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Ådalen #1
Rotvelte
Kåret til årets beste svenske krim i 2020 av Svenska Deckarakademin.
Olof var bare fjorten år da han tilsto drapet på tenåringsjenta Lina Stavred. Så forlot han bygda.
En lys sommernatt tjuetre år senere svinger han av motorveien på impuls og kjører landeveien som fører til barndomshjemmet. I dusjen finner han faren sin død, drept med en jaktkniv.
Politietterforsker Eira Sjödin har akkurat kommet tilbake til sin barndoms trakter for å ta vare på sin gamle mor. Under etterforskningen av drapet på Olofs far husker hun mer og mer fra sin egen barndom.
Eira var ni år da Lina ble drept. Olof var gutten i marerittene hennes.
Olof var bare fjorten år da han tilsto drapet på tenåringsjenta Lina Stavred. Så forlot han bygda.
En lys sommernatt tjuetre år senere svinger han av motorveien på impuls og kjører landeveien som fører til barndomshjemmet. I dusjen finner han faren sin død, drept med en jaktkniv.
Politietterforsker Eira Sjödin har akkurat kommet tilbake til sin barndoms trakter for å ta vare på sin gamle mor. Under etterforskningen av drapet på Olofs far husker hun mer og mer fra sin egen barndom.
Eira var ni år da Lina ble drept. Olof var gutten i marerittene hennes.
399 pages, Hardcover
First published October 13, 2020
482 people are currently reading
12609 people want to read
About the author
Tove Alsterdal
17 books295 followersTove Alsterdal was born in Malmö, Sweden, and has worked as a journalist for over 20 years before she had her debut novel published.
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 727 reviews
September 9, 2022
Ich lese gerne skandinavische Krimis; oft haben sie eine ganz eigene düstere Atmosphäre. Das war auch hier der Fall.
Die eigentliche Krimihandlung habe ich als spannend empfunden, vor allem weil der Fall bis in die Vergangenheit zurückreicht und mit einem alten Mordfall zu tun zu haben scheint. So etwas mag ich generell sehr gerne, denn meistens ist es geheimnisvoll, die Verbindungen nach und nach aufzudecken.
Bei diesem Buch habe ich mich mit dem Schreibstil und auch mit den Charakteren etwas schwergetan. Die Charaktere sind mir nicht nahe gekommen; für mich waren sie austauschbar.
Der Schreibstil war okay, aber nicht wirklich fesselnd. Für so einen eigentlich spannenden Krimi habe ich mich zu oft dabei ertappt, dass meine Gedanken immer wieder vom Buch abschweiften. Vielleicht war es aber auch nur die falsche Zeit für mich für dieses Buch...
Die eigentliche Krimihandlung habe ich als spannend empfunden, vor allem weil der Fall bis in die Vergangenheit zurückreicht und mit einem alten Mordfall zu tun zu haben scheint. So etwas mag ich generell sehr gerne, denn meistens ist es geheimnisvoll, die Verbindungen nach und nach aufzudecken.
Bei diesem Buch habe ich mich mit dem Schreibstil und auch mit den Charakteren etwas schwergetan. Die Charaktere sind mir nicht nahe gekommen; für mich waren sie austauschbar.
Der Schreibstil war okay, aber nicht wirklich fesselnd. Für so einen eigentlich spannenden Krimi habe ich mich zu oft dabei ertappt, dass meine Gedanken immer wieder vom Buch abschweiften. Vielleicht war es aber auch nur die falsche Zeit für mich für dieses Buch...
January 10, 2023
I've found a new Scandinavian author that will be added to my TBR list immediately! This is just the type of crime novel that I love and can really immerse myself into. It has it all - a very likable police detective, both a cold case and current mystery, involved plot line, excellent characterization and everything is not all tied up with a pretty bow at the end. The fact that the beginning was slow going is a check mark in the plus column for me. A nice slow buildup that gently kept pulling me in, deeper and deeper. This is the first in the High Coast Series by this author and I'm looking forward to spending more time with police detective Eira Sjödin.
Most highly recommended.
This was a Goodreads giveaway win - lucky, lucky me!
Most highly recommended.
This was a Goodreads giveaway win - lucky, lucky me!
March 13, 2023
Already read back in February. Don't know why it's added back to "Want to Read" list!
--/:;;///---
Great read and audiobook! Police procedural read. Slow burn investigation. Some twists. Two point of views: Olaf and the police lady. The names got me smiling because Olaf and Sven are from the kids Frozen movie. Olaf in this story was accused of murder. He wasn't convicted but his life was not good. His dad was Sven. Olaf who happened to detour at his childhood home during the car delivery to find his dad was left for dead in the house. He was at first blamed for killing his dad but later cleared. The neighbors weren't friendly with Olaf because of a crime 23 years ago when he was accused at 14 years old. Neighbors thought he walked free from the crime and some took it upon themselves to punish him. The police lady was good and researched all clues. Two crimes, one current and one from 23 years ago. Secrets kept. A body was found but it wasn't the girl everyone thought. I enjoyed the story. Just too bad the police lady don't have a very good love life. I liked the mentioned of Stockholm and Sweden. Need patience for slow burn story.
Thank you HarperCollins for the opportunity to read and review!
--/:;;///---
Great read and audiobook! Police procedural read. Slow burn investigation. Some twists. Two point of views: Olaf and the police lady. The names got me smiling because Olaf and Sven are from the kids Frozen movie. Olaf in this story was accused of murder. He wasn't convicted but his life was not good. His dad was Sven. Olaf who happened to detour at his childhood home during the car delivery to find his dad was left for dead in the house. He was at first blamed for killing his dad but later cleared. The neighbors weren't friendly with Olaf because of a crime 23 years ago when he was accused at 14 years old. Neighbors thought he walked free from the crime and some took it upon themselves to punish him. The police lady was good and researched all clues. Two crimes, one current and one from 23 years ago. Secrets kept. A body was found but it wasn't the girl everyone thought. I enjoyed the story. Just too bad the police lady don't have a very good love life. I liked the mentioned of Stockholm and Sweden. Need patience for slow burn story.
