Is this man a heartless killer or merely a helpless victim?
This was a most unusual and deliciously unique read. I didn’t know until after I had requested this from NetGalley that it was a translation, which made me a little anxious as I sometimes struggle with reading these more. I’ve seen multiple reviews where this has been a problem, or at least a factor in their reading experience, and I think these are justified, although it didn’t affect me as much as originally thought.
This was not a book that I flew through; this was more of a slow, building suspense than a rip roaring thriller, but if you are patient it pays off in the end. My friend Linda hit many points perfectly in her review (you can find it here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show... ) regarding the pros and cons of this being a translation, the pacing, and the strengths and weaknesses of the plot. I do believe my favorite aspect of this story though was Linda’s slow, steady descent into madness. Wouldn’t it drive you crazy if you knew who murdered your sister and they got away with it? Her sanity is questioned more at every turn, and that is what caused me to give this book a higher rating. I’m going to keep this review short as to not spoil the plot, but if you like a pleasant challenge, I’d recommend this book. This was a story that I felt satisfied once finished, as though I had completed some feat that otherwise would have left me wondering had I not given it the chance. I’m interested in more from the author as she clearly is talented and can weave together a deliciously creepy novel.
*I received my copy from NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review. Many thanks to Grand Central Pub for providing my copy!
December 19, 2016
THE TRAP is the debut psychological thriller novel by German author, Melanie Raabe, translated from German and set in Munich.
Linda Conrads (pseudonym for Linda Michaelis) is a thirty eight year old successful author, who writes a novel every year. She is ill, afflicted by nightmares and hasn’t left the house in eleven years. She lives as a recluse near Munich with her dog, and is only visited by her staff, her assistant Charlotte, the gardener and her publisher, Norbert.
Twelve years ago, she discovered the body of her murdered younger sister, Anna, and caught a sight of the killer cold eyes. No one was convicted of the crime… the killer is still out there.
“I saw her murderer runaway. I saw the murderer’s face. The murderer was a man. The murderer turned his face towards me, then he ran away. I don’t know why he ran away. I don’t know why he didn’t attack me. I only know that my sister is dead and I’m not.”
Linda suffered from depression, and panic attacks after the death of her sister. She felt like she could stay in bed forever. She had seen a therapist following Anna’s death. She needed to know WHY?
Then, one day, Linda sees the man, “the MONSTER”, a journalist on television and believes she recognizes him as Anna’s murderer-Victor Lenzen, and Linda is at a loss as to what she should do!
After much thought, Linda decides to write a new book-a crime novel…as “bait for the murderer” and therapy for her. The book was called “Blood Sisters”, which is the story of Anna, (Britta) with protagonist Linda (Sophie). This book is to serve as the trap. She then grants a rare interview to Victor Lanzen, at her house hoping to collect DNA samples as well as getting him to confess.
But will the trap work?
“A trap is a device to catch or kill. A good trap should be two things: foolproof and simple.”
“Put him under stress, wear him down, break him.”
The reader follows the story leading up to the murder through the characters in Linda’s book, alternating between present day and interviews with Victor. What was the motive?
The reader starts to question the sanity of Linda… did she kill her own sister and make up the story about this man? I found myself all over the map with this one, trying to figure out if she was crazy or not!
The author gets inside the character’s heads – exactly what I like- more psychological suspense than a thriller. The author is writing from Linda’s perspective as the first person narrator.
Many thanks to author, Melanie Raabe, Grand Central Publishing and NetGalley for an ARC.
Linda Conrads (pseudonym for Linda Michaelis) is a thirty eight year old successful author, who writes a novel every year. She is ill, afflicted by nightmares and hasn’t left the house in eleven years. She lives as a recluse near Munich with her dog, and is only visited by her staff, her assistant Charlotte, the gardener and her publisher, Norbert.
Twelve years ago, she discovered the body of her murdered younger sister, Anna, and caught a sight of the killer cold eyes. No one was convicted of the crime… the killer is still out there.
“I saw her murderer runaway. I saw the murderer’s face. The murderer was a man. The murderer turned his face towards me, then he ran away. I don’t know why he ran away. I don’t know why he didn’t attack me. I only know that my sister is dead and I’m not.”
Linda suffered from depression, and panic attacks after the death of her sister. She felt like she could stay in bed forever. She had seen a therapist following Anna’s death. She needed to know WHY?
Then, one day, Linda sees the man, “the MONSTER”, a journalist on television and believes she recognizes him as Anna’s murderer-Victor Lenzen, and Linda is at a loss as to what she should do!
After much thought, Linda decides to write a new book-a crime novel…as “bait for the murderer” and therapy for her. The book was called “Blood Sisters”, which is the story of Anna, (Britta) with protagonist Linda (Sophie). This book is to serve as the trap. She then grants a rare interview to Victor Lanzen, at her house hoping to collect DNA samples as well as getting him to confess.
But will the trap work?
“A trap is a device to catch or kill. A good trap should be two things: foolproof and simple.”
“Put him under stress, wear him down, break him.”
The reader follows the story leading up to the murder through the characters in Linda’s book, alternating between present day and interviews with Victor. What was the motive?
The reader starts to question the sanity of Linda… did she kill her own sister and make up the story about this man? I found myself all over the map with this one, trying to figure out if she was crazy or not!
The author gets inside the character’s heads – exactly what I like- more psychological suspense than a thriller. The author is writing from Linda’s perspective as the first person narrator.
Many thanks to author, Melanie Raabe, Grand Central Publishing and NetGalley for an ARC.
June 13, 2016
I received a copy of The Trap by Melanie Raabe through Goodreads Giveaways. My thanks to Grand Central Publishing and to Melanie Raabe for the opportunity.
Is truth stranger than fiction?
Maybe, but not always.
Linda Conrads is a bestselling novelist. Her bounty of stories is far different than what typically meets the eye. Linda has become a recluse for the past eleven years after the death of her younger sister, Anna. Anna was murdered. Linda knows who did it.
Just like the scaffolding that takes place in the structuring of a good novel, Linda decides to use her well-honed talent to write a parallel novel that depicts the same crime committed against her beloved Anna. And she invites a certain someone into her home for the unveiling of this masterpiece. This spider of hers has many, many eyes and is poised in a position of biding time. No rush....not until every syllable of guilt is left on the glint of the web.
The storyline for The Trap was a very clever and an unusual one. This was quite a different spin on the mainstream murder/mystery theme. I believe that the weakness that I found was, in part, due to its being a translationary work. The story takes place in Munich. There were constant repetitions and lulls in the action. In fact, I felt like I was the proverbial hamster on the treadmill at times. A lot of effort, but no distance in the payoff.
Although, the reverences back and forth to "the novel" were quite unique, it was jarring to regulate the patterns of characters and plotline time and time again. Linda Conrads slowly seeps into a pool of wavering sanity. I felt that I was going underneath the tide right along with her. The mindgames were sharp at times and fell flat at others. Intense questioning is an artform. It's all in the content and in the delivery. It was hard to determine if something had been lost in the translation or was intentionally designed that way in the original.
I would recommend The Trap to readers, but not with a lot of zeal and fire. It's a slow-burner for me. You may have quite a different take yourself.
Is truth stranger than fiction?
Maybe, but not always.
Linda Conrads is a bestselling novelist. Her bounty of stories is far different than what typically meets the eye. Linda has become a recluse for the past eleven years after the death of her younger sister, Anna. Anna was murdered. Linda knows who did it.
Just like the scaffolding that takes place in the structuring of a good novel, Linda decides to use her well-honed talent to write a parallel novel that depicts the same crime committed against her beloved Anna. And she invites a certain someone into her home for the unveiling of this masterpiece. This spider of hers has many, many eyes and is poised in a position of biding time. No rush....not until every syllable of guilt is left on the glint of the web.
The storyline for The Trap was a very clever and an unusual one. This was quite a different spin on the mainstream murder/mystery theme. I believe that the weakness that I found was, in part, due to its being a translationary work. The story takes place in Munich. There were constant repetitions and lulls in the action. In fact, I felt like I was the proverbial hamster on the treadmill at times. A lot of effort, but no distance in the payoff.
Although, the reverences back and forth to "the novel" were quite unique, it was jarring to regulate the patterns of characters and plotline time and time again. Linda Conrads slowly seeps into a pool of wavering sanity. I felt that I was going underneath the tide right along with her. The mindgames were sharp at times and fell flat at others. Intense questioning is an artform. It's all in the content and in the delivery. It was hard to determine if something had been lost in the translation or was intentionally designed that way in the original.
I would recommend The Trap to readers, but not with a lot of zeal and fire. It's a slow-burner for me. You may have quite a different take yourself.
February 7, 2017
The Trap by Melanie Raabe is a 2017 Grand Central publication.
The psychological thriller has really seen a boon the past couple of years, with many debut authors finding immediate success writing books that were inevitably marketed “for fans of ‘Gone Girl’ or ‘Girl on the Train’”. But, by the end of 2016. I was ready to move on to other things, not wanting to burn myself out on one of my favorite genres.
But, when this book popped up on my radar, I couldn’t resist it.
This book was originally published in the German language and has been translated to English, by Imogen Taylor, who did an amazing job!
Linda is a reclusive author, who has not been outside of her home for years after finding her sister, Anna, murdered. Linda arrived at her sister's apartment just in time to see the murderer leaving the scene. She escaped with her life, but soon became the primary suspect.
Now, years later, Linda believes she has seen her sister’s killer on television and begins to plot an elaborate scheme to prove his guilt.
Once more I must express my irritation with the marketing ploy that unfairly compares books, by baiting readers with the - ‘for fans of…’ thing. Half the time, the suggestion is way off the mark, and it boxes the author and the book into a corner, as well as setting up unrealistic expectations for readers, which does more harm than good. (I know, you've heard this lecture before, but every time this happens, it makes me mad all over again)
This book is a victim of that type of marketing, in my opinion, because frankly this book is no ‘Gone Girl’, but it is a solid, clever psychological thriller and should be viewed by its own merits, and approached with an open mind, and without preconceived notions.
