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Jan Tommen Investigation #2
Il killer delle tombe
È sera. Un uomo in lacrime chiama il pronto intervento di Berlino. È al cimitero e ha appena trovato la propria tomba. Con la data della sua morte: l’indomani. La giovane centralinista gli consiglia di rivolgersi al posto di polizia più vicino, ma ha sottovalutato la situazione. Il giorno dopo l’uomo viene rinvenuto nella propria fossa col cranio fracassato.
Quello che sembra iniziare come uno scherzo di cattivo gusto, diventerà presto un autentico incubo per Jan Tommen e la sua squadra di inquirenti ben poco convenzionale: Chandu l’esattore, Max l’hacker informatico e Zoe il medico legale.
Nel frattempo continuano ad affiorare nuove tombe, con le loro promesse di morte. La polizia assiste impotente, perché nessuno è in grado di proteggere le vittime annunciate da un serial killer inafferrabile, scaltro quanto anomalo.
Quello che sembra iniziare come uno scherzo di cattivo gusto, diventerà presto un autentico incubo per Jan Tommen e la sua squadra di inquirenti ben poco convenzionale: Chandu l’esattore, Max l’hacker informatico e Zoe il medico legale.
Nel frattempo continuano ad affiorare nuove tombe, con le loro promesse di morte. La polizia assiste impotente, perché nessuno è in grado di proteggere le vittime annunciate da un serial killer inafferrabile, scaltro quanto anomalo.
350 pages, Paperback
First published July 15, 2014
181 people are currently reading
630 people want to read
About the author
Alexander Hartung
41 books104 followersAlexander Hartung lives in his hometown of Mannheim, Germany, with his wife and young son. He discovered his love of thrillers while studying economics. Until the Debt is Paid follows hard-partying detective Jan Tommen through Berlin, a city the author previously called home.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 60 reviews
August 11, 2016
Grave Intent by Alexander Hartung started off with a hiss and a roar, and largely kept up the pace throughout. There were a few 'flattish' spots, but nothing major; nothing to cause me to lose interest.
'Late one night, a man calls the local emergency line. He’s in a cemetery, and he’s just discovered a freshly dug grave marked with a wooden cross bearing his name. The dispatcher thinks it’s the ravings of a drunk—until the police find the man’s body the next day.
What seemed like a morbid prank soon becomes a living nightmare for Berlin detective Jan Tommen. Recently reinstated to the force after a harrowing case’s tragic conclusion, Jan enlists his friends—debt collector Chandu, hacker Max, and medical examiner Zoe—to help. Yet the unconventional team can’t get any closer to finding the killer, and new open graves keep turning up, each with a promise of murder. Can they find the cunning killer before the deadly predictions are fulfilled?'
It probably would have been helpful to have read 'Until the Debt is Paid', the first book in the series, but it isn't strictly necessary as the author recaps the main events. It is a book I plan on going back and reading though, as I am interested in following the remainder of this series as it is written. There are another two books that follow on, but neither appear to have been translated into English yet. I hope they are going to be.
Thank you to NetGalley and publishers Amazon Crossing for providing a digital copy of Grave Intent in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.
'Late one night, a man calls the local emergency line. He’s in a cemetery, and he’s just discovered a freshly dug grave marked with a wooden cross bearing his name. The dispatcher thinks it’s the ravings of a drunk—until the police find the man’s body the next day.
What seemed like a morbid prank soon becomes a living nightmare for Berlin detective Jan Tommen. Recently reinstated to the force after a harrowing case’s tragic conclusion, Jan enlists his friends—debt collector Chandu, hacker Max, and medical examiner Zoe—to help. Yet the unconventional team can’t get any closer to finding the killer, and new open graves keep turning up, each with a promise of murder. Can they find the cunning killer before the deadly predictions are fulfilled?'
It probably would have been helpful to have read 'Until the Debt is Paid', the first book in the series, but it isn't strictly necessary as the author recaps the main events. It is a book I plan on going back and reading though, as I am interested in following the remainder of this series as it is written. There are another two books that follow on, but neither appear to have been translated into English yet. I hope they are going to be.
Thank you to NetGalley and publishers Amazon Crossing for providing a digital copy of Grave Intent in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.
March 11, 2021
Nettamente migliore del precedente dove avevo capito quasi tutto già alla metà del libro. In questo caso la strana squadra è alle prese con un killer che annuncia l'omicidio facendo trovare alla vittima una tomba con il proprio nome. C'è un bel ritmo serrato delle indagini man mano che le vittime aumentano fino alla cattura del colpevole. Sicuramente leggerò il successivo .
February 16, 2019
Ein Mann steht vor seinem eigenen Grab auf dem Friedhof. Sein Todestag ist morgen. Er ruft verzweifelt die Polizei, will zur Wache, kommt dort aber nicht mehr an. Er wird ermordet, und es soll nicht der einzige Mord dieser Art bleiben. Immer mehr "zukünftige" Gräber tauchen auf, und der Ermittler Jan Tommen hat alle Hände voll zu tun, den Täter endlich zu erwischen. Doch der Mörder scheint der Polizei immer eine Spur voraus zu sein.
Mein Leseeindruck:
Mich konnte dieses Buch sehr gut unterhalten, zumal ich die Vorstellung von den leeren Gräbern mit dem eigenen Namen und Todestag sehr gruselig finde. Die Ermittlungsarbeit hat mir sehr gut gefallen, auch oder vielleicht gerade weil das Ermittlungsteam alles andere als "normal" ist. Mir kommt das Team rund um Jan Tommen fast schon ein bisschen zu schräg vor, trotzdem hat es mir Spaß gemacht, sie zu begleiten. Die Spannung war auch immer vorhanden, so dass ich insgesamt eine schöne Lesezeit mit diesem Buch verbringen konnte.
Mein Leseeindruck:
Mich konnte dieses Buch sehr gut unterhalten, zumal ich die Vorstellung von den leeren Gräbern mit dem eigenen Namen und Todestag sehr gruselig finde. Die Ermittlungsarbeit hat mir sehr gut gefallen, auch oder vielleicht gerade weil das Ermittlungsteam alles andere als "normal" ist. Mir kommt das Team rund um Jan Tommen fast schon ein bisschen zu schräg vor, trotzdem hat es mir Spaß gemacht, sie zu begleiten. Die Spannung war auch immer vorhanden, so dass ich insgesamt eine schöne Lesezeit mit diesem Buch verbringen konnte.
December 8, 2015
This is the second book in a series which features Berlin Detective Jan Tommen. First book was Until The Debt Is Paid. While Grave Intent is fine as a stand-alone, there are a lot of spoilers. If so inclined, it would be better to start with Book 1... I wish I had
A man calls the police department telling them that someone has dug a grave that has a cross with his name and the date of his death.... The police make it to the graveyard too late. There is now a deceased man lying across the empty grave.
