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Top dogg #3
Πρώτη μούρη
Επί δεκαετίες, ένα μυστικό δίκτυο του υπόκοσμου της Στοκχόλμης εκμεταλλεύεται νεαρές κοπέλες, και όποιος απειλεί να τους ξεσκεπάσει βγαίνει από τη μέση ανελέητα. Ο Τέντι και η Έμελι –ο κακοποιός και η δικηγόρος– ξαναπιάνουν την υπόθεση. Η αστυνομία έχει συστήσει μια ειδική ομάδα για να ανακαλύψει ποιοι εμπλέκονται στο δίκτυο, δεν φαίνεται όμως να πλησιάζουν τη λύση. Και ποιος είναι αυτός που προσπαθεί με κάθε τρόπο να κάνει τον Τέντι και την Έμελι να σωπάσουν;
Μείγμα μαύρου, κατάμαυρου νουάρ και παραδοσιακής αστυνομικής ιστορίας, ίσως το καλύτερο μυθιστόρημα του συγγραφέα μέχρι σήμερα.
Μείγμα μαύρου, κατάμαυρου νουάρ και παραδοσιακής αστυνομικής ιστορίας, ίσως το καλύτερο μυθιστόρημα του συγγραφέα μέχρι σήμερα.
Paperback
First published June 1, 2017
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About the author
Jens Lapidus
50 books348 followersJens Lapidus is a Swedish criminal defense lawyer and author, who made his writing debut in August 2006 with Snabba Cash. It is an account of the Stockholm underworld and the first of a planned trilogy called The Stockholm Noir Trilogy. Two years later the second installment, Aldrig Fucka Upp was published by Wahlström & Widstrand. A graphic novel with illustrator Peter Bergting (The Portent) entitled Gängkrig 145 was published May 2009. While this project does tie into his previous novels, it is not the third part of The Stockholm Noir Trilogy as some Swedish media has claimed. Lapidus' writing has been compared to James Ellroy and Dennis Lehane.
Series:
* The Stockholm Noir Trilogy
Series:
* The Stockholm Noir Trilogy
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 76 reviews
February 19, 2019
Fantastic Read. This is the fifth book I’ve read by Jens Lapidus, and I’m a huge fan. He has great writing style, and that amazing ability to pull you into the story so that nothing else exists around you when you’re reading one of his books. ‘Top Dog’ has so many good characters, and I really enjoyed the way the story moves around each one of them, and how different they all are to each other.
Roksana and Z would have been better off if they hadn’t found the drugs, however once they tried them there was no turning back. They had certainly become popular with their friends and people out in the clubs. It’s just unfortunately that the drugs didn’t last forever, and even more unfortunate that they belonged to a man that you really shouldn’t mess with. So, when Roksana and Z were told they had to come up with the money to replace the drugs, they both realised they had entered a very dangerous and different world to the one they were used to. After getting out of prison Teddy just wanted to live a normal peaceful life, however when he realises the danger Emelie could be in, he knows he might have to break the law to keep her safe. If you are after an entertaining and captivating read, then I would strongly recommend this book. 5/5 Star Rating.
Roksana and Z would have been better off if they hadn’t found the drugs, however once they tried them there was no turning back. They had certainly become popular with their friends and people out in the clubs. It’s just unfortunately that the drugs didn’t last forever, and even more unfortunate that they belonged to a man that you really shouldn’t mess with. So, when Roksana and Z were told they had to come up with the money to replace the drugs, they both realised they had entered a very dangerous and different world to the one they were used to. After getting out of prison Teddy just wanted to live a normal peaceful life, however when he realises the danger Emelie could be in, he knows he might have to break the law to keep her safe. If you are after an entertaining and captivating read, then I would strongly recommend this book. 5/5 Star Rating.
June 15, 2017
Betyg: 4 av 5.
TOP DOGG är den tredje boken i serien om kåkfararen Teddy och advokaten Emelie. Den första boken heter VIP-rummet och den andra boken heter STHLM DELETE. (Länkarna går till mina recensioner av böckerna). Jag tyckte mycket om dom två tidigare böckerna, och jag tyckte mycket om den här boken. Boken kan nog läsas fristående med stor behållning. Men som alltid så tycker jag ju helst att man ska läsa en serie från början.
Boken är avslutad, utan någon cliff hanger. Och jag vet inte om det är tänkt att komma någon mer bok i serien, eller om den är avslutad. För min del så skulle jag gärna läsa mer om Teddy och Emelie.
Jag tyckte att Top Dogg var lika bra som Sthlm Delete, och den första boken, VIP-rummet, var snäppet bättre än dom två efterföljarna.
Rekommenderar absolut dom tre böckerna till alla som tycker om kriminalromaner i Stockholmsmiljö. Härliga karaktärer och miljöer i alla tre böckerna i serien.
