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The Nightmare
The Nightmare: A Novel | Lars Kepler
34 posts | 40 read | 13 to read
Lars Kepler returns with a piercing, bestselling sequel to The Hypnotist After spellbinding audiences in The Hypnotist, Detective Inspector Joona Linna is back in The Nightmare, an internationally bestselling Swedish thriller published to critical acclaim in dozens of countries. As the Swedish newspaper Arbetarbladet put it, "The reader is ready to sell his own soul for the opportunity to read this book without interruption, in one sitting." On a summer night, police recover the body of a young woman from an abandoned pleasure boat drifting around the Stockholm archipelago. Her lungs are filled with brackish water, and the forensics team is sure that she drowned. Why, then, is the pleasure boat still afloat, and why are there no traces of water on her clothes or body? The next day, a man turns up dead in his state apartment in Stockholm, hanging from a lamp hook. All signs point to suicide, but the room has a high ceiling, and there's not a single piece of furniture aroundnothing to climb on. Joona Linna begins to piece together the two mysteries, but the logistics are a mere prelude to a dizzying and dangerous course of events. At its core, the most frightening aspect of The Nightmare isn't its gruesome crimesit's the dark psychology of its characters, who show us how blind we are to our own motives.
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MysticFaerie
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Pickpick

4⭐️/5⭐️

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Andrew65
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Pickpick

Yey! Finally finished it, took me almost three months but not helped by a long wait when had to go back to the library. I actually read the last 69% over three work days. A big improvement on the first one, especially as no real sex scenes getting in the way. An overall enjoyable read but still feel they are longer than they need to be. Overall this was a complete story and enjoyed getting to the bottom of it. On to book 3, only 2 months behind.

EadieB @Andrew65 Nice review! Better late than never! One day I'll be sure to get to 4y
Andrew65 @EadieB 😂 But at least they are pacier and more engaging reads! Thanks ☺️ 4y
EadieB @Andrew65 I've been reading The Marco Effect by Jussi Adler-Olsen for a week between audio books and I'm only halfway. It's not a bad book but way too long! 4y
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Andrew65 @EadieB Yes got the second book in this series taunting me from the fire grate! That‘s the problem with them, they are just way too long, and not enough pace, tension or dialogue. 4y
Tove_Reads Yay! They keep on getting better after this one! They are so dark that I understand the books are not for everyone. There will be sexual content, but luckily it‘s not that many pages, but not sure it would have to be a part of the books. 4y
Andrew65 @Tove_Reads I‘ve yet to find books where the sex content is needed. We do have imaginations so don‘t need it laid out to us! 4y
Tove_Reads I guess 50 Shades is probably one, not that I‘ve read it or planned on reading it. I guess it‘s really needed in the trilogy. 4y
Crazeedi I'm so behind I may not get done till end of year, I have so many books I want to read and its aggravating that my concentration comes and goes 4y
Andrew65 @Tove_Reads Not read it, or ever likely to read it. But hopefully something left to people‘s imagination. 4y
Andrew65 @Crazeedi I‘m very behind too. 4y
73 likes10 comments
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Andrew65
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#SameBookDifferentColour #SameBookDifferentColor

Going with my current read.

Very different feel to both covers.

#BiblioMAYnia

OriginalCyn620 The blue one is creepy! 4y
60 likes2 comments
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amywithbooks
Nightmare | Lars Kepler
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It's finally warm enough to read outside!

15 likes1 comment
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amywithbooks
Nightmare | Lars Kepler
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Oh look, another Nordic crime novel 😜🥰

