You will want to read The Rabbit Hunter. I am actually afraid to tell you more than that because giving you too much information about this intricately plotted and wonderfully written novel would be like pulling the thread on a favorite sweater and watching in horror as the entire kit-and-kaboodle unravels ... This is a flawless collaboration for two reasons: [the authors] stay out of each other’s way, so it is difficult (if not impossible) to tell who has written what, and it is apparent within the first few pages that what one doesn’t think of, the other does. This newest entry has everything: graphic sex, violence, meticulous plotting, strong characterization and a deep, deep mystery at its core. Let’s also give a moment of thanks to translator Neil Smith, without whom most of us probably would never get to read this outstanding work ... There are twists and turns galore here --- so many, in fact, that you will give up trying to guess who the guilty party is or what will happen next ... It will drive you insane in all of the best possible ways ... Strongly recommended, if you’re not too squeamish.
... high-octane ... Kepler builds suspense with each subsequent murder while planting more clues to tantalize readers. Joona is constantly one step behind the killer, increasing the stakes for the next victim in line. While there are instances of graphic violence and admittedly gratuitous sex, Kepler keeps things grounded with real emotional threads for each of his characters. Joona’s relationship with his former co-workers is especially intriguing as he tries to put his criminal misdeeds behind him while rebuilding the trust of his colleagues ... grips readers from the start and rarely lets up throughout its 500-plus pages ... a chase you’ll want to get in on.
Linna’s acts of heroism occasionally strain reality, but the resulting action, combined with the unflinching mood of Scandinavian noir, holds strong appeal for American thriller fans, especially those of Lee Child’s Jack Reacher series.
With a captivating detective, a hideous serial killer, and nonstop suspense, this confirms Kepler as a master of disturbing psychological crime novels, showing the darker side of humanity.
Kepler (the pen name for a husband-and-wife writing team) manage a clever and intriguing variant on the serial killer theme in their outstanding sixth novel featuring Stockholm Det. Insp. Joona Linna ... Kepler has never been better at hiding key clues in plain sight.
Frankly, it’s a disappointment ... While Joona remains one of the best detectives in current Scandinavian noir, once again he has far too small a role in a novel with his name on the front cover ... most of the characters in this novel are inexplicably dreadful. Readers are made to suffer through the likes of Janus Mickelsen, Saga’s Security Police cohort, who’s one of the most randomly weird police characters yet ... Not literary, not socially relevant, not well crafted or thought out. Just carelessly thrown together, recycled, boring nonsense the prime objective of which is to maintain Lars Kepler’s place as a #1 International Bestseller ... The Ahndorils seem bound and determined to rehash the same tired material here that has interfered with the quality of their previous novels. We must endure another obligatory orgy scene, violent dreams of impaled spouses, and extended sequences featuring random, graphic violence that, when involving women, is sexually suggestive ... If you happen to like rabbits, cute and vulnerable little creatures that they are, you won’t want to read this story. The Rabbit Torturer might have been a more appropriate title ... It’s all very formulaic and predictable at this point. Scandinavian noir has a reputation to live up to, and the Ahndorils are doing their best to make sure their novels keep up with the rest of the herd ... profoundly disappointing.