Thank you HarperCollins for the opportunity to read and review!
February 17, 2023
Great read and audiobook! Police procedural read. Slow burn investigation. Some twists. Two point of views: Olaf and the police lady. The names got me smiling because Olaf and Sven are from the kids Frozen movie. Olaf in this story was accused of murder. He wasn't convicted but his life was not good. His dad was Sven. Olaf who happened to detour at his childhood home during the car delivery to find his dad was left for dead in the house. He was at first blamed for killing his dad but later cleared. The neighbors weren't friendly with Olaf because of a crime 23 years ago when he was accused at 14 years old. Neighbors thought he walked free from the crime and some took it upon themselves to punish him. The police lady was good and researched all clues. Two crimes, one current and one from 23 years ago. Secrets kept. A body was found but it wasn't the girl everyone thought. I enjoyed the story. Just too bad the police lady don't have a very good love life. I liked the mentioned of Stockholm and Sweden. Need patience for slow burn story.
Thank you HarperCollins for the opportunity to read and review!
Thank you HarperCollins for the opportunity to read and review!
June 13, 2021
Tove Alsterdal you are a great author. This book kept me on the edge of my seat. I stayed up late many nights reading it. One heck of a great story line. The plot leads you toward a logical climax, but you will be tricked at the end. Highly recommend.
September 30, 2022
Basada, en parte, en un hecho real, interesante y buena ambientación.
August 17, 2022
Ein atmosphärischer schwedischer Krimi mit einer sehr sympathischen Ermittlerin. Eira ist herrlich normal (nicht kaputt oder labil wie es oft in skandinavischen Krimis vorkommt) und kennt in ihrem Heimatdorf Mann und Maus. Sie ist für viele Dorfbewohner noch das Mädchen mit den Zöpfen, was sie einst war.
Für mich war es nur sehr merkwürdig, dass der zu Anfang beschriebene Mord innerhalb kürzester Zeit und sehr unspektakulär aufgeklärt wurde und sich 3/4 des Buches um ein altes Verbrechen drehen, welches natürlich eine Verbindung mit dem Heimatort und Eira hat.
Ab einem bestimmten Punkt war mir die Auflösung klar und daher konnte mich manch „Plottwist“ nicht überraschen. Zudem fühlte sich manches nicht rund an in der Auflösung und oftmals spielte der Zufall eine zu große Rolle für meinen Geschmack.
Wer schwedische Krimis mag, wird hier gut unterhalten. Mehr jedoch auch nicht.
Für mich war es nur sehr merkwürdig, dass der zu Anfang beschriebene Mord innerhalb kürzester Zeit und sehr unspektakulär aufgeklärt wurde und sich 3/4 des Buches um ein altes Verbrechen drehen, welches natürlich eine Verbindung mit dem Heimatort und Eira hat.
Ab einem bestimmten Punkt war mir die Auflösung klar und daher konnte mich manch „Plottwist“ nicht überraschen. Zudem fühlte sich manches nicht rund an in der Auflösung und oftmals spielte der Zufall eine zu große Rolle für meinen Geschmack.
Wer schwedische Krimis mag, wird hier gut unterhalten. Mehr jedoch auch nicht.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 26, 2021
Tight, sinister, and murky!
We Know You Remember is a gritty, menacing thriller that sweeps you away to the Swedish countryside and into the life of Eira Sjödin, a young detective who inadvertently finds herself investigating and unravelling what seems to all intents and purposes to be the solved case involving the rape and murder of a teen twenty-three years ago when the convicted felon Olaf Hagström finally returns home only to stumble across the murdered body of his reclusive father.
The prose is methodical and gritty. The characters are diligent, troubled, relentless, and multilayered. And the plot is an ominous tale full of twists, turns, secrets, red herrings, deception, manipulation, desperation, deduction, mayhem, violence, and murder.
Overall, We Know You Remember is an unsettling, atmospheric, taut whodunit by Alsterdal that has all the qualities you look for in a Swedish Noir novel and is a promising US debut for this new-to-me author.
Thank you to Harper Books for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.
We Know You Remember is a gritty, menacing thriller that sweeps you away to the Swedish countryside and into the life of Eira Sjödin, a young detective who inadvertently finds herself investigating and unravelling what seems to all intents and purposes to be the solved case involving the rape and murder of a teen twenty-three years ago when the convicted felon Olaf Hagström finally returns home only to stumble across the murdered body of his reclusive father.
The prose is methodical and gritty. The characters are diligent, troubled, relentless, and multilayered. And the plot is an ominous tale full of twists, turns, secrets, red herrings, deception, manipulation, desperation, deduction, mayhem, violence, and murder.
Overall, We Know You Remember is an unsettling, atmospheric, taut whodunit by Alsterdal that has all the qualities you look for in a Swedish Noir novel and is a promising US debut for this new-to-me author.
Thank you to Harper Books for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.
June 19, 2024
Slow-moving, atmospheric and dark We Know You Remember is another great addition to Scandi noir genre. Beautifully written, complex, it's not a fast read but one to savour and enjoy. I really liked it.
October 28, 2021
This read was a new to me author. It's a who dun it of 23 years later when all the far country locale teen agers or kids are all grown up. So not only do you get their coming of age druthers, faults, crimes etc. but also the dire or depressive present situations. Or reactive. August as a character was not insular or depressive. Most all of the others were one or the other of those attributes. Olaf was pitiable- the bullied reject. Almost stereotypical. Yes actually, completely stereotypical.
Eira is our prime character and the girl who grew up to be a police investigator. She lives mostly with her Mom who is in medium stages of dementia. She is entirely likeable but she uses men as if they were tools.