TOP DOGG är den tredje boken i serien om kåkfararen Teddy och advokaten Emelie. Den första boken heter VIP-rummet och den andra boken heter STHLM DELETE. (Länkarna går till mina recensioner av böckerna). Jag tyckte mycket om dom två tidigare böckerna, och jag tyckte mycket om den här boken. Boken kan nog läsas fristående med stor behållning. Men som alltid så tycker jag ju helst att man ska läsa en serie från början.
Boken är avslutad, utan någon cliff hanger. Och jag vet inte om det är tänkt att komma någon mer bok i serien, eller om den är avslutad. För min del så skulle jag gärna läsa mer om Teddy och Emelie.
Jag tyckte att Top Dogg var lika bra som Sthlm Delete, och den första boken, VIP-rummet, var snäppet bättre än dom två efterföljarna.
Rekommenderar absolut dom tre böckerna till alla som tycker om kriminalromaner i Stockholmsmiljö. Härliga karaktärer och miljöer i alla tre böckerna i serien.
October 8, 2017
Betyg: 4,5 / 5
Tuff, brutal, actionfylld och spännande.
Tuff, brutal, actionfylld och spännande.
December 7, 2023
Asså det är underhållning i renaste form för det är absolut en nagelbitare men jag bara kan inte ge högre än tre. Nämn: en författare som skriver fler kolon. Nämn: en författare som gör mer produktplacering??? Tesla and Samsonite worked HAAAARD in this. Och läs inte alla tre direkt efter varann för han skriver om samma saker på samma sätt liksom beskrivningarna är bara återanvända, antagligen för att man ska kunna läsa dom fristående men d fett drygt
February 21, 2021
That was a marathon read and I can’t believe what a page turner Jens Lapidus’ Top Dog novel is! It honestly kept me riveted the entire way through as multiple stories became more and more interconnected, eventually converging in a realistic and appropriate climax. From that perspective this novel is a 5 star read for me. A criminal defence lawyer himself, Jens Lapidus is clearly able to write authentically to the genre, understandably focused around a lawyer as opposed to a detective.
I read the Lapidus’ previous book, Stockholm Delete, which really helped me contextualise this story. In fact, the majority of this story has its basis in events that were first described in that book and we are introduced to the main characters who feature heavily across both stories. Teddy is a kind of loveable rogue, constantly finding himself on the wrong side of the law, somewhat cliche, but a solid character. Emilie is the up and coming lawyer, caught between Teddy and the expectations of her vocation, again, slightly cliche but solid enough. If I had one criticism it is that the characters are not as fully developed as I would like. Mind you, at over 500 pages long, there is probably not much scope for any further character development. Lapidus has paid attention to the plot development and he has done this masterfully, with clarity which makes the reading experience pleasurable and easy.
Top Dog rounds out the Stockholm Noir trilogy. I didn’t actually read the first one in the series, VIP room, as it doesn’t appear to have been translated to English. Top Dog is gritty and earthy and brings the reader into the something of the realities of Stockholm underworld. The south of Stockholm certainly sounds interesting and I’m intrigued to read more about it. Thoroughly good read.
I read the Lapidus’ previous book, Stockholm Delete, which really helped me contextualise this story. In fact, the majority of this story has its basis in events that were first described in that book and we are introduced to the main characters who feature heavily across both stories. Teddy is a kind of loveable rogue, constantly finding himself on the wrong side of the law, somewhat cliche, but a solid character. Emilie is the up and coming lawyer, caught between Teddy and the expectations of her vocation, again, slightly cliche but solid enough. If I had one criticism it is that the characters are not as fully developed as I would like. Mind you, at over 500 pages long, there is probably not much scope for any further character development. Lapidus has paid attention to the plot development and he has done this masterfully, with clarity which makes the reading experience pleasurable and easy.
Top Dog rounds out the Stockholm Noir trilogy. I didn’t actually read the first one in the series, VIP room, as it doesn’t appear to have been translated to English. Top Dog is gritty and earthy and brings the reader into the something of the realities of Stockholm underworld. The south of Stockholm certainly sounds interesting and I’m intrigued to read more about it. Thoroughly good read.
November 1, 2018
Set in Stockholm this Scandinavia-noir novel has all manner of grim ruthless crime, such as sex-trafficking, the drug industry and the criminal underworld.
There are some great lines, such as “ Magnus was standing unnaturally still, the way only drunk people do when they are trying to look sober. “You’re brave, you know that, don’t you?”” Menacing and atmospheric.
Jens Lapidus was a criminal lawyer and he is able to bring a feeling of reality to the both the criminal side the legal side of the story. The characters are well written and believable and while it is quite a convoluted tale, it’s worth sticking with to reach the twists and the thoroughly satisfying ending.
With thanks to Readers First and Corvus for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
There are some great lines, such as “ Magnus was standing unnaturally still, the way only drunk people do when they are trying to look sober. “You’re brave, you know that, don’t you?”” Menacing and atmospheric.
