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Odd Singsaker #2
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I 1767 finner politimester Nils Bayer et mannslik i Trondheim. Vinteren 2011 blir en ung kvinne funnet drept i samme by. Drapsmannen har plassert en spilledåse på kvinnens bryst. En ting ser ut til å knytte sakene sammen, melodien fra spilledåsen. Dette er den andre boka om etterforskeren Odd Singsaker.
320 pages
First published January 1, 2012
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 105 reviews
February 2, 2019
Gosh, that was such a creepy thrilling read! I'm very new to the Scandinavian crime genre but this certainly won't be the last book I'll read that is written by Jorgen. Set in two time periods: The present day and 1700s, the novel follows a detective called Odd Singsaker who is trying to investigate the brutal murder of a young, upcoming singer in the forest lands of Norway. The strangest observation is that on top of her body, an antique music box has been placed there by the killer. After the missing persons case of another young singer comes to light, Singsaker starts to realise that a serial killer could be at work.
I loved the premise of music and composers being thrown into this crime mystery, it was unlike anything that I've ever read. The writing style was easy to get into and with good pacing. It is very scary and suited more to an adult audience due to the graphic descriptions of corpses and violence. The only issue that let the experience of reading Death Song was the number of characters involved. It was quite easy to get confused at times over who was who. Nevertheless, I'm excited to carry on with this series and hope to read the next books soon!
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I loved the premise of music and composers being thrown into this crime mystery, it was unlike anything that I've ever read. The writing style was easy to get into and with good pacing. It is very scary and suited more to an adult audience due to the graphic descriptions of corpses and violence. The only issue that let the experience of reading Death Song was the number of characters involved. It was quite easy to get confused at times over who was who. Nevertheless, I'm excited to carry on with this series and hope to read the next books soon!
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October 10, 2018
This one is not as good as Brekke's first, 'Where Monsters Dwell,' which was excellent.
Odd Singsaker, recovering from recent brain cancer surgery, is back on the job as a detective, in Norway. He's looking for whoever killed a young woman, then cut out her larynx propped it on her stomach and left her in the woods. Yeah, kinda baffling, ya think?
There's a lot of 'other stuff' in this book, namely another murder which happened in the late 1700's and is linked to this one. It does seem that the murderer is searching for someone to 'sing' an ancient lullaby, which, if legend is true, will allow the listener to sleep a deep and dream-filled sleep. Hence, the killer must be an insomniac. And terribly weird. Not to mention a psychopath.
This book doesn't play by the usual 'mystery/suspense' book rules. It often meanders into incidents in Singsaker's life, his friends - and lovers - and what he's recently been up to. He's as much a tortured soul as the killer, though Singsaker is no killer. But he overlooks the obvious, to his horrible regret, and things happen at the end which will no doubt carry over into the next book.
The writing is exemplary, btw, but I gave it only three stars as I actually got BORED halfway through reading and set it aside to read TWO other books. I finally went back and simply because I like Odd (Singsaker) so much.
I will read any more books featuring him, however. He's quite a character.
Three stars.
Odd Singsaker, recovering from recent brain cancer surgery, is back on the job as a detective, in Norway. He's looking for whoever killed a young woman, then cut out her larynx propped it on her stomach and left her in the woods. Yeah, kinda baffling, ya think?
There's a lot of 'other stuff' in this book, namely another murder which happened in the late 1700's and is linked to this one. It does seem that the murderer is searching for someone to 'sing' an ancient lullaby, which, if legend is true, will allow the listener to sleep a deep and dream-filled sleep. Hence, the killer must be an insomniac. And terribly weird. Not to mention a psychopath.
This book doesn't play by the usual 'mystery/suspense' book rules. It often meanders into incidents in Singsaker's life, his friends - and lovers - and what he's recently been up to. He's as much a tortured soul as the killer, though Singsaker is no killer. But he overlooks the obvious, to his horrible regret, and things happen at the end which will no doubt carry over into the next book.
The writing is exemplary, btw, but I gave it only three stars as I actually got BORED halfway through reading and set it aside to read TWO other books. I finally went back and simply because I like Odd (Singsaker) so much.
I will read any more books featuring him, however. He's quite a character.
Three stars.
May 23, 2016
Reading the follow up to Jorgen Brekke's outstanding debut thriller "Where Monsters Dwell" is like playing a Scandinavian version of three dimensional chess. An incredibly complex and challenging mystery, it follows dual plot lines in the Norwegian city of Trondheim with fascinating side issues involving two protagonists; Odd Singsaker, a middle aged police detective still recuperating from brain surgery and Nils Bayer, the hard drinking Trondheim Police Chief in the year 1767. Odd is dealing with a ritual murder of a young girl and the kidnapping of another while Nils attempts to solve the murder of an itinerant musician. Both crimes are connected to the missing sheet music of a folk lullaby written in 1767 but how the two crimes, separated by 248 years, are connected is the driver of this unique and very entertaining book. I strongly recommend my Scandinavian crime fiction friends read this book for the creative originality of its plot structure and brilliantly drawn characters.
September 14, 2013
Rating 3.4* out of 5. This was a perfectly readable thriller. It was a nice read, but I will have forgotten I ever read it within two weeks. Considering I only started keeping track of what I read at the end of 2007, I wonder how many books are in this particular category. Neither spectacular nor aggravating, utterly immemorable.
Inspector Odd Singsaker has had a brain tumour removed and struggles a bit with his memory. He is after a short courtship married to Felicia, from the United States, who helped out on his last case. However, the fly in the ointment is the pregnancy of Felicia's best friend Siri, whom Odd slept with shortly before he met Felicia. The personal developments are the highlights of this book.
There is a murder, of course. A woman is found dead in the snow with her vocal cords removed and a music box playing softly next to her cooling body. The music box is playing an unknown lullaby. Shortly after Julie, a teenager with an affinity for music, disappears while walking her dog. The quest becomes to find her before it is too late.
Intertwined with the current events is that of the life and death of "Jon Blund" (aka the Sandman), a troubadour from Sweden in the late 16th century. His fate is tied to the current events by the thinnest gossamer.
I don't regret reading this, it was a perfect weekend read. It didn't do anything to me though, either positive or negative. There was no reaction, although I did feel my eyes go moist at the very end. Helped by a glass of wine, no doubt.
Inspector Odd Singsaker has had a brain tumour removed and struggles a bit with his memory. He is after a short courtship married to Felicia, from the United States, who helped out on his last case. However, the fly in the ointment is the pregnancy of Felicia's best friend Siri, whom Odd slept with shortly before he met Felicia. The personal developments are the highlights of this book.