Up until the very middle I was enjoying the book. After the first 100 pages, there became too much redundancy and repetition with ever lengthening page after page of past or present locale (Midsummer description) or history of the houses (then/now) description. By page 200, I had lost almost all interest in the early Lina missing case or the second murder case. Either. But I was not surprised by the outcome of the murder reveal. Just didn't understand truly that type of "sacrifice" motive. SO MANY of these Scandinavian noir type or mystery thriller have motives that are not greed or jealousy. Always with aspects it is not worth going to jail for (despite the VERY short sentences for murders /harm). Well, some of the characterizations are worth the time in reading. But not this particular author for me.
Actually what nearly made me give it 2 stars was the writing style. Or it may be the translation? Well it jumps a lot. At least 1/3rd of the time I seemed to be rereading a paragraph to see where this "fit" for reference of pronouns or time lapse etc. Many, many abrupt skips to say nearly the same exact onus somewhere else? Also, and I could be terribly wrong- it seemed there are lots of "out of order" wordings in English?
Although I like Eira and the town in spacious island, isthmus with bridges Swedish outlander type focus- I don't like the way of telling or observing in style or form much at all. So it won't be a series I continue. Magnus, Eira, August, GG are good characters but the overall writing or plotting? Meh!
2.5 stars rounded up for the locale, the fact that Eira takes notice and feeds her Mom. It gives the story some fixed locations and personality insights too.
Most will like this more than I did. Although many may not. EIra is 32 years old and has actions closer to a 20 year old. She uses men on whim and that includes within her own department. Not much of any emotional attachment whatsoever. Sexual mores of the prime may truly be a turn off for some.
Eira is our prime character and the girl who grew up to be a police investigator. She lives mostly with her Mom who is in medium stages of dementia. She is entirely likeable but she uses men as if they were tools.
Up until the very middle I was enjoying the book. After the first 100 pages, there became too much redundancy and repetition with ever lengthening page after page of past or present locale (Midsummer description) or history of the houses (then/now) description. By page 200, I had lost almost all interest in the early Lina missing case or the second murder case. Either. But I was not surprised by the outcome of the murder reveal. Just didn't understand truly that type of "sacrifice" motive. SO MANY of these Scandinavian noir type or mystery thriller have motives that are not greed or jealousy. Always with aspects it is not worth going to jail for (despite the VERY short sentences for murders /harm). Well, some of the characterizations are worth the time in reading. But not this particular author for me.
Actually what nearly made me give it 2 stars was the writing style. Or it may be the translation? Well it jumps a lot. At least 1/3rd of the time I seemed to be rereading a paragraph to see where this "fit" for reference of pronouns or time lapse etc. Many, many abrupt skips to say nearly the same exact onus somewhere else? Also, and I could be terribly wrong- it seemed there are lots of "out of order" wordings in English?
Although I like Eira and the town in spacious island, isthmus with bridges Swedish outlander type focus- I don't like the way of telling or observing in style or form much at all. So it won't be a series I continue. Magnus, Eira, August, GG are good characters but the overall writing or plotting? Meh!
2.5 stars rounded up for the locale, the fact that Eira takes notice and feeds her Mom. It gives the story some fixed locations and personality insights too.
Most will like this more than I did. Although many may not. EIra is 32 years old and has actions closer to a 20 year old. She uses men on whim and that includes within her own department. Not much of any emotional attachment whatsoever. Sexual mores of the prime may truly be a turn off for some.
October 25, 2022
Una atmósfera nórdica inquietante, oscura, cargada de personajes convincentes y secretos. Una detective dispuesta a todo por dar con la verdad.
Esta novela es un noire sueco y tiene todo lo bueno que suele tener este sub género. La historia empieza lenta y reconozco que al comienzo me ha costado seguir el hilo por el ritmo pausado y los nombres de los personajes, muy raros de pronunciar. Al avanzar en la historia todo cambia, se acelera la lectura y empieza la parte con más salseo. La obra es el primer libro de una trilogía llamada “Costa Alta”, de ahí que todo el inicio tenga esa pausa que he comentado.
Me ha gustado el estilo de la autora y me ha gustado la detective Eira, una chica normal, sin traumas ni estereotipos ni clichés, con un juicio real sobre el caso y con dos dedos de frente. La trama engancha, tiene sus giros, su parte de dudosas pistas y aunque veas venir lo que se cuece, disfrutas con su lectura, es agradable. En cada parte la información va sumando, un puzzle que se va completando poco a poco, comedido pero con buena construcción.
Si os gustan las novelas suecas os lo recomiendo mucho.
Esta novela es un noire sueco y tiene todo lo bueno que suele tener este sub género. La historia empieza lenta y reconozco que al comienzo me ha costado seguir el hilo por el ritmo pausado y los nombres de los personajes, muy raros de pronunciar. Al avanzar en la historia todo cambia, se acelera la lectura y empieza la parte con más salseo. La obra es el primer libro de una trilogía llamada “Costa Alta”, de ahí que todo el inicio tenga esa pausa que he comentado.
Me ha gustado el estilo de la autora y me ha gustado la detective Eira, una chica normal, sin traumas ni estereotipos ni clichés, con un juicio real sobre el caso y con dos dedos de frente. La trama engancha, tiene sus giros, su parte de dudosas pistas y aunque veas venir lo que se cuece, disfrutas con su lectura, es agradable. En cada parte la información va sumando, un puzzle que se va completando poco a poco, comedido pero con buena construcción.
Si os gustan las novelas suecas os lo recomiendo mucho.
January 13, 2023
3'5 ⭐ La trama me ha gustado aún siendo una parte previsible. El ritmo es pausado y la ambientación, en un pequeño pueblo, es fantástica. También me han gustado los personajes, sobre todo la mujer policía protagonista.
Solo os advierto que el libro tiene multitud de erratas, faltan palabras, la mayoría artículos, pero también preposiciones y otros. Eso incomoda la lectura.
Leeré el siguiente si lo publican en españa, es una serie y ya hay publicados dos en Suecia.
Solo os advierto que el libro tiene multitud de erratas, faltan palabras, la mayoría artículos, pero también preposiciones y otros. Eso incomoda la lectura.
