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Årstidskvartetten #4
Rites of Spring
Southern Sweden: Beautiful countryside, endless forests, coastal walks, dark days - and even darker nights. But beneath the beauty lies a dark heart . . .
Skåne, 1986: On the night of Walpurgis, the eve of May Day, where bonfires are lit to ward off evil spirits and preparations are made to celebrate the renewal of spring, a sixteen-year-old girl is ritualistically murdered in the woods beside a castle. Her stepbrother is convicted of the terrible deed and shortly after, the entire family vanishes without a trace.
Spring, 2019: Dr Thea Lind moves into the castle. After making a strange discovery in an ancient oak tree on the grounds, her fascination with the old tragedy deepens. As she uncovers more and more similarities between her own troubled past and the murdered girl, she begins to believe that the real truth of the killing was never uncovered.
What if the spring of 1986 claimed more than one victim?
Skåne, 1986: On the night of Walpurgis, the eve of May Day, where bonfires are lit to ward off evil spirits and preparations are made to celebrate the renewal of spring, a sixteen-year-old girl is ritualistically murdered in the woods beside a castle. Her stepbrother is convicted of the terrible deed and shortly after, the entire family vanishes without a trace.
Spring, 2019: Dr Thea Lind moves into the castle. After making a strange discovery in an ancient oak tree on the grounds, her fascination with the old tragedy deepens. As she uncovers more and more similarities between her own troubled past and the murdered girl, she begins to believe that the real truth of the killing was never uncovered.
What if the spring of 1986 claimed more than one victim?
397 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 1, 2020
101 people are currently reading
650 people want to read
About the author
Anders de la Motte
40 books547 followersAnders de la Motte, a former police officer, made his debut in 2010 with the award-winning thriller Game and has since then been one of Sweden’s most beloved and popular crime writers. He is the author of several acclaimed and bestselling crime fiction series, among them the suspenseful Skåne Quartet. Published in 2022, The Mountain King is the first bestselling installment in his new Leo Asker series.
source: Amazon
source: Amazon
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 158 reviews
March 10, 2021
‘During Walpurgis Night, the veil between life and death is at its thinnest. Things are on the move, nature is hungry and the Green Man is riding through the forests’. Walpurgis Night is 30th April and May Day celebrations follow on with a sacrifice to spring having long been a tradition in many places. In 1986 in Bokelund, near Skåne, a dead girl is found on ancient stones which proves to be Elita Svarts. The novel weaves the rites of spring into the storytelling and is told in dual timelines, 1986 and the present day. Our principal storyteller is Thea Lind, a doctor formerly with Médecins sans Frontières and now married to David who is from Bokelund.
‘Hoof and Horn, hoof and horn. All that dies shall be reborn’. One of the best aspects of this Scandi thriller is the legends, traditions and legends of the Green Man and Walpurgis. This leads to a building sense of unease and tension which is at times hair raising, there’s a growing understanding that something is rotten and continues to putrefy to the present day. It’s chilling in places, a bit creepy, there’s a feeling of claustrophobia as Thea feels invisible eyes are watching her every move. She is on a mission to sift through the multitude of secrets and lies at the heart of the small tight knit rural community. There are some very good descriptions so you can visualise people and places, creating an atmosphere appropriate to the storyline. There’s additional intrigue surrounding Thea and her background which gives an extra edge and I like how Elita is given a voice which is spooky and spine tingling. There are a lot of seething emotions beneath the surface in both timelines which ranges from anger to jealousy to love and you can sense those well. As the plot builds so do the layers of mystery as Thea delves deeper trying to unlock the past to get to the truth which increases the danger for her.
However, there are a lot of characters to get your head around and some could have been further developed. The two timelines works more effectively later in the book, initially there’s a lot of switching from one to the other and it gets confusing. It’s overlong, there is some repetition and some plot elements are a bit convenient with parts of the conclusion feeling melodramatic. On the plus side I really like the double whammy plot twist at the end just when you think you’ve got it all figured out!!
Overall, despite a few reservations I really like the book with the use of legends infused into an atmospheric read. I would definitely want to read the rest of the quartet.
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Bonnier Books UK, Zagreb for the arc in return for an honest review.
‘Hoof and Horn, hoof and horn. All that dies shall be reborn’. One of the best aspects of this Scandi thriller is the legends, traditions and legends of the Green Man and Walpurgis. This leads to a building sense of unease and tension which is at times hair raising, there’s a growing understanding that something is rotten and continues to putrefy to the present day. It’s chilling in places, a bit creepy, there’s a feeling of claustrophobia as Thea feels invisible eyes are watching her every move. She is on a mission to sift through the multitude of secrets and lies at the heart of the small tight knit rural community. There are some very good descriptions so you can visualise people and places, creating an atmosphere appropriate to the storyline. There’s additional intrigue surrounding Thea and her background which gives an extra edge and I like how Elita is given a voice which is spooky and spine tingling. There are a lot of seething emotions beneath the surface in both timelines which ranges from anger to jealousy to love and you can sense those well. As the plot builds so do the layers of mystery as Thea delves deeper trying to unlock the past to get to the truth which increases the danger for her.
However, there are a lot of characters to get your head around and some could have been further developed. The two timelines works more effectively later in the book, initially there’s a lot of switching from one to the other and it gets confusing. It’s overlong, there is some repetition and some plot elements are a bit convenient with parts of the conclusion feeling melodramatic. On the plus side I really like the double whammy plot twist at the end just when you think you’ve got it all figured out!!
