The Sandman by Lars Kepler

Author: Lars Kepler
Original title:  Sandmannen
Pages: 490
Edition Language: English
Series: Joona Linna #4
Format: Paperback
Genres: Crime
Goodreads

Blurb:    
       Jurek Walter is serving a life sentence. Kept in solitary confinement, he is still considered extremely dangerous by psychiatric staff. He's Sweden's most prolific serial killer.
He'll lull you into a sense of calm.
      Mikael knows him as “the sandman”. Seven years ago, he was taken from his bed along with his sister. They are both presumed dead.
     When Mikael is discovered on a railway line, close to death, the hunt begins for his sister. To get to the truth, Detective Inspector Joona Linna will need to get closer than ever to the man who stripped him of a family; the man who wants Linna dead.
 
My thoughts:
      I did not know it is a part of the series when I started it. I hope I did not miss much in the character development of the main character of Joona Linna. The first time I encountered Lars Kepler's writing was undoubtedly nice. It is highly probable that the Nordic location influences my affection. This novel was fast and captivating read with dynamic plot, but still it missed something to enter into the list of my favorite thrillers, but anyway it is a good thriller.
      The story is quite original, however the end leaves some shadows, most probably for further sequels.

Rating:  

    3/5 

Fraterfest Readathon

 It is time to to celebrate love of horror, suspense, thrillers, the paranormal and more together with Kimberly @ Caffeinated Reviewer. This is going to be a fun easy readathon with very little requirements to participate. See rules below.

 Official Rules 

•     Linkup

•     Spread the Word Grab the button and/or use social media to share the signup post

•     Read or Listen Between Midnight October 11th and ending at 11:59 pm October 16th read or listen to thrillers, mysteries, paranormal, horror, supernatural, witchy, ghostly, fantasy, or serial killer novels and novellas. (to clarify..these can be cozies and include romance. No need to sleep with the lights on if you don’t fancy a good scare!)

•    Share your progress on Twitter or Instagram using #FraterfestRAT

•    Participate in at least one challenge.

•    Create a shelf on Goodreads  (or blog post) marked FraterfestRAT to share your progress

•    Win, Have Fun, Discuss Books and Make New Friends

Dr. March's Four Sons by Brigitte Aubert

Author: Brigitte Aubert
Original title: Les Quatre Fils du Dr. March
Pages: 240
Edition Language: Russian
Series: no
Format: e-book
Genres: Crime
Goodreads

Blurb:    
   "Les 4 Fils du Dr. March" involves an assassin who kills women for the sport of it. The murderer is one of 4 sons, and he writes his diary in the 3rd person so that anyone who might read it won't know which one of the sons is the murderer. Jeanie, the maid happens to find the diary one day and begins to read it. She also starts to write diary entries of her own, and trying to find out which of the four sons is the murderer.
My thoughts: 
     The entire mystery consists of alternating journal entries from the assassin, who learns Jeanie is reading his journal, and Jeanie. I am not certain about my feelings about this book. I was recommended this book as a great mystery/thriller, but I was not mystified or thrilled. Though, to be honest, I did not guess the killer and the mystery was there, I could not feel the atmosphere of the book. 
     Jeanie is the unsympathetic unreliable narrator who drinks a lot and has a previous conviction. All four brothers seem quite nice and respectable. So it is difficult to sympathize Jeanie and root for her in her investigation. The murder descriptions are gruesome, but seems a bit forced, so altogether I was not impressed by the book, though the ending was ok.