Zoe, the Medical Examiner, finds the man has been beaten to death with a ball bat and his eyes were removed. The investigation is barely underway when another grave is found with an unburied body.. bearing the same injuries as the first man, only this time the man's tongue is missing.
Detective Tommen is still recovering from his last case (Until The Debt Is Paid) but nevertheless goes full force in trying to find this killer. These are not the only two men who will find graves with their names and the upcoming dates of their deaths.
Tommen is working toward finding a connection among the victims. Slowly, piece by piece, things start coming together .. until he is taken prisoner by the killer.
Detective Tommen is a man who loves his job. He's worked very hard and long to get where he is today. These are interesting characters that I like very much. Even the secondary people play a huge part in creating a seamless story that takes the reader into the back alleys of dubious dealings. The book is well-written, very little 'fluff'.
4 Stars because it kept me turning pages. The suspense was palpable and the ending left nothing undisclosed.
My thanks to the author / AmazonCrossing / NetGalley who furnished a digital copy in exchange for an honest, unbiased review. The book will be available 1/6/2016.
September 17, 2019
Jan Tommen and his unusual team have a rather peculiar case to investigate. It begins with a phone call made to the police lat ate night, by a distraught man who has just discovered an empty grave with his name on the marker. The date of death: The following day. The dispatcher, believing it to be a hoax, just directs him to take a picture and come to the nearest police station to report the matter. When his body is found right next to the grave that panicked him, things begin to look a whole lot more serious. And it doesn't take long until another freaked out citizen reports a freshly dug grave with his name on it.
Another intriguing case that kept me hooked.
Another intriguing case that kept me hooked.
December 10, 2015
Firstly I would like to thank Netgalley and Amazon Crossing for an advance copy of Grave Intent. This is the first time I have read Mr Hartung's work or heard of him, so as I'm always interested in new to me authors I was keen to get going.
Grave Intent is the second novel in the Jan Tommen series but I don't feel I've missed much as most of the first novel, Until The Debt Is Paid, including the perpetrator, is recapped so no point now in reading it. The plot centres on a doctor found dead in a grave which has his name and date of death on it but what makes it different is that the doctor had phoned Emergency Services the previous day because he'd found the grave. When he didn't turn up at the police station as requested it was written off as a malicious prank. With no clues Jan and his motley crew are stumped as to why anyone would kill the doctor, an apparently blameless man. Then another man finds a grave with his name on it.
The plot is not particularly taxing or original but Mr Hartung puts his own spin and style on it to produce a page turner I read in two sittings (I reluctantly put it down for a sleep). The novel zips along and you do get a sense of the detectives' frustration and helplessness. The characters are not particularly nuanced, just enough to be recognised as individuals, but they don't have to be as Grave Intent is essentially a plot driven novel.
The one thing about the novel that I don't like is the American translation. I have nothing against American novels and read plenty of them but, for me, I felt it destroyed the European atmosphere I was expecting and made the novel feel as if it could have been set anywhere, not specifically Berlin.
If you want to escape into a page turner which doesn't require too much thinking then Grave Intent will fit the bill nicely.
Grave Intent is the second novel in the Jan Tommen series but I don't feel I've missed much as most of the first novel, Until The Debt Is Paid, including the perpetrator, is recapped so no point now in reading it. The plot centres on a doctor found dead in a grave which has his name and date of death on it but what makes it different is that the doctor had phoned Emergency Services the previous day because he'd found the grave. When he didn't turn up at the police station as requested it was written off as a malicious prank. With no clues Jan and his motley crew are stumped as to why anyone would kill the doctor, an apparently blameless man. Then another man finds a grave with his name on it.
The plot is not particularly taxing or original but Mr Hartung puts his own spin and style on it to produce a page turner I read in two sittings (I reluctantly put it down for a sleep). The novel zips along and you do get a sense of the detectives' frustration and helplessness. The characters are not particularly nuanced, just enough to be recognised as individuals, but they don't have to be as Grave Intent is essentially a plot driven novel.
The one thing about the novel that I don't like is the American translation. I have nothing against American novels and read plenty of them but, for me, I felt it destroyed the European atmosphere I was expecting and made the novel feel as if it could have been set anywhere, not specifically Berlin.
If you want to escape into a page turner which doesn't require too much thinking then Grave Intent will fit the bill nicely.
February 25, 2020
"They were dealing with a master planner. Insane, to be sure, but well organized and not easily unnerved. Psychopaths like this were the toughest to catch."
See reviews first on my Blog
This is apparently the second book in a series which I didn't realize until about a quarter of the way though the book, when certain things started to be mentioned that seemed like we should have known something about them. While I don't think you have to read the first book to be able to enjoy the second one if you want to I would suggest doing that before you read this one because it will spoil the first one for you. (I would like to read the first one, but will wait awhile so I don't remember all of the details from this book as vividly.)
Now onto reviewing this book.
Imagine going to put flowers on your significant others grave and next to them where you one day will be buried, you see a painted cross with your name and the date you will die on it. Of course the next thing you will do is to call 911 and tell them what's happening. You tell the operator what's happening and at first they think you're lying and that this is just some prank. Very quickly though the operator will see that you are really freaking out and this is not some prank call. They tell you to take pictures of what you see and come down to the police station where they will help you and keep you safe. That's what happened to Dr. Bernhard Valburg. But instead of doing what the 911 operator asked he went home because he was panicked. This panicked choice cost him his life and started off the murder investigation for Detective Jan Tommen.
Dr. Bernhard Valburg murder is the start of what appears to be a serial killer who is very strategic and leaves zero evidence behind.
Detective Jan has the help of: Zoe the pathologist, Chandu the muscle and Max the computer tech intern.
With two more murders that happen in the same way and no DNA evidence or clues on how the victims connect or any signs of who the killer could be, the group starts to get dismayed. Finally Max starts to figure out how exactly the three murders are connected, when another cross with a date appears in a cemetery. This time its a Ukrainian Diplomat who appears to have no connection to the other three. Jan quickly realizes that if the Diplomat dies any chance of them catching the killer without other countries interfering will be over.
I'm not going to say anymore though due to spoilers. Lets just say though that from there on the case takes many unexpected turns.
I can't wait for the next installment in this series and I would really recommend anyone who likes crime novels that are very fast paced but not to gruesome with detail should check this book out.
You can see more reviews like this on my blog every week.
Thank you to Netgalley and Amazon Crossing for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book.
See reviews first on my Blog
This is apparently the second book in a series which I didn't realize until about a quarter of the way though the book, when certain things started to be mentioned that seemed like we should have known something about them. While I don't think you have to read the first book to be able to enjoy the second one if you want to I would suggest doing that before you read this one because it will spoil the first one for you. (I would like to read the first one, but will wait awhile so I don't remember all of the details from this book as vividly.)
Now onto reviewing this book.
