It's a fantastic book. Is big, but have a lot of action. Was my first books of authors, and I stay fan!
recomend for people that like policials

The seventh instalment in the series which also works as a standalone. The prose is disjointed in the first part but rectifies after 40%. There are so many killings all over the place and the plot is improbable. The killer seems to be always ahead of the entire police force and all the female characters are acting stupidly. These aside, the narrative is racy and the conclusion is good. 3.5 stars

This is the 7th in the Joona Linna series. Every time I finish one I am convinced there will never be another. How could there possibly be? Well, this author manages to maintain the credibility of this character so I shouldn't be surprised his adventures continue. This series is the epitome of outstanding scandavian noir with an incredibly interesting and conflicted protagonist. He's got some serious trouble on his hands as he is forced to face a killer from the past he thought was long gone. I strongly recommend you read this series in order because each book really builds on the next in ways that are important not to miss, Thank you NetGalley for the advanced readers copy for review.

One of the darkest and grittiest books in one of the darkest and grittiest series. It’s the final countdown – one man will win, either Detective Joona Linna or his arch-nemesis Jurek Walter. No one is safe from Jurek’s revenge. He is willing to make everyone suffer to the fullest. There are several brutal deaths all over Europe and Joona realizes Jurek is alive leaving him messages. No one believes Joona. he takes every possible measure to protect his loved ones, but they do not take him seriously.

This is a really brutal book, so it is not for the fainthearted. It is a solid read for Kepler fans, and I highly recommend the series to be read in order to fully enjoy the books. It was impossible to put the book down. I could have lived without the sex scenes. They did not add anything to the story and could have been left out. It is a well-plotted book, and even though I enjoyed reading it I was relived when it was over. It is such an intense story with explicit violence that I would not like to read the book on a dark and stormy night.

I would like to thank Netgalley and Penguin Random House for a review copy of Lazarus, the seventh novel to feature Swedish detective Joona Linna.

A series of murders across Europe have Joona Linna convinced that serial killer Jurek Walter is not as dead as his colleague, Saga Bauer, believes. After all, she shot him And then found proof of his death. Walter has a lifelong obsession with destroying Joona and his loved ones so Joona has to take drastic action.

I thoroughly enjoyed Lazarus which is an action packed thriller with an omniscient villain and a high body count. There is never a dull moment and it held my attention from start to finish. I think it is an exciting read and much of this is down to how Walter always seems one step ahead, making the police reactive rather than proactive. Only Joona seems to know what he is dealing with and be prepared.

I will admit that the all seeing and knowing Walter does stretch the credulity but that, somehow, gets lost in the action and verve of the plot. It is so fast moving that the reader doesn’t really have the time to reflect on how he knows, being too busy getting caught up in the ramifications of that knowledge. It is high octane entertainment.

The novel is told from various points of view and it works well, giving the reader a wider picture of one man’s effect on those involved. It is interesting that all of them initially view Joona as paranoid and obsessive but in various stages come to realise that they were overly confident in dismissing his fears. I enjoyed this evolution in their thinking and think that it offers a bit more to the read than standard thriller fare.

After seven novels I’m still not sure that I know Joona Linna. He is very protective of those closest to him, has a rather flexible attitude to the rule book and is very capable both mentally and physically of defending his own. I don’t know, I see him as an ascetic but I might be totally wrong.

Lazarus is a good read that I have no hesitation in recommending.

Joona Lina is back with a vengeance against his nemesis Jurek Walter in the 7th book of the series titled Lazarus by the husband and wife team Lars Kepler. Oh I had a feeling old Jurek wasn’t dead. One finger wasn’t going to fool me and it didn’t fool Joona either when strange things started happening again. I think you really have to read the series to enjoy this but the author does give enough information about the past that you could read this alone. As usual, the author gives us a thrilling ride from start to finish and there were times I couldn’t read fast enough as the tension built. This is one dark serial killer book and I loved it. With the usual cast of characters and tightly written this is another winner. I anxiously await #8.
Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review

Fantastic page turning book that I can honestly say, did not want to end. Even though it is a sequel to one of the earlier books in the series, it can still be read as a stand alone novel. Dont be surprised if this series of Lars Kepler thrillers are soon put onto the big screen. Highly reccomend although make sure you are not of the faint hearted as it was rather brutal in places.

