I was really looking forward to this book. Unfortunately, the font was not readable on my e-reader despite many setting changes.

This is a Danish thriller. I liked the sound of the book's description, and I think around the time that I requested it, I had been reading a few Scandinavian and Nordic crime novels.

Medicine was a big theme throughout the story, which struck me as interesting. The characters were not unlikeable, but I did find some of them a little ambiguous and was unsure about their intentions. At times, I did struggle a little to keep track of all the characters, but I liked the way the author wrote. I felt drawn in, and compelled to keep reading about the characters, and there was plenty of suspense. I think Anna was the character that I felt the most connected to, even though she wasn't particularly like me.

Grief was also a significant theme throughout the book, and at times, that made it feel like quite intense reading, but I enjoyed it. I think I would also be interested to read Agatha, also by this author, which I've heard about.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for a free copy to review.

Conceptually it was interesting. I just think the story itself needed developing further. It felt clunky in places.

I picked up this book because I’m drawn to stories revolving around psychology, research and mental health. This Danish literary thriller took me on a memorable reading journey and left me with new ways of contemplating grief and loss, which unfortunately are a big part of my job.

If there was a pill to help you get through persistent grief would you take it? Blue Notes poses so many great questions about the fields of psychology, pharmacotherapy, mental health (diagnosis). Is it helpful when certain conditions get a name? Or are we trying to pathologize everything that falls outside of norm? And what happens when the force behind pharmacological invention has a strong personal motive that has nothing to do with money?

These are some deep topics that Anne Catherine Bomann explores in a non-pretentious way by introducing us to a fascinating group of characters and having them reflect on these questions. Great character development and underlying thriller elements made for a riveting read. Despite such “heavy” subject this was a surprisingly quick and entertaining read.

A big thank you to Book*hug Press and NetGalley for gifting me an ARC in exchange for an honest review?

TW: I usually do not include TW because I find they are often spoilers but if like me you are particularly impacted by animal death just wanted you to have a heads up!

While this book was a well-written character study, it left something to be desired in the entertainment department. It moved so slowly, it took forever to get to the point of the book. It was also very clinical, which isn't a bad thing considering it's a medical thriller, but it just wasn't very...thrilling. I thought the premise was good, but the execution didn't quite hit the mark. It is a perfectly lovely book, just didn't scratch that itch. I thought it would be much more profound than it was.

It's about a pharmaceutical company developing a pill to manage "prolonged grief", which has become recognized as a psychological disorder. The story follows the creator of the pill, a professional on the development team, and two students writing a thesis with opposing opinions who get swept up in a mystery they didn't anticipate when they realize the tests were tampered with. It turns out that the pill can cause a significant drop in empathy, rendering the subject practically psychopathic.

I did very much like the writing style. It was refreshing to see a multi-pov book done so that each character's pov is shown in every chapter. It makes the chapters long, technically, but they're broken up into parts, so it doesn't feel long. This made the book a quick read, despite the plot being slow. I just kept waiting for it to get interesting and then before I knew it, it was over. And what's worse is I was left with unanswered questions about the Callocain trial participants. And at risk of spoiling the ending (ignore this part if you don't want a spoiler), the whole plot if the book was rendered useless at the end because the pharmaceutical company released the drug anyway, despite the known issues. So what was even the point??

I feel I should also warn you about some possible triggers - death of a parent, depression, allergic reaction/attempted murder, child death, animal death.

Also, I couldn't read the ARC I received from NetGalley on my kindle, I assume because of the translation. Hopefully this will be resolved before release day.

Thanks so much to Book*Hug Press and NetGalley for the ARC.

Blue Notes was originally published in Danish in 2021 under the title ‘Blå toner’. It has been translated into English by Caroline Waight and is set to be published by Book*hug Press on February 22nd, 2024.

I was incredibly excited about the premise of this book: a medical thriller about a drug treatment for prolonged grief. Sign me up!

Sadly, I was let down by this one. I suspect there are two main reasons for this. Firstly, the first 70% of the book is super slow and filled with context/character development. Secondly, in terms of its categorisation as ‘literary,’ it leans more towards a character study, which is sometimes a little hit or miss for me. I think I was hoping for more of a thriller aspect and perhaps a deeper exploration of the impact of grief on wider society.

