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Jessica Niemi #3
The Last Grudge
While her colleagues investigate the brutal murder of a prominent businessman, Jessica Niemi must battle demons from her past in this terrifying new novel from the New York Times bestselling author of The Witch Hunter.
Powerful executive Eliel Zetterborg has been found murdered in his upscale Helsinki home. What at first seems like a straightforward case soon proves to be anything but when it becomes clear the murderer has other targets. The only clue the police have is a photo of Zetterborg with three men whose faces have all been scratched off.
Detective Jessica Niemi has taken some time off from her work with the Helsinki police to track down the coven that nearly killed her, and her partner, Yusuf, is assigned to lead the investigation. But as Yusuf delves into the case, he realizes he needs Jessica’s help. And as they dig deeper, they realize that the evil they’ve been hunting all along has returned and is lying in wait for the right moment to strike.
Powerful executive Eliel Zetterborg has been found murdered in his upscale Helsinki home. What at first seems like a straightforward case soon proves to be anything but when it becomes clear the murderer has other targets. The only clue the police have is a photo of Zetterborg with three men whose faces have all been scratched off.
Detective Jessica Niemi has taken some time off from her work with the Helsinki police to track down the coven that nearly killed her, and her partner, Yusuf, is assigned to lead the investigation. But as Yusuf delves into the case, he realizes he needs Jessica’s help. And as they dig deeper, they realize that the evil they’ve been hunting all along has returned and is lying in wait for the right moment to strike.
440 pages, Paperback
First published September 7, 2021
70 people are currently reading
4964 people want to read
About the author
Max Seeck
17 books523 followersMax Seeck - New York Times Bestselling Author of THE WITCH HUNTER.
“Another star has been added to the firmament of thriller writers,” announced Iltalehti newspaper, when Max’s debut novel was published in 2016. Four years and four books later, Max Seeck’s novels have been sold to more than 40 countries, including US, UK, Germany, France, Spain, Italy, Nordic countries and as far as Korea!
His debut trilogy following protagonist Daniel Kuisma sold over 50,000 copies in Finland. His new Jessica Niemi series landed him on the New York Times Bestseller list! In Faithful Reader, AKA The Witch Hunter (US title), book 1 of the Jessica Niemi series, Helsinki Police Detective Jessica Niemi hunts an occultist serial killer. In Evil’s Net, AKA Ice Coven, Jessica and her team follow clues hidden on Instagram to solve the disappearance of a young influencer and a manga artist. He is currently writing the 3rd book of Jessica Niemi series.
Max Seeck has a background in sales and marketing, and has lately been able to dedicate his time to his lifelong love of writing. His interests include well-conducted research, reading Nordic Noir and listening to movie soundtracks as he writes.
“Another star has been added to the firmament of thriller writers,” announced Iltalehti newspaper, when Max’s debut novel was published in 2016. Four years and four books later, Max Seeck’s novels have been sold to more than 40 countries, including US, UK, Germany, France, Spain, Italy, Nordic countries and as far as Korea!
His debut trilogy following protagonist Daniel Kuisma sold over 50,000 copies in Finland. His new Jessica Niemi series landed him on the New York Times Bestseller list! In Faithful Reader, AKA The Witch Hunter (US title), book 1 of the Jessica Niemi series, Helsinki Police Detective Jessica Niemi hunts an occultist serial killer. In Evil’s Net, AKA Ice Coven, Jessica and her team follow clues hidden on Instagram to solve the disappearance of a young influencer and a manga artist. He is currently writing the 3rd book of Jessica Niemi series.
Max Seeck has a background in sales and marketing, and has lately been able to dedicate his time to his lifelong love of writing. His interests include well-conducted research, reading Nordic Noir and listening to movie soundtracks as he writes.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 195 reviews
February 4, 2023
The Last Grudge
by Max Seeck is a thrilling crime novel and police procedural set in and around Helsinki, Finland. This is the third book in the Detective Sergeant Jessica Niemi series. However, in this novel, Jessica is on a leave of absence from the Helsinki police department following an attack. She wants to track down the coven that was featured in prior books, and is still experiencing nightmares and is haunted by sightings of her dead mother. Meanwhile, her partner Detective Sergeant Yusuf Pepple is assigned as lead investigator on a high profile murder. Wealthy and powerful executive Eliel Zetterborg has been found murdered in his home. What seems straightforward quickly becomes complex.
Both Jessica and Yusuf are likeable characters, but Jessica takes a back seat in this novel. Readers get glimpses of her personality, her nightmares, and her interactions with her colleagues. Meanwhile Seeck has created a wonderful personality in Yusuf. He’s slightly unsure of himself in a leadership role, but steps up to the challenge. Along the way, he learns things about himself as well as his co-workers.
This is a crime thriller with a layered plot about betrayal, murder, bullying, family, job losses, revenge, greed, and much more. The prologue is intriguing, but readers don’t get a feeling for how it fits into the story until the end of the book. Chapter one introduces readers to Eliel, and this is quickly followed by the introduction of the various police officers including Yusuf. The story mainly takes place in 2022. However, there are flashbacks to an incident in 1990.
Meanwhile, Jessica’s subplot is interspersed throughout the story line. Readers who have read the first two books in the series will engage with this thread more easily than those who are starting with this third novel. Jessica is haunted by her past, but readers only gradually learn what has happened to her. However, she does occasionally confer with Yusuf on his case.
This is largely a complex and polished police procedural. The scenes from 1990 and inside Eliel’s apartment were vivid. Despite this, I didn’t get a deep sense of the story being set in Finland. However, I loved the intensity and suspense, including a few tense action scenes. The author kept me guessing until nearly the end of the book.
Max Seeck’s characters were realistic and made the story dynamic. Overall, this twisty mystery kept me engaged. I’m looking forward to reading the next book in the series.
Berkley Publishing Group and Max Seeck provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own. Publication date is currently set for February 07, 2023. This review was originally posted at Mystery and Suspense Magazine.
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My 3.95 rounded to 4 stars review is coming soon.
Both Jessica and Yusuf are likeable characters, but Jessica takes a back seat in this novel. Readers get glimpses of her personality, her nightmares, and her interactions with her colleagues. Meanwhile Seeck has created a wonderful personality in Yusuf. He’s slightly unsure of himself in a leadership role, but steps up to the challenge. Along the way, he learns things about himself as well as his co-workers.
This is a crime thriller with a layered plot about betrayal, murder, bullying, family, job losses, revenge, greed, and much more. The prologue is intriguing, but readers don’t get a feeling for how it fits into the story until the end of the book. Chapter one introduces readers to Eliel, and this is quickly followed by the introduction of the various police officers including Yusuf. The story mainly takes place in 2022. However, there are flashbacks to an incident in 1990.
Meanwhile, Jessica’s subplot is interspersed throughout the story line. Readers who have read the first two books in the series will engage with this thread more easily than those who are starting with this third novel. Jessica is haunted by her past, but readers only gradually learn what has happened to her. However, she does occasionally confer with Yusuf on his case.
This is largely a complex and polished police procedural. The scenes from 1990 and inside Eliel’s apartment were vivid. Despite this, I didn’t get a deep sense of the story being set in Finland. However, I loved the intensity and suspense, including a few tense action scenes. The author kept me guessing until nearly the end of the book.
Max Seeck’s characters were realistic and made the story dynamic. Overall, this twisty mystery kept me engaged. I’m looking forward to reading the next book in the series.
Berkley Publishing Group and Max Seeck provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own. Publication date is currently set for February 07, 2023. This review was originally posted at Mystery and Suspense Magazine.
------------------------------------------
My 3.95 rounded to 4 stars review is coming soon.
February 10, 2023
Brilliantly done!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Seeck has such an amazing way with words. He winds you through intricate paths in such a way you don’t even know where you’re going or where you’re going to end up. But you trust his processes while he’s delivering this brilliant and intricately detailed police procedural.
It seems with every page there are subtle threads that you have to follow and he just drips clues and hints along the way. But yet he manages to still surprise you with unsuspecting elements and twists.
