Suspense | Book Chatter

The Leopard
By Jo Nesbo
(Vintage, Paperback, 9780307743183, June 2012, 688pp.)

The Short of It:

Interesting story line but the pace killed it for me.

The Rest of It:

As many of you know, I am a Nesbo fan and have been since The Devil’s Star. His Harry Hole books have been a very entertaining diversion for many a dull work day, but I could not get into this one! I blame it on the fact that they’ve been translated and published out-of-order and it’s been a challenge keeping up the enthusiasm while reading them as they become available.

This is going to be a very loose review so don’t take your mittens off because you won’t be here that long.

A crazy guy kidnaps people and uses this horrible torture device on them called the Leopold’s Apple. Basically, it’s this apple-shaped device that is placed inside the victim’s mouth. It’s smooth but large so it’s impossible to remove and tampering with it causes spikes to pierce your mouth. Which basically leaves you drowning in your own blood.

Pleasant, yes?

Detective Hole is on the case but he’s a mess this time around. Drunk and dropping acid left and right. I did not like Harry at all in this installment and found myself slogging through these parts only because I adore him and don’t like to see him that way. His girl has moved on and he’s fallen to pieces over it. There are little glimmers of hope here and there, but for the most part, the book is dark. Extremely dark and a tad predictable.

I know I haven’t given you too much to go on but compared to his other books, this one lacked something. In fact, I almost gave up on it. I was sick and feverish and didn’t have the patience for it, but Jill encouraged me to finish it so that I can get to Phantom, the next book in the series and I am totally looking forward to that one because many have raved about it.

If you all wait a little longer, they’ll all be out soon and then you can read them in order. I just saw one of his earlier books on Net Galley so they are working on getting them all out there.

Source: Borrowed
Disclosure: This post contains Indiebound affiliate links.

1222
By Anne Holt
(Scribner, Paperback, 9781451634723, August 2012, 352pp.)

The Short of It:

A mystery that will hold you captive. Preferably, under a blanket with a cup of something warm to keep you company.

The Rest of It:

During what is quite possibly the worst snowstorm ever, a train on its way to Bergen, Norway derails at a point about 1222 meters above sea level. The passengers are taken to a nearby hotel where they are given food and shelter but they find themselves trapped as the weather continues to worsen.

One of the passengers, Hanne Wilhelmsen, a retired police investigator notices something odd. That the passenger/s from the private rail car are nowhere to be seen. She hears from the other guests that they were taken to a different section of the hotel. Who are they? Why are they being kept separate from the other guests?

As if things could get any worse, a body is discovered. First one, then two. Since Hanne is the only person with any kind of investigative experience, she is enlisted to help solve the crime even though she has no desire to do so. Years ago she was paralyzed from the waist down by a bullet to the spine making it somewhat difficult to get around but her observation skills if anything improved, making her the perfect storyteller for this “locked door” mystery.

This is the 8th book in the Wilhelmsen series but the first for me and I never felt lost or out of the loop. Holt manages to give you just enough of a back story to feel comfortable,without rehashing Hanne’s entire life. The pacing is pretty good too considering its limited setting. The personal observations of Hanne were both critical as well as entertaining and often times funny.

This was an enjoyable read. I don’t read mystery or crime fiction too often but this one was especially fun. Mainly because of the “locked door” nature of the story. Being trapped in a hotel with a bunch of strangers, stuck in a wheelchair with a killer running about, makes for good reading. I can’t deny it.

I take comfort in knowing that there are seven other books in the series for me to dip into. Also, my other love (Jo Nesbo) calls Holt the “godmother of modern Norwegian crime fiction.” I’d say that’s pretty impressive.

Source: Sent to me by the publisher.
Disclosure: This post contains Indiebound affiliate links.

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