I really enjoyed this book! It was very suspenseful and fun to read. The plot lines span Norway in the 1500's to modern-day Norway and Richmond, Virginia. Eventually the lines weave together, revealing an intriguing tale of serial killing in the setting of rare, historical book collecting.
I especially liked the cast of characters. It was interesting that as the plot got more twisted and dire, the two main characters experience sort of re-birth out of prior personal traumas. It made for a more uplifting and hopeful tone than I usually expect from a Scandinavian author. Very good book!

This could be my favorite thriller of 2013! I was initially afraid that the subject matter would be too disturbing, but the writing is superb and the plot is so well drawn, I simply couldn't stop reading it. The way that the main characters' psychology is portrayed was also very fascinating. I absolutely enjoyed this book, and I highly recommend it for anyone who enjoys a psychological thriller!

I have read most of Charles Todd's books, and I generally enjoy them. However, I think that this installment of the Bess Crawford series is the last that I'll read. This book is a lot like the others, at least in terms of its plot structure, pace, and themes. However, I was left unplussed. It felt formulaic and dull. I am ready for some more character development, but this stalls out in this story. The historical detail and perspective is nice, but I would not recommend this book. There are too many great books out there to waste time on this.

This book was very pleasurable reading. The plot was interesting, and I enjoyed the historical plot being interwoven with the contemporary story. The weakest part of the story was Heather's character and her relationship with the protagonist, which was silly and poorly done. However, that did little to dampen what was otherwise a fun read. Not as good as the Inspector Banks series, but not a waste of time by any stretch.

I love this series. The character of Bess Crawford continues to solve mysteries in her typical demure-yet quietly awesome- way. I love how the other characters seem to consistently underestimate her, until they realize how sharp she is. This series also does a great job of painting the era in which it takes place, without feeling dated or stodgy. There a few plot points which are kind of a stretch, but it's well worth it in the end. Great plot, great characters, well paced- I thoroughly enjoyed it.

This whole series just gets better and better, and this installment is particularly satisfying on many levels. Maisie Dobbs is a great character, and the era of pre-WWII England provides a perfect backdrop for her professional and personal development. The book works well as a whodunnit, but it's also interesting to watch her struggle to find her place socially, as an intelligent and independent woman. It's also a nifty piece of historical fiction. Thumbs up!

This book delivers the pace, plot, characters, and atmospherics typical of the series, which I love. But even better, it casts 2 contemporary themes- PTSD and school bullying- very effectively into the historical context of post-WW1 England. It's very well done, and a great read to boot!