Jens Lapidus was a criminal lawyer and he is able to bring a feeling of reality to the both the criminal side the legal side of the story. The characters are well written and believable and while it is quite a convoluted tale, it’s worth sticking with to reach the twists and the thoroughly satisfying ending.
With thanks to Readers First and Corvus for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
November 19, 2018
This book had me gripped the whole way through! I love how everyone was linked in some way. They was it was written made you feel like you was right there going through all of the ups and downs with them.
I really enjoyed this book! The characters were great, the story was thrilling and it flowed well. It made me build up hate for the bad guys and I loved how everyone came together to achieve the same goal at the end.
This is the second book in the series, but I felt that it was fine to read as a stand-alone in itself. I didn’t feel lost at any point and I was able to easily relate to all of the characters in the story.
This was definitely a great crime story and it has reignited my love for crime reads!
I really enjoyed this book! The characters were great, the story was thrilling and it flowed well. It made me build up hate for the bad guys and I loved how everyone came together to achieve the same goal at the end.
This is the second book in the series, but I felt that it was fine to read as a stand-alone in itself. I didn’t feel lost at any point and I was able to easily relate to all of the characters in the story.
This was definitely a great crime story and it has reignited my love for crime reads!
March 4, 2018
veruit het zwakte deel van deze trilogie. Nog meer toeval, nog meer wonderlijke ontsnappingen aan de dood, zeker als je bedenkt welke machten al jaren de hele zaak onder controle houden. Veel straattaal en oppervlakkige karakter-psychologie maken dat niet goed. Uiteindelijk een onverwachte (maar niet heus) dader, veel happy end en vooral platjes de afloop verklaard. Ongeloofwaardig dus en alleen maar uitgelezen om de trilogie af te maken.
January 17, 2020
Το καταληκτικό κεφάλαιο της τριλογίας της Στοκχόλμης, που είναι ίσως και το πλέον δυναμικό συγκριτικά με τα προηγούμενα δύο, έρχεται για να δώσει ένα τέλος τόσο στην ιστορία της Έμελι και του Τέντι, όσο και στην περιπέτεια του κατατρεγμένου Ματς Εμάνουελσον. Με τα δύο προηγούμενα βιβλία να τοποθετούν το δικό τους λιθαράκι σ' αυτόν τον πύργο της Βαβέλ που αποτελεί αυτό το κύκλωμα εκμετάλλευσης και κακοποίησης, το φινάλε τα ακολουθεί εκρηκτικά για να κουμπώσει όμορφα στο σύνολο με μια οριστική λύση.
Η Έμελι έχει τώρα πια το δικό της δικηγορικό γραφείο, ο Τέντι αναζητά απελπισμένα εργασία, και ο Νίκολα φαίνεται να βαδίζει στο σωστό μονοπάτι για να αποκτήσει, επιτέλους, μια ενήλικη ζωή που δεν θα του επιφυλάσσει κινδύνους. Ωστόσο, σύντομα η Έμελι θα αναλάβει την υπόθεση μιας κοπέλας που σχετίζεται, στον ρόλο του θύματος, με το κύκλωμα εκμετάλλευσης που άθελά του αποκάλυψε ο Ματς Εμάνουελσον διακινδυνεύοντας έτσι την ίδια του τη ζωή, ο Τέντι θα υποκύψει στις οικονομικές του αστάθειες και θα εμπλακεί σε παράνομες δραστηριότητες, και ο Νίκολα θα παραστεί μάρτυρας στην εν ψυχρώ δολοφονία του Σάμον, του καλύτερού του φίλου. Η Έμελι ζητάει την βοήθεια του Τέντι, ο Τέντι μπλέκει περισσότερο, και ο Νίκολα ορκίζεται να εκδικηθεί για τον θάνατο του φίλου του, ξεκινώντας να αναζητά τον υπαίτιο για την δολοφονία του. Παράλληλα, δυο φίλοι ανακαλύπτουν μεγάλη ποσότητα κεταμίνης στο διαμέρισμα που μόλις νοίκιασαν και, αφότου πουλάνε και το τελευταίο γραμμάριο αποκομίζοντας ένα τεράστιο κέρδος, ο πραγματικός της ιδιοκτήτης με απειλές απαιτεί τα χρήματα που έχασε από τις δραστηριότητες των δυο φοιτητών. Τέσσερις ιστορίες που εναλλάσσονται και πλέκονται με φροντίδα και σασπένς, και που, όπως πάντα, εξαρτώνται η μια από την άλλη.
Μέσα σε πλαίσια αξιοσημείωτα φυσιολογικά αναπτύσσεται και εξελίσσεται μια πλοκή αξιοθαύμαστα ρεαλιστική, χωρίς τις υπερβολές που χαρακτηρίζουν πολλές φορές την αστυνομική και νουάρ λογοτεχνία. Το μυθιστόρημα, με τα ερωτήματα, το σασπένς και τις κορυφώσεις του, κρατάει τον αναγνώστη σε εγρήγορση μέχρι και την τελευταία σελίδα, με την λύτρωση να επέρχεται μαζί με την κορύφωση της αγωνίας μόλις στις τελευταίες σελίδες.