17 likes1 stack add
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Tove_Reads
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Marina_h I thought if was better than the first book, especially in the beginning. Good pace and interesting plot. But as mentioned I think there was too many stories and details about characters that wasn't necessary. There's also something with the language or writing that doesn't sit well with me. I haven't really been able to point out what it is yet. 4y
Marina_h In some ways I like Joona as a character but I still don't feel like I've really got know him. And there's something about the way they always has to say his names I find a bit annoying. 4y
Butterfinger I like Joona. He wasn't as arrogant as in the first book. @marina_h I think it has something to do with having two writers not checking for continuity. They want to impress each other with crazier stories. 4y
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Butterfinger Good discussion questions @Tove_Reads 4y
EadieB I liked this book better than the first but still too long with unnecessary side plots. 4y
Andrew65 I agree this was much better and more readable book than the first one, but still far longer with superfluous detail than it needed to be. I agree that whilst Joona seems to be a good character I still don‘t feel I really know him. We need more interaction with other characters for this. Onto book 3. @EadieB @Butterfinger @Marina_h (edited) 4y
Andrew65 Thanks for these questions @Tove_Reads Took some time but got there in the end! 4y
Tove_Reads @andrew65 They get better, grittier and most definitely darker. 4y
3 likes8 comments
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Tove_Reads
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Marina_h No!! That was one of the many side stories I wouldn't miss if they had left it out. Honestly I just found it weird and I didn't need another character in the story. 4y
Marina_h And the same goes for the story about Axel and Beverly. Of course Axel had a part to play in the story but his relationship with Beverly was also just weird and didn't add anything other than too many pages to the book 4y
Butterfinger Absolutely not. It just wasn't realistic. 4y
EadieB I agree it didn‘t add to the story and was totally unnecessary. 4y
Andrew65 Not a great part of the story and could have easily been left out. Didn‘t feel very realistic. Not sure that we did need all the detail about Axel and Beverly either, agree with a Marina here. @Marina_h @EadieB @Butterfinger 4y
3 likes5 comments
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Tove_Reads
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Marina_h I like her. I think it most be tough as a female in a man dominated world and especially as a very feminine and beautiful woman. She's described as looking like a fairy (or is it elf in the English translation) so I'm imagining she also looks like a fragile woman, someone men thinks they need to take care if or look after. But I think she seems like a strong woman so I hope we get to see more of her 4y
Butterfinger I agree with @Marina_h and I like the fact that Joona respects her. Once she knew he wasn't going to demean her because she was a woman, they became an awesome team. 4y
EadieB I like Saga too and I think she will work well with Loona. 4y
Andrew65 They seemed to make a good combination by the end. I wonder if we‘ll see her in the next book. @EadieB @Butterfinger @Marina_h 4y
3 likes4 comments
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Tove_Reads
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Marina_h Yeah, I never had any doubts as I read the book. The two sisters probably looked a lot alike so if the killer had only seen photos it sounds reasonable enough. And it was a last minute decision for Viola to go with them. 4y
Butterfinger Yes. I'm glad the author redeemed the mother. I was dreading the reunion between Penelope and Claudia. 4y
EadieB Sisters do look alike so it is very plausible. 4y
Andrew65 Yes, originally Viola wasn‘t meant to be there so thought he was killing the right person. @EadieB @Butterfinger @Marina_h 4y
3 likes4 comments
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Tove_Reads
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Marina_h I hope Joona is going to find out who Rosa Bergman is and if she has had his child. I don't recall hearing about Rosa before so maybe we'll get to know more about Joona this way 4y
Butterfinger @Marina_h I didn't even think of Rosa being a mother to his child. I thought she was referring to the one he thought died. Something to do with the tribal crown he visits at the museum. 4y
Marina_h @Butterfinger you might be right. I didn't really understand what it was with that crown but maybe we'll learn more. There is something strange about Joona. It's like he has this sixth sense ir an almost unnatural power. Maybe it had something to do with his background and where he comes from 4y
EadieB I don‘t know what will happen but I‘m looking forward to finding out. 4y
Andrew65 This did seem all a bit mixed up, hopefully we‘ll get more details in the next book. @Marina_h @Butterfinger @EadieB 4y
3 likes5 comments
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Tove_Reads
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Marina_h I wouldn't think so. I don't what has made her angry but she said she had something to tell Joona, but we never found out what so I'm thinking she will come back 4y
Butterfinger I hope not. I like her much more than the receptionist. I can't decide if Joona is leading Anja on or just being kind to a lonely woman. And, I want to know what Disa's news is. 4y
EadieB I hope Disa will be back as we do need to hear her news. 4y
Crazeedi I'll answer after I read!!!!🙄 4y
Andrew65 I hope Disa will be back. Really needed more detail on why she cut him off. @EadieB @Marina_h @Butterfinger 4y
4 likes5 comments
review
Butterfinger
Mehso-so

I know I gave the first one a pick, but after reading everyone's comments I remembered things that bothered me such as the missing boy's mother who couldn't bother to answer her phone while she was in the shower. So I was more careful looking for inconsistencies with #2.

