The Darkest Day buddy read discussion

Why is this book impossible to find in an e-book form??? That’s the true mystery.

Hmmm...Kobo has it. Just got my copy.

Thanks for organising the buddy read discussion again Bill! 🏆

Will hope to finish Book 1 (don't laugh) soon. I realise I'm the last one. I'm built for marathons, not for speed ;-)

Guys, I can't join this one you're too quick for me!!! I have several library books and another group read coming up - oh doh!!!!

I don’t mind waiting for a few weeks if it means you can join, Mark. The more the merrier. But I don’t know what Bill and Nat think.

Nataliya wrote: "I don’t mind waiting for a few weeks if it means you can join, Mark. The more the merrier. But I don’t know what Bill and Nat think."

Too kind Nataliya - but honestly I dont want to be the one to hold things up, I can catch up and we can read the 3rd together if you guys like. I certainly, wouldn't take any offence at all if you rattled on with this one!!! :))

Well, in that case I can start whenever, when Bill and Nat are ready.

Nataliya wrote: "Well, in that case I can start whenever, when Bill and Nat are ready."

Enjoy!!!!!!

Hello everybody I have just downloaded it on the kindle. I can't wait to see what happens with Barbarotti. I am in the same boat as Mark with my book commitments out of control but I am sure I can fit it in. No speed reading this one. :-)

Nataliya wrote: "I don’t mind waiting for a few weeks if it means you can join, Mark. The more the merrier. But I don’t know what Bill and Nat think."

I'm ok to start in a few weeks too 🤗
I still have to finish Book 1!!! I'm definitely showing my reading speed (turtle 🐢).

So early December to start??? How does that sound?

Mark & Neale are super fast readers anyway. I could start the book today and they'd still beat me 🐢🐢🐢

Mark wrote: "Guys, I can't join this one you're too quick for me!!! I have several library books and another group read coming up - oh doh!!!!"

No rush Marko! Would love you to stick with the Barbarotti fan club.

Neale wrote: "Hello everybody I have just downloaded it on the kindle. I can't wait to see what happens with Barbarotti. I am in the same boat as Mark with my book commitments out of control but I am sure I can ..."

Neale-ski, hallo 🤗 Like I was saying above, you & Mark are such quick readers anyway. So if we wait a little bit, that's a-ok with me.

Gives me a chance to finish the first book 😃

How does first week December sound guys? I'd hate to hold you up but I do have 2 library books I need to finish - I'd still love to be included again tho - let us all know William :))

First week in December is fine for me.

First week of December is perfect. I've "triaged my diary" ☺ Anybody remember that line from "Rake"?

Fine for me as well. :-)

Great! sorry Nataliya, what line from Rake is that Nattington?

Where Rake was arranging a tryst with someone. He used the line "We'll triage our diaries". Classic Rake ☺ We used it in the office for a while.

Nat wrote: "Where Rake was arranging a tryst with someone. He used the line "We'll triage our diaries". Classic Rake ☺ We used it in the office for a while."

Hahahaha

William wrote: "Are you all caught up and ready to start, Mark? I think everyone has a copy of the book, and we're all excited to see where Barbarotti's adventures take him in book 2. :)"

Yep just downloaded it William and good to go - can't wait for this!

This is as good as #1 guys (but only up to chapter 3) - BUT as an aside, the Kindle copy I am reading is translated by Sarah DEATH. That's amazing.....and funny. You know I once worked with a pathologist called Dr van Deth - hahaha.

Mark wrote: "This is as good as #1 guys (but only up to chapter 3) - BUT as an aside, the Kindle copy I am reading is translated by Sarah DEATH. That's amazing.....and funny. You know I once worked with a patho..."

The irony Marko. Or should that be synchronicity? Kind of like Mr. Baker being a baker.

Sarah Death did the translation for Book 1, so that means this'll be more of the same I'm sure, as I felt Book 1 flowed really well, and lost none of the nuances or (dark) humour.

I'll start reading early next week. Looking forward to it. And lots more interesting discussions.

