Commentary/review

The book is designed to be addictive, like a new social media platform. The beginning is torture mixed with information about the characters every reader cares about. Then the torture lessens, the author plays with the reader (I know you already suspect but do you wish to know, really know?). The end brings solutions and a cliff hanger, to carry the reader over to the next novel. The trick is obvious and absurdly effective. Violence and cruelty are extreme, perhaps as expected from a Scandinavian crime writer.

A lot of genuinely Swedish vibes and culture. The story is repulsive. Someone could even find transphobic elements in it, if trying very hard. Something to read when sick and recovering. I do not think I will ever read this author again.

Wonderful voice acting, nothing else ever comes from Simon Vance.

Goodness, that silvery darkness, depression in a pill format. Very apt.

Cover photo by Daiga Ellaby on Unsplash