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Inspector Barbarotti #1
The Darkest Day
The Darkest Day is the first novel in the five part Inspector Barbarotti series from renowned Swedish crime author Håkan Nesser.
It’s December in the quiet Swedish town of Kymlinge, and the Hermansson family are gathering to celebrate father Karl-Erik and eldest daughter Ebba’s joint landmark birthdays. But beneath the guise of happy festivities, tensions are running high, and it’s not long before the night takes a dark and unexpected turn . . .
Before the weekend is over, two members of the Hermansson family are missing, and it’s up to Inspector Barbarotti – a detective who spends as much of his time debating the existence of God as he does solving cases – to determine exactly what has happened. And he soon discovers he’ll have to unravel a whole tangle of sinister family secrets in the process . . .
536 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2006
215 people are currently reading
2038 people want to read
About the author
Håkan Nesser
142 books1,108 followersHåkan Nesser is a Swedish author and teacher who has written a number of successful crime fiction novels. He has won Best Swedish Crime Novel Award three times, and his novel Carambole won the Glass Key award in 2000. His books have been translated from Swedish into numerous languages.
Håkan Nesser was born and grew up in Kumla, and has lived most of his adult life in Uppsala. His first novel was published in 1988, but he worked as a teacher until 1998 when he became a full-time author. In August, 2006, Håkan Nesser and his wife Elke moved to Greenwich Village in New York.
Series:
* Inspector Van Veeteren
* Inspector Barbarotti
Håkan Nesser was born and grew up in Kumla, and has lived most of his adult life in Uppsala. His first novel was published in 1988, but he worked as a teacher until 1998 when he became a full-time author. In August, 2006, Håkan Nesser and his wife Elke moved to Greenwich Village in New York.
Series:
* Inspector Van Veeteren
* Inspector Barbarotti
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 363 reviews
February 22, 2022
Just like with Tana French, this was quite different than what I’d expect from a supposed crime novel. It’s really not a whodunit in a traditional sense (that part is obvious pretty early on) but rather a family drama, a story of a pretty screwed up family to begin with that gets torn up entirely by a double disappearance/murder on the darkest days of already grim Swedish winter.
It’s like watching a trainwreck in slow motion — and it’s strangely fascinating.
And there’s also a police inspector Gunnar Barbarotti who hilariously makes deals with God to prove his existence in a very transactional manner, and who pretty realistically works on the case for months and months, and depends on lucky breaks rather than superior inhuman intelligence, like a regular person. This story would actually hold up without any police involvement, but he adds quite a colorful personality to the book.
It has a bit of an odd style that may not work for everyone and may take a few pages to get used to. There’s a weird combination of acerbic and almost clinical narration with matter-of-fact undercurrent that is odd enough to somehow work. It has enough darkness, but at times it’s almost comical. It has a slightly off-kilter sense of humor that I can see rubbing some readers the wrong way, but it worked well for me.
And it’s not at all about the investigation, really. As I mentioned above, the inspectors are not quite necessary to the plot, and there’s little of an actual police procedural here. Instead it’s character-driven drama more than anything else, rooted in the tangled and very messed-up lives of mostly unlikable people.
It was a slow burn, and yet I did not mind. There was just something fascinating in seeing a whole bunch of dysfunctionality unravel, and I wouldn’t mind seeing more of Barbarotti odd quirkiness in the sequels.
3.5 stars rounding to 4.
——————
Also posted on my blog.
“So the brainteaser ran as follows: We have two individuals, an uncle and a nephew. Along with a number of other relatives, they gather a few days before Christmas for a special occasion. The first night, the uncle vanishes into thin air. The second night, the nephew vanishes into thin air. Explain!”This family already barely holds together as they all pretty much detest one another (“It’s not just that I can’t locate my feelings for them, thought Rosemarie. They don’t like each other, either.”), and the double disappearance of good-for-nothing Wanker Rob (“You weren’t supposed to speak ill of the dead, and he had nothing to complain of personally, but if you got pissed and then wanked in full view on TV, and went on to get yourself murdered and chopped into little bits, well, your life probably hadn’t been up to much.”) and a young law student with a secret Henrik shatters everything pretty quickly.
It’s like watching a trainwreck in slow motion — and it’s strangely fascinating.
And there’s also a police inspector Gunnar Barbarotti who hilariously makes deals with God to prove his existence in a very transactional manner, and who pretty realistically works on the case for months and months, and depends on lucky breaks rather than superior inhuman intelligence, like a regular person. This story would actually hold up without any police involvement, but he adds quite a colorful personality to the book.
“Their son Kelvin was three houses along the street, with the childminder he shared with various other children, but as he was not yet two, Gunnar Barbarotti decided to forego the questions in his case.”
It has a bit of an odd style that may not work for everyone and may take a few pages to get used to. There’s a weird combination of acerbic and almost clinical narration with matter-of-fact undercurrent that is odd enough to somehow work. It has enough darkness, but at times it’s almost comical. It has a slightly off-kilter sense of humor that I can see rubbing some readers the wrong way, but it worked well for me.
“Interesting way of putting it, thought Gunnar Barbarotti. But fine, if you went and masturbated on television, you were presumably not quite yourself.”
And it’s not at all about the investigation, really. As I mentioned above, the inspectors are not quite necessary to the plot, and there’s little of an actual police procedural here. Instead it’s character-driven drama more than anything else, rooted in the tangled and very messed-up lives of mostly unlikable people.
It was a slow burn, and yet I did not mind. There was just something fascinating in seeing a whole bunch of dysfunctionality unravel, and I wouldn’t mind seeing more of Barbarotti odd quirkiness in the sequels.
3.5 stars rounding to 4.
——————
Also posted on my blog.
November 15, 2021
The Darkest Day by Hakan Nesser is a totally rivetting read. Thanks to Nattington for inviting me and William for running this group read. I am so thankful, as you’ve introduced me to a terrific author. An author I have already created a shelf for no-less, as I am certain this won’t be my last Hakan Nesser experience.
The story revolves around a Hermansson family gathering in a small Swedish town to celebrate the birthdays of Dad, the boorish Karl-Erik, and the favourite daughter, uber bossy Ebba. There’s a useless brother called Wanker Rob (yes you heard right) and an unusual younger sister called Kristina – with an even more unusual husband. There are some kids around, such as the brothers Kristoffer and Henrik. One scene, involving one of these brothers literally took my breath away. OMG. Perhaps the only family member striking up any sympathetic emotions from this reader is the Mum, Rosemarie – poor lady.
Anyway, it’s described on the book sleeve, so it’s not a spoiler – two members of this peculiar family go missing.
So, enter the star of the show Inspector Gunnar Barbarotti , this guy is clever, odd, a tad special and hilarious. His God algorithm is a stroke of pure genius (and funny) and his relationship with his colleague, Inspector Eva Backman, is wonderfully honest, real, and full of genuine work-colleague ribbing. This is the first novel of five, of the Barbarotti series – I will certainly be rifling through this lot over the coming months.
For me, this was very much a character-based piece of work – they were all fascinating. There was enough here to munch on even putting the crime plot to one side. The crime, although important and interesting, was very much a bonus.
I loved it, particularly as this is a genre I only flirt with occasionally.
5-Stars
The story revolves around a Hermansson family gathering in a small Swedish town to celebrate the birthdays of Dad, the boorish Karl-Erik, and the favourite daughter, uber bossy Ebba. There’s a useless brother called Wanker Rob (yes you heard right) and an unusual younger sister called Kristina – with an even more unusual husband. There are some kids around, such as the brothers Kristoffer and Henrik. One scene, involving one of these brothers literally took my breath away. OMG. Perhaps the only family member striking up any sympathetic emotions from this reader is the Mum, Rosemarie – poor lady.
Anyway, it’s described on the book sleeve, so it’s not a spoiler – two members of this peculiar family go missing.
So, enter the star of the show Inspector Gunnar Barbarotti , this guy is clever, odd, a tad special and hilarious. His God algorithm is a stroke of pure genius (and funny) and his relationship with his colleague, Inspector Eva Backman, is wonderfully honest, real, and full of genuine work-colleague ribbing. This is the first novel of five, of the Barbarotti series – I will certainly be rifling through this lot over the coming months.
For me, this was very much a character-based piece of work – they were all fascinating. There was enough here to munch on even putting the crime plot to one side. The crime, although important and interesting, was very much a bonus.
I loved it, particularly as this is a genre I only flirt with occasionally.
5-Stars
September 22, 2025
Много ми хареса този роман - страхотно създадени и описани герои, интригуваща криминална история и всичко това е отлично съчетано с тънкото авторово чувство за хумор и с усета му безпогрешен да борави умело с думите!
"Човек без куче" отсрами скандинавските автори на кримки безапелационно, а аз очаквам с нетърпение следващата си среща с инспектор Гунар Барбароти!
Моята оценка - 4,5*.
Цитат:
"Водещото заглавие се запечата в майчиното сърце на Розмари като дамга върху крастава свиня."🤣🤣
P.S. А аз си мислех, че балканските семейства са дисфункционални … Швеците пак ни отвяха с 200!
Превъзходен превод на Ева Кънева.
"Човек без куче" отсрами скандинавските автори на кримки безапелационно, а аз очаквам с нетърпение следващата си среща с инспектор Гунар Барбароти!
