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Detective Kjeld Nygaard #2
Last One Alive
They survived once. Can he save them this time?
When Detective Kjeld Nygaard is called to the discovery of a body in the burnt-out shell of a house, his heart sinks. He never wanted to see this house again. The house of a notorious serial killer. The house where he rescued Louisa Karlsson from being murdered.
But when they discover the body is in fact Louisa, the mystery deepens. It can’t be the old serial killer. He’s dead.
Then another body is found, again killed in the exact place where Kjeld saved them from another murderer. Another survivor dead.
With the clock ticking Kjeld and his partner Detective Esme Jansson are desperate to stop any more survivors from being murdered. But every clue they find leads to a dead end. Why is the killer picking off people Kjeld rescued? Could it be connected to another of his previous cases?
When Kjeld’s daughter is kidnapped – it’s a race against time to save her life. Can Kjeld stop the killer without paying the ultimate price or will he be the last one alive?
When Detective Kjeld Nygaard is called to the discovery of a body in the burnt-out shell of a house, his heart sinks. He never wanted to see this house again. The house of a notorious serial killer. The house where he rescued Louisa Karlsson from being murdered.
But when they discover the body is in fact Louisa, the mystery deepens. It can’t be the old serial killer. He’s dead.
Then another body is found, again killed in the exact place where Kjeld saved them from another murderer. Another survivor dead.
With the clock ticking Kjeld and his partner Detective Esme Jansson are desperate to stop any more survivors from being murdered. But every clue they find leads to a dead end. Why is the killer picking off people Kjeld rescued? Could it be connected to another of his previous cases?
When Kjeld’s daughter is kidnapped – it’s a race against time to save her life. Can Kjeld stop the killer without paying the ultimate price or will he be the last one alive?
417 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 15, 2021
72 people are currently reading
250 people want to read
About the author
Karin Nordin
8 books74 followersKarin Nordin has been a compulsive reader of thrilling stories since childhood and discovered her love of Scandinavian crime fiction during summers spent visiting family in Norway and Sweden. She has worked in healthcare and education, including as a pharmacy technician, karate instructor, and an English language teacher for the Dutch military. She completed the Creative Writing MSc from the University of Edinburgh with Distinction in 2019 and also holds an MA in Scandinavian Literary Studies from the University of Amsterdam. Born in ‘The Biggest Little City in the World’ and raised in America’s Rust Belt, she now lives in the Netherlands. Her first novel, Where Ravens Roost, will be published by HQ Digital, an imprint of Harper Collins UK, in 2021.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews
August 8, 2021
4-5 stars
Detective Kjeld Nygaard #2
Louisa Karlsson leaves work on Saturday, the rain is lashing down and she narrowly misses the bus home. She suddenly notices a person standing next to her with the coldest eyes imaginable. ... Kjeld is called to a house that he knows all too well, it’s where he rescued Louisa from capture eight years ago, she survived a house of horrors, that killer is dead and now so is Louisa. Kjeld’s week worsens when another ‘last one alive’ is found dead and it becomes a desperate race to unmask a killer picking off crime victims that Kjeld has previously saved.
Well, that’s how you start a mystery thriller book with your throat in your mouth right from the start and with Karin Nordin with her foot on the plot pedal throughout this fast paced and gripping novel. The Violent Crimes Division based in Gothenburg are authentic and very believable characters. There’s Kjeld who is somber, complicated, an instinctive policeman who shows his softer side to his much loved daughter Tove. He’s carrying a massive burden and is still angry at his failure to spot his now incarcerated ex partner Nils Hedin as the Kattegut Killer and this haunts him and probably will forever more. His current work partner is DS Esme Jansson who is an optimist as is DC Sixten Andersson-Sund and these two provide a good counterbalance to the complex Kjeld. The author adds further authenticity to Esme and Kjeld by allowing us a peak into their personal lives and Kjeld has a complicated relationship with his ex partner Bengt and his new partner Liam, suffice it to say that there’s a fair bit of needle between Kjeld and Liam!
The atmosphere of this novel is very dark and extremely twisted, it’s a complex and broad enquiry with connected crimes linked by Kjeld and the impact of Nils crimes lingers on. The dramatic, scary, dangerous and very tense revengeful storyline keeps you guessing throughout and is full of surprises. Though she is extremely fist clenchingly annoying journalist Henny Engström’s inclusion in the plot is good and that also keeps you wondering and full of suspicion. I like the ending and it’s nicely set up for number three, count me in!
Overall, if you like Scandi Noir this is well worth reading as is the first in the series though can be read as a stand-alone. Karin Nordin writes powerful and intense mystery thrillers that keep you on the edge of your seat.
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to HQ for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.
Detective Kjeld Nygaard #2
Louisa Karlsson leaves work on Saturday, the rain is lashing down and she narrowly misses the bus home. She suddenly notices a person standing next to her with the coldest eyes imaginable. ... Kjeld is called to a house that he knows all too well, it’s where he rescued Louisa from capture eight years ago, she survived a house of horrors, that killer is dead and now so is Louisa. Kjeld’s week worsens when another ‘last one alive’ is found dead and it becomes a desperate race to unmask a killer picking off crime victims that Kjeld has previously saved.
Well, that’s how you start a mystery thriller book with your throat in your mouth right from the start and with Karin Nordin with her foot on the plot pedal throughout this fast paced and gripping novel. The Violent Crimes Division based in Gothenburg are authentic and very believable characters. There’s Kjeld who is somber, complicated, an instinctive policeman who shows his softer side to his much loved daughter Tove. He’s carrying a massive burden and is still angry at his failure to spot his now incarcerated ex partner Nils Hedin as the Kattegut Killer and this haunts him and probably will forever more. His current work partner is DS Esme Jansson who is an optimist as is DC Sixten Andersson-Sund and these two provide a good counterbalance to the complex Kjeld. The author adds further authenticity to Esme and Kjeld by allowing us a peak into their personal lives and Kjeld has a complicated relationship with his ex partner Bengt and his new partner Liam, suffice it to say that there’s a fair bit of needle between Kjeld and Liam!
The atmosphere of this novel is very dark and extremely twisted, it’s a complex and broad enquiry with connected crimes linked by Kjeld and the impact of Nils crimes lingers on. The dramatic, scary, dangerous and very tense revengeful storyline keeps you guessing throughout and is full of surprises. Though she is extremely fist clenchingly annoying journalist Henny Engström’s inclusion in the plot is good and that also keeps you wondering and full of suspicion. I like the ending and it’s nicely set up for number three, count me in!
Overall, if you like Scandi Noir this is well worth reading as is the first in the series though can be read as a stand-alone. Karin Nordin writes powerful and intense mystery thrillers that keep you on the edge of your seat.
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to HQ for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.
