What do you think?
Rate this book
At a derelict port in Stockholm, two brutally murdered men are found by a security guard. In the same area a young woman, Aida, is on the run from a deranged gunman. Meanwhile, journalist Annika Bengtzon is approached by a woman wanting her story published in the Evening Post. She claims to have founded an organization to erase people's pasts - giving vulnerable individuals a completely new identity. Annika helps Aida to get in touch with the foundation. But as she begins to investigate this woman's story, more bodies turn up and she finds herself getting dangerously close to the truth - that all is not as it seems...Previously published as Paradise.
11 pages, Audible Audio
First published January 1, 2000
About the author
Liza Marklund
107 books527 followersScandinavia’s undisputed queen of crime fiction, Liza Marklund is the No. 1 international bestselling author of the Annika Bengtzon series.
Liza Marklund was born in 1962 in the small village of Pålmark, close to the Arctic Circle in Sweden. She is an author, journalist, columnist, and goodwill ambassador for UNICEF. She is also co-owner of Piratförlaget, one of Sweden’s most successful publishing houses. Since her debut in 1995, Liza Marklund has written eleven novels and two nonfiction books. Liza co-wrote the international bestseller The Postcard Killers with James Patterson, making her the second Swedish author ever to reach No. 1 on the New York Times bestseller list. Her crime novels featuring the gutsy reporter Annika Bengtzon have sold more than 13 million copies in 30 languages to date.
Liza Marklund worked as an investigative news reporter for ten years and as an editor in print and television news for five. Today, she also makes documentaries for television and writes for various newspapers. Her topics are often women and children’s rights. Liza has made documentaries about children with HIV/AIDS in Cambodia and Russia, and a series about domestic violence, Take a Little Beating.
Liza is also a popular columnist since 20 years. Her columns have appeared in various Swedish and international newspapers and magazines, including Financial Times in the UK, Welt am Sonntag in Germany, Dagbladet Information in Denmark, and Ilta-Lehti in Finland. She is a regular columnist in Swedish tabloid Expressen and Norwegian daily Verdens Gang. Today, Liza and her family divide their time between Stockholm in Sweden and Marbella in southern Spain.
Liza Marklund was born in 1962 in the small village of Pålmark, close to the Arctic Circle in Sweden. She is an author, journalist, columnist, and goodwill ambassador for UNICEF. She is also co-owner of Piratförlaget, one of Sweden’s most successful publishing houses. Since her debut in 1995, Liza Marklund has written eleven novels and two nonfiction books. Liza co-wrote the international bestseller The Postcard Killers with James Patterson, making her the second Swedish author ever to reach No. 1 on the New York Times bestseller list. Her crime novels featuring the gutsy reporter Annika Bengtzon have sold more than 13 million copies in 30 languages to date.
Liza Marklund worked as an investigative news reporter for ten years and as an editor in print and television news for five. Today, she also makes documentaries for television and writes for various newspapers. Her topics are often women and children’s rights. Liza has made documentaries about children with HIV/AIDS in Cambodia and Russia, and a series about domestic violence, Take a Little Beating.
Liza is also a popular columnist since 20 years. Her columns have appeared in various Swedish and international newspapers and magazines, including Financial Times in the UK, Welt am Sonntag in Germany, Dagbladet Information in Denmark, and Ilta-Lehti in Finland. She is a regular columnist in Swedish tabloid Expressen and Norwegian daily Verdens Gang. Today, Liza and her family divide their time between Stockholm in Sweden and Marbella in southern Spain.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 141 reviews
March 10, 2016
Τελικά τι είναι αυτό που μπορεί να σε κερδίσει σ' ένα λογοτεχνικό βιβλίο; Νομίζω ότι ένα από τα πιο σημαντικά στοιχεία- αν όχι το κυριότερο- είναι ο πρωταγωνιστής. Αν καταφέρει ο συγγραφέας να δημιουργήσει ένα χαρακτήρα που μπορεί ο αναγνώστης να συνδεθεί μαζί του, τότε έχει επιτύχει. Στην προκειμένη περίπτωση, η Liza Marklund έχει δημιουργήσει μια ολοκληρωμένη ηρωίδα με τα προτερήματα της και με τα ελαττώματα της. Σε αρκετά σημεία, η στάση της δικαιολογείται από το παρελθόν και από τα στοιχεία του χαρακτήρα της. Αλλά όσο κι αν νομίζεις ότι γνωρίζεις την Ανίκα, εκείνη δεν παύει να σε εκπλήσσει με τις ενέργειες της. Πέρα από την ηρωίδα, η συγγραφέας έχει δημιουργήσει μια αστυνομική ιστορία με αρκετό σασπένς. Για να πω την αλήθεια μου, στην αρχή νόμιζα ότι θα ήταν βαρετή, αλλά ο τρόπος που περιέπλεξε τις ιστορίες των χαρακτήρων με εξέπληξε. Ένα ακόμα θετικό στοιχείο είναι ο σχολιασμός που κάνει η συγγραφέας σε κάποια κοινωνικά φαινόμενα. Δεν λέει μια ιστορία απλά για την πει, θέλει να σου περάσει ένα μήνυμα. Φυσικά και θα το πρότεινα στους αναγνώστες αστυνομικής λογοτεχνίας και επίσης θέλω να διαβάσω και τα υπόλοιπα βιβλία της σειράς.
December 24, 2019
8 Un libro ambientado en Escandinavia (Noruega, Suecia o Dinamarca)
me había gustado mucho el libro anterior " estudio de sexo" . hablaron acerca de la transparencia de informacion y rendicion de cuentas del dinero del estado como los funcionarios publicos lo utilizan y todo eso. muy bueno
este libro me ha sorprendido con creces. lo he leido en 3 horas o 4 horas en un dia. estuve muy emocionada acerca de las fundaciones como existian en ese tiempo poca forma de comprobar si el dinero se lo utiliza de forma real en los beneficiarios o se lucraban los directivos.
me había gustado mucho el libro anterior " estudio de sexo" . hablaron acerca de la transparencia de informacion y rendicion de cuentas del dinero del estado como los funcionarios publicos lo utilizan y todo eso. muy bueno
este libro me ha sorprendido con creces. lo he leido en 3 horas o 4 horas en un dia. estuve muy emocionada acerca de las fundaciones como existian en ese tiempo poca forma de comprobar si el dinero se lo utiliza de forma real en los beneficiarios o se lucraban los directivos.
October 26, 2012
Sometimes, when I hear about the plot of a book or movie or TV program, I think, "wow, I wonder if they're going to . . ." and I head off on a possible story arc. Sometimes that parallels what the book/movie/TV show does; sometimes it doesn't. In the case of this book, it didn't--and as much as I liked this book, unfortunately I felt it could have been a bit better "if only . . ."