Overall, despite a few reservations I really like the book with the use of legends infused into an atmospheric read. I would definitely want to read the rest of the quartet.
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Bonnier Books UK, Zagreb for the arc in return for an honest review.
August 16, 2025
The 4th and last and the absolute best. It is so good, loved the main character and her investigative mind. And the plot and the suspense and oh the ending, exquisite.
There’s even a love story, though it is only revealed at the end, normally I don’t care much for romances, but this one touched even a cynical soul like me. And there’s a recurrent theme about unrequited love, very deftly handed, not overdone or desperately tragic, just the right amount of melancholy. So so clever all in all.
There’s even a love story, though it is only revealed at the end, normally I don’t care much for romances, but this one touched even a cynical soul like me. And there’s a recurrent theme about unrequited love, very deftly handed, not overdone or desperately tragic, just the right amount of melancholy. So so clever all in all.
May 1, 2021
cudo! drugi najlepszy kryminał w tym roku🤍 w Polsce książka wydana pod tytułem „Wiosenna ofiara”
May 10, 2021
Rites of Spring was a highly addictive mystery, the kind that has the past/present vibe that I always enjoy.
Thea moves to her husbands home village where he is opening a new restaurant hoping to bring prosperity to the area. Thea gets obsessed with an old murder, that of a young girl, Elita, known as the spring sacrifice and long hidden secrets start to emerge.
This was a joy to read, tense and atmospheric with an unpredictable edgy feel and oft truly creepy moments that make it really haunting.
The plot is twisty as you like and Anders De La Motte weaves his web intelligently and with genuine atmosphere. I really had no idea where it would end up, I love when that happens.
Scandi Nour at it's best. Recommended
Thea moves to her husbands home village where he is opening a new restaurant hoping to bring prosperity to the area. Thea gets obsessed with an old murder, that of a young girl, Elita, known as the spring sacrifice and long hidden secrets start to emerge.
This was a joy to read, tense and atmospheric with an unpredictable edgy feel and oft truly creepy moments that make it really haunting.
The plot is twisty as you like and Anders De La Motte weaves his web intelligently and with genuine atmosphere. I really had no idea where it would end up, I love when that happens.
Scandi Nour at it's best. Recommended
March 15, 2021
I would like to thank Netgalley and Bonnier Books UK for an advance copy of Rites of Spring, the first novel in a projected quartet, set in the Skåne village of Tornaby.
Thea Lind moves with her husband David to his childhood home of Tornaby, she to become the village doctor and he to open a restaurant. She soon starts to hear about the murder of 16 year old Elita Svart and the conviction of her brother for the crime in 1986 and starts asking questions no one is prepared to answer.
I thoroughly enjoyed Rites of Spring, which is a creepy novel full of secrets and lies. There is a sense of menace throughout the novel, not just from the references to the Green Man and the superstitions surrounding it, but from Thea’s account of her feelings as she asks questions. Of course, feelings and emotions are subjective so the reader never really knows if she’s right.
The first half of the novel switches between the events of 1986 and the present day while the second half concentrates on the present and Thea’s investigation. The first half takes a bit of getting used to, because, while each 1986 chapter opens with a few words from Elita, it is told from another point of view, and the reader is left to figure out the relevance. Equally Thea’s chapters open with a few remarks to her friend, Margaux, but who is she? It can appear confusing but I found it compelling, urging me on to more reading.
I found the plot quite compulsive in parts, others were a touch repetitive as Thea slowly unravels the lies and secrets the village has kept for over 30 years and I think the solution is great. I’m not sure that the plot would work in most places, but a small village, where everyone’s lives intertwine and the good of the village is paramount, is ideal. Quite honestly I find the idea of everyone knowing my business horrendous and I don’t think the outsider, Thea, ever adapts, especially when she’s keeping secrets of her own. The judgement that comes down on her when they are revealed are as petty and small minded as the inhabitants.
Rites of Spring is a good read that I have no hesitation in recommending.
Thea Lind moves with her husband David to his childhood home of Tornaby, she to become the village doctor and he to open a restaurant. She soon starts to hear about the murder of 16 year old Elita Svart and the conviction of her brother for the crime in 1986 and starts asking questions no one is prepared to answer.
I thoroughly enjoyed Rites of Spring, which is a creepy novel full of secrets and lies. There is a sense of menace throughout the novel, not just from the references to the Green Man and the superstitions surrounding it, but from Thea’s account of her feelings as she asks questions. Of course, feelings and emotions are subjective so the reader never really knows if she’s right.
The first half of the novel switches between the events of 1986 and the present day while the second half concentrates on the present and Thea’s investigation. The first half takes a bit of getting used to, because, while each 1986 chapter opens with a few words from Elita, it is told from another point of view, and the reader is left to figure out the relevance. Equally Thea’s chapters open with a few remarks to her friend, Margaux, but who is she? It can appear confusing but I found it compelling, urging me on to more reading.
I found the plot quite compulsive in parts, others were a touch repetitive as Thea slowly unravels the lies and secrets the village has kept for over 30 years and I think the solution is great. I’m not sure that the plot would work in most places, but a small village, where everyone’s lives intertwine and the good of the village is paramount, is ideal. Quite honestly I find the idea of everyone knowing my business horrendous and I don’t think the outsider, Thea, ever adapts, especially when she’s keeping secrets of her own. The judgement that comes down on her when they are revealed are as petty and small minded as the inhabitants.
