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Fredrika Bergman & Alex Recht #1
Tuhkatriinud
„Kristina Ohlssonil on õnnestunud see, mida enne teda on püüdnud paljud: viia Rootsi krimiromaan uuele ja üllatavale tasemele.” - Arne Dahl
Stockholmi keskraudteejaama saabunud kiirrongist kaob väike tüdruk. Tüdruku isast saab kiiresti kahtlusalune ja kõik ressursid suunatakse tema leidmisele. Ühes teises Rootsi linnas varjab end hirmunud noor naine mehe eest, keda oli omal ajal pidanud kauaoodatud printsiks ja vabastajaks. Naine teab tüdruku kadumise põhjust, aga peab põgenema, kui tahab ellu jääda.
Juurdlust asub juhtima legendaarne komissar Alex Recht, keda abistavad innukas kriminaalinspektor Peder Rydh ja kriminoloog Fredrika Bergman. Fredrika on pärast mitme unistuse purunemist politseisse tööle asunud ja peab nüüd nägema vaeva, et tema arvates vales suunas liikuvat juurdlust õigele rajale juhtida. Kui politseisse jõuab info veel ühest kadunud lapsest, peavad uurijad tunnistama, et Fredrikal oli kogu aeg õigus. Nad seisavad silmitsi kurjuse kehastusega.
Inimelude säästmiseks peab uurimisrühm kurjategija kiire tempoga kohanema. Kui palju on neil aega, enne kui too teeb järgmise sammu? Kes on see naine, kes juurdlust otsekui varjuna saadab? Kas tema leidmine aitab viimase mosaiigikillu õigesse kohta asetada?
Kell tiksub…
KRISTINA OHLSSON (sünd. 1979) õppis riigiteadusi ja enne täielikult kirjutamisele pühendumist töötas OSCE-s, Rootsi Julgeolekuteenistuses ja välisministeeriumis. Kuuest romaanist koosnevat krimisarja Fredrika Bergmanist ja Alex Rechtist on saatnud edu ka väljaspool Rootsit ning raamatuid on tõlgitud 18 keelde. Romaanide põhjal on valminud telesari „Stockholmi reekviem”.
„Ohlsson on loonud hirmuäratava loo, mille peaosas on kurjus.” - Aftonbladet
„Täiuslik põnevik, mille üha kasvav pinge tõmbab ka lugeja närvid viimseni pingule.” - Dagens Nyheter
Stockholmi keskraudteejaama saabunud kiirrongist kaob väike tüdruk. Tüdruku isast saab kiiresti kahtlusalune ja kõik ressursid suunatakse tema leidmisele. Ühes teises Rootsi linnas varjab end hirmunud noor naine mehe eest, keda oli omal ajal pidanud kauaoodatud printsiks ja vabastajaks. Naine teab tüdruku kadumise põhjust, aga peab põgenema, kui tahab ellu jääda.
Juurdlust asub juhtima legendaarne komissar Alex Recht, keda abistavad innukas kriminaalinspektor Peder Rydh ja kriminoloog Fredrika Bergman. Fredrika on pärast mitme unistuse purunemist politseisse tööle asunud ja peab nüüd nägema vaeva, et tema arvates vales suunas liikuvat juurdlust õigele rajale juhtida. Kui politseisse jõuab info veel ühest kadunud lapsest, peavad uurijad tunnistama, et Fredrikal oli kogu aeg õigus. Nad seisavad silmitsi kurjuse kehastusega.
Inimelude säästmiseks peab uurimisrühm kurjategija kiire tempoga kohanema. Kui palju on neil aega, enne kui too teeb järgmise sammu? Kes on see naine, kes juurdlust otsekui varjuna saadab? Kas tema leidmine aitab viimase mosaiigikillu õigesse kohta asetada?
Kell tiksub…
KRISTINA OHLSSON (sünd. 1979) õppis riigiteadusi ja enne täielikult kirjutamisele pühendumist töötas OSCE-s, Rootsi Julgeolekuteenistuses ja välisministeeriumis. Kuuest romaanist koosnevat krimisarja Fredrika Bergmanist ja Alex Rechtist on saatnud edu ka väljaspool Rootsit ning raamatuid on tõlgitud 18 keelde. Romaanide põhjal on valminud telesari „Stockholmi reekviem”.
„Ohlsson on loonud hirmuäratava loo, mille peaosas on kurjus.” - Aftonbladet
„Täiuslik põnevik, mille üha kasvav pinge tõmbab ka lugeja närvid viimseni pingule.” - Dagens Nyheter
447 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2009
239 people are currently reading
7407 people want to read
About the author
Kristina Ohlsson
52 books878 followersKristina Ohlsson is a political scientist and until recently held the position of Counter-Terrorism Officer at OSCE (the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe). She has previously worked at the Swedish Security Service, the Ministry for Foreign Affairs and the Swedish National Defense College, where she was a junior expert on the Middle East conflict and the foreign policy of the European Union. Kristina lives in Stockholm.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,064 reviews
August 8, 2014
This suspense novel was an excellent combination of a police procedural and psychological thriller – and the most enjoyable Swedish crime novel I’ve read since the Stieg Larsson Millennium series.
The story is written with multiple viewpoints, three of which are the main detectives; but, also another point of view includes a woman coconspirator of the perpetrator, which was an interesting departure from the conventional crime novel. The reader has access into the twisted mind of the criminal (only known as “The Man”) all the while the detectives are investigating his crimes and closing in on him.
This novel reminded me of the British TV drama called "Prime Suspect" starring Helen Mirren as Chief Inspector, Jane Tennison. Similarly, in this story, Frederika Bergman is a no-nonsense female analyst working with all male detectives to solve the crime. Both women’s efforts to negotiate their way within a male dominated profession become a subplot in each of the dramas.
I read and enjoy good mystery/suspense novels but, honestly many of them just run together after a while. I really liked this distinctive, first-rate thriller and I look forward to reading her next two books.
The story is written with multiple viewpoints, three of which are the main detectives; but, also another point of view includes a woman coconspirator of the perpetrator, which was an interesting departure from the conventional crime novel. The reader has access into the twisted mind of the criminal (only known as “The Man”) all the while the detectives are investigating his crimes and closing in on him.
This novel reminded me of the British TV drama called "Prime Suspect" starring Helen Mirren as Chief Inspector, Jane Tennison. Similarly, in this story, Frederika Bergman is a no-nonsense female analyst working with all male detectives to solve the crime. Both women’s efforts to negotiate their way within a male dominated profession become a subplot in each of the dramas.
I read and enjoy good mystery/suspense novels but, honestly many of them just run together after a while. I really liked this distinctive, first-rate thriller and I look forward to reading her next two books.
September 1, 2025
3,5 Nu știu ce au autorii nordici, dar scriu niște cărți thriller foarte bune, dar cu niște subiecte dureroase. O carte de debut bună care m-a ținut în suspans, iar faptul că un angajat civil din poliție este personajul central al anchetei dă o notă de original.
December 7, 2014
The storyline beginning with the abduction of little Lillian off a crowded train really drew me in, but my interest kind of petered out when it turned to the investigative part of the story. Didn't much care for the character's, their interaction or their modus operandi. Oh well...
Overall, a decent debut, but doubt I'll read others in the series.
April 13, 2018
Kristina Ohlsson has written the book in such a way that the story´s end wasn´t predictable at all. The plot of this book has a lot mysterious, which completely captivated me. My respect, this debut is very successful – because of the great tension, I couldn´t put the book out of my hand.
August 28, 2016
Unwanted (Fredrika Bergman and Alex Recht # 1) by Kristina Ohlsson with Sarah Death translating is a 2012 Atria/ Emily Bestler Books publication.
