The Drowning by Camilla Lackberg

Synopsis :

Christian Thydell’s dream has come true. His debut novel, The Mermaid, has been published to rave reviews. So why is he as distant and unhappy as ever?

When crime writer Erica Falck, who helped Christian discover and develop his talents, learns he has been receiving anonymous threats, she investigates not just the messages but also the young author mysterious past. Then, one of Christian’s closet friends, Magnus, goes missing.

Erica’s husband, Detective Patrik Hedström, has his worst suspicions confirmed as the mind-games aimed at Christian become a disturbing reality. Christian's group of friends—a “gang of four” from childhood—is a tangled web of relationships, love triangles, and family secrets that Erica and Patrick must unravel in order to discover what really happened to Magnus and who is still threatening Christian.

But, with the victims themselves concealing evidence, the investigation is going nowhere. Is their silence driven by fear or guilt? What is the secret they would rather die to protect than live to see revealed? 


This is what I say :

Oh my....what is wrong with me?  I actually read this book and totally forgot all about it.  I can't even find this copy at home until I realised that I have sold it to a friend! hahah...and all of these escape my mind for the past month.

Anyway, The Drowning is the last copy that I have in this fictional universe and right after this would be The Lost Boy which was the first book that I read.  So basically the ending of The Drowning will lead to the beginning of The Lost Boy.

Storywise, The Drowning was just pretty standard Camilla Lackberg style.  It would not have been a story if not for the interference of Erica into something that honestly in my opinion, doesn't concern her.  With her being in the final trimester of pregnancy, I think she should just take it easy instead of investigating things that doesn't want to be investigated.

On another note, it was a rather sad story and one can't feel sorry for the antagonist.

Overall, it was a good story as it's the last that I have of Camilla Lackberg in my collection, I am trying to be generous here :).  So until I get myself more titles of Camilla Lackberg, this would be the last that you heard of her here. :)

The Ex by Alafair Burke

Synopsis :

Twenty years ago she ruined his life. Now she has the chance to save it.

Widower Jack Harris has resisted the dating scene ever since the shooting of his wife Molly by a fifteen-year-old boy three years ago. An early morning run along the Hudson River changes that when he spots a woman in last night’s party dress, barefoot, enjoying a champagne picnic alone, reading his favorite novel. Everything about her reminds him of what he used to have with Molly. Eager to help Jack find love again, his best friend posts a message on a popular website after he mentions the encounter. Days later, that same beautiful stranger responds and invites Jack to meet her in person at the waterfront. That’s when Jack’s world falls apart.

Olivia Randall is one of New York City’s best criminal defense lawyers. When she hears that her former fiancé, Jack Harris, has been arrested for a triple homicide—and that one of the victims was connected to his wife’s murder—there is no doubt in her mind as to his innocence. The only question is who would go to such great lengths to frame him—and why?

For Olivia, representing Jack is a way to make up for past regrets, to absolve herself of guilt from a tragic decision, a secret she has held for twenty years. But as the evidence against him mounts, she is forced to confront her doubts. The man she knew could not have done this. But what if she never really knew him? 


This is what I say :

I remember reading a title by Alafair Burke many many years ago but I have forgotten what I read.  A visit to my post here tells me that I had liked what I read.  That is why I am giving The Ex a chance here.


Fortunately, The Ex delivers.  It has a rather interesting storyline and honestly, the story could go many places and I certainly did not see this ending the way it was.  The author is also good in keeping the plot rather simple but yet once the final clue is revealed, it's rather brilliant.

There's many food for thoughts as well.  For example, does haboring the desire to murder someone whom you love for the wrongs they did to you will result in you carrying out the act?  Although this was discussed between the main character and a doctor, the underlying current of this thoughts being turned into another totally new story is possible.

I am glad I read The Ex.  Don't be surprised if I read another of her title real soon.

Nostalgic Gateaway (#1 2019)

Image from the web. Credit to the creator.
Love the colour

I am doing a weekend gateaway. It's the first time I am travelling out of town for this year so even though it's just for 2D/1N, it's something to look forward too.