What I love about this author is the way he details the strengths and weaknesses of the detectives along with the suspects. It makes for interesting and well-developed characters. We can empathize and feel for these humanized characters. You are invested and connected to the book while he continues to surprise us with unsuspecting elements along the way.
If you’re looking for an unusual, one-of-a-kind police procedural with amazing twists and turns, you have to check out this author and this brand new book, The Last Grudge. This series will definitely become a favorite!
* copy received for review consideration
* full review - https://amidlifewife.com/the-last-gru...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Seeck has such an amazing way with words. He winds you through intricate paths in such a way you don’t even know where you’re going or where you’re going to end up. But you trust his processes while he’s delivering this brilliant and intricately detailed police procedural.
It seems with every page there are subtle threads that you have to follow and he just drips clues and hints along the way. But yet he manages to still surprise you with unsuspecting elements and twists.
What I love about this author is the way he details the strengths and weaknesses of the detectives along with the suspects. It makes for interesting and well-developed characters. We can empathize and feel for these humanized characters. You are invested and connected to the book while he continues to surprise us with unsuspecting elements along the way.
If you’re looking for an unusual, one-of-a-kind police procedural with amazing twists and turns, you have to check out this author and this brand new book, The Last Grudge. This series will definitely become a favorite!
* copy received for review consideration
* full review - https://amidlifewife.com/the-last-gru...
October 17, 2022
So this wasn’t my favorite of the series, but it’s still a good read.
What I did like was how much of a role Yusef plays in this one. He’s fast becoming my favorite character – I’m not really sure we need Jessica anymore which may be bad for the main series character lol.
The book, of course, has its gruesome bits and I swear if I ever vacation in Finland and there’s NOT a grim, gruesome murder, I’ll be terribly disappointed. I mean…they should be in the travel brochures even.
A little slower paced than usual (oddly, the Jessica bits), but still a solid read.
Looking forward to the next installment.
• ARC via Publisher
What I did like was how much of a role Yusef plays in this one. He’s fast becoming my favorite character – I’m not really sure we need Jessica anymore which may be bad for the main series character lol.
The book, of course, has its gruesome bits and I swear if I ever vacation in Finland and there’s NOT a grim, gruesome murder, I’ll be terribly disappointed. I mean…they should be in the travel brochures even.
A little slower paced than usual (oddly, the Jessica bits), but still a solid read.
Looking forward to the next installment.
• ARC via Publisher
August 23, 2024
Es krimiķus nelasu, bet ja lasu, tad Džeinu Hārperi un Maksu Sēku.
Ļoti labs detektīvstāsts, taupīju Somijas braucienam. Izmeklētāju komanda izcila, ļoti forši, ka ar katru grāmatu raksturi iezīmējas vēl skaidrāk. Tikai Džesika kaitina ar saviem dēmoniem. Sajūtas līdzīgas kā Gredzenu pavēlnieka trešajā filmā ar Frodo un Sema ainām - saproti, ka bez tām nevar, bet nu gaaarlaicīgi un besīgi.
Noziegums savērpts meistarīgi. Ceru, ka pēc kāda laika vainīgo tomēr atcerēšos, jo parasti pēc šiem ātrajiem 24h lasījumiem ne vella neatceros.
Ļoti labs detektīvstāsts, taupīju Somijas braucienam. Izmeklētāju komanda izcila, ļoti forši, ka ar katru grāmatu raksturi iezīmējas vēl skaidrāk. Tikai Džesika kaitina ar saviem dēmoniem. Sajūtas līdzīgas kā Gredzenu pavēlnieka trešajā filmā ar Frodo un Sema ainām - saproti, ka bez tām nevar, bet nu gaaarlaicīgi un besīgi.
Noziegums savērpts meistarīgi. Ceru, ka pēc kāda laika vainīgo tomēr atcerēšos, jo parasti pēc šiem ātrajiem 24h lasījumiem ne vella neatceros.
January 9, 2024
Vooraanstaand zakenman Eliel Zetterborg wordt op brute wijze vermoord aangetroffen in zijn huis in Helsinki. Zijn bedrijf heeft drastische bezuinigingen aangekondigd waarna Zetterborg talloze bedreigingen ontving.
Maar de zaak wordt complexer als blijkt dat de moordenaar ook andere motieven lijkt te hebben. De enige aanwijzing die de politie heeft, is een foto van Zetterborg met drie andere mannen, van wie de gezichten zijn weggekrast. De politie tast in het duister over de identiteit van de mannen. Zijn het andere slachtoffers? Of zit er iets sinisterders achter?
Jessica Niemi is nog niet hersteld van het trauma dat ze opliep na de vorige zaak. Daarom krijgt Jusuf nu de kans om het onderzoek te leiden en zijn vaardigheden als politieagent te bewijzen. Door de foto van Zetterborg en de drie mannen wordt Jessica gedwongen om opnieuw haar demonen uit het verleden onder ogen te zien...
'Rancune' is het derde deel van de Jessica Niemi serie en het was ook deze keer weer genieten!
Het verhaal begint met een mysterieuze proloog, die meteen vragen oproept. Vervolgens speelt het verhaal zich in 2020 af en hier maak je kennis met Eliel. Niet veel later wordt hij dood in zijn appartement gevonden. Hij is vermoord en Jusuf (een steeds belangrijker personage in deze serie) krijgt de zaak toegewezen.
Dan wordt er een foto gevonden met doorgekraste gezichten, dus de zaak wordt steeds vreemder. Er worden soms sprongen naar het verleden gemaakt en hierdoor ga je bepaalde dingen vermoeden. Deze sprongen vond ik een fijne en interessante toevoeging hebben.
Verschillende personages zijn verdacht en er zitten echt veel plotwendingen in dit verhaal, heerlijk! Op het einde wordt ook opeens de proloog heel erg duidelijk. Ik vond dit verhaal dan ook zeer goed in elkaar steken.
Wel is het verstandig om de voorgaande delen te lezen, want er speelt zich behoorlijk wat af in het leven van Jessica en dat heeft veel met haar verleden te maken. Ik vond het ook fijn dat Jusuf deze keer meer op de voorgrond was.
Het was dus weer genieten en ik wil heel graag het vierde deel lezen!
@awbrunathrillers heel erg bedankt voor dit recensie-exemplaar!
Beoordeling: 4,0 ⭐️
Maar de zaak wordt complexer als blijkt dat de moordenaar ook andere motieven lijkt te hebben. De enige aanwijzing die de politie heeft, is een foto van Zetterborg met drie andere mannen, van wie de gezichten zijn weggekrast. De politie tast in het duister over de identiteit van de mannen. Zijn het andere slachtoffers? Of zit er iets sinisterders achter?
Jessica Niemi is nog niet hersteld van het trauma dat ze opliep na de vorige zaak. Daarom krijgt Jusuf nu de kans om het onderzoek te leiden en zijn vaardigheden als politieagent te bewijzen. Door de foto van Zetterborg en de drie mannen wordt Jessica gedwongen om opnieuw haar demonen uit het verleden onder ogen te zien...
'Rancune' is het derde deel van de Jessica Niemi serie en het was ook deze keer weer genieten!
Het verhaal begint met een mysterieuze proloog, die meteen vragen oproept. Vervolgens speelt het verhaal zich in 2020 af en hier maak je kennis met Eliel. Niet veel later wordt hij dood in zijn appartement gevonden. Hij is vermoord en Jusuf (een steeds belangrijker personage in deze serie) krijgt de zaak toegewezen.
Dan wordt er een foto gevonden met doorgekraste gezichten, dus de zaak wordt steeds vreemder. Er worden soms sprongen naar het verleden gemaakt en hierdoor ga je bepaalde dingen vermoeden. Deze sprongen vond ik een fijne en interessante toevoeging hebben.
Verschillende personages zijn verdacht en er zitten echt veel plotwendingen in dit verhaal, heerlijk! Op het einde wordt ook opeens de proloog heel erg duidelijk. Ik vond dit verhaal dan ook zeer goed in elkaar steken.