Scandinavian thrillers became quite popular there for a while and as such there are many wannabes attempting to take advantage before the furor died down. As a result, I have become quite wary after having read a handful of mediocre attempts to cash in on the success of others. However, this little gem kept popping up in my ‘recommendations’ and in group reads, so I finally gave in, even though I need to start a new series like I need another hole in my head.
The story starts off at a fast pace when a young girl is abducted and that furious race against time feeling had my heart pounding. But, once the investigation begins, the pacing took a serious hit and the story got too bogged down with the investigator’s personal lives, which took up a bit too much space, in my opinion.
The issue has arisen where civilians are working on the police force, and Fredrika’s skills are usually best performed behind a desk, however, she is assigned this case and it is a obvious field work is not her forte, at least not at first.
Alex resents this civilian element working alongside trained officers, and constantly taps down on his annoyance. The other investigator on the team is Peder, who is not a likeable guy, but is a good at his job.
These complicated characters are part of the dark allure of Scandinavian crime dramas, and the stories are often shocking and gruesome and more often than not have a psychological element to them as well.
While I usually like the flawed character, it is important to me they have some kind of redeemable quality and in this case that didn't quite work out. But, the two main characters, Alex and Fredrika do manage to break through some barriers and so sets the stage for future installments.
The mystery/thriller aspects of the story did manage to regain its footing and added in the unique touch of having one of the suspects chime in with their own narrative, which was very disturbing.
Eventually, the investigative team pulls themselves together and the story worked like a good psychological police procedural should, and is quite effective.
As is the case with these foreign novels the book is translated, and while I'm no expert, I thought the job was done well and I had no complaints.
Despite the stop/starts in the beginning, I ended up being sucked into the crime drama and the personal foibles of the characters, and has me thinking this book could find success as long running series and could garner a loyal following.
There are still a few kinks to be worked out, but overall this is one of the best Scandinavian thrillers I’ve read in a long while.
Overall, the story had a few bumps in the road in the beginning, but stabilized quickly to become a pretty sturdy thriller.
3.5 stars
Scandinavian thrillers became quite popular there for a while and as such there are many wannabes attempting to take advantage before the furor died down. As a result, I have become quite wary after having read a handful of mediocre attempts to cash in on the success of others. However, this little gem kept popping up in my ‘recommendations’ and in group reads, so I finally gave in, even though I need to start a new series like I need another hole in my head.
The story starts off at a fast pace when a young girl is abducted and that furious race against time feeling had my heart pounding. But, once the investigation begins, the pacing took a serious hit and the story got too bogged down with the investigator’s personal lives, which took up a bit too much space, in my opinion.
The issue has arisen where civilians are working on the police force, and Fredrika’s skills are usually best performed behind a desk, however, she is assigned this case and it is a obvious field work is not her forte, at least not at first.
Alex resents this civilian element working alongside trained officers, and constantly taps down on his annoyance. The other investigator on the team is Peder, who is not a likeable guy, but is a good at his job.
These complicated characters are part of the dark allure of Scandinavian crime dramas, and the stories are often shocking and gruesome and more often than not have a psychological element to them as well.
While I usually like the flawed character, it is important to me they have some kind of redeemable quality and in this case that didn't quite work out. But, the two main characters, Alex and Fredrika do manage to break through some barriers and so sets the stage for future installments.
The mystery/thriller aspects of the story did manage to regain its footing and added in the unique touch of having one of the suspects chime in with their own narrative, which was very disturbing.
Eventually, the investigative team pulls themselves together and the story worked like a good psychological police procedural should, and is quite effective.
As is the case with these foreign novels the book is translated, and while I'm no expert, I thought the job was done well and I had no complaints.
Despite the stop/starts in the beginning, I ended up being sucked into the crime drama and the personal foibles of the characters, and has me thinking this book could find success as long running series and could garner a loyal following.
There are still a few kinks to be worked out, but overall this is one of the best Scandinavian thrillers I’ve read in a long while.
Overall, the story had a few bumps in the road in the beginning, but stabilized quickly to become a pretty sturdy thriller.
3.5 stars
November 27, 2023
بينما أعلن سائق القطار تأخير الرحلة إلى " ستوكهولم " لدقائق قليلة ، كانت " سارة " تهبط مسرعة من القطار وحدها لتلقي اتصالاُ هاتفياً وقد تركت وراءها طفلتها لا تزال نائمة على مقعدها....لن تلحق سارة بالقطار عند لحظة مغادرة المحطة ، ولا تدري أن صغيرتها اختفت من على متن القطار.....
من هنا ينطلق فريق من التحقيقات للبحث عن الطفلة ، بينما ترى حالة الفوضى العارمة التي تُسيطر على المشهد والذي لم يفقد فيها أي من أفراد الفريق الشغف..الحماسة..والحدس...
الحدس...اعتقد هو العنصر الأذكى وهو ما يميز المحقق البارع ، به تجتمع قطع الأحجية وتكتمل الصورة..مهما كان القاتل وحشي مهووس...
أحببت الاعتناء باللمسات الانسانية ، وتسليط الضوء على تعريف الكفاءة المهنية في مكافحة الجريمة، واستبعاد رجال الشرطة لمتخصصي العمل الأكاديمي...فمن وجهة نظرهم أن هؤلاء يفكرون كثيراً ويعملون قليلاً ، وفي حقيقة الأمر بهم يكتمل الفريق...
ثمة فجوات في النص على القاريء ملئها بالتخمينات ، ويبدو أن هذا كان سبب في شحذ ذهن نسرينا وذهني بالأفكار اللاهثة والتي تقريباً لم تعرف كيف تلتقط أنفاسها حتى اللحظة...
تحمل الحزن الشديد يشبه المشي على سطح من الثلج الرقيق ، تظن في البداية أن كل شيء على مايرام وفجأة تنزلق وتجد نفسك غارقاً في ظلمات الألم....
من هنا ينطلق فريق من التحقيقات للبحث عن الطفلة ، بينما ترى حالة الفوضى العارمة التي تُسيطر على المشهد والذي لم يفقد فيها أي من أفراد الفريق الشغف..الحماسة..والحدس...
الحدس...اعتقد هو العنصر الأذكى وهو ما يميز المحقق البارع ، به تجتمع قطع الأحجية وتكتمل الصورة..مهما كان القاتل وحشي مهووس...
أحببت الاعتناء باللمسات الانسانية ، وتسليط الضوء على تعريف الكفاءة المهنية في مكافحة الجريمة، واستبعاد رجال الشرطة لمتخصصي العمل الأكاديمي...فمن وجهة نظرهم أن هؤلاء يفكرون كثيراً ويعملون قليلاً ، وفي حقيقة الأمر بهم يكتمل الفريق...
ثمة فجوات في النص على القاريء ملئها بالتخمينات ، ويبدو أن هذا كان سبب في شحذ ذهن نسرينا وذهني بالأفكار اللاهثة والتي تقريباً لم تعرف كيف تلتقط أنفاسها حتى اللحظة...
تحمل الحزن الشديد يشبه المشي على سطح من الثلج الرقيق ، تظن في البداية أن كل شيء على مايرام وفجأة تنزلق وتجد نفسك غارقاً في ظلمات الألم....
March 29, 2016
Odličan psihološki triler koji sam baš s guštom čitala! Jako mi se sviđa stil pisanja Kristine Ohlsson, jednostavan, lako čitljiv, rečenice su jasne i konkretne, a sve je to, naravno, začinjeno izvrsnom radnjom.
Usprkos tako "pitkom" stilu pisanja, autorica se bavi nekim jako jako teškim temama... Svi mi koji čitamo dosta trilera već smo, na neki način, navikli na razne brutalnosti, sakaćenja, obredna ubojstva i slična zvjerstva, ali kada se susretnemo sa ubojstvima male djece i beba, onda je to ipak nešto što nas ne može ostaviti ravnodušnima bez obzira na sve do sada pročitano.