The suspense was intense at times, the plot twists were well timed, and although the pacing was a little unbalanced on occasion, the story never lost momentum.
The ‘story within a story’ idea is not altogether original, but it’s been a while since I’ve seen it used. It works in some places, but falls flat in others.
The story is wildly imaginative and I would warn you to toss all pretense of plausibility out the window, and just enjoy the cat and mouse game because it was truly quite enjoyable and entertaining.
I am glad I took a chance on this one. It’s not on the same playing field with the books it has been compared with, but it’s a nice little gem that was enjoyable enough and I think any fan of psychological thrillers can appreciate it.
3.5 stars
The psychological thriller has really seen a boon the past couple of years, with many debut authors finding immediate success writing books that were inevitably marketed “for fans of ‘Gone Girl’ or ‘Girl on the Train’”. But, by the end of 2016. I was ready to move on to other things, not wanting to burn myself out on one of my favorite genres.
But, when this book popped up on my radar, I couldn’t resist it.
This book was originally published in the German language and has been translated to English, by Imogen Taylor, who did an amazing job!
Linda is a reclusive author, who has not been outside of her home for years after finding her sister, Anna, murdered. Linda arrived at her sister's apartment just in time to see the murderer leaving the scene. She escaped with her life, but soon became the primary suspect.
Now, years later, Linda believes she has seen her sister’s killer on television and begins to plot an elaborate scheme to prove his guilt.
Once more I must express my irritation with the marketing ploy that unfairly compares books, by baiting readers with the - ‘for fans of…’ thing. Half the time, the suggestion is way off the mark, and it boxes the author and the book into a corner, as well as setting up unrealistic expectations for readers, which does more harm than good. (I know, you've heard this lecture before, but every time this happens, it makes me mad all over again)
This book is a victim of that type of marketing, in my opinion, because frankly this book is no ‘Gone Girl’, but it is a solid, clever psychological thriller and should be viewed by its own merits, and approached with an open mind, and without preconceived notions.
The suspense was intense at times, the plot twists were well timed, and although the pacing was a little unbalanced on occasion, the story never lost momentum.
The ‘story within a story’ idea is not altogether original, but it’s been a while since I’ve seen it used. It works in some places, but falls flat in others.
The story is wildly imaginative and I would warn you to toss all pretense of plausibility out the window, and just enjoy the cat and mouse game because it was truly quite enjoyable and entertaining.
I am glad I took a chance on this one. It’s not on the same playing field with the books it has been compared with, but it’s a nice little gem that was enjoyable enough and I think any fan of psychological thrillers can appreciate it.
3.5 stars
July 5, 2016
This is a tense psychological thriller translated from the German and set in Munich. Linda Conrads is a reclusive and fragile writer of bestsellers plagued by nightmares. Twelve years ago, she discovered the body of her murdered younger sister, Anna, and caught a glimpse of the killer with his grey eyes. No one was convicted of the crime and the killer still walks free.
Upon watching the news one night, she believes that she sees the killer. It is the well known journalist, Victor Lenzen, and Linda wonders what it is that she should do. Her obsession pushes her to write 'Blood Sisters' which is essentially the story of Anna, but with the characters names changed. Her therapist had also urged her to write down what happened to help her come to terms with Anna's death. This book is to serve as the trap. Upon publication, she grants a rare interview to Victor Lanzen, to the surprise of her publishers. Will the trap work?
This is a novel full of twists and suspense. The question of whether Linda is reliable is raised. The entire story is structured and driven by the character of Linda. It is a compelling story but not always easy to read. I assume this is due to translation difficulties. A recommended read. Thanks to Grand Central Publishing for an ARC.
Upon watching the news one night, she believes that she sees the killer. It is the well known journalist, Victor Lenzen, and Linda wonders what it is that she should do. Her obsession pushes her to write 'Blood Sisters' which is essentially the story of Anna, but with the characters names changed. Her therapist had also urged her to write down what happened to help her come to terms with Anna's death. This book is to serve as the trap. Upon publication, she grants a rare interview to Victor Lanzen, to the surprise of her publishers. Will the trap work?
This is a novel full of twists and suspense. The question of whether Linda is reliable is raised. The entire story is structured and driven by the character of Linda. It is a compelling story but not always easy to read. I assume this is due to translation difficulties. A recommended read. Thanks to Grand Central Publishing for an ARC.
March 1, 2017
Linda Conrads is a best-selling author that’s become quite a recluse for the last eleven years since the unsolved murder of her younger sister. Linda was the one to discover her sister’s dead body catching a look at the killer’s face as he flees the scene. No one was ever convicted. Since that day, she hasn’t left her home once making her only constant source of company her dog. Though occasionally visited by the gardener, her assistant Charlotte, and her publisher Norbert.
Linda feels safe as a hermit in her home, but it all comes crashing down when she sees the man who killed her sister and got away with it on TV. Linda is determined to draw the killer out using the plot of her next novel, Blood Sisters, laying a trap. It’ll be the story of her younger sister’s murder with the names changed. Will the trap work? Will Linda finally get justice for her sister?
The story is set up so we question whether Linda is actually mad. It helps that she’s a recluse bringing her mental health into question. This is my favorite aspect of the story as I sure love an unreliable narrator. It helps to elevate the suspense. What’s truly fascinating here is how Melanie Raabe manages to blend Linda’s novel, Blood Sisters, into the story. There are chapters of it interspersed among the real-life present day chapters. It was interesting getting to read Linda’s voice as an author in addition to her perspective in the real-life chapters.
The Trap was a bit of a slow burner, which could be viewed in a positive or negative light. The slow-build of the tension and suspense does pay off in the long run. You have to keep in mind this was translated from German, so there are times the plot falls flat or feels disjointed. There was some depth that may be missing due to the same reason. I still found it worth the read and would recommend to interested readers.
I won this in a Goodreads firstreads giveaway. This has no influence on my review. Thank you to the publisher and Goodreads.
Linda feels safe as a hermit in her home, but it all comes crashing down when she sees the man who killed her sister and got away with it on TV. Linda is determined to draw the killer out using the plot of her next novel, Blood Sisters, laying a trap. It’ll be the story of her younger sister’s murder with the names changed. Will the trap work? Will Linda finally get justice for her sister?
The story is set up so we question whether Linda is actually mad. It helps that she’s a recluse bringing her mental health into question. This is my favorite aspect of the story as I sure love an unreliable narrator. It helps to elevate the suspense. What’s truly fascinating here is how Melanie Raabe manages to blend Linda’s novel, Blood Sisters, into the story. There are chapters of it interspersed among the real-life present day chapters. It was interesting getting to read Linda’s voice as an author in addition to her perspective in the real-life chapters.
The Trap was a bit of a slow burner, which could be viewed in a positive or negative light. The slow-build of the tension and suspense does pay off in the long run. You have to keep in mind this was translated from German, so there are times the plot falls flat or feels disjointed. There was some depth that may be missing due to the same reason. I still found it worth the read and would recommend to interested readers.
I won this in a Goodreads firstreads giveaway. This has no influence on my review. Thank you to the publisher and Goodreads.
September 17, 2023
Catching up…
This is the story of reclusive Linda Conrads. She hasn’t left her home for over 12 years because of the tragic murder of her sister. She believes she saw the killer, and because he is still-at-large she has suffered from PTSD. Linda writes best-selling novels.
Wanting to enact revenge on her sister’s killer, she decides to write a fiction novel based on the events of her sister’s murder, hoping this will cause the murderer to surface and confess.
Her novel, “Blood Sisters” is interspersed within the main narrative – two for the price of one – within this story.
Intense. Succinct writing. Taut. Compelling.
Yet…
We have an unreliable narrator.
Did she really see her sister’s murderer?
Can we truly trust Linda’s state of mind?
Or, could Linda have been the culprit?
Because readers were stuck for the majority of the novel within the confines of one setting – Linda’s home, there was a claustrophobic, tense feeling throughout the story.
And yet…
The story was suspenseful, with expert plotting.
But…
It moved slowly.
Still..
As a translation from German, it seemed to read smoothly.
And…
There were so many moving parts – even though the focus was on Linda, there were other characters who had important roles – the reader needed to pay attention to them, as well…
And…
Stay with the story to the end, for the great reveal.
December 8, 2016
3.5 Stars. I rounded up because I had a hard time putting it down once it got going! (EDIT 7/24/16: I changed my mind about rounding after some distance, but 3-stars is still a 'like' for me!) A solid thriller with a REALLY unreliable narrator. The central character's internal conflict and descent into madness is the main point of interest.
Bestselling author Linda Conrads hasn't left her home for over a decade, since around the time she found her younger sister Anna stabbed to death. She insists she saw the murderer's face at the scene of the crime, but there was no convincing physical evidence and Anna's case was never solved. While watching television one evening, she sees the murderer's face delivering the news. Once she recovers from the shock, she concocts a plan to trap the journalist. She will lure him to her home by writing a book detailing the murder and invite him to her home for an exclusive and rare interview, an opportunity no journalist would pass up. But is this man really Anna's murderer or is he an innocent man who has got caught up in one of Linda's "stories"? Has Linda created her own reality because she can't deal with what actually happened?
The story is told in first-person present, from Linda's perspective. She is such an unreliable narrator that I started losing my own grasp of reality! Linda is an eccentric recluse, who seems both deluded and paranoid. She has completely withdrawn from society since her sister's untimely death. Writing and not leaving her house are her primary coping mechanisms: "Making up stories where nobody had to die. Living in a world in which there was no danger." Chapters of Linda's novel Blood Sisters are interspersed between the present-day chapters. It gives us context and insight into her mind that Linda is unable to give us outside of her writing. There is a clear differentiation between Linda's speaking/thinking voice and writing voice. The excerpts were a nice break from being inside her head, which because of the nature of her character could be exhausting and repetitive.