August 29, 2021
Detective Kjeld Nygaard #2
When Detective Kjeld Nygaard is called to the discovery of a body in the burnt-out shell of a house, his heart sinks. He never wanted to see this house again. The home of a notorious serial killer. The house where he rescued Louisa Karlsson from being murdered. But when they discover that the body is in fact Louisa, the mystery deepens. It can't be the old serial killer, he's dead. Then another body is found, again killed in the exact same place where Kjeld saved them from another murder.
Kjeld Nygaard is a flawed, stubborn and complicated character. Nygaard and his partner Esme have their work cut out trying to prevent even more murders occurring. One of the cases is Nygaard's own daughter. I did like Kjeld Nygaard more in this book, he's starting to grow on me. The pace is fast in this well written thriller. This is a cleverly crafted murder mystery that's also tense and gripping. This story held my attention throughout.
I would like to thank #NetGalley #HQDigital and the author #KarinNordin for my ARC of #LastOneAlive in exchange for an honest review.
When Detective Kjeld Nygaard is called to the discovery of a body in the burnt-out shell of a house, his heart sinks. He never wanted to see this house again. The home of a notorious serial killer. The house where he rescued Louisa Karlsson from being murdered. But when they discover that the body is in fact Louisa, the mystery deepens. It can't be the old serial killer, he's dead. Then another body is found, again killed in the exact same place where Kjeld saved them from another murder.
Kjeld Nygaard is a flawed, stubborn and complicated character. Nygaard and his partner Esme have their work cut out trying to prevent even more murders occurring. One of the cases is Nygaard's own daughter. I did like Kjeld Nygaard more in this book, he's starting to grow on me. The pace is fast in this well written thriller. This is a cleverly crafted murder mystery that's also tense and gripping. This story held my attention throughout.
I would like to thank #NetGalley #HQDigital and the author #KarinNordin for my ARC of #LastOneAlive in exchange for an honest review.
September 22, 2021
Detective Kjeld Nygaard is struggling with murder cases, but not any murder, the killing of the victims from another serial killer. This is a well-written thriller. To bad I didn't read the first book.
Thank you Netgalley for this fast pacing book.
Thank you Netgalley for this fast pacing book.
September 15, 2021
Last One Alive is the second instalment in the Detective Kjeld Nygaard Scandinavian Noir Mystery series, set in Gothenburg, Sweden. Eight years ago a young woman named Louisa Karlsson had been abducted, held captive and almost murdered in a grimy house at the hands of a vicious serial killer who had been prowling the area, and Kjeld had vowed to never go near said house again once he had wrapped up the case. Louisa had endured a hellish nightmare, a real house of horrors, and had managed to come out the other side as a survivor primarily due to Kjeld rescuing her. When the evil killer had died in prison, Louisa had finally felt as though her ordeal was over and that she could perhaps look forward to being free. So when Kjeld is called out to the scene of a house fire inside which a body has been discovered, he is shocked when he recognises it as that exact address and all the memories come flooding back into his psyche once more.
Kjeld had saved Louisa’s life back then, but his heart sinks when it dawns on him that the reported body is that of Louisa. Leading up to her disappearance, Karlsson had vanished after leaving her job on a rainy Saturday and being followed by a sinister-looking individual who had been watching her. It doesn't take long before another corpse is found and Nygaard realises that there is a chilling link between the two victims - they were both individuals he had saved during previous investigations going back up to 15 years. Why is someone targeting survivors of past crimes, and for what reason? But when Kjeld’s daughter, Tove, is taken it begs the question as to whether he has been the one targeted vicariously all along? In a race against time to save his daughter, Kjeld and Esme find themselves in a nail-biting race against time to get his daughter back safely and apprehend a serial murderer. This is a gripping and compulsively readable police procedural crime thriller set in the heart of Scandinavia, and I was almost instantaneously pulled into the story.
It is a beautifully constructed, propulsive read, rich with character, loaded with atmosphere and utterly entertaining. An absorbing second run to what promises to be a stellar and relatively new crime series. With a complex plot ripe with clever twists, dizzying misdirection and slow-burning suspense, there is a captivating mystery at its heart and in many ways, protagonist Kjeld Nygaard is a fascinating, idiosyncratic yet enigmatic character who is easy to get behind in his determined search for true justice and his quest to protect the vulnerable. Gritty, authentically portrayed noir, laden with unexpected turns and the relationship and dynamic between Kjeld and his partner, the ever-optimistic DS Esme Jansson, is a balanced one as they work effectively together like yin and yang. An exciting and engrossing novel that encompasses some important topical themes and juggles several possible suspects as well as perfectly depicting time and place. Highly recommended.
Kjeld had saved Louisa’s life back then, but his heart sinks when it dawns on him that the reported body is that of Louisa. Leading up to her disappearance, Karlsson had vanished after leaving her job on a rainy Saturday and being followed by a sinister-looking individual who had been watching her. It doesn't take long before another corpse is found and Nygaard realises that there is a chilling link between the two victims - they were both individuals he had saved during previous investigations going back up to 15 years. Why is someone targeting survivors of past crimes, and for what reason? But when Kjeld’s daughter, Tove, is taken it begs the question as to whether he has been the one targeted vicariously all along? In a race against time to save his daughter, Kjeld and Esme find themselves in a nail-biting race against time to get his daughter back safely and apprehend a serial murderer. This is a gripping and compulsively readable police procedural crime thriller set in the heart of Scandinavia, and I was almost instantaneously pulled into the story.
It is a beautifully constructed, propulsive read, rich with character, loaded with atmosphere and utterly entertaining. An absorbing second run to what promises to be a stellar and relatively new crime series. With a complex plot ripe with clever twists, dizzying misdirection and slow-burning suspense, there is a captivating mystery at its heart and in many ways, protagonist Kjeld Nygaard is a fascinating, idiosyncratic yet enigmatic character who is easy to get behind in his determined search for true justice and his quest to protect the vulnerable. Gritty, authentically portrayed noir, laden with unexpected turns and the relationship and dynamic between Kjeld and his partner, the ever-optimistic DS Esme Jansson, is a balanced one as they work effectively together like yin and yang. An exciting and engrossing novel that encompasses some important topical themes and juggles several possible suspects as well as perfectly depicting time and place. Highly recommended.
January 10, 2022
Last One Alive is a brilliantly excecuted contemporary police procedural with a diverse cast of chartacters and is one of the few crime fiction books out there with a main character form the lGBTQ+ community and that is only one of the many reasons why loved it and I am thrilled to be able to share with you, my review of book 2 in the Kjeld Nygaard series.
In Kjeld Nygaard, Nordin has created a brilliant, believable, relatable and yet flawed character with many complexities. Kjeld has his demons and that makes his communications with his loved ones hard to navigate, particularly as various past events have impacted on his ability to trust. I think it is this vulnerability that makes him so likeable depite his sometimes abrasive nature.