Leeré el siguiente si lo publican en españa, es una serie y ya hay publicados dos en Suecia.
September 17, 2022
Les anticipo que no es un thriller como Motus nos tiene acostumbrado, se ve la diferencia ya que es un policial nórdico.
Pero vale la pena!!!
Más allá del policial, hay historias de vida, de familias distanciadas, de amor, de lealtad...
Tove Alsterdal tiene nueva fan!!
Motus siempre a la altura, gracias por estas historias!!
Pero vale la pena!!!
Más allá del policial, hay historias de vida, de familias distanciadas, de amor, de lealtad...
Tove Alsterdal tiene nueva fan!!
Motus siempre a la altura, gracias por estas historias!!
August 21, 2023
Very,very good. Interesting characters, a tangled web of lies, good writing.
The motives are a bit flimsy,but a series to watch
8/10
The motives are a bit flimsy,but a series to watch
8/10
Read
July 25, 2023Padodos pie 118 lpp. 🏳
Bija sajūta, ka es šo grāmatu moku un grāmata moka mani.
Stāsts nav slikts, bet ļoti vienmuļš un nevienā momentā neizraisa emocijas. Trešdaļa izlasīta un sapratu, ka man absolūti vienalga, kas būs noticis patiesībā, kurš vainīgs, kurš slepkava.. 🙈
Bija sajūta, ka es šo grāmatu moku un grāmata moka mani.
Stāsts nav slikts, bet ļoti vienmuļš un nevienā momentā neizraisa emocijas. Trešdaļa izlasīta un sapratu, ka man absolūti vienalga, kas būs noticis patiesībā, kurš vainīgs, kurš slepkava.. 🙈
February 20, 2023
Imagine it... you are only fourteen years old and you are accused of a horrendous crime. As a result your parents turn their back on you, the community considers you a monster, you are sent away to a detention facility for youth. But you cannot remember doing the crime! The authorities don't believe you. They keep saying "We know you remember".
If I take one thing away from this beautifully written crime novel it would be the sense of place. I honestly felt as though I was in Sweden while reading it - such were the immersive descriptions and overall feel.
The characters were convincing in their authenticity. The police woman, Eira Sjödin, is native to the area where the crime took place all those years ago and her local knowledge proves invaluable. She was an interesting woman with a multi-layered personality. She worked in Stockholm until she realized that her mother's dementia had progressed to a point where she shouldn't be living on her own. Now she divides her days between caring for her mother and police work. The age-old dilemma of being torn between private life and work life - and she is being rendered apart. She is extremely lonely, but her home life precludes any after work social life. She is bowed down by the weight of her responsibilities. I've not liked a protagonist this much since Manon Bradshaw of the Susie Steiner novels.
The plot includes present day murders and historic cold cases. The police force are few in number for such a far ranging rural area. The police depend on the assistance of local patrols made up of volunteers to report any unusual circumstances or activities.
Normally Eira works on the beat in Angermanland, but in this book she is seconded to help in the murder investigation by Violent Crimes Detective, Georg Georgsson, aka GG.
The book's slow but steady pace revealed the multi-layered and complex plot much the way you would delicately peel away the layers of an onion.
The ending might not suit all readers as it was quite abrupt and did not address all of the many strings that might signify a 'tight' conclusion. It was however, realistic, and the perfect segue to the second novel in the series "You Will Never Be Found" which I cannot wait to read. Highly recommended to lovers of police procedurals and Nordic noir.
4.5 stars rounded up
If I take one thing away from this beautifully written crime novel it would be the sense of place. I honestly felt as though I was in Sweden while reading it - such were the immersive descriptions and overall feel.
The characters were convincing in their authenticity. The police woman, Eira Sjödin, is native to the area where the crime took place all those years ago and her local knowledge proves invaluable. She was an interesting woman with a multi-layered personality. She worked in Stockholm until she realized that her mother's dementia had progressed to a point where she shouldn't be living on her own. Now she divides her days between caring for her mother and police work. The age-old dilemma of being torn between private life and work life - and she is being rendered apart. She is extremely lonely, but her home life precludes any after work social life. She is bowed down by the weight of her responsibilities. I've not liked a protagonist this much since Manon Bradshaw of the Susie Steiner novels.
The plot includes present day murders and historic cold cases. The police force are few in number for such a far ranging rural area. The police depend on the assistance of local patrols made up of volunteers to report any unusual circumstances or activities.
Normally Eira works on the beat in Angermanland, but in this book she is seconded to help in the murder investigation by Violent Crimes Detective, Georg Georgsson, aka GG.
The book's slow but steady pace revealed the multi-layered and complex plot much the way you would delicately peel away the layers of an onion.
The ending might not suit all readers as it was quite abrupt and did not address all of the many strings that might signify a 'tight' conclusion. It was however, realistic, and the perfect segue to the second novel in the series "You Will Never Be Found" which I cannot wait to read. Highly recommended to lovers of police procedurals and Nordic noir.
4.5 stars rounded up
March 19, 2021
Ljudbok.
Den här gillade jag verkligen! Den första delen i en deckarserie som ska utspela sig i Kramfors. När ett mord sker i Kungsgården och polisen Eira Sjödin börjar utreda så uppstår det även funderingar angående ett mord som skedde 23 år tidigare.
Jag tycker först och främst att det är kul att läsa en bok som utspelar sig i Höga Kusten. Numera bor jag inte särskilt långt ifrån Kungsgården, så det ger en extra dimension att veta hur det ser ut där händelserna i boken äger rum. Jag gillar Alsterdals sätt att skriva, jag har läst några av hennes tidigare böcker och hon brukar lyckas med att hålla spänningen uppe ända till slutet, så även i denna. Det är även skönt att det för en gångs skull inte kändes som att författaren porträtterade en sorglig bild av Norrland, här fick naturen istället kännas vacker och välkomnande, om än ibland lite övergiven. Rekommenderas definitivt!