Wel is het verstandig om de voorgaande delen te lezen, want er speelt zich behoorlijk wat af in het leven van Jessica en dat heeft veel met haar verleden te maken. Ik vond het ook fijn dat Jusuf deze keer meer op de voorgrond was.
Het was dus weer genieten en ik wil heel graag het vierde deel lezen!
@awbrunathrillers heel erg bedankt voor dit recensie-exemplaar!
Beoordeling: 4,0 ⭐️
September 9, 2021
Loistokamaa, en pettynyt!
Asioita, joista tykkäsin: henkilöhahmot olivat entistä eläväisempiä ja tuntuivat oikeilta ihmisiltä, kerronta oli moitteetonta (toisaalta jotkin tyylilliset seikat saattavat tehdä äänikirjasta vaikeasti seurattavan - itse luin), kirjassa on opettavaisia yksityiskohtia, kuten viittauksia arkkitehtuuriin, kirjallisuuteen tai anatomiaan, yllätyksellisyys säilyi loppuun asti, ja rakenne oli hyvä (kaikki varmasti tietää kuinka ärsyttävää on, kun jokainen luku päättyy cliffhangeriin ja seuraava luku seuraa taas ihan eri tapahtumia, jolloin joudut lukemaan vähintään pari lukua saadaksesi tietää, mitä tapahtuu. No, Seeckpä on tässä tosi taitava, ja osaa sopivissa kohdissa jatkaa seuraavassa luvussa siitä, mihin edellinen jäi, jolloin jännitys pääsee entisestään tihentymään ja lukija pysyy tyytyväisenä. Tämä on erittäin merkityksellistä minulle :-D).
Toisaalta olin vähän kujalla henkilöhahmojen historiassa: edellisestä osasta on vuosi ja ekasta kaksi vuotta, joten sitä ei vaan voi muistaa, mitä niissä kerrottiin, eikä kirjassa pahemmin ensimmäisiä osia spoilattu. Jotain wow-efektiä jäin myös kaipaamaan, siksi 5. tähti jäi irtoamatta :-)
Asioita, joista tykkäsin: henkilöhahmot olivat entistä eläväisempiä ja tuntuivat oikeilta ihmisiltä, kerronta oli moitteetonta (toisaalta jotkin tyylilliset seikat saattavat tehdä äänikirjasta vaikeasti seurattavan - itse luin), kirjassa on opettavaisia yksityiskohtia, kuten viittauksia arkkitehtuuriin, kirjallisuuteen tai anatomiaan, yllätyksellisyys säilyi loppuun asti, ja rakenne oli hyvä (kaikki varmasti tietää kuinka ärsyttävää on, kun jokainen luku päättyy cliffhangeriin ja seuraava luku seuraa taas ihan eri tapahtumia, jolloin joudut lukemaan vähintään pari lukua saadaksesi tietää, mitä tapahtuu. No, Seeckpä on tässä tosi taitava, ja osaa sopivissa kohdissa jatkaa seuraavassa luvussa siitä, mihin edellinen jäi, jolloin jännitys pääsee entisestään tihentymään ja lukija pysyy tyytyväisenä. Tämä on erittäin merkityksellistä minulle :-D).
Toisaalta olin vähän kujalla henkilöhahmojen historiassa: edellisestä osasta on vuosi ja ekasta kaksi vuotta, joten sitä ei vaan voi muistaa, mitä niissä kerrottiin, eikä kirjassa pahemmin ensimmäisiä osia spoilattu. Jotain wow-efektiä jäin myös kaipaamaan, siksi 5. tähti jäi irtoamatta :-)
March 24, 2023
Thoughts: I’ve just recently started to dip my toe into Nordic Noir and I am really enjoying the way this genre immerses you in this very dark, cold, gritty, atmosphere that is so easy to visualize. It’s not as easy a read for me as the standard popcorn thriller, but I’m learning to appreciate it nonetheless.
Max Scheek’s The Last Grudge, book three in the Jessica Neimi series, brings all the same Nordic noir vibes and more. Set in and around Helinski, Finland, this police procedural is nuanced and very twisty, where nothing is ever as it seems.
I enjoyed getting to learn about Yusuf, who takes the lead investigator role in book three, as his partner Jessica takes a bit of a backseat. I connected with Yusuf almost immensely as soon as I learned he had a Lapponian herding dog as a kid, as I too have a Lapponian herder (also known as a reindeer dog).
The characters are all nuanced and well developed and while the pace is a bit slower than in other thrillers, I think those who like this type of genre, will really enjoy the gritty, slow burn but twisty, nature.
Read if you like:
•nordic noir
•police procedurals
•twisty books
•detective series
Thank you {partners} Berkley Pub and PRH Audio for the gifted copies in exchange for my honest review.
Max Scheek’s The Last Grudge, book three in the Jessica Neimi series, brings all the same Nordic noir vibes and more. Set in and around Helinski, Finland, this police procedural is nuanced and very twisty, where nothing is ever as it seems.
I enjoyed getting to learn about Yusuf, who takes the lead investigator role in book three, as his partner Jessica takes a bit of a backseat. I connected with Yusuf almost immensely as soon as I learned he had a Lapponian herding dog as a kid, as I too have a Lapponian herder (also known as a reindeer dog).
The characters are all nuanced and well developed and while the pace is a bit slower than in other thrillers, I think those who like this type of genre, will really enjoy the gritty, slow burn but twisty, nature.
Read if you like:
•nordic noir
•police procedurals
•twisty books
•detective series
Thank you {partners} Berkley Pub and PRH Audio for the gifted copies in exchange for my honest review.
March 4, 2023
A good book. I do however think that Jessica Niemi could have had a bigger part in the book. I felt like she was just making a cameo now and then. But the case was interesting and surprising. And I like Jusuf being the one leading the investigations. I just hope that the next book will have more of Jessica in it.
February 25, 2024
«Vai šajā dzīvē vienmēr ir jāpieņem lietas, kādas tās ir, tikai tāpēc, ka viss varētu būt daudz sliktāk?»
Ne sliktāk, bet labāk… arvien labāka un labāka kļūst šī grāmatu sērija. Negaidītie pavērsieni, kas pārpludināja stāstu, mani izsita no līdzsvara. Sēks mani apmānīja atkal un atkal… un šoreiz es pat nejūtos apvainojusies. Ļoti labi!
4.4⭐️
Ne sliktāk, bet labāk… arvien labāka un labāka kļūst šī grāmatu sērija. Negaidītie pavērsieni, kas pārpludināja stāstu, mani izsita no līdzsvara. Sēks mani apmānīja atkal un atkal… un šoreiz es pat nejūtos apvainojusies. Ļoti labi!
4.4⭐️
February 3, 2025
*** UPDATE: UPON READING & REVIEWING THIS BOOK, I HAVE JUST FOUND OUT THAT THERE IS ANOTHER BOOK IN THIS SERIES! EEK! AS OF NOW IT HAS ONLY BEEN PUBLISHED IN FINNISH & GERMAN (I THINK), BUT THE ENGLISH TRANSLATION WILL BE AVAILABLE IN NOVEMBER THIS YEAR. SO PLEASE DISREGARD MY PINING OVER WHAT I THOUGHT WAS THE END OF A SERIES I HAVE ENJOYED SO MUCH. OK, ON WITH THE REVIEW! ***
***UPDATE No. 2: I NOW HAVE BOOK FOUR DOWNLOADED ONTO MY KINDLE, AND I'M TRYING MY BEST TO NOT READ IT IT JUST YET, FOR THE EXACT SAME REASONS I HELD OFF ON READING THIS THIRD INSTALLMENT. HOW LONG WILL I LAST? I HAVE NO IDEA; BUT JUST KNOWING I HAVE IT READY TO GO FILLS ME WITH MUCHO, MUCHO, HAPPINESS! PRAISE KEK! ***
----------------------------------------------------------------
AAAARRRRGGHHH!!!
That is the sound of me going through that well-known readers' mixture of emotions, upon finishing a book with a brilliantly executed plot, that had me thoroughly satisfied by the eventual conclusion, yet desperately disappointed to know that the story was over. The agony and ecstasy of the reading life, writ large.
