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Levi Kant #1
Don't Forget Me
Five years. Five messages. Can a killer hold the key?
It’s five years since psychiatrist Olivia Hofmann’s husband and daughter vanished without trace, and five years since the body of troubled teenager Lisa Manz was found murdered in a quarry outside Vienna.
While the trail of Lisa’s killer has gone cold, Olivia receives an anonymous postcard each year on the anniversary of her family’s disappearance. Who is sending the messages, and why are they sorry? When one of her patients claims he has seen Lisa alive, Olivia joins forces with detective Levi Kant, who was taken off the murder case when he was close to finding answers. Is it possible Lisa is still alive? And is there a connection with Olivia’s missing loved ones?
But reopening the cold case will put Olivia and Levi in mortal the killer is onto them and will stop at nothing to remain in the shadows. Can they bring the truth to light before they are silenced forever?
It’s five years since psychiatrist Olivia Hofmann’s husband and daughter vanished without trace, and five years since the body of troubled teenager Lisa Manz was found murdered in a quarry outside Vienna.
While the trail of Lisa’s killer has gone cold, Olivia receives an anonymous postcard each year on the anniversary of her family’s disappearance. Who is sending the messages, and why are they sorry? When one of her patients claims he has seen Lisa alive, Olivia joins forces with detective Levi Kant, who was taken off the murder case when he was close to finding answers. Is it possible Lisa is still alive? And is there a connection with Olivia’s missing loved ones?
But reopening the cold case will put Olivia and Levi in mortal the killer is onto them and will stop at nothing to remain in the shadows. Can they bring the truth to light before they are silenced forever?
215 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 2, 2019
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184 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 76 reviews
June 10, 2024
Eigentlich beinhaltet dieser Krimi/Thriller vieles, was ich mag, nämlich u.a. die Ermittlungen in einem "Cold Case", einem alten, nicht aufgeklärtem Mordfall. Das mag ich grundsätzlich sehr gerne, weil es einfach spannend für mich ist, neue Anhaltspunkte zusammenzutragen und zu überprüfen.
Und in diesem Buch gibt es eigentlich sogar zwei alte unaufgeklärte Verbrechen, wobei aber nur eines wirklich in den Vordergrund gerät. Es ist schon zu erahnen, dass es im zweiten Band der Reihe aber weitergeht mit den Ermittlungen.
Nun, ich mochte das Buch, aber ein bisschen enttäuscht bin ich irgendwie auch. Es hätte spannender sein dürfen; irgendwie hat mich die Geschichte nicht so wirklich berühren können. Vielleicht liegt es daran, dass mir auch die Charaktere nicht wirklich nahe gekommen sind, weder die Ermittler, noch die übrigen Beteiligten.
Den zweiten Band werde ich aber dennoch lesen, weil mich doch interessiert, was mit Mann und Tochter der Psychiaterin passiert ist...
Und in diesem Buch gibt es eigentlich sogar zwei alte unaufgeklärte Verbrechen, wobei aber nur eines wirklich in den Vordergrund gerät. Es ist schon zu erahnen, dass es im zweiten Band der Reihe aber weitergeht mit den Ermittlungen.
Nun, ich mochte das Buch, aber ein bisschen enttäuscht bin ich irgendwie auch. Es hätte spannender sein dürfen; irgendwie hat mich die Geschichte nicht so wirklich berühren können. Vielleicht liegt es daran, dass mir auch die Charaktere nicht wirklich nahe gekommen sind, weder die Ermittler, noch die übrigen Beteiligten.
Den zweiten Band werde ich aber dennoch lesen, weil mich doch interessiert, was mit Mann und Tochter der Psychiaterin passiert ist...
November 27, 2019
First and foremost, a large thank you to NetGalley, B.C. Schiller, and Amazon Publishing UK for providing me with a copy of this publication, which allows me to provide you with an unbiased review.
New to the world of the husband-wife duo calling themselves B.C. Schiller, I was not sure what to expect. The short dust jacket blurb had me intrigued about this novel, though I was not entirely confident this had ‘translated’ onto the written page, if you will pardon the pun. Dr. Olivia Hofmann nervously checks the post and discovers yet another postcard with an apology and no more. It has been five years since Dr. Hofmann’s husband and young daughter have disappeared without a trace, which coincides with the brutal murder and incineration of a teenage girl, Lisa Manz. While meeting one of her clients, Hofmann discovers that he is holding onto a rucksack belonging the Manz and might have key answers to the crime, or be the murderer himself. When Hofmann agrees to meet him at his home the following day, she watched him fall from his second storey window, a shadowy figure seen pushing him. Dr. Hofmann reaches out to her acquaintance, Levi Kant, who was the detective on the Manz case, but who was removed close to its resolution when he was shot by another perpetrator. Armed not only with the rucksack, but also a diary that Lisa kept, Hofmann and Kant begin trying to piece things together, including discovering who this mystery ‘doctor’ was who is mentioned in the diary and is surely involved in abusing Lisa Manz. When someone targets Hofmann with a vehicle, trying to wipe her out, the panic level increases, but nothing will stop Kant from revealing the truth, something he has wanted to discover for the last number of years. A decent piece of crime work, though it did not jump off the page for me. I suppose those who enjoy quick thrillers will want to give this a try, though I cannot see it being catapulted to the top of many to-be-read lists.
As this was my first experience with B.C. Schiller crime writing, I have no outside context other than this novel. While the premise was good, I was left wanting much more, as I could not help feeling the entire experience was a tad beige for me. There seems to be a race for protagonist here, between Dr. Olivia Hofmann and Levi Kant. Hofmann takes centre stage early and the reader learns about her agonising confusion about a missing child and husband, though she seems to have been able to focus on her work. In an industry that has little downtime, Hofmann must juggle her patients and a mentally ill father, whose acuity is diminishing by the day. Still, she finds time to break away and join this impromptu investigation into the death of a teenager. Levi Kant, on the other hand, was one of Vienna’s great detectives, only to have his work come crashing down when a bullet entered his leg. Now teaching at the police academy, he has always wondered about that one case that slipped through his fingers. With a Jewish backstory that some may find intriguing, Kant is also a man of many passions in his current life, which he shares throughout. Others find their way directing the story in their own way, some effectively and others simply popping up to play their part and evaporating again. The story was decent and I cannot be entirely sure if the plot’s strength was ‘lost in translation’ or if I am simply setting the bar too high. I did not dislike the book entirely, but I had hoped for a more meatier tale to keep me fully captivated. The chapters were short and I flew through the book in short order, so I cannot say it was a laborious task whatsoever. I’d likely give the series another try, should something else be published, but I am not making any promises.
Kudos, Mr. and Mrs. Schiller, for a decent plot. While the delivery was not there for me, I may be asking too much all at once.
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
A Book for All Seasons, a different sort of Book Challenge: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/...
New to the world of the husband-wife duo calling themselves B.C. Schiller, I was not sure what to expect. The short dust jacket blurb had me intrigued about this novel, though I was not entirely confident this had ‘translated’ onto the written page, if you will pardon the pun. Dr. Olivia Hofmann nervously checks the post and discovers yet another postcard with an apology and no more. It has been five years since Dr. Hofmann’s husband and young daughter have disappeared without a trace, which coincides with the brutal murder and incineration of a teenage girl, Lisa Manz. While meeting one of her clients, Hofmann discovers that he is holding onto a rucksack belonging the Manz and might have key answers to the crime, or be the murderer himself. When Hofmann agrees to meet him at his home the following day, she watched him fall from his second storey window, a shadowy figure seen pushing him. Dr. Hofmann reaches out to her acquaintance, Levi Kant, who was the detective on the Manz case, but who was removed close to its resolution when he was shot by another perpetrator. Armed not only with the rucksack, but also a diary that Lisa kept, Hofmann and Kant begin trying to piece things together, including discovering who this mystery ‘doctor’ was who is mentioned in the diary and is surely involved in abusing Lisa Manz. When someone targets Hofmann with a vehicle, trying to wipe her out, the panic level increases, but nothing will stop Kant from revealing the truth, something he has wanted to discover for the last number of years. A decent piece of crime work, though it did not jump off the page for me. I suppose those who enjoy quick thrillers will want to give this a try, though I cannot see it being catapulted to the top of many to-be-read lists.
As this was my first experience with B.C. Schiller crime writing, I have no outside context other than this novel. While the premise was good, I was left wanting much more, as I could not help feeling the entire experience was a tad beige for me. There seems to be a race for protagonist here, between Dr. Olivia Hofmann and Levi Kant. Hofmann takes centre stage early and the reader learns about her agonising confusion about a missing child and husband, though she seems to have been able to focus on her work. In an industry that has little downtime, Hofmann must juggle her patients and a mentally ill father, whose acuity is diminishing by the day. Still, she finds time to break away and join this impromptu investigation into the death of a teenager. Levi Kant, on the other hand, was one of Vienna’s great detectives, only to have his work come crashing down when a bullet entered his leg. Now teaching at the police academy, he has always wondered about that one case that slipped through his fingers. With a Jewish backstory that some may find intriguing, Kant is also a man of many passions in his current life, which he shares throughout. Others find their way directing the story in their own way, some effectively and others simply popping up to play their part and evaporating again. The story was decent and I cannot be entirely sure if the plot’s strength was ‘lost in translation’ or if I am simply setting the bar too high. I did not dislike the book entirely, but I had hoped for a more meatier tale to keep me fully captivated. The chapters were short and I flew through the book in short order, so I cannot say it was a laborious task whatsoever. I’d likely give the series another try, should something else be published, but I am not making any promises.