Rating:  

         2/5 

Southern Cross by Patricia Cornwell

Author: Patricia Cornwell
Original title: Southern Cross
Edition Language: English
Series:Andy Brazil, #2
Genres: Crime
Format: Audio book
Read by: Cristine McMurdo-Wallis
Duration: 12h04m
Goodreads

Blurb:
    Judy Hammer has accepted the challenge of Richmond, Virginia's police department to try and reverse the escalating crime statistics in the city. She brings with her Deputy Chief Virginia West and Andy Brazil, now a full-time police officer. They find a lot of things they are all too familiar with - teenage gangs, a rash of robberies at cash dispensers, street corner drug-dealing, racial tensions, too many people with too many guns and a cardiac inducing lack of parking spaces. They also meet resentment from the established police force and over-high expectations from the city's institutions. Then a computer virus crashes the police computer, freezing their screens with a design of blue fish, and the same blue fish appears on the statue of Jefferson Davis, which a graffiti artist has turned into a black basketball player and a gang called the Pikes claim it is their symbol, which also has links to the robberies. In an incredibly fast-moving police procedural Patricia Cornwell takes her readers on a roller-coaster ride of action and emotion.
My thoughts:
   I guess my thoughts will be shorter than the blurb for the book. It was even lamer than the first one. And while I enjoyed some the main characters in the first one and was laughing from time to time; this time I could not make my mind how this book was even published. It is really random ideas poorly developed and poorly connected.
   First, this gang, which not a gang but a psycho with some strange plot; then this boy, who is slow, but not slow but a genius, bringing down the whole psycho's plot down just like that; and then this relationship between Andy and West, who are behaving like two teens in their early puberty - not able to communicate single messages to each other... Really strange badly told story with a lot of unnecessary details and detours.

Rating:  

    1/5 

Hornet's Nest by Patricia Cornwell

Author: Patricia Cornwell
Original title: Hornet's Nest
Edition Language: English
Series:Andy Brazil, #1
Genres: Crime
Format: Audio book
Read by: Kate Reading
Duration: 12h41m
Goodreads

Blurb:
     Andy Brazil, an ambitious younger reporter for The Charlotte Observer and an eager - sometimes too eager-volunteer cop; Police Chief Judy Hammer, the professionally strong yet personally troubled guardian of Charlotte's law and order; and her deputy chief, Virginia West, a genuine head-turner who is married to her job. To walk the beat with Hammer, West, and Brazil is to learn the inner secrets of police work - the tension and the tedium, the hilarity and the heartbreak, the unexpected pump of adrenaline and the rush of courage that can lead to heroics ... or death.
My thoughts:
    I accidentally came across this author and that book. I cannot say it is a good one, but I was rather amused by it. It had its funny parts, but most of the time it was confusing: random side characters without particular purpose, in depth descriptions irrelevant to plot development, random behavior the of main characters, plot holes. The worst part was when the narration switched to the cat's point of view and it was trying to tell its owner the message from the universe! The crime part and investigation were not engaging at all, and the ending abrupt and dissatisfying.
    What was appealing are the two main lead female characters. Strong, independent and work driven. But the rest of the book was bleak and dull, though I must admit that I was laughing at some passages of the book.

Rating:  

    2/5 

Stay Close by Harlan Coben

Author: Harlan Coben 
Original title: Stay Close 
Pages: 416
Edition Language: English
Series: no 
Format: Paperback
Genres: Crime, Thriller, Mystery 
Goodreads

Blurb:
Megan is a suburban soccer mom. She’s got two kids, a perfect husband, a perfect house and a growing sense of dissatisfaction. Ray used to be a talented documentary photographer, but at age forty he finds himself in a dead-end job posing as a paparazzo pandering to celebrity-obsessed rich kids. Jack is a detective who can’t let go of a cold case - a local husband and father disappeared seventeen years ago. As the terrible consequences of long-ago events crash together in the present and threaten to ruin lives, they will come to the startling realization that they may not want to forget the past at all.

My thought: 
     This was a good serial killer mystery with several different past and current stories coming together. Three people all with a hidden past: Megan and Ray are both hiding from it; Broome, the detective, is trying to reveal the past to find peace. Megan, with the help of a friend, come to the point when she cannot run from the past anymore and wants to come clean, so she contacts Jack to give him her version of the murder 19 years ago. So from this point the plot develops really quickly. I was quite surprised that Broome, who could not meet any ends for 19 years, now so easily progresses in the investigation. There are also the strange couple of mob killers to spice up the plot, but does not fit too much, in my opinion. Frankly speaking, I was not impressed by the book, but at the same time I could not put it down. 