There is a murder, of course. A woman is found dead in the snow with her vocal cords removed and a music box playing softly next to her cooling body. The music box is playing an unknown lullaby. Shortly after Julie, a teenager with an affinity for music, disappears while walking her dog. The quest becomes to find her before it is too late.
Intertwined with the current events is that of the life and death of "Jon Blund" (aka the Sandman), a troubadour from Sweden in the late 16th century. His fate is tied to the current events by the thinnest gossamer.
I don't regret reading this, it was a perfect weekend read. It didn't do anything to me though, either positive or negative. There was no reaction, although I did feel my eyes go moist at the very end. Helped by a glass of wine, no doubt.
January 22, 2021
Really enjoyed this one. The prologue is dynamite and short and sweet setting up an introduction to someone you know is going to be quite psychotic. Then it moves to Stockholm in 1767 for the first chapter so I thought this is where the story takes place. Yet in chapter two it talks about someone getting off a plane and I'm like ok, wtf............
So the story of 1767 is about 8 chapters out of the 37 in total. The 1767 story is very cool though and sets up the backdrop to what is occurring in modern times which is that a young girl is murdered, her larynx cut out and a music box left on her body. Funny thing is that early in the book the author makes note of one of the characters who reads mysteries and keeps a running log of how well she does solving the crimes and noting that she usually figures out the killer in the first chapter. Well in this book there is no mystery to "who done it". We learn that the psycho set up in the prologue is indeed a psycho. And trust me this is not a spoiler as the gig is up way way too early. Yet it really works.
Soon another girl goes missing and she is a singer as well. Is there a connection? This is apparently a second book in a series but it is definitely stand alone (whoosh, I got to research these books more often when buying out of the bargain bin) and our hero detective Odd Singsaker is on the case hoping beyond hope that our missing girl is still alive. The murder(s?) are set in modern Norway and getting used to the names of people and cities was a little hard but not an issue of course. Policing seems to be similar and the police don't appear to carry guns. I found the policing aspects to be very credible. They even touch on the difficulties of getting online and other agencies to provide information. News flash - they won't. You need a warrant or a variation of one and then the big boys like google and the like may still tell you to pound salt versus giving up the name associated to an account like an email etc. The author also gets at the smell of death re a dead body and if you ever smelled one ......... well lets just move on. He touches on mental health issues in the past and present which is a growing issue within policing but he doesn't go overboard in dealing with the subject.
Odd Singsaker is coming off brain surgery so there are issues involving his memory lapses and the like but he blows off some key clues which makes solving the crime just that more difficult. This was one well written novel and at the end the author explains how he researched various aspects including 1767 Stockholm and the tie in is kind of cool. In reality it didn't really have to be there at all but it was interesting and the policing aspects that go back to that time are cool to. That was one smart police chief back then. It was a very nice deviation that in fact tied in very well to the overall story.
As far as the modern issues go I found it quite odd that the author punished a dog which I later learned was a Saint Bernard. Now I basically read what is termed horror which in my mind is simply thrillers as there is not much horror involved at all but with all the horrors I've read including a couple true horrors I have not run into animal abuse in a book. It really, really bothered me and I found myself thinking about it quite a bit. Lets just stick to killing the species meant to be killed - us (lol- kidding of course).
The ending is a bit surprising and some might say disappointing but frankly I liked it. Our psycho was not stupid and may have even had some ethics buried somewhere deep inside him. The ending gets towards what the book is all about and why it is titled Dreamless. Clearly not sleeping is very unhealthy for you including mentally but not dreaming is not good for you either. Thankfully I have so many vivid dreams each and every night. I have night terrors too and yet seem to have gotten those under control but talk about terror - that's clearly why they are called night terrors.
This book was a very easy read and yet touched on a lot of subjects in very appropriate ways - save for that damn dog abuse!!!!! and yet last nights news showed a Toronto man who had a raccoon held captive and was torturing it. Neighbour complaints led to his arrest. He had not paid his rent in over a year and in this dumb country it does take forever to evict an idiot like this guy. Anyway back to the book. Very, very good and I would rate it an 85/100. I need to get a hold of the first one as this one alludes to it in a very minor way but I am most definitely interested. I suggest you take a peek at this series - at least this one!
So the story of 1767 is about 8 chapters out of the 37 in total. The 1767 story is very cool though and sets up the backdrop to what is occurring in modern times which is that a young girl is murdered, her larynx cut out and a music box left on her body. Funny thing is that early in the book the author makes note of one of the characters who reads mysteries and keeps a running log of how well she does solving the crimes and noting that she usually figures out the killer in the first chapter. Well in this book there is no mystery to "who done it". We learn that the psycho set up in the prologue is indeed a psycho. And trust me this is not a spoiler as the gig is up way way too early. Yet it really works.
Soon another girl goes missing and she is a singer as well. Is there a connection? This is apparently a second book in a series but it is definitely stand alone (whoosh, I got to research these books more often when buying out of the bargain bin) and our hero detective Odd Singsaker is on the case hoping beyond hope that our missing girl is still alive. The murder(s?) are set in modern Norway and getting used to the names of people and cities was a little hard but not an issue of course. Policing seems to be similar and the police don't appear to carry guns. I found the policing aspects to be very credible. They even touch on the difficulties of getting online and other agencies to provide information. News flash - they won't. You need a warrant or a variation of one and then the big boys like google and the like may still tell you to pound salt versus giving up the name associated to an account like an email etc. The author also gets at the smell of death re a dead body and if you ever smelled one ......... well lets just move on. He touches on mental health issues in the past and present which is a growing issue within policing but he doesn't go overboard in dealing with the subject.
Odd Singsaker is coming off brain surgery so there are issues involving his memory lapses and the like but he blows off some key clues which makes solving the crime just that more difficult. This was one well written novel and at the end the author explains how he researched various aspects including 1767 Stockholm and the tie in is kind of cool. In reality it didn't really have to be there at all but it was interesting and the policing aspects that go back to that time are cool to. That was one smart police chief back then. It was a very nice deviation that in fact tied in very well to the overall story.
As far as the modern issues go I found it quite odd that the author punished a dog which I later learned was a Saint Bernard. Now I basically read what is termed horror which in my mind is simply thrillers as there is not much horror involved at all but with all the horrors I've read including a couple true horrors I have not run into animal abuse in a book. It really, really bothered me and I found myself thinking about it quite a bit. Lets just stick to killing the species meant to be killed - us (lol- kidding of course).