A upravo se o tome radi u ovom romanu; već pri početku iz vlaka je oteta mala Lilian te započinje istraga koju vodi tim inspektora Alexa Rechta, sve iskusni istražitelji sa dugogodišnjim stažem u policiji, a kojima je pridodana i, kriminalistica, Frederika Bergman.
Frederiku kolege, isprva baš i ne shvaćaju jako ozbiljno, smatraju da joj fali "onaj neki instinkt" kojeg oni posjeduju, a i doživljavaju je i previše hladnom da bi bila efikasna.
Mislim da je ovdje očito da nam je Ohlsson željela prikazati kako i u Švedskoj, koja se smatra izuzetno naprednom zemljom, policija ostaje pod muškom dominacijom te se ženama u ovom poslu nije lako dokazati, a autorica to i te kako dobro zna budući da je donedavno i sama radila u švedskoj policiji i u švedskom Ministarstvu vanjskih poslova.
Njezino prijašnje zaposlenje također se primjećuje u vrlo dobrom poznavanju istražnih, policijskih procedura opisanima u knjizi koje se izmjenjuju sa psihološkim portretima istražitelja.
Dodatni je plus romanu što je napisan iz perspektive više likova, pa tako istragu slučaju pratimo kroz opise glavnih istražitelja, ali i iz perspektive žene suučesnice u zločinima što nam daje uvid u poremećen um okrutnog i inteligentnog ubojice.
To što Ohlosson opisuje razmišljanja glavnih likova dajući nam pritom uvid i u njihove privatne živote jako je dobro pogođeno jer nam time približava sve glavne aktere, čini nam se da ih dobro poznajemo te ih doživljavamo, ne samo kao ekipu koja radi na rješavanju slučaja, već i kao osobe od krvi i mesa sa svim njihovim usponima i padovima.
Osim otmice i ubojstava djece, još je jedna jako teška tema prisutna u romanu, a to je fizičko maltretiranje žena; ubojica, koji za svoju misiju ima "kažnjavanje" žena čak i one iz svoje blizine tretira užasno okrutno; brutalno ih premlaćuje, muči ih na razne načine i ti su opisi tako vjerno prikazani da sam se , po tko zna koji puta zapitala, kako si neke žene, bez obzira na to što su radile i kroz šta su prolazile u životu, mogu "opravdati" bivanje u jednoj takvoj vezi iz koje, lako moguće, neće izaći žive.
Sve ti detalji upućuju na autoričino prijašnje zanimanje i odlično poznavanje opisane materije.
I tako se, dan po dan, slučaj sve više zahuktava, oteta curica pronađena je mrtva, u međuvremenu nestaje jedna beba, a istražitelji pokušavaju pronaći barem neki čvrsti trag u mnoštvu onih, naizgled, potpuno nepovezanih tragova. Upravo Federika je ta koja prva poveže neke priče iz prošlosti tako da napetost raste, a slučaj se bliži završnici.
Iako nas naslov "Pepeljuge" asocira na onu prekrasnu bajku, ovaj joj je roman potpuna suprotnost. Ovdje nema princa niti happy enda..samo zlo u svom najizopačenijem obliku. Žene ne postaju princeze već bivaju brutalno pretučene; cipelice otete djevojčice koje ostaju u vlaku, ne pronalaze svoju vlasnicu, a ipak, kao i bajke i ovaj roman ima svoju vrijednost te nas navodi na razmišljanje o svijetu u kojem živimo i u kojem je, nažalost, izglednije naići na monstruma koji ubija djecu nego na princa na bijelom konju.
Odličan roman i velika preporuka!
Usprkos tako "pitkom" stilu pisanja, autorica se bavi nekim jako jako teškim temama... Svi mi koji čitamo dosta trilera već smo, na neki način, navikli na razne brutalnosti, sakaćenja, obredna ubojstva i slična zvjerstva, ali kada se susretnemo sa ubojstvima male djece i beba, onda je to ipak nešto što nas ne može ostaviti ravnodušnima bez obzira na sve do sada pročitano.
A upravo se o tome radi u ovom romanu; već pri početku iz vlaka je oteta mala Lilian te započinje istraga koju vodi tim inspektora Alexa Rechta, sve iskusni istražitelji sa dugogodišnjim stažem u policiji, a kojima je pridodana i, kriminalistica, Frederika Bergman.
Frederiku kolege, isprva baš i ne shvaćaju jako ozbiljno, smatraju da joj fali "onaj neki instinkt" kojeg oni posjeduju, a i doživljavaju je i previše hladnom da bi bila efikasna.
Mislim da je ovdje očito da nam je Ohlsson željela prikazati kako i u Švedskoj, koja se smatra izuzetno naprednom zemljom, policija ostaje pod muškom dominacijom te se ženama u ovom poslu nije lako dokazati, a autorica to i te kako dobro zna budući da je donedavno i sama radila u švedskoj policiji i u švedskom Ministarstvu vanjskih poslova.
Njezino prijašnje zaposlenje također se primjećuje u vrlo dobrom poznavanju istražnih, policijskih procedura opisanima u knjizi koje se izmjenjuju sa psihološkim portretima istražitelja.
Dodatni je plus romanu što je napisan iz perspektive više likova, pa tako istragu slučaju pratimo kroz opise glavnih istražitelja, ali i iz perspektive žene suučesnice u zločinima što nam daje uvid u poremećen um okrutnog i inteligentnog ubojice.
To što Ohlosson opisuje razmišljanja glavnih likova dajući nam pritom uvid i u njihove privatne živote jako je dobro pogođeno jer nam time približava sve glavne aktere, čini nam se da ih dobro poznajemo te ih doživljavamo, ne samo kao ekipu koja radi na rješavanju slučaja, već i kao osobe od krvi i mesa sa svim njihovim usponima i padovima.
Osim otmice i ubojstava djece, još je jedna jako teška tema prisutna u romanu, a to je fizičko maltretiranje žena; ubojica, koji za svoju misiju ima "kažnjavanje" žena čak i one iz svoje blizine tretira užasno okrutno; brutalno ih premlaćuje, muči ih na razne načine i ti su opisi tako vjerno prikazani da sam se , po tko zna koji puta zapitala, kako si neke žene, bez obzira na to što su radile i kroz šta su prolazile u životu, mogu "opravdati" bivanje u jednoj takvoj vezi iz koje, lako moguće, neće izaći žive.
Sve ti detalji upućuju na autoričino prijašnje zanimanje i odlično poznavanje opisane materije.
I tako se, dan po dan, slučaj sve više zahuktava, oteta curica pronađena je mrtva, u međuvremenu nestaje jedna beba, a istražitelji pokušavaju pronaći barem neki čvrsti trag u mnoštvu onih, naizgled, potpuno nepovezanih tragova. Upravo Federika je ta koja prva poveže neke priče iz prošlosti tako da napetost raste, a slučaj se bliži završnici.
Iako nas naslov "Pepeljuge" asocira na onu prekrasnu bajku, ovaj joj je roman potpuna suprotnost. Ovdje nema princa niti happy enda..samo zlo u svom najizopačenijem obliku. Žene ne postaju princeze već bivaju brutalno pretučene; cipelice otete djevojčice koje ostaju u vlaku, ne pronalaze svoju vlasnicu, a ipak, kao i bajke i ovaj roman ima svoju vrijednost te nas navodi na razmišljanje o svijetu u kojem živimo i u kojem je, nažalost, izglednije naići na monstruma koji ubija djecu nego na princa na bijelom konju.
Odličan roman i velika preporuka!
November 3, 2023
"إن الأطفال لا تختفي، بل إن آباءهم هم من يفقدونهم."
تختفي طفلة من القطار و يقوم فريق التحري بقيادة المحقق أليكس و المحققة فريدريكا و بيدر بالتحقيق في حادثة الاختطاف. لكل طرف من أطراف التحقيق اسلوبه و طريقة تفكيره فبالتالي التحقيق كان مثمر.