As far as I know, this is not just the third, but FINAL instalment in Max Seeck's 'Jessica Niemi' series, so having loved the first two books, I knew this one was always going to be a wild ride; but I also had at the forefront of my mind, the knowledge that once this book was finished, that's it: there will be no more books in this series. So I tried (I really did) to slow down and savour the enjoyment, but damn it, Seeck really knows how to draw the reader in, get his literary claws into you, and present a story which ratchets up, bit by bit, pushing you on to want to read more, to find out what happens next, with perfectly placed cliffhangers, multiple plot threads, twists, turns and surprises at every turn...which makes it really bloody hard to put the book down and go do something...ANYTHING...else!
The pacing in this book is perfect. The mood of a police procedural thriller set in Finland during the dark days of winter, is gloriously gloomy, cold and full of foreboding. There's something about the icy backdrop in 'Nordic Noir' that really appeals to me, but this trilogy has made use of the climate and frozen landscapes to really deliver a delicious shiver to the reader; from both the descriptions of cold weather and the creepiness of the characters the author has created.
I know that some people didn't like having a slightly supernatural element to these stories, but I personally think that Seeck really made it work. Finland is a country with a lot of unusual superstitions - it's a really unusual country full stop. (I read somewhere that it has the highest number of heavy metal bands per capita, in the world! And don't even get me started on the wildly idiosyncratic Finnish language with its eighteen tenses! Lol.)
It's not surprising that a country that spends so much time in darkness, would have generated a lot of spooky folklore passed down down through the ages. And the supernatural element to this trilogy really only involves Jessica, whose traumatic back-story could easily be forgiven for making her prone to having an overactive imagination. (The "Witch Coven" in book one revolved around the esoteric beliefs of a select group of individuals who existed in the "real world" of the novel; a group whose unhinged actions amounted to a lot of violence, killing and other crimes, enacted entirely by humans in the "here & now" - not ghosts or ghouls.) It's very easy to read these books whilst not buying into the "reality" of Jessica's supernatural experiences. Especially when these stories all end up revolving around the crimes people commit, for very human reasons. I quite like this little aspect of this trilogy. I mean, it's not like we readers of crime-fiction don't already have to suspend our disbelief, in order to buy into the premise of genius serial killers, who tend to all operate around the stomping ground of a central character/squad - be they law enforcement or amateur sleuths.
And I find that Seeck does a brilliant job of getting me to suspend my disbelief, in his somewhat fantastical stories. His characters are so well drawn that even after leaving almost a year between reading the previous book and this one, I was immediately able to picture the members of the police squad, the minute I opened this book and stepped back into their world. This ensemble of characters are one of the reasons I'm sad to see the series end. I can't really re-read a crime thriller steeped in mystery, without the knowledge of how it all pans out, stopping me from having anywhere near as much enjoyment as I experienced upon my first reading of said mystery. So I probably won't ever read this trilogy again. I can only hold out some vain hope that Seeck will give the characters at least one more final outing I can enjoy...one he writes willingly and not because I have to hunt him down and go all Annie Wilkes on him!
I'm loath to include anything even approaching a spoiler here, because if anyone reads this review prior to deciding to read any of the 'Jessica Niemi' trilogy, I want them to enjoy each book as much as I did, with every sudden twist and clever reveal as much of a surprise to them, as they were to me. There are some threads in this plot that I believe Seeck intends the reader to figure out for themselves, before then smacking us upside the head with a whole other plot thread that we didn't see coming. And I love that. See detail, make a connection, figure something out, feel good about it, then be immediately struck back down to find oneself "all at sea" again.
If you like well plotted thrillers, enjoy being both rewarded for paying attention - but then shown how little you had actually figured out - then this is the trilogy for you. "Unputdownable" as a literary term, was invented for books like this. It astonishes me that this book has an average rating of about 3.8 stars, whereas the "Ten-Title-Tripe-Fest" I forced myself to read in the last couple of weeks of 2023 (Emmy Ellis' "DI Bethany Smith" series - do yourself a huge favour and avoid these books at all costs) had average ratings of 4 stars and above (which means at least a couple of deluded halfwits awarded them 5 stars...yikes). The vast difference in the quality of writing, plotting, setting, character development, mystery, suspense, and all-round execution of this trilogy, far surpasses many of the crime fiction titles currently being churned out.
So, whether it's a continuation of this series, or the creation of another new one, I'll definitely be on the lookout for whatever Max Seeck does next. I've absolutely loved being hugely immersed in and entertained by these three books, and with the *chef's kiss* ending to this instalment, I can honestly only give it a rating of 5 well deserved stars.
Great start to 2024!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
***UPDATE No. 2: I NOW HAVE BOOK FOUR DOWNLOADED ONTO MY KINDLE, AND I'M TRYING MY BEST TO NOT READ IT IT JUST YET, FOR THE EXACT SAME REASONS I HELD OFF ON READING THIS THIRD INSTALLMENT. HOW LONG WILL I LAST? I HAVE NO IDEA; BUT JUST KNOWING I HAVE IT READY TO GO FILLS ME WITH MUCHO, MUCHO, HAPPINESS! PRAISE KEK! ***
----------------------------------------------------------------
AAAARRRRGGHHH!!!
That is the sound of me going through that well-known readers' mixture of emotions, upon finishing a book with a brilliantly executed plot, that had me thoroughly satisfied by the eventual conclusion, yet desperately disappointed to know that the story was over. The agony and ecstasy of the reading life, writ large.
As far as I know, this is not just the third, but FINAL instalment in Max Seeck's 'Jessica Niemi' series, so having loved the first two books, I knew this one was always going to be a wild ride; but I also had at the forefront of my mind, the knowledge that once this book was finished, that's it: there will be no more books in this series. So I tried (I really did) to slow down and savour the enjoyment, but damn it, Seeck really knows how to draw the reader in, get his literary claws into you, and present a story which ratchets up, bit by bit, pushing you on to want to read more, to find out what happens next, with perfectly placed cliffhangers, multiple plot threads, twists, turns and surprises at every turn...which makes it really bloody hard to put the book down and go do something...ANYTHING...else!
The pacing in this book is perfect. The mood of a police procedural thriller set in Finland during the dark days of winter, is gloriously gloomy, cold and full of foreboding. There's something about the icy backdrop in 'Nordic Noir' that really appeals to me, but this trilogy has made use of the climate and frozen landscapes to really deliver a delicious shiver to the reader; from both the descriptions of cold weather and the creepiness of the characters the author has created.
I know that some people didn't like having a slightly supernatural element to these stories, but I personally think that Seeck really made it work. Finland is a country with a lot of unusual superstitions - it's a really unusual country full stop. (I read somewhere that it has the highest number of heavy metal bands per capita, in the world! And don't even get me started on the wildly idiosyncratic Finnish language with its eighteen tenses! Lol.)
It's not surprising that a country that spends so much time in darkness, would have generated a lot of spooky folklore passed down down through the ages. And the supernatural element to this trilogy really only involves Jessica, whose traumatic back-story could easily be forgiven for making her prone to having an overactive imagination. (The "Witch Coven" in book one revolved around the esoteric beliefs of a select group of individuals who existed in the "real world" of the novel; a group whose unhinged actions amounted to a lot of violence, killing and other crimes, enacted entirely by humans in the "here & now" - not ghosts or ghouls.) It's very easy to read these books whilst not buying into the "reality" of Jessica's supernatural experiences. Especially when these stories all end up revolving around the crimes people commit, for very human reasons. I quite like this little aspect of this trilogy. I mean, it's not like we readers of crime-fiction don't already have to suspend our disbelief, in order to buy into the premise of genius serial killers, who tend to all operate around the stomping ground of a central character/squad - be they law enforcement or amateur sleuths.
And I find that Seeck does a brilliant job of getting me to suspend my disbelief, in his somewhat fantastical stories. His characters are so well drawn that even after leaving almost a year between reading the previous book and this one, I was immediately able to picture the members of the police squad, the minute I opened this book and stepped back into their world. This ensemble of characters are one of the reasons I'm sad to see the series end. I can't really re-read a crime thriller steeped in mystery, without the knowledge of how it all pans out, stopping me from having anywhere near as much enjoyment as I experienced upon my first reading of said mystery. So I probably won't ever read this trilogy again. I can only hold out some vain hope that Seeck will give the characters at least one more final outing I can enjoy...one he writes willingly and not because I have to hunt him down and go all Annie Wilkes on him!
