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vasanta's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
3.5
juliaellie's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
harinisreadds's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
5.0
10th reread... never gets boring always gets better☝🏾
beeare's review against another edition
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
ariel_tat's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
lolloreads00's review against another edition
4.0
A man once thought to be the victim of the notorious serial killer Jurik Walter is found alive. The only way to save his sister is to get Jurik talking. But how do you get someone who’s serving a life sentence in a maximum security psychiatrically facility to confess?
So starting of with the biggest trigger warning ever, the list is so long. The book is about a serial killer so most of them makes sense, what I didn’t expect was the sexual assault.
It’s a really interesting book, very different from anything I’ve read before. So creepy all the way thru, very dark and there are so many surprises in there. Tbh it’s a bit to crazy for my taste but I would think more avid thriller readers would love this. The ending is insane!
The chapters are really short, most of them only 3 pages but there are more then 180 chapters 500+ pages. It’s told from a multiple pov which is very effective, love that. After reading it I found out that it’s actually the fourth part of the series, ops. But I don’t think that made a difference.
So starting of with the biggest trigger warning ever, the list is so long. The book is about a serial killer so most of them makes sense, what I didn’t expect was the sexual assault.
It’s a really interesting book, very different from anything I’ve read before. So creepy all the way thru, very dark and there are so many surprises in there. Tbh it’s a bit to crazy for my taste but I would think more avid thriller readers would love this. The ending is insane!
The chapters are really short, most of them only 3 pages but there are more then 180 chapters 500+ pages. It’s told from a multiple pov which is very effective, love that. After reading it I found out that it’s actually the fourth part of the series, ops. But I don’t think that made a difference.
darkpsychereads's review against another edition
4.0
3.75 Stars - Spine-chillingly spooky & obscurely guttural psychological thriller.
The writing is genuinely immersive and spooky, that I had to take breaks to ease my mind. The story takes on supernatural elements and there are a few psychologically disturbing scenes which just toy with the mind and seem genuinely original. I absolutely loved the haunting words around the sandman: his porcelain fingers clinking, dark shadowy figures unseen, and the wisps of sand, snow or dust that are a constant foreshadowing of the elusive sandman's presence. Brr!
Lars Kepler does very well for this grimly atmospheric story. Characters are very rough around the edges and well-written. And this cover perfectly encapsulates the feeling of fear and mystery around the imprisoned but somehow omnipotent serial killer, Jurek Walter. You are put under a spell from the very first pages.
I deducted stars as I felt (like in a lot of Nordic noirs) the story can feel like it's dragging in the middle. And the ending wasn't exactly what I was expecting, or took some strange turns. But overall, the first half of the book was very spooky and the ending was decent enough. And Kepler's style may be a tad too psychologically vile/raw for me for future reads but I may reconsider if I feel a craving for that deeply gutting writing. (Keep in mind my review reflects around the pandemic so this may not be an accurate review based on my general psychological impact of the time).
TW: attempted rape scene
The writing is genuinely immersive and spooky, that I had to take breaks to ease my mind. The story takes on supernatural elements and there are a few psychologically disturbing scenes which just toy with the mind and seem genuinely original. I absolutely loved the haunting words around the sandman: his porcelain fingers clinking, dark shadowy figures unseen, and the wisps of sand, snow or dust that are a constant foreshadowing of the elusive sandman's presence. Brr!
Lars Kepler does very well for this grimly atmospheric story. Characters are very rough around the edges and well-written. And this cover perfectly encapsulates the feeling of fear and mystery around the imprisoned but somehow omnipotent serial killer, Jurek Walter. You are put under a spell from the very first pages.
I deducted stars as I felt (like in a lot of Nordic noirs) the story can feel like it's dragging in the middle. And the ending wasn't exactly what I was expecting, or took some strange turns. But overall, the first half of the book was very spooky and the ending was decent enough. And Kepler's style may be a tad too psychologically vile/raw for me for future reads but I may reconsider if I feel a craving for that deeply gutting writing. (Keep in mind my review reflects around the pandemic so this may not be an accurate review based on my general psychological impact of the time).
TW: attempted rape scene