Haha, Sara Death as a translator made me giggle. But I’ve met a Dr. Payne who was an anesthesiologist, and my high school biology teacher’s last name translated to “Mushroom”. I guess sometimes our names tell us what to do in life…

That mushroom story is a classic Nataliya hahaha

You guys, reading “the field of rape” really was weird. Apparently that plant is also known as “rapeseed”. That may have been a bit better to use because it’s just so odd and distracting to read.

Henning Mankell used to use the same terminology. It used to perplex me.

I must say "the field of rape" took me back a bit - it's the first time I've heard of that

Yeah, I had to Google that one.

I also enjoyed the prologue, and am also happy that Sarah Death is again doing the translation. I thought she did a wonderful job with the first book and judging from the first four chapters, she will again.

yes agree guys, the prologue and first 4 chapters have me totally engaged - still loving the battery between Gunnar and his colleague. It's all wonderfully mysterious at the moment.

Prologue and Chapters 1-4

Howdy peeps,

I surprised myself by managing to "keep up" with the reading schedule. I picked the book up last night, and with Nesser and his magic, it was easy to read...and keep reading.

Prologue
For some reason, I thought this was written/being told by a lady. I don't know why. There was just something about the perspective.
That is til I got to the line "It is five years since I had a wife. I miss her sometimes, mostly not." That's when I realised it was a bloke telling the story. Though of course it could be a woman, but I'll leave that train of thought there.

The prologue was heavy. I wasn't particularly enjoying it. Though I did very much like the writing about the sea, and the sounds and feel of being near the water. Not keen on the character and his (her?) thoughts...something is off there.

Chapters 1-4
Barbarotti in Chapter 1. Page 1 in fact! Yayyyyy. I love that he went on hols with the lovely Marianne. I love that he's so happy. I love that he continues his bargaining with God (I note that God remains firmly on 11 points, which he was also in Book 1). I love his comfortable relationship with Marianne, and that they both shared their thoughts on faith and God, how they viewed "him".

And I love that the plot is open to what would have happened if he'd chosen not to read the letter before returning to home and "real life". Undoubtedly Erik Bergstramm would still be for the chopping block. So the fact of his opening/not opening the letter in a specific time would not have changed that. But it just added that bit of an edge to an otherwise idyllic holiday. And it showed that Marianne could go with the flow and accept his life as a policeman (whereas I got the sense that his ex-wife Helena perhaps couldn't, which possibly was one of the reasons they divorced). Although Marianne and Barbarotti are at different stages of their lives now, they're more settled in themselves, so that's perhaps why his police work isn't bothering Marianne (at least at this point).

So...how does the mysterious letter writer tie in with the mysterious person narrating the prologue? The moral of the story is: skinny dipping (when drunk) will always have consequences...

Which reminds me! There's a line "Actions must have consequences, otherwise creation goes off the rails." which really stood out to me. Not just because it's intriguing, but also Nesser seems to have a thing about "consequences" as he mentioned it in Book 1 too: ”Action and consequence...Cause and effect.”

I wonder if Nesser studied theology of philosophy at some point, to keep pondering about actions and consequences? 🤔

Anyhoo, I've rabbited on enough. Hope you're all enjoying it. Sounds like you are.

Nat wrote: "
Prologue and Chapters 1-4


Howdy peeps,

I surprised myself by managing to "keep up" with the reading schedule. I picked the book up last night, and with Nesser and his magic, it was easy to re..."

Love all of that Nattington, it's so good isn't it? I agree Barbarotti's relationship with Marianne is a wonderful thing - they seem so well matched. I loved the fact she kept banging on about the letter and Gunnar just wanted to forget it. Goes to show, you never answer work mail, emails, phone calls when on leave hey?

The whole God methodology he uses I love. I'm thinking of adopting it myself!!

It's great - I'll have to get cracking on 5, 6, 7, and 8 - dont want to fall behind you lot :))

William wrote: "At this point, I think we're meant to believe the letter writer and the prologue narrator are the same person.

Did anyone else notice that Erik/Robert was from a dysfunctional family where the "wh..."

Mmmmm......I assumed (perhaps I shouldn't) the letter writer and the prologue writer are the same. See, I dont read much crime fiction William - so I'm a bit of a dullard when it comes to questioning things!! I thought the same as you - some similarities, the Spain thing hit me straight away - with #1. Loving it and so glad Gunnar came into the story in Ch1!!