1. I don't think the dual authors check each other's work. The hit man knew he killed Viola, no he thought it was Penelope. I think this is why the writing seems off.

Butterfinger 2. The connections of Paganini seems forced. The authors felt that they had to connect Axel to Guidi. Why? There was no need. I don't think we needed Axel's background at all. Do the authors feel that every time a character is introduced, a back story has to be invented? There is more about the minor characters than Joona. 4y
Butterfinger 3. The German embassy only had 20 people, but during the evacuation, there were many more that were injured. I am glad that we know a little more about Joona. He didn't seem as such an obnoxious know-it-all as in book 1. @Tove_Reads @Crazeedi @Eadie @Andrew65 @AnneCecilie @eanderson 4y
35 likes3 comments
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Butterfinger
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Only finished one. So I'm keeping the same books for #WeeklyForecast. #BookReport @Cinfhen I have been thinking of you.

TrishB Great graphic 👍🏻 4y
51 likes2 comments
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Andrew65
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I‘m going in! Wish me luck. 😳🤔😂

Book 2 in the Joona Linna Series #NordicNoir

EadieB @andrew65 I did audio and found it better than first book but still too long. 4y
Andrew65 @EadieB I did audio for the first one, trying the book for this one. 4y
EadieB @Andrew65 Did you finish section 4 of Final Option yet? 4y
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Andrew65 @EadieB Fell asleep in the middle, last day of term so need to re-Read a bit of it! 😔 4y
EadieB @Andrew65 Ok I thought you forgot to post questions since you said you started Nightmare. 4y
Crazeedi Good luck!! 4y
eanderson Good luck! Hopefully this one is better than the first. 4y
Marina_h Good luck 😉 4y
Andrew65 @EadieB They‘re posted now. 😊 4y
EadieB @Andrew65 ok thanks! Food shopping at the moment! 4y
Tove_Reads How‘s it going? 4y
Andrew65 @Tove_Reads I‘m 16 chapters in (16%) and have to say I am enjoying it so far. @Marina_h @Crazeedi @EadieB @eanderson 4y
EadieB @Andrew65 Great! Definitely better than first one! 4y
Tove_Reads Told you it‘s way better! Not perfect, but fantastic compared to the first one. Can‘t believe it was printed without editing. If the third one takes as big a leap as this one I‘ll really enjoy the book! (edited) 4y
Andrew65 @Tove_Reads Would have read further but exhausted today so my eyelids keep closing! @EadieB (edited) 4y
EadieB @Andrew65 I know what that feels like! 4y
Andrew65 @EadieB So frustrating when you want to progress with a book! 4y
EadieB @Andrew65 If you‘re exhausted then you need to rest as you will only get frustrated. 4y
Andrew65 @EadieB I always fight the exhaustion. 4y
EadieB @Andrew65 Get some rest then tomorrow you can be more productive. 4y
Andrew65 @EadieB Hopefully, but at the end of a half-term can usually take a few days. 4y
EadieB @Andrew65 I would stay in bed until I can‘t sleep anymore like right away and then get up only if you are no longer tired then you can read until your eyes start to close and then go back to bed. (edited) 4y
Andrew65 @EadieB I‘m terrible, I just can‘t stay in bed! Or even go back to bed. Being in bed frustrates me even more but did have half-hour kip on settee earlier. Tend to aim to sleep for around 5 hours during work days and 7-8 hours at weekends. Only really notice the tiredness at weekends, then body slumps at the end of a half-term. Got a week‘s recuperation now, although going away for a few days for a break, unusually for us. - in a hotel! (edited) 4y
EadieB @Andrew65 Great! Trip and change of scenery is always nice! Just sleep when you are tired and if napping in a chair does the trick then so be it! 4y
Crazeedi @Andrew65 glad to hear! 4y
Crazeedi @Andrew65 and enjoy your break! You deserve it! 4y
Andrew65 @Crazeedi Thanks, I certainly need it! 4y
Marina_h @Andrew65 glad to hear you're enjoying it! There's still room for improvement but I definitely prefer this one over the Hypnotist 4y
gradcat @Andrew65 Why are you guys leaving me out of #NordicNoir? Even though I‘ve read most of the first books in these series, I would like to keep up with you guys so that I can jump in when you get to where I am in the series. Sorry—I‘m not trying to be pushy.... (edited) 4y
Andrew65 @gradcat I think I‘d lost track of who had read it, was reading it or wasn‘t reading it. Mea culpa! 😔 I still haven‘t finished this book, and the library took it back (ebook) so waiting on hold again. 4y
gradcat @Andrew65 Oops! Oh well, I think I remember you guys being less than thrilled with most of these books anyway, right? So maybe it‘s not going to be a super strict buddy-reading group. I‘ll try to follow you guys and jump in when you get to me. Meanwhile, are you feeling any better? 4y
Andrew65 @gradcat Will ensure I tag you in future. I am way behind only read the first Jussi-Adler Olsen book and the first Lars Kepler book. Already read a couple of years ago the first two books in the other series - forgotten the author. Back at the hospital Monday afternoon. No tests recently, apart from occasional light pain, occasional wind and acid taste in the morning not too bad. Hope to get some answers on Monday, especially about the liver. 4y
Andrew65 @gradcat Especially about the state of the Fatty Liver disease and / or Gilbert‘s syndrome. Now ongoing for 8 months with no real answers. How is your health? 4y
gradcat @Andrew65 I feel so bad for you, that you still have no answers and are still having to undergo procedures. Mine is referred to as either microscopic colitis or collagenous colitis. But I‘m not through with testing, either. I‘ve had to go kind of trial-and-error with meds, but right now, the one I‘m on seems to be working. For now! Anyway, I have another scope coming up this month—yuck! I just dread them. I hope you get some answers soon! ♥️ 4y
91 likes35 comments
review
Tove_Reads
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Pickpick