Kudos, Mr. and Mrs. Schiller, for a decent plot. While the delivery was not there for me, I may be asking too much all at once.
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
A Book for All Seasons, a different sort of Book Challenge: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/...
December 12, 2019
Psychiatrist Olivia Hofmann witnesses one of her clients being pushed out of an upstairs window. She was there because the young man said he had something that belonged to a girl who was murdered 5 years earlier and whose killer was never found.
Levi Kant was the lead investigator on that case, but was pulled off when he was shot while looking into another case. He spent months in the hospital, and the police department offered him early retirement or a lecturing job at the university for the police. He has never forgotten the girl who was murdered.
When Olivia reaches out to Kant, they team up to find some answers. But re-opening this case will put them both in danger. Someone doesn't want this case solved .. and will do anything to protect their secrets.
This is well written with a shout out to the translator for doing a bang up job. There is much more to the story than just the murdered woman. Many suspects keep the reader guessing. Some characters are quite likeable .. some are just plain evil. The murdered girl's diary goes a long way in learning who her killer was.
There's also a history of Olivia .... her husband and young daughter disappeared 5 years ago. Once a year, she receives a post card .. no message .. but she knows who's sending them.
Although there is no cliff hanger, the ending does suggest where Book 2 will begin.
Many thanks to the author / Amazon Publishing UK / Netgalley for the advanced digital copy of this crime fiction. Read and reviewed voluntarily, opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.
December 24, 2019
The story surrounds a psychiatrist Dr. Olivia Hofmann and a retired detective Levi Kant brought together by the death of one of the doctor's patients who was involved with a girl Lisa Mans who had been murdered in a brutal and merciless way five years before and the case was never solved and it has haunted Levi to this very day, almost ruining his life and his marriage. They will find that someone does not want this case reopened or the duo might discover more murders in their hands.
This was a different read for me while the storyline was very good, the characters were too stilted and emotionless for my liking. Their reactions and personalities seemed very flat and underdeveloped, it could be e been due to the translation from German to English. The book did have some interesting twists and a lot of secrets but unfortunately the characters left too much to be desired and were just not realistic or likable.
I want to thank the publisher and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this Advanced Reading Copy!
Sadly, I have given a rating of 2 Flat 🌟🌟 Stars!!
This was a different read for me while the storyline was very good, the characters were too stilted and emotionless for my liking. Their reactions and personalities seemed very flat and underdeveloped, it could be e been due to the translation from German to English. The book did have some interesting twists and a lot of secrets but unfortunately the characters left too much to be desired and were just not realistic or likable.
I want to thank the publisher and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this Advanced Reading Copy!
Sadly, I have given a rating of 2 Flat 🌟🌟 Stars!!
December 9, 2019
Levi Kant #1
Every year Olivia receives a postcard from her missing husband and daughter. All that's written on it is "I'm sorry". They have been missing for five years. Their disappearance caused Olivua to have a mental breakdown. Lisa Manz was murdered five years ago. Lisa has been turned beyond recognition. Her killer was never found. Olivia is a psychiatrist and one of her patients tells her he has seen Lisa Manz. Olivia becomes curious about the case. She meets the former police investigator of the case, Levi Kant. The two of them join forces to find out what happened to Lisa.
I don't know if it's because this book was translated but I felt there was something missing. The characters were a little wooden. The only likeable character was Levi. It's quite a short book but it took me longer to read because of the dialogue. The story ended with a cliffhanger. I will read the next book in this series.
I would like to thank NetGalley, Amazon Publishing UK and the author B.C. Schiller for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Every year Olivia receives a postcard from her missing husband and daughter. All that's written on it is "I'm sorry". They have been missing for five years. Their disappearance caused Olivua to have a mental breakdown. Lisa Manz was murdered five years ago. Lisa has been turned beyond recognition. Her killer was never found. Olivia is a psychiatrist and one of her patients tells her he has seen Lisa Manz. Olivia becomes curious about the case. She meets the former police investigator of the case, Levi Kant. The two of them join forces to find out what happened to Lisa.
I don't know if it's because this book was translated but I felt there was something missing. The characters were a little wooden. The only likeable character was Levi. It's quite a short book but it took me longer to read because of the dialogue. The story ended with a cliffhanger. I will read the next book in this series.
I would like to thank NetGalley, Amazon Publishing UK and the author B.C. Schiller for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.
January 5, 2020
3 stars!
Thank you SO much to Amazon Publishing for gifting me this finished copy of Don’t Forget Me by B.C. Schiller. This one was published 12.12.19!
For a book of just over 200 pages, this was a fast-paced, action-packed thriller! Sometimes you just wanna curl up with a book that you can binge read, and this was definitely one of those.
This is book #1 in the Levi Kant series by B.C. Schiller and we start off by following psychiatrist Olivia Hofmann, who’s husband and daughter went missing 5 years prior without a trace. It was also 5 years since the body of a troubled teenager, Lisa Manz was found murdered in a quarry.
Whilst the case of Lisa Manz has gone cold, Olivia has received an anonymous postcard each year on the anniversary of her family’s disappearance with the word ‘sorry’. Olivia was unaware of the Lisa Manz case, but after a patient she was working with claims to have seen her alive, she joins forces with Levi Kant - the detective who was working the unsolved case. Is there any connection between this case and Olivia’s missing family? By reopening the case, Olivia and Levi are put in mortal danger: the killer is onto them and will stop at nothing to remain in the shadows.
Aside from the fact this was a fast-paced, binge-worthy thriller, I really enjoyed how well written the book was as a whole. Sometimes translated books can be filled with errors but this read very well, which helped make it so easy to read. I also relished how it had me intrigued throughout the whole book! There was lots of mystery, and questions to be answered that left you guessing the whole way, which I LOVED! There were also some really interesting characters the author created that I really enjoying seeing develop through the book — there were some assholes also.
That said, I did only rate this one 3 stars and that was because it didn’t have a ‘WOW’ factor. As much as I enjoyed it, it's probably not gonna be very memorable. What I really didn’t like was the cliff hanger at the end! I know there's gonna be a second book that follows on but still. I also really wanted more about Olivia’s missing family and how they may be connected to the dead girl. Considering it's mentioned in the synopsis of the book, very little development of that actually occurred. So here’s hoping book number 2 includes that! After reading a couple of the Goodreads reviews (which are in German… thanks google translator) it seems we do get some answers but not the whole conclusion.
Overall, if you’re looking for a quick, easy-to-read, binge-worthy mystery thriller then I recommend this one! I’m looking forward to book #2.
Thank you SO much to Amazon Publishing for gifting me this finished copy of Don’t Forget Me by B.C. Schiller. This one was published 12.12.19!
For a book of just over 200 pages, this was a fast-paced, action-packed thriller! Sometimes you just wanna curl up with a book that you can binge read, and this was definitely one of those.
This is book #1 in the Levi Kant series by B.C. Schiller and we start off by following psychiatrist Olivia Hofmann, who’s husband and daughter went missing 5 years prior without a trace. It was also 5 years since the body of a troubled teenager, Lisa Manz was found murdered in a quarry.
Whilst the case of Lisa Manz has gone cold, Olivia has received an anonymous postcard each year on the anniversary of her family’s disappearance with the word ‘sorry’. Olivia was unaware of the Lisa Manz case, but after a patient she was working with claims to have seen her alive, she joins forces with Levi Kant - the detective who was working the unsolved case. Is there any connection between this case and Olivia’s missing family? By reopening the case, Olivia and Levi are put in mortal danger: the killer is onto them and will stop at nothing to remain in the shadows.
Aside from the fact this was a fast-paced, binge-worthy thriller, I really enjoyed how well written the book was as a whole. Sometimes translated books can be filled with errors but this read very well, which helped make it so easy to read. I also relished how it had me intrigued throughout the whole book! There was lots of mystery, and questions to be answered that left you guessing the whole way, which I LOVED! There were also some really interesting characters the author created that I really enjoying seeing develop through the book — there were some assholes also.
That said, I did only rate this one 3 stars and that was because it didn’t have a ‘WOW’ factor. As much as I enjoyed it, it's probably not gonna be very memorable. What I really didn’t like was the cliff hanger at the end! I know there's gonna be a second book that follows on but still. I also really wanted more about Olivia’s missing family and how they may be connected to the dead girl. Considering it's mentioned in the synopsis of the book, very little development of that actually occurred. So here’s hoping book number 2 includes that! After reading a couple of the Goodreads reviews (which are in German… thanks google translator) it seems we do get some answers but not the whole conclusion.
Overall, if you’re looking for a quick, easy-to-read, binge-worthy mystery thriller then I recommend this one! I’m looking forward to book #2.
October 7, 2019
The summary of Don’t Forget Me by B.C. Schiller sounded so intriguing to me, a husband and child missing for 5 years and the murder of a troubled teen in the same time frame, add to this the amazing cover and I was sold. Sadly, these were the only redeeming things about the book. The dialogue between the characters is stilted and difficult, almost awkward. This made it hard for me to become invested in the story or the characters. Along with the awkward dialogue is the sense that the author is filling in the blanks to tie up the story with information that seemed a bit contrived and sometimes, extremely unrealistic, even for fiction.