The ending is a bit surprising and some might say disappointing but frankly I liked it. Our psycho was not stupid and may have even had some ethics buried somewhere deep inside him. The ending gets towards what the book is all about and why it is titled Dreamless. Clearly not sleeping is very unhealthy for you including mentally but not dreaming is not good for you either. Thankfully I have so many vivid dreams each and every night. I have night terrors too and yet seem to have gotten those under control but talk about terror - that's clearly why they are called night terrors.
This book was a very easy read and yet touched on a lot of subjects in very appropriate ways - save for that damn dog abuse!!!!! and yet last nights news showed a Toronto man who had a raccoon held captive and was torturing it. Neighbour complaints led to his arrest. He had not paid his rent in over a year and in this dumb country it does take forever to evict an idiot like this guy. Anyway back to the book. Very, very good and I would rate it an 85/100. I need to get a hold of the first one as this one alludes to it in a very minor way but I am most definitely interested. I suggest you take a peek at this series - at least this one!
June 26, 2017
I have no idea why it took me so long to pick this book up, I've had it sitting on my shelf for ages. I won it in a goodreads giveaway a couple of years ago (thanks to Minotaur Books) with the intention of reading it right away. Obviously, that did not happen.
This is the second book in a series of books that follow Odd Singsaker, a detective in Norway. I have not read the first novel in the series and found this one to stand well on its own, so I don't think it is entirely necessary to read them in order. I imagine some of the happenings with Odd's personal life continue through the course of the series, but the main mystery and crime are probably self contained, which makes them all readable in any order.
I really enjoyed this story overall. I always forget how much I like detective stories and mysteries until I'm reading one. This story jumps between two different times, weaving together two investigations from the same area from different time periods. This was an interesting touch and worked well, I thought. It was interesting to piece together how all of the things happening in 1767 were helping to shape what was happening in modern times.
This story was translated to English from Norwegian (I believe). Having not read it in its other language I cannot say that the translation was flawless, but it was very smooth and the story very readable. Some translated works that I have tried have been very choppy and difficult to understand; that was not the case here.
While I enjoyed the mystery in the story and trying to figure out what was happening, I did find some of the character shifts and scene breaks a bit oddly placed. It's not really that they didn't work for the story, just more that I found some of them awkward. I also was not as invested in the personal lives of the characters as I was in the mystery, so that side of the story was not as interesting to me. Perhaps reading the previous novel would have given me more of an appreciation for that aspect of the novel, I'm not sure.
Overall this was an enjoyable read with likable characters. If you enjoy mystery novels then this might be a good book to try.
This is the second book in a series of books that follow Odd Singsaker, a detective in Norway. I have not read the first novel in the series and found this one to stand well on its own, so I don't think it is entirely necessary to read them in order. I imagine some of the happenings with Odd's personal life continue through the course of the series, but the main mystery and crime are probably self contained, which makes them all readable in any order.
I really enjoyed this story overall. I always forget how much I like detective stories and mysteries until I'm reading one. This story jumps between two different times, weaving together two investigations from the same area from different time periods. This was an interesting touch and worked well, I thought. It was interesting to piece together how all of the things happening in 1767 were helping to shape what was happening in modern times.
This story was translated to English from Norwegian (I believe). Having not read it in its other language I cannot say that the translation was flawless, but it was very smooth and the story very readable. Some translated works that I have tried have been very choppy and difficult to understand; that was not the case here.
While I enjoyed the mystery in the story and trying to figure out what was happening, I did find some of the character shifts and scene breaks a bit oddly placed. It's not really that they didn't work for the story, just more that I found some of them awkward. I also was not as invested in the personal lives of the characters as I was in the mystery, so that side of the story was not as interesting to me. Perhaps reading the previous novel would have given me more of an appreciation for that aspect of the novel, I'm not sure.
Overall this was an enjoyable read with likable characters. If you enjoy mystery novels then this might be a good book to try.
June 18, 2022
Средно интересен криминален трилър, в който сюжетът е свързан и представен в настоящето и 18 век. Трудно ми е да отлича нещо по-впечатляващо в романа, финалът не ме развълнува по никакъв начин.
Върши работа за четиво, ей така между другото, но дотам.
Върши работа за четиво, ей така между другото, но дотам.
April 24, 2019
Симпатична, но ѝ липсва първичността и драйвът на предната. Но въпреки това много приятно четиво.
July 20, 2015
What a letdown - after "Where Monsters Dwell" I was really looking forward to the sequel. As with the first book, the story follows a historical murder (in this case, in the XVIII century) that ties with another crime in the present. Singsaker is in charge of investigating these murders, while Felicia and Siri Holmes - unknowingly, figure out the historical part. The mystery is compelling and the story well paced but there were many things that I did't like, including the fact that Felicia is not a cop anymore and not a direct part of the investigation, and some big, huge, enormous mistakes that Singsaker makes that a seasoned policeman would (hopefully) never make (bad-guy-behind-the-door-while-good-guy-checks-on-possibly-dead-person is one of the oldest, dumbest cliches in history!) I will still keep an eye out for the next book and keep this series in my TBR list.
August 8, 2024
Drømmeløs är en lättläst och välskriven deckare. Jag gillar Jørgen Brekkes sätt att använda sig av dubbla tidslinjer. Det är väldigt vanligt i deckare nuförtiden, men jag tror det inte var lika vanligt 2012 som nu. I Drømmeløs så är det ovanligt nog en tidslinje från 1767, parallellt med den nutida (2011). De är snyggt ihopkopplade samtidigt som de står för sig själva och är spännande på olika sätt.
Jag kan inte säga att jag minns så mycket om huvudkaraktären, polisen Odd Singsaker, från att jag läste Nådens omkrets 2014, men det går snabbt att lära känna honom och förstå tillräckligt mycket om honom och hans bakgrund för att hänga med. Han är intressant som karaktär, och han verkar få polisarbetet gjort. Hans medicinska historia är ett ovanligt inslag i deckargenren. Tråden om Felicia känns udda, men det beror nog på just att det var ett tag sen jag läste Nådens omkrets.
Researchen verkar väl utförd, och det finns en noggrannhet som jag gillar. Jørgen Brekke skriver också på ett sätt som gör berättelsen intressant. Mysterierna (ett i vardera tidslinje) är väl uppbyggda, men nutidstråden är väl grotesk för min smak. Det finns ledtrådar under läsningen, men eftersom jag inte uppfattar alla så blir jag överraskad av upplösningen.
Nu har jag inte fler böcker i den här serien men jag kunde tänka mig att läsa nästa del.