So much better than the first one! Now I have high expectations regarding the next one. A woman is found dead, turns out it‘s murder. A man hangs him self. Weird “coincidences” keep on happening, but everything seems to be linked to shady Swedish arms deals in Africa. What is going on? I enjoyed the book, I still find some of the writing uneven, but if the books keep getting better I will most definitely enjoy the next one! #NordicNoir

Tove_Reads Discussion Sunday 16. 4y
EadieB Nice review! 4y
eanderson I‘m still slugging through the Hypnotist... This makes me hopeful! 4y
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Andrew65 Good review 🤞 4y
hilded I agree, this one was much better than the first one! 4y
Crazeedi I'm glad to hear this!! 4y
53 likes1 stack add6 comments
review
EadieB
Nightmare | Lars Kepler
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Pickpick

Stockholm Police find lifeless body of woman on an abandoned yacht. A man‘s body is hanged - a suspicious suicide. Are these deaths somehow related? Joona Linda & Saga Bauer investigate. Lots of action and very gripping plot keeps the pages turning! Only complaint is I‘m finding these Nordic crime books a bit longer than necessary otherwise interesting storylines. Looking forward to next book and recommend this one to those who love thrillers.

Andrew65 Sounds better than the first one. 4y
EadieB @Andrew65 Yes it is but still too long and wordy! 4y
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Andrew65 @EadieB A common feature! 4y
gradcat Great review, Eadie. They do get a bit long-winded, I agree. Did you read any (or many) of Jo Nesbo‘s Harry Hole series? Those are quite long, but worthy reads, in my humble opinion. ♥️ 4y
EadieB @gradcat I have read Jo Nesbo's The Bat, The Snowman and Nemesis. I like his books and need to read more of them. 4y
gradcat @EadieB I‘ve read all but the last (tagged) book—I need to get to it! 4y
59 likes2 stack adds7 comments
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Christinak
Nightmare | Lars Kepler
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I‘m 25% through this second audiobook in the series and have the next two on hold at the library. I‘m planning on a Nordic Noir weekend.

22 likes1 stack add
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bibliogyan
Mehso-so

Not as good as thier previous books. But worth a read.