I'm loath to include anything even approaching a spoiler here, because if anyone reads this review prior to deciding to read any of the 'Jessica Niemi' trilogy, I want them to enjoy each book as much as I did, with every sudden twist and clever reveal as much of a surprise to them, as they were to me. There are some threads in this plot that I believe Seeck intends the reader to figure out for themselves, before then smacking us upside the head with a whole other plot thread that we didn't see coming. And I love that. See detail, make a connection, figure something out, feel good about it, then be immediately struck back down to find oneself "all at sea" again.
If you like well plotted thrillers, enjoy being both rewarded for paying attention - but then shown how little you had actually figured out - then this is the trilogy for you. "Unputdownable" as a literary term, was invented for books like this. It astonishes me that this book has an average rating of about 3.8 stars, whereas the "Ten-Title-Tripe-Fest" I forced myself to read in the last couple of weeks of 2023 (Emmy Ellis' "DI Bethany Smith" series - do yourself a huge favour and avoid these books at all costs) had average ratings of 4 stars and above (which means at least a couple of deluded halfwits awarded them 5 stars...yikes). The vast difference in the quality of writing, plotting, setting, character development, mystery, suspense, and all-round execution of this trilogy, far surpasses many of the crime fiction titles currently being churned out.
So, whether it's a continuation of this series, or the creation of another new one, I'll definitely be on the lookout for whatever Max Seeck does next. I've absolutely loved being hugely immersed in and entertained by these three books, and with the *chef's kiss* ending to this instalment, I can honestly only give it a rating of 5 well deserved stars.
Great start to 2024!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
October 25, 2021
Pitkästä aikaa annan kirjalle täydet pointsit. Tämä oli kyllä erittäin mukaansa tempaava ja piti otteessaan koko kirjan ajan. Hyvin oli erilaisia käänteitä ja kirjoitustyyli oli hyvä. Olen kyllä pitänyt muistakin Seeckin kirjoista eikä tämä poikennut siitä yhtään. On jotenkin kiva vaikka kirja kuuluukin tiettyyn sarjaan sen voi myös lukea ihan itsenäisenä osana (vaikka ehkä asioita voi tajuta paremmin jos lukee kaikki kirjat) ja kaikki ovat jollain tavoin erilaisia - usein mennään samalla kaavalla mutta nyt jokaisessa osassa oli erilainen juoni. Kirjaa ei olisi malttanut laskea käsistään.
November 21, 2022
Part of the popular Nordic Noir series!
Jessica Niemi is an investigator in Helsinki. Jessica is still reeling from her experience with the coven so she is more of a background character as Yusef and others take charge of a murder of a businessman Eliel Zetterborg. What seems like a very straightforward case leads to layers of complications and evil beyond imagination. I would suggest reading The Witch Hunter before this book personally.
If you like Nordic Noir, evil and dark magic cast as villains, or are just ready for a new heroine, The Last Grudge is for you! #Berkely
Jessica Niemi is an investigator in Helsinki. Jessica is still reeling from her experience with the coven so she is more of a background character as Yusef and others take charge of a murder of a businessman Eliel Zetterborg. What seems like a very straightforward case leads to layers of complications and evil beyond imagination. I would suggest reading The Witch Hunter before this book personally.
If you like Nordic Noir, evil and dark magic cast as villains, or are just ready for a new heroine, The Last Grudge is for you! #Berkely
October 10, 2021
No nyt oli kova! Vetävä, koukuttava ja yllättävä. Hieno juoni!
August 27, 2023
⭐️4,6/5
Tiešām labi. Patika negaidītie pavērsieni un lietas atrisināšana. 👍
Tiešām labi. Patika negaidītie pavērsieni un lietas atrisināšana. 👍
March 3, 2024
Stāstījums raits, bet intrigas nebija, nepārsteidza. es saprotu, ka šis autors grib atšķirties no citiem un vienu stāstu ievilkt tālāk, bet nu bija diezgan grūti atcerēties to raganu stāstu un *iebraukt*. Turklāt diezgan bezjēdzīga tā Džesijas nolaupīšana - ja mirstošā virsragana gribēj šo nomušīt, iespējas tak bija vienkāršākas. Pēdējā brīža izglābšana arī jau tāda klišeja.
Bet - lasīt var, stāsts labs!
Bet - lasīt var, stāsts labs!
August 7, 2023
The Last Grudge by Max Seeck is the third in the Detective Jessica Niemi series.
First, let me thank NetGalley, the publisher Berkley Publishing and of course the author, for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Series Background: (Warning – Contains spoilers from previous books)
Detective Jessica Jessica Niemi has suffered a lot of loss in her life. She was the only survivor of a car crash when she was six and has neurological pain. Her parents and brother died in that crash. Then she lost her foster parents. Jessica works for the Helsinki Violent Crimes Unit of the Police Department. Recently her boss/mentor and father figure, Erne Mikson, passed away from cancer. She is still having nightmares about her mother, and the coven of witches from a recent case. She is a very private person, and until recently, only Erne was aware of how wealthy she really is. She and her new boss - Helena Lappi - have recently come to an uneasy "agreement", to keep part of Jessica's past secret. The rest of her team includes Yusuf Pepple, Rasmus Susikoski, and Nina Ruska. Nina and Jessica have a strained relationship ever since Jessica slept with Nina's boyfriend Mikael, who ended up being a bad guy anyways.
My Synopsis: (No major reveals, but if concerned, skip to My Opinions)
Eliel Zetterborg, a powerful magnate has been found in his Helsinki condo, a knife through his heart. He is a hated man, and has many enemies, but it may not be that simple.
Meanwhile, Jessica is on leave to deal with the wrist that was smashed in her last case. Although her boss has said she can have desk duty, Jessica has other plans. She is still be haunted by nightmares, and during her last case, a man attacked her and whispered a phrase that later lead them to a dead body. Could these things have something to do with that coven of witches they uncovered not too long ago?
Yusuf has been tasked with leading the team to find the killer of Zetterborg, but soon finds that he needs Jessica's help. But that may not be possible, and now there's another body.
My Opinions:
Okay, these are really long books (or so they seem), but the plots and characters are such that I want to continue reading them. I really like all the team members, and although Jessica took more of a back-seat in this one, I liked Yusuf stepping up, and everything went well (but I hope the next one has more of Jessica).
I still have problems with the unfamiliar people and place names, but I'm ignoring that, since it's my problem - not the books.
The book was about family, but I think it was mainly about greed and deception.
I was actually disappointed with the identity of the killer (I was rooting for that person). However, let's just say that everyone got what they deserved.
So, overall, I will continue with this series, and if you like complex, intriguing Nordic thrillers, you may want to join me.
For a more complete review of this book and others, (including the reason I chose to read/review this book, as well as author information and contact details), please visit my blog: http://katlovesbooksblog.wordpress.com/
October 6, 2023
I don't like most of the Scandinavian crime novels, they are very similar to each other. Therefore, I started this author's book with a little fear, but it was a pleasantly good, enjoyable, exciting, often surprising story. There were several references to the previous parts of the series, but the book was still understandable. It wasn't a great literary experience, but it was suitable for relaxation.
July 13, 2024
lieliski noturēja intrigu un ziņkārību līdz pašām beigām.
September 9, 2022
✨REZENSION - Feindesopfer ✨
Das hier ist mein erstes Buch von dem Autor und.. Ja ich weiß, das hier ist der 3. Band der Reihe. 🙈 Zu meiner Verteidigung, sie kann man unabhängig voneinander lesen, aber irgendwie auch nicht ganz.
Denn ich habe gelesen das es erforderlich ist sie nacheinander zu lesen, da man sonst den "privaten" Teil nicht versteht und es ist halt wirklich so...