This is the second book in the Annika Bengtzon series if you're reading them in story order (so the story events are chronological). The lead character is well developed by now, and she's dealing with the aftermath of the events of the first book. This character, and her interactions with other characters, are the book's strength; she's an empathetic character and I find her easy to like.
That being said, at 500 pages, the book takes on a lot and doesn't adequately address it all. There's the nominal plot, which concerns the Yugoslav mafia in Sweden; but there's also a new relationship for Annika, which is complicated; the politics of the newspaper she works for; fundamental questions about the role of the welfare state; and questions about the role of a newspaper vis a vis law enforcement. This all kind of dropped off toward the end of the book, and I didn't find the conclusion to be particularly satisfying. To be fair, though, this is a book about a crime reporter, not someone who's involved in law enforcement, so the book's ending is realistic in that regard.
This is the second book in the Annika Bengtzon series if you're reading them in story order (so the story events are chronological). The lead character is well developed by now, and she's dealing with the aftermath of the events of the first book. This character, and her interactions with other characters, are the book's strength; she's an empathetic character and I find her easy to like.
That being said, at 500 pages, the book takes on a lot and doesn't adequately address it all. There's the nominal plot, which concerns the Yugoslav mafia in Sweden; but there's also a new relationship for Annika, which is complicated; the politics of the newspaper she works for; fundamental questions about the role of the welfare state; and questions about the role of a newspaper vis a vis law enforcement. This all kind of dropped off toward the end of the book, and I didn't find the conclusion to be particularly satisfying. To be fair, though, this is a book about a crime reporter, not someone who's involved in law enforcement, so the book's ending is realistic in that regard.
May 21, 2011
I read this thinking it was the first in the series, as it is shown that way on Fantastic Fiction; here on Goodreads it is shown as #2, and I saw someplace else where it was listed as #4. The book was okay, maybe I would have been more engaged in the story if I had read the series in order. I felt impatient with Annika's (main character), histrionics and irrationality. Some parts of the story were interesting, and I have heard others who like later books in this series, so I may try others at some time.
November 20, 2015
Πολύ ευχάριστο, διαβάζεται γρήγορα, σε κάποια σημεία ίσως λίγο υπερβολικό (πολλές καλές συμπτώσεις). Η ηρωίδα είναι συμπαθητική. Θέλεις να διαβάσεις το επόμενο, για να δεις την συνέχεια της ιστορίας.
February 24, 2018
Knyga įdomi ir įtraukianti.
Puikus vertėjos darbas!
Puikus vertėjos darbas!
September 15, 2018
3,5/5 αστεράκια.
Το δεύτερο βιβλίο της Liza Marklund με ηρωίδα την Άνικα Μπένγτζον μου άρεσε περισσότερο από το πρώτο. Όχι τόσο ώστε να του βάλω τέσσερα αστέρια, αλλά ναι το διάβασα με μεγαλύτερη ευχαρίστηση από το πρώτο. Φαίνεται πως όλοι βρίσκουμε σιγά σιγά τα πατήματά μας - η συγγραφέας, η ηρωίδα και η αναγνώστρια!
Ο χαρακτήρας της Άνικα συνεχίζει να με προβληματίζει. Οπωσδήποτε τη συμπονώ σε κάποια πράγματα που αφορούν την προσωπική της ζωή, αλλά σε κάποια άλλα δεν την καταλαβαίνω. Πότε τη συμπαθώ και πότε αδιαφορώ. Οπωσδήποτε όμως έχει εξελιχθεί σε όλα τα επίπεδα, έχει γίνει περισσότερο αποφασιστική σε ό,τι αφορά τη δουλειά της αλλά και τα προσωπικά της. Καιρός ήταν, μετά απ' όσα πέρασε στο πρώτο. Είναι φανερό πως έχει δυνατότητες, οι οποίες εδώ αρχίζουν να "ξυπνάνε" πιο φανερά και δυναμικά απ' ότι στο προηγούμενο βιβλίο.
Η Marklund έχει δηλώσει πως ο "Παράδεισος" είναι στενάχωρο βιβλίο, και είναι πράγματι. Τα γεγονότα που περιγράφονται σ' αυτό είναι λυπητερά. Και ειδικά η απώλεια είναι κάτι που δύσκολα το αντιμετωπίζει κανείς. Όμως ταυτόχρονα είναι και πιο ώριμο βιβλίο από το πρώτο, νομίζω. Ως προς την ίδια την υπόθεση (η οποία βασίζεται και αυτή σε πραγματικά βιώματα της συγγραφέως), την εξέλιξή της, τους χαρακτήρες της, την κατάληξη... Το βρήκα πιο ολοκληρωμένο, πιο δοτικό, πιο χορταστικό ετούτο το βιβλίο.
Προχωράω άμεσα στο τρίτο, με την αγωνία να δω πώς έχει εξελιχθεί η ζωή της ηρωίδας μετά τα γεγονότα στον επίλογο του "Παραδείσου" και με την ελπίδα να μη διαψευστούν οι αυξημένες προσδοκίες μου.
Το δεύτερο βιβλίο της Liza Marklund με ηρωίδα την Άνικα Μπένγτζον μου άρεσε περισσότερο από το πρώτο. Όχι τόσο ώστε να του βάλω τέσσερα αστέρια, αλλά ναι το διάβασα με μεγαλύτερη ευχαρίστηση από το πρώτο. Φαίνεται πως όλοι βρίσκουμε σιγά σιγά τα πατήματά μας - η συγγραφέας, η ηρωίδα και η αναγνώστρια!
Ο χαρακτήρας της Άνικα συνεχίζει να με προβληματίζει. Οπωσδήποτε τη συμπονώ σε κάποια πράγματα που αφορούν την προσωπική της ζωή, αλλά σε κάποια άλλα δεν την καταλαβαίνω. Πότε τη συμπαθώ και πότε αδιαφορώ. Οπωσδήποτε όμως έχει εξελιχθεί σε όλα τα επίπεδα, έχει γίνει περισσότερο αποφασιστική σε ό,τι αφορά τη δουλειά της αλλά και τα προσωπικά της. Καιρός ήταν, μετά απ' όσα πέρασε στο πρώτο. Είναι φανερό πως έχει δυνατότητες, οι οποίες εδώ αρχίζουν να "ξυπνάνε" πιο φανερά και δυναμικά απ' ότι στο προηγούμενο βιβλίο.
Η Marklund έχει δηλώσει πως ο "Παράδεισος" είναι στενάχωρο βιβλίο, και είναι πράγματι. Τα γεγονότα που περιγράφονται σ' αυτό είναι λυπητερά. Και ειδικά η απώλεια είναι κάτι που δύσκολα το αντιμετωπίζει κανείς. Όμως ταυτόχρονα είναι και πιο ώριμο βιβλίο από το πρώτο, νομίζω. Ως προς την ίδια την υπόθεση (η οποία βασίζεται και αυτή σε πραγματικά βιώματα της συγγραφέως), την εξέλιξή της, τους χαρακτήρες της, την κατάληξη... Το βρήκα πιο ολοκληρωμένο, πιο δοτικό, πιο χορταστικό ετούτο το βιβλίο.