Rites of Spring is a good read that I have no hesitation in recommending.
May 17, 2025
Äntligen var det dags att plocka fram den sista delen i Årstidskvartetten, Våroffer. Detta har varit en riktigt bra "serie" (det enda böckerna har gemensamt är geografiskt läge och tema). Även om du envist hävdar att du inte läser deckare så tycker jag att du ska ge de här böckerna en chans, för de är så mycket mer än det. De är nästan mer relations- och familjedrama än deckare.
Serien påminner lite om Christoffer Carlssons Hallandssvit, när det gäller uppbyggnad och tema. I Anders de la Mottes böcker så tillkommer temat med en återvändare, men i just den här historien är det inte huvudpersonen som är återvändaren. Den historiska tråden utspelar sig 1986 och i början återkommer den tråden i vartannat kapitel. Sedan upphör de ett bra tag, för att återkomma först i slutklämmen. Alltså, samma uppbyggnad som i de tidigare böckerna.
Väldigt länge så var Våroffer på väg mot ett ännu högre betyg och att vara bäst i serien (det senare gäller eventuellt fortfarande), men tyvärr så förstör upplösningen mycket för mig. Jag är i alla fall mycket glad för att jag har många olästa böcker av Anders de la Motte i min hylla.
OBS! Detta är en kraftigt förkortad text. Hela finns på min blogg
Serien påminner lite om Christoffer Carlssons Hallandssvit, när det gäller uppbyggnad och tema. I Anders de la Mottes böcker så tillkommer temat med en återvändare, men i just den här historien är det inte huvudpersonen som är återvändaren. Den historiska tråden utspelar sig 1986 och i början återkommer den tråden i vartannat kapitel. Sedan upphör de ett bra tag, för att återkomma först i slutklämmen. Alltså, samma uppbyggnad som i de tidigare böckerna.
Väldigt länge så var Våroffer på väg mot ett ännu högre betyg och att vara bäst i serien (det senare gäller eventuellt fortfarande), men tyvärr så förstör upplösningen mycket för mig. Jag är i alla fall mycket glad för att jag har många olästa böcker av Anders de la Motte i min hylla.
OBS! Detta är en kraftigt förkortad text. Hela finns på min blogg
May 16, 2021
Mit dem Buch "Bluteiche" habe ich den Autor Anders de la Motte kennen gelernt.
Kennen und schätzen gelernt.
Die Story führt zurück zu den Ereignissen in der Walpurgisnacht im Jahre 1985. In dieser Nacht wurde die Leiche der jungen Elita gefunden - wurde sie das Opfer eines Ritualmordes? Wer ist der grüne Reiter?
Verurteilt wird letztendlich ihr Stiefbruder..........
Jahre später kommt die junge Ärztin Thea mit ihrem Mann in den Ort um ein Nobelrestaurant zu eröffnen.......
Thea findet eine Dose mit brisantem Inhalt in der titelgebenden Bluteiche - und schon ist ihre Neugier geweckt. Allein auch deshalb, weil ihr Mann als 12-jähriger an diesem Abend mit dabei war.
Thea fängt an zu fragen, zu forschen, zu nerven.
Denn die Bewohner wollen nicht an diesen Vorfall erinnert werden.
Die Geschichte wechselt zwischen Vergangenheit und Gegenwart, der Schreibstil ist sehr interessant und gut lesbar, das Ende bietet noch einige Überraschungen und Spannung.
Für mich war dies sicher nicht das letzte Buch von Anders de la Motte.
Kennen und schätzen gelernt.
Die Story führt zurück zu den Ereignissen in der Walpurgisnacht im Jahre 1985. In dieser Nacht wurde die Leiche der jungen Elita gefunden - wurde sie das Opfer eines Ritualmordes? Wer ist der grüne Reiter?
Verurteilt wird letztendlich ihr Stiefbruder..........
Jahre später kommt die junge Ärztin Thea mit ihrem Mann in den Ort um ein Nobelrestaurant zu eröffnen.......
Thea findet eine Dose mit brisantem Inhalt in der titelgebenden Bluteiche - und schon ist ihre Neugier geweckt. Allein auch deshalb, weil ihr Mann als 12-jähriger an diesem Abend mit dabei war.
Thea fängt an zu fragen, zu forschen, zu nerven.
Denn die Bewohner wollen nicht an diesen Vorfall erinnert werden.
Die Geschichte wechselt zwischen Vergangenheit und Gegenwart, der Schreibstil ist sehr interessant und gut lesbar, das Ende bietet noch einige Überraschungen und Spannung.
Für mich war dies sicher nicht das letzte Buch von Anders de la Motte.
August 16, 2023
Εξαιρετικό βιβλίο, που διαβάστηκε μέσα σε δύο ημέρες! Πολύ καλές περιγραφές, σε μεταφέρουν στον τόπο και στο χρόνο.
Η υπόθεση διαδραματίζεται σε τρία επίπεδα: στο παρόν, στο μακρινό παρελθόν, και σε ένα πιο κοντινό παρελθόν μέσω σύντομων μηνυμάτων.
