Kaninjægeren

2.5 stars
Spoliers!?

Mmmh… I have mixed feelings about this book as the first half of the book was terrible and the last half of the book was pretty exciting.
In the beginning, I was ready to give this book 0-1 star solely because I despised Lars Kepler’s writing style. Every time he introduced a “new” character he paused the story and began describing how the person looked in detail. And I say “new” because none of the characters were actually new to the POV - only to the ready. It was so unnatural and completely destroyed the flow if the story. He also put waaaay too much focus on how pretty Saga apparently was. It was very weird and uncomfortable and led to some awkward moments as well as an overall feeling of the story being unreliable and - again - unnatural. I was also just unnecessary, I think. It didn’t really add anything to the story. I also found her being sexualized a bit too much for my liking. What was the point of her being naked under her (leather) motorcycle clothes? Why did we need to hear about her boobs and sweaty thighs while she was talking with the prime minister? I didn’t find it hot or spicy, I found it unnecessary and slightly annoying that the only important female character in the book had to be sexualized like that. Actually, I feel like most of the women in the book were described as very sexy and lowkey horny, despite them just doing their job.

Säpo also seemed very unserious and amateurish despite literally being the secret military force put in to protect politicians. Why do they literally beat their only witness, just because she doesn’t say what they want her to? Didn’t really seem professional. Also, Jeanette, the therapist that works with Säpo, fucks someone in the bathroom while she’s waiting for Saga to finish her questioning for someone regarding the first murder… What professional therapist working on a murder-case would do that… I don’t…? It’s not sexy, it’s not hot, it’s not spicy - it’s weird, uncomfortable, and untrustworthy. It all makes the story unreliable and incoherent.
And at the end of the day, I feel like the first half of the book was overall unnecessary in the way that everything thrilling or interesting that happened in that part ended up being actually unnecessary in the investigation.
When that is said…… The last half of the book was good. It was gripping and I pretty much read the last part in one sitting. This is also why I gave it two stars - the plot was all alright after all, you just have to put through a bunch of shit before you get to that part…
Would I recommend it… Probably not. But I wouldn't talk someone out of it if they were to read it either.