Den här gillade jag verkligen! Den första delen i en deckarserie som ska utspela sig i Kramfors. När ett mord sker i Kungsgården och polisen Eira Sjödin börjar utreda så uppstår det även funderingar angående ett mord som skedde 23 år tidigare.
Jag tycker först och främst att det är kul att läsa en bok som utspelar sig i Höga Kusten. Numera bor jag inte särskilt långt ifrån Kungsgården, så det ger en extra dimension att veta hur det ser ut där händelserna i boken äger rum. Jag gillar Alsterdals sätt att skriva, jag har läst några av hennes tidigare böcker och hon brukar lyckas med att hålla spänningen uppe ända till slutet, så även i denna. Det är även skönt att det för en gångs skull inte kändes som att författaren porträtterade en sorglig bild av Norrland, här fick naturen istället kännas vacker och välkomnande, om än ibland lite övergiven. Rekommenderas definitivt!
November 1, 2021
4.5/5
One type of book I love is Scandinavian crime fiction, and We Know You Remember by Tove Alsterdal delivered on so many levels. I loved the setting, I loved the mystery, and I loved Eira! There are a few different viewpoints in this one but Eira was by far my favorite, and I'm really excited that this is the start of a series. This was a pretty dark read, as well as being gritty and disturbing which is just the way I like my crime fiction. It is a nice blend of crime, mystery, and police procedural, and I really liked the way Eira's life played into the entire story. I do have to note this is going to be trigger warnings galore for rape though, and there is one part that was especially hard to read even though it isn't taking place in the present tense. There are a lot of layers to each character, and I was impressed with the way Alsterdal wrote them. This is a US debut but not a debut from the author, and I am loving the fact that so much crime fiction is being translated to English these days. The translation was on point, and nothing felt disjointed or confusing.
I thought the audiobook was well done and it is narrated by Hillary Huber who I think is highly skilled. She did a great job with each of the viewpoints, and I can tell you she is never boring to listen to. I can sometimes get overwhelmed with a multitude of viewpoints, but I didn't with We Know You Remember, and thanks to Alsterdal's writing skills I was never confused either. I really enjoyed the mix of past and present time, and while this is a slow build, I was never bored. It definitely picks up steam as we go, and I thought it really set the tone for what kind of character Eira is going to be. I was completely surprised by the end, which is always a plus, and I was completely invested throughout the entire book. If you are a fan of police procedurals and crime fiction, especially Scandinavian/Nordic Noir, you cannot go wrong by picking this up.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
One type of book I love is Scandinavian crime fiction, and We Know You Remember by Tove Alsterdal delivered on so many levels. I loved the setting, I loved the mystery, and I loved Eira! There are a few different viewpoints in this one but Eira was by far my favorite, and I'm really excited that this is the start of a series. This was a pretty dark read, as well as being gritty and disturbing which is just the way I like my crime fiction. It is a nice blend of crime, mystery, and police procedural, and I really liked the way Eira's life played into the entire story. I do have to note this is going to be trigger warnings galore for rape though, and there is one part that was especially hard to read even though it isn't taking place in the present tense. There are a lot of layers to each character, and I was impressed with the way Alsterdal wrote them. This is a US debut but not a debut from the author, and I am loving the fact that so much crime fiction is being translated to English these days. The translation was on point, and nothing felt disjointed or confusing.
I thought the audiobook was well done and it is narrated by Hillary Huber who I think is highly skilled. She did a great job with each of the viewpoints, and I can tell you she is never boring to listen to. I can sometimes get overwhelmed with a multitude of viewpoints, but I didn't with We Know You Remember, and thanks to Alsterdal's writing skills I was never confused either. I really enjoyed the mix of past and present time, and while this is a slow build, I was never bored. It definitely picks up steam as we go, and I thought it really set the tone for what kind of character Eira is going to be. I was completely surprised by the end, which is always a plus, and I was completely invested throughout the entire book. If you are a fan of police procedurals and crime fiction, especially Scandinavian/Nordic Noir, you cannot go wrong by picking this up.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
August 8, 2024
3.5⭐ Con este libro he disfrutado más del camino que del destino.
Me atrapó pronto, me costaba pausarlo y se me fue volando. Todo el proceso de la investigación fue de lo más entretenido pero los descubrimientos ni me sorprendieron ni me impactaron. Aún así, la historia en general ha funcionado para mí, sin embargo, no estoy satisfecha con el final, se me quedó clavada la espina de la injusticia.
La ambientación es quizá su mayor cualidad, ha conseguido hacerme sentir como si conociera esos paisajes suecos desde siempre aunque en realidad no los haya pisado jamás. En cuanto a los personajes, unos mejor perfilados que otros. Eira es una protagonista decente, no me cayó ni bien ni mal, tiene problemas como todos en la vida pero es bastante normalita, lejos de como lo dicta el gastadísimo cliché. Con el resto de polis me he hecho un poco bola, seguía apareciendo otro y otro y no me ha quedado claro de dónde salía cada quién, pero nada que afecte al relato.
Lo que sí lo afecta es la molesta cantidad de erratas que me encontré: comas donde no iban, palabras faltantes e, incluso en un par de ocasiones, frases enteras a mitad de escenas completamente diferentes. Ignoro si sea cosa de la traducción o de qué pero sí llega a ser confuso.
En general, un Nordic noir atractivo, pausado y absorbente, cuya creación estuvo parcialmente influenciada por sucesos reales como señala la misma autora. El arranque de una serie que promete intrigantes horas de entretenimiento entre bellos y letales escenarios de la geografía sueca.
Me atrapó pronto, me costaba pausarlo y se me fue volando. Todo el proceso de la investigación fue de lo más entretenido pero los descubrimientos ni me sorprendieron ni me impactaron. Aún así, la historia en general ha funcionado para mí, sin embargo, no estoy satisfecha con el final, se me quedó clavada la espina de la injusticia.
