The Deathwatch Beetle, Kjell Eriksson

Set in Sweden, Ann Lindell, former detective, is fixated on finding why local Graso woman, Cecilia, vanished just weeks after another man’s suspicious death.

This is the 9th instalment of the Lindell series but can easily read as a standalone.

It’s a slow burn that is slightly convoluted and confusing at times requiring readers to stay on top of plot and character developments.

An atmospheric thriller with Nordic Noir elements with a puzzle like reading experience.

My thanks to NetGalley and St Martin’s Press for my advanced digital copy In exchange for an honest review.

In this 9th in the series, Ann Lindell (now retired) becomes curious after a tip that Cecilia Karlsson, who disappeared from the island of Gräsö 4 years before, has been spotted in Lisbon.

Ann doesn't like mysteries.. She finally does find answers (including to a cold case murder), as violence escalates to an exciting - and surprising - conclusion.

I understand this is part of a long series. I haven't read any of the books so maybe that's why I can't get into this. Though in my opinion all books in a series should be able to stand alone.

Sorry, but this just didn't do it for me.

This is the ninth title in a long-running series about an Uppsala policewoman told in a style that is a bit moody, poetic, and character-driven. By this time, Ann Lindell has left the police force and is living in a small town, working for a cheese-maker. The action (such as it is) takes place on an island where her on-again off-again lover lives. While visiting him, and thinking about their future, she learns that a woman who vanished four years earlier was seen in Portugal, and a man who was in love with her when they were teens may have seen something important the day she disappeared. Lindell can't resist digging into it, and begins to wonder if perhaps she would be happy as a police officer on the island, living with Edvard.

The characters - especially Nils Lindberg, a man who clears brush when he isn't drinking - and the ways their lives intersect on the small island community are the heart of the book. The mystery itself slowly emerges as the past is uncovered and vengeance is worked out. It's not the strongest in the series, though some of that might have been affected by the change in translators. At times it seems literal meaning takes precedence over more naturalistic dialogue. The ending snuck up on me; I may need to reread the book to figure out exactly why it concluded so abruptly, or whether I was just not paying attention. Good series, not a particularly strong entry, though.

My thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for letting me read and review this book.

I like Scandinavian mysteries, so I was eager to read this book. Ann Lindell, who is an ex-policewoman, now cheesemaker, still likes to try to resolve old cases. In this one there is a missing woman and a cold-case of a presumed murder/disappearance of a man the woman had a relationship with. When the woman is sighted on the island, Ann jumps into the investigation, sharing information with Brundin, the local policeman. Many secrets are uncovered as well, resulting in more tragedy for the family and associates of the returning woman.

It was a good story, but I feel that it just took too long to work out all of the details and solve the cold-cases.

Described as an atmospheric thriller, I could agree with one part of that characterization. It was atmospheric.
My first experience with the series. This particular episode protagonist Ann Lindell has retired from the police force and lives on the island of Gräsö off the eastern coast of Sweden. When Lindell gets a tip that Cecilia Karlsson (missing for years) was sighted alive, she can’t resist pursuing the lead.

It’s an island. People know each other and there are secrets. Some not meant to be revealed. The opening scene hooks the reader then basically founders for the remaining portions of the book. Such a slow pace it was difficult to continue reading.

I’m not sure—is Ann still meant to be the main character? Not first person, but it often took me a couple pages to figure out who was making an appearance and his/her connection to the whole thing.

Ann didn’t come across in this episode as being a fully developed person, nor did I really engage in peripheral characters.

Granted, I came in on Book 9 of the series, having lost, I’m sure a large part of the development and her earlier experience as a police person. But was something lost in translation? This one lost my interest early on and it was never really regained. 2.5 stars

Up front- I was a huge fan of Night of the Fire and was very much looking forward to this next Ann Lindell read. Regrettably I found it disappointing and even disorienting. While I thought it was meant to be the story of Ann's search for Cecilia a woman who went missing from Graso, it wasn't. Ann, a retired detective, is almost a background figure as Cecilia is living in plain sight more or less on Graso. I'm not sure if it's the translation which is awkward in spots or the plot but I found myself confused in spots as to what was happening. Why did Cecilia disappear? More importantly, why did she come back? Over to others but I had a hard time following this (and I read a lot of Scandinoir) and ultimately realized I didn't much care. Thanks to netgalley for the ARC. A very rare meh from me.