Imagine going to put flowers on your significant others grave and next to them where you one day will be buried, you see a painted cross with your name and the date you will die on it. Of course the next thing you will do is to call 911 and tell them what's happening. You tell the operator what's happening and at first they think you're lying and that this is just some prank. Very quickly though the operator will see that you are really freaking out and this is not some prank call. They tell you to take pictures of what you see and come down to the police station where they will help you and keep you safe. That's what happened to Dr. Bernhard Valburg. But instead of doing what the 911 operator asked he went home because he was panicked. This panicked choice cost him his life and started off the murder investigation for Detective Jan Tommen.
Dr. Bernhard Valburg murder is the start of what appears to be a serial killer who is very strategic and leaves zero evidence behind.
Detective Jan has the help of: Zoe the pathologist, Chandu the muscle and Max the computer tech intern.
With two more murders that happen in the same way and no DNA evidence or clues on how the victims connect or any signs of who the killer could be, the group starts to get dismayed. Finally Max starts to figure out how exactly the three murders are connected, when another cross with a date appears in a cemetery. This time its a Ukrainian Diplomat who appears to have no connection to the other three. Jan quickly realizes that if the Diplomat dies any chance of them catching the killer without other countries interfering will be over.
I'm not going to say anymore though due to spoilers. Lets just say though that from there on the case takes many unexpected turns.
I can't wait for the next installment in this series and I would really recommend anyone who likes crime novels that are very fast paced but not to gruesome with detail should check this book out.
You can see more reviews like this on my blog every week.
Thank you to Netgalley and Amazon Crossing for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book.
January 25, 2016
This is the second book in Jan Tommen series. Detective Jan is still struggling with an unfortunate event at the end of the first book. (I decline to specify the event so as not to ruin the first book in case anyone reads this review.) Both his physical and mental health are deteriorating and his work is suffering. Then comes an odd murder: a grave plot is dug and the grave marker is placed to forewarn the intended murder victim. As the victims pile up, Jan and his crew of odd assorted friends, a forensic specialist, a hacker, and a mob debt collector, combine their skills to track down the reason for the killings and the killer.
The characters in this series well thought out and each brings their past to the forefront during the course of the stories. In addition to the suspense of the murders, the story also captures the increasing friendships among the unlikely group. I look forward to continuing to follow their development as well as see what mayhem Detective Jan can solve with their help.
A preview of this book was received from NetGalley in exchange for an objective review.
The characters in this series well thought out and each brings their past to the forefront during the course of the stories. In addition to the suspense of the murders, the story also captures the increasing friendships among the unlikely group. I look forward to continuing to follow their development as well as see what mayhem Detective Jan can solve with their help.
A preview of this book was received from NetGalley in exchange for an objective review.
January 5, 2016
What would you do if you found an open grave with a name and date of death on it? And if on that date a body appeared on the grave?
And even worse, if there were 3 more? That's just what the police investigators have to face. A very crazy and audacious serial killer, one who ultimately has nothing to lose.
The situation escalates fast, nobody knows what links those four deaths and why the killer is targeting these people.
Slowly, the plot begins to point to unravel and Tommen and his team have to move fast to prevent another killing, one very close to them.
This is a great thriller, with well defined characters and plot. It's book 2 in the Jan Tommen investigator series, but works perfectly as a stand alone. Translation is great, also.
I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review
And even worse, if there were 3 more? That's just what the police investigators have to face. A very crazy and audacious serial killer, one who ultimately has nothing to lose.
The situation escalates fast, nobody knows what links those four deaths and why the killer is targeting these people.
Slowly, the plot begins to point to unravel and Tommen and his team have to move fast to prevent another killing, one very close to them.
This is a great thriller, with well defined characters and plot. It's book 2 in the Jan Tommen investigator series, but works perfectly as a stand alone. Translation is great, also.
I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review
December 12, 2015
I received a free copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you, AmazonCrossing!
This is the second novel in the Jan Tommen series, and I enjoyed it as much as the first one (After the Debt is Paid). Tommen's ragtag team reminds me a little of Adler-Olsen's Department Q. Jan is a rough cop, Chandu an eccentric badass with a mysterious past. There is a no-nonsense woman (in this case an MD) and a geeky hacker. I love their dynamics and their offbeat sense of humor. The rhythm is constant and the twists keep coming. The bad guy is smart and, in a way, relatable. I am really looking forward to the next installment.
This is the second novel in the Jan Tommen series, and I enjoyed it as much as the first one (After the Debt is Paid). Tommen's ragtag team reminds me a little of Adler-Olsen's Department Q. Jan is a rough cop, Chandu an eccentric badass with a mysterious past. There is a no-nonsense woman (in this case an MD) and a geeky hacker. I love their dynamics and their offbeat sense of humor. The rhythm is constant and the twists keep coming. The bad guy is smart and, in a way, relatable. I am really looking forward to the next installment.
December 28, 2015
Good gracious. This book was fantastic. It was suspenseful and intricate. It was fun seeing how the story progressed and what tied the victims together. This is the second book in a series - this book works as a stand alone, however it does give away who the murderer was in the first book. Even though I now know who the murderer is, I still want to read the first book because I know that it will be written well and full of surprises just as this installment was. I would recommend this book and I am looking forward to reading the first and the upcoming book in the series. So grateful that this book is available in English.
January 18, 2016
* Received this book in exchange for my review *
Well written (translated) easily visualized feels like watching CSI Berlin.
Well written (translated) easily visualized feels like watching CSI Berlin.
October 7, 2019
Notruf: Ein Mann wollte seine Frau auf dem Friedhof besuchen, entdeckt dabei sein eigenes Grab. Todestag morgen.
Klingt nach einem morbiden Scherz, dann liegt der Arzt am nächsten Tag in der Grube, Schädel eingeschlagen, Augen entfernt.
Schon wird das nächste Grab entdeckt, ein neues Todesversprechen.
Im zweiten Fall müssen Jan Tommen und sein Team schnellstmöglich den Mörder finden, denn kaum entdecken sie ein Grab, wartet schon das Nächste auf sein Opfer. Als dann ein Botschafter und einer aus Team zu potentiellen Opfern werden, scheint es gar keine Verbindung zwischen den Opfern zu geben...
Das Team, bestehend aus Geldeintreiber Chandu, der früher in der Berliner Unterwelt zu Gange war, der eigenwilligen aber mehr als kompetenten Rechtsmedizinerin Zoe und Hacker Max, der es mit dem Gesetz nicht allzu genau nimmt, macht diese Reihe aus. Es ist schräg, die Methoden manchmal fragwürdig aber genau das macht die Ermittlungsarbeit wirklich unterhaltsam.
Aber auch die Idee ist originell, hat mich direkt angesprochen und der Verlauf der Story ist rasant und spannend. Auch wenn es sich zwischendurch manchmal kurz etwas zieht und ich meine, dass es da Logiklücken gibt, die stören aber nicht großartig. Der Schreibstil entspricht dem lockeren Umgangston der Ermittler und insgesamt ist das Ganze für mich fast besser als der erste Teil.