Η Έμελι έχει τώρα πια το δικό της δικηγορικό γραφείο, ο Τέντι αναζητά απελπισμένα εργασία, και ο Νίκολα φαίνεται να βαδίζει στο σωστό μονοπάτι για να αποκτήσει, επιτέλους, μια ενήλικη ζωή που δεν θα του επιφυλάσσει κινδύνους. Ωστόσο, σύντομα η Έμελι θα αναλάβει την υπόθεση μιας κοπέλας που σχετίζεται, στον ρόλο του θύματος, με το κύκλωμα εκμετάλλευσης που άθελά του αποκάλυψε ο Ματς Εμάνουελσον διακινδυνεύοντας έτσι την ίδια του τη ζωή, ο Τέντι θα υποκύψει στις οικονομικές του αστάθειες και θα εμπλακεί σε παράνομες δραστηριότητες, και ο Νίκολα θα παραστεί μάρτυρας στην εν ψυχρώ δολοφονία του Σάμον, του καλύτερού του φίλου. Η Έμελι ζητάει την βοήθεια του Τέντι, ο Τέντι μπλέκει περισσότερο, και ο Νίκολα ορκίζεται να εκδικηθεί για τον θάνατο του φίλου του, ξεκινώντας να αναζητά τον υπαίτιο για την δολοφονία του. Παράλληλα, δυο φίλοι ανακαλύπτουν μεγάλη ποσότητα κεταμίνης στο διαμέρισμα που μόλις νοίκιασαν και, αφότου πουλάνε και το τελευταίο γραμμάριο αποκομίζοντας ένα τεράστιο κέρδος, ο πραγματικός της ιδιοκτήτης με απειλές απαιτεί τα χρήματα που έχασε από τις δραστηριότητες των δυο φοιτητών. Τέσσερις ιστορίες που εναλλάσσονται και πλέκονται με φροντίδα και σασπένς, και που, όπως πάντα, εξαρτώνται η μια από την άλλη.
Μέσα σε πλαίσια αξιοσημείωτα φυσιολογικά αναπτύσσεται και εξελίσσεται μια πλοκή αξιοθαύμαστα ρεαλιστική, χωρίς τις υπερβολές που χαρακτηρίζουν πολλές φορές την αστυνομική και νουάρ λογοτεχνία. Το μυθιστόρημα, με τα ερωτήματα, το σασπένς και τις κορυφώσεις του, κρατάει τον αναγνώστη σε εγρήγορση μέχρι και την τελευταία σελίδα, με την λύτρωση να επέρχεται μαζί με την κορύφωση της αγωνίας μόλις στις τελευταίες σελίδες.
October 28, 2018
Themes of this story include sex-trafficking, the illegal drug industry, a criminal underworld whose tentacles permeate all levels of society, police and political corruption and problems faced by second generation immigrants who are caught between two culturally-conflicting worlds. I thought that the author wove these themes together in a convincing way, credibly evoking the contemporary struggles which are a feature of most European countries. He used his own experiences as a criminal lawyer to add authenticity to his portrayal of not only the criminal underworld, but also of the Swedish justice system and I found this one of the strengths of his story-telling. However, there were times when I thought that the plot-development stretched my credulity just too far, particularly the one which involved a young Iranian girl and her boyfriend discovering a stash of ketamine and then falling foul of a local drug lord!
This is the follow-on book to “Stockholm Delete” and I think I would have felt much more engaged with the characters had I read that first because, for at least half of the book, I often felt irritated because I was trying to work out their background stories and the various interrelationships. There were lots of references to past events but, rather than clarifying the plot, I found that they often acted as more of a distraction. Eventually I did feel able to become more immersed in the developing story but, until this happened, there were several occasions when I was tempted to give up on the book! There are several strands to the complex storyline and although they do eventually come together, this doesn’t happen until quite late on in the book. Although some of the resolutions were quite predictable, there were a couple of unexpected, and very satisfying, twists which went a long way to making me feel pleased that I had persisted to the end!
With thanks to Readers First and Corvus for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This is the follow-on book to “Stockholm Delete” and I think I would have felt much more engaged with the characters had I read that first because, for at least half of the book, I often felt irritated because I was trying to work out their background stories and the various interrelationships. There were lots of references to past events but, rather than clarifying the plot, I found that they often acted as more of a distraction. Eventually I did feel able to become more immersed in the developing story but, until this happened, there were several occasions when I was tempted to give up on the book! There are several strands to the complex storyline and although they do eventually come together, this doesn’t happen until quite late on in the book. Although some of the resolutions were quite predictable, there were a couple of unexpected, and very satisfying, twists which went a long way to making me feel pleased that I had persisted to the end!
