January Challenge - I finished!

[Megan]

I read The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson as well. I found it interesting but not a favorite. I would recommend it depending on who I was recommending it to.
There are a couple other Nordic Noir books I have some interest in reading, but in general, I don't think it will ever be a favorite genre.

[Tara]

I had already read The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo and really disliked it so I have no interest in reading further in that series. So I read The Bat by Jo Nesbo. I liked it, I didn’t love it.
I have only read a couple Nordic Noir books so I may read more but I find them a bit slow to get into.
I might recommend this to people who like murder mysteries that are less cozy and a bit more graphic.

[Melissa]

Title: The Bat
Author: Jo Nesbø
Will I continue to read Nordic Noir?
Absolutely. I've read the Millennium series by Stieg Larsson (which includes The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo) hence why I didn't read the selection for January, and I love crime thrillers so I super enjoyed them. I actually had no idea i was reading Nordic Noir back then. I recommend both Stieg Larsson and Jo Nesbø and Nordic Noir in general.

[Baroness Ekat]

Title: Headhunters
Author: Jo Nesbo
Is Nordic Noir a genre you will read from again? Why or why not? No. I have now read 4 books that fall into this genre and have not liked any of them. I found this one the least objectionable, but can't say I liked it. I would only read this genre again if it came up as a category for a reading challenge. Please I hope it never does.
Would you recommend? If you like this genre, I would. And if you are only reading this genre because of the category, yeah, I'd suggest it. But in general, I dislike this genre.

[Leigh]

Title: The Bat
Author: Jo Nesbo

Is Nordic Noir a genre you will read from again? Why or why not?
Sure. I was not a huge fan of this book. It was a bit confusing and anti-climactic. However, I would be willing to read some of the later Harry Hole books, which I hear are better like The Snowman.

Would you recommend?
I would recommend that readers start with the later Harry Hole books in the series that are better developed. Some recommend starting at Book 3 - The Redbreast.

[Ali]

Title: The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
Author: Steig Larssen
Is Nordic Noir a genre you will read from again? Why or why not? I don't think so. At least, not for now. This book was so focused on sexual violence against women and given the current news cycles, I don't want to read about it. I looked up the plot for the rest of the series, and I just don't think I'd enjoy it. I like a good mystery, but I'd return to this genre probably to read a female author, or if someone with similar tastes to mine recommended a book.
Would you recommend? The book was fine, but it was way too long. Not really my cup of tea.

[Johanne]

I may have to start reading Drengen i kufferten (The Boy in the Suitcase) for this challenge soon. If I plan to finish in January that is... (Yes. I have a thing with deadlines).

[Abbye]

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson
I had heard of the Nordic Noir genre before but I hadn't ever read any books from that genre. The book was good but had some very unsettling themes so I don't think that I'll read the rest of the books in the trilogy. But I will probably try some different Nordic Noir books in the future.

[Melanie]

Title: The Snowman
Author: Jo Nesbø

Would I read from this genre again? The only other book I have read from this genre was The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. I did not care for that book at all. However, I did enjoy The Snowman- it was dark and although it had violence, it was more in the context of the murder mystery which apparently appeals more to my sensibilities. FYI (in case anyone is considering reading this as their first novel by this author but worried about jumping in the middle of the series) I had not read any books by this author before. Even though he referenced other books, I was able to follow along just fine.

Based off The Snowman, I would read other books by this author for sure and would consider other books in this genre now.

Would I recommend? I would recommend with an explanation of what to expect. It definitely is not for all tastes!

[Sarah]

Title: Roseanna
Author: Maj Sjöwall


I enjoyed the Nordic noir genre well before this prompt, as I’ve read the Millennium series years ago and loved it. Crime and thriller/suspense novels are my jam - the darker the better. I don’t know if I would continue in this series, it took way too long to get going and I like to be hooked ASAP.

I picked this book because when I actually googled what Nordic noir was, there was a link to this author describing this book and her work as a pioneer of the genre. Written in 1965, it ages fairly well and is still readable. There’s quite a few books in the series so I’m hoping they get better as it progresses.

I’d recommend it to anyone who has a hard time picking up a book in the middle of the series without starting from the start. On its own, it was nothing special.