"إن هناك نساء يفعلن أشياء تعني أنهن لا يستحققن أبنائهم"
الأم هي مفتاح الرواية و محرك الأحداث. طرحت الكاتبة أنماط مختلفة من الأمهات، الأم المنفصلة و حياتها اثناء و بعد الانفصال، الأم القاسية، الأم المتسلطة و دفاعها المستميت عن ابنها رغم علمها بأنه مخطئ. ذكرت أيضا مشاكل الأمومة و اكتئاب ما بعد الولادة و طرحت فكرة التبني و تأثيره علي الطفل.
الرواية مشوقة جدا، أحداثها سريعة و الكاتبة أهتمت بالجانب الاجتماعي و النفسي في الرواية سواء للخاطف أو مساعدينه أو فريق الشرطة. عيبها إن النهاية كانت سريعة و أغفلت الكاتبة شرح بعض التفاصيل و ممكن تكون تركت بعض النقاط بدون تفسير لتخمين القارئ و تفسيره.
استمتعت بالرواية و التحليلات و التخمينات الكثيرة *جدا جدا* مع صديقتي العزيزة هبة ❤️ و متشوقة لقراءة صمت قاتل الجزء الثاني من سلسلة التحقيق للكاتبة.
February 21, 2016
This is the debut novel of Kristina Ohlsson as a crime writer and the first in a successful series featuring DI Alex Recht and investigator Fredrika Bergman. It is a worthy entry into the field of Scandinavian Crime novels, of which there has been a burgeoning in recent years.
Lilian Sebastiansson, daughter of Sara and Gabriel, is abducted from the Gothenburg-Stockholm train in broad daylight, with no evidence of her abductor. Two days later her naked body is dumped in the driveway of Umea Hospital, some 650kms north of Stockholm. Suspicion falls on the absent father, who is separated from his wife, with clear signs of domestic violence. When this line of inquiry appears to fizzle out, the police have to rethink the entire case.
The career cops don’t like civilians on the job, such as the clever, reserved, university-educated Fredrika. She, in turn, is deeply unhappy with the environment of mistrust and derision in which she must work. However, her inquiring mind leads her to look at alternatives to the conventional ‘Dad did it’ mentality of her male colleagues. She comes up with some plausible leads, which take the investigation in new directions, to the chagrin of her boss Alex and work mate Peder.
Meantime, we the readers are given brief insights into the mind of the perpetrator, The Man. He recruits under-confident, damaged young women to be his helpers in his crimes, which soon escalate as he conducts his campaign of righteousness.
It is Fredrika’s talent for lateral thinking that pushes the investigation forward, though she receives little direct credit for this. She is very careful to ensure that she does not overstep the mark with her blokey colleagues. She maintains a rather bland and restrained exterior, which does not endear her to the squad room members. At home she enjoys a pleasant, though low-key private life with her part-time lover Spencer. An earlier, brilliant career had been cut short by a serious accident.
Once the obvious suspects are eliminated, the squad must look further for possible perpetrators. They concentrate their efforts on Sara Sebastiansson’s background, looking for someone who may have held a grudge. The traumatised, grief-stricken Sara is reticent and gives the police little to work with. They do a lot of to-ing and fro-ing around Sweden and talk with various people to little effect. In the end, it is Fredrika who puts the pieces of the jigsaw together and produces a sound scenario with motive. Alex, Peder and the other cops are then able to move in to identify and snare the wrong-doer.
There is a lot to like about this novel. It is not a difficult read, and the main characters are engaging. The narrative raises some interesting social issues along the way, particularly that of male violence against women, a theme made internationally famous by the late Stieg Larsson.
However, I really struggled with certain aspects of the novel. For a start it is way too long, and the story lines seem to get tangled. I could see clearly what the underlying motive for the killings was from about one third into the book, but it took the Swedish cops an awfully long time and a helluva lot of pages to catch up! I was rather dismayed by the style used by the author to disclose the emerging facts of the case. Although their evidence may be crucial to the case, the cops don't talk much to witnesses, and comments tend to be reported in the third person, or by a third person, such as a pathologist or researcher, rather than in direct speech. In my personal opinion, the best fictional detectives I’ve met (and I’ve read quite a few in my time) get the best answers by talking to their suspects directly, and that's where Fredrika's nose for the line of inquiry wins the day.
These quibbles detracted from my reading of the story, which is quite enjoyable reading. Hence my rating of 3 stars (or perhaps 3.25 stars if it were possible). I look forward to reading more of Ohlsson’s crime novels, and seeing how the relationship between DI Alex Recht and his brilliant young female investigator Fredrika Bergman develops.
Lilian Sebastiansson, daughter of Sara and Gabriel, is abducted from the Gothenburg-Stockholm train in broad daylight, with no evidence of her abductor. Two days later her naked body is dumped in the driveway of Umea Hospital, some 650kms north of Stockholm. Suspicion falls on the absent father, who is separated from his wife, with clear signs of domestic violence. When this line of inquiry appears to fizzle out, the police have to rethink the entire case.
The career cops don’t like civilians on the job, such as the clever, reserved, university-educated Fredrika. She, in turn, is deeply unhappy with the environment of mistrust and derision in which she must work. However, her inquiring mind leads her to look at alternatives to the conventional ‘Dad did it’ mentality of her male colleagues. She comes up with some plausible leads, which take the investigation in new directions, to the chagrin of her boss Alex and work mate Peder.
Meantime, we the readers are given brief insights into the mind of the perpetrator, The Man. He recruits under-confident, damaged young women to be his helpers in his crimes, which soon escalate as he conducts his campaign of righteousness.
It is Fredrika’s talent for lateral thinking that pushes the investigation forward, though she receives little direct credit for this. She is very careful to ensure that she does not overstep the mark with her blokey colleagues. She maintains a rather bland and restrained exterior, which does not endear her to the squad room members. At home she enjoys a pleasant, though low-key private life with her part-time lover Spencer. An earlier, brilliant career had been cut short by a serious accident.
Once the obvious suspects are eliminated, the squad must look further for possible perpetrators. They concentrate their efforts on Sara Sebastiansson’s background, looking for someone who may have held a grudge. The traumatised, grief-stricken Sara is reticent and gives the police little to work with. They do a lot of to-ing and fro-ing around Sweden and talk with various people to little effect. In the end, it is Fredrika who puts the pieces of the jigsaw together and produces a sound scenario with motive. Alex, Peder and the other cops are then able to move in to identify and snare the wrong-doer.
There is a lot to like about this novel. It is not a difficult read, and the main characters are engaging. The narrative raises some interesting social issues along the way, particularly that of male violence against women, a theme made internationally famous by the late Stieg Larsson.
However, I really struggled with certain aspects of the novel. For a start it is way too long, and the story lines seem to get tangled. I could see clearly what the underlying motive for the killings was from about one third into the book, but it took the Swedish cops an awfully long time and a helluva lot of pages to catch up! I was rather dismayed by the style used by the author to disclose the emerging facts of the case. Although their evidence may be crucial to the case, the cops don't talk much to witnesses, and comments tend to be reported in the third person, or by a third person, such as a pathologist or researcher, rather than in direct speech. In my personal opinion, the best fictional detectives I’ve met (and I’ve read quite a few in my time) get the best answers by talking to their suspects directly, and that's where Fredrika's nose for the line of inquiry wins the day.
These quibbles detracted from my reading of the story, which is quite enjoyable reading. Hence my rating of 3 stars (or perhaps 3.25 stars if it were possible). I look forward to reading more of Ohlsson’s crime novels, and seeing how the relationship between DI Alex Recht and his brilliant young female investigator Fredrika Bergman develops.
October 18, 2021
Entretenido, a pesar de que los personajes no tienen carisma y la trama es un poco débil.