Πριν χρόνια, μια νεαρή κοπέλα βρίσκεται νεκρή κατά τη διάρκεια μιας τελετής για τον ερχομό της Άνοιξης. Ο θάνατος της συνεχίζει να στοιχειώνει τους κατοίκους της περιοχής, και να προκαλεί την περιέργεια μιας νεοφερμένης γιατρού. Θα αποκαλυφθούν άραγε τα πραγματικά γεγονότα της μοιραίας νύχτας; Θα αποδοθεί δικαιοσύνη;
5/5
Η υπόθεση διαδραματίζεται σε τρία επίπεδα: στο παρόν, στο μακρινό παρελθόν, και σε ένα πιο κοντινό παρελθόν μέσω σύντομων μηνυμάτων.
Πριν χρόνια, μια νεαρή κοπέλα βρίσκεται νεκρή κατά τη διάρκεια μιας τελετής για τον ερχομό της Άνοιξης. Ο θάνατος της συνεχίζει να στοιχειώνει τους κατοίκους της περιοχής, και να προκαλεί την περιέργεια μιας νεοφερμένης γιατρού. Θα αποκαλυφθούν άραγε τα πραγματικά γεγονότα της μοιραίας νύχτας; Θα αποδοθεί δικαιοσύνη;
5/5
April 26, 2020
Spännande, men upplösningen var mycket otillfredsställande.
August 5, 2023
3 και κάτι αστεράκια γιατί ενώ είχε ωραία πλοκή η λύση παραηταν πολύπλοκη για να είναι πειστική.
May 19, 2022
I'm not sure how I feel about the story; I might enjoy the plot, but there are some elements with which I'm afraid I must disagree. One thing is for certain: I dislike Thea. Her secrecy, lies, and nosy personality irritate me. I can’t fathoms why she was so invested/obsessed with the old case. To be honest, I don't see any commonalities between her and Evita's other than the fact that they both have abusive fathers. Again, I don't think Thea's father is all that bad; he made mistakes when Thea was young, but he changed by the end of the story. Thea's relationship with David appears to be strange as well. She should not marry him if her heart belongs to someone else.
In my opinion, this novel is quite simple but has been dragged out far too long; there aren't many significant events in it; and I constantly feel like I'm inside the head of a problematic protagonist.
3 ⭐️⭐️⭐️ from me
In my opinion, this novel is quite simple but has been dragged out far too long; there aren't many significant events in it; and I constantly feel like I'm inside the head of a problematic protagonist.
3 ⭐️⭐️⭐️ from me
November 18, 2024
Strålande avslutning av årstidskvartetten med stämningsfulla, kusliga miljöer och en komplex, intressant huvudperson i Thea Lind. Jag är förtjust i hur förebilden Kronovalls slott förvandlats till Bokelund och den fiktive legenden Bladmannen fått form. Det påminner mig starkt om Fred Vargas Spökryttarna från Ordebec på något sätt. Det gav också en extra dimension att läsa boken i samband med Valborg!
June 4, 2024
Tyckte denna boken var bäst ur årstidskvartetten.
April 8, 2020
Betyg: 5 av 5.
Anders de la Motte tillhör verkligen en av mina absoluta favoritförfattare. Vintereld är hans nionde bok, och jag har läst dom allihopa. Först ut är trilogin Geim, Buzz, och Bubble. Sedan duon MemoRandom och UltiMatum. Och så dom fyra böckerna i Årstidskvartetten: Slutet på sommaren, Höstdåd, Vintereld, och så den här, Våroffer. Jag har verkligen tyckt om alla författarens nio böcker, och alla har fått höga betyg av mig.
Även om jag har gillat alla Anders de la Mottes böcker, så är det böckerna i Årstidskvartetten som jag har tyckt allra bäst om. Och Våroffer gjorde mig absolut inte besviken. För den var minst lika bra som dom tre tidigare böckerna i serien. Jag tycker att böckerna i Årstidskvartetten är så mycket mer än kriminalromaner. Dom är lika mycket stora familjedraman, tycker jag.
Våroffer är, precis som dom tre tidigare böckerna i serien, mycket välskriven, oerhört spännande, väldigt gripande, och totalt oförutsägbar. Och tyvärr så kunde jag knappt lägga ifrån mig boken, så den tog slut alldeles för fort.
Jag rekommenderar absolut boken Våroffer till alla, både till deckarälskare, men även till dom som inte läser deckare. För det här är så mycket mer än en kriminalroman, tycker jag. Böckerna i serien är helt fristående från varandra, så egentligen spelar det väl ingen roll i vilken ordning som man läser dom. Men läs alla fyra, för dom är mycket, mycket bra, allihopa.
Och eftersom den här serien nu är klar, så är jag ju väldigt nyfiken på vad som kommer nästa gång av Anders de la Motte. Speciellt eftersom dom tre serierna har varit så olika varandra.
Anders de la Motte tillhör verkligen en av mina absoluta favoritförfattare. Vintereld är hans nionde bok, och jag har läst dom allihopa. Först ut är trilogin Geim, Buzz, och Bubble. Sedan duon MemoRandom och UltiMatum. Och så dom fyra böckerna i Årstidskvartetten: Slutet på sommaren, Höstdåd, Vintereld, och så den här, Våroffer. Jag har verkligen tyckt om alla författarens nio böcker, och alla har fått höga betyg av mig.
Även om jag har gillat alla Anders de la Mottes böcker, så är det böckerna i Årstidskvartetten som jag har tyckt allra bäst om. Och Våroffer gjorde mig absolut inte besviken. För den var minst lika bra som dom tre tidigare böckerna i serien. Jag tycker att böckerna i Årstidskvartetten är så mycket mer än kriminalromaner. Dom är lika mycket stora familjedraman, tycker jag.