It took me some time to get into the story, because it reminded me so much of Disclaimer. Disclaimer's Stephen and The Trap's Linda have so much in common personality-wise! However, I was hooked once she started preparing for the interview. The middle third was my favorite part of the book, because the interview is so tense. The strangeness of the situation and Linda's unhinged state of mind made my heart pound! She perceives things in such strange way. It reveals how tenuous her grasp on reality is…or does it? ;) I loved the journalist's pointed literary criticism and Linda's scrambling to come up with a defense, especially since the reader (and possibly the journalist) know the book is essentially non-fiction.
The one thing that drove me crazy was those cliffhanger chapters. I'm always iffy on those anyway, but the placement of a whole chapter in between the cliffhanger and the cliffhanger resolution made them extra irritating. Paraphrased example:
End of Chapter 18: I did this.
*Chapter of Linda's Novel*
Beginning of Chapter 19: Wait, no I didn't. I actually did this!
The Trap is about the stories people create to protect themselves and to survive in the aftermath of tragedy. Linda is not the only character in this book guilty of that! If you enjoy unreliable narrators, or if you enjoyed the atmosphere of Disclaimer or A Small Indiscretion, you'll be interested in this book. The Trap is a fun way to spend the evening!
______________________________
(P.S. Strange coincidence: This is the second book I've read this month where a woman travels the world via her own house. The Summer That Melted Everything is the other one. Completely different genre, but highly recommended!
Thank you to Grand Central Publishing & NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
“A book must be an axe for the frozen sea within us.” - Franz Kafka
Bestselling author Linda Conrads hasn't left her home for over a decade, since around the time she found her younger sister Anna stabbed to death. She insists she saw the murderer's face at the scene of the crime, but there was no convincing physical evidence and Anna's case was never solved. While watching television one evening, she sees the murderer's face delivering the news. Once she recovers from the shock, she concocts a plan to trap the journalist. She will lure him to her home by writing a book detailing the murder and invite him to her home for an exclusive and rare interview, an opportunity no journalist would pass up. But is this man really Anna's murderer or is he an innocent man who has got caught up in one of Linda's "stories"? Has Linda created her own reality because she can't deal with what actually happened?
Am I mad?
No, I’m not mad.
How can you tell you’re not mad?
You just can.
How can you tell if you are mad? You just can.
But if you really are mad—how can you know? How can you know anything with absolute certainty
I listen to the voices arguing in my head, and I no longer know which of them is the rational one.
The story is told in first-person present, from Linda's perspective. She is such an unreliable narrator that I started losing my own grasp of reality! Linda is an eccentric recluse, who seems both deluded and paranoid. She has completely withdrawn from society since her sister's untimely death. Writing and not leaving her house are her primary coping mechanisms: "Making up stories where nobody had to die. Living in a world in which there was no danger." Chapters of Linda's novel Blood Sisters are interspersed between the present-day chapters. It gives us context and insight into her mind that Linda is unable to give us outside of her writing. There is a clear differentiation between Linda's speaking/thinking voice and writing voice. The excerpts were a nice break from being inside her head, which because of the nature of her character could be exhausting and repetitive.
People think it’s hard not to leave your house for over a decade. They think it’s easy to go out. And they’re right; it is easy to go out. But it’s also easy not to go out. A few days soon become a few weeks; a few weeks become months and years. That sounds like an immensely long time. But it’s only ever one more day strung on to those that have gone before.
It took me some time to get into the story, because it reminded me so much of Disclaimer. Disclaimer's Stephen and The Trap's Linda have so much in common personality-wise! However, I was hooked once she started preparing for the interview. The middle third was my favorite part of the book, because the interview is so tense. The strangeness of the situation and Linda's unhinged state of mind made my heart pound! She perceives things in such strange way. It reveals how tenuous her grasp on reality is…or does it? ;) I loved the journalist's pointed literary criticism and Linda's scrambling to come up with a defense, especially since the reader (and possibly the journalist) know the book is essentially non-fiction.
A trap for a murderer. With her as bait. Perfect, provided you weren’t overly attached to life. Sophie realized that she was thinking in the terms of a TV crime drama, with the murderer, the victim, the pesky eyewitness, the nice police officer. Somehow it was easier that way: to view the affair not as a genuine tragedy, not as a real part of her life, but as just another case.
The one thing that drove me crazy was those cliffhanger chapters. I'm always iffy on those anyway, but the placement of a whole chapter in between the cliffhanger and the cliffhanger resolution made them extra irritating. Paraphrased example:
End of Chapter 18: I did this.
*Chapter of Linda's Novel*
Beginning of Chapter 19: Wait, no I didn't. I actually did this!
Life is often so much less spectacular than fiction.
The Trap is about the stories people create to protect themselves and to survive in the aftermath of tragedy. Linda is not the only character in this book guilty of that! If you enjoy unreliable narrators, or if you enjoyed the atmosphere of Disclaimer or A Small Indiscretion, you'll be interested in this book. The Trap is a fun way to spend the evening!
"Then why are we prolonging the agony and the yearning?” Jonas gave a slight smile. His dimple appeared. “Because we need the agony and the yearning. Because that’s what makes us feel alive,” he said.
______________________________
(P.S. Strange coincidence: This is the second book I've read this month where a woman travels the world via her own house. The Summer That Melted Everything is the other one. Completely different genre, but highly recommended!
Thank you to Grand Central Publishing & NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
June 28, 2016
A sister is both your mirror - and your opposite.
----Elizabeth Fishel
Melanie Raabe, a German author, has penned a heart-stopping and extremely mind-boggling psychological thriller in her debut book, The Trap in which the author weaves the story of an elder sister who lives her life in isolation after her younger sister's death, who was murdered and she knows about her sister's killer, but back at time, no one believed her story, and so, eleven years later, when she sees the killer's face on TV, she sets The Trap.
Synopsis:
I know who killed my sister.
I wrote this novel for him.
Twelve years ago, Linda's sister Anna was murdered. Her killer was never caught, but Linda saw him. Now, all these years on, she's just seen him again. On TV.
He has since become a well-known reporter, and Linda - a famous novelist and infamous recluse - knows no one will believe her if she accuses him, so she does the only thing she can think of: she writes a thriller about a woman who is murdered, her killer never caught. When the book is published, she agrees to give just one media interview. At home. To the one person who knows more about the case than she does.
He knows what happened that night and she wrote a book about it but, when the doorbell rings, neither of them can be sure how the story will end.
Linda is a late thirties popular literary fiction author, who lives in absolute isolation within the four walls of her home and is occasionally visited by her assistant and publisher. Eleven years ago, her younger sister, Anna, was murdered and luckily, Linda caught a glimpse of the killer before discovering her sister's body. She tried really hard to make people as well as the authorities believe that she has seen her sister's killer, but unfortunately no one believed her, instead, they all either suspected her of killing her own sister or called her crazy. Hence she reclused within the comfort of her own home with her dog. Now eleven years later, she has seen the face of the very killer who took the life of her sister on TV, and now she has to lay a perfect trap so that she could get this popular and renowned journalist to confess the crime that he has committed by writing a novel about her sister's murder in the form of a thriller thereby inviting that man to interview her for his newspaper. But will this killer easily fall prey to Linda's trap?
Honestly speaking, I expected the story to have more than one layer or dimension, instead, I found it out to be quite simple and foreseeable. Although, the whole book is one hell of an addictive roller-coaster ride filled with quite a number of unexpected turns and so much fear. The book's cover image depicts an eerie feel to the story inside it that will instantly lure the readers into the story. Being a debut book, the author's efforts, smartness as well as her imagination which knows no bounds are extremely impressionable and these factors make the story as worth a read for the mystery/psychological thriller readers.
I believe the translated edition writing style is not that polished or strong, as there are so much loose ends that lacks from emotional depth. The narrative which, although is not much in the book, still it is engaging and well structured, that holds the power to keep the readers glued to the story. The pacing of the book is quite moderate, as the story is told from Linda's POV, which is actually a web of so many thoughts, where some are confusing and some are very much clear and easy to comprehend with. The story building is really well-developed as the author wraps her plot under so much misdirection and twists.
The story is so much painted with bone-chilling and thrilling scenes which are penned vividly as well as descriptively the author, which will eventually help the readers to visualize the scenes right before their own eyes. The mystery of Linda's sister's murder is unraveled with so much backstories and turns that will leave the readers baffled about the real identity of the killer and this part really suited me, as at times, I too was left puzzled with the underlying question about the identity.
The characters are well-structured, but felt a bit vague and unreal, except the main character, Linda. Linda's character is so well portrayed that the readers are bound to feel like they are inside Linda's head and can easily feel what she is feeling, who is projected as someone coward and fragile suffering from mental trauma over her sister's death and her inability to give justice to her sister. Although, eventually, with the course of the story, Linda gains a lot of confidence to bring her sister's killer to confess thereby evolving in a positive way. The readers' will learn about her sister's death from the excerpts of Linda's novel, Blood Sisters. Linda is not only psychologically twisted, but is also quite clever and her bond of sisterhood with her sister will make the readers root for her till the very end. The rest of the supporting characters, apart from the killer, Victor, don't have much presence in the story, hence the readers' won't get to know them thoroughly.
In a nutshell, this compelling and riveting story is a must read for all crime/thriller fans as this debut author leaves her mark in the literary world with this book of hers.
Verdict: Engrossing as well as gripping read about a sister's journey to give justice to her younger sister's death.
Courtesy: Thanks to the publishers from Pan Macmillan India for giving me an opportunity to read and review this book.
----Elizabeth Fishel
Melanie Raabe, a German author, has penned a heart-stopping and extremely mind-boggling psychological thriller in her debut book, The Trap in which the author weaves the story of an elder sister who lives her life in isolation after her younger sister's death, who was murdered and she knows about her sister's killer, but back at time, no one believed her story, and so, eleven years later, when she sees the killer's face on TV, she sets The Trap.
Synopsis:
I know who killed my sister.
I wrote this novel for him.
Twelve years ago, Linda's sister Anna was murdered. Her killer was never caught, but Linda saw him. Now, all these years on, she's just seen him again. On TV.
He has since become a well-known reporter, and Linda - a famous novelist and infamous recluse - knows no one will believe her if she accuses him, so she does the only thing she can think of: she writes a thriller about a woman who is murdered, her killer never caught. When the book is published, she agrees to give just one media interview. At home. To the one person who knows more about the case than she does.