However, it s not a fun trip though. More to attend to some personal matters rather than holiday.   At the same time, it's a chance to meet up with a friend whom I have not seen for more than 10 years.  She has invited me to bunk in at her new condo and I surprised myself for accepting!  Normally, I value my privacy and would normally prefer to stay on my own even if it's in an airbnb.  Anyway, it's would be nice to 'catch up' after so many years and we'll probably be visiting some of our old 'hound' late into the night!  Yup, the 'good old days'

I also want to check out some Korean grocery stores to see if I can get some produce that I need to make something that I have been wanting to make but I don't have that ingredient locally.

So, even though it's a short trip, how can I travel without my reading companion.  Due to luggage weight limitation, a book that's not too heavy is one of the main consideration.

With all things considered, I was greatly attracted to read Heart-Shaped Box by Joe Hill which I bought from a friend as a pre-loved copy early last year.  Yup, it's under the horror genre and when better time to read this than during the horror month but to read this while on travel? Am I out of my mind?

At the same time, I have started on The Last Dickens by Matthew Pearl so the desire to just bring this book along and continue it is very strong.  But what if I finish reading it during the trip itself? I don't wish to bring another title?

Which shall it be?  I shall reveal when I do the review for the above titles after I return.

Happy Birthday - this blog is 10 years old!!

A mini birthday celebration photoshoot with Salted Caramel Macadamia Cheese Cake :)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY 

to

purplequeenfairyreads.blogspot.com

I can't believe that I have been blogging for ten years and have produced more than 650 over posts over the years.  I guess that works out to an average of 65 posts per year.

I am not very good and commercialising this blog.  At one point, I was pretty keen to explore how. However, it never was my priority and for now, I am happy to just read and post and keep a record of what I read and share my thoughts on what I read.

Anyway, I am just happy to have this platform to pen down my thoughts of books that I read. It also serves the purpose for me to keep track of how many books I read, how many books I bought for the year (been keeping track in recent years. Didn't do much of that previously)  It's also useful when I wasn't sure if I have bought or read a book before and I can just check from this blog.

Should I do a vlog next?  Sound like that's what I should evolve to but I don't think I would have the time and energy to do a good job. 

Thank you for those who drop by to read what I wrote.  I am humbly honored and extremely grateful that you choose to swing by.  Can I request that you leave a comment on this post as a present to me? hahah...no obligation though.

Anyway, thank you for joining me in this journey of blogging and here's to your good health and also to many, many more years of blogging.

Much love to everyone.

.

The Hidden Child by Camilla Lackberg

Synopsis :

Crime writer Erica Falck is shocked to discover a Nazi medal among her late mother’s possessions. Haunted by a childhood of neglect, she resolves to dig deep into her family’s past and finally uncover the reasons why. 

Her enquiries lead her to the home of a retired history teacher. He was among her mother’s circle of friends during the Second World War but her questions are met with bizarre and evasive answers. Two days later he meets a violent death. 

Detective Patrik Hedström, Erica’s husband, is on paternity leave but soon becomes embroiled in the murder investigation. Who would kill so ruthlessly to bury secrets so old? Reluctantly Erica must read her mother’s wartime diaries. But within the pages is a painful revelation about Erica’s past. Could what little knowledge she has be enough to endanger her husband and newborn baby? 

The dark past is coming to light, and no one will escape the truth of how they came to be


This is what I say :

The Hidden Child is such an amazing investigative thriller with great insight into the different characters in this universe. The investigative part of this book is also so closely knitted into the personal stories of the characters and certainly can't be separated. Such is the uniqueness of The Hidden Child.

After reading quite a few titles in this universe, I am getting quite familiar with some of the characters.  Either the author is wanting readers to have a better understanding of the characters or I am just paying more attention to them.

Patrik's and Erica's roles are swapped in the book as Patrik is on paternity leave and supposed to care for the daughter 24/7 whereas Erica is supposed to be busy with her books.  However, she was more intrigued by the diaries her mother left behind.

Melberg who is rather 'air headed' boss in the police department is surprising rather endearing in this title.  He suffered tremendously emotionally the past few books so it's a good thing to see things moving towards a rather good direction for him.  