Betyg: 4
Jag kan inte säga att jag minns så mycket om huvudkaraktären, polisen Odd Singsaker, från att jag läste Nådens omkrets 2014, men det går snabbt att lära känna honom och förstå tillräckligt mycket om honom och hans bakgrund för att hänga med. Han är intressant som karaktär, och han verkar få polisarbetet gjort. Hans medicinska historia är ett ovanligt inslag i deckargenren. Tråden om Felicia känns udda, men det beror nog på just att det var ett tag sen jag läste Nådens omkrets.
Researchen verkar väl utförd, och det finns en noggrannhet som jag gillar. Jørgen Brekke skriver också på ett sätt som gör berättelsen intressant. Mysterierna (ett i vardera tidslinje) är väl uppbyggda, men nutidstråden är väl grotesk för min smak. Det finns ledtrådar under läsningen, men eftersom jag inte uppfattar alla så blir jag överraskad av upplösningen.
Nu har jag inte fler böcker i den här serien men jag kunde tänka mig att läsa nästa del.
Betyg: 4
June 5, 2019
This book tells two stories, connected by an old lost ballad. Initially, both excited me, the intrigue of both tales. However as the book progressed I became less intrigued by the story set in the 18th century. For a book that is potentially a sequel is stands alone well. And I want to read more of Odd & Felicia
October 30, 2017
I can't help wondering how it's possible that some contemporary authors completely ignore the fact that social media exist? Mr. Brekke seems to be one of these.... The events in the book take place in 2011 but mobile calls seem to be the only contact option when people are disappearing.
February 20, 2024
Адът означава да продължаваш да
правиш онова, което винаги си
правил.
правиш онова, което винаги си
правил.
March 26, 2019
Another surprisingly good crime book.
I really loved the two parallel stories.
4,5 out of 5 stars
I really loved the two parallel stories.
4,5 out of 5 stars
July 25, 2017
Another pageturner from Brekke. This time the current storylines are connected to a printed lullaby from 1767. Again I feel there are many exciting plot-turns, that creates a good drive in the story. I especially liked the focus on folk singers in the 1700s, Musical Boxes and the crime drama in the historical Trondheim. Not completely sold on all the plotlines in current Trondheim. There are exciting side stories about ice bathing, harring an aquavit, black metal and Singsakers recovery from brain surgery. To me the kidnapping, three pregnancy-subplots and relationship-problems takes away some of the good flow of the book. They also strike me as generic and does not get enough time to shine/develop. I am still very excited about the other books in the Odd Singsaker universe.
To me it is the interplay between historical events/artifacts and modern day crime drama that makes Brekke a master of the genre.
To me it is the interplay between historical events/artifacts and modern day crime drama that makes Brekke a master of the genre.
February 20, 2015
I actually liked this book better than Where Monsters Dwell, largely because it was much less gruesome in terms of the murders. Sure, the victim's vocal chords are taken out, but it's not overly descriptive (compared to the former book's skin flaying). And there is violence against an animal, which I normally can't stand, but since it happened largely "off screen," it was bearable. Then there was the extensive use of flies in the plot, and while they weren't really described in detail, my imagination went into overdrive, and my imagination was a bit too descriptive! So that covers the yucky stuff.
So red flags aside, this was a good mystery, at least for the first two thirds of the book. We learn the identity of the murderer quite suddenly, and then it becomes a very good suspense novel instead. Brekke's last book was tied to American literature, and this one was tied to Swedish music. I love how he incorporates the arts into his plot lines, which become instructive as well as entertaining. Here, he used a sort of parallel mystery from 1767 about the murder of the composer whose song featured in the modern murder. I thought that was particularly neat. Two mysteries for the price of one, plus history and music. Good stuff!
I also think Odd Singsaker is an excellent character. He has memory problems (and perhaps behavioral ones too) from his recent brain surgery, which really add an interesting element to his investigations. Here, he leaves his trusty notebook behind at an interview and drives himself a bit crazy dwelling on its loss. I had forgotten that Richmond native Felicia returned to Trondheim with Odd. She was pretty minor in this story, especially compared to the first book, but the key part she does play as a new genealogy consultant for Norwegian-Americans seemed a bit too much of a stretch for me. Her relationship with Odd, however, as well as her position as a new immigrant to Norway, did add to the complexity of the novel. I really look forward to see what happens between them in future installments, particularly after the ending of Dreamless.
This was a solid read and a definite indication that the series is only going to get better. I really look forward to the next one now, even if this one couldn't quite push me to 4 stars. (Although it does seem to take a lot for me to give 4 stars so far this year. I've only given one, and even that was initially 3 stars. I'm such a critic!)
So red flags aside, this was a good mystery, at least for the first two thirds of the book. We learn the identity of the murderer quite suddenly, and then it becomes a very good suspense novel instead. Brekke's last book was tied to American literature, and this one was tied to Swedish music. I love how he incorporates the arts into his plot lines, which become instructive as well as entertaining. Here, he used a sort of parallel mystery from 1767 about the murder of the composer whose song featured in the modern murder. I thought that was particularly neat. Two mysteries for the price of one, plus history and music. Good stuff!
I also think Odd Singsaker is an excellent character. He has memory problems (and perhaps behavioral ones too) from his recent brain surgery, which really add an interesting element to his investigations. Here, he leaves his trusty notebook behind at an interview and drives himself a bit crazy dwelling on its loss. I had forgotten that Richmond native Felicia returned to Trondheim with Odd. She was pretty minor in this story, especially compared to the first book, but the key part she does play as a new genealogy consultant for Norwegian-Americans seemed a bit too much of a stretch for me. Her relationship with Odd, however, as well as her position as a new immigrant to Norway, did add to the complexity of the novel. I really look forward to see what happens between them in future installments, particularly after the ending of Dreamless.
This was a solid read and a definite indication that the series is only going to get better. I really look forward to the next one now, even if this one couldn't quite push me to 4 stars. (Although it does seem to take a lot for me to give 4 stars so far this year. I've only given one, and even that was initially 3 stars. I'm such a critic!)
February 23, 2012
En overbevisende oppfølger etter den imponerende debutboka om etterforsker Odd Singsaker. Nok en gang er Trondheim by åsted for en intens bok, med handling fra både nåtid og fortid. Brekke skriver stilsikkert og framstår som en forfatter med adskillig flere titler på samvittigheten. Denne boka anbefales alle som liker spennende thrillere med et historisk bakteppe.
June 28, 2015
I read this book in a day. I quite like Odd & his struggles & the other characters. Didn't like what happened near the end. I would definitely read more in this series.