Προχωράω άμεσα στο τρίτο, με την αγωνία να δω πώς έχει εξελιχθεί η ζωή της ηρωίδας μετά τα γεγονότα στον επίλογο του "Παραδείσου" και με την ελπίδα να μη διαψευστούν οι αυξημένες προσδοκίες μου.
April 26, 2023
Tai antroji serijos apie žurnalistę Aniką knyga ir pirmoji šios knygos pusė buvo tikrai įdomesnė ir labiau įtraukianti už pirmąją knygą. Patiko jog šioje dalyje buvo mažiau politikos. Knygoje persipynė organizacijos “Rojus”, padedančios persekiojamiems žmoniems išnykti, paslaptys su jugoslavų mafijos veikla. Tačiau knygos antroje pusėje vėl viršų paėmė asmeninis veikėjos Anikos gyvenimas ir išgyvenimai. Deja, bet jos elgesys ir gyvenimo pasirinkimai konfliktuoja su mano asmeninėmis vertybėmis. Dėl to sunku užjausti ir mėgti pagrindinę knygos veikėją. Nors knygoje ji apibudinama kaip jauna ir protinga, tačiau man buvo sunku suprasti, kaip protinga mergina tragiškai pasibaigus santykiams su prieš ją smurtavusiu vaikinu vėl taip kvailai elgiasi meilės reikaluose. Pasiduoda vienos nakties nuotykiui su beveik nepažįstamu vedusiu vyru (apie jo santuoką puikiai žinodama), be jokių apsisaugojimo priemonių ir naiviai tikisi, kad dėl jos jis iškart paliks savo žmoną (apie tolimesnes pasekmes tikriausiai iškarto galima numanyti…). Kaip ir pirmoje knygoje, taip ir šios pabaigoje nesulaukiau jokios kulminacijos, įdomios atomazgos. Mano asmenine nuomone tai nėra tipiškas detektyvas, o labiau romanas su detektyvo prieskoniu.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 29, 2022
Tämä Liz Marklundin kirjoittama dekkari vei mukaansa niin, että 360-sivuisen kirjan lukemiseen ei mennyt montaa päivää.
Tarinassa on monia ulottuvuuksia lähtien siitä, miten iltapäivälehden öinen oikolukija vihdoin hyväksytään rikostoimittajaksi, miten lehdet hankkivat uutisia, miten epämääräinen säätiö voi toimia ilman kontrollia (ja voittaa rikossyytteet, jos on pokkaa ja hyvä suustaan), miten Jugoslavian hajoamisen myötä Serbia rikastui rikollisuudella, ennen kaikkea salakuljetuksella ja prostituutiolla, mitä seurauksia voi olla etnisellä puhdistuksella - ja miten kaikki ei ole sitä miltä näyttää. Mahtuupa mukaan myös rakkaustarina.
Moninaisista ulottuvuuksistaan huolimatta teos pysyy hyvin kasassa - ja onnistuu pohtimaan myös yhteiskunnan luonnetta ja kuvaamaan konkreettisesti, miten naisten heikompi asema ilmenee myös Ruotsissa vielä 2000-luvun alussa.
Suosittelen kaikille, jotka tykkäävät dekkareista ja yhteiskunnallisista pohdinnoista.
Tarinassa on monia ulottuvuuksia lähtien siitä, miten iltapäivälehden öinen oikolukija vihdoin hyväksytään rikostoimittajaksi, miten lehdet hankkivat uutisia, miten epämääräinen säätiö voi toimia ilman kontrollia (ja voittaa rikossyytteet, jos on pokkaa ja hyvä suustaan), miten Jugoslavian hajoamisen myötä Serbia rikastui rikollisuudella, ennen kaikkea salakuljetuksella ja prostituutiolla, mitä seurauksia voi olla etnisellä puhdistuksella - ja miten kaikki ei ole sitä miltä näyttää. Mahtuupa mukaan myös rakkaustarina.
Moninaisista ulottuvuuksistaan huolimatta teos pysyy hyvin kasassa - ja onnistuu pohtimaan myös yhteiskunnan luonnetta ja kuvaamaan konkreettisesti, miten naisten heikompi asema ilmenee myös Ruotsissa vielä 2000-luvun alussa.
Suosittelen kaikille, jotka tykkäävät dekkareista ja yhteiskunnallisista pohdinnoista.
February 21, 2017
Paraíso es la segunda novela de la serie de Annika Bengtzon, iniciada con "Studio Sex". Tras el final trepidante de la anterior, Annika se encuentra en un punto de su vida delicado. Parece haberse recuperado de su experiencia anterior, pero libra una dura batalla consigo misma en lo personal, amén de tener otras en el ámbito laboral, donde lleva un año prácticamente de chica para todo.
La novela comienza en medio de un huracán que asola el país y deja dos muertos en los muelles, un camión desaparecido y una mujer, Aida, que huye desesperadamente. Casualidades de la vida, Aida contacta con Annika, que a su vez ha sido contactada por una mujer que dice haber creado una asociación llamada "Paraíso" dedicada a ayudar y a esconder a personas perseguidas, a borrar sus rastros de los listados oficiales, a hacerlas desaparecer. Annika cree que Paraíso puede ayudar a Aida, que le da pistas sobre las muertes del puerto, y le pone en contacto con Rebeca, la creadora de Paraíso. Annika ve una oportunidad profesional en ambas investigaciones (la de los asesinatos de los que Aida le ha dado pistas y la de la asociación, que no parece tan perfecta como quiere Rebeca hacer creer). La investigación de Aida pone a Annika en un lugar peligroso (Aida es buscada por un criminal serbio). La investigación de Paraíso nos muestra lo lejos que estamos de los suecos en cuanto a transparencia de la información. Annika consigue la colaboración de un trabajador de los servicios sociales que investiga también por su cuenta porque tampoco le cuadra la historia de Paraíso. Con este hombre Annika tendrá una relación sexual tras muchos meses de abstinencia.
La novela nos lleva también a reflexionar sobre la privatización de los servicios públicos sociales. En todas partes cuecen habas, y en Suecia también. Y sobre el cuidado de nuestros mayores y de las personas necesitadas.
La historia es absorbente y atrayente, no puedes dejarla. Me queda todavía uno de Liza Marklund, y no tardará en caer. Muy recomendable.
September 6, 2015
Annika Bengtzon is a copy editor for the Evening Post in Stockholm. They receive a call in the newsroom from a Bosnian refugee who says someone is trying to kill her. Shortstaffed, Bengtzon is sent out to interview the woman and the two narrowly escape the killer. While trying to find help for Aida, Bengtzon inadvertently uncovers some shady practices in the social services area. Vanished touches on the after effects of the Bosnian war and the criminal gangs that profited from the strife.