Моята оценка - 4,5*.
Цитат:
"Водещото заглавие се запечата в майчиното сърце на Розмари като дамга върху крастава свиня."🤣🤣
P.S. А аз си мислех, че балканските семейства са дисфункционални … Швеците пак ни отвяха с 200!
Превъзходен превод на Ева Кънева.
November 26, 2021
”Life is a meatball.”
An IKEA meatball?
The setting: A family reunion. A joint 40th and 65th (“105th”) Birthday celebration. The home of Karl-Erik & Rosemarie Hermansson.
The attendees:The adult children of Karl-Erik & Rosemarie: Ebba, Robert and Kristina. Along with son in laws Leif and Jakob, and grandsons Henrik and Kristoffer.
The location: Kymlinge. A small town in Sweden.
The season: Winter. The night of December 19.
The problem: The family scandal...
The atmosphere: Tense.
Karl-Erik Hermansson and his wife Rosemarie are recently retired school teachers. But instead of relaxing and putting their feet up, they're about to pack up their home to move to Spain. To the sunnier climes of Costa Del Retiree. But not for the reasons you’d imagine. It’s because they can longer hold their heads up high or look people in the eye in their small town. According to Karl-Erik anyway. Who his wife funnily and accurately calls the "Pedagogical Pine" in her mind. The reason for their hasty departure is The Scandal. Their son Robert has recently appeared on a reality TV show (and we all know how classy they are). Unfortunately for him, he has earnt himself the moniker of "Wanker Rob", after being filmed pleasuring himself on a beach after a drunken rebuttal from one of the female contestants. Yes, it made the front page of the local paper with the aforementioned title.
Karl-Erik is demanding, boorish and unyielding in his opinions, of everyone and everything. Rosemarie has allowed herself to be dominated for their entire marriage, and the move to sunny Spain is yet another decision where her feelings haven’t been considered. Especially as the move is based purely around the aforementioned scandal.
It's around this hotpot of discomfort that the family gather together for the 105th joint Birthday celebration of Karl-Erik and the apple of his eye, daughter Ebba. They are two peas in the same pod. Too much food is eaten. A bottle of whiskey is consumed. The elephant in the room - the scandal - is politely ignored. Until it can't be any longer.
The town they live in is so small, a cynical observation was made of by one of the son-in-laws:
”God must have had a real hangover when he created this lot.”
The family in this story is dysfunctional with a capital “D”. Actually, let’s make that all in upper case. DYSFUNCTIONAL. It seems that even from early days this was a mismatched set of personalities, clumped together to form a family unit. There's not a lot of love lost between them. The family dynamics are messy.
”There was…an infinite number of paralysing relationships and circumstances to be taken into account. If one chose to.”
The time: The wee small hours. Well after midnight.
The morning of the “big celebration”, it’s discovered that Robert's bed has not been slept in. Are there sighs of relief? No-one is particularly surprised, and some are perhaps somewhat relieved. The joint Birthdays can be celebrated in relative peace. It was awkward having to pretend to ignore that Robert had achieved notoriety for all the wrong reasons. Has he gone to find solace in the arms of an old school friend? Or has he saved face and simply returned home?
December 20: The night of the big celebration. An evening of forced jollity.
It turns out that Henrik (Ebba & Leif’s son) has also left in the middle of the night. Just like his Uncle “Wanker” Robert. After the contrived ebullience of his mother and Grandfather’s Birthday dinner. Where more food is eaten and alcohol consumed. Did Henrik have a tryst arranged with someone too? His hat, gloves and mobile phone are missing, so it appears this meeting was planned. His bed was also left unmade, which makes it seem he meant to return in the early hours.
”Good God, what ludicrous creatures we humans are...”
”And there really is no more to life than this. Bonjour tristesse.”
Within the space of two evenings, in the middle of a cold, dark Swedish Winter, this family’s world is turned upside down. Or should I say “families”, as there are implications for the siblings and in-laws.
”Who could have imagined a year ago that this was how the Hermannson family would look?”
From the opening chapters I kept being reminded of the play Festen by David Eldridge. This book also has the same uncomfortable atmosphere. Of a family that is meant to be happily celebrating an important event, but instead are tearing each other apart. They simply cannot get on with each other. I have to say that most of the characters in this story are appalling. There are secrets and dark thoughts. And darker deeds...
There’s one chapter in particular (those of you who’ve read it will know what I’m talking about – Chapter 9) had me reaching for my smelling salts. Let’s stick an adult rating on this seriously dysfunctional family. Dark themes indeed.
”Life was a wretched joke.”
Enter the Detective: Inspector Gunnar Barbarotti.
He finally makes an appearance in Chapter 16. Which is an unusual device. I don’t recall having read a crime novel where it’s taken so long for the police to show up. Or for a crime to have been committed. But oddly, it works. The chapters flew by, as Nesser sets up the complicated family dynamics. And there certainly is a lot going on with the Hermansson’s.
Inspector Barbarotti is a wonderfully quirky character. A divorcee in his mid 40s, he's into some philosophical pondering. He has an unusual system of awarding God points, according to whether or not prayers are answered. He’s quite reasonable about it. His conversations with the good Lord are often amusing. I like his approach to life, and his approach to policing.
”Gunnar Barbarotti had never been in any doubt about the existence of the Devil. It was only the potential presence of God that was the problem.”
The working relationship between Barbarotti and his colleague Eva Backman is real and amusing. The sparring between them. The banter. Their relationship is probably closer and more honest than most have with their spouses.
Håkan Nesser has done it again by creating the character of Inspector Barbarotti. It’s been a while between drinks. Several years since I read most of his books, as I’m a huge fan of his Inspector Van Vetereen series. I wasn’t sure how I’d take to a “new” Inspector, but I was pleasantly surprised (and relieved) to like him as much as I did. I quickly settled in with this story, and remembered why I enjoy his writing so much. He has an uncanny knack for really picking up on human behaviour and turning something as horrific as the crimes which police have to deal with, with dark humour. I’d describe his writing style as viewing the world through a laconic eye. Been there, done that, threw away the t-shirt. Nothing surprises or shocks Nesser’s Inspectors.
What I also enjoy about his writing, is that he doesn’t focus on the crime per se. Yes, it’s central to the story. It has to be, it’s a crime novel. But this story is very much character driven. He digs deep and truly gets into the psyche of both those committing the crime, and their victims. The focus is more on the psychology of the individuals involved, rather than the mechanics of the crime. It's about what makes people tick, and act as they do.
Nesser shows that solving crimes and the life of a detective isn’t necessarily fast paced, nor always particularly interesting. Sometimes clues fall in your lap. But mostly it’s pure hard slog and drudgery. A bit of luck. There’s no neatly tied up “magnificence”. I feel in this respect, this novel is more realistic than so many of the same genre out there. Nothing glam about being a copper. Unless you’re DS Bruce “Robbo” Robertson from Irvine Welsh’s Filth. But that’s a book belonging to a genre all its own, and a separate discussion.
I’ve often wondered when reading a book which has been translated into English if any of the nuances have been lost. As what makes sense in the mother tongue doesn’t necessarily mean the same in English. In this case, I have to say the story flows really well, and I believe it’s an on point translation. A case in point is the humour – dark as it is – is not lost, which is often the case. These types of things tend fall flat when translated, but I was thoroughly amused more than once.
This is the first book in a series of five. I’m definitely keen to continue, to see where Inspector Barbarotti ends up next.
*** Shout out to my fellow buddy readers who joined me in Sweden for this. Amigo Bill, thank you (again) for creating and running the discussion board. You’re too good! Book fiend Marko, the talented Mr. Neale-ski, and insightful Nataliya, thank you all for the chats and amusing bon mots. Particularly as I lagged so far behind in my reading. Please make sure you check out their reviews also, for their unique take on this story. See you all for our next installment of Scandi Noir.***
”Action and consequence...Cause and effect.”
An IKEA meatball?
The setting: A family reunion. A joint 40th and 65th (“105th”) Birthday celebration. The home of Karl-Erik & Rosemarie Hermansson.
The attendees:The adult children of Karl-Erik & Rosemarie: Ebba, Robert and Kristina. Along with son in laws Leif and Jakob, and grandsons Henrik and Kristoffer.
The location: Kymlinge. A small town in Sweden.
The season: Winter. The night of December 19.
The problem: The family scandal...
The atmosphere: Tense.
Karl-Erik Hermansson and his wife Rosemarie are recently retired school teachers. But instead of relaxing and putting their feet up, they're about to pack up their home to move to Spain. To the sunnier climes of Costa Del Retiree. But not for the reasons you’d imagine. It’s because they can longer hold their heads up high or look people in the eye in their small town. According to Karl-Erik anyway. Who his wife funnily and accurately calls the "Pedagogical Pine" in her mind. The reason for their hasty departure is The Scandal. Their son Robert has recently appeared on a reality TV show (and we all know how classy they are). Unfortunately for him, he has earnt himself the moniker of "Wanker Rob", after being filmed pleasuring himself on a beach after a drunken rebuttal from one of the female contestants. Yes, it made the front page of the local paper with the aforementioned title.
Karl-Erik is demanding, boorish and unyielding in his opinions, of everyone and everything. Rosemarie has allowed herself to be dominated for their entire marriage, and the move to sunny Spain is yet another decision where her feelings haven’t been considered. Especially as the move is based purely around the aforementioned scandal.