If you're new to the series, then please start with book one, Where Ravens Roost, to get your best sense of the complexities of Kjeld's character. You could read this as a stand alone, but I belive that reading book 1 first will give you a better reading experience.
Last One Alive grips you by the throat from the start, with a thrilling and unexpected opening. It then proceeds at a rate of knots that will leave you breathless. Nordin is a master of creating tension and plotting. Her ability to embroil you into the personal lives of her characters,whilst simultaneoulsy pulling you along the inevitable road to the plot's conclusion is enviable. There were many moments when I found myself groaning at the personal choices made by Kjeld and his side kick Esme. With just the right amount of possible supects and bad guys I was flummoxed right until the last moment when the villain was revealed.
I love stories that bring various strands together over the course of the book, whilst allowing the reader a chance to work out things for themselves and Nordin is a master of this.
This is, so far, my favourite read of 2022 and I have no hesitation in giving it a resoundng 5 *****
In Kjeld Nygaard, Nordin has created a brilliant, believable, relatable and yet flawed character with many complexities. Kjeld has his demons and that makes his communications with his loved ones hard to navigate, particularly as various past events have impacted on his ability to trust. I think it is this vulnerability that makes him so likeable depite his sometimes abrasive nature.
If you're new to the series, then please start with book one, Where Ravens Roost, to get your best sense of the complexities of Kjeld's character. You could read this as a stand alone, but I belive that reading book 1 first will give you a better reading experience.
Last One Alive grips you by the throat from the start, with a thrilling and unexpected opening. It then proceeds at a rate of knots that will leave you breathless. Nordin is a master of creating tension and plotting. Her ability to embroil you into the personal lives of her characters,whilst simultaneoulsy pulling you along the inevitable road to the plot's conclusion is enviable. There were many moments when I found myself groaning at the personal choices made by Kjeld and his side kick Esme. With just the right amount of possible supects and bad guys I was flummoxed right until the last moment when the villain was revealed.
I love stories that bring various strands together over the course of the book, whilst allowing the reader a chance to work out things for themselves and Nordin is a master of this.
This is, so far, my favourite read of 2022 and I have no hesitation in giving it a resoundng 5 *****
October 4, 2021
Last One Alive is the second novel in the series about Detective Kjeld Nygaard and his partner Esme Jansson. Det. Nygaard is on the case when a survivor of one of his most horrifying and notorious cases is found murdered. Then two more murder victims are discovered, also previous survivors rescued by Nygaard. The common link between them is that they were the last one alive in the old cases. Does someone have a grudge against Nygaard? Why are they targeting survivors of his old cases? Then the killer makes it personal and abducts Nygaard's child as well. Can he put it all together and find her in time?
This is a tense, fast-paced novel that definitely grabs and holds the reader's interest. It has 72 chapters, but they are short and the action moves quickly. The basis for the crime spree makes sense and the resolution is satisfying. However I will say that I found it difficult to warm to Kjeld's character, as he is so distant and really gives very little away about himself. The most interesting and engaging character by far is Bengt. In addition, I did struggle a bit with keeping all the names from the prior cases straight, however that may just be my challenge with the Scandinavian names!
Altogether a solid detective fiction read! Many thanks to NetGalley and HQ for making this available to enjoy and review.
This is a tense, fast-paced novel that definitely grabs and holds the reader's interest. It has 72 chapters, but they are short and the action moves quickly. The basis for the crime spree makes sense and the resolution is satisfying. However I will say that I found it difficult to warm to Kjeld's character, as he is so distant and really gives very little away about himself. The most interesting and engaging character by far is Bengt. In addition, I did struggle a bit with keeping all the names from the prior cases straight, however that may just be my challenge with the Scandinavian names!
Altogether a solid detective fiction read! Many thanks to NetGalley and HQ for making this available to enjoy and review.
September 28, 2021
Karin Nordin rewards the reader with the second instalment in her Detective Kjeld Nygaard series set in Sweden. Kjeld Nygaard, is a troubled police detective inspector based in Gothenburg who has escaped his home town, a mining village in a remote part of western Sweden.
This is a gripping police procedural crime thriller and I was almost immediately immersed in its compelling story. The slow-burning suspense and dizzying misdirection had me in a spin and protagonist Nygaard is a fascinating, sombre and enigmatic character who is easy to root for in his search for justice. I'm looking forward to getting to know him better and seeing him develop and evolve as a character and he already gets my stamp of approval. Last One Alive is a clever, dark, atmospheric read that I can recommend without any hesitation.
I received a complimentary copy of this novel at my request from HQ Digital via NetGalley. This review is my own unbiased opinion.
This is a gripping police procedural crime thriller and I was almost immediately immersed in its compelling story. The slow-burning suspense and dizzying misdirection had me in a spin and protagonist Nygaard is a fascinating, sombre and enigmatic character who is easy to root for in his search for justice. I'm looking forward to getting to know him better and seeing him develop and evolve as a character and he already gets my stamp of approval. Last One Alive is a clever, dark, atmospheric read that I can recommend without any hesitation.
I received a complimentary copy of this novel at my request from HQ Digital via NetGalley. This review is my own unbiased opinion.
May 25, 2025
I do love a good detective novel and this author ticks all the boxes, love a great dark story to take me away from everything.
I was given a free copy by netgalley and the publishers but the review is entirely my own.
I was given a free copy by netgalley and the publishers but the review is entirely my own.
September 13, 2021
I absolutely love discovering new authors and I especially love it when I discover that a new book by a new author is part of a series and I have other books to catch up on. I read the synopsis for ‘Last One Alive’ and it certainly sounded like a cracker of a read. Well it was much more than a cracker. I thoroughly enjoyed reading ‘Last One Alive’ but more about that in a bit.
It didn’t take me long at all to get into ‘Last One Alive’. I started reading and at first I admit that I wasn’t sure that I would enjoy the book but how wrong was I? Once I got past the first few pages I knew that I was going to be in for a treat and then some. The storyline and the characters intrigued me. I had my own theory as to how the story was going to pan out and I had to keep reading to see if I was on the right track or if I had wandered down the wrong path entirely. Reading ‘Last One Alive’ became addictive. I would pick the book up only intending to read a couple of chapters but I would become so wrapped up in the story that I would lose track of time and lose track of just how quickly the pages were turning. All too quickly I reached the end of ‘Last One Alive’. I found ‘Last One Alive’ to be a gripping read, which kept me guessing and which kept me on the edge of my seat throughout.