Rating:

    3/5 

The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins

Author:  Paula Hawkins
Original title: The Girl on the Train
Edition Language: English
Series: no
Genres: Fiction, Mystery, Thriller
Format: audio
Read by: Clare Corbett, Louise Brealey, India Fisher
Duration: 11h1m
Goodreads

Blurb:
EVERY DAY THE SAME
Rachel takes the same commuter train every morning and night. Every day she rattles down the track, flashes past a stretch of cozy suburban homes, and stops at the signal that allows her to daily watch the same couple breakfasting on their deck. She’s even started to feel like she knows them. Jess and Jason, she calls them. Their life is perfect. Not unlike the life she recently lost.

UNTIL TODAY
And then she sees something shocking. It’s only a minute until the train moves on, but it’s enough. Now everything’s changed. Unable to keep it to herself, Rachel goes to the police. But is she really as unreliable as they say? Soon she is deeply entangled not only in the investigation but in the lives of everyone involved. Has she done more harm than good?

My thoughts:
      What would I say? I was wrong not to read the book for such long time. Actually, after all those movies based on books I am afraid to pick up the original. I was not taken nor by the book description neither by the movie trailer. How wrong I was.
       The first thing I liked is the 3 women narration. I actually quite love this technique in books, it refreshes the narration and abrupt changes from one character to another keeps you on edge and helps brush up everything you know about the character. Though, in this book only narration of Rachel and Megan were audible and had character development, Anna’s part was rather weak and not credible.
         This book has been compared to "Gone Girl" by Gillian Flynn but honestly, I don't see any comparison at all besides from them being written within the same genre. Maybe that is why I liked this book so much. I was impressed what with the author’s creation: Rachael – such a miserable drunk head, broken, without self-esteem, useless and paranoid character.  I liked the inner monologues in her head, the perception of reality and despair and loneliness that surrounded her. It felt so real. The hopelessness she felt all of the time and such a severe desolation worked her in a state that the touch of a stranger made her shiver and her stomach flip. Everyone in this book is terrible, especially a drunk and unstable Rachael and as a result, this book delivers good work in character study and development.
       As for the plot itself, it was not so complicated or mysterious: a murder, attempts to get away with it and one unreliable witness – nothing new. But I liked the way the story was revealed: a big deal of manipulation and mistrust, every page throws suspicion on a different character (I actually was suspecting even Anna); the ending fell a little flat for me though.

Rating: 

    4/5     

The Phantom by Jo Nesbø

Author:  Jo Nesbø
Original title: Gjenferd 
Edition Language: English
Series: Harry Hole #9
Genres: Crime, Mystery, Fiction, Thriller
Format: Audio book
Read by: Sean Barrett
Duration: 14h53m
Goodreads 

Blurb:
     At the conclusion of the last book in this series, The Leopard, Harry Hole, no longer on the Oslo police force, retreated to Hong Kong where he built a new life. But three years later, his past calls him home. Oleg, the son of his former lover, Rakel, has been arrested for allegedly killing a drug dealer who was also his friend and the foster brother of the young woman that Oleg loved. The evidence seems incontrovertible, but Harry comes back to Norway in an effort to prove that Oleg is not guilty and to find the real killer.

My thoughts: 
     Really, really good. Really, really sad. For me personally, it was heartbreaking.
      Harry is back to Oslo, but he is not a policeman anymore, and that feels quite new. He is on the edge of losing his law-abiding qualities and joining the Jack Reacher-Rambo team. He acquires a macho, hard-boiled, brutal style and I am not sure I like it on him, but I guess he grew up from detective uniform. Without the power of the police force behind him, Harry faces a serious uphill struggle to solve the mystery.
      I don't think I can write a review without spoiling the whole thing. Not much can be said about the plot development without spoilers, but as usual it is fantastic. The story kept me on the edge of the seat. I was truly searching more time to finish one more chapter. I do not know where Nesbø takes his ideas, but it is always rocking. I would not say that the ideas so much unique, but the way he tells his stories! Splendid!
     In this book a new for this series topic is covered: drug trafficking, shadowy world of drugs, criminal gangs and corrupted police and politicians. I am not fan of this topic, but it was a nice change from all the serial killing we face in previous books. Of course the corrupted police topic is not new, but it is clearly visible in this book the rise of a new villain, whom Harry will face in the next books of the series. But though it is exceptionally good book, it is not one of the best in this series.
      It was also very interesting to discover how Oleg character developed during Hole's absence. How his relationship with Harry suffered and what in the end brought towards a shocking finale. After finishing this book, I felt so broken hearted, sad and devastated.  