It's around this hotpot of discomfort that the family gather together for the 105th joint Birthday celebration of Karl-Erik and the apple of his eye, daughter Ebba. They are two peas in the same pod. Too much food is eaten. A bottle of whiskey is consumed. The elephant in the room - the scandal - is politely ignored. Until it can't be any longer.
The town they live in is so small, a cynical observation was made of by one of the son-in-laws:
”God must have had a real hangover when he created this lot.”
The family in this story is dysfunctional with a capital “D”. Actually, let’s make that all in upper case. DYSFUNCTIONAL. It seems that even from early days this was a mismatched set of personalities, clumped together to form a family unit. There's not a lot of love lost between them. The family dynamics are messy.
”There was…an infinite number of paralysing relationships and circumstances to be taken into account. If one chose to.”
The time: The wee small hours. Well after midnight.
The morning of the “big celebration”, it’s discovered that Robert's bed has not been slept in. Are there sighs of relief? No-one is particularly surprised, and some are perhaps somewhat relieved. The joint Birthdays can be celebrated in relative peace. It was awkward having to pretend to ignore that Robert had achieved notoriety for all the wrong reasons. Has he gone to find solace in the arms of an old school friend? Or has he saved face and simply returned home?
December 20: The night of the big celebration. An evening of forced jollity.
It turns out that Henrik (Ebba & Leif’s son) has also left in the middle of the night. Just like his Uncle “Wanker” Robert. After the contrived ebullience of his mother and Grandfather’s Birthday dinner. Where more food is eaten and alcohol consumed. Did Henrik have a tryst arranged with someone too? His hat, gloves and mobile phone are missing, so it appears this meeting was planned. His bed was also left unmade, which makes it seem he meant to return in the early hours.
”Good God, what ludicrous creatures we humans are...”
”And there really is no more to life than this. Bonjour tristesse.”
Within the space of two evenings, in the middle of a cold, dark Swedish Winter, this family’s world is turned upside down. Or should I say “families”, as there are implications for the siblings and in-laws.
”Who could have imagined a year ago that this was how the Hermannson family would look?”
From the opening chapters I kept being reminded of the play Festen by David Eldridge. This book also has the same uncomfortable atmosphere. Of a family that is meant to be happily celebrating an important event, but instead are tearing each other apart. They simply cannot get on with each other. I have to say that most of the characters in this story are appalling. There are secrets and dark thoughts. And darker deeds...
There’s one chapter in particular (those of you who’ve read it will know what I’m talking about – Chapter 9) had me reaching for my smelling salts. Let’s stick an adult rating on this seriously dysfunctional family. Dark themes indeed.
”Life was a wretched joke.”
Enter the Detective: Inspector Gunnar Barbarotti.
He finally makes an appearance in Chapter 16. Which is an unusual device. I don’t recall having read a crime novel where it’s taken so long for the police to show up. Or for a crime to have been committed. But oddly, it works. The chapters flew by, as Nesser sets up the complicated family dynamics. And there certainly is a lot going on with the Hermansson’s.
Inspector Barbarotti is a wonderfully quirky character. A divorcee in his mid 40s, he's into some philosophical pondering. He has an unusual system of awarding God points, according to whether or not prayers are answered. He’s quite reasonable about it. His conversations with the good Lord are often amusing. I like his approach to life, and his approach to policing.
”Gunnar Barbarotti had never been in any doubt about the existence of the Devil. It was only the potential presence of God that was the problem.”
The working relationship between Barbarotti and his colleague Eva Backman is real and amusing. The sparring between them. The banter. Their relationship is probably closer and more honest than most have with their spouses.
Håkan Nesser has done it again by creating the character of Inspector Barbarotti. It’s been a while between drinks. Several years since I read most of his books, as I’m a huge fan of his Inspector Van Vetereen series. I wasn’t sure how I’d take to a “new” Inspector, but I was pleasantly surprised (and relieved) to like him as much as I did. I quickly settled in with this story, and remembered why I enjoy his writing so much. He has an uncanny knack for really picking up on human behaviour and turning something as horrific as the crimes which police have to deal with, with dark humour. I’d describe his writing style as viewing the world through a laconic eye. Been there, done that, threw away the t-shirt. Nothing surprises or shocks Nesser’s Inspectors.
What I also enjoy about his writing, is that he doesn’t focus on the crime per se. Yes, it’s central to the story. It has to be, it’s a crime novel. But this story is very much character driven. He digs deep and truly gets into the psyche of both those committing the crime, and their victims. The focus is more on the psychology of the individuals involved, rather than the mechanics of the crime. It's about what makes people tick, and act as they do.
Nesser shows that solving crimes and the life of a detective isn’t necessarily fast paced, nor always particularly interesting. Sometimes clues fall in your lap. But mostly it’s pure hard slog and drudgery. A bit of luck. There’s no neatly tied up “magnificence”. I feel in this respect, this novel is more realistic than so many of the same genre out there. Nothing glam about being a copper. Unless you’re DS Bruce “Robbo” Robertson from Irvine Welsh’s Filth. But that’s a book belonging to a genre all its own, and a separate discussion.
I’ve often wondered when reading a book which has been translated into English if any of the nuances have been lost. As what makes sense in the mother tongue doesn’t necessarily mean the same in English. In this case, I have to say the story flows really well, and I believe it’s an on point translation. A case in point is the humour – dark as it is – is not lost, which is often the case. These types of things tend fall flat when translated, but I was thoroughly amused more than once.
This is the first book in a series of five. I’m definitely keen to continue, to see where Inspector Barbarotti ends up next.
*** Shout out to my fellow buddy readers who joined me in Sweden for this. Amigo Bill, thank you (again) for creating and running the discussion board. You’re too good! Book fiend Marko, the talented Mr. Neale-ski, and insightful Nataliya, thank you all for the chats and amusing bon mots. Particularly as I lagged so far behind in my reading. Please make sure you check out their reviews also, for their unique take on this story. See you all for our next installment of Scandi Noir.***
”Action and consequence...Cause and effect.”
November 13, 2021
Karl-Erik Hermansson and his daughter Ebba are celebrating their 65th and 40th birthdays with the one big family get together. The party is to take place in the quiet little Swedish town of Kymlinge before Karl-Erik and his wife Rosemarie pull up sticks and move to Spain. Both have recently retired from teaching.
Dark impressions are formed almost immediately when in the very first chapter Rosemarie starts having thoughts about killing her husband or herself. It seems one of them must die. However, these messages are conveyed in speech bubbles above two fat little birds that Rosemarie is watching. Yes, you could say that Rosemarie may have some issues, and yet she is not the only one in the family with problems.
Right from the word go, you could cut the tension with a knife. Robert, Karl-Erik’s son, has become infamous after being filmed masturbating on a reality tv show, a show with millions of viewers, in which the goal of the contestants is to become pregnant. Nobody is prepared to broach the subject that they all know is on everybody’s mind. It is in fact the reason that Karl-Erik and his wife, shamed and embarrassed, are moving to Spain.
Other family members include daughters Ebba, with her husband and two sons, and Kristina, and her husband and son. Of all the family, Kristina is the only one that cares about Robert’s feelings and is not ashamed and embarrassed along with the rest of the family. In fact, it is obvious to the reader that nobody wants to be at this joint birthday party.
Before the party can even get started, Robert goes missing. Naturally they all think that it must be because of the reality tv incident and so nobody is too concerned. Relief may be a better word to use instead, as his disappearance delays the inevitable looming confrontation with Karl-Erik.
However, things turn darker again when Henrick, the grandson also disappears the next night after the dinner.
When both fail to return, Inspector Gunner Barbarotti finally makes an entrance (I was starting to think I was reading the wrong book). Barbarotti takes the case, and the reader gets to read a wonderful character. Barbarotti, has a subtle dark humour, a sharp wit, and can be very confrontational. He is trying to ascertain whether God exists or not by using his own unique point system. He awards God points for answering prayers, taking points away when he doesn’t. Some of his conversations with God over this system are hilarious.
Barbarotti struggles, with any leads always ending in dead ends or brick walls. The narrative twists and turns as he tries to find what has happened to the missing men.
I have not read much Scandinavian Noir and with books translated into English you always wonder if the translator has been able to capture the author’s style. It may be one thing to tell the story, but to copy how the author wants to tell the story, to do justice to the author’s flair is another point. I am happy to say that I am sure that this translator has done a brilliant job.
This is a wonderful, dark, humorous, crime novel that will leave you guessing till the end. It is the first in a series of five and I will be reading all five for sure.
A big thankyou to Nat K for inviting me to read this along with the other members of the Darkest Day Buddy read group.
Dark impressions are formed almost immediately when in the very first chapter Rosemarie starts having thoughts about killing her husband or herself. It seems one of them must die. However, these messages are conveyed in speech bubbles above two fat little birds that Rosemarie is watching. Yes, you could say that Rosemarie may have some issues, and yet she is not the only one in the family with problems.
Right from the word go, you could cut the tension with a knife. Robert, Karl-Erik’s son, has become infamous after being filmed masturbating on a reality tv show, a show with millions of viewers, in which the goal of the contestants is to become pregnant. Nobody is prepared to broach the subject that they all know is on everybody’s mind. It is in fact the reason that Karl-Erik and his wife, shamed and embarrassed, are moving to Spain.