November 22, 2016
I loved this story, I loved the writing style, but I want to know what happened to Felicia
April 8, 2020
Tutto inizia con un vecchio avvenimento di un bambino che per sfuggire alla durezza e severità del padre sulla sua educazione musicale, compie un gesto disperato.
Poi la narrazione riprende con un caso nel presente, in cui Singsaker deve trovare la persona che ha ucciso una donna brutalmente abbandonandone il corpo nella neve con un misterioso carillon e rapitane un’altra; contemporaneamente seguiamo le vicende di un musicista buontempone che nel 1760 nella stessa Trondheim è costretto a rifugiarsi, scappando da un signorotto, acquistando la nuova identità di Jon Blund.
Questo nuovo scrittore mai letto prima mi ha conquistata. Il suo stile narrativo che, oltre ad essere molto scorrevole, affianca alle indagini le vicende dei personaggi ma soprattutto li caratterizza profondamente in ogni singolo comportamento o azione che intraprendano, ti fa calare realmente nei fatti descritti.
Singsaker mi è risuonato positivamente nonostante non si possa dire esattamente simpatico ma spigoloso e alquanto incosciente, soprattutto vista la sua età. Contemporaneamente il sovrintendente Nils Bayer mi ha profondamente convinta pur non avendo condiviso una sua scelta. Trovo positivo che non ci sia bisogno di rendere il protagonista cattivo e al di sopra della legge e delle regole come va tanto di moda ultimamente, per costruire un buon investigatore. Il fatto che abbia subito un intervento per tumore al cervello nel libro precedente (ho scoperto questo essere il secondo della serie con questo protagonista) me lo ha reso ancora più interessante con i suoi deficit.
Felicia invece non mi ha presa realmente. Sicuramente capisco la rabbia per una verità taciuta ma la sua reazione mi sembra davvero eccessiva anche se forse mi manca tutta la narrazione del suo passato che probabilmente si trova nel primo caso. In ogni caso spero che la sua assenza sia dovuta a cause di forza maggiore e non ad una sua scelta.
Sono rimasta leggermente delusa dalla conclusione del caso presente, per cui mi sarei aspettata un approfondimento maggiore con più collegamenti alle motivazioni e alle cause del comportamento del killer visto che veramente la sua reazione finale mi è risultata del tutto incomprensibile e inspiegabile. Ho apprezzato invece molto di più lo svolgimento delle indagini nel passato e anche il risvolto morale predetto da Nils per cui “la giustizia si può stabilire in più di un modo”, per cui lui sceglie di non ergersi a giudice supremo delle azioni dei colpevoli ma le scoperte condurranno ad amare conseguenze che renderanno ben evidente quanto ciò sia vero e le conseguenze riportino sempre indietro ciò che si è fatto.
Inutile dire ormai, dopo averlo ripetuto allo sfinimento dopo ogni libro proveniente dal nord Europa, che le ambientazioni di questi paesi freddi e un po’ malinconici ma molto vivi e con ritmi profondamente diversi dai nostri continuino ad ammaliarmi e che prima o poi riuscirò ad andarci (quando questo periodo si concluderà).
Poi la narrazione riprende con un caso nel presente, in cui Singsaker deve trovare la persona che ha ucciso una donna brutalmente abbandonandone il corpo nella neve con un misterioso carillon e rapitane un’altra; contemporaneamente seguiamo le vicende di un musicista buontempone che nel 1760 nella stessa Trondheim è costretto a rifugiarsi, scappando da un signorotto, acquistando la nuova identità di Jon Blund.
Questo nuovo scrittore mai letto prima mi ha conquistata. Il suo stile narrativo che, oltre ad essere molto scorrevole, affianca alle indagini le vicende dei personaggi ma soprattutto li caratterizza profondamente in ogni singolo comportamento o azione che intraprendano, ti fa calare realmente nei fatti descritti.
Singsaker mi è risuonato positivamente nonostante non si possa dire esattamente simpatico ma spigoloso e alquanto incosciente, soprattutto vista la sua età. Contemporaneamente il sovrintendente Nils Bayer mi ha profondamente convinta pur non avendo condiviso una sua scelta. Trovo positivo che non ci sia bisogno di rendere il protagonista cattivo e al di sopra della legge e delle regole come va tanto di moda ultimamente, per costruire un buon investigatore. Il fatto che abbia subito un intervento per tumore al cervello nel libro precedente (ho scoperto questo essere il secondo della serie con questo protagonista) me lo ha reso ancora più interessante con i suoi deficit.
Felicia invece non mi ha presa realmente. Sicuramente capisco la rabbia per una verità taciuta ma la sua reazione mi sembra davvero eccessiva anche se forse mi manca tutta la narrazione del suo passato che probabilmente si trova nel primo caso. In ogni caso spero che la sua assenza sia dovuta a cause di forza maggiore e non ad una sua scelta.
Sono rimasta leggermente delusa dalla conclusione del caso presente, per cui mi sarei aspettata un approfondimento maggiore con più collegamenti alle motivazioni e alle cause del comportamento del killer visto che veramente la sua reazione finale mi è risultata del tutto incomprensibile e inspiegabile. Ho apprezzato invece molto di più lo svolgimento delle indagini nel passato e anche il risvolto morale predetto da Nils per cui “la giustizia si può stabilire in più di un modo”, per cui lui sceglie di non ergersi a giudice supremo delle azioni dei colpevoli ma le scoperte condurranno ad amare conseguenze che renderanno ben evidente quanto ciò sia vero e le conseguenze riportino sempre indietro ciò che si è fatto.
Inutile dire ormai, dopo averlo ripetuto allo sfinimento dopo ogni libro proveniente dal nord Europa, che le ambientazioni di questi paesi freddi e un po’ malinconici ma molto vivi e con ritmi profondamente diversi dai nostri continuino ad ammaliarmi e che prima o poi riuscirò ad andarci (quando questo periodo si concluderà).
May 16, 2019
Říkáte si, při čtení další severské krimi, že „to už tady bylo“? Bezesný vás o tuhle iluzi připraví, zároveň však možná i o klidný spánek. Nikdy nevíte, která ukolébavka bude vaší poslední.
Rodák z norského Hortenu Jørgen Brekke (49) v současnosti píšící a žijící v Trondheimu, si vyzkoušel postupně profesi učitelskou i novinářskou, k radosti čtenářů zakotvil coby spisovatel. Románovým debutem Říše milosti zabodoval, inspektor Odd Singsaker se tedy vrací očekáván. Bezesný možná bezesnými udělá i vaše noci. Pokud se zaposloucháte do ukolébavky, která vám nedá spát... „Vlastně jsem nechtěl být spisovatelem vždycky, jen posledních 20 let,“ prozradil autor. „Jako chlapec jsem chtěl být fotbalistou a potom kuchařem. Vaření mám rád stále a fotbal hraji za místní veteránský tým, takže jsem vlastně dosáhl všech svých cílů,“ dodal.