La ambientación es quizá su mayor cualidad, ha conseguido hacerme sentir como si conociera esos paisajes suecos desde siempre aunque en realidad no los haya pisado jamás. En cuanto a los personajes, unos mejor perfilados que otros. Eira es una protagonista decente, no me cayó ni bien ni mal, tiene problemas como todos en la vida pero es bastante normalita, lejos de como lo dicta el gastadísimo cliché. Con el resto de polis me he hecho un poco bola, seguía apareciendo otro y otro y no me ha quedado claro de dónde salía cada quién, pero nada que afecte al relato.
Lo que sí lo afecta es la molesta cantidad de erratas que me encontré: comas donde no iban, palabras faltantes e, incluso en un par de ocasiones, frases enteras a mitad de escenas completamente diferentes. Ignoro si sea cosa de la traducción o de qué pero sí llega a ser confuso.
En general, un Nordic noir atractivo, pausado y absorbente, cuya creación estuvo parcialmente influenciada por sucesos reales como señala la misma autora. El arranque de una serie que promete intrigantes horas de entretenimiento entre bellos y letales escenarios de la geografía sueca.
June 14, 2021
I don't normally read murder mysteries, but my wife received an ARC copy of this book, and I picked it up... and couldn't put it down. I'd never heard of this author before, but Scandinavian mystery writers and film makers have been quite the rage for more than a decade, and once I got a full hour into it, I decided to make this my maiden voyage into this genre. I liked it more than I expected to.
This book is the first of this author translated into English, from the native Swedish, and the translator did an excellent job as well, so smooth that it didn't sound like a translation. That contributed a lot to making it such a page turner. The author also has four previous books published in the past 12 years, so more can be expected of her in the future.
The author, Tove Alsterdal, sets the scene right from the first page, and doesn't let up for 350 pages, pretty much the whole book. Most of the characters are well drawn, and the lead character is very relatable, with flaws, but likable. It links an old murder mystery with a current murder investigation that she is one of the lead investigators on, and hints are popping up early on, but the different leads keep you guessing right through the end.
This qualifies as a good, fast paced summer read. If you are looking for something different, or a fun new author, this book is a good option.
This book is the first of this author translated into English, from the native Swedish, and the translator did an excellent job as well, so smooth that it didn't sound like a translation. That contributed a lot to making it such a page turner. The author also has four previous books published in the past 12 years, so more can be expected of her in the future.
The author, Tove Alsterdal, sets the scene right from the first page, and doesn't let up for 350 pages, pretty much the whole book. Most of the characters are well drawn, and the lead character is very relatable, with flaws, but likable. It links an old murder mystery with a current murder investigation that she is one of the lead investigators on, and hints are popping up early on, but the different leads keep you guessing right through the end.
This qualifies as a good, fast paced summer read. If you are looking for something different, or a fun new author, this book is a good option.
October 28, 2021
2.5 - As far as Nordic Noir goes one of my least favorite. Seemed a bit all over the place throughout. A decent middle that kept me reading but ultimately a let down.
Read
April 16, 2023Klasisks mazpilsētas izmeklēšanas stāsts ar atmosfērīgu noskaņu skandināvu stilā-iztiekot bez asiņaini vardarbīgām ainām.
Olafs pēc 20 gadu prombūtnes ierodas vecāku mājās, kur atrod savu tēvu mirušu. Mazpilsēta tiek sacelta kājām gaisā, atceroties senos notikumus, kuros Olafs tika tiesāts par meitenes izvarošanu un nogalināšanu. Vietā, kur viens otru pazīst, būt par izmeklētāju nav vienkārši, it sevišķi, ja ikviens ar otru šajā mazajā vietā ir saistīti…
Iesākums lielisks, pa vidu mazliet iemidzināja, jo seko izstiepta un rimta izmeklešana-kas robežojas ar liecinieku intervēšanu, savukārt uz beigām gluži kā atdzīvojās.
Skandināvu faniem patiks, priekš kaut kā unikāla un šokējoša kaut kā pietrūka.
3.7⭐️
Olafs pēc 20 gadu prombūtnes ierodas vecāku mājās, kur atrod savu tēvu mirušu. Mazpilsēta tiek sacelta kājām gaisā, atceroties senos notikumus, kuros Olafs tika tiesāts par meitenes izvarošanu un nogalināšanu. Vietā, kur viens otru pazīst, būt par izmeklētāju nav vienkārši, it sevišķi, ja ikviens ar otru šajā mazajā vietā ir saistīti…
Iesākums lielisks, pa vidu mazliet iemidzināja, jo seko izstiepta un rimta izmeklešana-kas robežojas ar liecinieku intervēšanu, savukārt uz beigām gluži kā atdzīvojās.
Skandināvu faniem patiks, priekš kaut kā unikāla un šokējoša kaut kā pietrūka.
3.7⭐️
August 20, 2022
Sturmrot
…. Erreichte mich nicht wie ein gewaltiger Sturm, sondern eher wie ein laues Lüftchen. Ihr kennt es, wenn der Wind euch um die Nase weht, nur ganz sacht, aber verheissungsvoll. Er tobt sich dann aber doch wo anders aus und lässt euch relativ unbefriedigt zurück. Das Gefühl hatte ich beständig bei diesem Roman.
Eira, die Protagonistin und Polizistin in der nordschwedischen Region Adalen, ist eine kompetente Frau, die schon einige ihrer Kollegen kommen und gehen gesehen hat und strategisch an die Fälle, die ihr überantwortet werden, herangeht. Eigentlich ein Charakterzug, der mir unglaublich zusagt. Und trotzdem wollte sie mir einfach nicht die literarische Hand reichen. Ich erfuhr im Laufe des Buches viele charakterbildende Details über sie, und trotzdem blieb sie mir seltsam fremd. Sie und ihre Kollegen rollen einen Mordfall aus ihrer Jugend auf, der in Zusammenhang mit einem Fall in der Gegenwart steht. Eigentlich spannend, in der Vergangenheit zu stochern und zu hoffen, auf ein Wespennest zu treffen. Man verfolgt, wie sich Eira durch die verschiedenen Milieus wühlt und immer tiefer in den Sumpf hinein watet. Und ich muss der Autorin Anerkennung zollen für ihre Recherchearbeit. Wenn ich das Buch auf diese Weise betrachte, dann finde ich eine Sozialstudie vor, die sich durch diverse Milieus erstreckt und tief hinein ins Herz sticht.