‘Last One Alive’ is superbly written. The author certainly knows how to grab your attention and draw you into what proves to be a compelling story. For me, the story hits the ground running an maintains a fast pace throughout. Reading ‘Last One Alive’ felt like being on one hell of a scary and unpredictable rollercoaster ride with many twists and turns along the way. Just when you thought that you could take a moment to gather your thoughts and take a breather then off the action would go again. The author certainly knows how to ramp up the level of tension and on more than one occasion I was almost reading through my fingers as I feared what was going to happen. I felt as though I was part of the story myself and that’s thanks to Karin’s very vivid and realistic storytelling.
In short, I thoroughly enjoyed reading ‘Last One Alive’ and I would recommend it to other readers. I will certainly be reading more of Karin’s work in the future. The score on the Ginger Book Geek board is a very well deserved 5* out of 5*.
It didn’t take me long at all to get into ‘Last One Alive’. I started reading and at first I admit that I wasn’t sure that I would enjoy the book but how wrong was I? Once I got past the first few pages I knew that I was going to be in for a treat and then some. The storyline and the characters intrigued me. I had my own theory as to how the story was going to pan out and I had to keep reading to see if I was on the right track or if I had wandered down the wrong path entirely. Reading ‘Last One Alive’ became addictive. I would pick the book up only intending to read a couple of chapters but I would become so wrapped up in the story that I would lose track of time and lose track of just how quickly the pages were turning. All too quickly I reached the end of ‘Last One Alive’. I found ‘Last One Alive’ to be a gripping read, which kept me guessing and which kept me on the edge of my seat throughout.
‘Last One Alive’ is superbly written. The author certainly knows how to grab your attention and draw you into what proves to be a compelling story. For me, the story hits the ground running an maintains a fast pace throughout. Reading ‘Last One Alive’ felt like being on one hell of a scary and unpredictable rollercoaster ride with many twists and turns along the way. Just when you thought that you could take a moment to gather your thoughts and take a breather then off the action would go again. The author certainly knows how to ramp up the level of tension and on more than one occasion I was almost reading through my fingers as I feared what was going to happen. I felt as though I was part of the story myself and that’s thanks to Karin’s very vivid and realistic storytelling.
In short, I thoroughly enjoyed reading ‘Last One Alive’ and I would recommend it to other readers. I will certainly be reading more of Karin’s work in the future. The score on the Ginger Book Geek board is a very well deserved 5* out of 5*.
August 30, 2021
After the amazing debut, Where Ravens Roost, Karin Nordin returns with the next chapter in the detective Kjeld Nygaard’s life. After solving some family issues (and a crime of course) in his hometown, he’s back at his post in Gothenburg. This time, he’s looking for a killer who’s been targeting the sole survivors of the past crimes. Crimes, which Kjeld had investigated. Besides the detective storyline, we get more insight into his professional and personal baggage.
I love how Karin Nordin made little twists to all the obligatory attributes of a police detective.
- Divorced? Yes. But it’s his ex-husband Bengt that has the custody over their daughter, despite Kjeld being her biological father.
- Addiction? Yep, smoking. But he’s already gave it up and sticks to his peppermint chewing gum.
- Going rouge at some point? You bet, but without any excessive bravado or irrational behaviour. Overall, he has quite healthy workplace relationships.
- Haunted by the old unresolved case? Sure, but we neither get the full details, nor is it some irrelevant drama invented only to made the policeman paranoid/bittered/disgraced. Instead, it is casually mentioned so we slowly get some insight, still not sure how relevant it will become – let’s see how the next instalments will develop.
Another progressive thing about Karin Nordin’s writing? She uses singular “they” not only to conceal the gender of mysterious characters; when his colleague Esme tells him she’s having a date, Kjeld open-mindedly asks if he knows “them”.
Esme and Kjeld make a great duo. Yet, what cheered me the most is that we get more of Bengt, only mentioned in the first book. He’s so vulnerable and yet responsible at the same time - a good heart and an interesting character, my favourite, bettered only by the Kjeld’s overweighted cat Oskar.
After reading the second book, I can confirm that Kjeld Nygaard series definitely made it into my Nordic Noir must-reads.
Big thanks to Netgalley and HQ Team for the review copy.
I love how Karin Nordin made little twists to all the obligatory attributes of a police detective.
- Divorced? Yes. But it’s his ex-husband Bengt that has the custody over their daughter, despite Kjeld being her biological father.
- Addiction? Yep, smoking. But he’s already gave it up and sticks to his peppermint chewing gum.
- Going rouge at some point? You bet, but without any excessive bravado or irrational behaviour. Overall, he has quite healthy workplace relationships.
- Haunted by the old unresolved case? Sure, but we neither get the full details, nor is it some irrelevant drama invented only to made the policeman paranoid/bittered/disgraced. Instead, it is casually mentioned so we slowly get some insight, still not sure how relevant it will become – let’s see how the next instalments will develop.
Another progressive thing about Karin Nordin’s writing? She uses singular “they” not only to conceal the gender of mysterious characters; when his colleague Esme tells him she’s having a date, Kjeld open-mindedly asks if he knows “them”.
Esme and Kjeld make a great duo. Yet, what cheered me the most is that we get more of Bengt, only mentioned in the first book. He’s so vulnerable and yet responsible at the same time - a good heart and an interesting character, my favourite, bettered only by the Kjeld’s overweighted cat Oskar.
After reading the second book, I can confirm that Kjeld Nygaard series definitely made it into my Nordic Noir must-reads.
Big thanks to Netgalley and HQ Team for the review copy.
November 24, 2021
Suspend disbelief on this one but also so good as to seal my fate and be addicted to a new series.
June 3, 2022
Love this book!
August 3, 2021
My thoughts about Karin Nordin's brilliant follow up to Where Raven's Roost,Last One Alive is a thrilling and Intense suspense murder mystery thriller,that has full of twists and turns that blows you away. I can't praise Author Karin Nordin,enough for the way she has written the story and the characters truly is magnificent. Last One Alive is brilliantly well crafted murder mystery thriller,that has full of breathtaking suspense that truly grips you right from the first page, till you reach the end. Last One Alive is spectacular. The story of Last One Alive begins where we see Louisa’s eyes narrowed, trying to get a clearer look at the person standing before her. Their expression was cold. Mercilessly cold. Louisa crawled back against the wall and screamed.When Detective Kjeld Nygaard is called to the discovery of a body in the burnt-out shell of a house, his heart sinks. He never wanted to see this house again. The house of a notorious serial killer. The house where he rescued Louisa Karlsson from being murdered.But when they discover the body is in fact Louisa, the mystery deepens. It can’t be the old serial killer. He’s dead.Then another body is found, again killed in the exact place where Kjeld saved them from another murderer. Another survivor dead.With the clock ticking Kjeld and his partner Detective Esme Jansson are desperate to stop any more survivors from being murdered. But every clue they find leads to a dead end. Why is the killer picking off people Kjeld rescued? Could it be connected to another of his previous cases? When Kjeld’s daughter is kidnapped – it’s a race against time to save her life. Can Kjeld stop the killer without paying the ultimate price or will he be the last one alive. Karin Nordin's Last One Alive is one of the greatest eye opening thrillers of all time,that deserves to be big.Karin Nordin delivers yet another powerful thriller that is breathtaking, and powerful, a brilliant follow up to the first book. I would like to say thank you to Author Karin Nordin, Publishers HQ Stories and netgally,for kindly gifting me a copy for me to read and review this spectacular thriller.Karin Nordin is definitely a rising star in crime fiction, after this brilliant book.⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
August 17, 2021
I really enjoyed Karin Nordin’s first book, Where Ravens Roost, and this one was just as good. You can’t help but love Detective Kjeld Nygaard can you?! Such a complex character – a brilliant and tough detective, but with such a sensitive and loving side when it comes to his daughter, Tove, and his ex-partner Bengt. I love the relationship he has with his work colleague Esme, as they make a great team. The plot was intriguing and well-written so that you are immediately ‘in’ the story and can’t stop turning the pages.
