This is the latest read in the Joona Lima series. it's the usual high standard, well written, excellent characterisation and a fascinating but unrealistic plot. It was good to see Saga back working with Joona, although the violent scenes, as well as the sexual, are way over the top and not for the squeamish. Thanks to Net Galley for my ARC.

This was my second Joona Linna book and yet again I'm saying that I really need to get the rest of these books by the amazing writing duo of Lars Kepler as I thoroughly enjoyed this read and could hardly put it down once I started it!

I found this to be quite a fast paced thriller with a little time spent understanding the characters both old and new. There were some interesting twists and turns which ended up with me feeling like I've been on an insane roller-coaster reading the last few chapters!

This could quite easily be read as a stand alone thriller but it's so good to revisit with characters who start to feel like old friends that there is much more enjoyment to be gained by reading the whole series once you have decided you enjoy the style of writing here.

I would like to thank Netgalley and Bonnier Books UK for an advance copy of The Spider, the ninth novel to feature Detective Superintendent Joona Linna of Sweden’s National Crime Unit.

A decomposing body is found in a sack hanging from a tree, shot with a white bullet and that means something to Joona and his former colleague, Saga Bauer. Three years ago she received a postcard threatening Joona’s death by a white bullet and saying that she is the only one who can save him. The time has arrived and as the bodies pile up Saga is obsessed with preventing Joona’s death.

I thoroughly enjoyed The Spider, which takes the case of an old adversary further and proves that the past casts a long, often twisted shadow. I will say straight away that this is not a novel for the faint hearted as most of the murders are committed in the same way and it’s gruesome.

I don’t know where to start with my commentary as the novel covers a lot of ground, perhaps to say that realism isn’t a guiding principle, but then, that doesn’t really matter as it is highly entertaining and held my attention from start to finish. The killer’s machinations are complex and vague enough that Joona, Saga and the team don’t stand a fighting chance of saving any of the victims, or at least initially. Later they learn to read the clues, but are always a step too late, until the final showdown where the last twist caught me totally by surprise. I didn’t see it coming.

The novel has a bit of everything. There is tension in spades, some heartache, some excellent action scenes and a touch of happiness at the end, which I think might be fleeting given the characters. Joona and Saga are not happy people, they have been through too much and seen too much badness to find cheer in the world. Despite this they are determined to catch any killer crossing their radar. They have different approaches as he is more cerebral, but can mix it up when he has to, she is more reactionary, but can analyse when required. I love their single minded focus on the case and they stand head and shoulders above their colleagues who can’t think beyond the obvious.

This is quite a long novel and while I was glued to the pages I thought it was a bit repetitive at the beginning with Joona inspecting body after body. The interest to me was more in who was killed and why and how the killer picked them as there seems to be a bit of unlikely omniscience involved. There are some shocks in the who and the why is only made clear at the end and it’s clever and convoluted. The how will remain guesswork, along with how other secret knowledge was acquired.

The Spider is good read that I have no hesitation in recommending.

This book is not for the faint hearted YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED!!!!!!!
This author is a master at storytelling and for me one of the best Scandi noir books I have ever read. The Spider can be read as a stand alone but I suggest you read the other books as you will learn so much more about the main characters and the type of books this author writes.
This is a tour de force of a very dark crime thriller. A deadly game of cat and mouse. And the killer has the upper hand. They leave clues to who is going to die and where you can find their bodies. There will be nine victims and time is running out. I devoured this book in one sitting and I literally have no nails left. I kept telling myself just one more page or chapter but it never happened. Hence I finally turned the last page at 3am. YES THIS BOOK IS THAT GOOD!!! Chilling ,abhorrent and bloody terrifying. Another MUST READ from my one of my favourite Scandi noir authors.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC in return for giving an honest review.

Another amazing instalment in the Joona Linna series. Brilliant and of course darkly disturbing and cleverly plotted. 5 stars xxx

“The Spider” is the ninth book in the Joona Linna series by Lars Kepler. This is a thrilling piece of Nordic noir that will leave you on the edge of your seat until the very last page. Lars Kepler is the pseudonym of Alexander Ahndoril and Alexandra Coelho Ahndoril and once again they have supplied a gripping thriller that will keep you guessing until the end.