Jsou skladby, které vám zní v hlavě, ale nedokážete si je zařadit. Co když je taková melodie klíčem k vyřešení vraždy? Na mýtině v lese je nalezeno mrtvé tělo zpěvačky a na něm je položená hrací skříňka. K případu je povolán inspektor Odd Singsaker s kolegyní Felicií Stoneovou. Vzápětí je objevena další mrtvola. Jde o nového sériového vraha? A jakou roli v tom hraje tajemná ukolébavka, která případy spojuje? Odpovědi čtenářům nabízí Bezesný.
Jako kdekdo, i inspektor Odd Singsaker má ne jednoho, ale hned několik kostlivců ve skříni. Ke spletitému vztahu se synem a pořádně komplikované minulosti přibyly zdravotní problémy a také manželství. Američanka Felicie Stone začíná poté, co získala norské občanství podnikat. Zatím Odd pátrá po brutálním vrahovi žen. Jeho první oběť je nalezená s vyříznutým hrtanem, zato se skřínkou hrající tklivou ukolébavku. První otázkou je: kdo je ona žena? Pokud se vám na předchozí knize Říše milosti líbil výlet do historie, nebojte, nebudete ochuzeni ani tentokrát!
Osmnácté století na střídačku s naší současností tvoří podmanivou kulisu napínavého děje, který je hřištěm pro řadu různorodých postav. Je někdo z nich vrahem? Brekke umí překvapit, umí zaujmout a i skrze temné části příběhu provází s jistotou. „Skutečně mě inspirují staří klasikové, Shakespeare a Dostojevskij... Mým oblíbencem je Raymond Chandler a samozřejmě královna literárních zločinů Agatha Christie, ale obávám se, že od ní se ještě mám hodně co učit. V Norsku pak Staalesen a Nesbø - ty mám rád čím dál více,“ prozradil spisovatel. Jeho knize nechybí ona oblíbená severská krutost, ale přitom není samoúčelná. Historické linky je akorát, aby neodradila ty, kteří čekají přímočařejší a jaksi soudobější kontexty. Zkrátka - pro chladné večery jako dělané.
Rodák z norského Hortenu Jørgen Brekke (49) v současnosti píšící a žijící v Trondheimu, si vyzkoušel postupně profesi učitelskou i novinářskou, k radosti čtenářů zakotvil coby spisovatel. Románovým debutem Říše milosti zabodoval, inspektor Odd Singsaker se tedy vrací očekáván. Bezesný možná bezesnými udělá i vaše noci. Pokud se zaposloucháte do ukolébavky, která vám nedá spát... „Vlastně jsem nechtěl být spisovatelem vždycky, jen posledních 20 let,“ prozradil autor. „Jako chlapec jsem chtěl být fotbalistou a potom kuchařem. Vaření mám rád stále a fotbal hraji za místní veteránský tým, takže jsem vlastně dosáhl všech svých cílů,“ dodal.
Jsou skladby, které vám zní v hlavě, ale nedokážete si je zařadit. Co když je taková melodie klíčem k vyřešení vraždy? Na mýtině v lese je nalezeno mrtvé tělo zpěvačky a na něm je položená hrací skříňka. K případu je povolán inspektor Odd Singsaker s kolegyní Felicií Stoneovou. Vzápětí je objevena další mrtvola. Jde o nového sériového vraha? A jakou roli v tom hraje tajemná ukolébavka, která případy spojuje? Odpovědi čtenářům nabízí Bezesný.
Jako kdekdo, i inspektor Odd Singsaker má ne jednoho, ale hned několik kostlivců ve skříni. Ke spletitému vztahu se synem a pořádně komplikované minulosti přibyly zdravotní problémy a také manželství. Američanka Felicie Stone začíná poté, co získala norské občanství podnikat. Zatím Odd pátrá po brutálním vrahovi žen. Jeho první oběť je nalezená s vyříznutým hrtanem, zato se skřínkou hrající tklivou ukolébavku. První otázkou je: kdo je ona žena? Pokud se vám na předchozí knize Říše milosti líbil výlet do historie, nebojte, nebudete ochuzeni ani tentokrát!
Osmnácté století na střídačku s naší současností tvoří podmanivou kulisu napínavého děje, který je hřištěm pro řadu různorodých postav. Je někdo z nich vrahem? Brekke umí překvapit, umí zaujmout a i skrze temné části příběhu provází s jistotou. „Skutečně mě inspirují staří klasikové, Shakespeare a Dostojevskij... Mým oblíbencem je Raymond Chandler a samozřejmě královna literárních zločinů Agatha Christie, ale obávám se, že od ní se ještě mám hodně co učit. V Norsku pak Staalesen a Nesbø - ty mám rád čím dál více,“ prozradil spisovatel. Jeho knize nechybí ona oblíbená severská krutost, ale přitom není samoúčelná. Historické linky je akorát, aby neodradila ty, kteří čekají přímočařejší a jaksi soudobější kontexty. Zkrátka - pro chladné večery jako dělané.
July 24, 2018
An excellent example of Nordic Noir with a couple of twists, the novel is written in two parts, alternating between 1767 in Trondheim, Norway, and current day Trondheim. In 1767 there was an apparent series of strange occurrences that had everybody puzzled. They centered about a troubadour named Wingmark who came into the pages of a song by a famous Norwegian composer named Bellman. Carl Bellman remains one of Norway’s most famous poets and musicians from the 18th century but the particular piece of music that Wingmark possessed was The Golden Peace and it was rumored to put to sleep anybody who heard it, it was so beautiful. And this novel is about sleep! Some of the characters are literally dying for a bit of rest, others just can’t wait to catch a break so they can sleep. If sleep is the theme, flies are the ever-present symbols of decay and horror. They fill the eyes and ears of the first victim of a difficult killer and they surround the rooms of another potential victim, even in the dead of winter. The flies and the music combine to create a unique atmosphere for this very dark mystery. Trying to solve the modern end of things is detective Odd Singsaker, a fine detective who is recovering slowly from a brain tumor that has been removed. Post-surgical recovery has been slow and he is trying to cement a relationship with Felicia, an attractive American with whom he is living. Unfortunately, before he was engaged to Felicia and before she moved in, Singsaker had a dalliance with her best friend, Siri. When Siri turns out to be pregnant, Felicia departs for places unknown while Singsaker tracks a missing girl, Julia, who is also pregnant by a young man named Frederik. Throughout the search, the melody of The Golden Peace keeps coming back and we continue to track events in Trondheim in the 18th century, with lots of booze getting in the way. As all the characters look to get a quiet, dreamless night of sleep, the mystery deepens and the violence continues. This is not so much a “whodunit” as it is a character study in the snow of Norway and a sometimes surreal trip through various sleep-deprived minds. It is good noir but I suggest you read it during the day to avoid losing track of the story in sleep of your own.