Våroffer är, precis som dom tre tidigare böckerna i serien, mycket välskriven, oerhört spännande, väldigt gripande, och totalt oförutsägbar. Och tyvärr så kunde jag knappt lägga ifrån mig boken, så den tog slut alldeles för fort.
Jag rekommenderar absolut boken Våroffer till alla, både till deckarälskare, men även till dom som inte läser deckare. För det här är så mycket mer än en kriminalroman, tycker jag. Böckerna i serien är helt fristående från varandra, så egentligen spelar det väl ingen roll i vilken ordning som man läser dom. Men läs alla fyra, för dom är mycket, mycket bra, allihopa.
Och eftersom den här serien nu är klar, så är jag ju väldigt nyfiken på vad som kommer nästa gång av Anders de la Motte. Speciellt eftersom dom tre serierna har varit så olika varandra.
April 18, 2023
Hoidsin seda viimast raamatut autori aastaaegade sarjast pikalt riiulil, kuni raatsisin lõpuks lugemiseks võtta. Kõik peale esimese, suveraamatu, on mu viietärni listis. Ja sinna ei satu neid just liiga palju.
Pärast oma parima sõbra ränka vigastust Süürias, lahkub Thea Lind Piirideta Arstidest, pöördub tagasi Rootsi ning abiellub koka Davidiga. Pärast ebaõnnestumist Stockholmi restoraniäris, püüab mees kodukanti tagasi kolides käima lükata eksklusiivset restorani kohalikus lossis. Suuresjooneline avamise pidu on plaanitud Volbriõhtuks. Juhuslikul jalutuskäigul leiab Thea iidvana tamme tüvest pildi rohkem kui 30 aastat tagasi Volbriööl mõrvatud kohalikust tüdrukust 4 noorema lapsega. Tüdruku mõrvas mõisteti süüdi ta kasuvend, ning nende ülejäänud pere kadus peale matust jäljetult.
Thead hakkab lugu huvitama, kuid ta mehe pere ja ka kõik kohalikud püüavad seda summutada. Peatselt järgnevad ka hoiatused ähvarduste näol. Kuna Thea ja mõrvatud tüdruku minevikus on mõndagi ühist, ei suuda naine uurimist jätta.
See on mitme perekonna lugu läbi paljude aastate. Samas on see kogukonna lugu, kuidas ühes väikses külas valitseb omaette maailm, omad liidrid ja omad juhid, kes otsutavad, kuidas kõigil teistel käituda tuleb. Kuidas omi hoitakse ja kuidas mõne tähtsama kogukondse nimel mõni vähemtähtis ohverdatakse. Samas kui inimestel oleks julgus ausaks jääda, oleks vähem kannatusi ja hingepiinu kõigil. Saladuste maha matmine ja varjamine on ränk koorem kanda.
Üks lemmikuid. Hoian oma riiulis koos tema 2 kaaslsega ning soovitan lahkelt ka edasi.
Pärast oma parima sõbra ränka vigastust Süürias, lahkub Thea Lind Piirideta Arstidest, pöördub tagasi Rootsi ning abiellub koka Davidiga. Pärast ebaõnnestumist Stockholmi restoraniäris, püüab mees kodukanti tagasi kolides käima lükata eksklusiivset restorani kohalikus lossis. Suuresjooneline avamise pidu on plaanitud Volbriõhtuks. Juhuslikul jalutuskäigul leiab Thea iidvana tamme tüvest pildi rohkem kui 30 aastat tagasi Volbriööl mõrvatud kohalikust tüdrukust 4 noorema lapsega. Tüdruku mõrvas mõisteti süüdi ta kasuvend, ning nende ülejäänud pere kadus peale matust jäljetult.
Thead hakkab lugu huvitama, kuid ta mehe pere ja ka kõik kohalikud püüavad seda summutada. Peatselt järgnevad ka hoiatused ähvarduste näol. Kuna Thea ja mõrvatud tüdruku minevikus on mõndagi ühist, ei suuda naine uurimist jätta.
See on mitme perekonna lugu läbi paljude aastate. Samas on see kogukonna lugu, kuidas ühes väikses külas valitseb omaette maailm, omad liidrid ja omad juhid, kes otsutavad, kuidas kõigil teistel käituda tuleb. Kuidas omi hoitakse ja kuidas mõne tähtsama kogukondse nimel mõni vähemtähtis ohverdatakse. Samas kui inimestel oleks julgus ausaks jääda, oleks vähem kannatusi ja hingepiinu kõigil. Saladuste maha matmine ja varjamine on ränk koorem kanda.
Üks lemmikuid. Hoian oma riiulis koos tema 2 kaaslsega ning soovitan lahkelt ka edasi.
July 7, 2022
1986.a volbriööl tapetakse ühe lossi lähedal 16-aastane tüdruk. Jääb mulje, et tegemist on rituaalmõrvaga. Tüdruku kasuvend mõistetakse süüdi ja kohe peale seda kaob kogu nende perekond jäljetult.
2019.a kolib lossi Thea. Juhuslikult leiab ta vana tamme tüvest kummalise eseme ja hakkab surnud tüdruku lugu lähemalt uurima. Mida aeg edasi, seda kindlamalt on ta veendunud, et kogu tõde pole veel päevavalgele tulnud.
