Thrillers | 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.

Anyone else excited about October 16, 2012?

Big book releases give me the shivers. Seriously. The build-up is almost too much for me. I begged and pleaded for an ARC (advanced reading copy) of The Twelve and when each day passed without it arriving in my mailbox, I became despondent.

Seriously.

I know I was not the only one either because it seems as if so many bloggers were overlooked for this one and I must say, it’s a little disappointing. Especially when you were offered book one the first time around. I know. Get over myself!

Anyway, me being overlooked for an advance peek hasn’t affected my excitement over the book itself. I am dying to read it and cannot wait to get my hands on it. My decision comes down to this:

Kindle version or Hardback?

Should I take the day off to read it?

These are the questions that I am asking myself right now.

Also, I am trying to decide if I should reread The Passage.

I’m thinking I may, because I read it as an ARC and that was ages ago. Is anyone else planning to reread it before the big release?

Although Cronin’s books don’t fall into one genre, they have elements of horror along with all the other stuff that comes along with experiments gone wrong, flying vampire-like creatures and a strange little girl to lead the way. It’s entertainment at its best and I just cannot wait to dive in!

However, I have noticed that my reading has centered around the macabre lately. It all started with the IT Along. Reading King’s take on childhood horrors has stirred up my love of horror. Plus, Halloween is lurking in the shadows and just the thought of it has me pulling out all of my faves from the past. Anyway, I’m sure my little foray into horror/thrillers will be a short one. I’ll be back to reading about dysfunctional families before you know it. Hope you don’t mind.

Chatting with friends about books and life…