May 29, 2021
Pidin todella paljon sarjan ensimmäisestä osasta Armon piiri. Odotukseni olivat melko korkealla tämänkin kirjan suhteen. Mielestäni aivan samalle tasolle tämä kirja ei päässyt, mutta ei se paljoa jäänyt jälkeen. Kirjassa on muuten mielestäni varsin upea kansi! Tässä kirjassa tarina etenee kahdessa aikatasossa, v. 2011 ja v. 1767. Pidin paljon tästä kahden aikatason kerronnasta. On todella kiehtovaa, kun näissä Brekken tarinoissa on myös historiallinen aspekti mukana.
Kerronta ja juonen pyörittely olivat jälleen hyvin herkullisia, mutta jotkin asiat jäivät kirjassa hieman ärsyttämään: kirjoitusvirheitä oli hieman (hyi hyi suomentaja) ja joissakin kohdissa poliisit käyttäytyivät hieman epäuskottavasti ja epäammattimaisesti, eivät esim. varmistaneet kunnolla rikospaikkaa ennen ryntäämistään uhrin luokse. Ja siitähän luonnollisesti seurasi hankaluuksia. Olin myös pettynyt siihen, ettei Felicia enää toiminut poliisina tässä kirjassa. Jotenkin myös jäi ärsyttämään kirjan lopussa Felician yhtäkkinen katoaminen, vaikka pidänkin juonenkäänteistä, yllättävistäkin, niin jotenkin tämä käänne oli niin irrallinen kaikesta, että jäi lähinnä ihmetyttämään. Ilmeisesti tällä oli tarkoitus pedata seuraavaa kirjaa. Harmillisesti sitä ei ilmeisesti ole suomennettu, ainakaan sitä ei löydy meidän kirjastostamme.
Nyt kun olen tässä paasannut kirjan ärsyttävyyksistä, niin kyllä minä kuitenkin pidin kirjasta, oli aivan hyvä jatko-osa tälle sarjalle. Jos pidit ensimmäisestä osasta, kannattaa tämäkin lukea.
Kerronta ja juonen pyörittely olivat jälleen hyvin herkullisia, mutta jotkin asiat jäivät kirjassa hieman ärsyttämään: kirjoitusvirheitä oli hieman (hyi hyi suomentaja) ja joissakin kohdissa poliisit käyttäytyivät hieman epäuskottavasti ja epäammattimaisesti, eivät esim. varmistaneet kunnolla rikospaikkaa ennen ryntäämistään uhrin luokse. Ja siitähän luonnollisesti seurasi hankaluuksia. Olin myös pettynyt siihen, ettei Felicia enää toiminut poliisina tässä kirjassa. Jotenkin myös jäi ärsyttämään kirjan lopussa Felician yhtäkkinen katoaminen, vaikka pidänkin juonenkäänteistä, yllättävistäkin, niin jotenkin tämä käänne oli niin irrallinen kaikesta, että jäi lähinnä ihmetyttämään. Ilmeisesti tällä oli tarkoitus pedata seuraavaa kirjaa. Harmillisesti sitä ei ilmeisesti ole suomennettu, ainakaan sitä ei löydy meidän kirjastostamme.
Nyt kun olen tässä paasannut kirjan ärsyttävyyksistä, niin kyllä minä kuitenkin pidin kirjasta, oli aivan hyvä jatko-osa tälle sarjalle. Jos pidit ensimmäisestä osasta, kannattaa tämäkin lukea.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 4, 2017
I personally hated this book for a couple of reasons. I never knew that this books was part of a sequel but I wanted to give it a whirl anyway (although the back cover description didn't impress me much)
1. As a fellow reader who loves to get more involved into the main character's state of mind and being, I find this to be one of the most poorly written books for that matter. After 60-70ish pages I didn't get to personally know anyone from the story, it's like I am reading things about strangers over and over again. Things stumble from something to another in like 3 pages, and let me tell you 3 or 4 pages is not enough to fill the gaps between space and time.
2. Very cliche dreams during scenes. It feels like the author has stolen ideas from the most infamous horror movies. I'd have been immersed if I were a 5 year old but I've read enough thriller and horror books to know that this is not an original idea. Like really, tombs and full moons? Flies and dead corpses in the woods? What is next, werewolves and vampires?
3. It's too short ffs it doesn't have enough detail and it feels more like screenplay rather than a legit book
4. I was not and still am not thrilled to finish it. Because of it I've lost faith in reading good horror books
5. I literally have no idea when the whole plot thingies takes place. It goes first from 1700s and then goes to 21st century without any mentioning? I mean really?
Oh god
1. As a fellow reader who loves to get more involved into the main character's state of mind and being, I find this to be one of the most poorly written books for that matter. After 60-70ish pages I didn't get to personally know anyone from the story, it's like I am reading things about strangers over and over again. Things stumble from something to another in like 3 pages, and let me tell you 3 or 4 pages is not enough to fill the gaps between space and time.
2. Very cliche dreams during scenes. It feels like the author has stolen ideas from the most infamous horror movies. I'd have been immersed if I were a 5 year old but I've read enough thriller and horror books to know that this is not an original idea. Like really, tombs and full moons? Flies and dead corpses in the woods? What is next, werewolves and vampires?
3. It's too short ffs it doesn't have enough detail and it feels more like screenplay rather than a legit book
4. I was not and still am not thrilled to finish it. Because of it I've lost faith in reading good horror books
5. I literally have no idea when the whole plot thingies takes place. It goes first from 1700s and then goes to 21st century without any mentioning? I mean really?
Oh god
May 20, 2018
I usually read a lot of YA book, but I came across this book and fell for the cover. So, I decided to buy it and give it a try, and I’m not sorry that I did. The story is about a killer who goes after these two women that can sing in hopes that they will be able to sing him a lullaby called the “The Golden Peace.” The man is unable to sleep and suffers from insomnia the ballad promises that once it is heard, it will put you to sleep.