With thanks to Readers First and Corvus for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
January 5, 2019
Yes, once again I am a sucker for a Scandinavian noir thriller. And in Jens Lapidus's Top Dogg I am well rewarded. Based in the hustle and bustle of the sex and drug fueled underworld of Stockholm Lapidus doesn't pull any punches.
Top Dogg introduces us to strong characters which is what drives its success and helped it achieve the top selling result in Sweden. Emelie is a young lawyer who has just taken the big leap from a safe position in a large and prominent practice to hang out her own shingle and go it alone.
Teddy is a young former criminal trying to get back on the straight and narrow but he and Emelie haven't touched bases recently. That is until a young client of hers is murdered before she can give evidence about the abuse she had suffered.
Then there's Roksana , who lives on the edge, and moving into a new apartment discovers a hidden stash of drugs which she uses to establish a reputation amongst the city's dark side dwellers.
The characters are real and the plot is robust, with danger and excitement delivered in spades. Can Emelie survive and can her new practice rise above the risky pathways she chooses to occupy. Jens Lapidus belongs in the top echelon of Sweden and Scandinavia's thriller exponents.
Top Dogg introduces us to strong characters which is what drives its success and helped it achieve the top selling result in Sweden. Emelie is a young lawyer who has just taken the big leap from a safe position in a large and prominent practice to hang out her own shingle and go it alone.
Teddy is a young former criminal trying to get back on the straight and narrow but he and Emelie haven't touched bases recently. That is until a young client of hers is murdered before she can give evidence about the abuse she had suffered.
Then there's Roksana , who lives on the edge, and moving into a new apartment discovers a hidden stash of drugs which she uses to establish a reputation amongst the city's dark side dwellers.
The characters are real and the plot is robust, with danger and excitement delivered in spades. Can Emelie survive and can her new practice rise above the risky pathways she chooses to occupy. Jens Lapidus belongs in the top echelon of Sweden and Scandinavia's thriller exponents.
October 29, 2018
I had read the previous novel about Teddy and Emelie and was looking forward to this. Let me point out that you do not need to have read Stockholm Delete before this, but it would help explain some of the characters and the events that happened previously.
The story picks up about a year after the previous events. Emelie now has her own law firm and is just taking on a new lawyer. Teddy is still looking for work and hasn't seen Emelie in some time. Nikola is training to be a electrician and has nearly qualified. Something happens and Nikola is dragged back in the world he had struggled to get away from. He meets Roksy who, along with her friend Z, has stumbled into a load of trouble and needs help to get out of it.
Emelie's new client is connected with the case that caused all the trouble and another can of worms is opened.
Gripping read.
The story picks up about a year after the previous events. Emelie now has her own law firm and is just taking on a new lawyer. Teddy is still looking for work and hasn't seen Emelie in some time. Nikola is training to be a electrician and has nearly qualified. Something happens and Nikola is dragged back in the world he had struggled to get away from. He meets Roksy who, along with her friend Z, has stumbled into a load of trouble and needs help to get out of it.
Emelie's new client is connected with the case that caused all the trouble and another can of worms is opened.
Gripping read.
June 14, 2017
It's amazing to see what a great writer Lapidus has become; at the start, he got by on his well-drawn characters and exciting plots, but his language was an almost intolerable pastiche of James Elroy. Gradually, he's improved, and now his voice is fully his own. Not just that, but it's brilliant! Some might say the shift is negligible, but in reality it's huge, and it's just fun to have followed someone from the beginning.
Anyway. This is the third in the Teddy&Emily-books. It's good. I enjoyed it a lot. Nearly a five.
Anyway. This is the third in the Teddy&Emily-books. It's good. I enjoyed it a lot. Nearly a five.
December 5, 2019
Goeie thriller, met verschillende verhaallijnen die verderop mooi samenkomen. Aan de jongerentaal moest ik even wennen, maar die was best leuk en toch nog goed te volgen voor iemand die niet meer tot die generatie behoort... Strak tempo, mooie donkere sfeer af en toe en ook een paar feelgoodmomenten om alles weer wat lichter te maken. In ijltempo uitgelezen, dus graag gelezen.
September 29, 2020
Linie o sexuálních predátorech završena. Velmi mne bavilo, jak díl od dílu se ukázalo, že ten Hlavní Zloun jím vlastně není a že stopy vedou dál.
Pravda, bylo to nerealisticky optimistický, podsvětí bylo popisováno pořád syrově, bez naděje, přesto však nemohu příliš věřit "obrácení k dobru" jak u Teddyho, tak u Nikolaje
Pravda, bylo to nerealisticky optimistický, podsvětí bylo popisováno pořád syrově, bez naděje, přesto však nemohu příliš věřit "obrácení k dobru" jak u Teddyho, tak u Nikolaje
August 20, 2020
From the sounds of it there is a prequel which I would highly recommend to read first because I was lost with this story. They kept referring back and without that knowledge the story is hard to follow
October 16, 2020
Väldigt medelmåttig, inte alls i klass med föregående i serien. För många parallella historier, inte ens slutet hjälpte upp betyget.
