I picked this up a couple of years ago at Schipol while waiting for a flight and now I'm finally getting around to reading it. It's summer time. I need more plot in my life currently, and I have loved Carlos Ruiz Zafon. I realize this author will be nowhere near as good, but that's okay. I'm having fun here, that's all.

I finished it. It was coherent. I was curious to see how it ended. Not great, like a made-for-tv movie on Lifetime or Hallmark channels.

4,5
Cuando encontre este libro en un puesto de segunda mano no esperaba que me fuera a gustar tanto como lo ha hecho. Siempre he defendido que todas las historias que engloben misterio y libro son las mejores. He aquí una prueba. No le doy 5 estrellas porque la traduccion es un poco chapucera y desgraciadamente habia trozos en los que no disfrutaba de la lectura porque me perdía

When I came across this story, and read the basic description, I was a bit excited to start it. The first half of the book kept my attention, and the story seemed to be going well. Then about half way through, I felt it stalled. All the things going on just slammed on the brakes, even though things were still be developed leading to the conclusion. Once I got about 3/4 way through, things picked back up. I wasn't overly impressed with the ending, and thought it dragged just a bit (after the climatic finale). Overall, I loved the idea of the story, of how books and reading books create 'energy'.

Goodness, when I got into this, it made quite addictive reading, and I just had to get through to the end to find out what the heck was going on and what was going to happen. This reading lark can be a dangerous thing... as this book may prove!

Set in Copenhagen, this story is about lawyer Jon Campelli. His estranged father dies in mysterious circumstances, and leaves his antiqurian bookshop to his son. Jon goes to see the bookshop and the people now working there, and finds out there was a bit more than just bookselling going on. The story then dips into a paranormal mystery, but I won't write anymore about that here.

It was mildly disappointing, as a lot of these mystery thrillers are for me, when the identity of the bad guys is revealed and they explain their dastardly plans. It always seems a wee bit luke warm compared to what I had been hoping for. But all in all this is a pretty good thriller.

It also put me in mind of some other thrillers that are about book loving. Although in completely different ways, and better than this book, but if you enjoy this you might want to check out Shadow of the Wind, The End of Mr Y, and perhaps even The Historian.

This was a really surprisingly fun read. Fantasy slash mystery noir from that same wealth of Danish authors that are really driving noir right now. Books are powerful tools but some people can wield them into evil deeds. And the unexpected characters will be called upon to fight back. Super fun.

A book about books and libraries, set in Denmark. I was always going to love it wasn't I?! I found this really compelling though. It's part crime, part thriller, part mystery, part fantasy which combine to create something really interesting and enjoyable.

I'm disappointed by this book. It sounded fascinating. Could have been interesting. Could have been thrilling. Instead it's a lament on the downward appreciation of reading in our society. Where it could have been beautiful, it's bitter.