Das Ende ist dann ganz was Anderes, aber auf gute Art, auch wenn es etwas unspektakulär daherkommt und einfach erzählt wird.
Ich bleib weiter bei der Reihe, dafür hätte es nicht mal den kleinen Cliffhanger am Ende gebraucht.
Klingt nach einem morbiden Scherz, dann liegt der Arzt am nächsten Tag in der Grube, Schädel eingeschlagen, Augen entfernt.
Schon wird das nächste Grab entdeckt, ein neues Todesversprechen.
Im zweiten Fall müssen Jan Tommen und sein Team schnellstmöglich den Mörder finden, denn kaum entdecken sie ein Grab, wartet schon das Nächste auf sein Opfer. Als dann ein Botschafter und einer aus Team zu potentiellen Opfern werden, scheint es gar keine Verbindung zwischen den Opfern zu geben...
Das Team, bestehend aus Geldeintreiber Chandu, der früher in der Berliner Unterwelt zu Gange war, der eigenwilligen aber mehr als kompetenten Rechtsmedizinerin Zoe und Hacker Max, der es mit dem Gesetz nicht allzu genau nimmt, macht diese Reihe aus. Es ist schräg, die Methoden manchmal fragwürdig aber genau das macht die Ermittlungsarbeit wirklich unterhaltsam.
Aber auch die Idee ist originell, hat mich direkt angesprochen und der Verlauf der Story ist rasant und spannend. Auch wenn es sich zwischendurch manchmal kurz etwas zieht und ich meine, dass es da Logiklücken gibt, die stören aber nicht großartig. Der Schreibstil entspricht dem lockeren Umgangston der Ermittler und insgesamt ist das Ganze für mich fast besser als der erste Teil.
Das Ende ist dann ganz was Anderes, aber auf gute Art, auch wenn es etwas unspektakulär daherkommt und einfach erzählt wird.
Ich bleib weiter bei der Reihe, dafür hätte es nicht mal den kleinen Cliffhanger am Ende gebraucht.
November 29, 2015
As is his custom, Dr. Bernhard Valburg goes to place flowers at his wife's grave. This time he finds a shallow grave dug next to hers with a cross bearing his name and a date of death on it. The date is tomorrow. Panicked he calls police dispatch who believe it to be a hoax but as a precaution advise him to come to the station. He never arrives and his body is found in the grave the next day.
So begins a race against time for Detective Jan Tommen as more graves are discovered. With the help of forensic pathologist (and highly acerbic) Zoe, hacker Max and a mountain of a man, Chandru, they try to piece together the connection between the intended victims and stop the murders taking place. When one of them becomes a potential target, no holds are barred to find the perpetrator.
This story ticked off all the boxes of a solid mystery/crime thriller. Even though the characters appear in a book before this, the necessary info is repeated and at no stage do you feel as though you are trying to catch up. The characters are solid. Even when some are only touched on you can still get to grips with their personalities, actions and emotions. The bonds of friendship run deep in this story, as characters are pushed beyond their limits to make life changing choices. The fast pace and flow of the story is great-keeps you turning just one more page and then just one more page! The logical progression of evidence to find the killer makes sense-so often the reader has to push plausibility boundaries but this story leaves you satisfied after reading the last page.
A few minor punctuation issues crop up, but nothing to distract from an excellently written book. A fantastic thriller able to be read in a day, with non-stop action, believable characters and a cohesive storyline. Thanks to Netgalley for the advance review.
So begins a race against time for Detective Jan Tommen as more graves are discovered. With the help of forensic pathologist (and highly acerbic) Zoe, hacker Max and a mountain of a man, Chandru, they try to piece together the connection between the intended victims and stop the murders taking place. When one of them becomes a potential target, no holds are barred to find the perpetrator.
This story ticked off all the boxes of a solid mystery/crime thriller. Even though the characters appear in a book before this, the necessary info is repeated and at no stage do you feel as though you are trying to catch up. The characters are solid. Even when some are only touched on you can still get to grips with their personalities, actions and emotions. The bonds of friendship run deep in this story, as characters are pushed beyond their limits to make life changing choices. The fast pace and flow of the story is great-keeps you turning just one more page and then just one more page! The logical progression of evidence to find the killer makes sense-so often the reader has to push plausibility boundaries but this story leaves you satisfied after reading the last page.
A few minor punctuation issues crop up, but nothing to distract from an excellently written book. A fantastic thriller able to be read in a day, with non-stop action, believable characters and a cohesive storyline. Thanks to Netgalley for the advance review.
February 3, 2016
I won this book in a Goodreads contest. I didn't initially realize this was a translation until I received the book and noticed it was noted on the cover. This was wonderfully translated, I didn't feel there were any strange language bumps. Being that the story was set in Berlin, I felt that anything that wasn't "normal" was part of the setting. The story was well written and I was really engaged in the story, the characters and the setting. I did find that the setting wasn't described very well, but I don't feel that lessened the story in any way. The descriptions were enough to ground the story in a place. I did not read the first book in the story and maybe I was missing something but I felt that the story and characters were filled out enough and backstory alluded to that I felt this book was good as a stand alone. The backstory, alluded to several times, made for a richer character and also made me want to read the first book. This was an interesting murder mystery and well worth the time to read it.
December 1, 2016
I won this book in a giveaway on Goodreads. It is filled with suspense and intrigue. It is a fast paced story that keeps you guessing. Although this is the second novel in the series I feel that you can read this as a stand alone. I am definitely hooked on Alexander Hartung's books and plan to read the rest of the series. I would also recommend this book to all my friends.
March 9, 2016
A great read.
May 10, 2016
A very enjoyable read!
February 28, 2024
Auch der zweite Fall für den Berliner Ermittler Jan Tommen und sein etwas unkonventionelles Team ist ein spannender Thriller, der mit einer interessanten Idee daherkommt. Der gejagte Serienkiller macht hier nämlich um seine Absichten kein großes Geheimnis, denn er hat für seine Opfer schon vor deren Ableben entsprechende Grabsteine in der Hauptstadt platziert – mit den Namen und Todestagen der unglückseligen Menschen, die in Kürze ihrem gewaltsamen Ableben entgegensehen.
Nun sollte man meinen, dass ein derartiges Szenario die Arbeit für die Polizei recht einfach gestaltet, doch Tommen & Co. haben es hier mit einem gerissenen Täter zu tun, der ein perfides Spiel mit seinen Opfern und Verfolgern spielt. Wie schon beim ersten Band liegt der Schwerpunkt dieses Romans nicht unbedingt auf einem besonders hohen Grad an Realismus, was sich alleine schon wieder an der Zusammensetzung der Ermittlungseinheit zeigt, der unter anderem ein Hacker und ein zwielichtiger Geldeintreiber angehören. Allerdings sorgt eben diese ungewöhnliche Mischung auch für einige Abwechslung und die ein oder andere auflockernde Szene zwischendurch.