This was an enjoyable book which I had a hard time putting down. It's a 3.5 for me, just shy of a 4 because Annika Bengtzon cries a lot (really a lot). She had things to cry about, but man she must have been dehydrated.
This was an enjoyable book which I had a hard time putting down. It's a 3.5 for me, just shy of a 4 because Annika Bengtzon cries a lot (really a lot). She had things to cry about, but man she must have been dehydrated.
September 20, 2010
In volume #2 of Liza Marklund's wildly popular series of feminist thrillers, Annika gets involved with a married man. Needless to say, his wife is a cold-hearted, frigid bitch, and she's doing both of them a favour by taking Thomas away from her.
Well, if the message were always consistent it would get boring. The nice thing about these books is that Annika is anything but a goody-goody feminist icon. She's a fragile, vulnerable person who's trying to do her best in an extremely confusing world, and is honest about her often contradictory reactions to it. That's why her millions of fans (including me) all love her so much.
July 22, 2015
Tycker om Marklunds sätt att skriva och jag tycker Bengtzon är intressant som karaktär, men jag fann aldrig själva storyn särskilt fängslande. Kanske är lite morbid av mig, men vill gärna läsa deckare som kretsar kring något mer obehagligt och som manar mig att fortsätta vända blad, dvs sträckläsa, fram till fallets lösning. Hoppas på att de övriga böckerna i serien som jag ännu inte läst ska föra mig närmare denna känsla.
May 15, 2019
Not my favourite Liza Marklund. I own the book and read it when it was new. Now I just wanted to hear the fantastic Katarina Ewerlöf narrating it!
August 29, 2017
Tout est réuni dans ce boukin pour faire de lui un très très bon thriller: les personnages super attachant, suspens, style d'écriture fluide très addictif, j'arrivais pas à le lâcher, je pensais tout l temps aux personnage, a l'histoire, à ce qui va se passer après.
On fait une petite idée et l'auteur nous donne des indices sur notre petite idée et op tout d'un coup elle nous prend et elle nous dit non non on va pas sur cette voie je vous montre une autre.
Elle nous donne ce qu'il faut au bon moment , on s'ennuie pas du tout et la fin elle est juste parfaite.
On fait une petite idée et l'auteur nous donne des indices sur notre petite idée et op tout d'un coup elle nous prend et elle nous dit non non on va pas sur cette voie je vous montre une autre.
Elle nous donne ce qu'il faut au bon moment , on s'ennuie pas du tout et la fin elle est juste parfaite.
April 15, 2020
A new author for me and will not be the last of her books that I read. Excellent crime story with interesting characters. Although the main character Annika really irritated me at times, she is very strong throughout. This book gripped me from the start. It is full of espionage, sadness and a lot of thrills along the way. Gripping.
June 28, 2021
This is the second of the Annika Bentzon series. I enjoy the character, but find the books can drag in spots. Searching for the next in the series.
January 25, 2012
Proof copy received from Transworld Books through BookGeeks
If possible, I would have rated this book 4.5 stars.
In a deserted port in Stockholm, a woman is fleeing for her life from a gunman determined to kill her. When she dives in the freezing water in order to escape, survival is far from certain. The next morning a security guard finds two dead men in the port, and a murder investigation starts.
Journalist Annika Bengtzon, meanwhile, is approached by a woman who says she has founded an organisation specialising in making people completely disappear by erasing their pasts and creating new futures.
Initially Annika is fascinated by what the woman has to tell her, and impressed by the foundation’s work, but on closer inspection things don’t completely add up. In fact, the more Annika studies the claims, the less likely they become. But before Annika is sure that the woman and her foundation are frauds she has advised a young woman to go there for help. A young woman who is very ill and in desperate danger.
Struggling with personal problems, Annika nevertheless continues investigating the Paradise foundation as well as the young woman. And as more people are killed it becomes clear that Annika is on the verge of uncovering a big criminal operation. And putting her own life in danger in the process.
Wow! There is an awful lot going on in this book. Apart from the crimes, there is Annika’s very problematic personal life, the internal politics in the newspaper where she works, social issues in the society at large and the lives of other characters in the story.
For a long time I found myself wondering how all these, apparently separate story-lines could possibly be connected. I shouldn’t have worried though, since Marklund proved herself a master at gradually and organically tying most of the different threads neatly together. And I suspect that the one or two threads that didn’t get finalised in this book will probably be continued in the sequels.
Liza Marklund is a journalist herself and that is clear from the writing. While reading this book I constantly felt that she knew what she was writing about, not only when it came to the newspaper business and politics but also with regard to organised crime, social issues and violence. All these subjects feature in this book and the opinions of the author are clear, yet I never felt that I was being preached to or that they interfered with the pace of the story.
In fact, the story unfolds at a steady and unrelenting pace, forcing the readers onwards, always guessing at what exactly is going on and very eager to find out.
The book doesn’t end with every single question answered or every evil erased, which, in my opinion, makes the book more realistic and better. The real world isn't a place where good always triumphs over evil, where people always make the right decisions or where answers are always clear-cut, and neither is Liza Marklund's. This means that this book gives the reader more than an escapist reading experience, soon to be forgotten. This story and its characters will stay with me for a while and make me look at certain issues from a slightly different perspective, which ultimately is what I hope for every time I pick up a book.
Now that I have discovered Liza Marklund and her books I look forward to reading the rest of this series.
If possible, I would have rated this book 4.5 stars.
In a deserted port in Stockholm, a woman is fleeing for her life from a gunman determined to kill her. When she dives in the freezing water in order to escape, survival is far from certain. The next morning a security guard finds two dead men in the port, and a murder investigation starts.
Journalist Annika Bengtzon, meanwhile, is approached by a woman who says she has founded an organisation specialising in making people completely disappear by erasing their pasts and creating new futures.
Initially Annika is fascinated by what the woman has to tell her, and impressed by the foundation’s work, but on closer inspection things don’t completely add up. In fact, the more Annika studies the claims, the less likely they become. But before Annika is sure that the woman and her foundation are frauds she has advised a young woman to go there for help. A young woman who is very ill and in desperate danger.
Struggling with personal problems, Annika nevertheless continues investigating the Paradise foundation as well as the young woman. And as more people are killed it becomes clear that Annika is on the verge of uncovering a big criminal operation. And putting her own life in danger in the process.
Wow! There is an awful lot going on in this book. Apart from the crimes, there is Annika’s very problematic personal life, the internal politics in the newspaper where she works, social issues in the society at large and the lives of other characters in the story.
For a long time I found myself wondering how all these, apparently separate story-lines could possibly be connected. I shouldn’t have worried though, since Marklund proved herself a master at gradually and organically tying most of the different threads neatly together. And I suspect that the one or two threads that didn’t get finalised in this book will probably be continued in the sequels.
