The Sandman: A novel (Killer Instinct Book 4)

I looked at my old book reviews and realized I haven't reviewed a kindle book since November of 2017. I have read two-hundred books since then so I feel really guilty for not sending in a review. So I decided to review this one because I absolutely LOVED it. I never heard of this series or author(s) before and I liked them so much I bought and read all their books to date ( The ones translated). Great, effortless writing, fast paced, great characters and storyline. A tiny bit unrealistic at the very very end, but still terrific. It is VERY difficult to find the books in this series. I had to go to several different booksellers, still have to wait 17 days for the final one AND they wrote a brand new stand-alone book that you cannot even get in English. All in all, an awesome read and definitely a recommend from me. I am not putting my usual disclaimer on this review for the book critique fascists, so please if you don't like the review, read the BOOK and write your own perfect review. I don't write enough reviews to get bashed all the time.

I'm really torn about the rating for this book. This is the fourth in the husband-and-wife writing team's Joona Linna series, set in Sweden, and it is spectacular. I think the books have gotten better and better. But there is not one, not two, but multiple incidences of compete idiocy and incompetence on the part of psychiatric staff -- things that would never ever happen. It was truly frustrating to read, because the story itself is great and the villain is SO creepy. Had trouble deciding between four and five stars, but ultimately the bad sections made me so angry I had to downgrade, which is a pity. This is a great book otherwise. I couldn't put it down. Jurek Walter (aka The Sandman) is a diabolical serial killer who's been mentioned in the series before because he's the one responsible for Linna's heartbreaking family situation as well as the death of his partner and his family. He is considered so dangerous that the staff at the psychiatric hospital wear earplugs when they're in the same room with him. The character is well written, very creepy and disturbing. As the book opens one of The Sandman's victims has escaped and is found wandering on train tracks. He'd been missing for 13 years, having been abducted with his sister, so Linna and his team feel they might have a chance to rescue the girl. The book is great, very tense and action packed almost from start to finish (it does bog down a bit in the last 50 pages). My only problem with it, and it's a big one, is the totally incomprehensible, illegal and idiotic behavior of the psychiatric staff. There is no way any of that could have happened. This consistently lazy plotting really detracted from my enjoyment of the book. Books in the series are: The Hypnotist, The Nightmare, The Fire Witness and The Sandman.

It took longer than I usually have patience for to get into this novel, but the rewards were significant. I’m not saying any of the beginning was poorly written, just that I always think mysteries should move a bit more quickly. The beauty of this text is that it just kept getting better. Okay, so I thought there was too much back story leading into Saga’s contribution/s, but in the end I can see the sequel. I do think there needs to be some editorial work done - whether to all the translations or just for the Kindle I can’t say - but any time capitalization is missed with proper nouns, and the occasional incorrect name is used, I feel like I’m paying too much. Don’t let this little peccadillo ruin it for you, this was a terrific read.

Leslie Wolfe, Robert Dugoni, and now Lars Kepler. I have been very fortunate in the past 12 months to read exceptional novels written by each of these three (actually four) authors. They all tell the stories of unique and bizarre serial killers, each from a fresh perspective, combining old crime solving techniques with some of the newest forensic technology. Their villains are dark and extremely skilled at what they do, leaving few clues and requiring the innovative skills and approaches of their somewhat quirky adversaries partnered with their talented casts of supporting characters. This is the second "Lars Kepler" novel that I've read and neither one has disappointed me. Other readers have referenced Jo Nesbo as another skilled Nordic writer and I have found his Harry Hole series immensely entertaining. There seems to be a particular darkness about these Swedish authors which cloaks their novels with gloom and constantly lurking evil. Perhaps the long winter nights with their chilling cold and pervasive snowfalls pushes them into this perspective. One thing that these writers probably take advantage of is the constant dark period from November to January, a time when the sun doesn't rise at all. "The Sandman" is an international best seller well deserving of its numerous accolades. It is a fast-paced thriller that draws you in immediately and then takes you on a wild ride that will both fascinate and bewilder you until you finally understand the methods and motives of the killer. This is one of those books that is hard to put down. I greatly appreciated the thought that went into the complicated plot and enjoyed the shrewdness of the main character and the wary approach taken by his pursuers. After all, appearing at the wrong place at the wrong time was probably orchestrated by the talented killer. Anyone who plunges through the snow and darkness in this book is bound to pay a heavy price. Pick up a copy, enjoy the nuances, and prepare to be thrilled.