Wer bei der Auswahl seiner Thriller in erster Linie gut unterhalten werden möchte, der macht auch mit "Vor deinem Grab" nicht viel falsch und bekommt hier einige kurzweilige Stunden geliefert. Legt man jedoch eher Wert auf konventionelle Ermittlungsmethoden und realistische Abläufe, sollte man sich besser einen anderen Titel suchen.
Nun sollte man meinen, dass ein derartiges Szenario die Arbeit für die Polizei recht einfach gestaltet, doch Tommen & Co. haben es hier mit einem gerissenen Täter zu tun, der ein perfides Spiel mit seinen Opfern und Verfolgern spielt. Wie schon beim ersten Band liegt der Schwerpunkt dieses Romans nicht unbedingt auf einem besonders hohen Grad an Realismus, was sich alleine schon wieder an der Zusammensetzung der Ermittlungseinheit zeigt, der unter anderem ein Hacker und ein zwielichtiger Geldeintreiber angehören. Allerdings sorgt eben diese ungewöhnliche Mischung auch für einige Abwechslung und die ein oder andere auflockernde Szene zwischendurch.
Wer bei der Auswahl seiner Thriller in erster Linie gut unterhalten werden möchte, der macht auch mit "Vor deinem Grab" nicht viel falsch und bekommt hier einige kurzweilige Stunden geliefert. Legt man jedoch eher Wert auf konventionelle Ermittlungsmethoden und realistische Abläufe, sollte man sich besser einen anderen Titel suchen.
January 19, 2021
Ich habe das Buch über Kindle Unlimited geliehen, und da es das gleich im Bundle als eBook und Hörbuch zu beziehen hab, habe ich die Chance wieder einmal ergriffen, allerdings muss ich zugeben, dass es in diesem Fall besser ist, das Buch lediglich zu lesen. Der Sprecher hat sich zwar bemüht, in meinen Ohren aber oft falsch betont und den im Buch vorhandenen Genitiv in einen gesprochenen Dativ verwandelt. Das betrübt mich wirklich und wertet das Hörbuch in meinen Ohren ab.
An den 1. Fall konnte ich mich nur noch sehr schemenhaft erinnern, der zweite wirkt ein wenig konstruiert und nicht sehr glaubwürdig, ist aber spannend und teilweise witzig geschrieben. Als gebürtige Berlinerin bin ich ein wenig über die wenig plausiblen Handlungsorte gestolpert. Verstecken kann man sich neben der größten Synagoge weit und breit eigentlich nicht…
Ansonsten macht das Lesen des Thrillers Spaß, und am Ende werden dann alle Fragen beantwortet, die sich so im Laufe der Ermittlung ergeben. Für das eBook gebe ich 07/10 Punkte, für das Hörbuch nur 06/10 Punkte.
https://sunsys-blog.blogspot.com/2021...
An den 1. Fall konnte ich mich nur noch sehr schemenhaft erinnern, der zweite wirkt ein wenig konstruiert und nicht sehr glaubwürdig, ist aber spannend und teilweise witzig geschrieben. Als gebürtige Berlinerin bin ich ein wenig über die wenig plausiblen Handlungsorte gestolpert. Verstecken kann man sich neben der größten Synagoge weit und breit eigentlich nicht…
Ansonsten macht das Lesen des Thrillers Spaß, und am Ende werden dann alle Fragen beantwortet, die sich so im Laufe der Ermittlung ergeben. Für das eBook gebe ich 07/10 Punkte, für das Hörbuch nur 06/10 Punkte.
https://sunsys-blog.blogspot.com/2021...
May 2, 2018
Alexander Hartung - Vor deinem Grab #2
eBook - 315 Seiten
Nach dem tollen ersten Teil hatte ich große Erwartungen an Teil zwei.
Und um das schon mal vornweg zu nehmen - sie wurden nicht enttäuscht :-)
Wir treffen im 2. Buch um Kommissar Jan Tommen wieder auf unsere 4 Freunde - Jan, Chandu, Zoe und Max haben es diesmal mit einem recht bizarren Fall zu tun.
Es ist hier definitiv von Vorteil, wenn man die Reihe von Anfang an liest, da die eine oder andere Situation mit Kenntnis des ersten Bandes verständlicher und logischer erscheint.
Extrem viel Einblick in die Charaktere erhält man als Leser nicht, aber es ist in meinen Augen ausreichend, um das Geschehen nachvollziehbar zu machen.
Die Schreibstil gefällt mir hier auch wieder sehr gut, die Spannung hält sich das ganze Buch über, das Ende ist in seiner Wendung etwas unerwartet, aber deswegen nicht weniger gut.
Ich werde jedenfalls die Arbeit von Kommissar Tommen mit Freude weiter verfolgen.
eBook - 315 Seiten
Nach dem tollen ersten Teil hatte ich große Erwartungen an Teil zwei.
Und um das schon mal vornweg zu nehmen - sie wurden nicht enttäuscht :-)
Wir treffen im 2. Buch um Kommissar Jan Tommen wieder auf unsere 4 Freunde - Jan, Chandu, Zoe und Max haben es diesmal mit einem recht bizarren Fall zu tun.
Es ist hier definitiv von Vorteil, wenn man die Reihe von Anfang an liest, da die eine oder andere Situation mit Kenntnis des ersten Bandes verständlicher und logischer erscheint.
Extrem viel Einblick in die Charaktere erhält man als Leser nicht, aber es ist in meinen Augen ausreichend, um das Geschehen nachvollziehbar zu machen.
Die Schreibstil gefällt mir hier auch wieder sehr gut, die Spannung hält sich das ganze Buch über, das Ende ist in seiner Wendung etwas unerwartet, aber deswegen nicht weniger gut.
Ich werde jedenfalls die Arbeit von Kommissar Tommen mit Freude weiter verfolgen.
January 20, 2016
A local Berlin doctor calls the police from his wife's grave, horrified to see a grave with his own name dug out next to hers, with the date of death on it – marked for the next day! The dispatcher advises the man to head into the station, but he never makes it . . . . Other murders follow, and Detective Jan Tommen is assigned the case. But the serial killer always seems to be just one step ahead of him. It becomes personal when one of the grave markers predicts the murders of one of Jan's friends. Can he outwit the murderer, and find his friend, before it's too late?
This novel was translated from the original German. The story is suspenseful and generally fast moving. There were a handful of slower spots, but overall the pace was a good one. It was an interesting twist having the murderer leave grave markers giving the planned date of each victim's demise. There is a previous title in this series, called “Until the Debt is Paid”. There were some references to the detective's traumatic experience during his previous case, but it might have been easier to understand the character if I had read that first book before this one. I felt he was underdeveloped. Detective Tommen had a network of clever friends to assist him in solving the case. I felt the team was well-rounded, even though not much was revealed about the individual characters. It would have been more engaging to learn more about their back stories.
So in short, while I enjoyed this novel, I felt like something was lacking a little.