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Kimiam
Mehso-so

Was a little slow in places. Not a bad book just a bit dragged out. I liked the Hypnotist much more. I will read more by this writing duo.

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Susanita
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Pickpick

Inspector Joona Linna was born in Finland but has spent most of his life in Sweden. He‘s comfortable there, but it‘s definitely a #foreigncountry to me. This is a #dark and intricate story with lots of action and interesting characters. On the whole I liked the writing and narrator, but there were some threads dropped that irked me. Also some really despicable human beings and a peculiar coincidence that serves as a large clue. #readingresolutions

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Mshookquilts
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Pickpick

A very creepy spy type thriller. Writing was excellent, but I‘m not sure I actually liked the story. It kept intriguing me to pursue it.

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Susanita
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Speaking of audiobooks...

This is the May selection for #mystery book club, but it‘s available now so...

#favoritegenre #readingresolutions

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LouieSylvester
Paganinikontrakten | Lars Kepler
Panpan

Despite being a fast-paced read - the short chapters help - it could be so much better if it didn't try so hard. And if it actually had any literary value.

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LouieSylvester
Paganinikontrakten | Lars Kepler
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Currently reading the second book of Inspector Joona Linna mysteries, by Lars Kepler. And back to reading in Portuguese, for a change.

5 likes1 stack add
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Bibliophilia
Nightmare | Lars Kepler
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11 likes1 stack add
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RedLeaves
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Absorbed in the second in Lars Kepler's Joona Linna series. A young woman's body found on an abandoned boat, a man discovered hung in his apartment. Seemingly unconnected, but something far more sinister is at play.....

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No_One
Pickpick

Next was the second Joona Linna thriller. It was really good! Very different from "The Hypnotist", yet just as shocking and complex. How does Joona Linna get these crazy cases? ???

Cinfhen I read this one, super creepy! 7y
TheWordJar I haven't read Kepler yet, but he's definitely on my TBR! (edited) 7y
No_One @Cinfhen not quite as great as "The Hypnotist" IMO, but really great and really thrilling for sure. 7y
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No_One @TheWordJar Oh, it will be a real treat! 7y
Cinfhen Agreed, I think there was a third but I stopped after the Nightmare... 7y
No_One @Cinfhen I think there are 5 or 6 now? I am hooked! The Fire Witness is next! 7y
Cinfhen Ha! I'm not surprised...I can't read those types of books anymore...my tolerance for gore & violence has reached its maximum capacity 😫 7y
No_One @Cinfhen I understand. I read this, probably 7-8 months ago. I take big breaks between the really intense books. 7y
33 likes8 comments
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kendrastephaniekaryn
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Well, well, well. I meant to go to bed earlier, so I can wake up at 6am for #readathon. I also meant to read a bigger chunk of this book tonight, because it's the only book I NEED to finish tomorrow. HOWEVER. The #Oilers game was especially nerve destroying, so I'm just heading to bed now. For anyone keeping track, WE WON. But just barely. Talbot is bae. #NHL #stanleycup #goodnight

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kendrastephaniekaryn
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Here's my TBR for #SpringHorror (Which takes place mostly on Twitter)! Two are for challenges, and from my existing TBR, and two are from the library.
#readathon #litsyreadingchallenge #aroundtheyearin52books #mounttbr #litsyatoz

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kendrastephaniekaryn
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This week's #bookmail includes two birthday gifts to me from me (the #myfavoritemurder t-shirt and the book from #thriftbooks), and the #snowwhite #poisonapple mug is a gift from my boyfriend.

Jen2 Love all of those!! 7y
kendrastephaniekaryn @Jen2 I'm a lucky lady! 7y
howlinglibraries Love the mug! 7y
13 likes3 comments
review
KelseyCB
Pickpick

Such a great read! Joona Linna is a great character. The plot is compelling and the pace is great. Excellent page-turner!

9 likes2 stack adds
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booked4life
Pickpick

Another great book! Listened to it on audio tape & it was my second time reading it. Love Detective Joona Linna! On to the next one... 🕵🏻

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booked4life
Nightmare | Lars Kepler
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Started the second Detective Joona Linna book! I've already read it but I still am excited to listen to it again on my way to work and class 🕵🏻

7 likes1 stack add