Die Fälle dageben sind ineinander abgeschlossen.🤔
Wahrscheinlich liegt es daran, dass ich die beiden vorherigen Teile nicht kenne, denn der Band hat mich nicht so wirklich überzeugt.🤔
Der Schreibstil war einerseits flüssig und andererseits waren auch oft komische Wörter dabei, wie zb. die Ortsnamen, namen etc.😅
Das Cover mit dem Farbschnitt ist definitiv ein Hingucker.☺️
Am Anfang bin ich nicht ganz in die Geschichte gekommen und für mich war es etwas langweilig, aber dann später konnte ich es besser verfolgen und es wurde auch immer spannender.😊
Hier geht es um ein Ermittlerteam, das einen weiteren Fall untersucht. Denn Zetterberg, war ein erfolgreicher Geschäftsmann und wurde in seiner Wohnung tot aufgefunden. Die Ermittlungen waren wirklich sehr ausführlich beschrieben. Es wurden auch diverse Gegenstände und Markierungen gesetzt, wo man sich denkt "Wie passt das alles zusammen?"🙂
Das Ende hat mich definitiv überrascht und damit hätte ich nicht gerechnet.🙈
Zum Ende hin war es aber dann trotzdem ein gelunger Thriller, nur ich bin am Anfang nicht ganz reingekommen.😅
3/5⭐
Das hier ist mein erstes Buch von dem Autor und.. Ja ich weiß, das hier ist der 3. Band der Reihe. 🙈 Zu meiner Verteidigung, sie kann man unabhängig voneinander lesen, aber irgendwie auch nicht ganz.
Denn ich habe gelesen das es erforderlich ist sie nacheinander zu lesen, da man sonst den "privaten" Teil nicht versteht und es ist halt wirklich so...
Die Fälle dageben sind ineinander abgeschlossen.🤔
Wahrscheinlich liegt es daran, dass ich die beiden vorherigen Teile nicht kenne, denn der Band hat mich nicht so wirklich überzeugt.🤔
Der Schreibstil war einerseits flüssig und andererseits waren auch oft komische Wörter dabei, wie zb. die Ortsnamen, namen etc.😅
Das Cover mit dem Farbschnitt ist definitiv ein Hingucker.☺️
Am Anfang bin ich nicht ganz in die Geschichte gekommen und für mich war es etwas langweilig, aber dann später konnte ich es besser verfolgen und es wurde auch immer spannender.😊
Hier geht es um ein Ermittlerteam, das einen weiteren Fall untersucht. Denn Zetterberg, war ein erfolgreicher Geschäftsmann und wurde in seiner Wohnung tot aufgefunden. Die Ermittlungen waren wirklich sehr ausführlich beschrieben. Es wurden auch diverse Gegenstände und Markierungen gesetzt, wo man sich denkt "Wie passt das alles zusammen?"🙂
Das Ende hat mich definitiv überrascht und damit hätte ich nicht gerechnet.🙈
Zum Ende hin war es aber dann trotzdem ein gelunger Thriller, nur ich bin am Anfang nicht ganz reingekommen.😅
3/5⭐
July 16, 2023
3.5 ⭐️
It dawned on me about halfway through that this one is part of a series. I didn’t want to give up and read books 1-2 because I was enjoying the story but I think this one is definitely meant to be read as series. I felt very out of the loop. But I did enjoy it enough. It was 400+ pages and had a lot of character development. Since this was written in Finnish by a Finnish author, the names were a struggle (made up my own to keep track of all the characters 😆) the development wasn’t as smooth as maybe it originally was due to the translation into English.
It dawned on me about halfway through that this one is part of a series. I didn’t want to give up and read books 1-2 because I was enjoying the story but I think this one is definitely meant to be read as series. I felt very out of the loop. But I did enjoy it enough. It was 400+ pages and had a lot of character development. Since this was written in Finnish by a Finnish author, the names were a struggle (made up my own to keep track of all the characters 😆) the development wasn’t as smooth as maybe it originally was due to the translation into English.
December 20, 2022
United States Publication Date: February 7, 2023
Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for this advanced reader's copy. In exchange, I am providing an honest review.
Following closely on the heels of the last book, Sergeant Jessica Niemi has taken some time off work to settle some demons from her past and present so that her future can be unfettered. While she's personally reexamining a crime that happened Christmas Eve, her team is called to a high-profile murder scene. Since Jessica is off-duty her partner, Yusuf, is named lead investigator but he quickly finds himself not up to the task. The pressure as the lead investigator is immense and he isn't sure how Jessica does it. So he calls her, and officially and unofficially, they begin to chip away at the clues left behind and the clues that haven't been left behind. Meanwhile, Jessica's dead mother keeps visiting her with visions and messages and Jessica becomes very concerned that she is not herself all of the time. The high-profile murder leads to another and the investigative team becomes concerned that the bodies are going to start stacking up, time is of the essence. But true to form, the clues aren't answering questions so much as adding questions to the investigation. Will the answers finally reveal themselves in time to stop the murders? As for Jessica's personal investigation, someone from the not-too-distant past has a score to settle with Jessica and she isn't going to stop until payment is extracted.
In this title, Seeck seems to end one storyline and starts to bring another to its inevitable end but I could be very wrong about the ending of the witch storyline and Seeck could revive it somehow. If he does I have no doubt it will be seamless and organic. I seem to use the word "seamless" a lot when talking about Seeck's abilities but it's so accurate of his writing and how he blends storylines and characters together to create what he has in this series. I feel like Seeck is just getting warmed up with this series so I hope it's not a trilogy. I think a 4th book has been published in Finland and it takes a little over a year for the translated version to be published in English so I am eagerly awaiting word of a translated book 4 sometime in 2024 AND hope I can get an ARC of it as I did with his first and third books of this series. *fingers crossed*
Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for this advanced reader's copy. In exchange, I am providing an honest review.
Following closely on the heels of the last book, Sergeant Jessica Niemi has taken some time off work to settle some demons from her past and present so that her future can be unfettered. While she's personally reexamining a crime that happened Christmas Eve, her team is called to a high-profile murder scene. Since Jessica is off-duty her partner, Yusuf, is named lead investigator but he quickly finds himself not up to the task. The pressure as the lead investigator is immense and he isn't sure how Jessica does it. So he calls her, and officially and unofficially, they begin to chip away at the clues left behind and the clues that haven't been left behind. Meanwhile, Jessica's dead mother keeps visiting her with visions and messages and Jessica becomes very concerned that she is not herself all of the time. The high-profile murder leads to another and the investigative team becomes concerned that the bodies are going to start stacking up, time is of the essence. But true to form, the clues aren't answering questions so much as adding questions to the investigation. Will the answers finally reveal themselves in time to stop the murders? As for Jessica's personal investigation, someone from the not-too-distant past has a score to settle with Jessica and she isn't going to stop until payment is extracted.
In this title, Seeck seems to end one storyline and starts to bring another to its inevitable end but I could be very wrong about the ending of the witch storyline and Seeck could revive it somehow. If he does I have no doubt it will be seamless and organic. I seem to use the word "seamless" a lot when talking about Seeck's abilities but it's so accurate of his writing and how he blends storylines and characters together to create what he has in this series. I feel like Seeck is just getting warmed up with this series so I hope it's not a trilogy. I think a 4th book has been published in Finland and it takes a little over a year for the translated version to be published in English so I am eagerly awaiting word of a translated book 4 sometime in 2024 AND hope I can get an ARC of it as I did with his first and third books of this series. *fingers crossed*
Read
June 12, 2023"Somu valoda izklausās dīvaini arī tad, kad cilvēks nav dzīvības briesmās, kur nu vēl tagad, kad vārdos dzird paniku." (462.lpp.)
Gandrīz vai žēl, ka nesaskaitīju, cik reizes grāmatas varoņi 462. lappusēs lieto vārdu "perkele" (velns?). Katrā ziņā spēcīga, tieša, brutāla valoda ar lamuvārdiem šajā romānā neaprobežojas ar drumstalām, bet tiek lietota plaši un neskopojies. Tieši tādi ir arī arī somu kriminālbestselleru autora Maksa Sēka veidotie varoņi- dzīves apbružāti, pagātnes vajāti un asu mēli, galu galā - ik dienas sastopoties ar brutālu noziegumu izmeklēšanu, nevar nepalikt bez sekām.
