This is one of the most grim, depraved books I've ever read and wasn't for me. I thought this was going to be a historical murder mystery, but if I'd known the subject matter I probably wouldn't have chosen to read it. This needs multiple trigger warnings.

This wasn't my cup of tea, but saying that, the writing was good and that was the only reason I didn't dnf.

2023 52 Book Challenge - 24) Nordic Noir

DNF at 20%.

This book sounded like it was going to be fantastic. I expected it to be fantastic. But it was just flat. The writing was almost unemotional except for what can only be described as torture porn. I know that the book is meant to be dark, but it goes way beyond "dark" into the very depths of human depravity.

Struggled with this one as not my usual style of book. This had nothing to do with the writing, which is good, it jsut wasn't my cup of tea.

Make no mistake, this book is grim, gory and gruesome. But it is also very, very good. The writing is dark, brooding and atmospheric - the gory bits sit comfortably within it without being gratuitous. The well structured plot is quite devastating - the grisly murder mystery and the exploration of the depths of human depravity and what it takes to create a monster are compelling and pleasingly dark. The two main characters are excellent. Mickel Cardell is given the hope of redemption and has interesting nuance, however it is the fabulously drawn Cecil Winge that is the most fascinating. His ending - and the ending in general - is absolutely perfect, giving a satisfying sense of completion - a truly shocking twist and a lovely last sentence revelation re: the book's title. The villain is also a 'delight' - so layered and complex, a character so disgustingly hateful yet impossible to hate completely. How on earth do you write a character that inspires such ambivalence of feeling? I'm still thinking about this book days after finishing it. So, so good. Highly recommended...but perhaps not if you're squeamish.

This is dark, very dark, but absolutely compulsive reading. Everything slots so well into the story and the end is satisfying but the journey is horrific. What a dark and dangerous time to be alive, never mind to be a woman. I had to read this with one hand over my eyes at times but I couldn't stop so clearly it is worth the revulsion. Excellent but read with a warning.

The writing is atmospheric with all the sights and smells but so far the story is slow but way too gruesome for me. I'm usually ok with that but one scene in particular made me think this isn't for me.

Despite enjoying dark themes, at time I found the brutality quite hard to stomach but I pushed on and think the visceral reaction I had to certain scenes of cruelty only serve to demonstrate how vividly the author portrays the historical period and the acts people can be forced to commit in extreme circumstances. I liked that the two damaged male leads, Mickell Cardell the city watchman and Cecil Winge the investigator, are able to form an alliance that grows into respect and friendship. The knowledge that Winge has consumption and his time is running out adds poignancy and ensures that there will be no easy neat ending.

I found the historical period convincing, I was there in filthy, sodden, depraved Stockholm. I was by turns disgusted, scared and moved by the events described. Brutal and bleak this story also conveys hope with characters striving to right wrongs and willing to believe in love despite the darkness.

I tried and failed to get into this novel and did not finish it. A slow narrative and unremitting darkness made this a very difficult read.

I really enojyed this, despite its very dark subject matter. Thankfully, the most gruesome aspects of it were not described in great detail as I think that might have too hard to take. We are left to picture those things ourselves without having them too painfully spelled out. A deliberate choice on the part of the author, I am sure, because the picture of 18th century Sweden is sharp and shocking, leaving us in no doubt of how hard and unpleasant life was for many of its inhabitants. Extremely evocative writing by a great new Scandinavian talent.

I've tried twice now to get into this book. I want to like it but I'm not sure the translation is up to scratch, it's just not holding my attention. Sorry.

I enjoyed this read. It kept me turning the page and the suspense filled plot kept me fully engaged.

I found the unremitting grimness of this ‘genre-busting’ historical crime thriller too much to bear. At first, I was fascinated (though repelled) by the descriptions of eighteenth century Stockholm - the filth, poverty and corruption but, combined with the murder and violence it became too much to bear. It’s structure (in parts, with a new one beginning with a different voice in an earlier part of the story), slowed it down as did the long descriptions of battle which Cardell and Blix shared. They didn’t feel like first hand accounts, more like a historical novelist showing his research. It has been described as a page turner but I found I was dreading picking it up. Brutality begets brutality, I get it, but I didn’t feel that there was enough insight into humanity to warrant the descriptions of violence and cruelty. I know I’m in the minority here, but it didn’t work for me.

I didn’t love this book it was long and drawn out but this is a personal opinion and may appeal to others more than me

This was a bit hit and miss. I liked it for the most part but there were places that the narrative seemed a bit all over the place. The setting was generally interesting and well built but it fet a little flat. I would have preferred that just one narrative line was followed as this was where it got confusing. There were multiple arcs occurring in one moment and it all felt a bit too much.

This book only instils my love for murder mysteries even more! Niklas has created an eerie and dark plot lifting off from a gruesome murder. Excellent characters and very compelling

I am still reeling from this book!This is not for the faint-hearted.The author has a talent for engulfing you in the story...and what a dark,macabre place that is.I read a review that this was hard to get into at the start.I would agree with that,but it doesn't take long to be absorbed in this fantastic,albeit disturbing story.This book will stay with me for a long time.I absolutely loved it,although maybe not one to read if you are feeling anxious!

A gripping and gruesome tale of murder and life in 18th century Sweden. Some stomach-churning details and insights into the lifestyles of both rich and poor. Very good 'crime' novel with lots of twists and turns so the reader is left until the end to discover 'whodunnit'. Excellent book.

It's 1793 and watchman Mickel Cardell discovers a body in the river. It's limbs, tongue and eyes have been removed. Attorney Cecil Winge is tasked with finding the identity not only of the victim but also the perpetrator despite suffering with consumption himself. Winge and Cardell team up to solve the grisly murder which leads them to discover the lives and journeys of other characters.

Letters are discovered written by Kristofer Blix but who was he? Did he commit the crime? Kristofer leads a life of ups and down until one awful night leads to a series of events he cannot escape from.

Anna Stina is another individual mixed up in these events but not without her own heartbreak.

How are all these characters interlinked?

Can they discover who the victim is before Winges authority to investigate is revoked? Will Winge solve the crime before he himself passes away?

This is a fascinating but grisly thriller and a great case of who dunnit. For those who enjoy a great murder mystery this is one for you. Be warned tho it can be a bit gruesome in details but I found it fascinating.

I did not expect how grim and dark this was going to be. I don't know why 18th century Stockholm is presented darkly in Swedish literature. but I actually ended up really liking Cardell and Winch. These kind of gritty but driven narrators is really what kind of keeps you going until the the mystery gets close to resolution. There was a lot of grim stuff in here and the Dunoon is certainly grim but all in all this is a really well-crafted historical fiction horror novel that actually tells you a lot.

A really interesting thriller, I loved the setting and the storyline. Great characters made this book engaging and believable.

Thanks for letting me review this book