1930, Leningrad. Investigator Vasily Zaitsev is young, handsome and has the most proletarian origin - or rather, he himself thinks so. His fi3,5 stars
1930, Leningrad. Investigator Vasily Zaitsev is young, handsome and has the most proletarian origin - or rather, he himself thinks so. His figure is somehow indistinct (or incomplete?), I hope it will be more clarity in the next sequels.
Strange murders began in St. Petersburg. Very atmospheric, with a touch of high art and all that. And the criminal investigators are very perplexed: it all looks somehow not at all proletarian.
I found the writing style rather sketchy. (Considering positiv and negative reviews, the book probably is better in English - a translated version). A great idea eventually turned into mediocre execution, exciting in some moments and dull in others. There are interesting moments with communal life and ever-present neighbours, but a lot of historical mistakes (well, you should not confuse the beginning of the 30s and the end of the 30s) and a blurry ending (motives??) with a sagging middle part did their dirty work.
Despite all my complaints (at a high level) I'm going to read the next books, also because I am in a privileged position to be able to read them in original language....more
A lot of things happened in the #9 book, no time to take a breath, no wonder, a good 21 hours of listenin[image]
A complex plot, full of action!
[image]
A lot of things happened in the #9 book, no time to take a breath, no wonder, a good 21 hours of listening. IMO, it has as positive as well as negative impacts on the plot. It felt more like a historical soap opera comparing to the previous sequels. Nevertheless, a solid historical series that isn't yet come to the end. This time I know it for sure. ...more
For me this book is is proof of the fact that NOT EVERY successful novel necessarily needs a sequel. I adore the first book but I was bored DNF at 65%
For me this book is is proof of the fact that NOT EVERY successful novel necessarily needs a sequel. I adore the first book but I was bored to death with the second one. I honestly did everything to finish it, but...It is obvious that in this case "same same but different" doesn't work for me. As I see from the reviews it could be different for you, there are enough readers who found the second book even better, so you should probably give it a try.
Well written but a mystery plot that mainly deals with an economic crime doesn't belong to my favou[image]
The weakest in the series for me until now.
Well written but a mystery plot that mainly deals with an economic crime doesn't belong to my favourite ones. (view spoiler)[Though even worse was to find out at the end of the book that the crime itself turned into a trivial relationship drama. (hide spoiler)] There is one more (personal) reason to complain: to watch one main character to struggle with his alcoholism could be demanding, to have two of them in one book is very exhausting....more
Personally I think that the story has potential but it was told somehow emotionless. Some readers proI expected a lot more. (Maybe it is the reason?)
Personally I think that the story has potential but it was told somehow emotionless. Some readers probably see some similarities with My Brilliant Friend but I could not even close feel the same empathy for the protagonist.
My huge problem was also the writing: I didn't like the writing style AT ALL: cold, boring at times, numb. I don't want to go into details, but I considered even to abandon it when it came to this "grey area" for me.
To tell the truth, I can't understand the enormous success of this novel :(...more
My second favourite book in the series after the first book.
An interesting story and a great mystery. It could have been for me even the bes4,5 stars
My second favourite book in the series after the first book.
An interesting story and a great mystery. It could have been for me even the best book in the series but I didn't like a lot of Afrikaans in conversations. I don't know why the translator chose to do it this way: the original book is written in Afrikaans, so why to keep many Afrikaans phrases and remarks in English translation? Who decides what should be translate and what to keep in original? I hated when I didn't know what EXACTLY they were talking about, even if the meaning I could more or less to understand (thanks to my German), but I don't think it made the story more authentical or made it sound more "South African". ...more
At the moment I am only happy that I have a few books more in the series to go. After many criminal novels f[image]
Terrific South African crime series
At the moment I am only happy that I have a few books more in the series to go. After many criminal novels from the USA, Europe and Australia I found something new and refreshing - a highly suspenseful South African thriller series with an intriguing and very clever plot that will keep you on the edge of your seat and a main character that you'll fall in love with. The best constellation.
Cultural enrichment as a super-bonus: it gives a great view of the modern society of South Africa nowadays....more
I totally agree with all rave reviews: An extremely entertaining plot and extremely well written.
Bennie Griessel was the best man in Cape Town[image]
I totally agree with all rave reviews: An extremely entertaining plot and extremely well written.
Bennie Griessel was the best man in Cape Town's police force - until he started drinking...
The alcoholic police officer who is fighting his inner demon and trying to face the glaring reality to save his family, and at the same time is chasing down an unusual serial killer with a personal vendetta against child abusers......more
It is very strange that I didn't find this title in the original language, there are editions in other languages but [image]
Justice, loss and betrayal
It is very strange that I didn't find this title in the original language, there are editions in other languages but not in English. Anyway, I came to this title by chance while scrolling through audible collections, read the summary and immediately purchased it. Only in the middle of the book I realized that it was the second book in the series. Doesn't matter, you can read it as a standalone.
Considering a few reviews here...wow: German readers are very critical, at least the ones on GR. Probably they are not acquainted with the Jack Reacher Series. :) "Not realistic"?! Oh, please, who wants it to be realistic?! I want it to be entertaining! And I swear, it WAS. A really nice German narrator. And GREAT Don Winslow. Everything I need.
My recommendation to all Don Winslow fans. Even if you won't find many similarities to his Power of the Dog Series....more
It was a VERY thin line between "Wow, i like it!" and "No, not my cuppa" that I didn't recognise first. Because...I WAS interested in "how tDNF at 20%
It was a VERY thin line between "Wow, i like it!" and "No, not my cuppa" that I didn't recognise first. Because...I WAS interested in "how the story develops". And then suddenly and very soon I DIDN'T CARE about "how" at all. ...more
Not bad, not bad. Better than the first book IMO. Though I have to admit, I needed 2 attempts to get into, I am glad I didn't give up on it af4,5 stars
Not bad, not bad. Better than the first book IMO. Though I have to admit, I needed 2 attempts to get into, I am glad I didn't give up on it after the first time....more
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