I definitely think that readers should get hold of Where Ravens Roost before they read this one. There were a few instances where Kjeld’s ‘relationship’ with his father and sister were mentioned, but with no detail at all included. If I hadn’t read the first book I would have been very confused about that, and I think at least some snippets of information should have been given about what had previously occurred.
There are a couple of things I noticed that didn’t quite fit. First, Kjeld sees the body of the first victim: “The eyes were gone, melted in the heat.” A few pages later, he’s thinking about the state Louisa’s body had been found in: “That frozen terror in her eyes chilled him to the bone.” That doesn’t work – there were no eyes! Second, a little later, after another murder: “Was it possible that Louisa’s killer and Andrea’s were one in the same?” This should have said “… one and the same?” but that’s not the point. At this time, the identity of the second victim wasn’t known to anyone, and it wasn’t until a few pages later that we (they) learned that her name was Andrea. Maybe I’m being a bit picky but, surely, things like this should have been spotted. In addition, I couldn’t help but note 20+ very obvious proofreading errors which I hope will be corrected before publication. As with Where Ravens Roost, I will inform the publishers and offer to send them my typed list but, as happened last time, I don’t think I’ll hear from them.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the ARC in return for an honest review (which I will always give, no matter what!).
I definitely think that readers should get hold of Where Ravens Roost before they read this one. There were a few instances where Kjeld’s ‘relationship’ with his father and sister were mentioned, but with no detail at all included. If I hadn’t read the first book I would have been very confused about that, and I think at least some snippets of information should have been given about what had previously occurred.
There are a couple of things I noticed that didn’t quite fit. First, Kjeld sees the body of the first victim: “The eyes were gone, melted in the heat.” A few pages later, he’s thinking about the state Louisa’s body had been found in: “That frozen terror in her eyes chilled him to the bone.” That doesn’t work – there were no eyes! Second, a little later, after another murder: “Was it possible that Louisa’s killer and Andrea’s were one in the same?” This should have said “… one and the same?” but that’s not the point. At this time, the identity of the second victim wasn’t known to anyone, and it wasn’t until a few pages later that we (they) learned that her name was Andrea. Maybe I’m being a bit picky but, surely, things like this should have been spotted. In addition, I couldn’t help but note 20+ very obvious proofreading errors which I hope will be corrected before publication. As with Where Ravens Roost, I will inform the publishers and offer to send them my typed list but, as happened last time, I don’t think I’ll hear from them.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the ARC in return for an honest review (which I will always give, no matter what!).
September 14, 2021
I enjoyed Raven's Roost when I read it a while back and was very much looking forward to its follow up in the series; I was not disappointed! It does refer to things that happened in book one so I would recommend you follow series rules and read that one first.
This time, Det Kjeld Nygaard is called to the scene of a fire in which a body has been discovered. It is a place he has been before. It was where he rescued Louisa Karlsson from a serial killer. His fears are compounded when the body turns out to be Louisa. Then another person Nygaard saved is also found dead in a significant place to the crime against them. What is happening? Is someone targeting survivors of crime, or is someone targeting survivors HE rescued. With the clock ticking, he and partner Det Esme Jannson have their work cut out for them trying to piece together what is happening and bring the perpetrator to justice once and for all. And then Nygaard's daughter is taken...
This hit the ground from me from the very first page and I almost didn't come up for air all the way through, so gripping I found it. It delivered twists and turns aplenty as the plot thickened along the way and I was pretty much exhausted trying to figure it all out. So much so that I gave up and just went with the flow... In Nygaard the author has created a cracking main character. He has his hang ups, mostly relationship-wise and mostly due to his dedication to his job. He has a daughter he dotes on and an ex-partner (professional) whose brush still tars him. He's flawed but credible and I have taken to him well.
The plot was intriguing and, as already mentioned, kept me guessing all the way through. Leading to an ending that only makes me hanker for book three all the more!
All in all, a cracking follow up to the solid series opener. My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.
This time, Det Kjeld Nygaard is called to the scene of a fire in which a body has been discovered. It is a place he has been before. It was where he rescued Louisa Karlsson from a serial killer. His fears are compounded when the body turns out to be Louisa. Then another person Nygaard saved is also found dead in a significant place to the crime against them. What is happening? Is someone targeting survivors of crime, or is someone targeting survivors HE rescued. With the clock ticking, he and partner Det Esme Jannson have their work cut out for them trying to piece together what is happening and bring the perpetrator to justice once and for all. And then Nygaard's daughter is taken...
This hit the ground from me from the very first page and I almost didn't come up for air all the way through, so gripping I found it. It delivered twists and turns aplenty as the plot thickened along the way and I was pretty much exhausted trying to figure it all out. So much so that I gave up and just went with the flow... In Nygaard the author has created a cracking main character. He has his hang ups, mostly relationship-wise and mostly due to his dedication to his job. He has a daughter he dotes on and an ex-partner (professional) whose brush still tars him. He's flawed but credible and I have taken to him well.
The plot was intriguing and, as already mentioned, kept me guessing all the way through. Leading to an ending that only makes me hanker for book three all the more!
All in all, a cracking follow up to the solid series opener. My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.
April 8, 2022
Kjeld Nygaard is a detective with a troubled past and things aren't about to get any easier. A killer is targeting lone survivors of previous crimes that Kjeld investigated. What is the link between the victims and why have they been singled out now? It appears someone wants to get even with Kjeld.
However, Kjeld has other problems to think about. His ex-husband Bengt's new partner, Liam, who can't stand Kjeld (the feeling is mutual). Henny Engstrom, an amateur scene of crime reporter whose uncanny knack of turning up at murder scenes suggests some kind of inside knowledge. And then there is a commune with links to a drug cartel.
