Hunting Game

For readers who are ardent opponents of hunting, I would suggest they give this book a miss. Since my grandfather was a hunter, I found this look into the moose hunting traditions of Sweden very interesting and a good backdrop to the story. I also loved Tursten's descriptions of the forest-- otherworldly, sometimes menacing, but always beautiful. She actually made me feel as though I were walking through those trees alongside Embla.

I was sad to see the author end her Irene Huss series, but at the same time, I looked forward to seeing something new. Fellow Irene Huss fans, never fear. I think you're going to like Embla. Huss was a prizewinning kickboxer; Nyström is a prizewinning boxer. Yes, both women certainly know how to take care of show more themselves. I was a bit anxious to see how tormented Nyström was by her nightmares-- sometimes I tire of psychologically damaged main characters and enjoy reading about someone who could be considered normal. Thankfully, Nyström isn't all that far off from normal.

Hunting Game tells us a bit about Embla's backstory and the cause of her nightmares, and I think that's going to add some interesting angles to future books in the series. I was a bit disappointed that I wasn't made to work very hard to deduce the identity of the killer, but that was just the mood I was in. This book is more of a whydunit than a whodunit, and the why certainly keeps the pages turning.

I may have been forced to say good-bye to Irene Huss, but I am looking forward to more encounters with Embla Nyström, and I think you will, too. show less

Helene Tursten's "The Hunting Game," translated by Paul Norlen, introduces us to Embla Nyström, a twenty-eight-year-old Detective Inspector who works for the Västra County Bureau of Investigation's mobile police unit. Embla is as capable and tough as any of her colleagues. She is a savvy investigator, a skilled markswoman, and an accomplished light-welterweight boxer. This is an offbeat thriller with hunting as its central theme, which may upset those who would prefer not to read about people killing wild animals for sport and then butchering their carcasses for food.

Embla joins her family and friends in Dalsland, where, equipped with cold weather gear, guns, and food, they take part in their annual moose hunt. Eventually, each person show more is assigned a "stand," where he or she remains, waiting for prey to appear. Unfortunately, the hunt turns treacherous when a malefactor sets a trap that could kill or maim an unwary victim. Things escalate when one person is murdered, and another vanishes. Embla is assigned to the case, although she is distracted by Peter Hansson, a handsome fellow hunter who seems to reciprocate her interest.

This is an original and colorful novel, but the writing is heavy-handed and the mystery is particularly compelling. Embla is a spunky and aggressive police officer who refuses to be pigeonholed. In addition, she takes calculated risks when she believes that they are justified. It would be fascinating to observe Embla working on a series of more complex crimes that would make full use of her keen intelligence and physical prowess. show less

Hunting Game (An Embla Nyström Investigation #1) by Helene Tursten

This story centers on Embla Nystöm, an investigator, as she slowly uncovers the clues to a developing crime spree that is happening near her hometown in rural Sweden. Tursten's pacing is deliberate and steady, her description of violence is restrained, and she has peopled her world with unpretentious neighbors and family members. When two high-profile national figures disappear Nystöm must piece together a decades old story to uncover the offender.

While fans of Jack Reacher and other high-octane protagonists may bristle under the far more measured tone of this novel, I think that overall Tursten's method works. As the story develops, it feels a bit like the clues are show more breadcrumbs in an vaguely ominous forest leading to a somewhat foreboding destination. Each clue maintains the tension just enough to keep the plot moving forward and Tursten's skillful use of setting provides folksy interludes. The epilogue provides a nice finishing touch, as well.

3.5 stars for a quick, enjoyable, unpretentious read!

#GoodreadsGiveaway show less

I found this novel a little difficult to get into which I eventually put down to the style and the translation. I found characters and places difficult to identify.

Embla Nyström is a tough lady. She has suffered from nightmares for years, linked to the disappearance of her best friend Lollo when they were teenagers from a nightclub. Embla never revealed to the police and parents the true circumstances of Lollo's disappearance, particularly the link to some gangsters.

The two missing men were once a group of 3, who nicknamed themselves "the three musketeers". Then 12 months ago one of them drove his car at high speed into a tree on his way home from that year's annual moose hunt. It is Embla who discovers the link between these three show more men to the disappearance of Peter's sister.

An interesting but demanding read.
The author reveals in her final words that Embla has already made an appearance in one of the Inspector Huss novels, but now, she says, it is time for Embla "to stand on her own two feet." show less

This is the 2nd book of the series about Embla, a woman detective in Norway. The story was interesting, but the writing degraded the experience for me. I can imagine this novel written much better in several respects while retaining the mystery-story.

Another great female Swedish police detective series from Helene Tursten. She makes the plot flow nicely in a Swedish hunting camp with family background for her as well as the characters.

A totally uninspired mystery by the creator of the Irene Huss series. The first half of the book was taken up by the description of a hunting party. Then a quick wrap up of the mystery. Skip it.