* I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. *
This novel was translated from the original German. The story is suspenseful and generally fast moving. There were a handful of slower spots, but overall the pace was a good one. It was an interesting twist having the murderer leave grave markers giving the planned date of each victim's demise. There is a previous title in this series, called “Until the Debt is Paid”. There were some references to the detective's traumatic experience during his previous case, but it might have been easier to understand the character if I had read that first book before this one. I felt he was underdeveloped. Detective Tommen had a network of clever friends to assist him in solving the case. I felt the team was well-rounded, even though not much was revealed about the individual characters. It would have been more engaging to learn more about their back stories.
So in short, while I enjoyed this novel, I felt like something was lacking a little.
* I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. *
July 19, 2015
German Audiobook--the 2nd of the Jan Thommen series. Thommen's team has to try to stop people from being killed who are warned with a picture of their grave already dug with a tombstone for the next day. It gets personal when one of Thommen's crew is taken. But why? Can he be saved?
Ein weinender Mann sendet einen Notruf an die Polizei-Zentrale. Es ist Nacht. Er steht auf dem Friedhof und hat soeben sein eigenes Grab entdeckt, sein Todestag ist morgen. Die junge Beamtin rät ihm, die nächste Wache aufzusuchen, aber sie hat die Lage falsch eingeschätzt. Am nächsten Tag liegt der Arzt mit zertrümmertem Schädel in der Grube.
Was wie ein morbider Scherz beginnt, entwickelt sich für Jan und sein unkonventionelles Ermittlerteam zu einem wahren Albtraum. Denn obwohl der Kommissar seine Freunde, den Geldeintreiber Chandu, den Hacker Max und die Rechtsmedizinerin Zoe um sich schart, um den Fall zu lösen, scheint er dem Mörder nicht näher zu kommen. Ständig tauchen neue Gräber auf – und mit ihnen Todesversprechen. Die Polizei scheint machtlos zu sein, denn niemand kann die Opfer schützen.
Ein weinender Mann sendet einen Notruf an die Polizei-Zentrale. Es ist Nacht. Er steht auf dem Friedhof und hat soeben sein eigenes Grab entdeckt, sein Todestag ist morgen. Die junge Beamtin rät ihm, die nächste Wache aufzusuchen, aber sie hat die Lage falsch eingeschätzt. Am nächsten Tag liegt der Arzt mit zertrümmertem Schädel in der Grube.
Was wie ein morbider Scherz beginnt, entwickelt sich für Jan und sein unkonventionelles Ermittlerteam zu einem wahren Albtraum. Denn obwohl der Kommissar seine Freunde, den Geldeintreiber Chandu, den Hacker Max und die Rechtsmedizinerin Zoe um sich schart, um den Fall zu lösen, scheint er dem Mörder nicht näher zu kommen. Ständig tauchen neue Gräber auf – und mit ihnen Todesversprechen. Die Polizei scheint machtlos zu sein, denn niemand kann die Opfer schützen.
January 21, 2016
An excellent detective story. I am glad I won this from Goodreads giveaway. When people are killed after discovering that their graves have been dug even with the date of death, the Berlin detectives search to find the connecting link between each one.
June 30, 2016
The plot was good but I prefer a series where the main characters evolve. The ending left a lot of questions for me - references to other nameless people involved in a cover-up, that sort of unsatisfying thing.
January 4, 2016
I received this arc from Netgalley.
A very entertaining read that does not disappoint. Fast paced and will keep you guessing. I look forward to reading all of this author's books.
A very entertaining read that does not disappoint. Fast paced and will keep you guessing. I look forward to reading all of this author's books.
July 28, 2020
Recensione di PsycoDisaster:
Questo è in assoluto il primo libro che abbia cominciato di una serie che non fosse il vero inizio della storia, cosa al quanto strana viste le particolari fissazioni che mi appartengono/affliggono.
Il bello di questo genere di thriller è che i libri si possono leggere anche singolarmente senza rischiare di non capire qualcosa durante le altre letture poiché sono casi distaccati e i riferimenti vengono fatti solo ad ordine di causa per spiegare un particolare fattore comportamentale o emotivo dei personaggi, cosa che infatti ha influito al mio ignorare che non fosse un libro autoconclusivo.
La storia è incentrata sulle indagini del commissario Jan, aiutato dalla sua squadra composta da Chandu, Max e Zoe che saranno il suo principale punto di riferimento in un caso particolarmente complicato e inquietante. Una chiamata ambigua darà inizio a tutto, trasportando varie persone in un circolo all'apparenza insensato e che non sembrerà avere uno scopo o una fine. In fin dei conti chi si aspetterebbe mai di trovare la propria tomba, con tanto di croce e lapide, con sopra incisi il proprio nome, la data di nascita e soprattutto quella di morte in una casuale visita al cimitero? Morte che sarebbe dovuta avvenire il giorno dopo.
Ogni giorno spero che le cose vadano un pochino meglio, che i ricordi impallidiscano, il dolore diventi più sopportabile, ma ogni mattina mi sveglio da solo nel letto e le cose peggiorano.
Risolvere l’inquietante mistero non sarà però l’unico pensiero che affliggerà il nostro commissario. Ci sono certe cose che nemmeno il tempo può guarire e che resteranno per sempre impresse nella tua anima, a tormentarti, a ricordarti il perché, a farti tornare indietro nel passato e farti desiderare di non averlo mai vissuto, a cercare di farti convincere che sia stato solo un brutto sogno e magari nemmeno tuo, solo per poter evadere anche un po’ da ciò che è stato e inevitabilmente rimarrà indelebile dentro di te.
Avevano a che fare con un pianificatore perfetto. Fuori di testa, certo, ma molto organizzato e con i nervi saldi. Il genere di psicopatico più difficile da catturare.
La tregua in un indagine era puro miraggio e se la mente non era affollata dalle colpe, lo era dal caso da risolvere o dal cuore. Notti insonne, ferite aperte che probabilmente non smetteranno mai di sanguinare e continui omicidi premeditati da uno psicopatico saranno all’ordine del giorno per Jan. Dovrà essere più scaltro, calcolatore e ingegnoso di colui che tiene le redini per poter anche solo sperare di catturarlo, ma niente è mai così semplice. I casi di omicidio aumentano e le prove scarseggiano. Cosa dovranno fare per arrivare al killer? Riusciranno mai a prenderlo? Nuovi eventi sono sempre dietro l’angolo e il nostro commissario e la sua squadra si ritroveranno a dover avere la certezza della sua cattura prima che l’inevitabile accada. Cosa saranno disposti a fare pur di prenderlo? Quali linee oltrepasseranno?
«Roger, senti, sono a un passo dall’ipoglicemia: uno stato in cui è molto pericoloso trovarsi nelle mie vicinanze. Per il bene di tutta la squadra e per la tua salute è meglio che io riceva al più presto qualcosa da mangiare, perché nella graziosa valigetta sotto i miei piedi ho bisturi a sufficienza per vincere la Terza guerra mondiale.»
