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The Dark Heart: A True Story of Greed, Murder, and an Unlikely Investigator
by
A chilling true crime story of poisonous family secrets, love gone wrong, and a cold case that refused to stay buried…
In late summer of 2012, millionaire landowner Göran Lundblad went missing from his farm in Sweden. When a search yielded nothing, and all physical evidence had seemingly disappeared, authorities had little to go on—except a disturbing phone call five we
...moreKindle Edition, 314 pages
Published
November 1st 2018
by Amazon Crossing
(first published June 2017)
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C.L.
I had a hypothesis about the opening chapter - and I was right. Did you finish the book? If you did - the first chapter should make sense.
Community Reviews
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Start your review of The Dark Heart: A True Story of Greed, Murder, and an Unlikely Investigator
3.0 Stars — I decided to read a true crime book for my next read, and “The Dark Heart” caught my eye because it has been heavily promoted on Kindle Unlimited. “The Dark Heart” was written by a Swedish crime reporter and details the investigation into a missing person / murder of a very wealthy Swedish businessman. One drawback of books that are translated from its original language to English is that the writing usually comes off stilted and unclear, but this was one of the best translated books
...more
A book that should have been an essay. It was so stretched out with various boring incidental issues and an inevitable conclusion. I want my life back.
The Dark Heart: A True Story of Greed, Murder, and an Unlikely Investigator
This is the story of a missing Swedish millionaire, Goran Lundblad who has a couple of farms and other properties. Before he went missing, he’s been trying to convince his daughter Sara, who lived and worked with him, to get rid of a boyfriend she’d acquired that has become a bone of contention between them. Finally, Therese Tang gets involved, a mother of 3, former model and security guard, who is an investigator for a m ...more
This is the story of a missing Swedish millionaire, Goran Lundblad who has a couple of farms and other properties. Before he went missing, he’s been trying to convince his daughter Sara, who lived and worked with him, to get rid of a boyfriend she’d acquired that has become a bone of contention between them. Finally, Therese Tang gets involved, a mother of 3, former model and security guard, who is an investigator for a m ...more
Oct 14, 2018
Lisa Van Gemert
rated it
did not like it
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
non-fiction,
translation
This is a book that would have made a great newspaper article. Or a pamphlet. Or a 15-minute video. Anything but a full-length book.
It was about 10 times too long, and the translation was awkward. It was clearly not a native English speaker doing the translation, and the book suffers for that. There are too many phrases that are supposed to be complete sentences, such as "A woman, to boot, and older than he." It isn't terrible, it's just not quite right. Phrases read awkwardly. Structures that ...more
It was about 10 times too long, and the translation was awkward. It was clearly not a native English speaker doing the translation, and the book suffers for that. There are too many phrases that are supposed to be complete sentences, such as "A woman, to boot, and older than he." It isn't terrible, it's just not quite right. Phrases read awkwardly. Structures that ...more
The Dark Heart: A True Story of Greed, Murder, and an Unlikely Investigator
This is the story of a missing Swedish millionaire, Goran Lundblad who has a couple of farms and other properties. Before he went missing, he’s been trying to convince his daughter Sara, who lived and worked with him, to get rid of a boyfriend she’d acquired that has become a bone of contention between them. Finally, Therese Tang gets involved, a mother of 3, former model and security guard, who is an investigator for a m ...more
This is the story of a missing Swedish millionaire, Goran Lundblad who has a couple of farms and other properties. Before he went missing, he’s been trying to convince his daughter Sara, who lived and worked with him, to get rid of a boyfriend she’d acquired that has become a bone of contention between them. Finally, Therese Tang gets involved, a mother of 3, former model and security guard, who is an investigator for a m ...more
Riveting
A riveting true-crime story set in Scandinavia. The real-life process detectives ... and community volunteers ... used to put the pieces together is highlighted, not the gore. Well-written. All questions answered. Loose ends tied up. All in all, a great read!
A riveting true-crime story set in Scandinavia. The real-life process detectives ... and community volunteers ... used to put the pieces together is highlighted, not the gore. Well-written. All questions answered. Loose ends tied up. All in all, a great read!
No body, no murder…The body was missing. There were no videos, no recorded confessions, and there was no evidence of foul play.
A wealthy Swedish man has gone missing. Has he been murdered? From the very first police investigation, where nothing is found, they do feel that something is amiss and all fingers point to his eldest daughter and her boyfriend. I am giving nothing away here. This is all set-up in the first 10 pages. The dark heart of a Romeo and Juliet story.
Around seven to eight thous ...more
A wealthy Swedish man has gone missing. Has he been murdered? From the very first police investigation, where nothing is found, they do feel that something is amiss and all fingers point to his eldest daughter and her boyfriend. I am giving nothing away here. This is all set-up in the first 10 pages. The dark heart of a Romeo and Juliet story.
Around seven to eight thous ...more
My first time reading a true crime story set outside the USA. Learning about the judicial system in another country kept my interest when the story lagged occasionally. Greed and a gruesome murder are mixed together to make a very interesting story.
