Betrayal (edition 2007)

Loved the coldness of this novel, the setting, the actions of the characters,and their speech and mannerisms. This is nordic psychological suspense that is, in my opinion, done extremely well. Definitely reminds me of the novels of Sophie Hannah and Patricia Highsmith. From reading the jacket, I had a preconceived notion on what was going to happen in this book, and it didn't follow my script at all, which is probably a good thing. I have read two of hers now, I think 4 have been published in the states. Will now try to see if I can get the other two. ( )

and then i watched Almodovar's talk to her. Pretty similar. ( )

The violence toward women in this book was very disturbing. ( )

Betrayal is a good psychological suspense novel that takes the reader into the minds of its main characters. When we are introduced to them, Eva, is a definite type-A personality, is having marital problems and suspects her husband of having an affair; and Jonah, who is more than a little creepy, is glued to the bedside of a somewhat older lover, who is in a coma after a tragic accident. The narrative shifts back and forth between this unrelated twosome and we come to know their thought processes rather intimately. In their own ways both of these characters are moving from their perceived betrayals, closer and closer to a breaking point, or an edge of some kind, and Alvtegan does a good job working the psychological suspense throughout. It should be no surprise that the two characters will eventually connect in the story.

This was a good read—at different times gripping or creepy or interesting—but the characters in this story were less sympathetic to me than in her previous book I read, Missing, which I thought was very good. Still, it's in the vein of Patricia Carlon or Rendell's Barbara Vine books and an enjoyable, quick read. ( )

Betrayal is a chilling story of obsession and deception in a Ruth Rendell style. I thought it was fabulous and the ending pure horror. A young woman, Eva, is married with one child and a successful career. She discovers that her husband is having an affair with their child's day care teacher and plots a revenge that soon spirals out of control.
Highly recommended. ( )