He knows what happened that night and she wrote a book about it but, when the doorbell rings, neither of them can be sure how the story will end.
Linda is a late thirties popular literary fiction author, who lives in absolute isolation within the four walls of her home and is occasionally visited by her assistant and publisher. Eleven years ago, her younger sister, Anna, was murdered and luckily, Linda caught a glimpse of the killer before discovering her sister's body. She tried really hard to make people as well as the authorities believe that she has seen her sister's killer, but unfortunately no one believed her, instead, they all either suspected her of killing her own sister or called her crazy. Hence she reclused within the comfort of her own home with her dog. Now eleven years later, she has seen the face of the very killer who took the life of her sister on TV, and now she has to lay a perfect trap so that she could get this popular and renowned journalist to confess the crime that he has committed by writing a novel about her sister's murder in the form of a thriller thereby inviting that man to interview her for his newspaper. But will this killer easily fall prey to Linda's trap?
Honestly speaking, I expected the story to have more than one layer or dimension, instead, I found it out to be quite simple and foreseeable. Although, the whole book is one hell of an addictive roller-coaster ride filled with quite a number of unexpected turns and so much fear. The book's cover image depicts an eerie feel to the story inside it that will instantly lure the readers into the story. Being a debut book, the author's efforts, smartness as well as her imagination which knows no bounds are extremely impressionable and these factors make the story as worth a read for the mystery/psychological thriller readers.
I believe the translated edition writing style is not that polished or strong, as there are so much loose ends that lacks from emotional depth. The narrative which, although is not much in the book, still it is engaging and well structured, that holds the power to keep the readers glued to the story. The pacing of the book is quite moderate, as the story is told from Linda's POV, which is actually a web of so many thoughts, where some are confusing and some are very much clear and easy to comprehend with. The story building is really well-developed as the author wraps her plot under so much misdirection and twists.
The story is so much painted with bone-chilling and thrilling scenes which are penned vividly as well as descriptively the author, which will eventually help the readers to visualize the scenes right before their own eyes. The mystery of Linda's sister's murder is unraveled with so much backstories and turns that will leave the readers baffled about the real identity of the killer and this part really suited me, as at times, I too was left puzzled with the underlying question about the identity.
The characters are well-structured, but felt a bit vague and unreal, except the main character, Linda. Linda's character is so well portrayed that the readers are bound to feel like they are inside Linda's head and can easily feel what she is feeling, who is projected as someone coward and fragile suffering from mental trauma over her sister's death and her inability to give justice to her sister. Although, eventually, with the course of the story, Linda gains a lot of confidence to bring her sister's killer to confess thereby evolving in a positive way. The readers' will learn about her sister's death from the excerpts of Linda's novel, Blood Sisters. Linda is not only psychologically twisted, but is also quite clever and her bond of sisterhood with her sister will make the readers root for her till the very end. The rest of the supporting characters, apart from the killer, Victor, don't have much presence in the story, hence the readers' won't get to know them thoroughly.
In a nutshell, this compelling and riveting story is a must read for all crime/thriller fans as this debut author leaves her mark in the literary world with this book of hers.
Verdict: Engrossing as well as gripping read about a sister's journey to give justice to her younger sister's death.
Courtesy: Thanks to the publishers from Pan Macmillan India for giving me an opportunity to read and review this book.
May 26, 2016
The premise of this book is an original one. Linda Conrads is a thirty eight year old famous author, who lives as a recluse under a pseudonym. Twelve years ago, her older sister, Anna, was murdered and Linda caught a glimpse of the killer when she discovered her sisters body. Now, Linda lives a safe and controlled life. She lives with her dog, visited only by staff – her assistant Charlotte, the gardener and her publisher, Norbert. Then, suddenly, she sees a news reporter on television and believes she recognises him as Anna’s murderer.
The problem of course is, who would believe her? So, Linda decides to write a new novel – a thriller, called, “Blood Sisters,” which will tell Anna’s story. Then, she will invite the news reporter, Victor Lenzen for an interview. As a recluse, any interview with her is like gold dust and she is sure she can arrange this. Then she can lure Victor Lenzen to her house and collect valuable DNA samples or get him to confess…
Of course, like all such plans, this is not at all simple. The book is interspersed with chapters from the ‘novel’ as the author tells the story through, “Blood Sisters,” and from the point of view of Linda. Although I thought the initial idea interesting, I found the actual telling of the book quite cold and unemotional. Of course, this book was translated and it may have been the translation that was at fault, but I never really felt enough for the characters to become really involved. Still, there are lots of twists and turns in the plot and I found the idea of the novel interesting enough to want to read more by this author.
The problem of course is, who would believe her? So, Linda decides to write a new novel – a thriller, called, “Blood Sisters,” which will tell Anna’s story. Then, she will invite the news reporter, Victor Lenzen for an interview. As a recluse, any interview with her is like gold dust and she is sure she can arrange this. Then she can lure Victor Lenzen to her house and collect valuable DNA samples or get him to confess…
Of course, like all such plans, this is not at all simple. The book is interspersed with chapters from the ‘novel’ as the author tells the story through, “Blood Sisters,” and from the point of view of Linda. Although I thought the initial idea interesting, I found the actual telling of the book quite cold and unemotional. Of course, this book was translated and it may have been the translation that was at fault, but I never really felt enough for the characters to become really involved. Still, there are lots of twists and turns in the plot and I found the idea of the novel interesting enough to want to read more by this author.
March 30, 2016
Linda Conrads was a famous author – well known and with many best sellers to her name. She was also a recluse. Linda hadn’t left her home, hadn’t stepped outside the door in eleven years. The memory of her sister Anna’s murder twelve years prior was fresh in her mind – as fresh as if it had happened the day before. Linda was the one who had found Anna; she had also seen Anna’s killer lurking in the darkness of the apartment before he’d run away…
Linda knew the killer hadn’t been caught; when it had happened all she’d wanted to know was “why” – her sister was a gentle, caring person; who would do this to her, and why would they? The police had had no answers; the murderer had bested them all. But the night Linda was idly watching the news on the television twelve years later, she was shocked to see the face of Anna’s killer – up front and personal; a well-known journalist – what could she do? The police wouldn’t believe her – she would have to catch him out herself; she would set a trap…
And so the thriller “Blood Sisters” was born. The novel which was Anna’s murder all over again; different characters’ names, and another resolution – but would it work? Linda’s publisher was shocked to hear she wanted to give an interview on the publication of “Blood Sisters” – but only one; to one particular journalist and it was to be in her home…
The danger would be immense, but Linda’s trap was set. Would it work? Or was it simply the most foolish thing she had ever done in her life?
The Trap by Melanie Raabe is an intriguing debut; a psychological thriller which is set in Germany and recently translated for English readers. It features a novel within a novel, with the chapters of “Blood Sisters” blending with the story of The Trap. A little rambling and repetitious at times, nevertheless it was fast-paced, gripping and intense. I thoroughly enjoyed it, and recommend it to all lovers of the genre.
With thanks to Text Publishing for this copy to read in exchange for my honest review.
Linda knew the killer hadn’t been caught; when it had happened all she’d wanted to know was “why” – her sister was a gentle, caring person; who would do this to her, and why would they? The police had had no answers; the murderer had bested them all. But the night Linda was idly watching the news on the television twelve years later, she was shocked to see the face of Anna’s killer – up front and personal; a well-known journalist – what could she do? The police wouldn’t believe her – she would have to catch him out herself; she would set a trap…
And so the thriller “Blood Sisters” was born. The novel which was Anna’s murder all over again; different characters’ names, and another resolution – but would it work? Linda’s publisher was shocked to hear she wanted to give an interview on the publication of “Blood Sisters” – but only one; to one particular journalist and it was to be in her home…
The danger would be immense, but Linda’s trap was set. Would it work? Or was it simply the most foolish thing she had ever done in her life?
The Trap by Melanie Raabe is an intriguing debut; a psychological thriller which is set in Germany and recently translated for English readers. It features a novel within a novel, with the chapters of “Blood Sisters” blending with the story of The Trap. A little rambling and repetitious at times, nevertheless it was fast-paced, gripping and intense. I thoroughly enjoyed it, and recommend it to all lovers of the genre.
With thanks to Text Publishing for this copy to read in exchange for my honest review.
November 1, 2016
I really tried hard to like this book, but it's not for me.
My main problem with the book was that there was so much description. The exposition literally killed the plot. And the story itself felt very unbelievable and the characters were flat to say the least.
I liked the starting of the book and the build up, but around 20% I started to feel distracted and bored, and by that time I finished the quarter mark, I was already not interested in knowing what happened next. And that was why I read the rest skimming over most of the chapters.
There are so many rave reviews for this book, but I seriously don't understand what all the hype is really about?
You can also read this revie won my book blog: The Reading Bud
My main problem with the book was that there was so much description. The exposition literally killed the plot. And the story itself felt very unbelievable and the characters were flat to say the least.
I liked the starting of the book and the build up, but around 20% I started to feel distracted and bored, and by that time I finished the quarter mark, I was already not interested in knowing what happened next. And that was why I read the rest skimming over most of the chapters.
There are so many rave reviews for this book, but I seriously don't understand what all the hype is really about?
You can also read this revie won my book blog: The Reading Bud
February 25, 2017
3,5 Sterne
Ich bin sehr zwiegespalten. Es ist ein netter, spannender Thriller - mehr aber nicht. Der Schreibstil war teilweise sehr gut, die Ideen und Handlung interessant, aber am Ende fehlt dann doch das gewisse Etwas, und vor allem der ganz große Knall. Definitiv solide Unterhaltung, aber teilweise etwas zu simpel. Ich werde mir auch Melanie Raabes zweites Buch mal anschauen. Aber der ganz große Wurf war 'Die Falle' für mich irgendwie nicht.