Liza Marklund is a journalist herself and that is clear from the writing. While reading this book I constantly felt that she knew what she was writing about, not only when it came to the newspaper business and politics but also with regard to organised crime, social issues and violence. All these subjects feature in this book and the opinions of the author are clear, yet I never felt that I was being preached to or that they interfered with the pace of the story.
In fact, the story unfolds at a steady and unrelenting pace, forcing the readers onwards, always guessing at what exactly is going on and very eager to find out.
The book doesn’t end with every single question answered or every evil erased, which, in my opinion, makes the book more realistic and better. The real world isn't a place where good always triumphs over evil, where people always make the right decisions or where answers are always clear-cut, and neither is Liza Marklund's. This means that this book gives the reader more than an escapist reading experience, soon to be forgotten. This story and its characters will stay with me for a while and make me look at certain issues from a slightly different perspective, which ultimately is what I hope for every time I pick up a book.
Now that I have discovered Liza Marklund and her books I look forward to reading the rest of this series.
January 27, 2012
Last year I read The Bomber as part of the Transworld Book Club and whilst I had reservations, I said I'd give Annika, the main character, a second chance. I took the offer of a review copy of Vanished as a sign. At this point, I need to point out I am not reading this series in chronological order and you may very well enjoy it more if you start at the beginning.
Vanished is, chronologically, the second book featuring Annika Bengtzon and these events happen years before those of The Bomber. Annika is working as a copy editor at the Evening Post in Stockholm. It would seem that after the events of the previous book, she has been demoted because she killed a man in self defence. Bear with me here, I was rather confused at first. There's a friendly little note saying the story follows on from Exposed but the books can be enjoyed by themselves. Fair enough. Yet if you have read The Bomber (published by Corgi last year), it might make more sense to go right back to the beginning. Otherwise you'll be spending the first 100 pages working out what hasn't happened yet or what has happened but you didn't read about. Confused yet?
Once I'd got my facts straight, I did worry that it was going to focus on newspaper politics again but this does tail off after a few chapters. Whilst she might well work in a sexist environment, Annika isn't the model employee, keeping secrets and disappearing out the office without informing her colleagues. For a young copy editor I think she is very lucky to have succeeded in her job and it has nothing to do with her being a woman.
Fortunately for me, the bulk of the book deals with the mystery of Paradise, an organisation which promises to help women in need. They help these people vanish in the eyes of the world. After an initial meeting with the founder, Annika comes into contact with a terrified young woman, convinced that she is being hunted. She directs the woman to Paradise without thinking. Later, she starts to suspect that the organisation isn't quite as benevolent as it seems and worries she's sent the woman to a fraud. I found the main storyline pacey and enjoyable.
I'm not entirely sure the personal parts fitted in with the rest of the plot but again this might be caused by my reading out of order. Possibly Marklund just wanted a few reasons for Annika to have a breakdown, but she already seemed fragile to start with and adding bereavement, a horrible mother, abandonment and other personal issues seemed a bit much. She also didn't seem to be the kind of person I'd expect to fall in love in one night, let alone when she didn't like the man much a few days before. Knowing what happens in her future, I was expecting it, yet it still was all too sudden.
I have softened towards Annika. Maybe I would have been kinder to her before had I read the series from the beginning.
Vanished is, chronologically, the second book featuring Annika Bengtzon and these events happen years before those of The Bomber. Annika is working as a copy editor at the Evening Post in Stockholm. It would seem that after the events of the previous book, she has been demoted because she killed a man in self defence. Bear with me here, I was rather confused at first. There's a friendly little note saying the story follows on from Exposed but the books can be enjoyed by themselves. Fair enough. Yet if you have read The Bomber (published by Corgi last year), it might make more sense to go right back to the beginning. Otherwise you'll be spending the first 100 pages working out what hasn't happened yet or what has happened but you didn't read about. Confused yet?
Once I'd got my facts straight, I did worry that it was going to focus on newspaper politics again but this does tail off after a few chapters. Whilst she might well work in a sexist environment, Annika isn't the model employee, keeping secrets and disappearing out the office without informing her colleagues. For a young copy editor I think she is very lucky to have succeeded in her job and it has nothing to do with her being a woman.
Fortunately for me, the bulk of the book deals with the mystery of Paradise, an organisation which promises to help women in need. They help these people vanish in the eyes of the world. After an initial meeting with the founder, Annika comes into contact with a terrified young woman, convinced that she is being hunted. She directs the woman to Paradise without thinking. Later, she starts to suspect that the organisation isn't quite as benevolent as it seems and worries she's sent the woman to a fraud. I found the main storyline pacey and enjoyable.
I'm not entirely sure the personal parts fitted in with the rest of the plot but again this might be caused by my reading out of order. Possibly Marklund just wanted a few reasons for Annika to have a breakdown, but she already seemed fragile to start with and adding bereavement, a horrible mother, abandonment and other personal issues seemed a bit much. She also didn't seem to be the kind of person I'd expect to fall in love in one night, let alone when she didn't like the man much a few days before. Knowing what happens in her future, I was expecting it, yet it still was all too sudden.
I have softened towards Annika. Maybe I would have been kinder to her before had I read the series from the beginning.
February 23, 2012
'Our circumstances shape us, but the choice is always our own.'
Another installment of the Swedish crime series by Liza Marklund and featuring 'Evening Post' reporter Annika Bengtzon. In this novel, Annika is actually just working in the capacity of copy-editor, her past having had a bearing on her current role at the newspaper. As the novel commences, two bodies have been found out at a Stockholm port and a woman is on the run from a gunman. At the newspaper, Annika takes a call from a mysterious woman wanting the newspaper to run a story about her organisation, the 'Paradise Foundation', which, she claims, exists to help people disappear, to escape from troubled pasts. Annika starts to look into the woman and the organisation, and realises that things aren't all as they first seemed. Our heroine has worries of her own, as her beloved Grandmother is taken ill, and her uneasy relationship with her mother is placed under greater strain.
Alongside these storylines, there is also the ongoing daily activities at the newspaper, much of which is seen through the eyes of both Annika and also the editor, who is often mulling over the internal politics and who is aware that change is needed in the near future to keep the newspaper up to standard and at the forefront of the market. As well as this, there are further murders and links to serious international crime. The author also highlights social issues within Sweden, primarily through the character of Thomas Samuelsson who works at a local authority.
This is a fast-paced crime novel. I really enjoyed reading it, I like this author's style of writing, and felt like the plot carried me along. It’s one of those reads where I kept thinking, I'll read just one more chapter. I read 'The Bomber' last year, another novel by this author featuring Annika, and the events recounted in that novel are actually further on in Annika's career than the ones in 'Vanished'. But I think the story is strong enough for anyone to read this as a stand-alone book. Having said that, it’s always nice to read a series in order to see the main character develop. For me, it’s kind of interesting to see what Annika was like before, as in this novel she is much less confident I think, and dealing with personal problems and her own demons, as well as uncovering scandal and finding herself in risky situations. I love the newsroom setting and feel that this is authentic, given the author's background in newspaper reporting.