Other family members include daughters Ebba, with her husband and two sons, and Kristina, and her husband and son. Of all the family, Kristina is the only one that cares about Robert’s feelings and is not ashamed and embarrassed along with the rest of the family. In fact, it is obvious to the reader that nobody wants to be at this joint birthday party.
Before the party can even get started, Robert goes missing. Naturally they all think that it must be because of the reality tv incident and so nobody is too concerned. Relief may be a better word to use instead, as his disappearance delays the inevitable looming confrontation with Karl-Erik.
However, things turn darker again when Henrick, the grandson also disappears the next night after the dinner.
When both fail to return, Inspector Gunner Barbarotti finally makes an entrance (I was starting to think I was reading the wrong book). Barbarotti takes the case, and the reader gets to read a wonderful character. Barbarotti, has a subtle dark humour, a sharp wit, and can be very confrontational. He is trying to ascertain whether God exists or not by using his own unique point system. He awards God points for answering prayers, taking points away when he doesn’t. Some of his conversations with God over this system are hilarious.
Barbarotti struggles, with any leads always ending in dead ends or brick walls. The narrative twists and turns as he tries to find what has happened to the missing men.
I have not read much Scandinavian Noir and with books translated into English you always wonder if the translator has been able to capture the author’s style. It may be one thing to tell the story, but to copy how the author wants to tell the story, to do justice to the author’s flair is another point. I am happy to say that I am sure that this translator has done a brilliant job.
This is a wonderful, dark, humorous, crime novel that will leave you guessing till the end. It is the first in a series of five and I will be reading all five for sure.
A big thankyou to Nat K for inviting me to read this along with the other members of the Darkest Day Buddy read group.
December 20, 2017
The Darkest Day – Another Classic from the Swedish Master
The Darkest Day, is the latest twisted thriller from the Swedish Noir Master, Håkan Nesser and once again he proves to at the top of his genre. This is a multi-layered thriller that touches subjects of mental health and close family relationships and things are not often what they seem.
Karl-Erik and his wife Rosemarie Hermansson have recently retired from teaching and Karl-Erik, a dominant and overbearing husband has decided that in the spring they are moving to Spain. Rosemarie like the good wife with no choice is shocked and annoyed at the decision. But, for the time being the annual get together of the family to celebrate Karl-Erik’s birthday and that of his daughter Ebba.
All the family are coming, Robert the only son, who has become infamous after appearing on reality-tv show, Ebba, her husband and two sons, Kristina her husband and child. Most of those gathered do not particularly wish to be there, as they have all escaped from Kymlinge to live better lives. There parents soon to join them in that escape, as they leave this northern Swedish, one-eyed town.
The night before the big family dinner Robert goes missing, and they think it is arrogance on his behalf ignoring his family. Even when Rosemarie becomes concerned about her only son and wants to involve the police, Karl-Eric forbids it. When their eldest grandchild, Henrik goes missing in the middle of the night after the dinner again Karl-Erik forbids anyone to contact the police, until he is finally pressured into doing so.
When the police are called in, things are not straightforward, and as the family unit falls to pieces of the next twelve months. The twists and turns take their time to appear in front of the investigating officer. It is only when he thinks things are going nowhere do things take a turn for the strange but true facts and they are able to crack the case.
This is a case where the police are engaged in a game of twister with the family Hermansson and what is discovered will be the ultimate twist. Håkan Nesser knows how to keep the reader on edge through out the story and it is one you will not regret getting involved with.
Highly recommended, get it, enjoy it and enter the dark world of Håkan Nesser mind.
The Darkest Day, is the latest twisted thriller from the Swedish Noir Master, Håkan Nesser and once again he proves to at the top of his genre. This is a multi-layered thriller that touches subjects of mental health and close family relationships and things are not often what they seem.
Karl-Erik and his wife Rosemarie Hermansson have recently retired from teaching and Karl-Erik, a dominant and overbearing husband has decided that in the spring they are moving to Spain. Rosemarie like the good wife with no choice is shocked and annoyed at the decision. But, for the time being the annual get together of the family to celebrate Karl-Erik’s birthday and that of his daughter Ebba.
All the family are coming, Robert the only son, who has become infamous after appearing on reality-tv show, Ebba, her husband and two sons, Kristina her husband and child. Most of those gathered do not particularly wish to be there, as they have all escaped from Kymlinge to live better lives. There parents soon to join them in that escape, as they leave this northern Swedish, one-eyed town.
The night before the big family dinner Robert goes missing, and they think it is arrogance on his behalf ignoring his family. Even when Rosemarie becomes concerned about her only son and wants to involve the police, Karl-Eric forbids it. When their eldest grandchild, Henrik goes missing in the middle of the night after the dinner again Karl-Erik forbids anyone to contact the police, until he is finally pressured into doing so.
When the police are called in, things are not straightforward, and as the family unit falls to pieces of the next twelve months. The twists and turns take their time to appear in front of the investigating officer. It is only when he thinks things are going nowhere do things take a turn for the strange but true facts and they are able to crack the case.
This is a case where the police are engaged in a game of twister with the family Hermansson and what is discovered will be the ultimate twist. Håkan Nesser knows how to keep the reader on edge through out the story and it is one you will not regret getting involved with.
Highly recommended, get it, enjoy it and enter the dark world of Håkan Nesser mind.
May 22, 2016
(I read this book in Danish, but I'm reviewing in English. The book is available in English, but not listed on Goodreads yet. See nesser.se for the names of the English version of the Barbarotti series.)
I did not expect to start a 458-page book on a Friday evening and finish it on a Sunday morning. By the time I was about 25% of the way through the book, I was hooked and just wanted to sit and read it straight to the end. I credit Nesser's style of writing for all that. I look forward to the next books in this series.
The book opens with an introduction to the people in a rather dysfunctional family. Inspector Barbarotti doesn't make an entrance until quite a bit into the book. By then, I am hoping he will make sense of what is going on. He can't. He is stumped by the paltry clues and information he has.
Someone said that if I liked Fredrik Backman's "A Man Called Ove/En Mand Der Hedder Ove" (and I did: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...) then I should read the third book in this Barbarotti series. I was told the books in the series were stand-alone and I could jump straight to the third book. I didn't. I wanted to get to know Barbarotti so I started with number 1. I am glad I did. This will also give me more time to enjoy Nesser's writing style. This is classified as a crime novel. That is correct. However, it is not the forensic science or bloody type of crime novel, in my opinion. It's the storytelling kind of crime novel, if I can put it that way. Nesser writes in what I can only describe as a subtle, quiet, and human style. I like it.
I did not expect to start a 458-page book on a Friday evening and finish it on a Sunday morning. By the time I was about 25% of the way through the book, I was hooked and just wanted to sit and read it straight to the end. I credit Nesser's style of writing for all that. I look forward to the next books in this series.
The book opens with an introduction to the people in a rather dysfunctional family. Inspector Barbarotti doesn't make an entrance until quite a bit into the book. By then, I am hoping he will make sense of what is going on. He can't. He is stumped by the paltry clues and information he has.
Someone said that if I liked Fredrik Backman's "A Man Called Ove/En Mand Der Hedder Ove" (and I did: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...) then I should read the third book in this Barbarotti series. I was told the books in the series were stand-alone and I could jump straight to the third book. I didn't. I wanted to get to know Barbarotti so I started with number 1. I am glad I did. This will also give me more time to enjoy Nesser's writing style. This is classified as a crime novel. That is correct. However, it is not the forensic science or bloody type of crime novel, in my opinion. It's the storytelling kind of crime novel, if I can put it that way. Nesser writes in what I can only describe as a subtle, quiet, and human style. I like it.
November 25, 2021
2.5
Cuando vi que esta novela era un thriller nórdico y sabiendo lo que me gustan, no dude en leerlo. Esta novela es la primera de la serie del inspector Barbarotti, y por lo que he visto las demás entregas están publicadas en varios idiomas menos, de momento, en español.
La novela nos cuenta la historia de una familia, Hermansson, que deciden juntarse todos para celebrar tanto cumpleaños como la jubilación del abuelo. Y aunque parece una familia feliz, no, siempre, en todas las familias hay algo, cuando llega el dia de la “fiesta” uno de ellos desaparece y poco después desaparece otro familiar… asique la trama va girar en torno a las desapariciones, ¿estarán relacionadas?, ¿secuestrados? ¿asesinados? El caso lo llevara el inspector Gunnar Barbarotti.
La historia me ha parecido super lenta, ya que las 200 primeras paginas se dedica a contarnos la vida de cada familiar, prácticamente, pero es todo tan dramático que ni empatizas ni te engancha. De hecho, no aparece el inspector hasta mitad del libro y por narices quieres seguir porque algo tiene que pasar.
Y bueno a partir de ahí es cuando coge algo de ritmo, pero a decir verdad la resolución de ambas desapariciones, para mi gusto ocurre de una forma algo “fortuita”, por lo que el inspector tampoco es que haga mucha falta en la historia… No sé si toda la serie va a ser de este estilo, pero yo creo que aquí termina para mi.
Cuando vi que esta novela era un thriller nórdico y sabiendo lo que me gustan, no dude en leerlo. Esta novela es la primera de la serie del inspector Barbarotti, y por lo que he visto las demás entregas están publicadas en varios idiomas menos, de momento, en español.