Der Fall ist komplex, Vergangenheit und Gegenwart treffen hier aufeinander, als würde man mitten in einem Gewitter stehen. Ich liebe normalerweise solche komplexen Handlungsbögen sehr, wo ich mitfiebern und miträtseln kann und wo mir manchmal vor Entsetzen der Atem stockt. Schockierende Gründe gibt es in diesem Roman alle mal. Aber sie haben mich emotional einfach nicht erreicht.
Ich denke, ich konnte mich mit dem Stil der Geschichte einfach nicht anfreunden. Von Zeit zu Zeit stieß ich auf einen Abschnitt oder einen Satz, der mir die Gänsehaut über die Wirbelsäule jagte. Und dann plätscherte das Buch wieder dahin. Für meinen Geschmack, holt es den Leser sehr spät ab. Der Beginn erschien mir abgehakt in seinen Szenenbeschreibungen, so als würden immer ein paar Sätze fehlen, um die gerade ablaufende Szene in meinem Kopf rund zu machen (ich weiß, mein Kopf ist manchmal sehr eigenwillig), aber mir trübte genau dieses Tempo den Lesegenuss, sodass mich das Buch später nur noch schwer begeistern konnte.
…. Erreichte mich nicht wie ein gewaltiger Sturm, sondern eher wie ein laues Lüftchen. Ihr kennt es, wenn der Wind euch um die Nase weht, nur ganz sacht, aber verheissungsvoll. Er tobt sich dann aber doch wo anders aus und lässt euch relativ unbefriedigt zurück. Das Gefühl hatte ich beständig bei diesem Roman.
Eira, die Protagonistin und Polizistin in der nordschwedischen Region Adalen, ist eine kompetente Frau, die schon einige ihrer Kollegen kommen und gehen gesehen hat und strategisch an die Fälle, die ihr überantwortet werden, herangeht. Eigentlich ein Charakterzug, der mir unglaublich zusagt. Und trotzdem wollte sie mir einfach nicht die literarische Hand reichen. Ich erfuhr im Laufe des Buches viele charakterbildende Details über sie, und trotzdem blieb sie mir seltsam fremd. Sie und ihre Kollegen rollen einen Mordfall aus ihrer Jugend auf, der in Zusammenhang mit einem Fall in der Gegenwart steht. Eigentlich spannend, in der Vergangenheit zu stochern und zu hoffen, auf ein Wespennest zu treffen. Man verfolgt, wie sich Eira durch die verschiedenen Milieus wühlt und immer tiefer in den Sumpf hinein watet. Und ich muss der Autorin Anerkennung zollen für ihre Recherchearbeit. Wenn ich das Buch auf diese Weise betrachte, dann finde ich eine Sozialstudie vor, die sich durch diverse Milieus erstreckt und tief hinein ins Herz sticht.
Der Fall ist komplex, Vergangenheit und Gegenwart treffen hier aufeinander, als würde man mitten in einem Gewitter stehen. Ich liebe normalerweise solche komplexen Handlungsbögen sehr, wo ich mitfiebern und miträtseln kann und wo mir manchmal vor Entsetzen der Atem stockt. Schockierende Gründe gibt es in diesem Roman alle mal. Aber sie haben mich emotional einfach nicht erreicht.
Ich denke, ich konnte mich mit dem Stil der Geschichte einfach nicht anfreunden. Von Zeit zu Zeit stieß ich auf einen Abschnitt oder einen Satz, der mir die Gänsehaut über die Wirbelsäule jagte. Und dann plätscherte das Buch wieder dahin. Für meinen Geschmack, holt es den Leser sehr spät ab. Der Beginn erschien mir abgehakt in seinen Szenenbeschreibungen, so als würden immer ein paar Sätze fehlen, um die gerade ablaufende Szene in meinem Kopf rund zu machen (ich weiß, mein Kopf ist manchmal sehr eigenwillig), aber mir trübte genau dieses Tempo den Lesegenuss, sodass mich das Buch später nur noch schwer begeistern konnte.
August 8, 2024
Los personajes bien desarrollados y el rol de la mujer policía Eira es fantástico. El diálogo, las escenas o el ambiente que se desarrolla fueron bien logrados.
June 28, 2021
I haven't read much Swedish Noir, so when I heard about this book, I decided to broaden my fiction genres. So I am glad I chose this one.
The translation was excellent. I had absolutely no problems reading this. Well, except for the Swedish words, they were a little difficult for me.
The mystery/s were complex, with some threads being easier to figure out than others. That in itself made this a pleasure to read. However, some threads in this book made me very angry, but you will have to read it to see why since I don't want to spoil anything for you.
Likable characters made for a pleasant change of pace for me. The only problems I did have with this novel were the number of characters, not knowing anything about this country, and the fact that though you know who dun it when you get to the end, you have to reach that conclusion on your own. At least it felt that way to me.
I highly recommend this book to mystery lovers, lovers of Swedish fiction, and those who like books that combine cold cases with new ones.
*ARC supplied by the publisher, the author, and ATTL/Edelweiss. Thank you.
The translation was excellent. I had absolutely no problems reading this. Well, except for the Swedish words, they were a little difficult for me.
The mystery/s were complex, with some threads being easier to figure out than others. That in itself made this a pleasure to read. However, some threads in this book made me very angry, but you will have to read it to see why since I don't want to spoil anything for you.
Likable characters made for a pleasant change of pace for me. The only problems I did have with this novel were the number of characters, not knowing anything about this country, and the fact that though you know who dun it when you get to the end, you have to reach that conclusion on your own. At least it felt that way to me.