Rating:

    4/5 

November 2016 Wrap Up

Read books:
read: 2 / listen: 2 / pages: 353/ hours listened: 34h52m
1. Bryan Talbot The Tale of One Bas Rat p.117
2. Jo Nesbø The Snowman 15h32m
3. Jo Nesbø The Leopard 19h22m
4. Ali Smith Hotel World p.236 - My review

Movie watched:
1. Arrival (2016)
2. Fantastic Beasts and where to Find Them (2016) 

Theater visited: 
none

Sport watched:
none

October 2016 Wrap Up

Read books:
read: 1 / listen: 1 / pages: 376 /hours listened: 14h51m
1. Billie Letts Where the Heart Is p.376
2. Jo Nesbø The Redeemer

Movie watched:  
1. Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children (2016)
2. Inferno (2016)
3. Jack Reacher: Never Go Back (2016)
4. Doctor Srtange (2016)
5. Sweet Bean (2015)

Theater visited: 
1.The Deep Blue Sea by NT Live (2.10.2016, Prague) review

May 2016 Book Haul

  В этом месяце каждый вторник я делала остановку в книжном магазине. У меня всегда было полтора часа времени осмотреться и полистать новинки. Честно говоря, новинки не всегда впечатляют, мне всегда надо время, чтобы захотеть книгу. Это было причиной, что я  из раза в раз уходила с книжками, которые у всех на слуху либо уже признаны классикой. Покупки почетно заняли свое место на полке и ждут своего часа.

    В июне я постараюсь не посещать книжные магазины, так как мои полки уже ломятся от непрочитанных книг, а Киндл напоминает книжное кладбище, за которым никто не ухаживает.

         1. В первую очередь я рада, что наконец-то приобрела книги Хэлен Филдинг про приключения Бриджит Джонс. Да. Я до сих пор не причитала "Дневники", хотя фильм, снятый по книги я отношу к своим самым любимым. Для меня фильм наполнен весельем и надеждой, он наполнен искрящейся сексуальностью и острым одиночеством. Я купила 2 первые книги: "Дневник Бриджит Джонс" и "Бриджит Джонс: Грани разумного"
       В первой книге мы знакомимся с главной героиней, одиночкой за 30, которая ведет дневник. Бриджет постоянно пытается похудеть, ограничить потребление алкоголя и сигарет. Главная ее цель построить конструктивные отношения со зрелым мужчиной. Бриджит закручивает роман с начальником, который заканчивается его предательством. В тоже время ее отношения с Марком Дарси, знакомым детства, претерпевают изменения от острой неприязни до симпатии и возможно любви.
       Вторая книга о том, что найти любовь еще на значит жить долго и счастливо. Это большой труд – строить отношения, и они постоянно находятся под угрозой, либо сомнений самой Бриджит, либо под натиском давней знакомой Ребеки. В конце концов, Марк и Бриджет расходятся, и она уезжает в Таиланд, залечивать разбитое сердце. В Таиланде Бриджет задерживают за контрабанду наркотиков, и Марк, несмотря ни на что, спешит на выручку. 
     
        This month I was visiting a book store every Tuesday. I always had 1.5 hour to look around and glance at the new covers. Honestly the new books do not always impress me, I need some time to start wanting a book, it is never “a first sight love”. Thus every time I left with a book which is already wildly known or even is acknowledged as classic. New books are proudly located on the shelves and waiting to be read.

       In June I will try to avoid book stores as my shelves are already breaking under unread books and Kindle reminds me untended book cemetery.