The novel follows Joona Linna, a detective who has been tasked with investigating a string of murders that seem to have been committed by the same killer. As the investigation progresses, it becomes clear that the killer is not only highly skilled but also seems to be one step ahead of the police at every turn.

The characters in this book are brilliantly drawn, with Joona Linna being a standout as a flawed but determined detective who will stop at nothing to catch the killer. The pacing of the novel is perfect, with just the right amount of tension and suspense building throughout the story to keep you hooked.

What sets “The Spider” apart from other thrillers is the way in which it weaves together multiple storylines to create a truly immersive and compelling read. The Ahndorils have crafted a complex and intricate plot that will keep you guessing throughout.

Overall, “The Spider” is a must-read for fans of Nordic noir and anyone who loves a good thriller. Lars Kepler has once again proved that they are a force to be reckoned with in the world of crime fiction, and I can’t wait to see what they come up with next.

I would like to thank both Netgalley and Bonnier Books UK for supplying a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

In my opinion these books just keep getting better and better. The Spider is an amazing book continuing the saga of Joona Linna. Even though Jurek Walter, Joona’s nemesis, is dead his influence continues to hound the detective. A welcome return from Saga Bauer in this book too.

Pulse racing, heart pounding and utterly brilliant.
I cannot find the right words in order to explain just what a complete page turner this latest Lars Kepler book is, apart from the simple fact that EVERY chapter is jammed with such thrills and chills that it is incredibly breathtaking.
Suspenseful and atmospheric in every gruesome and petrifying detail it is incredible.
Well worthy of a FIVE STAR review and unquestionably recommended.

Thank you NetGalley and Bonnier Books UK for this eCopt to review

Having read all of Lars Kepler’s previous novels I was very much looking forward to this latest instalment and I’m very pleased to say that The Spider did not disappoint.

It was compulsive reading to find out what happens next and very creepy and chilling in places. I almost felt like I was there with the victims trapped in the spiders web.

I really liked how this novel gave us much more insight into Joona Linna, Saga Bauer and the serial killer who has haunted them for too long. I loved the riddles and the rest against time to solve them along with Kepler’s great descriptions of the locations

One of my absolute favourite series and I couldnt wait to get stuck in to this new addition!

As always, all the characters we know and love are back. By this point I am so invested in them all and really do care about the struggles and traumas they're going through.

This book ties into the past stories quite a bit so whilst it can still be read as a standalone, it'll probably make a lot more sense if you've read the previous books

Lars is just the master when it comes to storytelling and he's the best scandi noir thriller writer I have ever come across. It's got a whole different vibe from British or American thrillers and it's so eSy to get lost in that world. It's so clearly described that you can picture each location like you're actually watching it all play out on TV.

The plot is cleverly written and has so many twists. I was shocked at some of the events and gutted at some of the characters who met their end in this one.

It is quite dark but it's not used for shock value or like reading weird gore porn. They are really original and unique murders but the book doesn't spend too much time playing on them thankfully! It is a very dark world that these stories are set in though so this latest book is consistent to that

The characters are quite well established by now. They're not perfect people they're broken and have their own struggles aside from trying to stop serial killers and I do like seeing that side of their lives aswell. They're original and not clichés of the jaded, maverick cop with a drink problem and such. These characters stand head and shoulders above a lot of the partners in other police procedural books

It's basically just awesome reading and I'd highly recommend

Possible spoilers

Once again, not for the faint hearted.

I've read a few Kepler books over the years, but seem to have missed out on the back story of Saga, something I regret now, as it would have filled a few holes for me.
Saying that this book worked just fine, holes or not.
The tension at times was unbelievable, minutes ticking away, and nothing to be done.
It's dark when it comes to the actual killings, I winced every time.
A good plot that seems to put everyone at risk...
Also in the midst of all that grimness, humour.

It was good to get back into Joonas world.