In tutto il libro ho amato un personaggio in particolare ed è Zoe, il peperino medico legale. Diretta, ironica e un po’ scontrosa. Nella lettura nonostante il genere vi erano scene che alleggerivano l’atmosfera rendendola familiare nonostante diventasse poco dopo nuovamente inquietante e in alcune di queste scene era proprio Zoe a dirigere il tutto con le sue uscite improvvisate che mi hanno trasmesso allegria.
Mi sono presa il mio tempo per leggere questo libro, non perché la lettura non fosse scorrevole anzi, volevo proprio prendermi il mio tempo per poter in qualche modo elaborare i fatti e magari anche teorie che si sono rivelate successivamente sbagliate, cosa che non mi capita spesso e uno dei principali motivi per cui ho apprezzato questo libro oltre alla particolare idea della trama che mi ha incuriosita all’istante. Non vedo l’ora di poter leggere il primo e quindi conoscere anche l’inizio del commissario Jan.
Questo è in assoluto il primo libro che abbia cominciato di una serie che non fosse il vero inizio della storia, cosa al quanto strana viste le particolari fissazioni che mi appartengono/affliggono.
Il bello di questo genere di thriller è che i libri si possono leggere anche singolarmente senza rischiare di non capire qualcosa durante le altre letture poiché sono casi distaccati e i riferimenti vengono fatti solo ad ordine di causa per spiegare un particolare fattore comportamentale o emotivo dei personaggi, cosa che infatti ha influito al mio ignorare che non fosse un libro autoconclusivo.
La storia è incentrata sulle indagini del commissario Jan, aiutato dalla sua squadra composta da Chandu, Max e Zoe che saranno il suo principale punto di riferimento in un caso particolarmente complicato e inquietante. Una chiamata ambigua darà inizio a tutto, trasportando varie persone in un circolo all'apparenza insensato e che non sembrerà avere uno scopo o una fine. In fin dei conti chi si aspetterebbe mai di trovare la propria tomba, con tanto di croce e lapide, con sopra incisi il proprio nome, la data di nascita e soprattutto quella di morte in una casuale visita al cimitero? Morte che sarebbe dovuta avvenire il giorno dopo.
Ogni giorno spero che le cose vadano un pochino meglio, che i ricordi impallidiscano, il dolore diventi più sopportabile, ma ogni mattina mi sveglio da solo nel letto e le cose peggiorano.
Risolvere l’inquietante mistero non sarà però l’unico pensiero che affliggerà il nostro commissario. Ci sono certe cose che nemmeno il tempo può guarire e che resteranno per sempre impresse nella tua anima, a tormentarti, a ricordarti il perché, a farti tornare indietro nel passato e farti desiderare di non averlo mai vissuto, a cercare di farti convincere che sia stato solo un brutto sogno e magari nemmeno tuo, solo per poter evadere anche un po’ da ciò che è stato e inevitabilmente rimarrà indelebile dentro di te.
Avevano a che fare con un pianificatore perfetto. Fuori di testa, certo, ma molto organizzato e con i nervi saldi. Il genere di psicopatico più difficile da catturare.
La tregua in un indagine era puro miraggio e se la mente non era affollata dalle colpe, lo era dal caso da risolvere o dal cuore. Notti insonne, ferite aperte che probabilmente non smetteranno mai di sanguinare e continui omicidi premeditati da uno psicopatico saranno all’ordine del giorno per Jan. Dovrà essere più scaltro, calcolatore e ingegnoso di colui che tiene le redini per poter anche solo sperare di catturarlo, ma niente è mai così semplice. I casi di omicidio aumentano e le prove scarseggiano. Cosa dovranno fare per arrivare al killer? Riusciranno mai a prenderlo? Nuovi eventi sono sempre dietro l’angolo e il nostro commissario e la sua squadra si ritroveranno a dover avere la certezza della sua cattura prima che l’inevitabile accada. Cosa saranno disposti a fare pur di prenderlo? Quali linee oltrepasseranno?
«Roger, senti, sono a un passo dall’ipoglicemia: uno stato in cui è molto pericoloso trovarsi nelle mie vicinanze. Per il bene di tutta la squadra e per la tua salute è meglio che io riceva al più presto qualcosa da mangiare, perché nella graziosa valigetta sotto i miei piedi ho bisturi a sufficienza per vincere la Terza guerra mondiale.»
In tutto il libro ho amato un personaggio in particolare ed è Zoe, il peperino medico legale. Diretta, ironica e un po’ scontrosa. Nella lettura nonostante il genere vi erano scene che alleggerivano l’atmosfera rendendola familiare nonostante diventasse poco dopo nuovamente inquietante e in alcune di queste scene era proprio Zoe a dirigere il tutto con le sue uscite improvvisate che mi hanno trasmesso allegria.
Mi sono presa il mio tempo per leggere questo libro, non perché la lettura non fosse scorrevole anzi, volevo proprio prendermi il mio tempo per poter in qualche modo elaborare i fatti e magari anche teorie che si sono rivelate successivamente sbagliate, cosa che non mi capita spesso e uno dei principali motivi per cui ho apprezzato questo libro oltre alla particolare idea della trama che mi ha incuriosita all’istante. Non vedo l’ora di poter leggere il primo e quindi conoscere anche l’inizio del commissario Jan.
January 14, 2021
Ein spannender und skurriler
Thriller!
"Vor deinem Grab“ ist der zweite Fall für Jan Tommen und seinem chaotischen, skurrilen und coolen Team.
Kaum haben sich Jan, Chandu, Zoe und Max von dem letzten Fall erholt, so geht es auch hier direkt mit einem bizarren und grausamen Fall in Berlin weiter.
Neben einer verstörenden Mordreihe kommt das Team wieder klasse zur Geltung. Nachdem ich den ersten Teil gelesen habe, konnte ich es kaum erwarten, diesen vier Protagonisten wieder zu begegnen.
Jan ist ein leidenschaftlicher und hartnäckiger Ermittler, der einen ausgeprägten Sinn für Gerechtigkeit hat.
Der letzte Fall hat ihn mit seinen Freunden näher zusammen geschweißt, sodass das außergewöhnliche Trio nun offiziell bei der Kripo mitmischen darf.
Die Charaktere der Protagonisten sorgen in diesem Thriller wieder für eine spannende, aber auch humorvolle Geschichte mit einem gut durchdachten Plot.
Chandu, der schwarzafrikanische ehemalige Türsteher und Geldeintreiber mit kriminellem Hintergrund aus der Berliner Unterwelt.
Der große schwarze Mann hat eine raue Schale, dafür aber einen weichen Kern. Für ihn wird dieser Fall im letzten Drittel persönlich, womit ich nicht gerechnet hätte.
Zoe ist weiterhin die taffe, eigenwillige und ketten rauchende Rechtsmedizinerin.