La novela nos cuenta la historia de una familia, Hermansson, que deciden juntarse todos para celebrar tanto cumpleaños como la jubilación del abuelo. Y aunque parece una familia feliz, no, siempre, en todas las familias hay algo, cuando llega el dia de la “fiesta” uno de ellos desaparece y poco después desaparece otro familiar… asique la trama va girar en torno a las desapariciones, ¿estarán relacionadas?, ¿secuestrados? ¿asesinados? El caso lo llevara el inspector Gunnar Barbarotti.
La historia me ha parecido super lenta, ya que las 200 primeras paginas se dedica a contarnos la vida de cada familiar, prácticamente, pero es todo tan dramático que ni empatizas ni te engancha. De hecho, no aparece el inspector hasta mitad del libro y por narices quieres seguir porque algo tiene que pasar.
Y bueno a partir de ahí es cuando coge algo de ritmo, pero a decir verdad la resolución de ambas desapariciones, para mi gusto ocurre de una forma algo “fortuita”, por lo que el inspector tampoco es que haga mucha falta en la historia… No sé si toda la serie va a ser de este estilo, pero yo creo que aquí termina para mi.
December 7, 2021
Finalizada. Novela que pertenece a una saga de un investigador, en la que este no aparece hasta bien entrada la historia, e investiga más bien poco. El caso se resuelve, pero por un golpe de suerte. En el primer tercio del libro no pasa nada, pero te cuenta vida y milagros de los personajes. Luego aparece el inspector Barbarotti, que tiene conversaciones con dios (esta parte sin comentarios) y al que no pillé el punto. No me ha acabado de convencer. Es una saga, pero hasta aquí ha llegado mi trato con ella. No leeré futuras entregas. FIN.
November 9, 2021
3.5/5*
La noche más oscura es la primera entrega de una serie policíaca, de siete libros de momento (segun Goodreads) que comparten el mismo inspector. El argumento atrapa muchísimo y es que dos miembros de una misma familia desaparecen en la víspera de Navidad, uno al día siguiente del otro y sin dejar ningún rastro.
La novela empieza con la familia Hermansson y durante las primeras 200 páginas los conocemos a todos, incluidos los que van a desaparecer. Yo os aconsejo no leer la sinopsis para así no saber quien de todos va a ser. Yo no lo recordaba y esa parte la disfruté bastante. No conoceremos al inspector protagonista hasta aprox. la páginas 200.
Estás narrado desde diferentes puntos de vista, desde el de casi todos los miembros de la familia y desde el del inspector. La narración es pausada y elaborada, dándose el tiempo necesario en describir en detalle situaciones y sentimientos, por ello entiendo que pueda llegar a hacerse algo pesada, pero a mi me ha gustado porque me sentía bastante dentro de la historia en muchas ocasiones.
No diría que es un thriller trepidante, lleno de acción. Es más bien pausado y lento y con pocos giros que te dejen con la boca abierta. Lo cierto es que ha sido todo bastante previsible. Aunque sí ha tenido escenas y situaciones bastante fuertes que me han parecido muy turbias y sí me han dejado con la boca abierta.
He echado algo en falta que tuviera más peso la investigación del inspector ya que parece que todo el peso lo lleva la familia y no la policía y más teniendo en cuenta que es el protagonista de una serie de libros.
En definiva, ha sido una novela que he disfrutado, aunque con su ritmo pausado y sus pocos sobresaltos, me ha atrapado toda la familia Hermansson y la narración elaborada del autor. Sin duda, seguiré con la serie si nos traen los siguientes.
La noche más oscura es la primera entrega de una serie policíaca, de siete libros de momento (segun Goodreads) que comparten el mismo inspector. El argumento atrapa muchísimo y es que dos miembros de una misma familia desaparecen en la víspera de Navidad, uno al día siguiente del otro y sin dejar ningún rastro.
La novela empieza con la familia Hermansson y durante las primeras 200 páginas los conocemos a todos, incluidos los que van a desaparecer. Yo os aconsejo no leer la sinopsis para así no saber quien de todos va a ser. Yo no lo recordaba y esa parte la disfruté bastante. No conoceremos al inspector protagonista hasta aprox. la páginas 200.
Estás narrado desde diferentes puntos de vista, desde el de casi todos los miembros de la familia y desde el del inspector. La narración es pausada y elaborada, dándose el tiempo necesario en describir en detalle situaciones y sentimientos, por ello entiendo que pueda llegar a hacerse algo pesada, pero a mi me ha gustado porque me sentía bastante dentro de la historia en muchas ocasiones.
No diría que es un thriller trepidante, lleno de acción. Es más bien pausado y lento y con pocos giros que te dejen con la boca abierta. Lo cierto es que ha sido todo bastante previsible. Aunque sí ha tenido escenas y situaciones bastante fuertes que me han parecido muy turbias y sí me han dejado con la boca abierta.
He echado algo en falta que tuviera más peso la investigación del inspector ya que parece que todo el peso lo lleva la familia y no la policía y más teniendo en cuenta que es el protagonista de una serie de libros.
En definiva, ha sido una novela que he disfrutado, aunque con su ritmo pausado y sus pocos sobresaltos, me ha atrapado toda la familia Hermansson y la narración elaborada del autor. Sin duda, seguiré con la serie si nos traen los siguientes.
May 13, 2019
Smaga grāmata, bet detektīvlīnija aizraujoši šķetināta. Viens no trilleriem, kur noziegums tiek ļoti emocionāli patiesi rādīts. Nevis kā spēlīte, bet patiesi kā nelaime.
August 26, 2019
This was just dull. I was intrigued by the character/situation setup that took up most of the first 150 pages, but as soon as Inspector Barbarotti came in, it might as well have ground to a halt. Because in reality, he pretty much brought nothing to the table. His quirks weren't interesting, he never seemed to have a good handle on what was going on, and without him the story would probably have ended up exactly the same. What a waste of an interesting subject. Add to that the fact that most action takes place 'off-screen' for lack of a better phrase (including the ending), and you have yourself a pretty disappointing read.
December 23, 2020
È il primo caso di Gunnar Barbarotti, nuovo personaggio di Nesser.
La storia in sé è piuttosto lenta e stiracchiata. La soluzione dovuta più al caso. Ma Barbarotti è un poliziotto interessante. Divorziato, vive con la figlia e ha uno strano rapporto con Dio, col quale stipula una serie di patti con relativo punteggio.
La storia in sé è piuttosto lenta e stiracchiata. La soluzione dovuta più al caso. Ma Barbarotti è un poliziotto interessante. Divorziato, vive con la figlia e ha uno strano rapporto con Dio, col quale stipula una serie di patti con relativo punteggio.
Read
December 7, 20210 ⭐️
La peor novela que he leído en mi vida (y que leeré).
La peor novela que he leído en mi vida (y que leeré).
November 12, 2017
Wow - What happened here? After finishing several other thriller series, I was so looking forward to being able to start with the Barbarotti series. On top - a scandinavian author.. Wasn't he a bestseller? Could it become any better? Probably not - but I hadn't taken into account it could become a whole lot worse than my expectations and hopes aswell.
Briefly: the first 50 pages are that boring that I wanted to give up. Literally nothing happens, only a stereotypical description of a whole set of characters. I kept on reading though, assuming the good reviews had to come from somewhere, and I definitely didn't want to be kept out a good reading opportunity simply because the first 50 pages were dull. It wouldn't be a first.
I made it till page 100 - still as boring. Around that time I started wondering when this famous Barbarotti would enter the stage. Plain curiosity had me going on, at that point. I had to get to page 200 to get a first glimpse of him. Seriously? But even then - no suspense, no intriguing story... Just plain dust, written in words.
Since I'd made it till page 250 by then, I thought I could just keep on reading, and find out how this boring story was going to end. I found out around page 400 - about 150 short of the end. That's the time I decided to put the book away. I honestly couldn't care less what would (not!) happen in those final 150 pages.
How did this happen, though? I just feel so disappointed that what I thought would be my next thriller addiction, turned out such a meaningless book. I'm in doubt whether to write off Nesser entirely now, or give him a new chance - sometime later - MUCH later... Right now I need a good author to wake me up, and make me feel alive again.
Briefly: the first 50 pages are that boring that I wanted to give up. Literally nothing happens, only a stereotypical description of a whole set of characters. I kept on reading though, assuming the good reviews had to come from somewhere, and I definitely didn't want to be kept out a good reading opportunity simply because the first 50 pages were dull. It wouldn't be a first.
I made it till page 100 - still as boring. Around that time I started wondering when this famous Barbarotti would enter the stage. Plain curiosity had me going on, at that point. I had to get to page 200 to get a first glimpse of him. Seriously? But even then - no suspense, no intriguing story... Just plain dust, written in words.
Since I'd made it till page 250 by then, I thought I could just keep on reading, and find out how this boring story was going to end. I found out around page 400 - about 150 short of the end. That's the time I decided to put the book away. I honestly couldn't care less what would (not!) happen in those final 150 pages.
How did this happen, though? I just feel so disappointed that what I thought would be my next thriller addiction, turned out such a meaningless book. I'm in doubt whether to write off Nesser entirely now, or give him a new chance - sometime later - MUCH later... Right now I need a good author to wake me up, and make me feel alive again.