         1.Firstly I am terrible glad to be the owner of Helen Fielding’ books about Bridget Jones. Yes. I still have not read “Diaries”, though the movie is considered to be one of my favorites. I find the movie full of fun and hope, sexuality and at the same time loneliness. I have bought 2 books : “Bridget Jones's Diary” and “Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason”

         In the first book we get to know with a main character a lonely, slightly over 30 diary writer Bridget. She is constantly trying to lose weight and reduce her over-indulgence in alcohol and cigarettes. Her main target is to build constructive relationship with mature man. Bridget starts a affair at work with the boss, which ended by his treachery. At the same time her relationship with Mark Darcy friend from childhood changes a lot from open resentment to sympathy and maybe even love.
           The second book is about the idea that finding love does not mean living happy ever after. To build relationship is a great effort and it is always under threat from Bridget’s lack of confidence or from  Marc’s colleague Rebecca charges . At the end Marc and Bridget split and Bridget flies to Thailand to heal broken heart. There she is arrested for drug trafficking and Marc is rushing to save her no matter what.

        2. Следующая книга "Источник" от знаменитой американской писательницы русского происхождения Айн Рэнд . Эта книга, наряду с романом «Атлант расправил плечи» 1957 года, входит в число самых известных произведений американской литературы. Это особо примечательно для меня, так как я никогда не слышала об этой писательнице, хотя в университете был отдельный курс американской литературы. Самый крупным произведением Айн Рэнд конечно считается "Атлант расправил плечи", но я решила начать знакомство с этой книги. Теперь она ждет своего часа на полке.

        2. Next  book is "The Fountainhead" from famous Russian-born American novelist and philosopher Ayn Rand. This work is together with "Atlas Shrugged" (1957) are the best-known novels in American literature. This is most interesting for me, as I've never heard about this author, though we had quite thorough course in American literature. The most famous work of Ayn Rand is by all means is "Atlas Shrugged", but I decided to start from "The Fountainhead". Now it is waiting for its time on the book shelf.

       3. Дальше я купила 2 книги на русском и 2 книги на английском языках:

Фрэнсис Скотт Фицджеральд «Загадочная история Бенджамина Баттона» (1921). Эту историю знают наверное все, благодаря экранизации и звездному составу Брэд Питт - Кейт Бланшетт. Эксперты, однако, утверждают, что фильм и книга не имеют практически ничего общего, кроме имен и аспектов процесса старения.
Дэниел Киз «Таинственная история Билли Миллигана» (1981). Не имею понятия о чем будет книга, но автора я знаю, он написал одну из моих самых любимых книг «Цветы для Элджернона», поэтому ожидаю чего-то интересного.
Джон Гоуди "Пелхэм Час Двадцать Три" (1973). Что я могу сказать... мне просто очень нравится Дензел Вашингтон. Поэтому прочитать книжку, по которой снят неплохой фильм не считаю плохой идеей.
Стивен Джеррард «Джеррард: Моя история» (2015). Это вторая автобиографическая книга о жизни и футбольной карьере Стивена Джеррарда.

        3. Next I bought 2 books in Russian and 2 books in English:
F. Scott Fitzgerald "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" (1921). This story should probably be known to everyone thanks to the 2008 film adaptation with Brad Pitt - Cate Blanchett star cast.
It is told though that the book and film has nothing in common except names and most aspects of the aging process.
Daniel Keyes "The Minds of Billy Milligan" (1981). I have no idea what this book is about but I know the author. He wrote one of my favorite books "Flowers for Algernon", so I have high expectations.
Morton Freedgood (pen name John Godey) "The Taking of Pelham One Two Three" (1973). What can I say...? I just like Denzel Washington very much. So reading a book which was adapted to quite a good film I do not find as bad idea.
Steven Gerrard "My Story" (2015). Gerrard's second volume of autobiography 

 4. И последнюю книгу я получила от племянника на чешском языке:
Джоан Роулинг «Сказки барда Бидля» (2008)
J. K. Rowling "The Tales of Beedle the Bard" (J. K. Rowlingová "Bajky barda Beedleho")