"Ļaunatmiņa" ir trešā un jaunākā daļa izmeklētājas Džesikas Niemi sērijā. Latviešu valodā pieejamas arī abas iepriekšējās daļas "Ļaunuma tīkls" un "Vajātājs". Džesikai, kurai šajā daļā ir tikai pakārtota loma, turpina cīņu ar saviem dēmoniem no pagātnes, reizē izmeklējot pastrādāto noziegumu.
Kad Helsinku centra dzīvoklī tiek noslepkavots ietekmīgais uzņēmējs Eliels Ceterborgs, aizdomas krīt uz neskaitāmiem cilvēkiem, ne velti- tikai nesen kā notikusi plaša darbinieku atlaišana. Bet atklājot vairākas detaļas, nākas atzīt, ka šis iespējams ir kas vairāk par kāda aizvainota darbinieka palikšanu bez darba. Dažkārt atmiņas par pagātnes notikumiem noved pie iznīcinošas rīcības. Bet, kurš ir pastrādājis noziegumu un galvenais, vai policija spēs to apturēt?
Somijas detektīvs lavierē kaut kur pa vidu starp Nordic noir un klasisku policijas procesuālo drāmu, neizpaliekot bez spēcīgi atklātas sarunvalodas un brīvdomības. Lēni, bet apņēmīgi ievelkošais izmeklēšanas stāsts, kurā daudzslāņaini savītas tādas tēmas kā vara, mantkārība, atriebība, alkatība, rezultējas eksplodējošā nobeigumā, kurš pārsteidz un savā ziņā apbalvo pacietīgos lasītājus.
3.7 zvaigznes
Gandrīz vai žēl, ka nesaskaitīju, cik reizes grāmatas varoņi 462. lappusēs lieto vārdu "perkele" (velns?). Katrā ziņā spēcīga, tieša, brutāla valoda ar lamuvārdiem šajā romānā neaprobežojas ar drumstalām, bet tiek lietota plaši un neskopojies. Tieši tādi ir arī arī somu kriminālbestselleru autora Maksa Sēka veidotie varoņi- dzīves apbružāti, pagātnes vajāti un asu mēli, galu galā - ik dienas sastopoties ar brutālu noziegumu izmeklēšanu, nevar nepalikt bez sekām.
"Ļaunatmiņa" ir trešā un jaunākā daļa izmeklētājas Džesikas Niemi sērijā. Latviešu valodā pieejamas arī abas iepriekšējās daļas "Ļaunuma tīkls" un "Vajātājs". Džesikai, kurai šajā daļā ir tikai pakārtota loma, turpina cīņu ar saviem dēmoniem no pagātnes, reizē izmeklējot pastrādāto noziegumu.
Kad Helsinku centra dzīvoklī tiek noslepkavots ietekmīgais uzņēmējs Eliels Ceterborgs, aizdomas krīt uz neskaitāmiem cilvēkiem, ne velti- tikai nesen kā notikusi plaša darbinieku atlaišana. Bet atklājot vairākas detaļas, nākas atzīt, ka šis iespējams ir kas vairāk par kāda aizvainota darbinieka palikšanu bez darba. Dažkārt atmiņas par pagātnes notikumiem noved pie iznīcinošas rīcības. Bet, kurš ir pastrādājis noziegumu un galvenais, vai policija spēs to apturēt?
Somijas detektīvs lavierē kaut kur pa vidu starp Nordic noir un klasisku policijas procesuālo drāmu, neizpaliekot bez spēcīgi atklātas sarunvalodas un brīvdomības. Lēni, bet apņēmīgi ievelkošais izmeklēšanas stāsts, kurā daudzslāņaini savītas tādas tēmas kā vara, mantkārība, atriebība, alkatība, rezultējas eksplodējošā nobeigumā, kurš pārsteidz un savā ziņā apbalvo pacietīgos lasītājus.
3.7 zvaigznes
January 3, 2022
Toinen lukemani Max Seeck, nyt vähän hassusti luin tämän Jessica Niemi -sarjan kolmannen kirjan. Jo aiemmin luin sen ekan eli toinen jäi nyt välistä ja hieman oli tässä spoilausta kakkososasta tässä kolmannen osan sivujuonessa. Saatan silti lukea sen toisenkin osan.
Mitäpä tästä nyt sanoisi? Kun osaa kirjoittaa näitä jännäreitä, niin osaa. Muistan lukeneeni, että Seeck oli jossain lomalla ja luki Dan Brownia ja totesi mielessään, että osaa kyllä kirjoittaa paremman tarinan - ja niin on osannut.
Tässä teoksessa Jessica Niemi on melkeinpä sivuosassa ratkaisemassa aiempaa tarinaa loppuun. Mutta toki Jessica palaa kehiin ja hoitaa hommat kotiin. Taitavasti Seeck näitä juonikuvioita punoo. Plussat siitä, että annetaan muillekin henkilöille kuin Jessicalle tilaa. Miinukset siitä Jessican "sivujuonesta".
En nyt ala juonta sen kummemmin kuvailemaan, murhia taas ratkotaan.
Sanotaan nyt vaikka 3,8/5, täysissä tähdissä 4. Olikin sitten uudenvuodenaattona loppuun saatu kirja eli viimeinen viime vuonna.
Mitäpä tästä nyt sanoisi? Kun osaa kirjoittaa näitä jännäreitä, niin osaa. Muistan lukeneeni, että Seeck oli jossain lomalla ja luki Dan Brownia ja totesi mielessään, että osaa kyllä kirjoittaa paremman tarinan - ja niin on osannut.
Tässä teoksessa Jessica Niemi on melkeinpä sivuosassa ratkaisemassa aiempaa tarinaa loppuun. Mutta toki Jessica palaa kehiin ja hoitaa hommat kotiin. Taitavasti Seeck näitä juonikuvioita punoo. Plussat siitä, että annetaan muillekin henkilöille kuin Jessicalle tilaa. Miinukset siitä Jessican "sivujuonesta".
En nyt ala juonta sen kummemmin kuvailemaan, murhia taas ratkotaan.
Sanotaan nyt vaikka 3,8/5, täysissä tähdissä 4. Olikin sitten uudenvuodenaattona loppuun saatu kirja eli viimeinen viime vuonna.
September 11, 2022
Der dritte Fall aus der Serie rund um Jessica Niemi hat mir bisher am besten gefallen. Jessica verarbeitet die Geschehnisse aus dem letzten Buch noch und gibt daher die Rolle als Hauptermittlerin an Jusuf ab, der sie als Protagonistin würdig vertreten hat.
Jessica ist natürlich trotzdem eine wichtige Person in dem Buch. An der Stelle sei aber gesagt, dass die Handlung aus den vorherigen Büchern nicht wiederholt wird. Wer sie also nicht gelesen hat, könnte daher ein bisschen Lesespaß einbüßen. Ich habe alle Bücher gelesen, kann mich aber auch nicht mehr an alle Details erinnern. Ich habe da stellenweise auch ganz hinten in meinem Hirn kramen müssen und wusste trotzdem nicht mehr alles zu 100%.
Der Fall an sich war sehr spannend und das Buch hat sich extrem schnell gelesen. Nur das Ende wurde aus meiner Sicht ein bisschen in die Länge gezogen, aber das ist mir bei Krimis, vor allem bei skandinavischen, schon öfter untergekommen. Man denkt es ist vorbei, aber nein es passiert noch ganz viel.
Immerhin konnte ich das Ende nicht vorhersehen und ich war das ganze Buch über neugierig auf die weiteren Entwicklungen. Immer wieder habe ich meine eigenen Theorien über den Täter aufgestellt, sie wieder verworfen und doch wieder aufgenommen. Also ich würde sagen, es war eine gelungene Unterhaltung.
Ich wäre sehr gespannt auf einen nächsten Teil, aber es handelt sich wohl um ein Trilogie und ist daher damit zu Ende. Schade.