Da sie es eigentlich gar nicht nötig hat zu arbeiten, bricht sie aus ihrem langweiligen Berufsalltag aus und füttert ihre Gruppe mit nützlichen Informationen.
Auch sie hat mich zum Ende hin sehr überrascht. Sie muss sich mit ihrer Vergangenheit auseinandersetzen, um an dringende und lebenswichtige Informationen zu kommen.
Max ist ein Computerfreak, der alle typischen Klischees erfüllt, aber ein Ass auf seinem Gebiet ist.
Die vier ergänzen sich wunderbar und arbeiten klasse zusammen, auch wenn es nicht immer auf legalem Wege passiert.
Der Spannungsbogen ist ordentlich, denn die Zeit zwischen den Morden ließ mich nicht ausatmen. Auf der Suche nach Zusammenhänge der Opfer hatte ich zwar oft einen Verdacht, das Ende war jedoch nicht zu erahnen.
Ein weinender Arzt sendet nachts einen Notruf an die Berliner Polizei-Zentrale.
Aufgewühlt und verstört steht er auf dem Friedhof, denn er hat soeben sein eigenes Grab entdeckt, worauf sein Todestag am nächsten Tag sein soll. Die diensthabende Beamtin rät ihm, die nächste Wache aufzusuchen.
Sie ahnt nicht, dass sie die Lage falsch eingeschätzt hat, denn am nächsten Tag liegt der Mann mit zertrümmertem Schädel in der Grube.
Was wie ein morbider Scherz beginnt, entwickelt sich für Jan und sein unkonventionelles Ermittlerteam zu einem wahren Albtraum.
Denn obwohl Jan und seine Freunde versuchen, jeden noch so kleinsten Hinweis nachzugehen um den Fall zu lösen, scheinen sie dem Mörder nicht näherzukommen.
Ständig tauchen neue Gräber auf, und mit ihnen ein eindeutiges Todesversprechen. Die Polizei scheint machtlos zu sein, denn niemand kann die Opfer schützen.
Die Gründe für das schreckliche Verhalten des Mörders werden am Ende detailliert beschrieben, sodass keine Fragen offen bleiben.
Ich bin auf den nächsten Fall gespannt und freue mich auf Teil drei.
Thriller!
"Vor deinem Grab“ ist der zweite Fall für Jan Tommen und seinem chaotischen, skurrilen und coolen Team.
Kaum haben sich Jan, Chandu, Zoe und Max von dem letzten Fall erholt, so geht es auch hier direkt mit einem bizarren und grausamen Fall in Berlin weiter.
Neben einer verstörenden Mordreihe kommt das Team wieder klasse zur Geltung. Nachdem ich den ersten Teil gelesen habe, konnte ich es kaum erwarten, diesen vier Protagonisten wieder zu begegnen.
Jan ist ein leidenschaftlicher und hartnäckiger Ermittler, der einen ausgeprägten Sinn für Gerechtigkeit hat.
Der letzte Fall hat ihn mit seinen Freunden näher zusammen geschweißt, sodass das außergewöhnliche Trio nun offiziell bei der Kripo mitmischen darf.
Die Charaktere der Protagonisten sorgen in diesem Thriller wieder für eine spannende, aber auch humorvolle Geschichte mit einem gut durchdachten Plot.
Chandu, der schwarzafrikanische ehemalige Türsteher und Geldeintreiber mit kriminellem Hintergrund aus der Berliner Unterwelt.
Der große schwarze Mann hat eine raue Schale, dafür aber einen weichen Kern. Für ihn wird dieser Fall im letzten Drittel persönlich, womit ich nicht gerechnet hätte.
Zoe ist weiterhin die taffe, eigenwillige und ketten rauchende Rechtsmedizinerin.
Da sie es eigentlich gar nicht nötig hat zu arbeiten, bricht sie aus ihrem langweiligen Berufsalltag aus und füttert ihre Gruppe mit nützlichen Informationen.
Auch sie hat mich zum Ende hin sehr überrascht. Sie muss sich mit ihrer Vergangenheit auseinandersetzen, um an dringende und lebenswichtige Informationen zu kommen.
Max ist ein Computerfreak, der alle typischen Klischees erfüllt, aber ein Ass auf seinem Gebiet ist.
Die vier ergänzen sich wunderbar und arbeiten klasse zusammen, auch wenn es nicht immer auf legalem Wege passiert.
Der Spannungsbogen ist ordentlich, denn die Zeit zwischen den Morden ließ mich nicht ausatmen. Auf der Suche nach Zusammenhänge der Opfer hatte ich zwar oft einen Verdacht, das Ende war jedoch nicht zu erahnen.
Ein weinender Arzt sendet nachts einen Notruf an die Berliner Polizei-Zentrale.
Aufgewühlt und verstört steht er auf dem Friedhof, denn er hat soeben sein eigenes Grab entdeckt, worauf sein Todestag am nächsten Tag sein soll. Die diensthabende Beamtin rät ihm, die nächste Wache aufzusuchen.
Sie ahnt nicht, dass sie die Lage falsch eingeschätzt hat, denn am nächsten Tag liegt der Mann mit zertrümmertem Schädel in der Grube.
Was wie ein morbider Scherz beginnt, entwickelt sich für Jan und sein unkonventionelles Ermittlerteam zu einem wahren Albtraum.
Denn obwohl Jan und seine Freunde versuchen, jeden noch so kleinsten Hinweis nachzugehen um den Fall zu lösen, scheinen sie dem Mörder nicht näherzukommen.
Ständig tauchen neue Gräber auf, und mit ihnen ein eindeutiges Todesversprechen. Die Polizei scheint machtlos zu sein, denn niemand kann die Opfer schützen.
Die Gründe für das schreckliche Verhalten des Mörders werden am Ende detailliert beschrieben, sodass keine Fragen offen bleiben.
Ich bin auf den nächsten Fall gespannt und freue mich auf Teil drei.
December 25, 2020
A great follow-up to his first Jan Tommen book. Love all the interactions between Jan's misfit team of friends.
Gravedigger certainty keeps the group busy and almost trips them up in finding this killer who is just meticulously killing people the group can't link together. Leads to the seedy underside of Berlin don't give up their secrets easily. It all is chaotic right up to the end and leaves the group of misfits shaken and uneasy.
Full of surprises and anxious to see the next book withisbgroup!
Gravedigger certainty keeps the group busy and almost trips them up in finding this killer who is just meticulously killing people the group can't link together. Leads to the seedy underside of Berlin don't give up their secrets easily. It all is chaotic right up to the end and leaves the group of misfits shaken and uneasy.
Full of surprises and anxious to see the next book withisbgroup!
December 12, 2019
4.25 stars...excellent follow up to the first book. Jan's new team must race against the clock to stop a serial killer before he closes the door on his revenge tour. With one of their very own at the heart of the murderers crosshairs there is no room for delay. True friends will sacrifice anything for eachother and this will be no different
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