Oh how i love Lars Kepler. Not sure why i like the genre and the goriness but the series is sooooo good !! This one could be a stand alone but it is so worth reading the whole series.

I am not sure about the ending.. It's ambiguous. It could go both ways :) If there is more it look forward to it.

Loved the book !

The 7th in the Joona Linna series. It stands alone but why would you not want to read the entire addictive series? I am never ever disappointed in Lars Kepler books. They do evil like no other with nightmare inducing scenes that always gives me shivers (How do they know my deepest darkest fears?)

Joona and his daughter are on the run in this one. Read this and run with them. You will not be disappointed. And if you are new to the series, make room on a bookshelf. You will want to run out and buy the rest.

I would rate this book a 3.5. As someone else pointed out, I think the Jurek Walter story is played out. I have read all of the books in the series and I found myself speed reading this one to just skip all of the violence and find out what happened. There were few surprises, just one scene after another where the bad guys are one step ahead. No spoilers here, but this guy seemed superhuman and it became tedious.

These are talented authors and the action is non stop. I am sure I will give the next book a try, but I am hoping for a new storyline with the next installment. The characters are interesting and well written. I know I will want to know what happens to them next.

Many thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

The amazing duo can never go wrong in my opinion. This is another amazing book by Lars Kepler and again, I was hooked from page one! Creepy, tense, unstoppably brilliant! Full of twists and darkness!

It’s the 7th in Joona Linna’s series and although it can be read as a stand-alone.... I would recommend reading them ALL!!

Detective Joona Linna is out of prison and ready to start his job again. And this time, his nemesis seems to have resurrected from the death. With crime scenes that seemed to be linked with Jurek Walter... could it be that he is actually alive?

Joona’s and his daughter lives are threatened and he know that either he stops Jurek, or Jurek will stop him.

Nordic Noir perfection, this book has it all and now that I’m finished my only question is how can Lars Kepler write another book to top this one?

Evil at its finest with one of the best detectives determined to stop it. I can’t ask for more in a book!

Needless to say this is a high recommendation to anyone who loves Nordic Noir and is willing to lose some sleep...

I would like to thank Netgalley, Penguin Random House Canada and McClelland & Stewart for an advanced copy of this great novel in exchange for an honest review

I was so excited to be able to read this book as I had been waiting ever since finishing “The Rabbit Hunter”.

“Lazarus” was One of the most thrilling books I have ever read.

It was non stop action and I read every single word as quickly as I could. Yet, I never wanted the book to end.

I hope that Lars Kepler will be writing another book in this series.

I want to start my review by saying two things:
1. This is not a genre I typically read and
2. This is the first Lars Kepler book I've ever read, so I haven't read any of the other books in the series.

All that considered, I thought this was an outstanding novel. I love the dynamic of the writing duo and definitely can feel the well thought out descriptions and writing style that comes from having two authors working together. I also didn't feel like anything was lost in the translation of the writing.

Well I didn't have the background of the story from the other books, I thought that Lazarus was written in a way that I could still follow as if it were a stand-alone (although I'm definitely rushing to get ALL the books in the series now). The writing was well paced, the story had me hooked, and I would definitely recommend this to anyone who enjoys a good serial killer/crime/thriller novel.