Kjeld's boss takes him off the investigation because of his link to the unsolved murders, leaving his police partner Esme in charge. Then things take a far more personal turn, leaving Tove - Kjeld and Bengt's young daughter - in mortal danger. Kjeld finds himself in a race against time to locate Tove, leading to a tense showdown with the murderer.
Karin Nordin's writing draws you in from the first page to the last. Kjeld is a brilliant character, flawed and truthful, full of self-loathing and self-doubt but whose instincts nearly always prove right. Esme is a perfect foil for him, with her own insecurities and unresolved personal issues.
What is particularly impressive is the way the tension never lets up, keeping you guessing until almost the last few chapters who the murderer is and their motivation. Even then, there is a final twist to set up the next chapter of Kjeld's story.
For those new to Kjeld Nygaard, I recommend reading the first book 'Where Ravens Roost' which is every bit as good. There is some overlap from that story to this one.
Lovers of Scandi noir will not be disappointed with this excellent series and I look forward to reading further instalments.
However, Kjeld has other problems to think about. His ex-husband Bengt's new partner, Liam, who can't stand Kjeld (the feeling is mutual). Henny Engstrom, an amateur scene of crime reporter whose uncanny knack of turning up at murder scenes suggests some kind of inside knowledge. And then there is a commune with links to a drug cartel.
Kjeld's boss takes him off the investigation because of his link to the unsolved murders, leaving his police partner Esme in charge. Then things take a far more personal turn, leaving Tove - Kjeld and Bengt's young daughter - in mortal danger. Kjeld finds himself in a race against time to locate Tove, leading to a tense showdown with the murderer.
Karin Nordin's writing draws you in from the first page to the last. Kjeld is a brilliant character, flawed and truthful, full of self-loathing and self-doubt but whose instincts nearly always prove right. Esme is a perfect foil for him, with her own insecurities and unresolved personal issues.
What is particularly impressive is the way the tension never lets up, keeping you guessing until almost the last few chapters who the murderer is and their motivation. Even then, there is a final twist to set up the next chapter of Kjeld's story.
For those new to Kjeld Nygaard, I recommend reading the first book 'Where Ravens Roost' which is every bit as good. There is some overlap from that story to this one.
Lovers of Scandi noir will not be disappointed with this excellent series and I look forward to reading further instalments.
September 10, 2021
I would like to thank Netgalley and HQ for an advance copy of Last One Alive, the second novel to feature Gothenburg based detective Kjeld Nygaard.
When Kjeld turns up at a burning house he recognises it as the house belong to a serial killer he rescued Louisa Karlsson. What he doesn’t expect is to find Louisa’s body inside. Then another murdered body with links to his past cases is found.
I thoroughly enjoyed Last One Alive, which has an interesting premise and an even more interesting execution. I found it a difficult novel to put down.
The novel is told from various points of view, all on Kjeld’s side of the fence so there is no hint of who is behind the murders or why. These voices flesh out Kjeld, his actions and his personality, because, as with the previous novel, Where Ravens Roost, his character is at the root of the plot. He is a troubled soul with a failed marriage and an identity that seems indivisible from his job.
The novel is full of twists, action and a couple of heart stopping moments where the tension pulses. I must admit that I saw the final twist coming in some ways and it kind of disappointed me, suggesting that the next novel might be more of the same with different details. I’m not a big fan of ongoing threads. Still, the journey to that point is engrossing and had me turning the pages as fast as I could without losing the overall picture. It is quite a complex novel, not in terms of who did what, but more of who fits in where and how do Kjeld and his partner Esme work it out. There is a lot of theorising that doesn’t pan out, but still requires close attention just in case.
Last One Alive is a good read that I have no hesitation in recommending.
When Kjeld turns up at a burning house he recognises it as the house belong to a serial killer he rescued Louisa Karlsson. What he doesn’t expect is to find Louisa’s body inside. Then another murdered body with links to his past cases is found.
I thoroughly enjoyed Last One Alive, which has an interesting premise and an even more interesting execution. I found it a difficult novel to put down.
The novel is told from various points of view, all on Kjeld’s side of the fence so there is no hint of who is behind the murders or why. These voices flesh out Kjeld, his actions and his personality, because, as with the previous novel, Where Ravens Roost, his character is at the root of the plot. He is a troubled soul with a failed marriage and an identity that seems indivisible from his job.
The novel is full of twists, action and a couple of heart stopping moments where the tension pulses. I must admit that I saw the final twist coming in some ways and it kind of disappointed me, suggesting that the next novel might be more of the same with different details. I’m not a big fan of ongoing threads. Still, the journey to that point is engrossing and had me turning the pages as fast as I could without losing the overall picture. It is quite a complex novel, not in terms of who did what, but more of who fits in where and how do Kjeld and his partner Esme work it out. There is a lot of theorising that doesn’t pan out, but still requires close attention just in case.
Last One Alive is a good read that I have no hesitation in recommending.
September 17, 2021
This is the second book featuring detective Kjeld Nygaard after ‘Where Ravens Roost’ which is an outstanding debut from the author Karin Nordin. After reading the first book and loving it I was excited to read this. Louisa Karlsson was nearly murdered years before at a house at the hands of a serial killer. Saved by Kjeld, she thought her ordeal was over but she is led to the property once more and is killed. Kjeld is heartbroken that she has been murdered but the whole thing is puzzling as the murderer who attempted to kill her years before died while in prison so it couldn’t be him.
When more murders are committed they seem to have a chilling link - the victims are people who Kjeld had previously saved and when his daughter Tove is kidnapped it becomes a race against time to save her, the most important person in Kjeld’s life.
I loved revisiting Kjeld’s world again. He’s flawed and complex but as a reader I really care about him. He seems to be his own worst enemy and the only thing he seems to care about most in the world is his daughter Tove, who lives with his ex Bengt. He has a tricky relationship with his ex husband who now has a new partner, Liam, who Kjeld takes an instant dislike to. His partner at work is Esme and together they make a fantastic team as they balance each other out. I really liked her character who appears so much more ‘together’ than Kjeld!
The suspense in this story is fantastic and I read it hungrily wanting to find out how it all concludes. It’s thrilling and dark, with some shocking moments and lots of guesswork but I enjoyed every page! I feel like I know Kjeld personally after two books.
I can’t wait to read book number three in this series, and go back to Gothenburg and Kjeld’s world. A brilliant read.
When more murders are committed they seem to have a chilling link - the victims are people who Kjeld had previously saved and when his daughter Tove is kidnapped it becomes a race against time to save her, the most important person in Kjeld’s life.