April 5, 2019
O carte plina de suspans, de la inceput pana la sfarsit m-am simtit in tensiune. Alex si echipa lui sunt pe urmele unui ucigas in serie, dar oare reusesc sa il prinda la timp? Un thriller exceptional, stilul este placut, iar personajele sunt bine conturate.
June 26, 2012
I always have a hard time getting into books that take place in other countries - this one is in Sweden - because of the weird names and places that I'm not familiar with and the same was true with this one BUT holy cow, it drew me in and wow. Great murder mystery.
This story starts with a little girl, Lilian, being abducted from a train on a summer day in Sweden. A futile race to find the little girl is stalled when she's found dead in the parking lot of a hospital with the words UNWANTED written on her forehead. Now the police department, stunned, is in search for a murder suspects when he strikes again! They are left scrambling and frantic to find the suspect before he murders again.
The readers are taken through the investigation process while the author tells us just enough and yet so little that we are left guessing till the end.
I love it enough to not want to put it down so of course I'm going to recommend this one!
This story starts with a little girl, Lilian, being abducted from a train on a summer day in Sweden. A futile race to find the little girl is stalled when she's found dead in the parking lot of a hospital with the words UNWANTED written on her forehead. Now the police department, stunned, is in search for a murder suspects when he strikes again! They are left scrambling and frantic to find the suspect before he murders again.
The readers are taken through the investigation process while the author tells us just enough and yet so little that we are left guessing till the end.
I love it enough to not want to put it down so of course I'm going to recommend this one!
December 30, 2017
Unwanted, by Kristina Ohlsson, Narrated by Justine Eyre. A Dreamscape audiobook.
This is the first in a series of novels by Swedish author, Kristina Ohlsson, featuring Alex Recht and Fredrika Bergman as protagonists, about crimes involving missing children and the Swedish police task force assigned to find them. Alex Recht is the lead officer on the task force and a legend within the police because of success rate in solving crime. He has added beautiful and intelligent Fredrika Bergman, a civilian specialists on child abduction, who is on temporary assignment. Not being police trained puts her in lesser status on the team and must earn their respect. A child is taken from a train and the race to get the child back begins.
Ohlsson leads off with the development of the lead chararters and their credentials as they pursue a complicated child abduction. The characters are excellent and memorable which is one of the reasons I enjoyed it so much. Ohlsson is gifted too in keeping the readers attention and appears to be not so interested in word count but more in quality story development.
If you liked Swedish writer Larson’s The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo series, then I think you will like Ohlsson. I enjoy the Swedish setting, Swedish name of characters and towns and the international flavor.
This is the first in a series of novels by Swedish author, Kristina Ohlsson, featuring Alex Recht and Fredrika Bergman as protagonists, about crimes involving missing children and the Swedish police task force assigned to find them. Alex Recht is the lead officer on the task force and a legend within the police because of success rate in solving crime. He has added beautiful and intelligent Fredrika Bergman, a civilian specialists on child abduction, who is on temporary assignment. Not being police trained puts her in lesser status on the team and must earn their respect. A child is taken from a train and the race to get the child back begins.
Ohlsson leads off with the development of the lead chararters and their credentials as they pursue a complicated child abduction. The characters are excellent and memorable which is one of the reasons I enjoyed it so much. Ohlsson is gifted too in keeping the readers attention and appears to be not so interested in word count but more in quality story development.
If you liked Swedish writer Larson’s The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo series, then I think you will like Ohlsson. I enjoy the Swedish setting, Swedish name of characters and towns and the international flavor.
April 8, 2015
There were a lot of mixed reviews about this book and I can understand why. This being a more procedural criminal mystery, anyone who does not enjoy the TV film Criminal Minds, will mostly likely not enjoy the process of this fashioned novel. I love watching Criminal Minds so this novel was fantastic for my tastes. However, I was very disappointed when I found out who the killer was. Some of us readers enjoy the suspense of guessing who a killer might be throughout the story. In a thriller movie, the killer is almost always revealed during the film and his/her character is that of someone that has an occupation, family, girlfriend, boyfriend, or even a hobby, and seems quite normal throughout. This book did not have it.
The characters in this book were created with a lot of thought and there were quite a few of them which I enjoyed. If this was to become a series, we do need to know the characteristics and backgrounds of each protagonist or supporting character that will be carried over to the second book. Their lives, traits, mannerisms, habits and qualities need to be featured in order for us, the reader, to develop a relationship with them for future reads. These characters were creatively written into the story without feeling choppy. Each character was different, with some cliches but not so much that it became dull. Each had their own strengths, weaknesses and qualities. A few of them I could even relate to.
What I enjoyed most about this book was that it was not filled with a lot of sexual violence, which I thought it would be in the beginning. We fear the worst when a child is abducted and that was my thought. I was pleasantly relieved to see that it was a more complex mystery rather than a seriously violent thriller. The suspense is centered more in the actual abduction scenes and then continues on to the clues that trickle in as the Swedish Federal Investigators rush to put it all together. I was enraptured by the complex theme, dialogue and plot so much that I had to keep turning pages to find out how they were going to figure it all out. I even yelled out ‘stupid idiot’ when there were a few clues that fell through the cracks by someone on the team. It was exhausting at times!
I’d recommend this book only for someone who enjoys criminal procedural processes in solving a crime. I’d still call it a thriller, but not a voluminous violent one, though there is some violence in it. I’m giving it only 3 stars because I was so very disappointed in the end.
August 14, 2015
U poznatoj nam bajci Pepeljuga pronađe svoga princa s kojim će živjeti sretno do kraja života. Ovo nije bajka a On nije princ. On je zlo koje otima djecu...
Roman započinje u trenutku kad mala Lilian nestane iz vlaka koji putuje na relaciji Goeteborg – Stockholm. Tko ju je odnio, gdje su svjedoci ovog nemilog događaja? Na ta i brojna ostala pitanja morat će odgovoriti Alex Recht i njegova istražiteljska ekipa: Peter Rydh koji se bori sa svojim obiteljskim problemima i Fredrika Bergman koju smatraju pametnicom sa diplomom koja svima samo soli pamet. Ali to je tim koji će stasati u predane istražitelje, uhvativši se u koštac sa dokazima a sve u cilju dobrobiti djece.
Pepeljuge su Kristinin prvijenac i nova švedska krimi senzacija. Autorica je dobro potkovana znanjem potrebnim za ovaj žanr – bivša šefica odjela za protuterorističke aktivnosti, a radila je u švedskoj policiji i švedskom Ministarstvu vanjskih poslova.
Konačno, jedan jako dobar krimić koji je zaokupio moju pažnju. Ovo je onaj slučaj kad poludiš ako te netko prekine u čitanju, jer je napetost vječito u uzlaznoj putanji. A kad shvatiš da zajedno s akterima romana uspoređuješ dokaze tražeći taj suludi pokretački motiv za zločin, definitivno „skidaš kapu“ autoru. Cijeli istražni postupak je odlično opisan tako da sam zločinac nije niti bitan, puno su zanimljiviji koraci koji će nas dovesti do Njega.
Preporuka ljubiteljima krimića a ja se veselim novom Kristininom romanu.
Roman započinje u trenutku kad mala Lilian nestane iz vlaka koji putuje na relaciji Goeteborg – Stockholm. Tko ju je odnio, gdje su svjedoci ovog nemilog događaja? Na ta i brojna ostala pitanja morat će odgovoriti Alex Recht i njegova istražiteljska ekipa: Peter Rydh koji se bori sa svojim obiteljskim problemima i Fredrika Bergman koju smatraju pametnicom sa diplomom koja svima samo soli pamet. Ali to je tim koji će stasati u predane istražitelje, uhvativši se u koštac sa dokazima a sve u cilju dobrobiti djece.