Another top read from this author for me with an engrossing storyline and compelling characters, very well translated by Neil Smith, and I look forward to reading the rest of the novels featuring Annika very soon.
Another installment of the Swedish crime series by Liza Marklund and featuring 'Evening Post' reporter Annika Bengtzon. In this novel, Annika is actually just working in the capacity of copy-editor, her past having had a bearing on her current role at the newspaper. As the novel commences, two bodies have been found out at a Stockholm port and a woman is on the run from a gunman. At the newspaper, Annika takes a call from a mysterious woman wanting the newspaper to run a story about her organisation, the 'Paradise Foundation', which, she claims, exists to help people disappear, to escape from troubled pasts. Annika starts to look into the woman and the organisation, and realises that things aren't all as they first seemed. Our heroine has worries of her own, as her beloved Grandmother is taken ill, and her uneasy relationship with her mother is placed under greater strain.
Alongside these storylines, there is also the ongoing daily activities at the newspaper, much of which is seen through the eyes of both Annika and also the editor, who is often mulling over the internal politics and who is aware that change is needed in the near future to keep the newspaper up to standard and at the forefront of the market. As well as this, there are further murders and links to serious international crime. The author also highlights social issues within Sweden, primarily through the character of Thomas Samuelsson who works at a local authority.
This is a fast-paced crime novel. I really enjoyed reading it, I like this author's style of writing, and felt like the plot carried me along. It’s one of those reads where I kept thinking, I'll read just one more chapter. I read 'The Bomber' last year, another novel by this author featuring Annika, and the events recounted in that novel are actually further on in Annika's career than the ones in 'Vanished'. But I think the story is strong enough for anyone to read this as a stand-alone book. Having said that, it’s always nice to read a series in order to see the main character develop. For me, it’s kind of interesting to see what Annika was like before, as in this novel she is much less confident I think, and dealing with personal problems and her own demons, as well as uncovering scandal and finding herself in risky situations. I love the newsroom setting and feel that this is authentic, given the author's background in newspaper reporting.
Another top read from this author for me with an engrossing storyline and compelling characters, very well translated by Neil Smith, and I look forward to reading the rest of the novels featuring Annika very soon.
October 18, 2019
Didn't even get to page 50
May 9, 2012
3.5/5
I read my first Liza Marklund book last year (review of The Bomber) and quite enjoyed it.
Reporter Annika Bengtson returns in Vanished. I hadn't read the books in between and found Annika in a different state of mind and place. She's at the newspaper, but is a copy editor, not out in the field. She lives in a stark apartment in a condemned building, simply existing, trying to deal with numerous tragedies in her personal life. But while editing a story on a recent double murder on the waterfront one night, a random call is routed to her desk and she finds herself immediately intrigued. Rebecka claims to be able to erase a person's past and set them up with a new identity and life. Annika's boss gives her the go ahead to pursue the story - he's happy to see her excited about something again. But The Paradise Foundation may not be everything Rebeckah claims. And when she discovers that the waterfront murders and the Foundation may have a connection, Annika is drawn in....
This was a very different Annika for me. At times I saw the strong, fearless reporter, at other times she was a puddle on the floor. I understood her grief, but the neediness shown at a certain juncture is well - obsessive. I had a hard time accepting that she could swing so far from one side to the other in such a short time.
I found the idea of The Paradise Foundation fascinating. Office politics and ethics, Eastern Bloc Mafia, marriage, happiness and the Swedish social assistance program are also stirred into the plot of Vanished. There was a bit of proselytizing near the end that I did find myself skipping over. It was only as I read the end notes, that I discovered Marklund's basis for this book. While working as a night reporter on a Swedish newspaper, Marklund really did receive a call about a foundation exactly as described and ended up investigating it. I wonder how much of Liza Marklund is part of Annika?
The pacing is a bit slower, with lots of personal story this time. Marklund ends the book with a good twist - identifying the author of small diatribes scattered throughout the book - one I did not see coming. All in all a good read. I'm intrigued by this character and will definitely read another in this series.
I read my first Liza Marklund book last year (review of The Bomber) and quite enjoyed it.
Reporter Annika Bengtson returns in Vanished. I hadn't read the books in between and found Annika in a different state of mind and place. She's at the newspaper, but is a copy editor, not out in the field. She lives in a stark apartment in a condemned building, simply existing, trying to deal with numerous tragedies in her personal life. But while editing a story on a recent double murder on the waterfront one night, a random call is routed to her desk and she finds herself immediately intrigued. Rebecka claims to be able to erase a person's past and set them up with a new identity and life. Annika's boss gives her the go ahead to pursue the story - he's happy to see her excited about something again. But The Paradise Foundation may not be everything Rebeckah claims. And when she discovers that the waterfront murders and the Foundation may have a connection, Annika is drawn in....
This was a very different Annika for me. At times I saw the strong, fearless reporter, at other times she was a puddle on the floor. I understood her grief, but the neediness shown at a certain juncture is well - obsessive. I had a hard time accepting that she could swing so far from one side to the other in such a short time.
I found the idea of The Paradise Foundation fascinating. Office politics and ethics, Eastern Bloc Mafia, marriage, happiness and the Swedish social assistance program are also stirred into the plot of Vanished. There was a bit of proselytizing near the end that I did find myself skipping over. It was only as I read the end notes, that I discovered Marklund's basis for this book. While working as a night reporter on a Swedish newspaper, Marklund really did receive a call about a foundation exactly as described and ended up investigating it. I wonder how much of Liza Marklund is part of Annika?
The pacing is a bit slower, with lots of personal story this time. Marklund ends the book with a good twist - identifying the author of small diatribes scattered throughout the book - one I did not see coming. All in all a good read. I'm intrigued by this character and will definitely read another in this series.
April 30, 2018
I'm always looking for authors I haven't read so far and then love adding them to my favourite authors list and expanding it. So the next time I go to library I know right away who to look for. Usually I come home with at least one book by each author from that list. And every once in a while I borrow a book by someone new for me. This time I borrowed a book by Liza Marklund.
I have to admit when comes to thrillers I'm easily satisfied. I can't say that for this book though. I'm not saying that I didn't like the book because I did and once I started reading it I didn't stop until I finished but all the time I had a feeling that something is missing.
I didn't worry and fear for main characters. I wasn't excited or couldn't wait to continue reading because chapter ended with cliffhanger. To be honest I didn't feel anything. It didn't glue me to pages like I hoped it would.
The most interesting part for me in the book was relationship between Annika and Thomas and that's just because since the start I had a feeling that they end up together and I wanted to know if I was right. This was the most important to me. Not who killed those two men or what Paradise is and that tells a lot. In thrillers relationships aren't supposed to be the main story.