It truly pains me to say that I wouldn’t recommend this book to anyone, nor would I read anything else by this author. I gave this book 2 stars because I think some of the problems I had with the book were due in part to the translation from German to English.
Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.
It truly pains me to say that I wouldn’t recommend this book to anyone, nor would I read anything else by this author. I gave this book 2 stars because I think some of the problems I had with the book were due in part to the translation from German to English.
Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.
December 27, 2019
Olivia had a patient who died falling down a building. Police said suicide, she claimed it to be a murder so she started investigating. Levi was in charge of investigation into Lisa's murder 5 years ago. Olivia’s patient had a rucksack belonging to Lisa. The two joined forces to get to the murderer.
My first book by the authors duo B. C. Schiller, there were parts I loved which showed the evil human psyche. Sympathy for Lisa and all that she had undergone pulled me into the book to get to the killer. The main characters were interesting, I wished they had worked in better tandem.
The writing showed both the characters to be complexed beings, besieged by various life circumstances. They did seem to work well in the last few chapters. The murderer was most unexpected, and the crime did get solved. But the mystery of Olivia’s husband and daughter's disappearance was never looked into.
The blurb was actually more interesting than the actual translated work. The emotions and flow of the prose felt lost in translation. But it was still a murder mystery at its core.
A good breakfast read.
My first book by the authors duo B. C. Schiller, there were parts I loved which showed the evil human psyche. Sympathy for Lisa and all that she had undergone pulled me into the book to get to the killer. The main characters were interesting, I wished they had worked in better tandem.
The writing showed both the characters to be complexed beings, besieged by various life circumstances. They did seem to work well in the last few chapters. The murderer was most unexpected, and the crime did get solved. But the mystery of Olivia’s husband and daughter's disappearance was never looked into.
The blurb was actually more interesting than the actual translated work. The emotions and flow of the prose felt lost in translation. But it was still a murder mystery at its core.
A good breakfast read.
February 19, 2024
3.75⭐️
Good mystery, i was left guessing till the end, but it just didnt have the right mystery vibes for me if that makes sense, it was kind of boring
Good mystery, i was left guessing till the end, but it just didnt have the right mystery vibes for me if that makes sense, it was kind of boring
December 9, 2019
Levi Kant #1
Every year Olivia receives a postcard from her missing husband and daughter. All that's written on it is "I'm sorry". They have been missing for five years. Their disappearance caused Olivia to have a mental breakdown. Lisa Manz was murdered five years ago. Lisa had been turned beyond recognition. Her killer was never found. Olivia is a psychiatrist and one of her patients tells her that he has seen Lisa Manz. Olivia becomes curious about the case. She meets the former police investigator of the case, Levi Kant. The two of them join forces to find out what happened to Lisa.
I don't know if it was because this book was translated but I felt there was something missing. The characters were a little wooden. The only likeable character was Levi. It's quite a short book but it took me longer to read because if the dialogue. The story ends with a cliffhanger. I will read the next book in this series.
I would like to thank NetGalley, Amazon Publishing UK and the author B.C. Schiller for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Every year Olivia receives a postcard from her missing husband and daughter. All that's written on it is "I'm sorry". They have been missing for five years. Their disappearance caused Olivia to have a mental breakdown. Lisa Manz was murdered five years ago. Lisa had been turned beyond recognition. Her killer was never found. Olivia is a psychiatrist and one of her patients tells her that he has seen Lisa Manz. Olivia becomes curious about the case. She meets the former police investigator of the case, Levi Kant. The two of them join forces to find out what happened to Lisa.
I don't know if it was because this book was translated but I felt there was something missing. The characters were a little wooden. The only likeable character was Levi. It's quite a short book but it took me longer to read because if the dialogue. The story ends with a cliffhanger. I will read the next book in this series.
I would like to thank NetGalley, Amazon Publishing UK and the author B.C. Schiller for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.
February 12, 2020
German author B.C. Schiller is the combination of husband and wife writing team Barbara and Christian Schiller. Together they belong to the most successful crime authors in the German speaking world, and it isn't hard to see why. They have written dozens of crime novels but DON'T FORGET ME is the first I have come across by the authors that has been translated into English.
At just over 200 pages long, DON'T FORGET ME is a fast-paced, action-packed thriller that I found to be an incredibly enjoyable and easy read. I was intrigued by the premise which outlined two separate storylines - the first of which is the death of a teenager while the other was the disappearance of a husband and daughter 5 years ago...incidentally around the same time as the teen's death. Coincidence?
The story begins with psychiatrist Dr Olivia Hofmann, whose husband and daughter mysteriously vanished five years prior without a trace. She is fraught with grief and plagued by her own guilt and the mystery of what could possibly have happened to them. She lives alone, takes in private patients as well as working at the clinic her father, also a psychiatrist, once used to head...before Alzheimer's took away his memories.
Every year on the anniversary of her family's disappearance, Olivia receives an anonymous postcard with just two words "I'm sorry". Today is that day. And without fail, the postcard arrives. There is nothing to identify who is sending them which frustrates Olivia even further. Does someone know something? Could it be her husband? Or is this a killer's sadistic way of taking pleasure in her grief?
Unaware of the floodgates she is about to open, Olivia's patient that day confides to her during their session that he has seen a young teenager he knew during his time at the clinic. Only problem is, this girl was murdered five years ago...around the time Olivia's family had disappeared. But Jonathan is adamant. The girl was Lisa and he can prove it - he took her photo with his mobile phone. The photo, however, is blurry and could be anyone...although it does bear some resemblance to Lisa Manz. Jonathan also claims to have Lisa's rucksack that she left behind which was easily identifiable as belonging to her. He begs Olivia to come to his flat so that he can give it to her and she agrees to visit the following morning. Then before Jonathan leaves, he thrusts something into Olivia's hands with obvious fear in his eyes, claiming it was also Lisa's but that it frightened him. It was a pendant with two snakes interwoven together with distinctive ruby red eyes. It was a little disconcerting to look at but a stunning piece.
When Olivia arrives at Jonathan's flat the next morning, she finds him hanging out the window screaming words that don't make a lot of sense. She sees a shadow behind him the instant before Jonathan falls to his death. The police arrive and question her but after searching his flat and finding Lisa's rucksack believe they have found Lisa's murderer who, in a wave of guilt, jumped to his death and now they can finally close the five year old case. But Olivia is sure Jonathan didn't jump. He was pushed. But the police are just as adamant. The evidence speaks for itself.
Enter Levi Kant. Levi was in charge of the investigation into Lisa's murder before a bullet ended his career, leaving him now teaching at the police academy. When a former colleague calls Levi to inform him of this development in the Lisa's case, Levi drops everything and rushes to the scene. There he meets Olivia and together they join forces to find out the truth of what really happened to Lisa Manz. Who murdered her? Or is she still alive and someone else had been burnt beyond recognition in her place five years before? And is there a connection between Lisa's case and Olivia's missing family?
By re-opening the case, Olivia and Levi are then put in mortal danger as the killer is onto them and will stop at nothing to remain hidden. Olivia finds herself in hospital after being rammed by a 4WD on her bicycle, her flat is broken into and Lisa's files are stolen and her father is also put in danger when his place is also ransacked. What went on at the clinic five years ago that someone wants to keep secret?
The unfolding of the case at hand threw up lots of questions, doubt and had me second guessing just about everyone. For everyone, it seemed, had secrets but uncovering them proved to be a difficult, if not dangerous, task. Even the murderer escaped my detection!!
I did find the scene where Olivia's father's flat was being searched and ransacked somewhat distressing. Having a father with dementia myself, it was confronting to witness Leopold's confusion at the events taking place before him with no idea what was happening although he still had the nous to call his daughter and alert her. For a psychiatrist to be so insensitive to someone with dementia and their failing memory by taking advantage of it was both abhorrent and distressing.
The action was non-stop in this fast paced thriller which was totally binge-worthy. I could not turn the pages quick enough and thoroughly enjoyed the storylines that were interwoven together. Despite it not being the smoothest of translations, making some of the dialogue a little stilted and awkward, it didn't detract from the book as a whole because it was so well-written in its simplicity despite the story was a complex one. It didn't need the WOW factor to impress or intrigue - the way the author engages the reader through their skilled writing was enough. It was quick, enthralling and entirely compelling that I cannot wait for the translation of the second book!!
DON'T FORGET ME is essentially a German-written book and while sometimes things can be lost in translation I don't think that should be the focus. The story is both complex and simplistic making it an intriguing and thrilling read.
The one thing that I felt let it down was the premise promised more in the way of Olivia's missing family that I thought it may have featured just a little bit more in the story. Having said that, the cliffhanger left us with the promise of more to come on that front and I hope Book 2 features the mystery surrounding their disappearance a little more.
Overall, if you are looking for a quick, easy read that is both intriguing and binge-worthy then look no further than DON'T FORGET ME!! I certainly recommend it.
Bring on Book 2!!
I would like to thank #BCSchiller, #NetGalley and #AmazonPublishingUK for an ARC of #DontForgetMe in exchange for an honest review.
This review appears on my blog at https://stinathebookaholic.blogspot.com/.
At just over 200 pages long, DON'T FORGET ME is a fast-paced, action-packed thriller that I found to be an incredibly enjoyable and easy read. I was intrigued by the premise which outlined two separate storylines - the first of which is the death of a teenager while the other was the disappearance of a husband and daughter 5 years ago...incidentally around the same time as the teen's death. Coincidence?
