The Second Deadly Sin by Asa Larsson

from goodreads

4 stars

The past little bit has been preoccupied with what books I want to contribute to my book club selection. We are doing the same thing as last year. We have chosen three broad themes and then we are each to choose a book that belongs in that theme.

This year we are to choose a classic (this means a book that stands the test of time and is considered to be a classic, not necessarily a book written in a particular time period), a mystery, and then one of our choice which could be literally anything.

I don't know why but I always stress over this selection process. I make lists and then try to whittle them down. I think I stress over it because I don't want to pick dud books. I don't want my book club to say "That Meredith, she sure picks some really 'interesting' books." Or worse they could say, "Let's not let her pick out any next year."

Most of the books are from my "to read" list, so at least I can hopefully get that list a little shorter this year. I think I will still show up with two selections for each theme and have them choose... maybe... I'm not sure. I don't even know when we are supposed to have them chosen for. Hopefully November's meeting.

Synopsis

When a hunter takes down a bear that has given a community in northern Sweden quite a scare, a gruesome discover is made in the bears stomach contents. A human bone. Then, when a woman is discovered murdered in her house Prosecutor Rebecka Martinsson starts to see a connection.

My Thoughts

This was an amazing read. I didn't know about his author or the Rebecka Martinsson books before. It was on my to read list on goodreads so I decided to get it from the library. I am now going to have to go back and read the rest of the series. I hope they are as good as this one.

This is part historical novel part mystery. It follows two time lines. One starts at the onset of WWI and goes until the war is over. The other time line is set in modern day. The timelines are done very well, you are not confused when they change and you get excited to see how the two stories are going to join up.

In the historical time line I really felt for the character Elina. She was definitely a girl ahead of her time. A lot of heartache could have been done away with if she and others were honest with themselves. And the one guy... what a creep. If only women weren't scared and could speak out against him. Though I did like what happened to him in the end. I felt satisfied, in a morbid kind of way.

I loved the landscape that was painted in this book. It makes me want to book a trip to Sweden right now. I want to enjoy a fire fueled sauna and go berry picking. I know it might sound sort of stereotypical but it sounds very ideal to me. A simple and slower pace. Sign me up. I think I will ask my husband for a cabin in the woods for Christmas.

This is a book that is going to keep you guessing until the end. But you feel justified that the jerk people get their comeuppance and the good guys prevail. I just loved it.