And then there's Gosta. He's the oldest in the team.  It's rather heartbreaking to have an insight into Gosta's personal...How he yearns and thinks back now and then of his child that lived for just a few days after birth many, many years ago.  To quote from the book about Gosta..."So many years have passed since then. Almost an entire lifetime. But he can still feel the tiny hand grasping his finger'.  

Even Annika, with her fear of miscarriages and her fear of adopting a child but yet wanted so much much to do so was given some attention in this title.  Perhaps, it has to do with the theme of  the book.

Yup, Camilla did not neglect any of her characters including Paula, the new girl in town and has something to contribute towards the theme too.

The crimes was also rather unique and well, you just have to read and be immersed into this universe. Overall, an excellent investigative thriller.

So far, I have liked almost all of Camilla's titles. I still have one on my shelf. Can't wait to start on it.

Lifetime by Liza Marklund

Synopsis :

Police Officer Nina Hoffman finds her fellow officer David Lindholm on his bed with bullets through his head and stomach. Next to the body is his wife, Julia. The traumatized Julia rambles on about a woman entering the house, killing David and running off with her son, but all the evidence seems to point in Julia’s direction. 

Annika Bengtzon covers the case and is drawn in headfirst when she sees that Julia is about to be falsely charged. 

Working against the clock, Annika must clear Julia’s name and find her missing son.


This is what I say :

Liza Marklund is a Scandinavian author.  I just realised that she co-wrote Postcard Killer with James Patterson which I read about three years ago.

I have never read any titles that just carries her own name.  Lifetime would be the first time.

Like many novels nowaday, while Lifetime has a stand-alone story-line, it's also part of a universe that consist of series of titles.  In this case, after reading it, I discovered that Lifetime is the seventh book in the universe of Annika Bengtzon.  

In this title. I can't be sure if  the story revolves around Annika trying to proof that Julia's innocent or Annika trying to find out who killed David. She did a lot of digging into David's past.  Nina is a dark horse.  The ending of the book reveals something about Nina but yet at the same time reveals nothing. It's most frustrating.

I don't quite like Lifetime.  I find the writing chaotic and rambles on at time.  I don't quite like Annika too.  She's too real. But yet, I can understand that Liza is trying to make her real.  

Anyway, I am debating with myself I I should read the other books by Liza Marklund that I have with me.  I have not decided.

The Stranger (previously The Gallows Bird) by Camilla Lackberg

Synopsis :

A string of suspicious deaths points to a potential serial killer who has turned his eye toward Fjallbacka and her dark forests, where two children vanished decades before.

A local woman is killed in a tragic car crash, but it isn’t a clear-cut drunk driving case. The victim’s blood contains high alcohol levels, but she rarely drank a drop. Meanwhile, a reality television show begins shooting in the town, and as cameras shadow the stars’ every move, tempers start to flare. When a party ends with an unpopular contestant’s murder, all eyes turn to the cast and crew―could there be a murderer among them? 

The ratings spike as the country tunes in to a real-life murder mystery. Detective Patrik Hedstrom finds himself increasingly unable to focus on the strange circumstances of the first case, but what if that holds the key to a series of other unsolved cases across Sweden? Under the unforgiving media spotlight, Patrik tackles his toughest investigation yet.


This is what I say :

Here I am, once again, with the next title in the Fjalbacka Series by Camilla Lackberg.  I seems to be unable to tear myself away from this series.


The previous title of The Stranger is The Gallows Bird.  I have no idea why the title was changed.  I really am not able to relate the title to the storyline but I actually prefer this than The Stonecutter.  It wasn't a very thick book too as it's less than 400 pages.

Timeline wise, The Stranger takes place right after The Stonecutter and I would say it's about a few months (at least 6 months I think) after The Stonecutter.  

Patrik and Erica and getting ready to get married.  Anna and family are currently bunking in the same house and it's rather amazing (also unrealistic) how quickly Anna got back to her feet right after a walk and a talk with Dan.

It's also rather unrealistic in certain plot in the storyline and without revealing much, I would say it's not the first time the same thing happen.. cue The Lost Boy.   Even then, I still enjoy it.

I still enjoy the story but the effect of too many books is beginning to affect the writer at this point. I really hope the next title, The Hidden Child gets better treatment.