Thanks to #Netgalley and McClelland & Stewart Canada for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Having read and enjoyed a couple of books in the Joona Linna series by Lars Kepler, I picked up this ARC of Lazarus instantly and I am grateful to Netgalley and the publisher for this opportunity!
Detective Inspector Joona Linna of the Swedish Police is convinced that his archenemy Jurek Walter, the monstrous serial killer, is back from the dead while nobody else, especially Saga Bauer, the young cop who had shot and killed Jurek, believes it. Joona also suspects that Jurek has recruited an accomplice now, and can strike at two places at once. And, the only way he can hope to escape the fate, far worse than death, that Jurek can inflict upon him is to go into hiding along with his daughter. But, is Jurek really back, or has Joona been pushed over the edge by his own paranoia? And, if Jurek has really come back, will Joona’s escape plan work? The answers to these questions lie in this dark, gory, pulse-pounding, cracker of a thriller from one of the best in the business.
The author (I know it’s a husband-and-wife duo in real life, but they have chosen the name Lars Kepler and I will stick to it) has done a fabulous job of creating intense, disturbing characters that will stay for a long time in the reader’s thoughts. The plot grips the reader right from the prologue and never really lets go until the very end. Each scene—even the seemingly normal, peaceful ones—has an ominous feel to it, that something terrible is going to happen, and it does happen more often than not. The villain is one of the most vicious I have encountered in the world of fiction; he does not just take his victims’ life but their soul, the basic essence that makes them human. The novel has a prodigious body count, and a staggering amount of violence to go with it, and is not meant for the fainthearted reader.
The end of this story, though not a cliff-hanger, has an opening that is sure to spawn a sequel, which I am eager to read. Certain important characters, apart from Joona, and some crucial events in this novel are connected to some previous books in the series and it will be better to read those before this one. That said, the author has provided enough explanation at places to make it work on a standalone basis also.
On the negative side, I found the villain(s) to be unbelievably powerful, with an almost mythical ability to beat the police and get to the victims virtually at every instance. And, I felt that the author has been unnecessarily cruel to Saga Bauer, going by the events at the end of this book. Apart from these peeves, I was thoroughly hooked by Lazarus, and would recommend it to everyone who likes dark psychological thrillers and is not put off by the violence.

It’s a while since I’ve given a book five stars but this book thoroughly deserves all five. Despite being the seventh in the series the authors make it easy to find what makes the hunter and his prey tick and to enter their world. The story is pacy and quickly hooks you in. Then it takes you on a nerve tingling, heart pumping, sweat inducing ride that still doesn’t end even after the last page is read. A clever and well thought out, complex and addictive story. Huge thank you to net galley for an advance copy of this one!

I’ve been waiting for this book ever since I finished The Sandman, which was one of the most thrilling books I’ve ever read. Lazarus did not disappoint. Joona and Saga are back but is their enemy back as well?! The most demented killer out there has recruited a new partner. The chase to find them is on before they kill everyone close to Joona and Saga. This book is an absolute thrill ride, leaving me gasping out loud and unable to put it down. Highly recommend.

Jurek Walter is back! I am such a fan of this husband and wife team and especially love the Joona Linna series. This book was an edge of your seat thrill ride! The fast-paced storyline was absolutely absorbing and I could not put this book down. As always, the story is intricately detailed and you really begin to care about the characters. I cannot wait for the next one!

My thanks to NetGalley, the publishers, and the authors for allowing me to read and review this book, the latest in the Joona Linna series.

Former detective Joona Linna must earn back his original position after committing some atrocities in the past, where he had to serve time in prison. When he is called in to consult on two cases outside of Sweden, he finds clues that his arch-nemesis may still be alive. After consulting with his old team, he goes in to hiding, trusting that the rest of the team will catch Walter Jurek.

There is a lot of violence and death in this book, which reflects what the police are up against. It becomes a mental as well as a physical battle to save victims, as well as stay alive. In the end there are no winners.

I like the Joona Linna series by the husband and wife team of Lars Kepler, but their books are very dark.

HOLY COW!!!

I love this series - Joona Linna is incredible, Saga Bauer is amazing, Jurek Walter is a horrifyingly perfect villain, and the investigations, pursuit, evasion, and supporting characters are all immaculate in construction, set up, and execution. The books are DARK, but there is a pathos to the series that has resonated with me from the first book.

In this latest installment, Jurek Walter is back. Or is he? Someone is following very closely in his notorious footsteps and no one believes Joona when he calls the alarm... The story that builds from here is bloody, vicious, devious, and glorious. It is, that is, perfectly Lars Kepler-esque. The husband-wife writing team that produces this series is marvelous. The writing, the pacing, the revelations - all are spot-on. The characters - both heroes and villains - are broken and bent in myriad ways, and watching them navigate their environs - both emotional and physical - provides readers with a delirious trippy experience that is horrible and delightful at the same time.

I can't say a lot more - it would give stuff away and I wouldn't spoil this read for anything... Trust me when I say it's another perfect installment in a fantastic series. And the ending - OH MY GOODNESS, I couldn't believe it all! It definitely left things open and I'm so very glad it did - this series is too good to end, although I do hope poor Joona gets a well-deserved break one day...

This book was so difficult to get through. Just unrelenting bleakness and brutality. Even then ending it completely without hope. Truly just a completely unenjoyable book to read. I think I'm done with this series now, despite having quite enjoyed some of the earlier books.