Ich bin sehr zwiegespalten. Es ist ein netter, spannender Thriller - mehr aber nicht. Der Schreibstil war teilweise sehr gut, die Ideen und Handlung interessant, aber am Ende fehlt dann doch das gewisse Etwas, und vor allem der ganz große Knall. Definitiv solide Unterhaltung, aber teilweise etwas zu simpel. Ich werde mir auch Melanie Raabes zweites Buch mal anschauen. Aber der ganz große Wurf war 'Die Falle' für mich irgendwie nicht.
April 2, 2016
Linda Conrad is the author of many successful novels, she is also a recluse. Linda's sister Anna was murdered 12 years ago, she has never gotten over this and to make it worse she was the one who found her sisters body, she also saw the killers face. 12 years on and Linda is watching TV when she sees the killers face again, who is now a successful journalist. As you can imagine Linda is now totally immersed in finding justice for her sister. Many people have asked Linda for interviews over the years but she has always declined, now she sees a major opportunity to meet her sisters killer, she will agree to one exclusive interview with only one particular journalist. The plans are then in place for her to meet her sisters killer. I really enjoyed this book, the premise of the story was interesting and inviting. The only criticism I have is that at times some things were a little repetive but overall a very enjoyable read.
April 2, 2017
Note (2/4-17): I've updated this review from 2016-07-05 with a Swedish review of the book!
SWEDISH REVIEW
Melanie Raabe har verkligen lyckats skriva en bok där jag var inte säker på om huvudkaraktären, Linda Conrad, var helt galen, eller om hon hade rätt om att ha sett hennes systrar mördare på TV: n. Jag drogs in i historien redan från början och boken hålls mitt intresse upp ända fram till slutet. Vi får följa Linda historia, men också kapitel från hennes bok om mordet ingår i berättelsen. Och genom dessa kapitlel, får vi en bild av vad som hände 12 år tidigare.
Det var intressant att läsa om en karaktär som aldrig lämnar sitt hus som gör historien lite mer intim eftersom mycket av det som händer i boken utspelas inne i huset med få personer iblandade. Och som jag skrev ovan, att man inte vet om Linda var rätt eller om hon hade blivit galen och detta gjorde boken riktigt intressant att läsa eftersom man inte kunde vara säker på någonting.
Jag gillade boken jättemycket, den var välskriven, spännande och överraskande. Dock var jag var lite förvirrad varför hon hade så lite kontakt med sina föräldrar. Jag menar bara att hon inte kan lämna huset betyder inte att de inte kan besöka och jag aldrig känt att det förklarades varför de hade så lite kontakt. Men det är det enda som jag kände lite udda, resten av boken var riktigt bra!
Tack till Louise Bäckelin Förlag för recensionsexemplaret!
ENGLISH REVIEW
I have to hand it to Melanie Raabe, she has really managed to write a book where I was not sure if Linda Conrad was utterly mad or if she was right about having seen her sisters killer on the TV. I was pulled into the story right from the start and the book kept my interest up. We get to follow Linda's story, but also chapters from her book about the murder are included in the story. And through the chapters, we get a picture of what happened 12 years before.
It was interesting to reading about a character that never leaves her house that makes the story a bit more intimate since most of the story takes place inside the house and with very few people. And, as I wrote above, one just couldn't know if Linda was right or if she had gone mad. And, that made the book really interesting to read since one could not be sure about anything.
I liked the book very much, it was well-written, exciting and surprising. I was a bit confused why she had so little contact with her parents. I mean just because she can't leave the house doesn't mean that they can't visit and I never felt that it was explained why they had so little contact. However, that's the only thing that I felt a bit odd, the rest of the book was really good!
I want to thank Grand Central Publishing for providing me with a free copy for an honest review!
SWEDISH REVIEW
Melanie Raabe har verkligen lyckats skriva en bok där jag var inte säker på om huvudkaraktären, Linda Conrad, var helt galen, eller om hon hade rätt om att ha sett hennes systrar mördare på TV: n. Jag drogs in i historien redan från början och boken hålls mitt intresse upp ända fram till slutet. Vi får följa Linda historia, men också kapitel från hennes bok om mordet ingår i berättelsen. Och genom dessa kapitlel, får vi en bild av vad som hände 12 år tidigare.
Det var intressant att läsa om en karaktär som aldrig lämnar sitt hus som gör historien lite mer intim eftersom mycket av det som händer i boken utspelas inne i huset med få personer iblandade. Och som jag skrev ovan, att man inte vet om Linda var rätt eller om hon hade blivit galen och detta gjorde boken riktigt intressant att läsa eftersom man inte kunde vara säker på någonting.
Jag gillade boken jättemycket, den var välskriven, spännande och överraskande. Dock var jag var lite förvirrad varför hon hade så lite kontakt med sina föräldrar. Jag menar bara att hon inte kan lämna huset betyder inte att de inte kan besöka och jag aldrig känt att det förklarades varför de hade så lite kontakt. Men det är det enda som jag kände lite udda, resten av boken var riktigt bra!
Tack till Louise Bäckelin Förlag för recensionsexemplaret!
ENGLISH REVIEW
I have to hand it to Melanie Raabe, she has really managed to write a book where I was not sure if Linda Conrad was utterly mad or if she was right about having seen her sisters killer on the TV. I was pulled into the story right from the start and the book kept my interest up. We get to follow Linda's story, but also chapters from her book about the murder are included in the story. And through the chapters, we get a picture of what happened 12 years before.
It was interesting to reading about a character that never leaves her house that makes the story a bit more intimate since most of the story takes place inside the house and with very few people. And, as I wrote above, one just couldn't know if Linda was right or if she had gone mad. And, that made the book really interesting to read since one could not be sure about anything.
I liked the book very much, it was well-written, exciting and surprising. I was a bit confused why she had so little contact with her parents. I mean just because she can't leave the house doesn't mean that they can't visit and I never felt that it was explained why they had so little contact. However, that's the only thing that I felt a bit odd, the rest of the book was really good!
I want to thank Grand Central Publishing for providing me with a free copy for an honest review!
July 26, 2019
Für mich einer der besten Thriller, die ich seit langem (oder vielleicht sogar überhaupt) gelesen habe! So viele Elemente haben mich begeistert:
- Der grandios schöne Schreibstil. Zwischenzeitlich fast poetisch und dann der Stimmung angemessen doch zackig und hektisch. Sehr wandelbar und dadurch richtig gut!
- Die Idee der Story empfand ich als super gut
- Ein Buch im Buch, führte hin und wieder zu angenehmen Verwirrungen
- Drei Erzählperspektiven, die alle spannend waren
- Ein Buch mit vielen Ebenen, sowohl von der Geschichte her als auch sprachlich
- Einige Plot-Twists, die ich so nicht geahnt habe
- Überzeugendes Ende - Ich war zufrieden!
Hätte ich es nicht abschnittsweise in meiner Leserunde gelesen, wäre es ein One-Night-Book geworden. Wir wurden auch immer schneller, weil es uns so gut gefallen hat!
- Der grandios schöne Schreibstil. Zwischenzeitlich fast poetisch und dann der Stimmung angemessen doch zackig und hektisch. Sehr wandelbar und dadurch richtig gut!
- Die Idee der Story empfand ich als super gut
- Ein Buch im Buch, führte hin und wieder zu angenehmen Verwirrungen
- Drei Erzählperspektiven, die alle spannend waren
- Ein Buch mit vielen Ebenen, sowohl von der Geschichte her als auch sprachlich
- Einige Plot-Twists, die ich so nicht geahnt habe
- Überzeugendes Ende - Ich war zufrieden!
Hätte ich es nicht abschnittsweise in meiner Leserunde gelesen, wäre es ein One-Night-Book geworden. Wir wurden auch immer schneller, weil es uns so gut gefallen hat!
March 30, 2016
The Trap is the first novel by German author, Melanie Raabe. When reclusive author Linda Conrads sees the man who, twelve years ago, murdered her sister, Anna, on a TV news program, she is shocked and stunned. Even though Superintendent Julian Schumer promised her he would find the killer, the case was never solved. Now Linda can put a name to the face that has haunted her since that August day in 2002: Victor Lenzen.
Lenzen is a well-known journalist, respected for his reports from Afghanistan, the Middle East, London and Asia. Linda’s eye-witness account was received with some scepticism at the time: will anyone believe her now? She hatches a plan to get him where she can interrogate him. She writes a novel, Blood Sisters, about the murder and agrees to give an exclusive interview, at her home, to one journalist: Lenzen.
Raabe has crafted a brilliant psychological thriller. It is fast-paced with an abundance of twists and red herrings, and more than one heart-stopping climax. From the beginning Raabe sows the seeds of doubt about the reliability of the narrative, and she allows these to germinate as the story progresses. She uses the interesting device of a narrative within a narrative: the text of Linda’s novel parallels, to some extent, real life events, and elaborates on the details of the murder investigation.
Raabe treats the reader to some lovely descriptive prose: “I keep trying to drive away the thought of Anna, but it’s sticky, like old-fashioned flypaper. Other dark thoughts get stuck to it; there’s no stopping them” and “…I had trouble driving away the thoughts that came at night and settled on my bed like crows” are examples. This outstanding debut novel is flawlessly translated by Imogen Taylor.
Lenzen is a well-known journalist, respected for his reports from Afghanistan, the Middle East, London and Asia. Linda’s eye-witness account was received with some scepticism at the time: will anyone believe her now? She hatches a plan to get him where she can interrogate him. She writes a novel, Blood Sisters, about the murder and agrees to give an exclusive interview, at her home, to one journalist: Lenzen.
Raabe has crafted a brilliant psychological thriller. It is fast-paced with an abundance of twists and red herrings, and more than one heart-stopping climax. From the beginning Raabe sows the seeds of doubt about the reliability of the narrative, and she allows these to germinate as the story progresses. She uses the interesting device of a narrative within a narrative: the text of Linda’s novel parallels, to some extent, real life events, and elaborates on the details of the murder investigation.
Raabe treats the reader to some lovely descriptive prose: “I keep trying to drive away the thought of Anna, but it’s sticky, like old-fashioned flypaper. Other dark thoughts get stuck to it; there’s no stopping them” and “…I had trouble driving away the thoughts that came at night and settled on my bed like crows” are examples. This outstanding debut novel is flawlessly translated by Imogen Taylor.