The story begins with psychiatrist Dr Olivia Hofmann, whose husband and daughter mysteriously vanished five years prior without a trace. She is fraught with grief and plagued by her own guilt and the mystery of what could possibly have happened to them. She lives alone, takes in private patients as well as working at the clinic her father, also a psychiatrist, once used to head...before Alzheimer's took away his memories.
Every year on the anniversary of her family's disappearance, Olivia receives an anonymous postcard with just two words "I'm sorry". Today is that day. And without fail, the postcard arrives. There is nothing to identify who is sending them which frustrates Olivia even further. Does someone know something? Could it be her husband? Or is this a killer's sadistic way of taking pleasure in her grief?
Unaware of the floodgates she is about to open, Olivia's patient that day confides to her during their session that he has seen a young teenager he knew during his time at the clinic. Only problem is, this girl was murdered five years ago...around the time Olivia's family had disappeared. But Jonathan is adamant. The girl was Lisa and he can prove it - he took her photo with his mobile phone. The photo, however, is blurry and could be anyone...although it does bear some resemblance to Lisa Manz. Jonathan also claims to have Lisa's rucksack that she left behind which was easily identifiable as belonging to her. He begs Olivia to come to his flat so that he can give it to her and she agrees to visit the following morning. Then before Jonathan leaves, he thrusts something into Olivia's hands with obvious fear in his eyes, claiming it was also Lisa's but that it frightened him. It was a pendant with two snakes interwoven together with distinctive ruby red eyes. It was a little disconcerting to look at but a stunning piece.
When Olivia arrives at Jonathan's flat the next morning, she finds him hanging out the window screaming words that don't make a lot of sense. She sees a shadow behind him the instant before Jonathan falls to his death. The police arrive and question her but after searching his flat and finding Lisa's rucksack believe they have found Lisa's murderer who, in a wave of guilt, jumped to his death and now they can finally close the five year old case. But Olivia is sure Jonathan didn't jump. He was pushed. But the police are just as adamant. The evidence speaks for itself.
Enter Levi Kant. Levi was in charge of the investigation into Lisa's murder before a bullet ended his career, leaving him now teaching at the police academy. When a former colleague calls Levi to inform him of this development in the Lisa's case, Levi drops everything and rushes to the scene. There he meets Olivia and together they join forces to find out the truth of what really happened to Lisa Manz. Who murdered her? Or is she still alive and someone else had been burnt beyond recognition in her place five years before? And is there a connection between Lisa's case and Olivia's missing family?
By re-opening the case, Olivia and Levi are then put in mortal danger as the killer is onto them and will stop at nothing to remain hidden. Olivia finds herself in hospital after being rammed by a 4WD on her bicycle, her flat is broken into and Lisa's files are stolen and her father is also put in danger when his place is also ransacked. What went on at the clinic five years ago that someone wants to keep secret?
The unfolding of the case at hand threw up lots of questions, doubt and had me second guessing just about everyone. For everyone, it seemed, had secrets but uncovering them proved to be a difficult, if not dangerous, task. Even the murderer escaped my detection!!
I did find the scene where Olivia's father's flat was being searched and ransacked somewhat distressing. Having a father with dementia myself, it was confronting to witness Leopold's confusion at the events taking place before him with no idea what was happening although he still had the nous to call his daughter and alert her. For a psychiatrist to be so insensitive to someone with dementia and their failing memory by taking advantage of it was both abhorrent and distressing.
The action was non-stop in this fast paced thriller which was totally binge-worthy. I could not turn the pages quick enough and thoroughly enjoyed the storylines that were interwoven together. Despite it not being the smoothest of translations, making some of the dialogue a little stilted and awkward, it didn't detract from the book as a whole because it was so well-written in its simplicity despite the story was a complex one. It didn't need the WOW factor to impress or intrigue - the way the author engages the reader through their skilled writing was enough. It was quick, enthralling and entirely compelling that I cannot wait for the translation of the second book!!
DON'T FORGET ME is essentially a German-written book and while sometimes things can be lost in translation I don't think that should be the focus. The story is both complex and simplistic making it an intriguing and thrilling read.
The one thing that I felt let it down was the premise promised more in the way of Olivia's missing family that I thought it may have featured just a little bit more in the story. Having said that, the cliffhanger left us with the promise of more to come on that front and I hope Book 2 features the mystery surrounding their disappearance a little more.
Overall, if you are looking for a quick, easy read that is both intriguing and binge-worthy then look no further than DON'T FORGET ME!! I certainly recommend it.
Bring on Book 2!!
I would like to thank #BCSchiller, #NetGalley and #AmazonPublishingUK for an ARC of #DontForgetMe in exchange for an honest review.
This review appears on my blog at https://stinathebookaholic.blogspot.com/.
December 12, 2020
I would especially like to thank Amazon Publishing UK and Thomas & Mercer and the Netgalley website for allowing me to read the first book in the series: "Levi Kant".
It has been almost five years since the husband and daughter of psychiatrist Olivia Hofmann disappeared and five years since the body of a teenage girl was found in a quarry in Vienna.
The investigation into the circumstances and motive of the death of this teenage girl Lisa is at a standstill, but every year on the anniversary of the disappearance of her husband and daughter, Olivia receives an anonymous postcard. Who is the author of this postcard? Why are they apologizing? Until the day one of Olivia's patients claims to have seen Lisa alive, she will partner with Detective Levi Kant to find out the truth about these disappearances and this famous murder. Except that reopening the case will put Olivia and Levi Kant in danger. The killer is looking for them and he will not give up the case.
A book read in one go, so much so that I hung on to the story, so moving in certain passages, full of suspense and twists, addictive, captivating, gripping with endearing characters. Can't wait to read the book two.
It has been almost five years since the husband and daughter of psychiatrist Olivia Hofmann disappeared and five years since the body of a teenage girl was found in a quarry in Vienna.
The investigation into the circumstances and motive of the death of this teenage girl Lisa is at a standstill, but every year on the anniversary of the disappearance of her husband and daughter, Olivia receives an anonymous postcard. Who is the author of this postcard? Why are they apologizing? Until the day one of Olivia's patients claims to have seen Lisa alive, she will partner with Detective Levi Kant to find out the truth about these disappearances and this famous murder. Except that reopening the case will put Olivia and Levi Kant in danger. The killer is looking for them and he will not give up the case.
A book read in one go, so much so that I hung on to the story, so moving in certain passages, full of suspense and twists, addictive, captivating, gripping with endearing characters. Can't wait to read the book two.
October 20, 2019
Olivia Hofmann is a psychiatrist and five years ago her daughter and husband went missing without a trace. Except someone sends her a postcard on each anniversary with the word 'sorry'. Around the same time five years ago, a girl named Lisa Manz was killed and her murderer was never found. The case comes to Olivia's attention through a patient she is working with, who claims has seen Lisa alive. Olivia gets in touch with Levi Kant, the detective that worked on the unsolved case and together they investigate the findings.
This one was fast paced and intriguing throughout, which I enjoyed. That said, I didn't particularly connect with the characters. I would have also liked more of a connection between Olivia's missing loved ones and the case of Manz to tie the stories together, but I see this is listed as 'book 1', so I expect that in the sequel. Overall enjoyable.
Thank you to NetGalley and Amazon Publishing for this advance review e-reader.
This one was fast paced and intriguing throughout, which I enjoyed. That said, I didn't particularly connect with the characters. I would have also liked more of a connection between Olivia's missing loved ones and the case of Manz to tie the stories together, but I see this is listed as 'book 1', so I expect that in the sequel. Overall enjoyable.
Thank you to NetGalley and Amazon Publishing for this advance review e-reader.
November 29, 2019
An easy to read, engrossing thriller. 4 stars!
I was intrigued by the cover and description of this mystery novel, dealing with 2 separate cases - one is following the death of Lisa Manz, the other the disappearance of one of the main character's husband and daughter five years ago.
The book was well-written and quite simplistic which made it a quick, enthralling read. I very much enjoyed it and would like to read more from the authors, and more in the Levi Kant series. I'm not thoroughly intrigued about the plot of the next book!
Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for my review copy.
Would recommend for: if you like detective police shows like The Sinner on Netflix, this might be perfect for you. It really reminded me of that series a lot.
May 6, 2019
Potenzial nicht ausgeschöpft (das können die Autoren besser!). Guter Ansatz, aber zu wenig ausgearbeitet.
***
Lisa Manz verschwand vor fünf Jahren und tauchte als verbrannte Leiche wenige Tage später wieder auf. Der Fall wurde nie gelöst. Levi Kant, der Ermittler im Fall Lisa Manz, musste nach einer Schussverletzung den Dienst quittieren, der fall ließ ihn nie los. Psychiaterin Olivia Hofmann hat selbst ein schlimmes Schicksal erlebt, vor Jahren verschwanden ihr Mann und ihre Tochter spurlos. Jeden Jahrestag erhält sie eine Karte mit den Worten ‚Es tut mir Leid‘. Als ein Patient von Olivia behauptet Lisa wäre aus der Hölle zurück gekehrt müssen Levi Kant und Olivia an einem Strang ziehen, um den Fall endlich zu lösen.