4.5 Stars This is the fourth in a series that gets better with each installment. That said, this one, like the three previous books, can be read as a stand-alone. That said, I'm glad I started at the beginning. Thirteen years ago a boy and his sister go missing and are eventually declared dead. When a man is found staggering and injured along some train tracks they can't believe it's the long lost boy. When he's finally able to talk coherently it's revealed that his sister is still alive but still held captive. Joona Linna must now find her before it's too late. What's confounding is the much feared serial killer accused of the kidnapping has been incarcerated in a maximum security mental facility, cut off from the outside world and even his captors, for thirteen years as well. When questioned further, the victim tells Joona that his captor is the Sandman but has no idea where he had been held. Are the serial killer and the Sandman working together? Is there a connection? Will Joona and company figure it out in time to save the sister? This taut crime thriller will have you turning the pages of its short chapters faster than an iced over river. The winter in Sweden setting is atmospheric and chilling. The characters are personable and intriguing. The writing style is easy and concise. It may be a little presumptuous of me but the only reason I didn't give this one the whole five stars is because I have even higher hopes for the installments to come. If you're looking for a creepy, dark and frightening tale I suggest you look no further than THE SANDMAN.

I was completely absorbed with this book. It is very well written. The plot is complex but Clearly presented. The crimes that occur are vivid and very original. The detective is fascinating and is Living with “ real life”. Issues. I am eager to read another in this series.

Despite never having read Lars Kepler’s previous novels, I had high hopes for The Sandman. In the end, it simply didn’t live up to my expectations. That’s not say it was all bad but the issues I had, which I hope I can articulate, were pretty weighty ones and really impacted my overall experience with the book. Perhaps one of the reasons that I was so disappointed is because this book had such potential. I love a good serial killer thriller as much as anyone can. Add a man found wandering in the freezing, snowy Swedish landscape who turns out to be a young boy kidnapped thirteen years ago and I’m hooked! Lars Kepler even takes it to the next level with a fair amount of gore and depravation. The chapters are kept short and sweet. It’s definitely one of those just-one-more chapter books. The characters are straightforward with just the right amount of depth for Nordic Noir. So where did it all go wrong? I found there to be a great deal of unrealistic/unbelievable events. Unfortunately, I can’t come up with any direct examples that wouldn’t include spoilers. Some had to do with interactions (or lack thereof) between Jurek Walter and prison staff. Others involved things ranging from improbable coincidences to highly unlikely medical scenarios. I know some or even many of these things wouldn’t bother many readers but I had a difficult time seeing past their cumulative effect . The most difficulty I had with The Sandman was the ending. Until the ending, I had anticipated rating this book 3.5 to 4 stars. In addition to generally not liking the ending in terms of plot and plausibility, I found that it dragged on. I’m not a fan of books or movies in which your left thinking it’s over three or four times before it’s actually over. Fans of action adventure books and movies, however, may love this ending. Though I am unlikely to return to the Joona Linna series, most of the book was enjoyable enough that I would consider, while proceeding with caution, reading Lars Kepler again in the future. **I think it bears mentioning that there’s a fair amount of violence, both physical (what I would call one notch above normal thriller violence) and sexual in this book.**

I've read most of the books by the co-authors...all of the novels are propulsive, but "The Sandman" is impossible to put down after reading the first page. As an author myself, I studied the stylistic technique used to create such a fast hook, but all I can say is that the forward-thrust appears effortless. A great book to take you away and keep you turning pages.

The new Joona Linna book, Sandman, is another amazing book in this series! Lar Kepler has created a character that is brilliant, dark, sad, intense but yet caring. The stories themselves are deep and thought-provoking, Linna has been involved in such unusual cases and that can be attributed to the mastery of the author. I am so happy that I found this author and the stories they have written. Now the LNG wait for the next one, Stalker. Since I live in the US, we have a very long wait. So the last ones I had to get internationally. Believe, it was well worth it.

un des meilleurs polars jamais lu par son histoire, ses personnages son intrigue et son écriture (lu en anglais et malgré un niveau standart, récit bien compris)

Love this author , often wonder where he gets his story from, he must have a wonderful imagination , they are so different and so interesting , am sorry when they finish. Just hope that he keeps writing for many years to come.

Muito bom.pra quem gosta do gênero. Muito legal. Já conhecia o autor .recomendo o hipnotista do mesmo autor .ótimo livro.

The book is an absolute thriller. I started reading it and was unable to put it down. It is a very biggg book. But completed in 4 days :). When i was reading this book i was getting weird dreams at night. :D.. it is a mesmerizing book.