I highly recommend this book to mystery lovers, lovers of Swedish fiction, and those who like books that combine cold cases with new ones.
*ARC supplied by the publisher, the author, and ATTL/Edelweiss. Thank you.
June 2, 2024
I loved this book! A moody, atmospheric example of Nordic Noir, but possessing light moments and a bit of romance to break up some more somber elements. The main character is a woman, an experienced cop in a rural part of Sweden. Alsterdal cleverly braids story segments relating to a current murder, a past disappearance, and a variety of suspects within dysfunctional families.
I found We Know You Remember a compelling read, and the title has several clever applications.
I found We Know You Remember a compelling read, and the title has several clever applications.
July 18, 2022
Keine Frage, ich habe dieses Buch wirklich gerne gelesen und vieles, was Tove Alsterdal in dem Auftaktband ihrer Sjödin-Trilogie macht, gefiel mir wirklich gut, weil es sich auf eine positive Weise von anderen Schwedenkrimis abgrenzt.
Die größte Stärke dieses Buchs liegt in der atmosphärischen Darstellung und den wirklich starken Beschreibung der schwedischen Landschaft. Wider Erwarten geht es in diesem Buch um mehr als diesen einen Fall: Die Vergangenheit spielt eine tragende Rolle. An sich hat Tove Alsterdal die Fälle gut verknüpft, allerdings war mir die Trennung - gerade im Bezug auf die Ermittlungsarbeit - zu strikt und hat dem Ganzen für meinen Geschmack einen Dämpfer verpasst. Leider verliert sich der Roman an einigen Stellen in Nebensächlichkeiten und hat somit seine Längen. Auch Eira, die sich positiv von der kaputten Klischee-Ermittlerin abgrenzt, war für mich leider nicht greifbar genug.
Insgesamt durchschnittlicher Schwedenkrimi und interessanter Auftakt für eine Reihe.
Die größte Stärke dieses Buchs liegt in der atmosphärischen Darstellung und den wirklich starken Beschreibung der schwedischen Landschaft. Wider Erwarten geht es in diesem Buch um mehr als diesen einen Fall: Die Vergangenheit spielt eine tragende Rolle. An sich hat Tove Alsterdal die Fälle gut verknüpft, allerdings war mir die Trennung - gerade im Bezug auf die Ermittlungsarbeit - zu strikt und hat dem Ganzen für meinen Geschmack einen Dämpfer verpasst. Leider verliert sich der Roman an einigen Stellen in Nebensächlichkeiten und hat somit seine Längen. Auch Eira, die sich positiv von der kaputten Klischee-Ermittlerin abgrenzt, war für mich leider nicht greifbar genug.
Insgesamt durchschnittlicher Schwedenkrimi und interessanter Auftakt für eine Reihe.
July 23, 2025
No nyt tuli pitkästä aikaa vastaan dekkari, jolle haluan antaa neljä tähteä, koska tässä ei ollut pakonomaista "murha 50 sivun välein" - meininkiä. Jokin tässä Pohjois-Ruotsiin sijoittuvassa mysteerissä toi myös mieleen Kerstin Ekmanin Tapahtui veden äärellä -nykyklassikon. Ehkä lopulta vain miljöö, mutta toisaalta myös pienen paikkakunnan historia ja ihmissuhteet, naapurien kyräilyt ja pinnan alla muhivat salaisuudet.
Eira Sjödin on 32-vuotias poliisi, joka on palannut kotikuntaansa pitämään huolta dementoituvasta äidistään. Pian Eira löytää itsensä tutkimasta 23 vuotta aikaisemmin tapahtunutta raiskausta ja nuoren tytön katoamista. Hänellä on itselläänkin muistoja tuosta ajasta.
Tytön raiskauksesta ja murhasta aikanaan tuomittu 14-vuotuas Olof palaa myös paikkakunnalle ja kohtaa karmean näyn lapsuudenkotonaan. Alkaa tapahtumien ketju, joka paljastaa yhtä sun toista kyläläisten menneisyydestä.
Eira Sjödin on 32-vuotias poliisi, joka on palannut kotikuntaansa pitämään huolta dementoituvasta äidistään. Pian Eira löytää itsensä tutkimasta 23 vuotta aikaisemmin tapahtunutta raiskausta ja nuoren tytön katoamista. Hänellä on itselläänkin muistoja tuosta ajasta.
Tytön raiskauksesta ja murhasta aikanaan tuomittu 14-vuotuas Olof palaa myös paikkakunnalle ja kohtaa karmean näyn lapsuudenkotonaan. Alkaa tapahtumien ketju, joka paljastaa yhtä sun toista kyläläisten menneisyydestä.
August 21, 2023
Ja vienā vārdā jāraksturo šis gabals, tad tas vārds būtu - skumjš. Skumjš šajā stāstā ir viss - apkārtnes kādreiz rosīgās dzīves sabrukums, galvenās varones mammas slimība, attiecības, skumja nepatiesi apsūdzētā nu jau pilnīgi sačakarētā dzīve, skumji par nesodāmību soc tīklos un musināšanu, arī par kaimiņa ģimeni - kā saka, veciem grēkiem garas ēnas un karma šai gadījumā tiešām nesnauda. Nezinu gan, kā jūtas Simona (sauksim tā), bet gan jau labi, jo ir cilvēki, kam nav dota ne sirds, ne jūtas, tad jau tikai jābauda brīvība.
Dīvaini, bet manas lielākās simpātijas šai grāmatā abiem draugiem, Magnusam un Rikam:)
ps ja atmetam skumjas, darbs ļoti labs, sižets interesants un grāmata aizraujoša!
Dīvaini, bet manas lielākās simpātijas šai grāmatā abiem draugiem, Magnusam un Rikam:)
ps ja atmetam skumjas, darbs ļoti labs, sižets interesants un grāmata aizraujoša!
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