I loved revisiting Kjeld’s world again. He’s flawed and complex but as a reader I really care about him. He seems to be his own worst enemy and the only thing he seems to care about most in the world is his daughter Tove, who lives with his ex Bengt. He has a tricky relationship with his ex husband who now has a new partner, Liam, who Kjeld takes an instant dislike to. His partner at work is Esme and together they make a fantastic team as they balance each other out. I really liked her character who appears so much more ‘together’ than Kjeld!
The suspense in this story is fantastic and I read it hungrily wanting to find out how it all concludes. It’s thrilling and dark, with some shocking moments and lots of guesswork but I enjoyed every page! I feel like I know Kjeld personally after two books.
I can’t wait to read book number three in this series, and go back to Gothenburg and Kjeld’s world. A brilliant read.
August 17, 2021
Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and author for this ARC.
I thought this was a great follow on from Where Ravens Roost. I really like the lead character In this series. He is flawed, troubled, stubborn, tenacious and has a very complicated history. He and his team investigate a murder where the victim was known to Nygaard from an old case. When more murders follow with links to other old cases from up to 15 years before the team have their work cut out trying to find the murderer. I loved reading of the working rapport and friendship between Nygaard and Esme and enjoyed the little glimpses the author gave into Kjeld’s personal life. This was another fast paced, very well written and thrilling read full of twists, atmosphere, tension and suspense. I was hooked from the first page to the last and was shocked when the murderer was revealed .... wow, I never saw that coming. And the ending leaves you guessing of what is to come next. Overall, a great read which had me enthralled, and I look forward to the next book.
I thought this was a great follow on from Where Ravens Roost. I really like the lead character In this series. He is flawed, troubled, stubborn, tenacious and has a very complicated history. He and his team investigate a murder where the victim was known to Nygaard from an old case. When more murders follow with links to other old cases from up to 15 years before the team have their work cut out trying to find the murderer. I loved reading of the working rapport and friendship between Nygaard and Esme and enjoyed the little glimpses the author gave into Kjeld’s personal life. This was another fast paced, very well written and thrilling read full of twists, atmosphere, tension and suspense. I was hooked from the first page to the last and was shocked when the murderer was revealed .... wow, I never saw that coming. And the ending leaves you guessing of what is to come next. Overall, a great read which had me enthralled, and I look forward to the next book.
September 16, 2021
This is another great read from Karin Nordin. A dark, fast paced thriller featuring Detective Kjeld Nygaard who first appeared in Where Ravens Roost. He is called to the discovery of a body at a burned out house. He has been to the house before when he rescued a woman called Louisa Karlsson. When she is identified as the victim and another body is discovered it appears that the killer is targeting people Kjeld had previously saved.
This is a really atmospheric novel. It is clever and complex, suffused with tension. Kjeld is a really intriguing character full of introspection and he is well balanced by his partner, the more outgoing, DS Esme Jansson. The depiction of both Kjeld's and Esme's personal lives adds a real depth to the story.
Last One Alive is engrossing, entertaining and very rewarding.
Thank you to NetGalley and HQ Stories for an ARC is exchange for an honest review.
This is a really atmospheric novel. It is clever and complex, suffused with tension. Kjeld is a really intriguing character full of introspection and he is well balanced by his partner, the more outgoing, DS Esme Jansson. The depiction of both Kjeld's and Esme's personal lives adds a real depth to the story.
Last One Alive is engrossing, entertaining and very rewarding.
Thank you to NetGalley and HQ Stories for an ARC is exchange for an honest review.
September 18, 2021
This is another fantastic book by crime fiction author Karin Nordin. I was thoroughly gripped from the first page right up to the end and found there was just the right amount of twists and turns to keep the suspense high. I was lucky enough to be approved for an ARC for this book and am grateful to the author and publishers for this privilege. I can wholeheartedly recommend this book to all crime fiction/fiction lovers. It is the second Kjeld Nygaard novel, but easily can be read as a standalone. I enjoyed learning more about the people in Kjeld’s life such as his colleague Esme and his ex-lover Bengt.
I will say that the characters, especially Kjeld were too often pinching their noses in exasperation.
However, I was particularly moved by the descriptions of the lashing rain, and icy temperatures of Swedish weather. The author was able to transport me directly into that time and space. This is for me, the sign of a great author.
I eagerly await the next outing for Kjeld and Esme.
I will say that the characters, especially Kjeld were too often pinching their noses in exasperation.
However, I was particularly moved by the descriptions of the lashing rain, and icy temperatures of Swedish weather. The author was able to transport me directly into that time and space. This is for me, the sign of a great author.
I eagerly await the next outing for Kjeld and Esme.
August 23, 2021
I was thrilled to receive an ARC of "Last One Alive" by Karin Nordin, having loved her debut "Where Ravens Roost".
A second crime thriller featuring Detective Kjeld Nygaard, this book sends Nygaard back to a crime scene he never wanted to see again. Some years earlier he rescued Louisa Karlsson from the hands of a serial killer at the very same address.
A second body is found at a place where Nygaard had saved them from a murderer.
When the bodies are identified as the survivors of the previous crimes, a link to Nygaard looks likely. Finding this link and saving other lives follows, with plenty of twists and turns.
I'm a fan of Nygaard - a detective with just enough damage to be interesting but not irritating!
A very well-deserved 5 star review!
A second crime thriller featuring Detective Kjeld Nygaard, this book sends Nygaard back to a crime scene he never wanted to see again. Some years earlier he rescued Louisa Karlsson from the hands of a serial killer at the very same address.
A second body is found at a place where Nygaard had saved them from a murderer.
When the bodies are identified as the survivors of the previous crimes, a link to Nygaard looks likely. Finding this link and saving other lives follows, with plenty of twists and turns.
I'm a fan of Nygaard - a detective with just enough damage to be interesting but not irritating!
A very well-deserved 5 star review!
September 15, 2021
Chilling and claustrophobic, the second book in the Detective Kjeld Nygaard Scandi crime series draws the reader into a disturbing world of death. Attacks on survivors trouble Kjeld, as he struggles with guilt over his personal life and his connections to a serial killer. The dynamic between Kjedl and Esme, his partner, is believably written. We discover more about Esme's personal life and find, she too, has secrets. The story intensifies as Kjeld tries to unravel the murders with their disturbing personal connection.
The story is rooted in Scandinavia, and this adds an engaging dimension, coupled with the complexly flawed protagonists, the menacing murders and the twisty plot.
I received a copy of this book from HQ via NetGalley in return for an honest review.
The story is rooted in Scandinavia, and this adds an engaging dimension, coupled with the complexly flawed protagonists, the menacing murders and the twisty plot.
I received a copy of this book from HQ via NetGalley in return for an honest review.