“The funny thing about this ballad is that it partially refers to itself. The title page boasts that the ballad can make you fall asleep. You only have to hear it once, and you’ll sleep soundly and have sweet dreams every single night forever after”.
However, what I didn’t know is that its the second book in a series. This could be why I was confused on certain parts of the story. I read them out of order not knowing there was a book before this. The first book is called Where Monsters Dwell. I look forward to picking up this one and reading it, maybe then Dreamless will make more sense. If you are into thrillers that keep you guessing, then this is the book for you.
“The funny thing about this ballad is that it partially refers to itself. The title page boasts that the ballad can make you fall asleep. You only have to hear it once, and you’ll sleep soundly and have sweet dreams every single night forever after”.
However, what I didn’t know is that its the second book in a series. This could be why I was confused on certain parts of the story. I read them out of order not knowing there was a book before this. The first book is called Where Monsters Dwell. I look forward to picking up this one and reading it, maybe then Dreamless will make more sense. If you are into thrillers that keep you guessing, then this is the book for you.
January 9, 2019
As a fan of Scandinavian mysteries, I was excited to try my first mystery by Norwegian writer Jørgen Brekke. It did not disappoint. Dreamless weaves connections between a present-day murder in Trondheim, investigated by a detective suffering from memory loss, Chief Inspector Odd Singsaker; and an 18th century murder in the same town, investigated by then Chief of Police, Nils Bayer. Both revolve around an 18th century ballad called "The Golden Peace," which promises sleep to whomever hears it. This promise appeals to the damaged, sleep-deprived villain, who seeks a young woman with a beautiful voice to sing the ballad, as a prelude to killing her. One woman has already been murdered; and a teenage girl has gone missing. Will Singsaker figure out the mystery of the ballad in time to save her? Brekke is adept at evoking the atmosphere of Trondheim in two different centuries, and the hunt for the clues takes the reader to library archives, a manor-house museum, and various specialists in old music and musical artifacts. In the process, Brekke blends the macabre with the mystical and historical, with satisfying results.
April 10, 2021
☆4.25 Stars☆
NOTES & THOUGHTS
• Unique ideas and themes.
• I loved the past and present "mysteries" and the way both storylines entwined and complimented each other.
• The book was full of action.
• In depth storyline & captivating storyline.
• Multiple character point of view story - gives added perspective and helps to build the storyline.
• Dark, gritty and full of mystery.
• A gripping storyline.
I LOVED
• The multi-character Point Of View narrative, the way they changed throughout the book.
• The entwined storyline of past and present.
• The combination of characters (past and present).
• The final few chapters- they provided an great finale to the book!!
I DIDN'T LOVE
• That some parts felt as though they could have had more detail.
• That I felt as though the ending was a bit rushed in places, and that some questions were left unanswered. However that may be because it bleeds over to the next book.
NOTES & THOUGHTS
• Unique ideas and themes.
• I loved the past and present "mysteries" and the way both storylines entwined and complimented each other.
• The book was full of action.
• In depth storyline & captivating storyline.
• Multiple character point of view story - gives added perspective and helps to build the storyline.
• Dark, gritty and full of mystery.
• A gripping storyline.
I LOVED
• The multi-character Point Of View narrative, the way they changed throughout the book.
• The entwined storyline of past and present.
• The combination of characters (past and present).
• The final few chapters- they provided an great finale to the book!!
I DIDN'T LOVE
• That some parts felt as though they could have had more detail.
• That I felt as though the ending was a bit rushed in places, and that some questions were left unanswered. However that may be because it bleeds over to the next book.
September 16, 2019
After reading Jorgen Brekke's first novel, Where Monsters Dwell, a few years ago, I looked forward to this second one. A friend of mine, knowing my penchant for reading Scandinavian mysteries -- also of friend of some of Brekke's family in Norway -- had put me on to his writing, which I've appreciated.
I found the book well-written & engaging. The plot, though somewhat unusual, is an interesting adventure through 18th century historical elements and a contemporary & somewhat grizzly crime. The author doesn't give away the culprit till rather late in the book. I did find myself very aggravated by his depiction of how the police characters handled the case. I would've guessed that with the amount of clues early on, they'd have moved faster & provided more precautions. The main character, Odd Singsaker's, debilitated condition from a previous case raised a lot of questions for me.
I found the book well-written & engaging. The plot, though somewhat unusual, is an interesting adventure through 18th century historical elements and a contemporary & somewhat grizzly crime. The author doesn't give away the culprit till rather late in the book. I did find myself very aggravated by his depiction of how the police characters handled the case. I would've guessed that with the amount of clues early on, they'd have moved faster & provided more precautions. The main character, Odd Singsaker's, debilitated condition from a previous case raised a lot of questions for me.
May 25, 2020
Another Odd Singsaker story in the popular modern genre of "violent serial killers who make macabre murders".
The Norvegian approach makes these novels a bit more homely for a Finnish reader; we know the winters, we know the mentality. Luckily the serial killers are not that familiar here in the Northern Europe.
The novel's two completely separate time periods makes a personal effect but I'm not quite sure if I liked it, although in this novel it worked out better than in the first one.
A question of taste obviously. The history part was also well written but the connection to the main story was quite loose if I may say so.
Bismarck's fate was an unnecessary addition and act of cruelty. Thumps down for that.
Not suberb, but better than many others.
Uneton
Johnny Kniga Kustannus
The Norvegian approach makes these novels a bit more homely for a Finnish reader; we know the winters, we know the mentality. Luckily the serial killers are not that familiar here in the Northern Europe.
The novel's two completely separate time periods makes a personal effect but I'm not quite sure if I liked it, although in this novel it worked out better than in the first one.
A question of taste obviously. The history part was also well written but the connection to the main story was quite loose if I may say so.
Bismarck's fate was an unnecessary addition and act of cruelty. Thumps down for that.
Not suberb, but better than many others.
Uneton
Johnny Kniga Kustannus
June 25, 2017
The mystery is based on some historical facts from 18th century Scandinavia, and it does take place in contemporary Scandinavia with flashbacks to the earlier time. I believe that a Scandinavian writing style--rather dry, matter of fact, and succinct--is apparent. The events that take place, however, are interesting and sometimes dramatic. The historical parts present a police chief whose somewhat modern methods help him to solve a mystery involving the death of a troubador and composer. In the present era, a detective who's recovering from brain surgery has trouble with his memory but not with his logic and clarity of thought. Ultimately he determines why a lullaby written centuries ago has precipitated torture and brutal murder.
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