December 15, 2018
Vajadzēja izmest līkumu pilsētas ielās, lai noformulētu sajūtas.
Vienā vārdā varētu teikt - nomācošs romāns.
It kā labi uzrakstīts: laba valoda, labi raksturoti (uzzīmēti caur darbībām un sarunām) tēli, kas izceļ grāmatas labo, lai arī ārkārtīgi lēno, sākumu (1/4). Bet tā ģimenes locekļu vide ir kā staigns purvs. It kā nekas īpašs, kaislības nevirmo, bet nulle ģimeniskums. Cerēju, ka sakarīga būs viena no meitām Kristīna, bet nekā.
Grāmatai pietrūka dinamikas (galu galā tā taču netiek piedāvāta kā filozofisks traktāts par trūdošām ģimenes attiecībām mūsdienu sabiedrībā!), detektīvintriga vāja.
Salīdzinājumam - lasot un izlasot Biankas "Ezeru", man bija smagi, bet tas vedināja uz pārdomām. Šeit man tikai gribas noskurināties un smagi nopūsties kā pēc nogurdoša rutīnas darba un uzspēlēt Candy Crash, neko nedomājot.
Vienā vārdā varētu teikt - nomācošs romāns.
It kā labi uzrakstīts: laba valoda, labi raksturoti (uzzīmēti caur darbībām un sarunām) tēli, kas izceļ grāmatas labo, lai arī ārkārtīgi lēno, sākumu (1/4). Bet tā ģimenes locekļu vide ir kā staigns purvs. It kā nekas īpašs, kaislības nevirmo, bet nulle ģimeniskums. Cerēju, ka sakarīga būs viena no meitām Kristīna, bet nekā.
Grāmatai pietrūka dinamikas (galu galā tā taču netiek piedāvāta kā filozofisks traktāts par trūdošām ģimenes attiecībām mūsdienu sabiedrībā!), detektīvintriga vāja.
Salīdzinājumam - lasot un izlasot Biankas "Ezeru", man bija smagi, bet tas vedināja uz pārdomām. Šeit man tikai gribas noskurināties un smagi nopūsties kā pēc nogurdoša rutīnas darba un uzspēlēt Candy Crash, neko nedomājot.
March 25, 2018
Dette var en forfriskende annerledes spenningsroman. Morsomme metaforer, gode karakter-beskrivelser krydret med spenning. Meir kan en ikkje forlange fra ei bok.
May 22, 2019
I've read some of the previous Nesser series, but really like Barbarotti, this other detective. A different style - Colombo meets Christie - makes for a refreshing read.
November 13, 2023
Неочаквано за мен тази книга така ме увлече, че се оказа че съм чела няколко часа без прекъсване, което не ми се беше случвало отдавна. Не е връх на жанра, но ако ви се чете нещо увличащо и не особено натоварващо (няма кървави сцени) - е идеална.
April 1, 2022
Una novela negra sueca que ha resonado mucho por la fama de su autor. El primero de una serie que no creo continuar.
Una familia decide reunirse debido al 65 cumpleaños del patriarca Karl-Erik que a la vez es el cumpleaños 40 de su hija favorita, Ebba. Esta ocasión también es "especial" porque Karl-Erik y su esposa se han retirado y han decidido mudarse de país -bueno, lo ha decidido él-.
Así que tenemos las fechas festivas de la navidad, dos cumpleaños y una especie de despedida. Todo por el precio de uno. ¿Nada podría salir mal no?.
Pues como en todas las reuniones familiares, las rencillas aguardan tras las esquinas.
El padre de la familia, un clásico macho egocéntrico y manipulador que piensa que su palabra y deseos son ley. La madre, una mujer sumisa incapaz de sentir afecto por sus hijos que fantasea con asesinar a su marido. Tres hijos adultos: la clásica niña perfecta que en todo brilla, cirujana, casada con un mentecato al que puede controlar tal cual lo hace su padre con su madre y sus dos guapos hijos adolescentes. La oveja negra de la familia que no se le ha ocurrido nada mejor que masturbarse en televisión pero que al ser el único varón es al que la madre parece tenerle cierto ¿apego? ¿Cariño?... quién sabe. Y por último la olvidada, bajo perfil, casada con un hombre que mira a toda la familia de esta por arriba del hombro y padre de su único hijo de año y medio.
En la primera noche de esta no tan idílica reunión, dos de los miembros desaparecen. El único hijo -sí, la oveja negra- y el nieto mayor -este chico brillante universitario que es en apariencia la perfección como su madre Ebba-.
¿Cuál es mi problema? Pues que son casi 600 páginas de pura paja y mareo, que casi a la mitad del libro -capitulo 16 para ser exactos- es que aparece el detective y que el autor se regodea en temas "escandalosos" o sordidos para darle interes a una trama vacia. No es broma, casi 600 páginas repitiendo una y otra vez la fama de "pajillero" del hijo de la familia, la homosexualidad de otro o el caso de incesto que luego se da dentro del núcleo. Que no tengo problemas con leer sobre ello, pero no que cada párrafo me repitas lo mismo solo para engordar el libro y que la trama sea inexistente. ¿Suspenso? ¿Misterio? ¿Intriga? ¿Vueltas de tuerca? No, aquí no existen.
Lo que tenemos es una familia disfuncional hasta decir ya en la que nadie habla con nadie, nadie confia en nadie y dos desapariciones que a pesar de causar cierto recelo y dolor -esto último solo por el nieto- se podrían haber resulto en menos de 200 páginas.
Repetitivo, aburrido, carente de trama, amarillista, en fin... soporífero.
Una familia decide reunirse debido al 65 cumpleaños del patriarca Karl-Erik que a la vez es el cumpleaños 40 de su hija favorita, Ebba. Esta ocasión también es "especial" porque Karl-Erik y su esposa se han retirado y han decidido mudarse de país -bueno, lo ha decidido él-.
Así que tenemos las fechas festivas de la navidad, dos cumpleaños y una especie de despedida. Todo por el precio de uno. ¿Nada podría salir mal no?.
Pues como en todas las reuniones familiares, las rencillas aguardan tras las esquinas.
El padre de la familia, un clásico macho egocéntrico y manipulador que piensa que su palabra y deseos son ley. La madre, una mujer sumisa incapaz de sentir afecto por sus hijos que fantasea con asesinar a su marido. Tres hijos adultos: la clásica niña perfecta que en todo brilla, cirujana, casada con un mentecato al que puede controlar tal cual lo hace su padre con su madre y sus dos guapos hijos adolescentes. La oveja negra de la familia que no se le ha ocurrido nada mejor que masturbarse en televisión pero que al ser el único varón es al que la madre parece tenerle cierto ¿apego? ¿Cariño?... quién sabe. Y por último la olvidada, bajo perfil, casada con un hombre que mira a toda la familia de esta por arriba del hombro y padre de su único hijo de año y medio.
En la primera noche de esta no tan idílica reunión, dos de los miembros desaparecen. El único hijo -sí, la oveja negra- y el nieto mayor -este chico brillante universitario que es en apariencia la perfección como su madre Ebba-.
¿Cuál es mi problema? Pues que son casi 600 páginas de pura paja y mareo, que casi a la mitad del libro -capitulo 16 para ser exactos- es que aparece el detective y que el autor se regodea en temas "escandalosos" o sordidos para darle interes a una trama vacia. No es broma, casi 600 páginas repitiendo una y otra vez la fama de "pajillero" del hijo de la familia, la homosexualidad de otro o el caso de incesto que luego se da dentro del núcleo. Que no tengo problemas con leer sobre ello, pero no que cada párrafo me repitas lo mismo solo para engordar el libro y que la trama sea inexistente. ¿Suspenso? ¿Misterio? ¿Intriga? ¿Vueltas de tuerca? No, aquí no existen.
Lo que tenemos es una familia disfuncional hasta decir ya en la que nadie habla con nadie, nadie confia en nadie y dos desapariciones que a pesar de causar cierto recelo y dolor -esto último solo por el nieto- se podrían haber resulto en menos de 200 páginas.
Repetitivo, aburrido, carente de trama, amarillista, en fin... soporífero.
Read
July 17, 2025Dlaczego 5 gwiazdek?
- bo Barbarotti rozmawia z Bogiem i prowadzi z nim grę, w której czasami Bóg jest pod kreską;
- bo Bóg ma wybitne poczucie humoru;
- bo rodzina, która pada ofiarą podwójnego zaginięcia jest zdrowo popieprzona i nie lubimy nikogo;
- bo to wszystko jest w sumie tragiczne.
Poza tym Gunnar Barbarotti brzmi zabawnie.
Akcja powieści dzieje się Gdzieś, W Szwecji. W małej mieścinie spotyka się doroczny zjazd pojebanej patriarchalnej rodziny, nestorowie to para nauczycieli, z których ojciec jest tępym ćwokiem, a matka rozmyśla nad sposobami zabicia go!
Ich syn, Robert, onanizował się w programie, w którym cała reszta uczestników uprawiała seks. Napisał też tomiki wierszy i powieść. Zdaje się, że jedno z tych wydarzeń spowodowało, że Nestor Ojciec postanowił spieprzać na ciepłe hiszpańskie wybrzeże. Ale to po imprezie z okazji swoich 65 urodzin połączonych z 40 urodzinami Córki Idealnej. No więc impreza jest skromna, żeby ludzie nie nawiązywali do obciachu (wychodzi, że wiersze można wybaczyć, ale to, że ktoś robi coś przed kamerą- już nie. No, doprawdy, Fronda pisze że w Szwecji wolno każdemu różne rzeczy).