I believe that the letter writer and the prologue writer are definitely the same person. I am just wondering why he/she has decided to kill every one of the six people and how long it will take Gunnar to realize he is on that list.

Love the structure of the story how each part starts with the "killer" writing. He/she keeps mentioning DR L so I am assuming they have some mental issues, sounds like a psychopath with no empathy. Loving it so far! :-)

Neale wrote: "I believe that the letter writer and the prologue writer are definitely the same person. I am just wondering why he/she has decided to kill every one of the six people and how long it will take Gun..."

Yes, I'm with you Neale - I reckon they are one and the same, but......who knows?? Yes - it's great already!!

William wrote: "At this point, I think we're meant to believe the letter writer and the prologue narrator are the same person.

Did anyone else notice that Erik/Robert was from a dysfunctional family where the "wh..."

Yes, I believe we are Bill. But is it a trick??? Time will tell.

Mark wrote: "William wrote: "At this point, I think we're meant to believe the letter writer and the prologue narrator are the same person.

Did anyone else notice that Erik/Robert was from a dysfunctional fami..."

Spain...hmmmm. S/he might bump in Karl-Erik (the "Pedagogical Pine") and Rosemarie. Imagine! That would be beyond clever if Nesser somehow links the characters from Book 1 in Book 2.

Neale wrote: "I believe that the letter writer and the prologue writer are definitely the same person. I am just wondering why he/she has decided to kill every one of the six people and how long it will take Gun..."

Definitely it seems that mental health is a running theme with Nesser's writing Neale-ski. I don't recall him doing that with his previous series (with Insp. Van Veteeren). Of course some of the characters were unwell to unhinged, but the actual mention of doctors and characters knowing they were having issues, I don't recall that at all.

Having said that, he does it so well.

Mark wrote: "Nat wrote: "
Prologue and Chapters 1-4


Howdy peeps,

I surprised myself by managing to "keep up" with the reading schedule. I picked the book up last night, and with Nesser and his magic, it was..."

That was a pure fluke me reading four chapters back-to-back last night Marko.

I'll aim to read 5-8 this week. Fingers crossed. At least a few chapters by mid-week, which is...tomorrow! Hmmm, that's a bit optimistic on my part. See how it goes ;-)

Neale wrote: "I believe that the letter writer and the prologue writer are definitely the same person. I am just wondering why he/she has decided to kill every one of the six people and how long it will take Gun..."

Neale, you think the Gunnar on the beach with the group is Gunnar Barbarotti?

Oh my goodness, that's what I was wondering too!

That particular Gunnar (on the beach) was with Anna. Could well be...Gunnar & Anna were the unmarried couple on the beach. Maybe whatever happened...well, I'm pre-empting as I have no idea.

Mark wrote: "Neale wrote: "I believe that the letter writer and the prologue writer are definitely the same person. I am just wondering why he/she has decided to kill every one of the six people and how long it..."

Yep Mark, I think it is too strong of a coincidence. However, you never know. But if it is the same Gunnar that would be a major reason the killer is sending the letters to him and that he is indeed on that list himself. I am trying to work out the dates in my head. Would he have forgotten about Anna?

Hmmm...I have some thoughts. Which may or may not come to fruition. My reading didn't get very far yesterday (big day at work). I finished Chapter 5 and half of the Note from Mousterlin which I have to say made me very uncomfortable with the arrival of the young lass Troaë. She's way too precocious, and out of her depth befriending a bunch of adults on hols with too much wine and too much sun to make them act differently to how they would at home (I'm assuming).

My gut tells me things will not end well for her.

Which brings me to the people on the narrator/letter writer's list were all at the beach whenever what happened (that I haven't read yet) happened. 100% that "Gunnar" is our Insp. Barbarotti. Ok, at least 99.9% sure of that.

Really enjoying the writing again. Kind of ominous without being overly so. More like a sense of foreboding.

Loving the banter and working relationship between Barbarotti and Backman. It's brilliant and completely life like.

BTW, I still reckon the letter writer/narrator is a woman.