All this being said, I thoroughly enjoyed the concept and some of the commentary on the idea of ‘treating’ prolonged grief with medication, as with mental health conditions. I ultimately always enjoy when a book pulls me into a reflective headspace surrounding themes of humanity, existentialism, and death/grief.

Thankfully, when I was right around the 70% mark, I read another review that said that it picked up in the last 30%, and so it did. The last part leaned a bit more into the ‘thriller’ aspect, and there was a reveal that did actually take me by surprise, which is always fun!

If you enjoy slower-paced literary thrillers with more of a focus on providing context and character development, you will love this, I’m sure.

Thanks to NetGalley and Book*hug Press for the e-ARC. All opinions are my own.

Agh, this is such a bummer. I was really looking forward to this one and couldn't get past the first 40 pages. Everyone enjoys a slow burn from time to time, but I just couldn't get into this one at all. I am still very thankful to the publisher and author for sending this one my way, but it just wasn't for me.

In Anne Catherine Bomann's novel, "Blue Notes," readers are taken on a thought-provoking journey that delves into the boundaries of grief, identity, and existentialism. The story centers around a Danish university research group on the cusp of introducing a revolutionary drug called Callocain, which promises to be the world's first pharmaceutical remedy for grief. However, Thorsten Gjeldsted, a psychology professor, harbors suspicions that the test results have been manipulated to conceal a disturbing side effect. Faced with skepticism and disbelief, he enlists the help of two students: Anna, who has experienced profound grief firsthand, and Shadi, whose statistical expertise could unearth hidden truths. Together, this unlikely trio embarks on a quest to uncover the reality behind Callocain before its widespread distribution. "Blue Notes" is a masterfully crafted novel that intertwines ethical and existential contemplations with a captivating literary adventure. Bomann adeptly explores the human psyche, delving into the complexities of grief, loss, and the longing for meaning in a world marred by suffering. Through the characters' journeys, readers are invited to ponder the nature of identity, the illusion of control, and the transformative power of love and human connection. The novel's strength lies in its richly developed characters. Thorsten Gjeldsted's unwavering pursuit of truth, despite the personal and professional risks, makes him a compelling protagonist. Anna's raw and emotional vulnerability as she grapples with her own grief adds depth and authenticity to the narrative. And Shadi's intellect and determination to uncover the truth complement the team's dynamics, highlighting the importance of diverse perspectives in problem-solving. Bomann's writing is both evocative and thought-provoking, with passages that linger in the reader's mind long after the book is finished. Her ability to weave philosophical musings into the fabric of the story is a testament to her skill as a storyteller. The novel's title, "Blue Notes," aptly captures the melancholic undertones that permeate the narrative, while also hinting at the possibility of resilience and healing. As the story progresses, the stakes escalate, and the characters find themselves caught in a web of deceit and danger. The tension builds steadily, culminating in a climax that is both surprising and deeply satisfying. Bomann keeps readers on the edge of their seats, expertly blending mystery, suspense, and thought-provoking themes. "Blue Notes" transcends the boundaries of genre, offering a literary experience that is both intellectually stimulating and emotionally resonant. It is a novel that lingers in the memory, inviting readers to contemplate the complexities of human existence and the enduring power of love and connection in the face of adversity.

Blue Notes is a very sincere book, with some insightful points on grief and the soon to be disorder relating to it in Holland. The mix of both fiction and nonfictional elements benefitted the plot immensely, making it feel real and intense. Although at some of the tense points it felt a little lacking in effect(possibly due to translation?), it flowed well and never felt like it draged on at any point. The characterisation was definitely a stand-out point of the novel. I liked the switching of viewpoints of it's cast, especially those featuring Elisabeth and Shadi. Each of them felt realistic and flawed in ways that make you relate to them or like you know them personally.

The book was in a different language, so I was not able to read the book. Would love to read an English version of the book.

This is a interesting book and when I read what was about I wanted to have access to the ARC. The whole book as a character study of grief sounds like a very interesting idea. Is a well written book and easy to read. But I feel in the end it was totally rushed and end up Leaving me don’t enjoying the ending.

This one was not for me..
****Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an ARC in exchange for my honest review****

I received this book from NetGalley. It was a character study story about how different people deal with grief and the lengths some will go not to feel it. The writing was good and I liked all the characters. I just felt as though the ending was a bit rushed. Overall a decent read.