Pepeljuge su Kristinin prvijenac i nova švedska krimi senzacija. Autorica je dobro potkovana znanjem potrebnim za ovaj žanr – bivša šefica odjela za protuterorističke aktivnosti, a radila je u švedskoj policiji i švedskom Ministarstvu vanjskih poslova.
Konačno, jedan jako dobar krimić koji je zaokupio moju pažnju. Ovo je onaj slučaj kad poludiš ako te netko prekine u čitanju, jer je napetost vječito u uzlaznoj putanji. A kad shvatiš da zajedno s akterima romana uspoređuješ dokaze tražeći taj suludi pokretački motiv za zločin, definitivno „skidaš kapu“ autoru. Cijeli istražni postupak je odlično opisan tako da sam zločinac nije niti bitan, puno su zanimljiviji koraci koji će nas dovesti do Njega.
Preporuka ljubiteljima krimića a ja se veselim novom Kristininom romanu.
October 31, 2015
Okay so yup another unheard of two week reading experience..it is so hard to get the time to wrap my head in a book again! I plan to read fiendlishly after this wedding is planned though seriously..Anyways on to this book that was a little too easy to put down though the characters were nicely written because the plot and "mystery" were so easy to figure out..The book starts off with the disappearance of a little girl from a train after her mom steps off to make a phone call ( I hated this scenario as I could never see a mother getting physically off the train to make a phone call and leave her child unattended, that was a really dumb move) anyways the police have to come together despite resentments, differing approaches to solving the crime and personal issues to find this sicko who turns out to be an up and coming serial killer hellbent on punishing women who didnt want all of their children..**********SPOILER ALERT********(Sorry reader friends**************************The fact that the police took until the end of the novel to tie in the abortion aspect was laughable at best as it jumped out at me from the finding of the first child with the word Unwanted written on her forehead. I admit the ah ha moment was weak, the plot kinda weak and the serial killer and his accomplices not well done.I wouldnt recommend this book as I feel it builds you up for disappointment with the reveal..On to the next when I can, three months left!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 23, 2012
While she's not the 'next Jo Nesbo' as the jacket blurb suggests, this is a tight book. It's obviously the first in series and it introduces us to a crime solving team with all their quirks. While the details of the mystery are interesting and well-drawn, the ending feels a little rushed and the identity of the perpetrator seems kind of forced - I thought we should have been casually introduced to the perp a little earlier. And the whole red herring thing with Ellen's beau just wasn't called for; the storyline with Gabriel Sebastiansson could have been wrapped up better. I found myself wondering about his fate, and what happened to his mother.
While I liked the team for the most part, I felt like the author was trying a little too hard to make Frederika unconventional. I also didn't get the feeling she was hesitant about the work, as the author kept telling us.
I felt in general she could do a little more show and a little less tell, but overall this was a strong summer read and I will definitely check out the next in the series.
While I liked the team for the most part, I felt like the author was trying a little too hard to make Frederika unconventional. I also didn't get the feeling she was hesitant about the work, as the author kept telling us.
I felt in general she could do a little more show and a little less tell, but overall this was a strong summer read and I will definitely check out the next in the series.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 1, 2020
Δεν είχε να προσφέρει κάτι διαφορετικό από άλλα βιβλία αστυνομικής λογοτεχνίας αλλά πέρασα ευχάριστα την ώρα μου διαβάζοντάς το. Μέτρια υπόθεση και αστυνομική ερεύνα και πρωταγωνιστές που δεν μπορώ να πω ότι μου κέντρισαν το ενδιαφέρον.
A nice book to pass my time but hasn't anything more to offer than other crime novels. Mediocre case and police investigation and main characters that didn't manage to capture my interest.
A nice book to pass my time but hasn't anything more to offer than other crime novels. Mediocre case and police investigation and main characters that didn't manage to capture my interest.
February 22, 2012
How quickly do we think we have someone all figured out? How does this deduction affect our behavior? What are we missing from life based on these quick assessments? Unwanted features young children kidnapped from their parents only later to turn up dead in meaningful places with the word unwanted written on their foreheads. A competent detective team consisting of grizzled veteran, the bull in a china shop overachiever, and the contemplative thinker begin digging into the sparse clues to uncover the villain.
They are sidetracked by their own prejudices and exploring the notion that if you look at anyone closely enough you will find something. They take many wrong turns in the investigation, even solving crimes they didn’t even know existed. Of course as they tear apart their crime, their own lives become exposed to us the listener. Suffering through adultery and betrayal, their skeletons are as incriminating as they people they are set to investigate. The juxtaposition of the hero lying to his wife to cheat, while one of the villain’s stands up for her son at all cost turns our preconceived notions upside down.
This book makes you realize the flaw of judging others too quickly. Like I said, if you look closely enough you will find fault with everyone, even those same faults we forgive in ourselves. We need to look beyond this because the next thing you know we are rejecting people for minor indiscretions and missing the truly evil we encounter. This is the brilliance of good crime fiction. It acts like a mirror reflecting back the depth of our own souls, our character.
Read this book for a great example of Swedish mystery, a police procedural that delivers. But also read it to understand this mystery called humanity a little better; it just might make you a better person.
Thanks to T Stevens for this review.
They are sidetracked by their own prejudices and exploring the notion that if you look at anyone closely enough you will find something. They take many wrong turns in the investigation, even solving crimes they didn’t even know existed. Of course as they tear apart their crime, their own lives become exposed to us the listener. Suffering through adultery and betrayal, their skeletons are as incriminating as they people they are set to investigate. The juxtaposition of the hero lying to his wife to cheat, while one of the villain’s stands up for her son at all cost turns our preconceived notions upside down.
This book makes you realize the flaw of judging others too quickly. Like I said, if you look closely enough you will find fault with everyone, even those same faults we forgive in ourselves. We need to look beyond this because the next thing you know we are rejecting people for minor indiscretions and missing the truly evil we encounter. This is the brilliance of good crime fiction. It acts like a mirror reflecting back the depth of our own souls, our character.
Read this book for a great example of Swedish mystery, a police procedural that delivers. But also read it to understand this mystery called humanity a little better; it just might make you a better person.
Thanks to T Stevens for this review.
December 22, 2021
Es la primera vez que leo una novela policíaca, pero he de admitir que me ha gustado demasiado. El argumento está genial, y sinceramente no me esperaba nada de lo que iba leyendo en cada página.
Sin duda ha habido varios momentos en los que me he metido tanto en la historia, que sufría lo mismo que alguno de los personajes. Pero sin duda, lo que peor me tomé fue el final de el Hombre.
Es un personaje que extrañamente le encuentro parecido conmigo en algunos aspectos, y aunque básicamente era una persona trastornada mentalmente, me sorprende lo cuerdo que puede llegar a ser una persona que, mentalmente se le considera incapacitada.
Esta novela me ha dado una nueva expectativa respecto a las novelas policíacas, y sin duda gracias a ella leeré más sobre este género en un futuro.
Realmente genial, de 10.
Sin duda ha habido varios momentos en los que me he metido tanto en la historia, que sufría lo mismo que alguno de los personajes. Pero sin duda, lo que peor me tomé fue el final de el Hombre.
Es un personaje que extrañamente le encuentro parecido conmigo en algunos aspectos, y aunque básicamente era una persona trastornada mentalmente, me sorprende lo cuerdo que puede llegar a ser una persona que, mentalmente se le considera incapacitada.
Esta novela me ha dado una nueva expectativa respecto a las novelas policíacas, y sin duda gracias a ella leeré más sobre este género en un futuro.
Realmente genial, de 10.
March 25, 2012
The first book in a new and what I consider a wonderful new addition to the Nordic scene. In Stockholm, a three yr. old child is taken from a train, from there the chase in on. The characters and their back stories are interesting, I especially liked Fredrika, the book is amazingly well written for a new novelist. Can't wait to see what she does next.