March 29, 2019
This is Book 3 - really enjoyed this with Teddy & Emelie - wish Book 1 was translated into english!
January 11, 2019
I am the first to admit that Stockholm Delete was one of my worst reads back in 2017 and I was not really expecting much of Top Dog because of that. Especially as it picks up Teddy's story and the mysterious cadre of men responsible for child abuse on a large scale. I was not expecting great things from this book, in fact I wasn't even expecting good things from this book and it sat on my shelf for a good long while before I knuckled down to read it.
Although we pick up where we left off with Teddy and Emelie there is not much back story so having battled through Stockholm Delete paid off - I actually knew who these people where and something of their backstory - without that I fear some sections would have seemed completely random and bizarre. Especially when Nicko and Chamon come in to the picture. It is much of the same though so I did find myself almost scan reading a large portion of Teddy and Emelie's story.
The highlights for this reader were the new characters of Roksana and Z. When they sublet an apartment they find something they hadn't bargained for and their lives change irrevocably because of it. This was where my interest lay and I could happily have just had a book about these 2 and their entanglements after finding the stash of Ketamine in the apartment. There was such humour and hope in their story - even after they clash with the criminal underworld and try to fight their way out from under.
I also enjoyed the transcripts of Hugo Pedersen's telephone conversations and text messages with his associates and friends. They really shed light on his descent from businessman to illegal trader. The connections with the abuse ring are tenuous to say the least but, probably because of his greed and naivety, actually strangely amusing. Talk about being in over your head and not understanding that you are.
I'm not sure if the author has slightly changed their style or if the translation in to English was by another person but the word flow was much better in this book. It was less disjointed and flowed much more easily from the page to the reader's imagination which made it a fairly entertaining read on the whole. Not a great read by a good read.
I RECEIVED A FREE COPY OF THIS BOOK FROM READERS FIRST IN EXCHANGE FOR AN HONEST REVIEW.
Although we pick up where we left off with Teddy and Emelie there is not much back story so having battled through Stockholm Delete paid off - I actually knew who these people where and something of their backstory - without that I fear some sections would have seemed completely random and bizarre. Especially when Nicko and Chamon come in to the picture. It is much of the same though so I did find myself almost scan reading a large portion of Teddy and Emelie's story.
The highlights for this reader were the new characters of Roksana and Z. When they sublet an apartment they find something they hadn't bargained for and their lives change irrevocably because of it. This was where my interest lay and I could happily have just had a book about these 2 and their entanglements after finding the stash of Ketamine in the apartment. There was such humour and hope in their story - even after they clash with the criminal underworld and try to fight their way out from under.
I also enjoyed the transcripts of Hugo Pedersen's telephone conversations and text messages with his associates and friends. They really shed light on his descent from businessman to illegal trader. The connections with the abuse ring are tenuous to say the least but, probably because of his greed and naivety, actually strangely amusing. Talk about being in over your head and not understanding that you are.
I'm not sure if the author has slightly changed their style or if the translation in to English was by another person but the word flow was much better in this book. It was less disjointed and flowed much more easily from the page to the reader's imagination which made it a fairly entertaining read on the whole. Not a great read by a good read.
I RECEIVED A FREE COPY OF THIS BOOK FROM READERS FIRST IN EXCHANGE FOR AN HONEST REVIEW.
October 27, 2018
'At last: an epic European thriller to rival the Stieg Larsson books.' This is the quote from James Ellroy that is on the front cover of Top Dog. Usually books take the best quote they can find and slap it on there to make it seem more appealing. You can take a thousand reviews of a bad book and find one small snippet to make it seem better than it is. I had high hopes going into the reading of Top Dog. I'd never read anything by Jens Lapidus before, but now I definitely will. Ellroy was right when he said it's a thriller that could rival the Millenium series. Slowly as you work your way through the various characters and stories they slowly work themselves together to eventually come to one big conclusion. The further I got into the book the more engrossed I became. By the time I'd read the last page I just wanted it to keep going.
Realistic depictions of Stockholm as it is today, bougie millennials trying to be popular and attaching themselves to various causes. Second generation immigrants fighting stereotypes with the police. Lapidus mentions real places and descriptions of a Sweden that make you feel present. Other reviews have mentioned the fact that Lapidus' previous books haven't felt like they've had their own voice, but now he seems to have found it with Top Dog. I'm hoping, now that he's found his voice, Lapidus' next book is just as good. Either way I'll be buying it without question.
In short. The quote on the cover? The one by James Ellroy? 100% true.