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Lugu on nagu tüüpiline krimka. Väike koht ja suur saladus, millest mitte keegi rääkida ei taha. Selliste lugude taga on alati rohkem peidus kui esmapilgul tundub. Üleüldse tundub uskumatu kui kaugele on inimesed võimelised minema, et vana saladus välja ei tuleks, sest eks neil ole palju kaotada ka.
Lõpuks jõuab lugu ikkagi selleni, et oleks võinud kohe tõtt rääkida ja kogu see aastatepikkune valetamine ja vassimine oleks võinud olla olemata.
Ega ma rohkem ei saagi midagi öelda ilma spoilerdamata, sest see on alles nii uus raamat, et enamusel kindlasti lugemata.
Mulle väga meeldib krimkasid lugeda, aga head detektiivi minust küll ei saaks. Ma sain väga kiiresti aru, et kasuvend ei olnud süüdi, aga kes siis oli, ei osanud ma küll välja mõelda. Aga võib olla just see ongi ühe hea krimka saladus, et ei oleks ettearvatav ?
2019.a kolib lossi Thea. Juhuslikult leiab ta vana tamme tüvest kummalise eseme ja hakkab surnud tüdruku lugu lähemalt uurima. Mida aeg edasi, seda kindlamalt on ta veendunud, et kogu tõde pole veel päevavalgele tulnud.
•
Lugu on nagu tüüpiline krimka. Väike koht ja suur saladus, millest mitte keegi rääkida ei taha. Selliste lugude taga on alati rohkem peidus kui esmapilgul tundub. Üleüldse tundub uskumatu kui kaugele on inimesed võimelised minema, et vana saladus välja ei tuleks, sest eks neil ole palju kaotada ka.
Lõpuks jõuab lugu ikkagi selleni, et oleks võinud kohe tõtt rääkida ja kogu see aastatepikkune valetamine ja vassimine oleks võinud olla olemata.
Ega ma rohkem ei saagi midagi öelda ilma spoilerdamata, sest see on alles nii uus raamat, et enamusel kindlasti lugemata.
Mulle väga meeldib krimkasid lugeda, aga head detektiivi minust küll ei saaks. Ma sain väga kiiresti aru, et kasuvend ei olnud süüdi, aga kes siis oli, ei osanud ma küll välja mõelda. Aga võib olla just see ongi ühe hea krimka saladus, et ei oleks ettearvatav ?
June 1, 2023
Bøkene i kvartetten er velskrevne, men rett og slett litt for like. Alle er variations on a theme. Alle har en "cold case" med ungdommer på 80-tallet og en hovedperson i nåtiden med hemmeligheter i bagasjen. Alle har en eller annen bygdepamp med masse makt i en skurkerolle. I tillegg skal alt dette liksom ha skjedd i samme område i Skåne? Risky fylke å være tenåring i in the 80s...
March 26, 2022
Another brilliant thriller by Anders de la Motte. This is my favourite to date. The author ramps up the tension throughout and, just when I thought I had it all figured out, surprised me at the end. That's my kind of book.
August 25, 2021
Initially I liked this, I was reading another novel simultaneously, when I finished that and was concentrated only on this I realised how irritating the character of Thea was... Glad it's over
May 14, 2022
Samma formel som de tre tidigare i kvartetten. Habilt, men kom på något nytt nu, please.
April 13, 2023
Meandering at the beginning without a goal, then turning up at the end and ending in a massively confused finale. Not a big fan, but the middle third reads quite exciting.
May 6, 2025
"Wiosna sprzed ponad 30 lat pochłonęła więcej niż jedną ofiarę." I to dosłownie, chociaż muszę przyznać, że ostatnie zdanie opisu książki gdzieś mi umknęło, dlatego nie spodziewałam się takiego obrotu spraw. A działo się tu mnóstwo!
Śladami Elity Svart podążamy dzięki fragmentom listu ofiary i przede wszystkim Thei Lind, która od razu interesuje się tajemniczym zabójstwem młodej dziewczyny. Postać lekarki pełni w powieści rolę pani detektyw, która poszukując prawdy szuka 'odkupienia' również dla samej siebie — tej młodszej, 19-letniej wersji, którą dostrzega w zmarłej Elicie. Może napiszę tu od razu o wspaniałym doborze imienia dla pięknej dziewczyny o reputacji dziwki i ladacznicy, do której wzdychała większość męskiej części Tornaby. Autor zrobił to idealnie.
Wracając o fabuły, odtworzeniu pogańskiego zwyczaju składania ofiary w Noc Walpurgii towarzyszy nagłe zniknięcie rodziny ofiary, co nadaje tajemniczości zbrodni. Moja pierwsza myśl? Skoro lekarka tak dotkliwie reaguje na komentarze o "menelce" - bo tak nazywano Elitę — i ogólnie jest bardzo zainteresowana historią to prawdopodobnie jest Elitą — ten wniosek pojawił się ze względu na historię "Zimowego ognia" czyli wcześniejszego tomu. Zgadzałby się wiek, to że jest starsza od Davida, który znał ofiarę, pochodzenie, sytuacja rodzinna... Szybko jednak uświadomiłam sobie, że ciało Elity przecież znaleziono, więc morderstwo nie mogło być sfingowane. Nadal nie do końca jednak wiadomo jak do tego doszło. Dużo ludzi z Tornaby coś wie i pragnie zapomnieć, dlatego długo nikt nie wyjawia prawdy. A przynajmniej nie tej'prawdziwej', bo to właśnie jej poszukuje Thea.