September 8, 2019
(2.5) For some reason I just couldn’t decide what to rate this! The bare bones of the story was kind of repetitive & pretty predictable. I almost gave up at about 20%.. But i did enjoy the writing itself. The main character was intriguing.. So i decided to finish. But unfortunately what i thought was happening was absolutely what was happening. I've seen people recommend books to people who don't devour thrillers the way some of us do.. & now i completely understand that way of thinking! If i would have unexpectedly "discovered" the pieces of the book as intended, it would've been excellent! I’m just not sure if the obviousness was the book itself, or for some reason just the way I read it. (Or perhaps it has to do with the translation?) I did like enough about the authors writing style that I'll pick up whatever she does next.. But for me, this 1 was just kinda ok.🤷🏻♀️
May 22, 2020
2,5. Empecé este thriller psicológico con muchas ganas, pero poco a poco se me fueron desinflando. Y es una auténtica pena porque la premisa era muy atractiva. Nos encontramos con Linda Conrad, una escritora de éxito que vive aislada del mundo en una casa de campo. Su mundo se reduce a ese espacio limitado, del que lleva más de 11 años sin salir.
Al ser asesinada su hermana, Linda cayó en una especie de depresión que provocó su aislamiento. Ella fue la única testigo del asesinato y cada noche tiene pesadillas con el rostro del asesino de su hermana. Esta vida anodina que lleva, se pondrá patas arribas un día viendo las noticias, ya que verá al asesino. Será entonces cuando decida escribir una nueva novela en la que cuente lo que le ocurrió a su hermana.
Es una historia de capítulos cortos, que se se lee super rápido y es amena, pero me ha provocado cero tensión. Desde el principio tenemos claro que solo hay dos opciones para el final, y que un thriller te cuente desde el minuto uno las dos posibles opciones y que, finalmente, sea una de las dos, pues es un bajón increíble y el suspense desaparece. Me esperaba algo mucho más interesante y menos obvio.
Además, el clímax tampoco es tenso y completo. Es corto y ligero, y a penas te da tiempo de saborearlo. Una lástima, porque me esperaba mucho más.
Al ser asesinada su hermana, Linda cayó en una especie de depresión que provocó su aislamiento. Ella fue la única testigo del asesinato y cada noche tiene pesadillas con el rostro del asesino de su hermana. Esta vida anodina que lleva, se pondrá patas arribas un día viendo las noticias, ya que verá al asesino. Será entonces cuando decida escribir una nueva novela en la que cuente lo que le ocurrió a su hermana.
Es una historia de capítulos cortos, que se se lee super rápido y es amena, pero me ha provocado cero tensión. Desde el principio tenemos claro que solo hay dos opciones para el final, y que un thriller te cuente desde el minuto uno las dos posibles opciones y que, finalmente, sea una de las dos, pues es un bajón increíble y el suspense desaparece. Me esperaba algo mucho más interesante y menos obvio.
Además, el clímax tampoco es tenso y completo. Es corto y ligero, y a penas te da tiempo de saborearlo. Una lástima, porque me esperaba mucho más.
February 19, 2016
Raabe's novel (which I read in the German original) started off with a very interesting premise: After witnessing her sister's murder, female writer spends the next 12 years in seclusion, never leaving her house. By chance she sees the killer on tv and decides to get him to confess (setting a trap by publishing a crime novel, recounting the murder).
But the book was a disappointment: the plot was predictable, the characters stayed bland and, worst of all, the writing-style was quite bad, full of cliché-descriptions. But because it's a debut novel and that means you shouldn't judge too harshly: 2*
But the book was a disappointment: the plot was predictable, the characters stayed bland and, worst of all, the writing-style was quite bad, full of cliché-descriptions. But because it's a debut novel and that means you shouldn't judge too harshly: 2*
May 9, 2018
The trap is about a recluse author who's sister was killed years ago and sets a trap to catch the person who killed her.
Really great read kept you right on the edge of you seat thinking will she actually pull it off and will the killer fall for it (I won't tell you ).
This book has everything from suspence, sadness and heartbreak this is a first for me by this author but won't be the last.
Really great read kept you right on the edge of you seat thinking will she actually pull it off and will the killer fall for it (I won't tell you ).
This book has everything from suspence, sadness and heartbreak this is a first for me by this author but won't be the last.
May 20, 2016
Freakin' addictive read. I absolutely devoured this book. Not the most complex of thrillers, but totally immersive. Highly recommend this one if you're looking for a good summertime binge read!! Full review to come on CBTB!!
August 8, 2016
Ein wahnsinnig toller rasanter Schreibstil, ich freu mich schon sehr auf das nächste Buch der Autorin!
August 26, 2015
Meinung:
Die Falle, Die Falle, Die Falle - angesprochen hast du mich ja schon von Anfang an, aber gezögert habe ich trotzdem. Was bist du?, habe ich mich gefragt. Thriller oder doch eher Krimi? Ersteres mag ich ja doch hin und wieder ganz gerne, Letzteres eher selten. Also habe ich dich erst einmal warten lassen, bis mich dein Ruf eines Tages doch noch erreichen konnte. Dann wollte ich dich sofort ... und zwei Tage später warst du auch schon verschlungen!
Melanie Raabe bleibt in ihrem Buch geradezu minimalistisch, was den Plot betrifft. Eine Villa, eine einsame Frau und einen Mörder, den es zu stellen gilt! Kann man daraus tatsächlich eine spannende Geschichte kreieren? Meiner Meinung nach hat das Frau Raabe vorzüglich geschafft.
Was mir in Die Falle besonders gut gefallen hat, war die Atmosphäre, die sich gleich von der ersten Seite bei mir manifestieren konnte. Die Villa als Schauplatz zu wählen und das bestimmt zu 90 Prozent der Geschichte mag vielleicht gewagt sein, aber ich empfand diese Einsamkeit, dass abgeschottet sein, als ziemlich bedrückend, obwohl die Autorin auf klassische Gruselelemente, wie Donner, Regen oder mysteriöse Geräusche verzichtet. Ehrlich gesagt ist das Haus sogar ziemlich freundlich aufgebaut - umso verblüffender, dass ich die Bedrohlichkeit trotzdem so deutlich spüren konnte.
Linda Conrads als Protagonistin konnte mich ebenfalls überzeugen und wurde von der Autorin glaubhaft gezeichnet. Ihre Angst, ihre Wut, die Nervosität - ich konnte sie jederzeit durch die Seiten spüren und bin des Öfteren mit Linda ins Schwitzen geraten, wenn sie dabei war, die Nerven zu verlieren. Das Katz-und-Maus-Spiel mit dem Mann, den sie für den Mörder ihrer Schwester hält, ist wahnsinnig spannend aufgebaut, auch wenn sich ein Großteil eher verbal abspielt und durch Mimik und Gestik untermauert wird. Melanie Raabe lässt sich aber auch nicht so leicht in ihre Karten schauen und ich war zwischenzeitlich echt verunsichert und konnte der Protagonistin super nachempfinden!
Besonders hervorheben muss ich den Stil von Frau Raabe. Sie schreibt so unglaublich atmosphärisch und ihre Sätze haben ihre ganz eigene Art von Tiefsinnigkeit und sind ein totaler Kontrast zu dem, was ich in meinem Genre (Jugendbuch) zu lesen bekomme. Die Autorin ist unheimlich sprachgewandt und ich muss definitiv weitere Bücher aus ihrer Feder lesen.
Fazit:
Die Falle von Melanie Raabe konnte mich auf ganzer Linie überzeugen. Ich hatte anfänglich kleine Zweifel, die wurde aber schnell beiseite gefegt, nachdem ich mich zügig in die Geschichte eingelesen hatte. Die Autorin schafft es gekonnt, mit ganz wenigen Mitteln, eine spannende Atmosphäre aufzubauen und bleibt stilistisch in Höchstform! Ich war kontinuierlich gefesselt und konnte mich kaum losreißen, so begeistert war ich.
Die Falle, Die Falle, Die Falle - angesprochen hast du mich ja schon von Anfang an, aber gezögert habe ich trotzdem. Was bist du?, habe ich mich gefragt. Thriller oder doch eher Krimi? Ersteres mag ich ja doch hin und wieder ganz gerne, Letzteres eher selten. Also habe ich dich erst einmal warten lassen, bis mich dein Ruf eines Tages doch noch erreichen konnte. Dann wollte ich dich sofort ... und zwei Tage später warst du auch schon verschlungen!
Melanie Raabe bleibt in ihrem Buch geradezu minimalistisch, was den Plot betrifft. Eine Villa, eine einsame Frau und einen Mörder, den es zu stellen gilt! Kann man daraus tatsächlich eine spannende Geschichte kreieren? Meiner Meinung nach hat das Frau Raabe vorzüglich geschafft.
Was mir in Die Falle besonders gut gefallen hat, war die Atmosphäre, die sich gleich von der ersten Seite bei mir manifestieren konnte. Die Villa als Schauplatz zu wählen und das bestimmt zu 90 Prozent der Geschichte mag vielleicht gewagt sein, aber ich empfand diese Einsamkeit, dass abgeschottet sein, als ziemlich bedrückend, obwohl die Autorin auf klassische Gruselelemente, wie Donner, Regen oder mysteriöse Geräusche verzichtet. Ehrlich gesagt ist das Haus sogar ziemlich freundlich aufgebaut - umso verblüffender, dass ich die Bedrohlichkeit trotzdem so deutlich spüren konnte.
Linda Conrads als Protagonistin konnte mich ebenfalls überzeugen und wurde von der Autorin glaubhaft gezeichnet. Ihre Angst, ihre Wut, die Nervosität - ich konnte sie jederzeit durch die Seiten spüren und bin des Öfteren mit Linda ins Schwitzen geraten, wenn sie dabei war, die Nerven zu verlieren. Das Katz-und-Maus-Spiel mit dem Mann, den sie für den Mörder ihrer Schwester hält, ist wahnsinnig spannend aufgebaut, auch wenn sich ein Großteil eher verbal abspielt und durch Mimik und Gestik untermauert wird. Melanie Raabe lässt sich aber auch nicht so leicht in ihre Karten schauen und ich war zwischenzeitlich echt verunsichert und konnte der Protagonistin super nachempfinden!