Das Buch des Autoren Duos B.C. Schiller gelangte durch eine super tolle Aktion von Ehrlich & Anders zu mir. Die Aktion begann mit einer mysteriösen Postkarte die mich erreichte mit den Worten ‚Es tut mir Leid‘ (gruselig oder?) Als nächstes kam ein Paket mit einem in schwarzes Papier eingepacktem Buch. Böses Geheimnis von B.C. Schiller …
Ich will ehrlich sein, das Buch hat mich nicht umgehauen. Der Sinn von Rezensionen ist es eine ehrliche Meinung kund zu tun, das habe ich auch vor, auch wenn ich die Aktion zu dem Buch grandios fand. Das Buch war es nicht.
Auf 250 Seiten genug Beweise zu streuen, die für den Leser am Ende plausibel erscheinen, aber ihn nicht zu früh auf die Spur des Täters bringen, ist sicherlich schwer. Für mein Empfinden wusste ich zu schnell was Sache ist, denn die ‚Hinweise‘ waren zu offensichtlich.
Die Geschichte selbst hat mir gut gefallen. Psychiatrien sind ja immer ein spannender Austragungsort für Krimis. Ärzte die nicht nur im Sinne der Patienten handeln sondern auch im Namen der Wissenschaft oder gar eigener Interessen. Auch Cold Cases finde ich spannend. An sich also gute Ansatzpunkte.
Ein Kapitel welches ich komplett gestrichen hätte ist das von Kants Oma – per se ist die Geschichte von ihr herzzerreißend. Aber bei so wenigen Seiten interessiert mich tatsächlich nur die eine Geschichte um die es geht, nicht die irrelevante Lebensgeschichte eines Verwandten eines der Protagonisten.
Und, Gott ich fühle mich richtig schlecht das ich noch etwas zu bemängeln habe, die Sprache gefiel mir nicht. Das kann ich genauer erklären: Die Dialoge wirkten holzig und ungelenk – aufgesetzt. Anders gesagt, ich nehme den Leuten nicht ab dass sie so miteinander sprechen würden (oder gar nicht sich selbst). Mag grammatikalisch alles einwandfrei sein, aber mir hat es den Flair genommen, weil deshalb der Film in meinem Kopf nicht mehr flüssig lief.
Also Story ganz gut, mehr Seiten wären toll gewesen (hätte der Story mehr Leben eingehaucht), Sprache eher semi. Durchaus Potenzial, aber nicht ausgeschöpft. Rattenkinder von B.C. Schiller hat mir deutlich besser gefallen muss ich gestehen.
***
Lisa Manz verschwand vor fünf Jahren und tauchte als verbrannte Leiche wenige Tage später wieder auf. Der Fall wurde nie gelöst. Levi Kant, der Ermittler im Fall Lisa Manz, musste nach einer Schussverletzung den Dienst quittieren, der fall ließ ihn nie los. Psychiaterin Olivia Hofmann hat selbst ein schlimmes Schicksal erlebt, vor Jahren verschwanden ihr Mann und ihre Tochter spurlos. Jeden Jahrestag erhält sie eine Karte mit den Worten ‚Es tut mir Leid‘. Als ein Patient von Olivia behauptet Lisa wäre aus der Hölle zurück gekehrt müssen Levi Kant und Olivia an einem Strang ziehen, um den Fall endlich zu lösen.
Das Buch des Autoren Duos B.C. Schiller gelangte durch eine super tolle Aktion von Ehrlich & Anders zu mir. Die Aktion begann mit einer mysteriösen Postkarte die mich erreichte mit den Worten ‚Es tut mir Leid‘ (gruselig oder?) Als nächstes kam ein Paket mit einem in schwarzes Papier eingepacktem Buch. Böses Geheimnis von B.C. Schiller …
Ich will ehrlich sein, das Buch hat mich nicht umgehauen. Der Sinn von Rezensionen ist es eine ehrliche Meinung kund zu tun, das habe ich auch vor, auch wenn ich die Aktion zu dem Buch grandios fand. Das Buch war es nicht.
Auf 250 Seiten genug Beweise zu streuen, die für den Leser am Ende plausibel erscheinen, aber ihn nicht zu früh auf die Spur des Täters bringen, ist sicherlich schwer. Für mein Empfinden wusste ich zu schnell was Sache ist, denn die ‚Hinweise‘ waren zu offensichtlich.
Die Geschichte selbst hat mir gut gefallen. Psychiatrien sind ja immer ein spannender Austragungsort für Krimis. Ärzte die nicht nur im Sinne der Patienten handeln sondern auch im Namen der Wissenschaft oder gar eigener Interessen. Auch Cold Cases finde ich spannend. An sich also gute Ansatzpunkte.
Ein Kapitel welches ich komplett gestrichen hätte ist das von Kants Oma – per se ist die Geschichte von ihr herzzerreißend. Aber bei so wenigen Seiten interessiert mich tatsächlich nur die eine Geschichte um die es geht, nicht die irrelevante Lebensgeschichte eines Verwandten eines der Protagonisten.
Und, Gott ich fühle mich richtig schlecht das ich noch etwas zu bemängeln habe, die Sprache gefiel mir nicht. Das kann ich genauer erklären: Die Dialoge wirkten holzig und ungelenk – aufgesetzt. Anders gesagt, ich nehme den Leuten nicht ab dass sie so miteinander sprechen würden (oder gar nicht sich selbst). Mag grammatikalisch alles einwandfrei sein, aber mir hat es den Flair genommen, weil deshalb der Film in meinem Kopf nicht mehr flüssig lief.
Also Story ganz gut, mehr Seiten wären toll gewesen (hätte der Story mehr Leben eingehaucht), Sprache eher semi. Durchaus Potenzial, aber nicht ausgeschöpft. Rattenkinder von B.C. Schiller hat mir deutlich besser gefallen muss ich gestehen.
November 9, 2019
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC of Don't Forget Me, this is my honest review.
I was pleasantly surprised after reading some of the reviews, I know everyone doesnt enjoy the same books. Overall I thought the book was well-written, and it kept me turning the page to see what was going to happen next. Olivia Hofmann is a psychiatrist seeing patients but also taking care of her aging father. For myself I would recommend this book to others, but having said that I would also let them know that alot of readers thought differently than me, so I would have to leave it up to them if they want to read it. For me I guess I could call this a dark horse that I enjoyed.
I was pleasantly surprised after reading some of the reviews, I know everyone doesnt enjoy the same books. Overall I thought the book was well-written, and it kept me turning the page to see what was going to happen next. Olivia Hofmann is a psychiatrist seeing patients but also taking care of her aging father. For myself I would recommend this book to others, but having said that I would also let them know that alot of readers thought differently than me, so I would have to leave it up to them if they want to read it. For me I guess I could call this a dark horse that I enjoyed.
December 15, 2019
Finished this book in a few hours because I wanted to know the truth! It was fast paced and I enjoyed this book. But I wanted to know more about Olivia's husband and daughter who disappeared 5 years ago. She kept receiving a postcard saying 'I'm sorry' for the past 5 years since they went missing.
Olivia and Levi trying to find prove that Jonathan did not kill Lisa and he was murdered not suicide. They wanted to find Lisa's murderer too! Gosh the twist kinda exciting lol like you thought you found the killer but actually it was someone else.
Thank you Netgalley for giving me this amazing ARC!
Olivia and Levi trying to find prove that Jonathan did not kill Lisa and he was murdered not suicide. They wanted to find Lisa's murderer too! Gosh the twist kinda exciting lol like you thought you found the killer but actually it was someone else.
Thank you Netgalley for giving me this amazing ARC!
December 17, 2019
The title and the synopsis drew my attention to this book, although thrillers are one of my two favourite genres. On the whole it was a good story, but there was something about this book that didn't quite make the mark. I will no doubt read more by this author in time to come.
My thanks to Netgalley and the Publishers for my copy. This is my honest review, voluntarily given.
My thanks to Netgalley and the Publishers for my copy. This is my honest review, voluntarily given.
October 24, 2019
I haven't read many Austrian books so it was an interesting change for me. Plus I like Vienna.
As to the story - it wasn't very long and it had many damaged people in it. I think it was a bit too simplistic considering what complex issues it dealt with, but it was good enough to keep me interested.
As to the story - it wasn't very long and it had many damaged people in it. I think it was a bit too simplistic considering what complex issues it dealt with, but it was good enough to keep me interested.
January 14, 2025
I feel like this book could have been amazing but there were some elements lacking for me and having listened to this on audiobook I just couldn't get over the pronunciation of Levi's surname - it wouldn't have been my choice.
I didn't really connect to the characters and I felt there wasn't much depth added to them to make them relatable and likeable. There were also too many elements that just didn't tie up for me and I was left with too many loose ends when the books ended and not in a good way.
I didn't really connect to the characters and I felt there wasn't much depth added to them to make them relatable and likeable. There were also too many elements that just didn't tie up for me and I was left with too many loose ends when the books ended and not in a good way.
March 2, 2019
Ein neuer Ktimi von B.C. Schiller, den musste ich natürlich lesen,
Hinter B.C. Schiller verbergen sich 2 Autoren, Barbara und Christian Schiller, die zwischen Wien und Mallorca pendeln.
Bislang habe ich die Krimis mit Targa der Autoren verschlungen und war gespannt was mich nun erwartet.
Über #NetGalleyDE habe ich die Chance bekommen, bereits ein Vorabexemplar der neuen Reihe von B.C. Schiller zu lesen.
„#Böses Geheimnis“ heißt das erste Buch der Reihe mit Levi Kant.