Thea zagłębia się w sprawę dzięki policyjnym raportom i przedstawia czytelnikom kilka scenariuszy, jednak żaden z nich nie jest prawidłowy. Podobał mi się ten zabieg. Zresztą tak samo było ze wstawkami przed większością rozdziałów, które idealnie pokazywały czytelnikom, że należy porównywać ze sobą Elitę i Theę. Ja robiłam to niemalże od samego początku.
Fantastyczne opisy wykreowanej przez autora okolicy towarzyszą czytelnikowi do samego końca. Klimat bagien i lasów nie był przypadkowy i okazał się grobowcem rodzinnym oraz miejscem rozstrzygnięcia zagadki. A skoro o tym mowa, to powrócę tu do cytatu z początku recenzji — ofiarami byli: Elita (co jest oczywiste), kobiety Lassego zamordowane przez Lassego, sam Lasse, Leon niesłusznie odsiadujący wyrok, Hubert tracący ukochaną i nienarodzone dziecko, Bertil mający wyrzuty sumienia oraz Arne składający fałszywe zeznania i cztery "kijanki" Elity, czyli dzieci zaangażowane w rytuał powtarzające nieprawdziwe informacje.
Pozostała jeszcze sprawa śmierci Elity, która była tak losowa. Tego scenariusza zupełnie nie miałam w głowie i nie spodziewałam się, że sprawcą będzie nieujeżdżony, spłoszony koń.
Powieść 5/5, wciągnęła mnie jak Zielony Człowiek swoją ofiarę.
Śladami Elity Svart podążamy dzięki fragmentom listu ofiary i przede wszystkim Thei Lind, która od razu interesuje się tajemniczym zabójstwem młodej dziewczyny. Postać lekarki pełni w powieści rolę pani detektyw, która poszukując prawdy szuka 'odkupienia' również dla samej siebie — tej młodszej, 19-letniej wersji, którą dostrzega w zmarłej Elicie. Może napiszę tu od razu o wspaniałym doborze imienia dla pięknej dziewczyny o reputacji dziwki i ladacznicy, do której wzdychała większość męskiej części Tornaby. Autor zrobił to idealnie.
Wracając o fabuły, odtworzeniu pogańskiego zwyczaju składania ofiary w Noc Walpurgii towarzyszy nagłe zniknięcie rodziny ofiary, co nadaje tajemniczości zbrodni. Moja pierwsza myśl? Skoro lekarka tak dotkliwie reaguje na komentarze o "menelce" - bo tak nazywano Elitę — i ogólnie jest bardzo zainteresowana historią to prawdopodobnie jest Elitą — ten wniosek pojawił się ze względu na historię "Zimowego ognia" czyli wcześniejszego tomu. Zgadzałby się wiek, to że jest starsza od Davida, który znał ofiarę, pochodzenie, sytuacja rodzinna... Szybko jednak uświadomiłam sobie, że ciało Elity przecież znaleziono, więc morderstwo nie mogło być sfingowane. Nadal nie do końca jednak wiadomo jak do tego doszło. Dużo ludzi z Tornaby coś wie i pragnie zapomnieć, dlatego długo nikt nie wyjawia prawdy. A przynajmniej nie tej'prawdziwej', bo to właśnie jej poszukuje Thea.
Thea zagłębia się w sprawę dzięki policyjnym raportom i przedstawia czytelnikom kilka scenariuszy, jednak żaden z nich nie jest prawidłowy. Podobał mi się ten zabieg. Zresztą tak samo było ze wstawkami przed większością rozdziałów, które idealnie pokazywały czytelnikom, że należy porównywać ze sobą Elitę i Theę. Ja robiłam to niemalże od samego początku.
Fantastyczne opisy wykreowanej przez autora okolicy towarzyszą czytelnikowi do samego końca. Klimat bagien i lasów nie był przypadkowy i okazał się grobowcem rodzinnym oraz miejscem rozstrzygnięcia zagadki. A skoro o tym mowa, to powrócę tu do cytatu z początku recenzji — ofiarami byli: Elita (co jest oczywiste), kobiety Lassego zamordowane przez Lassego, sam Lasse, Leon niesłusznie odsiadujący wyrok, Hubert tracący ukochaną i nienarodzone dziecko, Bertil mający wyrzuty sumienia oraz Arne składający fałszywe zeznania i cztery "kijanki" Elity, czyli dzieci zaangażowane w rytuał powtarzające nieprawdziwe informacje.
Pozostała jeszcze sprawa śmierci Elity, która była tak losowa. Tego scenariusza zupełnie nie miałam w głowie i nie spodziewałam się, że sprawcą będzie nieujeżdżony, spłoszony koń.
Powieść 5/5, wciągnęła mnie jak Zielony Człowiek swoją ofiarę.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 6, 2021
‘Ok, I admit it. I’ve become completely obsessed with the mystery of Elita Svart. A dead girl whose spirit seems to hover over the area, even though her house was boarded up the day after her funeral. A dead girl whom nobody wants to talk about, yet someone still lays flowers on her grave.’
