Mons Kallentoft is not making any bones about using the weather conditions as a feature in his books - MIDWINTER SACRIFICE, and now SUMMERTIME DEATH. Given that temperatures of 45º+ aren't exactly record breaking in these parts, it's a real testament to the way that this book is written that makes the reader almost physically experience the effects of that heat in such an overwhelming manner. But there's also an ongoing device which is fascinating - the lead detective, Malin Fors, was told many years ago by a mentor to listen to all the voices in an investigation. Kallentoft uses that device - the voices of so many of the characters - to great effect.

Having now read both of these books, it's difficult not to be struck by how strongly character driven they are - obviously with the emphasis on the leading detective Malin Fors. Even allowing for the predictability of a separation from her husband, and the problems with raising a teenage daughter, she's an interesting character with flaws and foibles that make her very human. There's also something very subtle going on in the use of the voices of the investigation - at points it's somehow the voices of minor characters that make them real. It's also the voice of the victim - giving the character often incidental in crime fiction a personality, a life, a reality. It doesn't hurt that there are points at which the writing of these voices, in particular, is simply beautiful, often poignant and definitely moving.

The emphasis on the characters, and the use of the voices, does create a more measured, careful, studied exploration of the plot in SUMMERTIME DEATH though, so fans of quick fire, high tension thriller style books are probably going to find the journey a little too slow. For this reader, however, the use of those voices is engaging, thoughtful and almost haunting at points.

This is more of an immersion reading book than a roller-coaster ride to a conclusion. Whilst there is definitely a plot building in SUMMERTIME DEATH, and there is an imperative to solve these dreadful crimes, it's not until very late in the book that the pace really does ramp up, and to be honest, the threat at the end didn't really come as that big a surprise. But by then I was completely hooked by the voices, and looking forward to more of this series.

http://www.austcrimefiction.org/review/summertime-death-mons-kallentoft

Could not read it. The way it was written or translated jarred.

Read a couple of reviews of this book before I started and noted a bunch of 2's and 3's, so I was concerned I wouldn't like it. Found it thoroughly enjoyable. The protagonist, Malin Fors, is far from perfect and has many doubts about her personal and professional capabilities. The crimes at the center of the story are compelling and the investigative process seems to be fairly authentic with red herrings and false assumptions cropping up which need to be addressed. Even though I thought this book may have been too slow for me, I found it compelling and would recommend it highly.

Gostei mais do que do primeiro.
Continuam os pensamentos das personagens mortas, que é a parte que menos gosto.
É mais do mesmo comparando ao primeiro.

I liked this book. If you're looking for an interesting crime-style, murder mystery book, this is a good read.

There were enough twists that I couldn't figure out who was responsible for the horrific crimes until near the end. The pacing was overall good, but was slow at times. I think this reflected on what it's like for police to actually follow leads though. Certainly there are times when a case moves forward faster in real life, and other times when everything feels like it's stopped.

There were a few things that were distracting though, and I'm not sure if it was a translation issue or a difference in writing style because it's a Swedish author. They didn't take away from the story, but it wasn't something I was used to though.

Yeah, ok. Very dark, great oppressive atmosphere... Seems to drag on a bit.

Not sure I liked this. The premise is good, the characters engaging, but the story seemed forced and too detailed for wordage purposes. One 10 day span of time and it too over 300 pages to get there.
Interesting how the past always comes back to haunt. In all Kallentoft's books, the intricacies are the story. Maybe I'm just tired of them.

I've said it before and I'm going to say it again - Mons Kallentoft is a true artist with words and he really makes an impact on you.

That being said, I was kind of disappointed with this one.

First of all, Malin Fors totally steals the show.

Her inner struggle with herself, her thoughts, feelings, hopes and fears hook you in such a way that there is no space for anything else.

That can be a good thing, but it also sucks.

This is a thriller/mystery, after all, and you're supposed to be invested in who was killed, who is the killer, how, why and so on. That didn't happened with me. Usually, when I got to the parts about the investigation, I would get a bit bored.

Also, I found some of the events who happened in the book ridiculous.

How do you have teenage girls being raped by someone with a dildo and then killed and you immediately jump to the conclusion that the perp is a dildo-wielding, crazed lesbian?

Let me guess the logic - victims raped with a sex toy, lesbians like women, women don't have penises, so they have to find other ways to play, therefore the killer must be a lesbian with a penchant for kinky toys.

This is making me laugh now, but when I read it I was offended in the name of all lesbian women. Statements like these don't do the world any good.