[Cyndy]

Title: The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
Author: Stieg Larsson
Is Nordic Noir a genre you will read from again? Why or why not? yes, I plan on continuing with the series.
Would you recommend? Definitely

[Jennifer]

I read The Snowman and enjoyed it. Think I rated it a 4/5 and it was enjoyable.

Not as gripping as the Stieg Larsson books which I devoured.

I really want to read the The Girl Who Takes an Eye for an Eye to see if it measures up and I probably will read more from the Jo Nesbø series.

[Angelita]

I finished the Girl with the Dragon tattoo today by audio. It was hard to get into but audio helped. After reviewing some of the post i had no idea this was a book about men hating women. However i realizing during that time frame that was probably what happened. The audio gave some graphic description that i could have lived without. I have taken a liking to Salender, not sure if her name is spelled right. The book got better when they started to solve the mystery which was more than half way through.

[Pamela]

Title: The Snowman
Author: Jo Nesbo

Is Nordic Noir a genre you will read from again? Why or why not?
It was interesting and I would like to read more. I particularly liked how the the setting - cold and grey and bleak - came out so brilliantly throughout the book.

Would you recommend?
Yes but be warned it can make for an intense read.

[Jim]

I finished The Girl in the Spider's Web. I thought it was a valid addition to the canon, even though completed by a different author. If you enjoy the first three by Larson, you will probably enjoy this one. Be warned: It leaves room for a sequel.

[Jennifer]

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson.

I have never read or heard of Nordic Noir before but really like this book so I may read the rest in the series or try and read another author.

I would definitely recommend the book to others. It’s a bit dark but it was still very good as long as you can handle violence in your reads.

[Cyndy]

Jim wrote: "I finished The Girl in the Spider's Web. I thought it was a valid addition to the canon, even though completed by a different author. If you enjoy the first three by Larson, you wil..."

There is a fifth book The Girl Who Takes an Eye for an Eye. It was just published in Sept of 2017 (American publication date, I believe)

[Danielle]

I already read A girl with a dragon tattoo. So decided to go with Tg Snowman, a Jo Nesbo book.

[Aimee Dars]

I read The Drowning (Fjallbacka #6) by Camilla Läckberg. Nordic Noir is a genre I read frequently and will continue to read. In general, the books are well-written and seem to be less gory for gore’s sake as some American mysteries are. In The Drowning, a first-time author publishes a novel to rave reviews, but he is troubled by threatening letters he receives. At the same time, his close friend Mangus has been missing for three months. Detective Patrik Hedström and his wife crime writer Erica Flack try to find out what these two cases have in common before anyone else gets hurt. The book has a slow start, but the last half is compelling. I would recommend anyone interested in Camilla Läckberg to start with The Ice Princess (Fjallbacka #1).

[Giulia]

Title: The Last Fix
Author: Kjell Ola Dahl
Is Nordic Noir a genre you will read from again? Why or why not? I had read some nordic noir before, even if they're not my favorite kind of thrillers. This book was good, but it was more a detective story set in Oslo than a real noir, it wasn't particularly gritty or disturbing. The writing style was quite 'Scandinavian' though, very essential but effective.
Would you recommend? Yes, and I'll probably read the following books in the series.

[Nadine in NY]

I forgot to post that I finished the January read in January!

Title: The Bat
Author: Jo Nesbø
Is Nordic Noir a genre you will read from again? Why or why not?: This wasn't my first Nordic noir and it won't be my last! I enjoy darker, gritty stories and I love mysteries and I prefer straightforward writing over flowery prose. And I love Harry Hole.
Would you recommend? Yes!

[Amanda]

Flaggermusmannen

I decided to read The Bat by Jo Nesbo because I read The Snowman last winter and I wanted to see where Harry Hole started. You can see how his writing progressed writing this series. The Bat was way more mild than The Snowman but I still enjoyed it. I liked seeing the side of the younger Harry very much.

[Jessica]

Title: The Bat
Author: Jo Nesbo

Is Nordic Noir a genre you will read from again? Why or why not?

I would read Nordic Noir again. I have read the original Girl with the Dragon Tattoo series before and I am interested in reading more of this Jo Nesbo series. I find them interesting and I would like to explore more in the Nordic Noir genre and find other authors.