Besonders hervorheben muss ich den Stil von Frau Raabe. Sie schreibt so unglaublich atmosphärisch und ihre Sätze haben ihre ganz eigene Art von Tiefsinnigkeit und sind ein totaler Kontrast zu dem, was ich in meinem Genre (Jugendbuch) zu lesen bekomme. Die Autorin ist unheimlich sprachgewandt und ich muss definitiv weitere Bücher aus ihrer Feder lesen.
Fazit:
Die Falle von Melanie Raabe konnte mich auf ganzer Linie überzeugen. Ich hatte anfänglich kleine Zweifel, die wurde aber schnell beiseite gefegt, nachdem ich mich zügig in die Geschichte eingelesen hatte. Die Autorin schafft es gekonnt, mit ganz wenigen Mitteln, eine spannende Atmosphäre aufzubauen und bleibt stilistisch in Höchstform! Ich war kontinuierlich gefesselt und konnte mich kaum losreißen, so begeistert war ich.
February 8, 2024
I really didn't enjoy this book, I just couldn't get in to it at all! I was mildly interested at the very beginning of this book but it just got weaker and weaker. For a small book this took me way to long to get through!
One of the main reasons I didn't enjoy this book was due to the character development it was so flat and boring. I didn't like or care about any characters in this book and it made me uninterested in the whole plot. The build up in this book was dull and uninspiring and I just couldn't find my pace. This nearly ended up on the DNF and I think I've only ever had two in my whole life.
I don't know how this can be classed as a thriller really as it just didn't have any umph. This is the first book I have read by Melanie Raabe and I won't be looking out for her in the future.
The only reason this doesn't get a one star review is because the plot wasn't terrible underneath the bland writing was a interesting plotline. The ending was far from perfect but it was a fairly decent wrap up to a lower than average book.
One of the main reasons I didn't enjoy this book was due to the character development it was so flat and boring. I didn't like or care about any characters in this book and it made me uninterested in the whole plot. The build up in this book was dull and uninspiring and I just couldn't find my pace. This nearly ended up on the DNF and I think I've only ever had two in my whole life.
I don't know how this can be classed as a thriller really as it just didn't have any umph. This is the first book I have read by Melanie Raabe and I won't be looking out for her in the future.
The only reason this doesn't get a one star review is because the plot wasn't terrible underneath the bland writing was a interesting plotline. The ending was far from perfect but it was a fairly decent wrap up to a lower than average book.
July 5, 2016
A special thank you to Grand Central and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Originally published in German, the English-language translation was one of the hottest titles at London Book Fair, where it generated keen film interest from Hollywood producers!
Interview with the Author.
Melanie Raabe delivers an intriguing psychological twisty mystery suspense debut, (a book within a book) THE TRAP, an author obsessed with bringing her sister’s murder to justice, and the mystery behind her death. However, with an evil dangerous game of cat-and-mouse, who is trapping, whom?
The famous novelist Linda Conrads, age 38, is a mystery to her fans and the media. She hasn’t set foot over the threshold of her villa on Lake Starnberg for more than eleven years, and yet she’s extremely successful. Her life, though comfortable, is highly artificial and her grip on reality is fragile. Only very few know that she is tormented by a dark memory.
Twelve years earlier, Linda found her sister, Anna in a pool of her own blood in her flat, and the murderer fleeing. His face haunts her dreams. She is shocked to discover the same face ont he TV screen— belonging to the high-profile journalist Victor Lenzen. She decides to set a trap to catch Victor by writing a novel based on the death of her sister, while promoting the book through an interview —with none other than the real killer. What really happened?
Linda Conrads' home is her world. In her world there is only one season. A recluse. She is a successful author, and has not left her home for eleven years. The only people who come to visit her—her assistant, her publisher, and her agent. Her dog, Bukowski is her companion. A safe world. At least she thinks so.
Italy reminds her of her sister, Anna, and of the way things used to before the darkness. Her sister is dead, three years younger. She died twelve years earlier. She was murdered and she was the one who found her. They did not always get along, but she loved her sister.
She saw the murderer’s face. A man who turned toward her and fled. She still does not know why he didn’t attack her. She is still traumatized. The media speculates about her mystery illness that prevents her from moving freely, since she has not left her house in over a decade. Her publisher calls her an extremophile.
The night of her sister’s death, she saw the killers face, and now she is seeing him once again on TV. She is having a panic attack, and hyperventilating. The monster from her dreams is alive and she will find a way to trap him and make him confess. She remembers every detail. She is determined to bring him down. She wants justice for her sister.
Linda is trapped in her house and the police did not even believe her at the time. She has to think of a way to get him to her house. He is a journalist, and she is a famous author, notoriously withdrawn, who has had all the big magazines and TV channels clamoring for an interview for years, especially when a new book is released.
Her therapist told her to use her writing to flush it out of her system. To let it go and move on. She has an idea, to write a new book and the events from twelve years ago in the form of a crime novel. Bait for the murderer and therapy for her. The Blood Sisters. A trap to snag her murderer.
She is writing a crime novel in which she describes a murder that resembles the murder of her sister, down to the last detail. She will tell no one. Business as usual with her publisher, and assistant. She has to do this for herself and for Anna. She will find the strength.
She has to be prepared. A trap is a device to catch or kill. A good trap should be two things: foolproof and simple.
He is fifty-three years old with a family. She will do her homework. Divorced with a thirteen- year- old daughter. He has studied politics, history, and journalism, then worked as a trainee reporter at a Frankfurt daily newspaper before moving to Munich and rising to editor in chief, then went aboard.
Readers hear the story leading up to the murder through the fictionalized characters in Linda’s book, The Blood Sisters and alternating between present day and interactions and interviews with Victor. The killer is portrayed as a soulless monster, a typical psychopath. What was the motive? Does she know? Will he figure it out? Is he innocent or guilty?
Soon Linda’s own sanity is questioned. Is she mad, crazy, and did she kill her own sister and conjure up this man? Which one will trap or outsmart the other? Is the man a killer or a victim? Her sister was stabbed seven times. The paramedics and police had told her Anna was dead when she arrived at the flat. Did she dream of this or is it true? Are the tables being turned?
Will Linda be forced to leave her house in search for the real truth about that horrific night long ago?
Raabe keeps you guessing until the end. A trap to catch or kill. Who will win out in the end? I have always been intrigued with those who live behind closed doors in isolation. With THE TRAP, we have a more intriguing twist with the writing of a crime book (within a book), to tell the story. Is Linda a reliable narrator or not?
The author gets inside the character’s heads -- more psychological suspense than a thriller. You know what she is thinking, feeling, and the array of emotions which adds intensity. Linda is also a character you root for, and the author is writing from Linda’s perspective as the first person narrator. Linda's life is told through the fictionalized version of her past, instead of through simple flashbacks. This gave the book a clever and devious twist.
Leaves you speculating whether her accounts of the past are correct, or whether she is fooling them with one of her made up stories. Therefore, being glued to the pages to figure out the mystery surrounding Anna’s death.
An entertaining Grip-Lit! Can definitely see why it was picked up by a Hollywood studio for adaptation. Will be interesting to see how it is written and the cast of stars. Congrats to the author!
For fans of Clare Mackintosh, Megan Miranda, Ruth Ware, Paula Treick DeBoard, and Paula Daly. Looking forward to what’s next. An author to follow. Welcome to the US!
JDCMustReadBooks
Originally published in German, the English-language translation was one of the hottest titles at London Book Fair, where it generated keen film interest from Hollywood producers!
Interview with the Author.
Melanie Raabe delivers an intriguing psychological twisty mystery suspense debut, (a book within a book) THE TRAP, an author obsessed with bringing her sister’s murder to justice, and the mystery behind her death. However, with an evil dangerous game of cat-and-mouse, who is trapping, whom?
The famous novelist Linda Conrads, age 38, is a mystery to her fans and the media. She hasn’t set foot over the threshold of her villa on Lake Starnberg for more than eleven years, and yet she’s extremely successful. Her life, though comfortable, is highly artificial and her grip on reality is fragile. Only very few know that she is tormented by a dark memory.
Twelve years earlier, Linda found her sister, Anna in a pool of her own blood in her flat, and the murderer fleeing. His face haunts her dreams. She is shocked to discover the same face ont he TV screen— belonging to the high-profile journalist Victor Lenzen. She decides to set a trap to catch Victor by writing a novel based on the death of her sister, while promoting the book through an interview —with none other than the real killer. What really happened?
Linda Conrads' home is her world. In her world there is only one season. A recluse. She is a successful author, and has not left her home for eleven years. The only people who come to visit her—her assistant, her publisher, and her agent. Her dog, Bukowski is her companion. A safe world. At least she thinks so.
Italy reminds her of her sister, Anna, and of the way things used to before the darkness. Her sister is dead, three years younger. She died twelve years earlier. She was murdered and she was the one who found her. They did not always get along, but she loved her sister.
She saw the murderer’s face. A man who turned toward her and fled. She still does not know why he didn’t attack her. She is still traumatized. The media speculates about her mystery illness that prevents her from moving freely, since she has not left her house in over a decade. Her publisher calls her an extremophile.
The night of her sister’s death, she saw the killers face, and now she is seeing him once again on TV. She is having a panic attack, and hyperventilating. The monster from her dreams is alive and she will find a way to trap him and make him confess. She remembers every detail. She is determined to bring him down. She wants justice for her sister.
Linda is trapped in her house and the police did not even believe her at the time. She has to think of a way to get him to her house. He is a journalist, and she is a famous author, notoriously withdrawn, who has had all the big magazines and TV channels clamoring for an interview for years, especially when a new book is released.