Auf alle Fälle ein ganz anderer Ermittler. Levi Kant ist Ex-Ermittler. Er jagt keine Verbrecher, die gerade ihr Unwesen treiben, sondern er beschäftigt sich mit cold-cases.
Levi Kant ist nun Dozent an der Polizeiakademie, früher war er Leiter der Mordkommission. Aber eine Kugel hat sein Leben radikal verändert.
Die Psychiaterin Olivia Hofmann, deren Mann, samt der gemeinsamen Tochter, vor 5 Jahren verschwunden ist, sucht seit 5 Jahren den Mörder von Lisa Manz, damals 14 Jahre alt.
Sie bekommt 4 Jahre lang jedes Jahr eine Postkarte, dann in Jahr 5 eine Karte mit dem Text „Es tut mir leid“. Die Postkarten sind immer am Jahrestag des Verschwindens bei ihr.
Olivia Hofmann lebt zusammen mit ihrem Vater Leopold, der Alzheimer hat. Auch er war Psychiater in der Klinik, in der Olivia arbeitet und Lisa Patientin war.
Lisa Manz lässt Olivia nicht ruhen. Das 14-jährige Mädchen war bei ihr in Therapie. Hätte sie den Tod verhindern können?
Die Mutter gab Lisa die Schuld daran, dass ihre Karriere am Theater beendet war. Der Vater, bekannter Chrirurg, vergnügt sich mit seiner Geliebten. Kein tolles Leben für ein Kind.
Lisa wurde vom Arzt missbraucht, stimmt das?
Auf alle Fälle wurden die Reste ihrer verbrannten Leiche gefunden, in einer Schottergrube.
Alleine kommt Olivia nicht weiter. Levi Kant war ein sehr guter Ermittler bis er vor 5 Jahren angeschossen wurde. Olivia bittet ihn um Hilfe.
Nils Wagner, ebenfalls in der Psychiatrie beschäftigt, begeht Selbstmord. Hatte er mit Lisas Tod zu tuen? Kann Olivias Vater sich vielleicht noch erinnern an Lisa als Patienten?
Ich will nicht zuviel verraten.
Der Krimi ist einfach fesselnd.
Es ist B.C. Schiller gelungen einen spannenden Krimi zu schreiben, der einen von der ersten bis zur letzten Version fesselt. Und dabei konnte ich ja nur eine Vorab-Version und nicht die finale, lesen.
Ich freue mich auf die Fortsetzung der Reihe mit Levi Kant.
ISBN : 9782919808137 erscheint am 2.4.19 als finale Version
Hinter B.C. Schiller verbergen sich 2 Autoren, Barbara und Christian Schiller, die zwischen Wien und Mallorca pendeln.
Bislang habe ich die Krimis mit Targa der Autoren verschlungen und war gespannt was mich nun erwartet.
Über #NetGalleyDE habe ich die Chance bekommen, bereits ein Vorabexemplar der neuen Reihe von B.C. Schiller zu lesen.
„#Böses Geheimnis“ heißt das erste Buch der Reihe mit Levi Kant.
Auf alle Fälle ein ganz anderer Ermittler. Levi Kant ist Ex-Ermittler. Er jagt keine Verbrecher, die gerade ihr Unwesen treiben, sondern er beschäftigt sich mit cold-cases.
Levi Kant ist nun Dozent an der Polizeiakademie, früher war er Leiter der Mordkommission. Aber eine Kugel hat sein Leben radikal verändert.
Die Psychiaterin Olivia Hofmann, deren Mann, samt der gemeinsamen Tochter, vor 5 Jahren verschwunden ist, sucht seit 5 Jahren den Mörder von Lisa Manz, damals 14 Jahre alt.
Sie bekommt 4 Jahre lang jedes Jahr eine Postkarte, dann in Jahr 5 eine Karte mit dem Text „Es tut mir leid“. Die Postkarten sind immer am Jahrestag des Verschwindens bei ihr.
Olivia Hofmann lebt zusammen mit ihrem Vater Leopold, der Alzheimer hat. Auch er war Psychiater in der Klinik, in der Olivia arbeitet und Lisa Patientin war.
Lisa Manz lässt Olivia nicht ruhen. Das 14-jährige Mädchen war bei ihr in Therapie. Hätte sie den Tod verhindern können?
Die Mutter gab Lisa die Schuld daran, dass ihre Karriere am Theater beendet war. Der Vater, bekannter Chrirurg, vergnügt sich mit seiner Geliebten. Kein tolles Leben für ein Kind.
Lisa wurde vom Arzt missbraucht, stimmt das?
Auf alle Fälle wurden die Reste ihrer verbrannten Leiche gefunden, in einer Schottergrube.
Alleine kommt Olivia nicht weiter. Levi Kant war ein sehr guter Ermittler bis er vor 5 Jahren angeschossen wurde. Olivia bittet ihn um Hilfe.
Nils Wagner, ebenfalls in der Psychiatrie beschäftigt, begeht Selbstmord. Hatte er mit Lisas Tod zu tuen? Kann Olivias Vater sich vielleicht noch erinnern an Lisa als Patienten?
Ich will nicht zuviel verraten.
Der Krimi ist einfach fesselnd.
Es ist B.C. Schiller gelungen einen spannenden Krimi zu schreiben, der einen von der ersten bis zur letzten Version fesselt. Und dabei konnte ich ja nur eine Vorab-Version und nicht die finale, lesen.
Ich freue mich auf die Fortsetzung der Reihe mit Levi Kant.
ISBN : 9782919808137 erscheint am 2.4.19 als finale Version
July 26, 2019
Vor ein paar Wochen fand ich eine Postkarte mit den Worten "Es tut mir leid" in meinem Briefkasten. Nach ein paar Tagen erhielt ich dann das Rezensionsexemplar "Böses Geheimnis", welches Band 1 einer neuen Cold-Case Reihe ist und wusste, das ist die Postkarte, die Olivia Hoffmann auch jedes Jahr bekommt. Diese Aktion vom Team Ehrlich & Anders fand ich richtig cool! An dieser Stelle nochmal danke, dass ich dabei sein durfte.
Die Geschichte rund um Olivia und Levi und den Fall um Lisa Manz fand ich richtig spannend, auch wenn dieser Thriller nicht so spannend war, wie meine üblichen und auch weniger "brutal". Trotzdem hat mich die Geschichte gefesselt, auch wenn ich die ganze Zeit wissen wollte, was es mit dem Verschwinden von Olivias Mann und Tochter auf sich hat. Auch wenn das nicht direkt thematisiert wurde, habe ich den Fall um Lisa Manz gerne verfolgt und wollte immer wissen, wie es weitergeht.
Olivia und Levi sind ein tolles Ermittler-Duo. Levi war Leiter der Mordkommission, bis er angeschossen wurde. Jetzt ist er Dozent an der Polizeiakademie. Er hängt sehr an seinem ehemaligen Job. Ich fand es toll, dass er den Fall von Lisa nicht aufgegeben hat. Erst kam er mir komisch vor aber am Ende war er mir echt sympathisch. Olivia ist Psychiaterin, deren Mann und Kind verschwunden sind. Sie hat nur noch ihren Vater, der an Alzheimer erkrankt ist. Olivia kommt dann durch einen ihrer Patienten mit Levi in Kontakt.
Die neue Ausgabe hat ein neues Cover bekommen und dieses finde ich tatsächlich schöner als das alte. Düstere Landschaften auf dem Cover sind toll.
Mit dem Schreibstil kam ich sehr gut zurecht. Es ist einfach und aus der Sicht von Levi und Olivia geschrieben. Durch Rückblicke, die aus Lisa's Sicht geschrieben worden ist, bekommt man sogar Einblicke in Lisa‘s Leben, als sie 14 Jahre alt war. Innerhalb dieser Perspektiven, zumindest von Olivia's und Levi's wird auch oft zwischen Orten gewechselt. Das hat mich aber nicht gestört.
Das Ende lies einige Fragen offen und sorgte auch für eine Überraschung.
Auch wenn die richtig große Spannung nicht da war, finde ich den Thriller super für zwischendurch zum lesen. Auf den 2. Band "Böse Tränen" freue ich mich jedenfalls sehr, denn ich möchte unbedingt wissen wie es jetzt mit Olivia und Levi's Zusammenarbeit weitergeht und was damals mit Olivia's Familie passiert ist. Danke an das Team von Ehrlich & Anders für das Rezensionsexemplar!
Die Geschichte rund um Olivia und Levi und den Fall um Lisa Manz fand ich richtig spannend, auch wenn dieser Thriller nicht so spannend war, wie meine üblichen und auch weniger "brutal". Trotzdem hat mich die Geschichte gefesselt, auch wenn ich die ganze Zeit wissen wollte, was es mit dem Verschwinden von Olivias Mann und Tochter auf sich hat. Auch wenn das nicht direkt thematisiert wurde, habe ich den Fall um Lisa Manz gerne verfolgt und wollte immer wissen, wie es weitergeht.
Olivia und Levi sind ein tolles Ermittler-Duo. Levi war Leiter der Mordkommission, bis er angeschossen wurde. Jetzt ist er Dozent an der Polizeiakademie. Er hängt sehr an seinem ehemaligen Job. Ich fand es toll, dass er den Fall von Lisa nicht aufgegeben hat. Erst kam er mir komisch vor aber am Ende war er mir echt sympathisch. Olivia ist Psychiaterin, deren Mann und Kind verschwunden sind. Sie hat nur noch ihren Vater, der an Alzheimer erkrankt ist. Olivia kommt dann durch einen ihrer Patienten mit Levi in Kontakt.