Realistic depictions of Stockholm as it is today, bougie millennials trying to be popular and attaching themselves to various causes. Second generation immigrants fighting stereotypes with the police. Lapidus mentions real places and descriptions of a Sweden that make you feel present. Other reviews have mentioned the fact that Lapidus' previous books haven't felt like they've had their own voice, but now he seems to have found it with Top Dog. I'm hoping, now that he's found his voice, Lapidus' next book is just as good. Either way I'll be buying it without question.
In short. The quote on the cover? The one by James Ellroy? 100% true.
August 1, 2018
Thank you NetGalley and Vintage Crime/Black Lizzard for the eARC.
This was one heck of a ride through the surprisingly dark underbelly of Stockholm and my first book by Jens Lapidus.
At first I was sorry I hadn't read the previous book, although things became clearer as I continued with the story.
Emily and Teddy haven't seem or spoken to each other since they were involved in a child pornography case which was peopled by the higher echelons of the business world; dirty old men taking advantage of very young girls, sexually assaulting and humiliating them. One of these girls has come to Emily for legal help, and reluctantly tells her story, but gets murdered before Emily can do anything for her. Not willing to give up, she contacts Teddy. They never got the pedophiles, but decide to go after them again. Teddy's nephew Nikolas' best friend ends up being murdered and despite trying to go straight, he's consumed by such fury, he decides to take revenge by any means. During this time, he meets Oksana,a naive young woman, who, because she finds a cache of drugs and ends up using and selling them, runs afoul of some very dangerous men who want their money back.
This was quite a nailbiter and I did like the 4 main characters, despite their histories and actions. The ending was good, tied up neatly and left me feeling happy.
This was one heck of a ride through the surprisingly dark underbelly of Stockholm and my first book by Jens Lapidus.
At first I was sorry I hadn't read the previous book, although things became clearer as I continued with the story.
Emily and Teddy haven't seem or spoken to each other since they were involved in a child pornography case which was peopled by the higher echelons of the business world; dirty old men taking advantage of very young girls, sexually assaulting and humiliating them. One of these girls has come to Emily for legal help, and reluctantly tells her story, but gets murdered before Emily can do anything for her. Not willing to give up, she contacts Teddy. They never got the pedophiles, but decide to go after them again. Teddy's nephew Nikolas' best friend ends up being murdered and despite trying to go straight, he's consumed by such fury, he decides to take revenge by any means. During this time, he meets Oksana,a naive young woman, who, because she finds a cache of drugs and ends up using and selling them, runs afoul of some very dangerous men who want their money back.
This was quite a nailbiter and I did like the 4 main characters, despite their histories and actions. The ending was good, tied up neatly and left me feeling happy.
October 28, 2020
Emilie är en ung affärsjurist på toppbyrån Leijons, på väg uppåt i karriären. Teddy har precis suttit inne i åtta år för kidnappning, och nu vill han starta ett nytt liv. Deras två helt olika världar strålar samman, med viss friktion, när en ung Östermalmsentreprenör blir kidnappad.
Karaktärerna är nya, men Lapidus Stockholm är detsamma som tidigare:
»Jag menar«, fortsatte Dejan, »alla är så stolta över Stockholms framgångar, hur fin hon är med sitt vatten, hur ren hon är, hur säker hon är och all sån där skit. Men det sexiga är ju djupet. Att ingenting är som det verkar. Att på samma gator dealas jättemängder med koks varje natt, att hororna åker till vilken adress du än beställer dem till, att tillgången på vapen från Balkan sjudubblats de senaste tre åren, att polisen inte ens vågar sig ut till distrikten«.
Och det är i denna värld av organiserad kriminalitet, våld, och övergrepp som det omaka paret Emilie och Teddy dras längre och längre in. För Emilie är den helt okänd, för Teddy är den något han inte vill tillbaka till.
Jag tycker att det bästa i den här bokserien är just miljön den utspelar sig i. Karaktärerna är inte överdrivet intressanta, och det blir lite förutsägbart. Fast det är ändå underhållande och spännande rakt igenom, och Jens Lapidus har en fin känsla för vad som ligger i tiden.
Karaktärerna är nya, men Lapidus Stockholm är detsamma som tidigare:
»Jag menar«, fortsatte Dejan, »alla är så stolta över Stockholms framgångar, hur fin hon är med sitt vatten, hur ren hon är, hur säker hon är och all sån där skit. Men det sexiga är ju djupet. Att ingenting är som det verkar. Att på samma gator dealas jättemängder med koks varje natt, att hororna åker till vilken adress du än beställer dem till, att tillgången på vapen från Balkan sjudubblats de senaste tre åren, att polisen inte ens vågar sig ut till distrikten«.
Och det är i denna värld av organiserad kriminalitet, våld, och övergrepp som det omaka paret Emilie och Teddy dras längre och längre in. För Emilie är den helt okänd, för Teddy är den något han inte vill tillbaka till.