Her therapist told her to use her writing to flush it out of her system. To let it go and move on. She has an idea, to write a new book and the events from twelve years ago in the form of a crime novel. Bait for the murderer and therapy for her. The Blood Sisters. A trap to snag her murderer.
She is writing a crime novel in which she describes a murder that resembles the murder of her sister, down to the last detail. She will tell no one. Business as usual with her publisher, and assistant. She has to do this for herself and for Anna. She will find the strength.
She has to be prepared. A trap is a device to catch or kill. A good trap should be two things: foolproof and simple.
He is fifty-three years old with a family. She will do her homework. Divorced with a thirteen- year- old daughter. He has studied politics, history, and journalism, then worked as a trainee reporter at a Frankfurt daily newspaper before moving to Munich and rising to editor in chief, then went aboard.
Readers hear the story leading up to the murder through the fictionalized characters in Linda’s book, The Blood Sisters and alternating between present day and interactions and interviews with Victor. The killer is portrayed as a soulless monster, a typical psychopath. What was the motive? Does she know? Will he figure it out? Is he innocent or guilty?
Soon Linda’s own sanity is questioned. Is she mad, crazy, and did she kill her own sister and conjure up this man? Which one will trap or outsmart the other? Is the man a killer or a victim? Her sister was stabbed seven times. The paramedics and police had told her Anna was dead when she arrived at the flat. Did she dream of this or is it true? Are the tables being turned?
Will Linda be forced to leave her house in search for the real truth about that horrific night long ago?
Raabe keeps you guessing until the end. A trap to catch or kill. Who will win out in the end? I have always been intrigued with those who live behind closed doors in isolation. With THE TRAP, we have a more intriguing twist with the writing of a crime book (within a book), to tell the story. Is Linda a reliable narrator or not?
The author gets inside the character’s heads -- more psychological suspense than a thriller. You know what she is thinking, feeling, and the array of emotions which adds intensity. Linda is also a character you root for, and the author is writing from Linda’s perspective as the first person narrator. Linda's life is told through the fictionalized version of her past, instead of through simple flashbacks. This gave the book a clever and devious twist.
Leaves you speculating whether her accounts of the past are correct, or whether she is fooling them with one of her made up stories. Therefore, being glued to the pages to figure out the mystery surrounding Anna’s death.
An entertaining Grip-Lit! Can definitely see why it was picked up by a Hollywood studio for adaptation. Will be interesting to see how it is written and the cast of stars. Congrats to the author!
For fans of Clare Mackintosh, Megan Miranda, Ruth Ware, Paula Treick DeBoard, and Paula Daly. Looking forward to what’s next. An author to follow. Welcome to the US!
JDCMustReadBooks
December 7, 2016
A very twisted tale of Sisters
The book has a very melancholic tone to it so don't expect an adrenaline high thriller ride from the book because i did and i had to cope up with the fact that the book is a bit gloomy and takes time to sit well with its readers. Those who love dark and silent thrillers, this is your pick but even if it is not the case, the book promises a good experience but you need to show a bit patience for that
The trap deals with not events or mystery aspect of the story rather the book deals with emotions and the whole story is narrated in its light so you can't expect blood thumping actions and events but things happen at a very slower space and even then it is rather treated in a way where the focus is on how the central character is feeling at that moment or how she is struggling with things that is happening around her rather than what is happening in the book.
The language is good and does supports well the book but its the narration that is a bit of concern because it is pretty twisted as it fluctuates between our central character's inner monologues and what is happening around here then going into flashbacks so basically if i have to describe it then i would rather say that the book is like a giant maze where the author is trying out every possible paths available looking for a perfect exit
The inner monologues takes a major chunk of the book but then you can't fault it as there is a reason why the inner monologues takes such priority because the book deals with a character who has gone dark and has shut down herself from the world so the book in this regard does a good job in narrating the character of an eccentric character in a very dark way
So basically the book is a bit dark, melancholic and more focussed on emotional journey rather than an nail biter thriller. it can be a tad bit slow too.
The book has a very melancholic tone to it so don't expect an adrenaline high thriller ride from the book because i did and i had to cope up with the fact that the book is a bit gloomy and takes time to sit well with its readers. Those who love dark and silent thrillers, this is your pick but even if it is not the case, the book promises a good experience but you need to show a bit patience for that
The trap deals with not events or mystery aspect of the story rather the book deals with emotions and the whole story is narrated in its light so you can't expect blood thumping actions and events but things happen at a very slower space and even then it is rather treated in a way where the focus is on how the central character is feeling at that moment or how she is struggling with things that is happening around her rather than what is happening in the book.
The language is good and does supports well the book but its the narration that is a bit of concern because it is pretty twisted as it fluctuates between our central character's inner monologues and what is happening around here then going into flashbacks so basically if i have to describe it then i would rather say that the book is like a giant maze where the author is trying out every possible paths available looking for a perfect exit
The inner monologues takes a major chunk of the book but then you can't fault it as there is a reason why the inner monologues takes such priority because the book deals with a character who has gone dark and has shut down herself from the world so the book in this regard does a good job in narrating the character of an eccentric character in a very dark way
So basically the book is a bit dark, melancholic and more focussed on emotional journey rather than an nail biter thriller. it can be a tad bit slow too.
August 20, 2019
Meh. This was just okay for me. It had promise of greatness, but then it took a turn and went downhill for me. Maybe it has to do with the fact this was a translated work. Maybe it's just not up my alley. Who knows. I may check out this author's next book, just to determine if it was just the book, or the author.
December 25, 2024
Spannung: 4🌟(aber im ersten Drittel nur 1,5)
Story / Wendungen: 3🌟
Sprache / Stil: 2,5 🌟
Figuren: 2🌟
Insgesamt eigentlich eher 2,5🌟 aber die Autorin gibt sich redlich Mühe die Story interessant zu halten.
Dennoch glaube ich nicht dass ich noch mehr von ihr lesen/hören will/werde. Dafür war mir vieles zu langwierig im Ausbuchstabieren, etliche Wiederholungen und teilweise große Logiklücken. Das fängt schon beim Gesamtkonzept an, das sehr an den Haaren herbeigezogen wirkt. Wie auch immer, das zweite und dritte Drittel waren recht spannend sodass ich keine große Mühe hatte es fertig zu hören.
Was ich noch loswerden wollte und mich vor allem im ersten Drittel maßlos, fast bis zum Abbruch, genervt hatte: es war dieses weinerliche Getue der Hauptfigur, die seit 10 Jahren ihr Haus nicht verlassen hat. Sie hat zum Beispiel den verschiedenen Räumen in ihrem Haus Orte auf verschiedenen Kontinenten gewidmet und benennt sie auch so, aber eben nur in diesem einen Kapitel, diese ganze „Idee“ findet im weiteren Verlauf überhaupt keinen Ausdruck im Rest des Romans und hätte einfach gestrichen werden können ohne irgendeinen Verlust und so ähnlich ging es mir mit einigen Passagen, die unnötig waren, Wiederholungen enthielten aber scheinbar mangels Lektorat mitgedruckt wurden.
Außerdem war für mich auch das Konstrukt dieser traumatisierten Figur eine reine Behauptung, natürlich kann sie sich dieses Trauma als schwerreiche Schriftstellerin leisten, mit entsprechend Personal das für sie alle Besorgungen macht. Man stelle sich nur mal vor, es wäre eine Bewohnerin einer Sozialwohnung… ob sie sich dann ihre „Krankheit“ wohl auch so lange geleistet hätte…
Übrigens hat mich in diesem ersten Drittel sogar die an sich passable Vorlesestimme von Birgit Minichmayr angestoßen, weil sie in einem derart übertrieben depressiven Duktus liest um dem Plotein wenig mehr Glaubwürdigkeit zu verleihen.
Story / Wendungen: 3🌟
Sprache / Stil: 2,5 🌟
Figuren: 2🌟
Insgesamt eigentlich eher 2,5🌟 aber die Autorin gibt sich redlich Mühe die Story interessant zu halten.
Dennoch glaube ich nicht dass ich noch mehr von ihr lesen/hören will/werde. Dafür war mir vieles zu langwierig im Ausbuchstabieren, etliche Wiederholungen und teilweise große Logiklücken. Das fängt schon beim Gesamtkonzept an, das sehr an den Haaren herbeigezogen wirkt. Wie auch immer, das zweite und dritte Drittel waren recht spannend sodass ich keine große Mühe hatte es fertig zu hören.
Was ich noch loswerden wollte und mich vor allem im ersten Drittel maßlos, fast bis zum Abbruch, genervt hatte: es war dieses weinerliche Getue der Hauptfigur, die seit 10 Jahren ihr Haus nicht verlassen hat. Sie hat zum Beispiel den verschiedenen Räumen in ihrem Haus Orte auf verschiedenen Kontinenten gewidmet und benennt sie auch so, aber eben nur in diesem einen Kapitel, diese ganze „Idee“ findet im weiteren Verlauf überhaupt keinen Ausdruck im Rest des Romans und hätte einfach gestrichen werden können ohne irgendeinen Verlust und so ähnlich ging es mir mit einigen Passagen, die unnötig waren, Wiederholungen enthielten aber scheinbar mangels Lektorat mitgedruckt wurden.
Außerdem war für mich auch das Konstrukt dieser traumatisierten Figur eine reine Behauptung, natürlich kann sie sich dieses Trauma als schwerreiche Schriftstellerin leisten, mit entsprechend Personal das für sie alle Besorgungen macht. Man stelle sich nur mal vor, es wäre eine Bewohnerin einer Sozialwohnung… ob sie sich dann ihre „Krankheit“ wohl auch so lange geleistet hätte…
Übrigens hat mich in diesem ersten Drittel sogar die an sich passable Vorlesestimme von Birgit Minichmayr angestoßen, weil sie in einem derart übertrieben depressiven Duktus liest um dem Plotein wenig mehr Glaubwürdigkeit zu verleihen.
June 5, 2021
3.5
Početak knjige, odnosno, prva polovica mi je bila okej. Sve poslije dosadno i ponavljajuće.
Početak knjige, odnosno, prva polovica mi je bila okej. Sve poslije dosadno i ponavljajuće.
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