When Thea Lind moves with her husband to the village in which he grew up, and in which she is to be the new GP, she finds herself drawn to a Polaroid image of a teenage girl, dressed in white, bound at the wrists in ribbons held by four younger children in animal masks; a girl who died, was murdered, in an apparent ‘spring sacrifice’ to the Green Man. As her interest increases, the mystery deepens. Why does no one in the village, including her husband and in-laws, want to speak about the murder? Was Elita Svart complicit in her own murder? Is the man found guilty truly responsible for the death?
The book is chillingly atmospheric. Thea’s investigation is intercut with flashbacks to the events of Walpurgis Night, 1986 and extracts from a letter left by the murdered girl. The plot is purposely slow which only adds to the growing feeling of unease. Indeed, the novel reads very much like a gothic horror novel, reminding me of Harvest Home, of the Wicker Man, and of Midsommar. At times, the prose, and the pace, is reminiscent of Shirley Jackson. There is a strangeness, a coldness to many of the characters which, again, really fits the gothic tone of the narrative and adds to the reader’s disquiet and uncertainty.
Anders de la Motte has a great feel for the Swedish countryside in which the action takes place and he weaves the folklore, pagan rituals and beliefs into an unsettling mystery. RITES OF SPRING is unlike any other ‘Scandi-crime’ novels I have read. I look forward to the other seasons in the Skåne quartet.
When Thea Lind moves with her husband to the village in which he grew up, and in which she is to be the new GP, she finds herself drawn to a Polaroid image of a teenage girl, dressed in white, bound at the wrists in ribbons held by four younger children in animal masks; a girl who died, was murdered, in an apparent ‘spring sacrifice’ to the Green Man. As her interest increases, the mystery deepens. Why does no one in the village, including her husband and in-laws, want to speak about the murder? Was Elita Svart complicit in her own murder? Is the man found guilty truly responsible for the death?
The book is chillingly atmospheric. Thea’s investigation is intercut with flashbacks to the events of Walpurgis Night, 1986 and extracts from a letter left by the murdered girl. The plot is purposely slow which only adds to the growing feeling of unease. Indeed, the novel reads very much like a gothic horror novel, reminding me of Harvest Home, of the Wicker Man, and of Midsommar. At times, the prose, and the pace, is reminiscent of Shirley Jackson. There is a strangeness, a coldness to many of the characters which, again, really fits the gothic tone of the narrative and adds to the reader’s disquiet and uncertainty.
Anders de la Motte has a great feel for the Swedish countryside in which the action takes place and he weaves the folklore, pagan rituals and beliefs into an unsettling mystery. RITES OF SPRING is unlike any other ‘Scandi-crime’ novels I have read. I look forward to the other seasons in the Skåne quartet.
January 31, 2023
3.5 rounded up
This is the second of Anders de la Motte's Seasonal Quartet that I have read. Like the previous book (Summer) the novel is told in dual time lines - a past crime and a current re-examination. In this instance the crime is the murder of a teenage girl in 1986 on Walpurgis, the eve of May Day, where bonfires are lit to ward off evil spirits and to celebrate spring. In the second timeline, the Spring of 2019, Dr Thea Lind and her chef husband have moved back to the town and she becomes fascinated by the old case and her husbands involvement when he was a child witness.
The opening sections required considerable concentration. There is a large cast of characters and because the dual time lines alternate quickly, and are very short, there is a lot to take in. The second half of the book was much easier to follow and, having established the main characters, moved more rapidly, and with escalating tension, to expose past lies and ultimately the truth about the death of sixteen year old Elita Svarts.
The author is a former police officer and this experience certainly shows in these novels. I really enjoyed the inclusion of the legends and traditions around Walpurgis and the excellent descriptions of the region. I am looking forward to the next two books.
This is the second of Anders de la Motte's Seasonal Quartet that I have read. Like the previous book (Summer) the novel is told in dual time lines - a past crime and a current re-examination. In this instance the crime is the murder of a teenage girl in 1986 on Walpurgis, the eve of May Day, where bonfires are lit to ward off evil spirits and to celebrate spring. In the second timeline, the Spring of 2019, Dr Thea Lind and her chef husband have moved back to the town and she becomes fascinated by the old case and her husbands involvement when he was a child witness.
The opening sections required considerable concentration. There is a large cast of characters and because the dual time lines alternate quickly, and are very short, there is a lot to take in. The second half of the book was much easier to follow and, having established the main characters, moved more rapidly, and with escalating tension, to expose past lies and ultimately the truth about the death of sixteen year old Elita Svarts.
The author is a former police officer and this experience certainly shows in these novels. I really enjoyed the inclusion of the legends and traditions around Walpurgis and the excellent descriptions of the region. I am looking forward to the next two books.
August 18, 2024
As with the other three books of the series, I have really enjoyed reading this novel. The Scandi vibes, the mystery, it was all fun. If there is something that keeps me from giving it 5 stars, it was probably because I found some parts of it, especially some of the behaviour of the main character, a bit cringe. But still, though, an immensely fun book to read 😀
May 7, 2020
Som vanligt mycket bra bok av de la Motte.
Tvisten på upplösningen var oväntad.
Tvisten på upplösningen var oväntad.
July 28, 2021
Alguses ei saanud vedama, pärast pidama. Väga hea raamat!
June 7, 2025
Poslední díl série Roční období nezklamal :) Příběh byl napínavý hned od začátku a neodhadla jsem, co se vlastně stalo.
August 22, 2021
Prostě knihy od Anderse de la Motte jsou srdcovky!
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