Zatem jednego wieczoru ginie Wyrodny Syn, potem ciotka uwodzi siostrzeńca, który twierdzi, że jest gejem i ginie następnego wieczoru.
Wiele to nieszczęść, a będzie jeszcze więcej.
A w tym wszystkim Barbarotti, którego morderstwo wybawia przed świętami z byłymi teściami, których nie cierpi.
Dlatego pięć gwiazdek DKN!
- bo Barbarotti rozmawia z Bogiem i prowadzi z nim grę, w której czasami Bóg jest pod kreską;
- bo Bóg ma wybitne poczucie humoru;
- bo rodzina, która pada ofiarą podwójnego zaginięcia jest zdrowo popieprzona i nie lubimy nikogo;
- bo to wszystko jest w sumie tragiczne.
Poza tym Gunnar Barbarotti brzmi zabawnie.
Akcja powieści dzieje się Gdzieś, W Szwecji. W małej mieścinie spotyka się doroczny zjazd pojebanej patriarchalnej rodziny, nestorowie to para nauczycieli, z których ojciec jest tępym ćwokiem, a matka rozmyśla nad sposobami zabicia go!
Ich syn, Robert, onanizował się w programie, w którym cała reszta uczestników uprawiała seks. Napisał też tomiki wierszy i powieść. Zdaje się, że jedno z tych wydarzeń spowodowało, że Nestor Ojciec postanowił spieprzać na ciepłe hiszpańskie wybrzeże. Ale to po imprezie z okazji swoich 65 urodzin połączonych z 40 urodzinami Córki Idealnej. No więc impreza jest skromna, żeby ludzie nie nawiązywali do obciachu (wychodzi, że wiersze można wybaczyć, ale to, że ktoś robi coś przed kamerą- już nie. No, doprawdy, Fronda pisze że w Szwecji wolno każdemu różne rzeczy).
Zatem jednego wieczoru ginie Wyrodny Syn, potem ciotka uwodzi siostrzeńca, który twierdzi, że jest gejem i ginie następnego wieczoru.
Wiele to nieszczęść, a będzie jeszcze więcej.
A w tym wszystkim Barbarotti, którego morderstwo wybawia przed świętami z byłymi teściami, których nie cierpi.
Dlatego pięć gwiazdek DKN!
June 16, 2024
The Darkest Day (The Barbarotti series) by Hakan Nesser.
Although this is the first in Nesser's Barbarotti series it is my 5th. For one reason or another getting his books translated into English from the Swedish has not been easy. On the contrary. This story became riveting when Gunnar Barbarotti appeared on the scene in Chapter 16. so I had about 185 pages to get acquainted with each character and how they interacted or didn't with each other.
The Hermansson family is having a family gathering to celebrate the birthdays of the patriarch Karl-Erik and his oldest daughter Ebba on the same day, December 20th, the shortest day of the year.
Just as the celebration was getting underway the family's attention takes a sudden twist. Brother Robert appears to be missing in action. Robert has proven himself to be quite the odd ball. Could there be any other way to put it? I think not. Then in just one day another member of the family is unaccounted for. Henrik, the oldest son of Ebba and her husband Leif Grundt.
Barbarotti has his usual partner, Eva Backman, in and out of the detecting part of it. For the follow the clues routine...Barbarotti wasn't connecting the dots for quite some time. It seemed to baffle him. The ending had me riveted to my seat.
10 Stars for the world's greatest author.
Although this is the first in Nesser's Barbarotti series it is my 5th. For one reason or another getting his books translated into English from the Swedish has not been easy. On the contrary. This story became riveting when Gunnar Barbarotti appeared on the scene in Chapter 16. so I had about 185 pages to get acquainted with each character and how they interacted or didn't with each other.
The Hermansson family is having a family gathering to celebrate the birthdays of the patriarch Karl-Erik and his oldest daughter Ebba on the same day, December 20th, the shortest day of the year.
Just as the celebration was getting underway the family's attention takes a sudden twist. Brother Robert appears to be missing in action. Robert has proven himself to be quite the odd ball. Could there be any other way to put it? I think not. Then in just one day another member of the family is unaccounted for. Henrik, the oldest son of Ebba and her husband Leif Grundt.
Barbarotti has his usual partner, Eva Backman, in and out of the detecting part of it. For the follow the clues routine...Barbarotti wasn't connecting the dots for quite some time. It seemed to baffle him. The ending had me riveted to my seat.
10 Stars for the world's greatest author.
December 14, 2020
This Swedish crime novel situates its dark deeds within a family setting. Three generations come together to celebrate the double midwinter birthdays of Karl-Erik, who will be turning 65, and his eldest daughter Ebba, 40. In disgrace is Ebba’s brother Robert, who has committed a highly embarrassing and newsworthy act while taking part in a reality television show, while at the other end of the spectrum we find Ebba’s son Henrik, always a winner and now a university student for whom great things are expected. Another sister, and assorted spouses and children, complete the mix.
The first third of the book is devoted solely to building up a picture of a family whose tensions, frustrations and secrets, while troublesome, appear no worse than those in many others, but gradually the scene darkens, especially when Robert and then, the following night, Henrik, disappear.
Håkan Nesser seems, as in other works, less interested in the investigative side of things than in exploration of various psychological aspects: sexuality, control, vulnerability, guilt. His detective, Gunnar Barbarotti, is provided with the required back story, but has surprisingly little to do with solving the crime or crimes, while the ending felt rather hastily cobbled together. That didn’t matter to this reader, who was sufficiently diverted by the untangling of the familial knots.
The first third of the book is devoted solely to building up a picture of a family whose tensions, frustrations and secrets, while troublesome, appear no worse than those in many others, but gradually the scene darkens, especially when Robert and then, the following night, Henrik, disappear.
Håkan Nesser seems, as in other works, less interested in the investigative side of things than in exploration of various psychological aspects: sexuality, control, vulnerability, guilt. His detective, Gunnar Barbarotti, is provided with the required back story, but has surprisingly little to do with solving the crime or crimes, while the ending felt rather hastily cobbled together. That didn’t matter to this reader, who was sufficiently diverted by the untangling of the familial knots.
May 4, 2015
Много се чудих каква оценка да дам на тази книга...
Започна със силно и интригуващо начало като в типично скандинавски трилър. Някъде 3/4 от книгата нещата бяха доста добре, но след това някак си се разводниха и на моменти имах странното чувство, че последната 1/4 е писана от друг човек - толкова различна беше и по стил, и по всичко...
Друго, което ме подразни, беше, че образи с потенциал /като този на бабата например/ не бяха развити както трябва.
Не съжалявам, че я прочетох, но последната 1/3, която беше напълно като претупана, ми развали цялостното впечатление.
Започна със силно и интригуващо начало като в типично скандинавски трилър. Някъде 3/4 от книгата нещата бяха доста добре, но след това някак си се разводниха и на моменти имах странното чувство, че последната 1/4 е писана от друг човек - толкова различна беше и по стил, и по всичко...
Друго, което ме подразни, беше, че образи с потенциал /като този на бабата например/ не бяха развити както трябва.
Не съжалявам, че я прочетох, но последната 1/3, която беше напълно като претупана, ми развали цялостното впечатление.
March 15, 2023
Kriminālromāns ne klasiskākajā žanra izpratnē. Ģimenes svinību laikā ar dienas starplaiku bez vēsts pazūd divi ģimenes locekļi. Tiek uzsākta kriminālizmeklēšana, jautājums, vai šie abi gadījumi ir saistīti. Atrisnājums pamazām atnāk pats no sevis. Es pat teikti, ka te dedukcija un loģika inspektora izpildījumā absolūti nebija. Grāmata vairāk par radinieku reakciju un pārdomām pēc nozieguma. Vairāk par upuriem, kuri ir palikuši dzīvi. Kā sākotnēji nevainīgi notikumi var būtiski ietekmēt dzīvi, gan pašu, gan tuvinieku.
Jā, grāmata vairāk psiholoģijas plauktam, nebis kriminālromānu.
Citāti:
Dievs laikam bija paģirains, kad radīja šo vietu.
No visiem priekiem, kādus vien šajā pasaulē var baudīt, nebija neviena tik liela, kādu sagādāt spēja gudra un krietna meita.
Tiem , kam ir spēks, ir pienākums varēt.
Dievs, dod man spēku pieņemt to, ko nevaru mainīt,
Drosmi mainīt to, ko varu mainīt
Un spēju atšķirt vienu no otra.
Jā, grāmata vairāk psiholoģijas plauktam, nebis kriminālromānu.
Citāti:
Dievs laikam bija paģirains, kad radīja šo vietu.
No visiem priekiem, kādus vien šajā pasaulē var baudīt, nebija neviena tik liela, kādu sagādāt spēja gudra un krietna meita.
Tiem , kam ir spēks, ir pienākums varēt.
Dievs, dod man spēku pieņemt to, ko nevaru mainīt,
Drosmi mainīt to, ko varu mainīt
Un spēju atšķirt vienu no otra.