Jag tycker att det bästa i den här bokserien är just miljön den utspelar sig i. Karaktärerna är inte överdrivet intressanta, och det blir lite förutsägbart. Fast det är ändå underhållande och spännande rakt igenom, och Jens Lapidus har en fin känsla för vad som ligger i tiden.
March 16, 2024
Regrettably, a convoluted concluding installment of the trilogy. The book reads like a movie script, clearly revealing the cinematic adaptation Lapidus had it mind. Sadly, it becomes burdened by a plethora of subplots. Characters linger around in the second act, seemingly grappling with memory loss as the plot stalls. Readers drawn to the series for the captivating duo of Teddy and Emily, may find solace in Nikolas's expanded character arc and Isac's comically exaggerated persona. However, the introduction of Roksana, a filler character at best, disrupts the narrative pace. Her unlikable demeanor and implausible storyline, at the expense of more engaging characters, makes you wonder if she is Lapidus' critique on woke and postmodernist politics personified. The conclusion, while not devoid of intrigue, falls short of expectations. Sadly, Lapidus's signature raw and unfiltered portrayal of reality seems to have been taken too far, almost bordering on self-parody. I hope Lapidus will regain his form in future works.
October 28, 2018
Top Dog is the third of a series of books written by Jens Lapidus featuring an ex-thug, Teddy, and a female lawyer, Emilie. I wish I'd been able to read the 2 previous books before Top Dog to really get a sense of the characters and storyline, however it read brilliantly as a standalone.
Set in Stockholm, the reader is introduced to a modern-day Sweden, its music scene and diverse communities. There are 5 threads to the storyline that weave together - the main premise being the investigation of a secret network exploiting young girls. The action starts from the beginning of the book right through to the conclusion...some really strong, likeable characters and plenty of unsavoury individuals to meet throughout the thrilling journey!
Highly recommended - a really enjoyable read!
Set in Stockholm, the reader is introduced to a modern-day Sweden, its music scene and diverse communities. There are 5 threads to the storyline that weave together - the main premise being the investigation of a secret network exploiting young girls. The action starts from the beginning of the book right through to the conclusion...some really strong, likeable characters and plenty of unsavoury individuals to meet throughout the thrilling journey!
Highly recommended - a really enjoyable read!
November 4, 2018
Teddy a reformed criminal and Emelie a lawyer team up to investigate and stop an organisation that's been trafficking young girls for years. The Police are having no luck but maybe they can that's if they don't get to them first.
I really wanted to like this book and it sounded really good but sadly it just didn't deliver. I couldn't get into the story and actually didn't make it to the end. The characters were okay but just not engaging enough for me. There's a lot going on with different perspectives that at times it was a bit confusing and I struggled to follow. I did like Emelie and Teddy but everyone else I struggled to be interested in. I'm sure many others will enjoy the story but sadly it wasn't for me.
I really wanted to like this book and it sounded really good but sadly it just didn't deliver. I couldn't get into the story and actually didn't make it to the end. The characters were okay but just not engaging enough for me. There's a lot going on with different perspectives that at times it was a bit confusing and I struggled to follow. I did like Emelie and Teddy but everyone else I struggled to be interested in. I'm sure many others will enjoy the story but sadly it wasn't for me.
October 29, 2018
Really complicated and complex Swedish noir. This has multiple threads that at times seem unrelated but they all come together in the end. I'd not read the first book and suspect having done so might have eased my way into this but no matter - it's a terrific read. Emilie and Teddy are quite a pair. She's an attorney and he's a reformed criminal. Together they find themselves looking at the topical issue of trafficking, human and drugs, and the conflict in a city undergoing generational and cultural change. Well written and translated but hard to describe in a review, this is one to settle into. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. For fans of Scandinavian novels.
April 29, 2019
No, I don't speak Swedish. I came across an English translation of this Swedish noir in a charming bookstore, the Mad Hatter, in Burford, UK. The jacket blurb touted this author as the next Stieg Larsen, but he's not (yet). Though overlong and overwritten, this is a very decent double plot about a young attorney, Emilie, and her used-to-be gangster now-investigator and sometime boyfriend Teddy investigating a sex trafficking case after their client, one of the young women who was victimized, is murdered. The main characters are Eastern European gang members and Iranian immigrants, which shows how the demographics of Sweden have changed in recent years.
December 31, 2019
This last book in the trilogy I liked least. About half way it felt to me like the main story line was slipping. I couldn't really get a grip on the sublines and figure out why they were added.
In the end, more or less a 'and they lived happily ever after', the stry ending was summarized, who did what and why. No, this book was not a good one to me. Happy to have finushed the triligy, which allows me to continue reading other books without thinking about Teddy and how his story would end.
In the end, more or less a 'and they lived happily ever after', the stry ending was summarized, who did what and why. No, this book was not a good one to me. Happy to have finushed the triligy, which allows me to continue reading other books without thinking about Teddy and how his story would end.
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