As for the main topic in this book... I didn't like the turn the book took in the end. I had a feeling that the whole book was about something else (Paradise) and I didn't like how fast it ended. Everything was solved even before all those new informations could sink into readers mind.
So in conclusion I have a mixed feelings about this book. I like it in general but there are some parts in the book that I didn't like. What I can say for sure is that I will put her on the list (in case I won't find any book from my favourite authors) so I will probably read some of her other books and I hope I'll like those better than this one.
I have to admit when comes to thrillers I'm easily satisfied. I can't say that for this book though. I'm not saying that I didn't like the book because I did and once I started reading it I didn't stop until I finished but all the time I had a feeling that something is missing.
I didn't worry and fear for main characters. I wasn't excited or couldn't wait to continue reading because chapter ended with cliffhanger. To be honest I didn't feel anything. It didn't glue me to pages like I hoped it would.
The most interesting part for me in the book was relationship between Annika and Thomas and that's just because since the start I had a feeling that they end up together and I wanted to know if I was right. This was the most important to me. Not who killed those two men or what Paradise is and that tells a lot. In thrillers relationships aren't supposed to be the main story.
As for the main topic in this book... I didn't like the turn the book took in the end. I had a feeling that the whole book was about something else (Paradise) and I didn't like how fast it ended. Everything was solved even before all those new informations could sink into readers mind.
So in conclusion I have a mixed feelings about this book. I like it in general but there are some parts in the book that I didn't like. What I can say for sure is that I will put her on the list (in case I won't find any book from my favourite authors) so I will probably read some of her other books and I hope I'll like those better than this one.
February 12, 2012
Annika Bengtzon is a copy editor at a newspaper in Stockholm. Her colleagues are working on a double murder that happened in the harbour. Annika hasn’t got much to do so when gets a call from a woman who wants to meet a journalist to talk about her Paradise Foundation, she agrees to meet her.
The Paradise Foundation, it turns out, is set up to help people change identity and leave no traces behind of their old identity (for instance, because they have been threatened and the police can’t do anything about it). When Annika comes across a foreign woman called Aida who was present at the harbour murders and escaped death herself, she puts her into contact with the Paradise Foundation to help her stay away from her pursuer.
But is the Paradise Foundation all that it seems? Annika researches the foundation in more detail and is assisted by a council employee who is also doubtful about them. Endangering her own life, Annika manages to get to the bottom of the Foundation’s work, and in the meantime also finds out about the murders in the harbour.
There is a lot going on in Annika’s life: a mysterious organisation that she wants to investigate, her work: because she is really a copy-editor she shouldn’t be out and about interviewing people, there is the disappearance of Aida, Annika’s grandmother is ill, and she has a bit of a love affair.
But it’s not too much to keep track of for the reader. In fact, the balance of working life and home life makes the story feel quite realistic, especially the love interest. Some of the details to do with the Paradise Foundation and the missing woman were less realistic. But as it made a nice story it didn’t really matter.
The Paradise Foundation, it turns out, is set up to help people change identity and leave no traces behind of their old identity (for instance, because they have been threatened and the police can’t do anything about it). When Annika comes across a foreign woman called Aida who was present at the harbour murders and escaped death herself, she puts her into contact with the Paradise Foundation to help her stay away from her pursuer.
But is the Paradise Foundation all that it seems? Annika researches the foundation in more detail and is assisted by a council employee who is also doubtful about them. Endangering her own life, Annika manages to get to the bottom of the Foundation’s work, and in the meantime also finds out about the murders in the harbour.
There is a lot going on in Annika’s life: a mysterious organisation that she wants to investigate, her work: because she is really a copy-editor she shouldn’t be out and about interviewing people, there is the disappearance of Aida, Annika’s grandmother is ill, and she has a bit of a love affair.
But it’s not too much to keep track of for the reader. In fact, the balance of working life and home life makes the story feel quite realistic, especially the love interest. Some of the details to do with the Paradise Foundation and the missing woman were less realistic. But as it made a nice story it didn’t really matter.
May 9, 2012
I received Vanished as a preread copy from TransWorld Book Group. It’s my first novel by Liza Marklund. Because I enjoy reading Scandinavian thriller writers a lot I had high expectations.
Liza Marklund has written several thrillers with Annika Bengtzon as leading character. Annika is a copy editor at a Stockholm newspaper. She is approached by Rebecka Björstig who claims her Paradise Foundation can help women make a new life. The foundation takes care of erasing peoples history completely.
When Aida, a woman who’s life seems to be in danger, needs her help, Annika decides to give her Rebecka’s phonenumber. When two man are murdered in the harbor and Aida says she knows what happened, Annika starts her own investigation.
What I like in the Annika Bengtzon novels is that it’s not only about crimes. There is a lot going on in this book. Annika’s own life and wellbeing, the murders in the harbor, the Paradise Foundation, internal politics in the newspaper where she works and some social issues. Marklund succeeds in tying all those separate storylines neatly together.
I rather enjoyed reading Vanished. It’s a fast paced crime novel, very well written and thrilling. If only Annika could be a less troubled person. I really like her a lot and I think she has had her fare share of troubles and deserves some happiness. Well, maybe the next novel because now that I have discovered Liza Marklund and her books I look forward to reading more of this series.
Liza Marklund has written several thrillers with Annika Bengtzon as leading character. Annika is a copy editor at a Stockholm newspaper. She is approached by Rebecka Björstig who claims her Paradise Foundation can help women make a new life. The foundation takes care of erasing peoples history completely.
When Aida, a woman who’s life seems to be in danger, needs her help, Annika decides to give her Rebecka’s phonenumber. When two man are murdered in the harbor and Aida says she knows what happened, Annika starts her own investigation.
What I like in the Annika Bengtzon novels is that it’s not only about crimes. There is a lot going on in this book. Annika’s own life and wellbeing, the murders in the harbor, the Paradise Foundation, internal politics in the newspaper where she works and some social issues. Marklund succeeds in tying all those separate storylines neatly together.
I rather enjoyed reading Vanished. It’s a fast paced crime novel, very well written and thrilling. If only Annika could be a less troubled person. I really like her a lot and I think she has had her fare share of troubles and deserves some happiness. Well, maybe the next novel because now that I have discovered Liza Marklund and her books I look forward to reading more of this series.
March 9, 2014
This is the third novel featuring Annika Bengtzon that I have read. I found this one more enjoyable than the others. Annika is now a copy editor in Stockholm having served her self-defence probation for the killing of her crazy boyfriend Svenn. While a plot involving the Yugoslav mafia in Sweden and a venal character named Ratko is unfolding, Annika becomes involved in investigating an organization called The Paradise Foundation whose spokesperson says it is responsible for helping battered women and children to change their identities and start new lives. One woman whom Annika refers to the Foundation is shot in a public square. This links Annika's investigation to the police investigation of the mafia connection. Meanwhile Annika enlists the help of a city bureaucrat named Thomas to help pin down whether the Paradise Foundation is real or a scam. After a sexual encounter with Thomas Annika becomes pregnant. On the verge of an abortion she changes her mind and needs to keep the child even though Thomas has gone back to his wife. Annika exposes the Paradise Foundation as fraudulent and also secures an interview with a senior Yugoslav KGB-type colonel which reveals all the machinations of the Yugoslav mafia in Sweden. Building on these successes Annika becomes a crime reporter again (stay tuned).
