Asa Larsson writes very well. In short, she tells a good story and has expanded well on the character development from the earlier two novels. I find the entire series so much more satisfying than Donna Leon's series. Here, the political and religious comments are much more a part of the people, culture and character traits of the Swedes. I would strongly recommend this series, but it might be best to start at the beginning - with Sun Strom and then read The Blood Split. You can better understand what Rebecca is going through. Although in this 3rd novel, the author has expanded the lead characters to make the story much more interesting. ( )

This is the third book in Larsson's mystery series and the second I have read. A woman dressed in running clothes, is found dead in an ice-fishing shack; she has been tortured and struck through the heart. It's up to Inspector Anna-Maria Mella and her partner Sven-Erik Stalnacke with assistance from lawyer-turned-prosecutor Rebecka Martinsson to solve this complex case. There are some really excellent things about this novel. Larsson writes intelligent, psychological mysteries and really is able to bring the reader into the lives and minds of her characters. And I find Anna-Maria, Sven-Erik and Rebecka very compelling characters. In this mystery, as with the previous one, she continues to show her characters in relationship to their pets or other animals; a unique touch, imo. She also gives fair treatment to all of the women in the novel. However, I was disappointed with two things in this particular installment. 1. Larsson is into the lives & heads of so many characters (including most of those under investigation), I found it too much. I just didn't want to be made to care about that many people (and know their entire lives' histories). 2. Ultimately, it is the narrator who reveals the resolution, imo, not our detectives and lawyer. Perhaps I've been spoiled by the wonderfully morose and cerebral Wallander (Mankell's books), perhaps I was just in the wrong frame of mine, but this time I can't quite agree with the professional reviews. I do, however, recommend Larsson, but start with book one. ( )

Rebecka is recovering from trauma and psychological damage. This book moves into "outside" characters, and puts more emphasis on Anne Marie, who is becoming a main character along with Rebecka ( )

I absolutely loved this book! ( )

http://www.austcrimefiction.org/node/... ( )