Terrific True Crime Novel
Just finished a terrific true crime novel "The Dark Heart" by Joakim Palmkvist. Another Kindle First discovery of mine which I found fascinating.
Set in Sweeden, there was plenty of intrigue: "dark and deranged Romeo and Juliet story about star-crossed lovers in a rural setting. Lovers who murdered the girl’s father. All the money added a bit of extra spice, as those are the kinds of things that naturally stoke curiosity. But how the case was solved—thanks to a private i ...more
Just finished a terrific true crime novel "The Dark Heart" by Joakim Palmkvist. Another Kindle First discovery of mine which I found fascinating.
Set in Sweeden, there was plenty of intrigue: "dark and deranged Romeo and Juliet story about star-crossed lovers in a rural setting. Lovers who murdered the girl’s father. All the money added a bit of extra spice, as those are the kinds of things that naturally stoke curiosity. But how the case was solved—thanks to a private i ...more
This was my Kindle First choice for October and I could've picked 3 this month but since true crime is my real "bag" I opted for this and I'm so pleased I did. I really enjoyed it, a fascinating look into how the Swedes investigate a murder (or not) !! I was shocked at one case being referred to as a suicide when the victim was located in his car boot !!
I also found it pretty staggering that they appeared to be only capable of investigating one murder case at a time and all others got left by t ...more
I also found it pretty staggering that they appeared to be only capable of investigating one murder case at a time and all others got left by t ...more
I want to thank NetGalley and the publisher for providing a free ARC of this e-book.
The truth is that I didn't finish it. I am now convinced that the so-called true crime genre is not my cup of tea. The main positive characteristic of the book is that it contains an abundance of information concerning the Swedish socio-political status quo, the emphasis being given in the legal and justice issues. The story itself though couldn't retain my attention enough to even finish it. It is like reading a ...more
The truth is that I didn't finish it. I am now convinced that the so-called true crime genre is not my cup of tea. The main positive characteristic of the book is that it contains an abundance of information concerning the Swedish socio-political status quo, the emphasis being given in the legal and justice issues. The story itself though couldn't retain my attention enough to even finish it. It is like reading a ...more
Read it in one day!
Let me get this criticism out of the way first: the first chapter is unnecessary, and adds nothing to the book. It is highly emotional and overwrought, and I almost stopped reading right then. I find it so hard to believe that any woman would place herself in such a dangerous situation, especially one who is so savvy about criminal behavior. Had this been fiction, I would have judged it totally implausible. On to the main body of the book. This is definitely hard to put down o ...more
Let me get this criticism out of the way first: the first chapter is unnecessary, and adds nothing to the book. It is highly emotional and overwrought, and I almost stopped reading right then. I find it so hard to believe that any woman would place herself in such a dangerous situation, especially one who is so savvy about criminal behavior. Had this been fiction, I would have judged it totally implausible. On to the main body of the book. This is definitely hard to put down o ...more
Hard to Forget
I felt pulled into this story and found it hard to put down or forget. Everyone in this case is unforgettable - especially the woman who broke the case, Therese Tang. I highly recommend this book to anyone else who is interested in true crime.
I felt pulled into this story and found it hard to put down or forget. Everyone in this case is unforgettable - especially the woman who broke the case, Therese Tang. I highly recommend this book to anyone else who is interested in true crime.
I've had some less than enjoyable experiences with translated fiction, and so I hesitated before opting to read this translation of true crime. Aspects of a story and the emotion often get lost in the transition when translating from one language to another. I was pleasantly surprised to find this is an entertaining read that translates well.
I knew nothing about Goran Lundblad's murder or the surrounding family drama. And a drama this is! I couldn't "like" the victim, a wealthy man who lives lik ...more
I knew nothing about Goran Lundblad's murder or the surrounding family drama. And a drama this is! I couldn't "like" the victim, a wealthy man who lives lik ...more
This was... interesting? I received an early copy as a part of Amazon's First Reads program. High points: interesting to see how the Swedish legal/police system works, and Swedish society in general.
I was impatient with the author frequently, and wish he would have cut back on the sinister foreshadowing ("She had no idea how entangled she would become in the events of the next eighteen months", paraphrased). It's a non-fiction account of a murder investigation, we get it, dark deeds are ahead. I ...more
I was impatient with the author frequently, and wish he would have cut back on the sinister foreshadowing ("She had no idea how entangled she would become in the events of the next eighteen months", paraphrased). It's a non-fiction account of a murder investigation, we get it, dark deeds are ahead. I ...more
This book read like fiction with the tv detective non fiction format. It was quite riveting. I read a lost of mysteries, and kept treating it as non fiction, then I’d remember it wasn’t, and would be horrified that two people could be so evil.
Excellent book
This was a medium length book that is very good. This murder is weird and the detection of it is brilliant.
This was a medium length book that is very good. This murder is weird and the detection of it is brilliant.
This story was well written from beginning to end. I enjoyed reading the intricate details the author provided about the case. Sometimes the story just jump forward but there is an explanation following that guides the reader to that point. This helped me think about what I had just read and piece it together in my mind. Along with learning about this murder, it was nice to follow the person who solved the case and what she has to go through emotionally during and after the case was solved.