May 2, 2021
A young girl is kidnapped on a train and it's race against time to find her again, at the same time you follow a very disturbing capture/captive "relationship" that your not sure what it has to do with the little girl. It was very readable and a decent start Ron series. Intruging enough to pick up the next book but wasn't the greatest crime/suspense novel I've read but interesting enough to read.
February 7, 2017
3 de 5 estrellas ⭐️⭐️⭐️ (me ha gustado
May 22, 2016
https://procitajto.com/2016/05/21/pep...
Djeca ne nestaju već ih roditelji gube. Iza svakog nestalog djeteta stoji izgubljen roditelj, smatra iskusni policijski istražitelj Alex Recht, jedan od ključnih likova u kriminalističkom serijalu Kristine Ohlsson čiji su Pepeljuge prvi dio. Upitani za mišljenje, inspektora bi Rechta vjerojatno podržali i ostali stručnjaci čiji je posao postaviti dobrobit djeteta na prvo mjesto; socijalni radnici, psihijatri, psiholozi, defektolozi, odgajatelji, učitelji i liječnici. Kao što, prema poslovici, iza svakog uspješnog muškarca stoji čuvrsta žena, tako i iza zapuštenog i tužnog djeteta stoji još zapušteniji i tužniji roditelj. Najčešće majka. Još češće, nitko.
Djeca su, u najranijoj dobi, odraz vlastitih roditelja i brige što im je oni poklanjaju. Ipak, odrastajući oblikuju vlastite osobnosti i od tih se roditelja odvajaju. I na taj način nestaju, i na taj ih način roditelji gube. To je onaj prirodan način. O tom načinu, naravno, nije riječ u ovom romanu. Mnogo brutalnije, u Pepeljugama Ohlsson problematizira djecu kao oružje, oružje u rukama mentalnog bolesnika koji je i sam jednom bio takvo dijete, kao sredstvo osvete za roditeljske pogreške iz prijašnjih života. Na svijetu smo, kažu, uvijek opterećeni tuđim, u nas upisanim pričama. Ali može li itko platiti i iskupiti tuđe pogreške? Makar i roditeljske.
Kad iz vlaka na međugradskoj liniji u Švedskoj nestaje šestogodišnja Lilian, istražiteljski tim predvođen spomenutim Alexom Rechtom niti ne sluti s kako duboko poremećenom osobnošću će se susresti u finalu istrage. Djevojčičini majka i otac su razvedeni te istraga biva usmjerena prema roditelju kojeg nije bilo, ocu koji i sam ima, otkrit će se, neke ne tako ćudoredne i moralne, da ne kažemo gnjusne sklonosti. No kad nestane i drugo dijete, posve je jasno da su motivi iza otmica s najtragičnijim ishodom mnogo dublji i teže dokučivi, ali jesu li zbog toga i manje osobni?
U lovu na sumanutog otmičara i ubojicu istražiteljskom se timu kao glavni suparnik nameće vrijeme, no niti zamršeni onosi unutar tima ne idu im u prilog. Iskusnim je istražiteljima, izrazito muškoj ekipi nabijenoj testosteronom, pridružena Frederika Bergman, mlada i izrazito perspektivna kriminalistica. No sva njena pronicljivost zasjenjena je njenim civilnim obrazovanjem, Frederika je, umjesto policijske akademije odabrala običan fakultet i sada, u klupku zapetljanih privatno-poslovnih odnosa za to plaća određenu cijenu. Ako se uopće za takav prijestup ima što platiti. Stvaranjem i istančanim profiliranjem Frederikina lika, Ohlsson je vjerojatno željela otvoriti vrata problematiziranju položaja žena u visokim policijskim krugovima, istim onim kojih je i sama bila dijelom prije no što se odvažila zaploviti spisateljskim vodama. Mlada, lijepa i ambiciozna Frederika mnogostruko se više mora dokazivati kako bi stekla makar i dijelić poštovanja što ga njeni muški kolege ukazuju jedni drugima. Posebice kad se susretne s izgubljenim, u krizu srednjih godina uvučenim i nepremostivim bračnim problemima načetim kolegom čija odbojnost bar dijelom proizlazi iz njegove seksualne frustracije.
Kao da jedna teška tema nije bila dovoljna, autorica je raspisujući radnju u Pepeljugama otvorila Pandorinu kutiju razotkrivši pred čitateljima niz problema eminentno prisutnih u svakom, pa tako i u švedskom društvu. Od položaja žena u policiji do ženskog prava na izbor; odustajanja od majčinstva ili inzistiranja na njemu čak i kada sve društvene okolnosti idu u prilog njegovu odbacivanju. Mnoga su moralna pitanja što ih Ohlsson razrađuje, ima li svatko pravo na jedan loš potez u životu i obilježava li ga ta potez trajno? Štoviše, prelijeva li se, krvlju prenesenom pupčanom vrpcom, i na slijedeće generacije? Odbacimo li neko svoje pravo jednom, znači li to da smo ga se trajno odrekli ili smo samo tada od njega privremeno odustali?
Naposljetku, tu je i pitanje nasilja nad ženama i djecom u mnogo težem obliku. Iako naslov romana aludira na omiljenu dječju bajku, autorica nas vrlo brzo podsjeća da život nije bajka. I na to koliko su sve bajke, prije no što smo ih svojim intervencijama izmijenili, bile surove. Sve djevojčice, i sretne i nesretne, sanjaju o princu, a što je teškoća stvarnog života veća, u bajku je lakše povjerovati. U trenutku kada shvate da je bajkovita potka ipak samo portal za život u pepelu i mraku, većinom je prekasno. Za njih, druge prilike nema. Pitanje je, zapravo, postoji li ona ikad.
Dijelom napeti policijski krimić, većim dijelom ipak jezoviti psihološki triler, roman Pepeljuge u Kristini Ohlsson otkriva sjajnu pripovjedačicu i crtačicu psiholoških profila ne samo glavnih, već i sporednih likova. Valja istaknuti i jednostavnost kojom autorica prolazi kroz teške teme isprepletene u priči. No ta jednostavnost nipošto nije lišena empatije, protkana je dubokom socijalnom notom i snažnom moralnom porukom. Djeca ne nestaju. Roditelji ih gube. A ponekad su ih izgubili i prije no što su toga postali svjesni. Na ovaj ili onaj način.
Djeca ne nestaju već ih roditelji gube. Iza svakog nestalog djeteta stoji izgubljen roditelj, smatra iskusni policijski istražitelj Alex Recht, jedan od ključnih likova u kriminalističkom serijalu Kristine Ohlsson čiji su Pepeljuge prvi dio. Upitani za mišljenje, inspektora bi Rechta vjerojatno podržali i ostali stručnjaci čiji je posao postaviti dobrobit djeteta na prvo mjesto; socijalni radnici, psihijatri, psiholozi, defektolozi, odgajatelji, učitelji i liječnici. Kao što, prema poslovici, iza svakog uspješnog muškarca stoji čuvrsta žena, tako i iza zapuštenog i tužnog djeteta stoji još zapušteniji i tužniji roditelj. Najčešće majka. Još češće, nitko.
Djeca su, u najranijoj dobi, odraz vlastitih roditelja i brige što im je oni poklanjaju. Ipak, odrastajući oblikuju vlastite osobnosti i od tih se roditelja odvajaju. I na taj način nestaju, i na taj ih način roditelji gube. To je onaj prirodan način. O tom načinu, naravno, nije riječ u ovom romanu. Mnogo brutalnije, u Pepeljugama Ohlsson problematizira djecu kao oružje, oružje u rukama mentalnog bolesnika koji je i sam jednom bio takvo dijete, kao sredstvo osvete za roditeljske pogreške iz prijašnjih života. Na svijetu smo, kažu, uvijek opterećeni tuđim, u nas upisanim pričama. Ali može li itko platiti i iskupiti tuđe pogreške? Makar i roditeljske.
