A long, very disturbing and complex crime novel set mainly in Sweden which features a murder investigation lead by D.S. Jeanette Kihlberg. Shortly after the discovery of the first victim, others are found and the investigation expands to try to link them and discover the perpetrator. In due course, the help of o psychotherapist, Sofia Zetterlund, is sought in order to produce a profile of the killer. Both Jeanette and Sofia have unresolved issues in the lives and are mutually attracted, which adds another complication to the investigation. At times the novel moves rather slowly and at one point the pace of the book is reflected as “Jeanette feels like she’s talking to an encyclopaedia” and also there are a plethora of Stockholm street names. The novel explores the horrific crimes of child abuse and the driving force for the murders is revenge. There is no way that you can foresee the end and even Jeanette feels that she has not resolved the true background to the crimes.

Thank you Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group via NetGalley for the ARC ebook of [b: The Crow Girl: Victoria Bergman, 1-3] by [a: Erik Axl Lund]

This riveting and compelling story tipped the orbit of my planet. It knocked me off my axis.

Some books are hard for me to review because of the power of their impact on me as a reader and human being.

For eight months I have wrestled for fitting words to describe this read.

Translated from Sweedish by Neil Smith; the over 700 pages are alive.

Do not expect mediocracy. The tapestry of words although frightening, hold one in mental restraints.

Think of [b: The Crow Girl: Victoria Bergman, 1-3] as a discovery of a shape-shifting community of people.

Through the pen of [a: Erik Axl Lund] the reader is witness to the effects on victims by dark and deranged parts of upper society.

Upstanding citizens are the monsters hidden in plain sight. Twisted souls released from their claws attempt to rise above such evil transgression.

I apologize for not being able to give a better review. The writing, plot, subplots and characters are phenomenal.

I recommend [b: The Crow Girl: Victoria Berman, 1-3] to readers who are seeking a unique story and crave a twisted carnival ride.

Wow.

Abusive Sex, language, and violence. ( )

This is the first volume of the Victoria Bergman trilogy. It is an insanely dark and incredibly powerful book.
It is about a young woman who was grossly sexually abused by her father when she was a child. She received no support and not only developed a split personality, but also took advantage of young boys, whom she subdued and abused, but also killed.
Jeanette Kihlberg, a Stockholm detective, is looking for the murderer after a boy is found dead in a park. His body shows signs of severe abuse. Kihlberg also has private problems and only realises when it is already too late that she is putting herself and her family in great danger with this investigation. ( )

Definitely not for the faint hearted this one. To call it Noir is like talking about the Pope's funny hat. Any darker and it would've disappeared up some terrible orifice with a great deal of pain and a very full description.

Like any book, as you read you build up a picture of the characters and what is happening. This book however, lets you do that and then piece by piece, stroke by stroke undoes everything you thought you knew about anything in the book. In any other book this would appear contrived and frustrating but in this book it is done so superbly well that you cannot help but be drawn further and further into it.

It is very tempting to add some spoilers to illustrate what I am talking about but I really do not like adding spoilers. Suffice it to say that in this book are some of the most remarkable plot devices that I have ever come across. I was stunned at certain revelations many times throughout this book. I say "revelations" but in fact it was much more subtle than that it was like the reality that I thought I was seeing suddenly morphed into a completely different reality.

At around 800 pages it requires a certain fortitude and commitment to read this book to the end given how dark it is, how graphically descriptive it is, and how thoroughly shocking it is. Having said that I would urge anyone who likes a good crime novel to pick this up and set aside some good reading time. ( )

I haven't rated this book because I've abandoned it three hours in to a thirty hour book.

The writing is excellent. The characterisation is subtle and clear. The sense of doom is all pervasive.

I just couldn't cope with the subject matter. Three hours of contemplating the rationale for, mechanics of and damage inflicted by child abuse was as much as I could stomach. Another twenty-seven hours of it was inconceivable.

If you have a stronger stomach than I do, I'm sure you'll find this to be a compellong read with three strong but flawed woman as the main characters.