Ann Lindell has left the police force and now lives on the island of Graso off the eastern coast of Sweden. Cecilia Karlsson disappeared from the island four years earlier following the disappearance of one Casper Stefansson. Lindell learns that Cecilia has been see alive and cannot resist the temptation to find her as she has been linked romantically to him and, albeit a very thin thread, to his disappearance. Enter Nils Lindberg, aka Blixten, who loved Cecilia as a teenager and who may have information regarding Casper’s disappearance or death. And yet one more storyline is Cecilia’s parents who grieve her disappearance but have secrets of their own. Sound complicated? For sure. I generally enjoy reading books by Scandanavian authors, including Erikkson. But this one missed the mark. Perhaps it was that I had not read earlier books featuring Ann Lindell. After finishing the book, I don’t see where she was the main character. And more likely was the translation. I found myself going back and rereading paragraphs and sometimes pages to get a better feel for what was going on. And, at the end of the day, the story really went nowhere - when the book ended I was shocked. It was like there was no ending at all! I do thank St. Martin’s Press (Minotaur Books) and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read and review the ARC of this novel.

This is Book 9 of the Ann Lindell series, and only the second I have read. In this story (which can stand alone quite nicely from the previpous 8), Ann has now left the force and is trying to settle into retirement, and having some growing pains with it and her relationship. So when the chance comes to reopen an old police case and look at it again with fresh eyes, and those of Edward, who grew up on the island, with the victim, she can't help but to jump at the chance to try to solve both problems at once! Ann if a bit of an enigma if you havent read the previous book- she keeps things close, even as a character (not sure if it's the translation, or the way she is written).

The book reads a bit slower than previous books in the series, again it could be a transcription issue, not sure. BUT if you stay with the book, there are enough red herrings and false roller coaster dips, to keep you page turning into the night, once you hit about midway. It's an interesting look at police retirement and cold cases, and if you are looking for something different to read, I'd recommend it!

Disappointing ready by Mr. Eriksson. I usually enjoy his books. This one was so slow in plot development that I gave up! Sorry.

The premise of the book is interesting, as is the setting. I was looking forward to trying this author as I usually enjoy translated works as well as mysteries/thrillers. However, I was not drawn in as I hoped to be and did not care for the graphic sexual descriptions. Though I quite like the writing style the content seemed to jump around a little too much. Therefore I did not finish this one.

I Have just read The Deathwatch Beetle by Kjell Eriksson.

This is an atmospheric thriller that takes place in Sweden, and the first book that I have read of the Ann Lindell Series, which is the 12th in the Series.

I did not feel that it hindered getting into the flow of the book by not reading any previous ones.

I enjoyed the storyline, and the main characters, and felt it was translated well. I will read more in the series.

Thank you to NetGally, Author Kjell Eriksson, and the Publisher St. Martin's Press for my advanced copy to read and review.

3.5 Stars from me

#NetGalley

I tried to read this book. I really did. I have read others in the series and love the location setting, but this one did not hold my interested. The story line was convoluted and, to me, did not roll smoothly. I’m sure others would disagree with me but this is how I felt.

St. Martin's Press, Minotaur Books.... I usually don't do this! But I have to in this case!
Minotaur Books I Love YOU! 😘

After Reading:
Holy freaking crap! What the heck can I say about this fabulous book?!

The plot is interesting, the characters are introspective and well-developed and very human.
This is well written and suspenseful. I did not know who did what to whom until it was relieved, which I think says something about the quality of the writing.
Ann I freaking loved her and I hope I see more of in the future from Eriksson because she is one badass lady!
I'm just awe with how everything in the story comes together and its freaking amazing!
Such a fantastic book and I loved every second I spent reading it!

Seriously thank you St. Martin Press for this wonderful ebook copy! I LOVE YOU!


Before Reading:
I've been patiently waiting for this approval since this hit NetGalley!
This thriller sounds beyond amazing! And to say I'm excited I'm such an understatement!
It's currently 3:42 am and I'm on chapter two..... And loving it! Sad I'm starting this set at book 12!

I will come back and edit my review when finished! 😊