August 18, 2024
Last One Alive (Detective Kjeld Nygaard #2)
By Karin Nordin, Matt Addis
After I finished this audiobook, I went back and read my review to the first book and poor Kjeld. His inner turmoil is as alive and well as ever. And just imagine, having such inner turmoil, being so deep into one's inner thoughts, regrets, and work, work, work and everyone knows it. It's as if Kjeld is a walking billboard of stoicism and angst. How can both those things be so obvious to others. I guess Kjeld isn't really very good at exhibiting stoicism to anyone but himself which makes him even more of a hard head case for everyone to run up against.
I have no idea why I never get tired of watching Kjeld's life fall apart around him. Heck, when I met him in the first book he'd already destroyed it magnificently. But he just keeps going, things keep getting worse and you'd think something would have to give. But Kjeld does have a great work partner in Esme, a woman with her own quirks and demons. Kjeld is just back on the job after several work and life upheavals and ready to tackle cases again.
When Kjeld finds a body in a just burned house the location is the haunt of a long ago serial killer. And the dead person is known to Kjeld. Then there is another body. Once again, a connection to Kjeld. Things go downhill from there and you'd think since Kjeld is already so close to the bottom there would be a limit to how far down things could go. But the person masterminding what is happening knows exactly how to get to Kjeld's heart, his soft spot. There are so many moving parts, so many people, past and present, that I had a hard time figuring how what was going to happen and how Kjeld would have a chance of prevailing over evil. I don't think this is the end.
My review to the first Detective Kjeld Nygaard story https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Pub November 11, 2021
Thank you to my library and Libby for this audiobook.
By Karin Nordin, Matt Addis
After I finished this audiobook, I went back and read my review to the first book and poor Kjeld. His inner turmoil is as alive and well as ever. And just imagine, having such inner turmoil, being so deep into one's inner thoughts, regrets, and work, work, work and everyone knows it. It's as if Kjeld is a walking billboard of stoicism and angst. How can both those things be so obvious to others. I guess Kjeld isn't really very good at exhibiting stoicism to anyone but himself which makes him even more of a hard head case for everyone to run up against.
I have no idea why I never get tired of watching Kjeld's life fall apart around him. Heck, when I met him in the first book he'd already destroyed it magnificently. But he just keeps going, things keep getting worse and you'd think something would have to give. But Kjeld does have a great work partner in Esme, a woman with her own quirks and demons. Kjeld is just back on the job after several work and life upheavals and ready to tackle cases again.
When Kjeld finds a body in a just burned house the location is the haunt of a long ago serial killer. And the dead person is known to Kjeld. Then there is another body. Once again, a connection to Kjeld. Things go downhill from there and you'd think since Kjeld is already so close to the bottom there would be a limit to how far down things could go. But the person masterminding what is happening knows exactly how to get to Kjeld's heart, his soft spot. There are so many moving parts, so many people, past and present, that I had a hard time figuring how what was going to happen and how Kjeld would have a chance of prevailing over evil. I don't think this is the end.
My review to the first Detective Kjeld Nygaard story https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Pub November 11, 2021
Thank you to my library and Libby for this audiobook.
August 18, 2025
One of the most intricate and compelling murder mystery/detective procedural novels I've read. Karin keeps you hooked with not only the complex investigation, but also the emotional, mental, and physical toll the case exacts on those involved. You ache for the strained relationships, sympathize for the bleary eyed need of another coffee, shiver under the oppressive onslaught of wind, rain, sleet, and snow. Each page drips with anticipation while simultaneously harboring past regrets. The end result is a story that is very much an amazing blend of both the worst and best of humanity. Since I jumped in at number 2 in this series I will most certainly be going back to read number 1, and I don't know who needs to hear this, but number 3 should get the green light immediately!
September 13, 2021
So this is book two in the Detective Kjeld Nygaard series, this was a first for me and although it didn't spoil my enjoyment of the story reading book one would have enhanced that enjoyment more as there was reference thought of previous cases etc.
The main character of this book is one complex character and I love how we learn of both the personal and professional challenges that he faced. In fact the author has a clear talent of character development and writing as this was one of the many great strengths to the novel that I found amazing.
A gripping well written dark twisted intense read that had me hooked right from the get go and I loved it!
The main character of this book is one complex character and I love how we learn of both the personal and professional challenges that he faced. In fact the author has a clear talent of character development and writing as this was one of the many great strengths to the novel that I found amazing.
A gripping well written dark twisted intense read that had me hooked right from the get go and I loved it!
October 14, 2021
Last One Alive by Karin Nordin is a new author to me and is the second book in the Detective Kjeld Nygaard series which is set in Sweden. I really enjoyed this book and will be going back to read the first instalment of this series. Plus, looking forward reading more books from Karin in the future. I loved it especially as its full of great twists and turns throughout with a great storyline! The characters are great as well.
Big Thank you to NetGalley, HQDigital and the author Karin Nordin for my ARC of Last One Alive in exchange for an honest review.
Big Thank you to NetGalley, HQDigital and the author Karin Nordin for my ARC of Last One Alive in exchange for an honest review.
January 31, 2023
“Last One Alive” is the second book in a series, which I didn’t realize until it was too late. I think I would have enjoyed this book more if I wasn’t mentally playing catch-up from the events in the previous novel. It’s also a translated book—from Swedish to English—not a huge issue with the exception of unusual “English” names.
I gave this police procedural 4 stars for the sheer fact I never made any connections to the culprit until it was revealed. It may be due to my own ignorance or confusion—but I think it would still be a surprise!
I gave this police procedural 4 stars for the sheer fact I never made any connections to the culprit until it was revealed. It may be due to my own ignorance or confusion—but I think it would still be a surprise!
August 4, 2023
This isn’t the type of book I’d normally pick up but wow! I’ve loved it! It’s an absolute page turner that keeps you utterly hooked!
I spent most of the book trying to work out who the killer was, just like Kjeld and Esme. The result very much took me by surprise and it certainly wasn’t anyone that I thought it was!
My only gripe is I’d love to have seen what happened between Bengt and Kjeld.
Overall a brilliant read and one I would highly recommend to anyone. It’s certainly given me the interest to read more books like this one!
I spent most of the book trying to work out who the killer was, just like Kjeld and Esme. The result very much took me by surprise and it certainly wasn’t anyone that I thought it was!
My only gripe is I’d love to have seen what happened between Bengt and Kjeld.
Overall a brilliant read and one I would highly recommend to anyone. It’s certainly given me the interest to read more books like this one!
October 17, 2021
I loved Karin Norden's debut thriller and this one is even better. It's another compelling page-turner of a novel featuring detective Kjeld Nygaard, his family and colleagues. Not only is the case he's investigating intriguing and horrific, but the reader gets more of a glimpse into the car-crash that is his private life. I can't wait to read the next in the series and get to find out more about this intriguing protagonist with the troubled past. Highly recommended.
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