October 24, 2021
4.5. Pēc būtības visas 5 zvaigznes, bet tekstā bija dažas tik muļķīgas faktu kļūdas, kuras, es nezinu, redaktors nebija pamanījis vai kā, ka izsitos no lasīšanas līdzsvara, kā arī - šis darbs patika mazāk nekā Rūsa kunga stāsts. Visādi citādi - lielisks H.Nessera autorstils, nu jau fanoju par to un gribu vēl.
Krimiķis te ir tikai forma, lai pavēstītu par dzīves ekzistenciālo disfunkcialitāti. Lieli un mazi ģimenes locekļi, katrs ar savu traumu un dzīves nogurumu, pat pusaudžiem un mazuļiem ir savs bēdu stāsts.
Sākumā, kamēr darbība notiek ģimenes lokā, galīgi nelikās drūmi, es labi uztvēru to, ko paši varoņi sauc par "ironisko dimensiju" un "humoristiskajām anekdotēm", pirmajā vakarā lasot ķiķināju visu laiku. Košas metaforas, krāšņi eifēmismi, absurdi izteicieni.
Pēc tam, kad parādās inspektors un sāk pamazām atklāties nozieguma būtība, tad gan prātu pārņēma smagums un pārdomas par plašākām sociālām problēmām, kas sastopamas ne tikai Skandināvijā. Bet acīmredzot skandināvi prot labāk operēt ar tabu jautājumiem un tāpēc ir slaveni ar saviem kriminālromāniem.
"Tiem, kas ir pie vainas, būs spēks turpināt."
Krimiķis te ir tikai forma, lai pavēstītu par dzīves ekzistenciālo disfunkcialitāti. Lieli un mazi ģimenes locekļi, katrs ar savu traumu un dzīves nogurumu, pat pusaudžiem un mazuļiem ir savs bēdu stāsts.
Sākumā, kamēr darbība notiek ģimenes lokā, galīgi nelikās drūmi, es labi uztvēru to, ko paši varoņi sauc par "ironisko dimensiju" un "humoristiskajām anekdotēm", pirmajā vakarā lasot ķiķināju visu laiku. Košas metaforas, krāšņi eifēmismi, absurdi izteicieni.
Pēc tam, kad parādās inspektors un sāk pamazām atklāties nozieguma būtība, tad gan prātu pārņēma smagums un pārdomas par plašākām sociālām problēmām, kas sastopamas ne tikai Skandināvijā. Bet acīmredzot skandināvi prot labāk operēt ar tabu jautājumiem un tāpēc ir slaveni ar saviem kriminālromāniem.
"Tiem, kas ir pie vainas, būs spēks turpināt."
November 17, 2018
Tumšs un lēns romāns, disfunkcionālās ģimenes drāma ievelk kā dūksnājs. Ne visai patīkami, bet visnotaļ labi uzrakstīti un tādēļ ticami personāži (man ļoti patika Barbarotti koncepcija Dieva esamības pārbaudei). Nopietna un nesteidzīga proza ar vairākiem smalkiem noskaņas sīkumiem. "Atkal iestājās klusums, un sienas pulkstenis, it kā kaut ko sajuzdams, nosita divpadsmit."
Taču par sižetu man ir daudz jautājumu un iebildumu. Daudzviet temps ir ļoti, ļoti lēns, savukārt spriedze - teju nemanāma, intrigas praktiski nav, rezultātā grāmata brīžam balansē uz ikdienišķuma robežas. Turklāt man īsti nav saprotama arī sižeta konstrukcija, kur atbildes uz svarīgajiem jautājumiem parādās it kā garāmejot, turklāt viena no atbildēm izklausās pēc pilnīgas nejaušības, kas nepavisam neiederas kopējā romāna kā ģimenes drāmas sajūtā. Bet kaut kas tajā nesteidzīgajā tumšumā ir, tādēļ man šķiet, ka šī nav pēdējā Nesser grāmata, ko es lasu.
Tā tas bija ar jaunajām tehnoloģijām, siena kaudze tikai auga, bet adata nekļuva ne par milimetru lielāka.
Taču par sižetu man ir daudz jautājumu un iebildumu. Daudzviet temps ir ļoti, ļoti lēns, savukārt spriedze - teju nemanāma, intrigas praktiski nav, rezultātā grāmata brīžam balansē uz ikdienišķuma robežas. Turklāt man īsti nav saprotama arī sižeta konstrukcija, kur atbildes uz svarīgajiem jautājumiem parādās it kā garāmejot, turklāt viena no atbildēm izklausās pēc pilnīgas nejaušības, kas nepavisam neiederas kopējā romāna kā ģimenes drāmas sajūtā. Bet kaut kas tajā nesteidzīgajā tumšumā ir, tādēļ man šķiet, ka šī nav pēdējā Nesser grāmata, ko es lasu.
Tā tas bija ar jaunajām tehnoloģijām, siena kaudze tikai auga, bet adata nekļuva ne par milimetru lielāka.
March 5, 2018
Haven’t read anything quite like this, or, should I say, "quite like these". Håkan Nesser's, The Darkest Day is a bit of a mashup. Starts off every bit the novelization of one of those dysfunctional-family, fraught-get-together movies you can’t get away from over the Holidays. The love-hate dichotomy is on full display. Angst abounds along with the usual mix of self-loathing, morbid fantasies, and overindulgence. There is humor, albeit in that minor key that is so typically Swedish, and the characters are eerily relatable, unfailingly interesting, delightful even, in a few cases. But just when I was thinking, "good, but not the book I was hoping to read", suddenly a couple of the headcases go missing, and we have a police procedural on our hands. Cue the Colombo-like angst-ridden detective and we are on our way to solving two mysteries among many. This is a pleasant change by all means, especially for this reader who was about to leave this fraught family to work it out amongst themselves. Detective Inspector Gunnar Barbarotti -long story on the name - brings his own family drama to the party, but this is mostly eclipsed by his wavering agnosticism and all the comic potential that injects into the narrative. There is a strong current of irony running through this book and its characters. This adds a reassuringly human dimension. Not the stuff of your usual mystery, but it works wonderfully. Prepare yourself for a whodunnit morphing into a howdunnit and back again.
November 19, 2017
The Darkest Day (The Barbarotti Series Book 1) by Håkan Nesser and Sarah Death...
The Darkest Day is the first novel in the five part Inspector Barbarotti series from renowned Swedish crime author Håkan Nesser.
Waited for years for a translation of this series to finally pop up!
After the Van Veteran series, books and tv series, this first of five is a very, very peculiar and different read! Takes ages to get going as the reader is introduced to a rather dysfunctional family and their children and grandchildren.... And what a family! Then finally we are introduced to Gunnar Barbarotti.
While, much of the charm of the VV series, indeed was the quaint to quirky personalities this series truly takes it to another level. Most of which probably is introducing a new series/character and background but combined with a very overly chatty, descriptive writing style it is simply way too long! There are many twists to the dynamics and finding the truth out takes time while many of the characters suffer after the two males initially disappear to the end results. Rather a strange read but also strangely good!
The Darkest Day is the first novel in the five part Inspector Barbarotti series from renowned Swedish crime author Håkan Nesser.
Waited for years for a translation of this series to finally pop up!
After the Van Veteran series, books and tv series, this first of five is a very, very peculiar and different read! Takes ages to get going as the reader is introduced to a rather dysfunctional family and their children and grandchildren.... And what a family! Then finally we are introduced to Gunnar Barbarotti.
While, much of the charm of the VV series, indeed was the quaint to quirky personalities this series truly takes it to another level. Most of which probably is introducing a new series/character and background but combined with a very overly chatty, descriptive writing style it is simply way too long! There are many twists to the dynamics and finding the truth out takes time while many of the characters suffer after the two males initially disappear to the end results. Rather a strange read but also strangely good!
October 7, 2018
As several people mentioned it is rather slow starting. However, once I thought about it I had a question. Is the book slow starting or have we come to expect instant action. Books used to be slower reads and build, (Rebecca, Dr. Zhivago, Jane Eyre, Gone With the wind, etc.) but now readers expect drama in the first few pages. I'm not sure of the answer, just a question that entered my mind
Anyway the first 100 or so pages is learning about the Hermansson family The wife, Rosemarie, does seem to be happily married to Karl-Erik because she keeps trying to decide between murdering Karl-Erik or committing suicide. The family are getting together to celebrate father Karl-Erik and eldest daughter Ebba's joint landmark birthdays. And the retirement of both Karl-Erik and Rosemarie. No one seems particularly happy or excited about getting together - it is a chore that must be done.
We become introduced to the new detective Gunnar Barbarotti around page 150. Mr. Nesser spends a lot of time introducing us to this new character - learning his background and his quirks.
I'm looking forward to the next in the series
Anyway the first 100 or so pages is learning about the Hermansson family The wife, Rosemarie, does seem to be happily married to Karl-Erik because she keeps trying to decide between murdering Karl-Erik or committing suicide. The family are getting together to celebrate father Karl-Erik and eldest daughter Ebba's joint landmark birthdays. And the retirement of both Karl-Erik and Rosemarie. No one seems particularly happy or excited about getting together - it is a chore that must be done.
We become introduced to the new detective Gunnar Barbarotti around page 150. Mr. Nesser spends a lot of time introducing us to this new character - learning his background and his quirks.
I'm looking forward to the next in the series
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