Die neue Ausgabe hat ein neues Cover bekommen und dieses finde ich tatsächlich schöner als das alte. Düstere Landschaften auf dem Cover sind toll.
Mit dem Schreibstil kam ich sehr gut zurecht. Es ist einfach und aus der Sicht von Levi und Olivia geschrieben. Durch Rückblicke, die aus Lisa's Sicht geschrieben worden ist, bekommt man sogar Einblicke in Lisa‘s Leben, als sie 14 Jahre alt war. Innerhalb dieser Perspektiven, zumindest von Olivia's und Levi's wird auch oft zwischen Orten gewechselt. Das hat mich aber nicht gestört.
Das Ende lies einige Fragen offen und sorgte auch für eine Überraschung.
Auch wenn die richtig große Spannung nicht da war, finde ich den Thriller super für zwischendurch zum lesen. Auf den 2. Band "Böse Tränen" freue ich mich jedenfalls sehr, denn ich möchte unbedingt wissen wie es jetzt mit Olivia und Levi's Zusammenarbeit weitergeht und was damals mit Olivia's Familie passiert ist. Danke an das Team von Ehrlich & Anders für das Rezensionsexemplar!
July 25, 2019
Spannend
Dies war der erste Thriller den ich von B.C. Schiller gelesen habe. Ich war positiv überrascht, auch wenn sich die Geschichte anders gestaltete als ich erst zunächst vermutet habe.
Die Geschichte wird ein zwei Zeitebenen erzählt. Einmal in der Gegenwart und einmal in der Vergangenheit, basierend auf Tagebucheinträgen. Das gestaltete das Lesen abwechslungsreich und spannend, so dass ich kaum von der Geschichte ablassen konnte .
Erschreckend
Was nach und nach zu Tage trat, fand ich sehr erschreckend. Zunächst waren es nur Annahmen, die sich aber immer weiter verhärteten.
Die Geschichte entführte mich dabei in tiefste menschliche Abgründe. Manchmal konnte ich nicht glauben was ich da lese und vermochte auch nicht zu deuten, wie das Ganze aus- bzw. weitergehen würde.
Nicht unbeteiligt an meiner Fassungslosigkeit waren dabei die handelnden Figuren, wenn man vom Ermittlerduo mal absieht. Nichtsdestotrotz oder gerade deswegen fand ich alle Haupt- und Nebencharaktere sehr gut ausgestattet, facettenreich und glaubhaft. Sie hatten zum Teil so viele Ecken und Kanten, dass es einfach interessant war ihren Weg zu verfolgen. Man konnte sich nie wirklich sicher sein, was sie als nächstes von sich preisgeben würden.
Lobend erwähnen möchte ich auch das Ermittlerduo, welches aus einem Polizist A.D. und einer Psychologin besteht. Bei diesen beiden ist nicht nur das Zusammenspiel sehr interessant gestaltet, sondern sie bringen gleichzeitig einen privaten Hintergrund mit hinein, der die Geschichte ungleich authentischer und persönlicher macht.
Überraschend
Es blieb bis zum Schluss spannend und ich konnte mir nie sicher sein, wie die Geschichte wirklich ausgehen oder was noch zu Tage treten würde.
Ein typischer Thriller ist dieser Roman für mich allerdings nicht, da ich erwartet hatte, mehr in die Gefühlswelt des Täters einzudringen. Stattdessen steht jedoch das vermeintliche Opfer im Vordergrund.
Daher geht meine Leseempfehlung eher an alle Leser, die einen spannenden Krimi mit Thrilleffekten lesen möchten. Denjenigen möchte ich allerdings raten: nehmt euch nichts mehr vor, ihr werdet das Buch so schnell nicht aus der Hand legen!
Dies war der erste Thriller den ich von B.C. Schiller gelesen habe. Ich war positiv überrascht, auch wenn sich die Geschichte anders gestaltete als ich erst zunächst vermutet habe.
Die Geschichte wird ein zwei Zeitebenen erzählt. Einmal in der Gegenwart und einmal in der Vergangenheit, basierend auf Tagebucheinträgen. Das gestaltete das Lesen abwechslungsreich und spannend, so dass ich kaum von der Geschichte ablassen konnte .
Erschreckend
Was nach und nach zu Tage trat, fand ich sehr erschreckend. Zunächst waren es nur Annahmen, die sich aber immer weiter verhärteten.
Die Geschichte entführte mich dabei in tiefste menschliche Abgründe. Manchmal konnte ich nicht glauben was ich da lese und vermochte auch nicht zu deuten, wie das Ganze aus- bzw. weitergehen würde.
Nicht unbeteiligt an meiner Fassungslosigkeit waren dabei die handelnden Figuren, wenn man vom Ermittlerduo mal absieht. Nichtsdestotrotz oder gerade deswegen fand ich alle Haupt- und Nebencharaktere sehr gut ausgestattet, facettenreich und glaubhaft. Sie hatten zum Teil so viele Ecken und Kanten, dass es einfach interessant war ihren Weg zu verfolgen. Man konnte sich nie wirklich sicher sein, was sie als nächstes von sich preisgeben würden.
Lobend erwähnen möchte ich auch das Ermittlerduo, welches aus einem Polizist A.D. und einer Psychologin besteht. Bei diesen beiden ist nicht nur das Zusammenspiel sehr interessant gestaltet, sondern sie bringen gleichzeitig einen privaten Hintergrund mit hinein, der die Geschichte ungleich authentischer und persönlicher macht.
Überraschend
Es blieb bis zum Schluss spannend und ich konnte mir nie sicher sein, wie die Geschichte wirklich ausgehen oder was noch zu Tage treten würde.
Ein typischer Thriller ist dieser Roman für mich allerdings nicht, da ich erwartet hatte, mehr in die Gefühlswelt des Täters einzudringen. Stattdessen steht jedoch das vermeintliche Opfer im Vordergrund.
Daher geht meine Leseempfehlung eher an alle Leser, die einen spannenden Krimi mit Thrilleffekten lesen möchten. Denjenigen möchte ich allerdings raten: nehmt euch nichts mehr vor, ihr werdet das Buch so schnell nicht aus der Hand legen!
January 30, 2019
Ein müheloser Einstieg in das Buch und ich war sofort gefangen in dem "bösen Geheimnis". Olivia leidet unter dem Verschwinden von Mann und Tochter und kümmert sich um ihren an Demenz erkrankten Vater. Sie praktiziert als Psychiaterin und schnell schnellt die Spannung nach oben, denn einem ihrer Patienten passiert etwas schreckliches...und schon ist Olivia in einem Strudel aus Intrigen und Ungereimtheiten gefangen und beginnt, auf eigene Faust zu ermitteln.
Levi Kant war mir auch sofort sympathisch, seine leicht verschrobene und doch so freundliche Art habe ich sofort geliebt, über ihn hätte ich noch so viele Seiten mehr lesen können. Der Fall der verbrannten Lisa Manz 5 Jahre zuvor hat ihn nicht mehr losgelassen und schon als es den kleinsten Hinweis gab, der mit ihr in Verbindung stand, war er wieder Feuer und Flamme.
Das ist aber nur ein kleiner Stein von ganz vielen Felsbrocken, die es hier zu erklimmen gilt.Levi und Olivia tun sich zusammen und gehen gemeinsam den Dingen auf die Spur. Denn es gibt einiges herauszufinden. Über den ehemaligen Patienten Olivias, ebenso wie über Lisa Manz und was eigentlich damals wirklich mit ihr passiert ist. Parallel bekommt man auch einen Einblick in das Leben von Lisa 5 Jahre zuvor und schnell kommen schockierende Details ans Tageslicht. Ich habe mich auf keiner einzigen Seite gelangweilt und hab einfach nur nie enorme Spannung genossen. Gleich mehrere Personen wollen Olivia und Levi Steine in den Weg legen und mit aller Macht verhindern, dass die beiden mehr herausfinden.
Geschickt wurden einige kleine Drehungen und Wendungen eingebaut, aber das dann am Ende nochmal SO ein Ding kommt, damit hätte ich nie gerechnet. Das war fast schon ein bisschen fies, denn ich hätte soooo gern direkt weitergemacht mit einer Fortsetzung! Der Fall "Lisa Manz" wurde aber lückenlos aufgeklärt, da sind keine Fragen mehr offen geblieben. Grandioser Auftakt einer neuen Buchreihe!
Levi Kant war mir auch sofort sympathisch, seine leicht verschrobene und doch so freundliche Art habe ich sofort geliebt, über ihn hätte ich noch so viele Seiten mehr lesen können. Der Fall der verbrannten Lisa Manz 5 Jahre zuvor hat ihn nicht mehr losgelassen und schon als es den kleinsten Hinweis gab, der mit ihr in Verbindung stand, war er wieder Feuer und Flamme.