Kad iz vlaka na međugradskoj liniji u Švedskoj nestaje šestogodišnja Lilian, istražiteljski tim predvođen spomenutim Alexom Rechtom niti ne sluti s kako duboko poremećenom osobnošću će se susresti u finalu istrage. Djevojčičini majka i otac su razvedeni te istraga biva usmjerena prema roditelju kojeg nije bilo, ocu koji i sam ima, otkrit će se, neke ne tako ćudoredne i moralne, da ne kažemo gnjusne sklonosti. No kad nestane i drugo dijete, posve je jasno da su motivi iza otmica s najtragičnijim ishodom mnogo dublji i teže dokučivi, ali jesu li zbog toga i manje osobni?
U lovu na sumanutog otmičara i ubojicu istražiteljskom se timu kao glavni suparnik nameće vrijeme, no niti zamršeni onosi unutar tima ne idu im u prilog. Iskusnim je istražiteljima, izrazito muškoj ekipi nabijenoj testosteronom, pridružena Frederika Bergman, mlada i izrazito perspektivna kriminalistica. No sva njena pronicljivost zasjenjena je njenim civilnim obrazovanjem, Frederika je, umjesto policijske akademije odabrala običan fakultet i sada, u klupku zapetljanih privatno-poslovnih odnosa za to plaća određenu cijenu. Ako se uopće za takav prijestup ima što platiti. Stvaranjem i istančanim profiliranjem Frederikina lika, Ohlsson je vjerojatno željela otvoriti vrata problematiziranju položaja žena u visokim policijskim krugovima, istim onim kojih je i sama bila dijelom prije no što se odvažila zaploviti spisateljskim vodama. Mlada, lijepa i ambiciozna Frederika mnogostruko se više mora dokazivati kako bi stekla makar i dijelić poštovanja što ga njeni muški kolege ukazuju jedni drugima. Posebice kad se susretne s izgubljenim, u krizu srednjih godina uvučenim i nepremostivim bračnim problemima načetim kolegom čija odbojnost bar dijelom proizlazi iz njegove seksualne frustracije.
Kao da jedna teška tema nije bila dovoljna, autorica je raspisujući radnju u Pepeljugama otvorila Pandorinu kutiju razotkrivši pred čitateljima niz problema eminentno prisutnih u svakom, pa tako i u švedskom društvu. Od položaja žena u policiji do ženskog prava na izbor; odustajanja od majčinstva ili inzistiranja na njemu čak i kada sve društvene okolnosti idu u prilog njegovu odbacivanju. Mnoga su moralna pitanja što ih Ohlsson razrađuje, ima li svatko pravo na jedan loš potez u životu i obilježava li ga ta potez trajno? Štoviše, prelijeva li se, krvlju prenesenom pupčanom vrpcom, i na slijedeće generacije? Odbacimo li neko svoje pravo jednom, znači li to da smo ga se trajno odrekli ili smo samo tada od njega privremeno odustali?
Naposljetku, tu je i pitanje nasilja nad ženama i djecom u mnogo težem obliku. Iako naslov romana aludira na omiljenu dječju bajku, autorica nas vrlo brzo podsjeća da život nije bajka. I na to koliko su sve bajke, prije no što smo ih svojim intervencijama izmijenili, bile surove. Sve djevojčice, i sretne i nesretne, sanjaju o princu, a što je teškoća stvarnog života veća, u bajku je lakše povjerovati. U trenutku kada shvate da je bajkovita potka ipak samo portal za život u pepelu i mraku, većinom je prekasno. Za njih, druge prilike nema. Pitanje je, zapravo, postoji li ona ikad.
Dijelom napeti policijski krimić, većim dijelom ipak jezoviti psihološki triler, roman Pepeljuge u Kristini Ohlsson otkriva sjajnu pripovjedačicu i crtačicu psiholoških profila ne samo glavnih, već i sporednih likova. Valja istaknuti i jednostavnost kojom autorica prolazi kroz teške teme isprepletene u priči. No ta jednostavnost nipošto nije lišena empatije, protkana je dubokom socijalnom notom i snažnom moralnom porukom. Djeca ne nestaju. Roditelji ih gube. A ponekad su ih izgubili i prije no što su toga postali svjesni. Na ovaj ili onaj način.
August 27, 2012
This a good first novel and an excellent read. The detectives (three) are well written and more than the usual two-dimensional stereotypes. An interesting plot but dealing with the disturbing subject matter of child abduction and murder. A common theme in recent fiction. At times reads more like a TV script but I did like the pace and sense of place/continuity. I found the initial stalling of the investigation true to life in how important leads could be overlooked but the experienced detective seemed to quick to follow the "obvious" solution. I found the later exceptional detective work too clever to be believed especially when the most obvious reason for the "motive" was so readily overlooked. It can be frustrating when the reader gets it much sooner than the professional crime investigators and it wasn't such a great stretch. There is plenty of scope for further development but the writing needs to be tighter in terms of plot revelations and surprises along the way. I also felt the ending was not in keeping with the planning of the perpetrator or his criminal expertise when the Police were so baffled.
September 1, 2016
Excellent read. The first book sets up the three main Swedish investigators for the series. Alex has a track record of success and yet as leader of his team of three he does very little to actually solve the mystery of why a sleeping child is abducted off of a busy train in the middle of the day.
Fredrika is a civilian attached to the police force for her problem solving skills. Peder has troubles at home and jealousy in the workplace. He makes his opinion of women in general and Fredrika in particular well known to his co-workers. And he hates that she seems to track down the few clues available more effectively than he does.
Once again the clues to the crime(s) are few and the victims family members are not always forthcoming with information. As police procedurals go, this series has a raw and gritty and very realistic feel to it. Not all crimes are solved like they are in one hour television programs. Not all investigators think alike and while these three share all the bits of information they gather, each takes a unique view of what is revealed. It makes for a fascinating read.
Fredrika is a civilian attached to the police force for her problem solving skills. Peder has troubles at home and jealousy in the workplace. He makes his opinion of women in general and Fredrika in particular well known to his co-workers. And he hates that she seems to track down the few clues available more effectively than he does.
Once again the clues to the crime(s) are few and the victims family members are not always forthcoming with information. As police procedurals go, this series has a raw and gritty and very realistic feel to it. Not all crimes are solved like they are in one hour television programs. Not all investigators think alike and while these three share all the bits of information they gather, each takes a unique view of what is revealed. It makes for a fascinating read.
October 11, 2015
Sorpresa al encontrar esta joyita, una muy buena novela policíaca para los amantes del género.
Una trama bien llevada que no decae, unos personajes que se hacen querer y unas historias que desgraciadamente están de actualidad.
Muy buena lectura, deseando coger la segunda parte "Silenciadas".
Una trama bien llevada que no decae, unos personajes que se hacen querer y unas historias que desgraciadamente están de actualidad.
Muy buena lectura, deseando coger la segunda parte "Silenciadas".
June 20, 2016
3,5
Dobro razradjeni likovi, interesantna prica koja drzi paznju.. Pred kraj sam ocekivala vise detalja i objasnjenja s obzirom na dobre detalje od pocetka.
Dobro razradjeni likovi, interesantna prica koja drzi paznju.. Pred kraj sam ocekivala vise detalja i objasnjenja s obzirom na dobre detalje od pocetka.
June 29, 2020
Ένα πολύ καλό αστυνομικό μυθιστόρημα.!! Συστήνεται!!
December 18, 2018
A child was abducted off a train traveling from Stockholm to Gottenburg. After a few days the child was found murdered. The circumstances was unusual and morbid. They found other children murdered too.
The investigating team determined the killer was psychotic and knew about medicine.
In a firery ambush the killer was stopped, and the last child was saved.
A very suspenseful story.
The investigating team determined the killer was psychotic and knew about medicine.
In a firery ambush the killer was stopped, and the last child was saved.
A very suspenseful story.
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