November 18, 2013
In the first book, I felt sympathy towards Annika Bengtzon. In this book, my sympathy decreases dramatically. Not only towards her, but also towards her extremely childish mother and obnoxious sister.
The only character I can sympathise with is Anders Schyman. It's a wonder that he doesn't collapse from the tiredness of manning those kind of people! Jeez.
Annika. Please. Grow. Up.
Stop getting angry at those who haven't done you any wrong.
And well.
There is a very unbelievable scene nearing the end. That scene makes me want to scream, "REALLY?"
And it damn well made my jaw drop in disbelief.
This is the first time I saw that kind of announcement announced in a brutally honest & DIRECT way. VERY DIRECT. TOO DIRECT.
In Indonesia, we call it "tanpa tedeng aling-aling".
Annika, in this book, you are - oh, how do I phrase that? Oh yes.
You are mannerless,
you are
being a baby,
and you are
extremely shameless
and
impolite.
Woe, Scandinavian writers! Why can't you make your characters a little bit sweet towards each other? Is it the lack of the yearlong sun? Is it just because you feel it's fun to make them like this?
The only character I can sympathise with is Anders Schyman. It's a wonder that he doesn't collapse from the tiredness of manning those kind of people! Jeez.
Annika. Please. Grow. Up.
Stop getting angry at those who haven't done you any wrong.
And well.
There is a very unbelievable scene nearing the end. That scene makes me want to scream, "REALLY?"
And it damn well made my jaw drop in disbelief.
This is the first time I saw that kind of announcement announced in a brutally honest & DIRECT way. VERY DIRECT. TOO DIRECT.
In Indonesia, we call it "tanpa tedeng aling-aling".
Annika, in this book, you are - oh, how do I phrase that? Oh yes.
You are mannerless,
you are
being a baby,
and you are
extremely shameless
and
impolite.
Woe, Scandinavian writers! Why can't you make your characters a little bit sweet towards each other? Is it the lack of the yearlong sun? Is it just because you feel it's fun to make them like this?
July 6, 2020
Ei oikein nyt lähde nämä Marklundit lentoon vaikka on ihan okei tekstiä. Paljon jauhetaan taustatietoa asioista mitkä ovat kyllä mielenkiintoisia mutta osan mielestäni voisi jättää pois eikä oikein liity aiheeseen ja rikoksiin. Tässä osassa oli ihan kivoja jännittäviä tapahtumia, mutta oli myös paljon niitä ei niin mielenkiintoisia kohtia. Mielestäni myös takakansi lupaili kerrontaa Paratiisi- säätiöstä, josta olisin mielelläni lukenut enemmän ja olisin toivonut että suurin osa tapahtumista olisi liittynyt siihen eikä johonkin aivan toiseen asiaan. Jotenkin näissä hämää nämä kaksi eri linjaa tai tarinaa jotka saattavat löyhästi liittyä keskenään jotenkin yhteen mutta aika heppoista on. Tämä on tietysti sarja, ja joskus pitää lukea kaikki sarjan osat että tajuaa jonkin juonen kuvion vaikka ei näyttäisi kuuluvan siihen mutta en oikein tiedä. Näissä on ollut nyt niin monta eri tarinaa että en näe niiden liittyvän yhteen edes viimeisessä osassa. Voin toki olla väärässäkin. Teksti oli kyllä ihan sujuvaa vaikka välillä tuo taustatietojen jauhaminen vie asian niin sanotusti pois tärkeimmästä eli aiheesta. On näissä silti jotain kun kerran kolme tähteä annoin kaikesta negatiivisesta palautteesta huolimatta.
March 22, 2012
In Vanished - Annika is doing night research in her limited capacity at the paper. A call comes in that nobody wants to deal with and the woman is given to Annika to talk to. She has set up a foundation called Paradise that wipes out people's identities and leaves them untraceable for their own protection from criminals who would do them harm. She mostly deals with women and children, an issue close to Annika's heart. She wants the paper to write about her foundation.
Annika is at the same time wearied by the numerous waste of time phone calls she gets, intrigued by this foundation and the services it provides, and suspicious as to the woman's motives for calling her. She sets up a meeting that starts her on the path of intrigue involving Eastern European criminal organizations, theft, fraud, and personal danger. This is also the book in which she meets Thomas. A must read for fans of Nordic mysteries!
See my full review here - http://livinginthekitchenwithpuppies....
Annika is at the same time wearied by the numerous waste of time phone calls she gets, intrigued by this foundation and the services it provides, and suspicious as to the woman's motives for calling her. She sets up a meeting that starts her on the path of intrigue involving Eastern European criminal organizations, theft, fraud, and personal danger. This is also the book in which she meets Thomas. A must read for fans of Nordic mysteries!
See my full review here - http://livinginthekitchenwithpuppies....
April 22, 2013
He lives on Kungsholmen in Stockholm along with his fiancée and their newborn son.
Last line from Paradise by Liza Marklund. This was more enjoyable than I was expecting and it’s all because of Marklund’s lead character; Annika Bengzton. Bengzton isn’t a cop or detective like you’d expect from the crime/ mystery/ thriller genre, instead she’s employed as a copy editor for a newspaper, which provides a different feel to the book. She’s lively and clever but what most makes Bengzton likable is her lack of confidence combined with bravery. She comes with problems but then again who doesn’t? These include her gran suffering a stroke, where it’s evident here and throughout the book that Marklund knows what she’s talking about.
The pace of the plot moved quickly, with different threads to keep up with, which keep those pages turning. Enjoyed the politics weaved into the narrative, including familiar countries and characters, who I remember in the headlines in the 1990s . Looking forward to reading more in the series.
Last line from Paradise by Liza Marklund. This was more enjoyable than I was expecting and it’s all because of Marklund’s lead character; Annika Bengzton. Bengzton isn’t a cop or detective like you’d expect from the crime/ mystery/ thriller genre, instead she’s employed as a copy editor for a newspaper, which provides a different feel to the book. She’s lively and clever but what most makes Bengzton likable is her lack of confidence combined with bravery. She comes with problems but then again who doesn’t? These include her gran suffering a stroke, where it’s evident here and throughout the book that Marklund knows what she’s talking about.
The pace of the plot moved quickly, with different threads to keep up with, which keep those pages turning. Enjoyed the politics weaved into the narrative, including familiar countries and characters, who I remember in the headlines in the 1990s . Looking forward to reading more in the series.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 141 reviews