Jessica ist natürlich trotzdem eine wichtige Person in dem Buch. An der Stelle sei aber gesagt, dass die Handlung aus den vorherigen Büchern nicht wiederholt wird. Wer sie also nicht gelesen hat, könnte daher ein bisschen Lesespaß einbüßen. Ich habe alle Bücher gelesen, kann mich aber auch nicht mehr an alle Details erinnern. Ich habe da stellenweise auch ganz hinten in meinem Hirn kramen müssen und wusste trotzdem nicht mehr alles zu 100%.
Der Fall an sich war sehr spannend und das Buch hat sich extrem schnell gelesen. Nur das Ende wurde aus meiner Sicht ein bisschen in die Länge gezogen, aber das ist mir bei Krimis, vor allem bei skandinavischen, schon öfter untergekommen. Man denkt es ist vorbei, aber nein es passiert noch ganz viel.
Immerhin konnte ich das Ende nicht vorhersehen und ich war das ganze Buch über neugierig auf die weiteren Entwicklungen. Immer wieder habe ich meine eigenen Theorien über den Täter aufgestellt, sie wieder verworfen und doch wieder aufgenommen. Also ich würde sagen, es war eine gelungene Unterhaltung.
Ich wäre sehr gespannt auf einen nächsten Teil, aber es handelt sich wohl um ein Trilogie und ist daher damit zu Ende. Schade.
November 14, 2021
Max Seeckin dekkari Kauna on kolmas Jessica Niemi-sarjan kirja. Jessica Niemi on sarjassa rikosylikonstaapeli, mutta hän oli jäänyt pariksi kuukaudeksi virkavapaalle, kunnes töissä tuli niin ruuhkaa, että oli ihan välttämätöntä liittyä mukaan rikosten tutkintaan.
Tarinan ensimmäinen murhattu henkilö oli rikas teollisuuspamppu. Ja pian kävi ilmi, että eräs toinenkin henkilö makasi kotonaan kuolleena. Mikä johti heidät kuolemaan, sillä he olivat ystäviä keskenään? Tutkinnan sai hoitaakseen Jessican työkaveri Jusuf Pepple.
Max Seeckin Kauna pureutui yritysmaailmaan johtoportaaseen, mutta tarina sai myös mysteeripiirteitä noitalahkolta, joka esiintyi jo sarjan ensimmäisessä kirjassa. Kateutta ja kavaluutta sekä verenvuodatusta kylmästi harkiten vai äkkipikaisesti suunnittelematta?
Tarinan ensimmäinen murhattu henkilö oli rikas teollisuuspamppu. Ja pian kävi ilmi, että eräs toinenkin henkilö makasi kotonaan kuolleena. Mikä johti heidät kuolemaan, sillä he olivat ystäviä keskenään? Tutkinnan sai hoitaakseen Jessican työkaveri Jusuf Pepple.
Max Seeckin Kauna pureutui yritysmaailmaan johtoportaaseen, mutta tarina sai myös mysteeripiirteitä noitalahkolta, joka esiintyi jo sarjan ensimmäisessä kirjassa. Kateutta ja kavaluutta sekä verenvuodatusta kylmästi harkiten vai äkkipikaisesti suunnittelematta?
September 13, 2021
Mestariteos jälleen Seeckiltä. Osa tarinan käänteistä suoraan kuin omista painajaisista. Juoni kantaa ja jaksaa yllättää loppuun asti.
May 20, 2023
Rigtig god finsk krimi - med et underholdende plot, som bare udvikler sig og udvikler sig. Helt på højde med etteren!
September 7, 2023
Ļoti garš un garlaicīgs sākums, līdz ar to nekādi nevarēju "ielasīties", gribējās likt nost, bet tad uz beigām stāsts kļuva dinamisks. Tāpēc lieku tikai 3 zvaigznes, jo gandrīz atteicos...
February 5, 2024
#TheLastGrudge – Max Seeck
#Welbeck
#JonathanBall
To be murdered on the very day that you are labelled the most hated man in Helsinki, is bad timing, especially for the investigators. Where do you start searching for suspects when every second person in the city had a motive?
Prominent businessman, Eliel Zetterborg, chose the 50th anniversary of the existence of his global corporation to announce that one of the largest units thereof will be shut down, leaving nearly three thousand people unemployed. Shortly thereafter his body is found in his upscale apartment. He has been fatally stabbed by one of his own kitchen knives. There are no signs of forced entry, and the residence is otherwise immaculate, except for two thousand unassembled pieces of a jigsaw puzzle and a photograph with faces scratched out that have been left on the scene.
Jessica Niemi, the lead investigator of the Violent Crimes Unit, takes an unexpected leave of absence and her less experienced partner, Yusuf Pepple, is tasked with the murder investigation that turns out to be as complex as the deal between Faust and Mephistopheles.
‘The last grudge’ is the third in the series featuring Jessica Niemi and follows the Nordic noir genre, as did the previous titles. Typical of this type of crime fiction, the narrative engages the investigators’ perspectives, using plain language, set in a bleak landscape. The mood is dark, and the tension between the apparent bland surface and the moral complexities of the murder and mayhem hidden underneath, is the structural backbone.
Jessica’s past is catching up with her and she is battling her own demons, both real and imagined, whilst Yusuf is investigating the murder and trying to come to terms with his failed relationship. These story lines meet in a surprising twist that unearths ghosts of the past refusing to be laid to rest.
Troubled, less than perfect investigators are a trope in this genre, and the author adds an additional layer to the character development by not merely focusing on Jessica and Yusuf. The peripheral investigating characters, the no-nonsense Nina Ruska, the timid Rasmus Susikoski, the frustrated Jami Harjula, and the formidable Helena Lappi, receive equal attention, and a sense of reader loyalty towards the team, develops as a result thereof.
Although it is recommended that the series be read to truly appreciate the character development, the plot of this third instalment is independent from those of the first two (‘The witch hunter’ and ‘The ice coven’) and can be enjoyed as a standalone.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ #Uitdieperdsebek
#Welbeck
#JonathanBall
To be murdered on the very day that you are labelled the most hated man in Helsinki, is bad timing, especially for the investigators. Where do you start searching for suspects when every second person in the city had a motive?
Prominent businessman, Eliel Zetterborg, chose the 50th anniversary of the existence of his global corporation to announce that one of the largest units thereof will be shut down, leaving nearly three thousand people unemployed. Shortly thereafter his body is found in his upscale apartment. He has been fatally stabbed by one of his own kitchen knives. There are no signs of forced entry, and the residence is otherwise immaculate, except for two thousand unassembled pieces of a jigsaw puzzle and a photograph with faces scratched out that have been left on the scene.
Jessica Niemi, the lead investigator of the Violent Crimes Unit, takes an unexpected leave of absence and her less experienced partner, Yusuf Pepple, is tasked with the murder investigation that turns out to be as complex as the deal between Faust and Mephistopheles.
‘The last grudge’ is the third in the series featuring Jessica Niemi and follows the Nordic noir genre, as did the previous titles. Typical of this type of crime fiction, the narrative engages the investigators’ perspectives, using plain language, set in a bleak landscape. The mood is dark, and the tension between the apparent bland surface and the moral complexities of the murder and mayhem hidden underneath, is the structural backbone.
Jessica’s past is catching up with her and she is battling her own demons, both real and imagined, whilst Yusuf is investigating the murder and trying to come to terms with his failed relationship. These story lines meet in a surprising twist that unearths ghosts of the past refusing to be laid to rest.
Troubled, less than perfect investigators are a trope in this genre, and the author adds an additional layer to the character development by not merely focusing on Jessica and Yusuf. The peripheral investigating characters, the no-nonsense Nina Ruska, the timid Rasmus Susikoski, the frustrated Jami Harjula, and the formidable Helena Lappi, receive equal attention, and a sense of reader loyalty towards the team, develops as a result thereof.
Although it is recommended that the series be read to truly appreciate the character development, the plot of this third instalment is independent from those of the first two (‘The witch hunter’ and ‘The ice coven’) and can be enjoyed as a standalone.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ #Uitdieperdsebek
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