Das ist aber nur ein kleiner Stein von ganz vielen Felsbrocken, die es hier zu erklimmen gilt.Levi und Olivia tun sich zusammen und gehen gemeinsam den Dingen auf die Spur. Denn es gibt einiges herauszufinden. Über den ehemaligen Patienten Olivias, ebenso wie über Lisa Manz und was eigentlich damals wirklich mit ihr passiert ist. Parallel bekommt man auch einen Einblick in das Leben von Lisa 5 Jahre zuvor und schnell kommen schockierende Details ans Tageslicht. Ich habe mich auf keiner einzigen Seite gelangweilt und hab einfach nur nie enorme Spannung genossen. Gleich mehrere Personen wollen Olivia und Levi Steine in den Weg legen und mit aller Macht verhindern, dass die beiden mehr herausfinden.
Geschickt wurden einige kleine Drehungen und Wendungen eingebaut, aber das dann am Ende nochmal SO ein Ding kommt, damit hätte ich nie gerechnet. Das war fast schon ein bisschen fies, denn ich hätte soooo gern direkt weitergemacht mit einer Fortsetzung! Der Fall "Lisa Manz" wurde aber lückenlos aufgeklärt, da sind keine Fragen mehr offen geblieben. Grandioser Auftakt einer neuen Buchreihe!
December 30, 2019
This book is the first in a series and introduces us to Olivia Hofman. 5 years ago her husband and daughter disappeared without a trace. Each year on the anniversary of their disappearance she receives a postcard. Outside of that mystery, Olivia's life has somewhat continued. She's a psychiatrist and the story begins with one of her patients swearing he'd seen someone he'd known in the past, Lisa Manz. But, it couldn't possibly be true, as Lisa has been dead for 5 years.
Caught up in a case of danger and intrigue, Olivia seeks out Levi Kant, who was previously the investigator of Lisa's murder. He was gravely injured during the case and is now an instructor, but the case has always haunted him. Together, can they find out what really happened to Lisa? Does any of this have connection to Olivia's family?
Usually I find that translated books have a stilted flow, but this one was translated very well. I liked the flow of the book, and the mystery was less predictable than many are these days. I was left wanting more, so I will for sure be on the lookout for the next book, which I hope will answer some of my remaining questions.
*I received this book from Netgalley in exchange for my review.
Caught up in a case of danger and intrigue, Olivia seeks out Levi Kant, who was previously the investigator of Lisa's murder. He was gravely injured during the case and is now an instructor, but the case has always haunted him. Together, can they find out what really happened to Lisa? Does any of this have connection to Olivia's family?
Usually I find that translated books have a stilted flow, but this one was translated very well. I liked the flow of the book, and the mystery was less predictable than many are these days. I was left wanting more, so I will for sure be on the lookout for the next book, which I hope will answer some of my remaining questions.
*I received this book from Netgalley in exchange for my review.
November 9, 2019
Reading the synopsis of "Don't forget me" I thought this would be a perfect read for me. Sadly, it was not. In spite of an interesting premise, I don't feel like it was well developed at all, short chapter after short chapter, not allowing the story to feel like a whole, just some disjointed scenes where everything happens because the author decided it had to do so, not leading the reader to that.
The two main characters were two dimensional, and while the author gave them some backstory to make them more interesting, it wasn't developed enough to make me feel interested. And if the main characters were two dimensional, the villains were a caricature, with such an awkward and not believale dialogue that it made me cringe sometimes. One thing that caught my attention was how the characters' reactions were not in sync with the seriousness of the moment in question, being totally out of proportion for stupid things and so nonchalant for the important ones.
Regretfully, "Don't forget me" didn't live up to his title and I already forgot it.
Thanks to Netgalley and Amazon Publishing UK for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
The two main characters were two dimensional, and while the author gave them some backstory to make them more interesting, it wasn't developed enough to make me feel interested. And if the main characters were two dimensional, the villains were a caricature, with such an awkward and not believale dialogue that it made me cringe sometimes. One thing that caught my attention was how the characters' reactions were not in sync with the seriousness of the moment in question, being totally out of proportion for stupid things and so nonchalant for the important ones.
Regretfully, "Don't forget me" didn't live up to his title and I already forgot it.
Thanks to Netgalley and Amazon Publishing UK for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
October 7, 2019
Thank you NetGalley and Amazon Publishing UK for the eARC.
Psychiatrist Olivia Hofmann's husband and daughter disappeared 5 years ago, leaving her devastated. The only family she has left is her father, who is suffering from Alzheimer's and beside her private practice and the couple of days she works with mental patients at a psychiatric facility, she takes care of him as well. She gets involved in the cold case of a 14-year old girl who escaped from the psychiatric facility and who's body was found burned to death, alongside an ex-policeman who cannot forget about the case, which was never solved.
The 2 of them find themselves in danger...someone doesn't want them to find the truth.
I'm in 2 minds about the book. Although enjoyable, I found it hard to connect with the characters and the story seemed unrealistic at times and also disjointed. I wondered if was part of a series and this book was somewhere in the middle of it instead of starting with no.1. I did like the setting of Vienna.
Psychiatrist Olivia Hofmann's husband and daughter disappeared 5 years ago, leaving her devastated. The only family she has left is her father, who is suffering from Alzheimer's and beside her private practice and the couple of days she works with mental patients at a psychiatric facility, she takes care of him as well. She gets involved in the cold case of a 14-year old girl who escaped from the psychiatric facility and who's body was found burned to death, alongside an ex-policeman who cannot forget about the case, which was never solved.
The 2 of them find themselves in danger...someone doesn't want them to find the truth.
I'm in 2 minds about the book. Although enjoyable, I found it hard to connect with the characters and the story seemed unrealistic at times and also disjointed. I wondered if was part of a series and this book was somewhere in the middle of it instead of starting with no.1. I did like the setting of Vienna.
December 12, 2019
I really loved this book. I read it in one day at the airport and it was the perfect read for that setting. It was engaging. It was fast paced. It had good dialogue. The mystery kept me guessing at every turn. What's amazing to me is that the story is written by a husband and wife who live in Germany. It did not read like a book written by two people and I think that made me love it more. The synopsis is a little misleading in that it makes the reader think you are looking into Olivia's story more. However, I loved where the book went and, since it is labeled as Levi Kant #1, I am hoping there are more books so that I will be able to learn more of Olivia's story down the line. I loved the setting of Vienna and the mystery was great. I never was even close to guessing the real story. I will definitely be reading more novels from this very famous German writing duo!! 4 stars from me!!
January 18, 2020
3.5 out of 5 stars. Thank you NetGalley for an ARC copy of this book. It was pretty good, but I wouldn't say it's a thriller. Maybe just mystery with a little bit of suspense mixed in. There were a couple chapters, like the one about Levi's grandmother, that I felt didn't really add to the story. But, I love Olivia as a character and I might read the second book in the series someday if it ever gets translated because I want to know what happened to her family!!
January 18, 2020
Zum Buch:
Levi Kant ist nach einer Schießerei nicht mehr diensttauglich und wird auf den Lehrstul an der Polizeiakademie versetzt. Doch sein letzter Fall lässt ihn nicht los. Das 14-jährige Brandopfer Lisa geht ihm nicht aus dem Kopf. 5 Jahre nach dem grausamen Mord an dem Mädchen taucht ihr Rucksack auf. Bei einem Selbstmörder. Gemeinsam mit der Psychaterin des Selbstmörders rollt er auf eigene Faust den Fall neu auf - und tritt dem Täter dabei gehörig auf die Füße.
Meine Meinung:
Ein wunderschönes Cover macht schon Lust auf das Buch, ebenso macht der Klappentext neugierig. Gleich zu Beginn schaffen es die Autoren, den Leser zu fesseln. Ein leichter Schreibstil und kurze Kapitel lassen einen durch die Seiten fliegen. Die Story um Pädophilie, Kindesmissbrauch, Vernachlässigung und falsche Eitelkeit bringt mir nicht nur einmal Gänsehaut. Mir war zwar schnell klar, in welche Richtung das ganze gehen wird. Das tat der Spannung jedoch überhaupt keinen Abbruch. Dafür sorgten die überaus sympathischen Charaktere mit ihren überlegten Handlungen und Gefühlswelten.
Absolute Leseempfehlung für alle Krimi- und Thrillerfans. Verdiente 5 🌟
Levi Kant ist nach einer Schießerei nicht mehr diensttauglich und wird auf den Lehrstul an der Polizeiakademie versetzt. Doch sein letzter Fall lässt ihn nicht los. Das 14-jährige Brandopfer Lisa geht ihm nicht aus dem Kopf. 5 Jahre nach dem grausamen Mord an dem Mädchen taucht ihr Rucksack auf. Bei einem Selbstmörder. Gemeinsam mit der Psychaterin des Selbstmörders rollt er auf eigene Faust den Fall neu auf - und tritt dem Täter dabei gehörig auf die Füße.
Meine Meinung:
Ein wunderschönes Cover macht schon Lust auf das Buch, ebenso macht der Klappentext neugierig. Gleich zu Beginn schaffen es die Autoren, den Leser zu fesseln. Ein leichter Schreibstil und kurze Kapitel lassen einen durch die Seiten fliegen. Die Story um Pädophilie, Kindesmissbrauch, Vernachlässigung und falsche Eitelkeit bringt mir nicht nur einmal Gänsehaut. Mir war zwar schnell klar, in welche Richtung das ganze gehen wird. Das tat der Spannung jedoch überhaupt keinen Abbruch. Dafür sorgten die überaus sympathischen Charaktere mit ihren überlegten Handlungen und Gefühlswelten.
Absolute Leseempfehlung für alle Krimi- und Thrillerfans. Verdiente 5 🌟
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