Lars Kepler | Joona Linna

Thanks for checking out this post! This one is a little different than just a standard review, because I kind of wanted to gush and let you guys know about my Lars Kepler obsession and give you a little preview of the Joona Linna series before the new novel STALKER releases 2/5/2019! Lars Kepler is the pseudonym of a husband and wife team from Sweden that is responsible for some of my personal favorite reads and introducing the world to the detective known as Joona Linna.

About a year ago on Bookstagram, I noticed this novel called The Sandman not only all over the place, but the reviews were glowing. I knew I had to get a copy and figure out what everyone was raving about. By pure luck, my dear friend Abby (that you may know as @crimebythebook on Instagram) reached out as she was the publicist working on The Sandman and invited me to participate in a blog tour. The timing was fantastic and I immediately signed up. While this one is the fourth in a series and usually I am hesitant to not start a series with the first book, the clock was ticking and Abby assured me that I could read this one as a standalone.

When the package finally arrived (and by finally, I mean in about three days), it was like Christmas. Literary Christmas. The cover was stunning and boy is this a long book! So, I naturally planned ahead to make sure I could take a few days to digest this one and into the rabbit hole I went. I remember it was a cold Sunday morning and my coffee was hot and I was snuggling underneath a warm blanket when I opened this one and began reading the first page. I couldn't stop and I read the entire thing in one day. I was a man on the verge of obsession. I immediately knew that I had to go back and start this series from the beginning. The writing is hypnotic, the stories are chilling and surreal, and the characters are an exceptional example of the people you'll wonder about even when the book isn't open in front of you!

So, in preparation for one of my most anticipated reads of 2019, I wanted to introduce you to the series and feature mini-reviews of the first four novels in the Joona Linna series. Now, when I first began this series I was a little intimidated due to the page length of each novel (each one is at least 500+ pages), but with the intense story-lines and the short and addictive chapters, I promise you these novels will fly by.

Check out my mini-reviews below and keep your eyes posted on my Instagram account (@gareindeedreads) as the cat is officially out of the bag and I am going to be featured on a blog tour for STALKER!

Book One | The Hypnotist

This is the greatest introduction to a series I have yet to read. It is not only gritty and violent, but I loved the subtle way that Lars Kepler introduces Joona Linna. I loved that he is still kind of a mystery in this one and you don't get his full backstory, just bits and pieces. This one transitions between Joona Linna and Dr. Erik Bark and both told the story fantastically. I personally love this one as I believe it's a shocking introduction to not only the series, but to Lars Kepler's writing and gives you enough of a taste of what to expect, but still doesn't hold back on the shocks and the twists as you devour each page. Not only is this one fantastic, but I think it's a great novel to introduce someone into the Nordic Noir that I have been reading more of!

Book Two | The Nightmare

This one kind of took a step back for me and I would think this actually would have made a better introduction to the series as it features the police procedural aspect that is present in the other novels, but the story is much different than any of the others in the series. While this one has the same fantastic writing and the wonderfully written characters, the plot is a little more intricate and confusing at times, featuring a more espionage plot. I definitely wouldn't recommend skipping this one though as it does introduce some rather interesting character that definitely shows up later on in the series! This would be a perfect read for fans of Tom Clancy and James Patterson.

Book Three | The Fire Witness

Now this is the one that solidifies and really brings you into the series. Lars Kepler holds the reigns with this taut and terrifying addition to the series. The plot to this one is much darker, violent, and reminiscent of a horror movie at some points. I was immediately drawn in with the fantastic opening and how it reminded me of a really good horror movie thriller but featured the police procedural aspect that I have grown to love with Lars Kepler's writing. This is the perfect police procedural for me because it isn't overwhelming or bland, but Kepler balances the police procedural with the thriller aspect perfectly. And the ending to this one was not only scary and wrapped up everything fantastically, but is the perfect segue into The Sandman by providing the reader some details of a previously mentioned case that really affects Joona Linna and gives you a hint as to what is to come by begging you to keep reading.

Book Four | The Sandman

Now this book is the pivotal book in the series. This one kind of blends together the elements in all three of the previous novels and kicks up the intensity a few notches. Now, while this one is my favorite in the series so far, I think that it's only a taste of what is to come. This one is grittier, more violent, and intense than any of the others in the series. While it starts off with a bang and doesn't hold up, I am thankful for some of the parts that are less intense as this novels imagery is the definition of terrifying. It is eerily written and reminiscent to The Fire Witness, it had some parts that gave me chills up and down my spine. Seriously, this one is a stunner and only the second book I have forced myself to find the time to re-read prior to writing this post.

So there you have it, my mini-reviews of The Joona Linna Series thus far. Not only is this my favorite book series ever, but my go-to recommendation for anyone looking to dip their toes in the Nordic Noir genre that I have known to love thanks to my dear friend Abby! Be prepared though, this series will take you hostage and is the perfect collection of some binge-worthy reads.