Would you recommend?

I would recommend The Bat. It was a much quicker read than Girl with the Dragon Tattoo and it kept me guessing up until the end. I have heard that the first two Harry Hole books are people's least favorite, so I am interested to read more of the series and see if I like the other books that people think are better.

[Elizabeth A.G.]

Title: "The Snowman"
Author: Jo Nesbo

I will be reading more of the Nordic Noir genre and completed "The Snowman" in January. I have read "The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo" in the past. Nesbo's setting in "The Snowman" certainly reflects the dark atmosphere of his story. I will never see a snowman in the same light! Would recommend this book and the reader does not need to read the previous books in the series to follow the characters.

[Melanie]

Title:
The Girl That Played With Fire

Author:
Stieg Larsson

Is Nordic Noir a genre you will read from again?
Yes

Why or why not?
I like intricate stories with twists and turns. I have enjoyed the Stieg Larsson Trilogy as well as the Harry Hole Series, however my favourite remains the books written by Jussi Adler-Olsen (Department Q Series)

Would you recommend?
Yes
The Girl with the Dragon Tatoo was MY first “Nordic Noir”, but My recommendations in this genre are to start with one of these:

[Teri]

Title: The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
Author: Stieg Larsson

Is Nordic Noir a genre you will read from again? I want to read the other books in the series, so yes.

Why or why not? I like mysteries and books set in other countries

Would you recommend? I would be careful who I recommended this book to, as those who have suffered abuse are likely to find it triggering.

[Samarie]

The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson


I was pleasantly surprised with this novel. I think I would’ve never read this book otherwise if I’d didn’t committed to complete as many of these reading challenges.


I’ve never had heard of Nordic Noir before starting this challenge so didn’t know what to expect while reading this book. At first, I felt like I was being reading out of obligation to complete the challenge. The story started slow and still I didn’t comprehend where the story was going. But once I got accustomed to the writing and got precisely the story plot I couldn’t stop reading. It surprises me how some things were described but learned along the way that that kind of violent crimes and description are part of Nordic Noir. I really liked how the story kept me in suspense, wanting more, and guessing about the events that Mikael and Lisbeth were investigating.



I will definitely try another Nordic Noir novel in the future and I definitely will be reading the second book in this series.

[Amy]

The Forgotten Girls by Sara Blaedel.
I enjoyed her style of writing but the story was too rape-y for me. I don’t think I will choose Nordic noir again but glad I got it out of the way

[Angie]

Title: Faceless Killers
Author: Henning Mankell
I will read Nordic Noir again. There is something about the stark, gritty feel of these books that is compelling. I would recommend this book if you are interested in reading the series that helped bring this genre into wide awareness.

[Amii]

Title: The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
Author: Steig Larsson
Is Nordic Noir a genre you will read from again? Why or why not? Yes I think so! I have always been fascinated with this part of the world and love to read about it.
Would you recommend? I would totally recommend this book/genre to another person. This was my second go around with this book and I loved it. I understood a lot more than I did 10 years ago.

[AF]

Title: The Ice Princess
Author: Camilla Läckberg
Is Nordic Noir a genre you will read from again? Why or why not? Maybe. I really liked this book, and sometimes I like a good murder mystery type book, but it's not my usual genre.
Would you recommend? I recommend this book.

[Andy]

Title: The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
Author: Stieg Larsson
Is Nordic Noir a genre you will read from again? Yes, I enjoyed the novel and the setting. I will be continuing with this series.
Would you recommend? I will be recommending this to family and friends.

[Megan]

Title: Snowblind
Author: Ragnar Jónasson
Is Nordic Noir a genre you will read from again? Why or why not? Yes; this genre is one I've read and enjoyed in the past. In fact, I had several possible options for this prompt in my TBR piles. While most of the Scandinavian/Nordic Noir that I've read were Swedish, I've also enjoyed offerings from Iceland (like this one), Norway, Finland, and Denmark.
Would you recommend? Yes, especially if you're a fan of traditional mysteries and are interested in trying something set in a location other than England. This would be a good introduction to Nordic Noir, as it has many of the familiar traditional mystery elements (small town setting, many possible culprits, and the violence occurs off-screen, so to speak).