Midwinter Sacrifice

I downloaded this audio book as it was on Richard and Judy's book club list for spring 2012 - not always an entirely reliable list but I have come across some good reads through it. I was badly in need of a gripping crime listen as I have been struggling for the last month or so to find something. After listening to Midwinter Sacrifice I cannot wait for Mons Kallentoft's next book. The plot is tight and moves along at a good pace, the characterisation is excellent and I was really drawn into the life of the main character. The description of a
Swedish winter is superb and perfect listening for this time of year. The narration too is excellent and Lisa Coleman is definitely one of my favourite narrators - her voice is mesmerising.
I just need to find another crime listen to match this now!

I loved this book, I am a big fan of Scandanavian crime and this lived up to my expectations. It is a very dark, atmospheric book with excellent characters. Malin is a female detective battling with a complicated personal life whilst trying to solve a gruesome murder in the middle of a very very cold winter. The book was beautifully narrated by Lisa Coleman, her calm almost whispery voice was a total contrast to the subject matter, but for me it worked. I also loved the male narrator....that part of the book was a total surprise! I would definitely recommend this book!

I chose this Scandinavian thriller because I have enjoyed other similar titles. It only goes to show how important it is to have a narrator who differentiates the various characters and has light and shade in her voice. This narrator has a monotone delivery which detracts from the story. What a shame!

I loved this book - lots of surprises, great characterisations and a humanity sometimes missing from Henning Mankell and co. The reading was also excellent.
My only quibble is that one (subsidiary) plot line is not resolved at the end of the book. The author asks, "Do all mysteries have to be answered?" ..Um, yes. We read these books is great part because they give us a sense of resolution missing in the real world. Just bugged me, but not major enough to detract from overall book. I will certainly be buying more from this author.

Bought this as I've read, listened to and really enjoyed a lot of scandanavian detective fiction and I was sorely disappointed in the book & the reading. The narrator's voice is pleasant enough, though she takes a deep breath before she pronounces Swedish place names, what I really object to in the reading is the gimmicky use of tinny 'down the line' telephone effects. In the book the main character is manipulative, controlling and I don't know if I'm more concerned that the author is male & he thinks this is how real women think & behave or if the author is female & thinks this is normal. The corpse talks. I persisted in the hope that the book might reach a satisfying conclusion but at the point the author critisises american films & pours scorn on the idea that anyone other than an idiot would enjoy the solving of a mystery I started to get a sinking feeling, which was confirmed. It's back to Harlan Coben & Arnaldur Indriadson for me. We miss you Stieg Larsson.

Against a backdrop of a very cold Swedish winter, a bizare murder is investigated by detective Malin Fors, a single mother trying to balance a hectic professional life with home life. She is a convincing character, fallible and full of worries about work, lovelife, her daughter and the choices she has made. More of a police procedural than thriller, Kallentoft delves into the human bonds that define our existense with a dark, bleak, meandering style that may not be everyone's cup of tea. This story really is just as a much about the telling as the tale being told and if you are looking for a fast-paced thriller then this will be frustrating. The narration suits this darkness very well. And although I normally dislike the trick of the dead victim taking over parts of the narration, the narration of the victims words by another narrator is spot on.



I was taken quite by surprise at the beautiful writing style and having just said how I enjoyed the narration, I do think I might read the next novel just so that I can savour the beautifully written prose. Am looking forward to finding out how things progress with Malin Fors and maybe after reading the second novel, I'll be back for a listen to the the third!

A tale that gets off to a good start with sympathetic characters. A shame the author (or translator) thinks the frequent repetition of the same four-letter word adds verisimilitude. It doesn't - it just gets annoying. Without giving away the end ultimately I found the tale unsatisfying. I stuck with it to the end, but wished I hadn't bothered.