Love ...more
Love ...more
Mosaic of Murder
The author expertly pieces together the events and accounts to reveal a complete picture. The reader is instantly captivated and then cautiously led through the tangle of events and characters. I immediately recommend this book to my friends who have been obsessed with true crime for decades and who are not easily drawn in because I knew they would find it as thrilling as I did.
The author expertly pieces together the events and accounts to reveal a complete picture. The reader is instantly captivated and then cautiously led through the tangle of events and characters. I immediately recommend this book to my friends who have been obsessed with true crime for decades and who are not easily drawn in because I knew they would find it as thrilling as I did.
My experience reading this monstrosity;
-oh lord this editing is fucking horrendos
*proceeds to edit it all*
-this is so boring that I have no care in the world to continue editing it
-so b o r i n g
*skips chapters*
-can still follow the ”plot”
- stupid stupid stupid
-so this was published to show how to not write a true crime? ahh got it
-the end-
-oh lord this editing is fucking horrendos
*proceeds to edit it all*
-this is so boring that I have no care in the world to continue editing it
-so b o r i n g
*skips chapters*
-can still follow the ”plot”
- stupid stupid stupid
-so this was published to show how to not write a true crime? ahh got it
-the end-
Very interesting
Very interesting true crime book! Leaned some things about the sweedish Justice system as well. Would definitely recommend! This case just goes to show how hard it is to get away aith murder.
Very interesting true crime book! Leaned some things about the sweedish Justice system as well. Would definitely recommend! This case just goes to show how hard it is to get away aith murder.
Although a bit back & forthy it was a typical true crime book. The crime happened in Sweden so it was interesting to learn about some of the differences in Swedish law compared to law in the U.S.
a very dry...sort of whodunit even tho we KNOW whodunit...maybe an insight into "whydunnit" ....sorry didn't really happen. Unless you are a hardcore true crime unkie I would not recommend.
...more
There was a lot of unnecessary drama and foreshadowing added in an attempt to make this story more interesting, but it just made it more of a slog to get through. Also, I was not a fan of Therese Tang, and her choices towards the end of the book were not heroic but were reckless and seemed a bit self-serving.
This is true crime in Sweden, a translation. In 2012, a man, Goran, disappears. His oldest daughter (in her 20s), Sara, is set to inherit her father’s forestry business. Goran was very well off (though stingy with what he spent). Goran had had a feud with his neighbour for a long time, and he had been upset with Sara for dating the neighbour’s son. It was longer than one would expect before Sara even reported her father missing. In the meantime, a woman named Therese had recently set up “Missing
...more
Free on Kindle
I really enjoyed this book. It told a interesting story with a not so interesting ending. Well, I guess that's how real life is. I felt it could've been a lot shorter tho. It was so much background story that at times made me feel like I was reading a history book.
...more
The Dark Heart was an okay read for me, meaning it was good but not great. It was slow going with lots of procedural actions the Police and investigators take while investigating a crime scene. The Author is a crime reporter and this story is based on his own research with the majority of the material provided by Theresa Tang who broke the cold case two years after Goran Lundbald went missing.
I give The Dark Heart 3 stars for its crime drama.
I would recommend this book to Fans of Criminal Invest ...more
I give The Dark Heart 3 stars for its crime drama.
I would recommend this book to Fans of Criminal Invest ...more
So my Read Harder True Crime book and I picked something freeish on Kindle because this is not a genre I have any significant interest in. And this was pretty much what I expected, an arse backward Columbo episode where we are presented with all the reasons why our suspects did it, and then the unlikely but not all that amazing way in which they were caught. Clearly there are flourishes meant to titlate, and it is in the interest of the writer that the victim himself isn't all that loveable, but
...more
Joakim Palmqvist’s “The Dark Heart” is, as its subtitle indicates, the true story of an unlikely investigator getting involved in greed and murder.
Therese Tang, a Missing People investigator, spends two years attempting to uncover the truth surrounding a millionaire’s murder. She is not a police official with official investigative clout. Her normal role is trying to find missing people. But, in this case, she finds the presence of secrets, lies, and betrayals overwhelming in its urgency and she ...more
| topics | posts | views | last activity | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Play Book Tag: [+Poll Ballot] The Dark Heart / Joakim Palmkvist. 4 stars | 1 | 5 | Oct 23, 2020 08:21PM | |
| Goodreads Librari...: Please add page count ASIN B07HGB957S | 3 | 15 | May 18, 2020 11:45AM |
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After studies in political science at Lund University and international journalism in London, he started working on the Barometer as a reporter in the summer of 1995 .
In 1997 he was employed at Sydsvenska Dagbladet where he is still working. In 2015 and 2016 Palmkvist worked with the radio program I Lagens Naam for Sveriges Radio P1 .
In 1997 he was employed at Sydsvenska Dagbladet where he is still working. In 2015 and 2016 Palmkvist worked with the radio program I Lagens Naam for Sveriges Radio P1 .
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