In what may likely be their most gritty and violent book so far, Lars Kepler has given Detective Joona Linna a pulse-pounding and heart-breaking case that will have the reader audibly gasping on more than one occasion. The book is lengthy, but the action never stops, from the first page to the last. The story is heavy but engrossing as Kepler leads us along on an investigation with constant twists, surprises, and terror. In Lazarus, neither the authors nor the characters ever blink at the graphic horrors brought on by this villainous criminal mastermind, so the reader must be prepared for a full unvarnished look at a truly gruesome tale.
The story opens with what seems to be random, disparate murders throughout Europe of callous, heartless criminals. While it may not be nice to think about, how much effort is really going to be put into an investigation that ultimately makes law enforcement’s job easier and the world a little safer? I mean, fewer ruthless underworld figures in society sounds like a good idea, at least on the surface. But as the pieces begin to come together, Joona Linna becomes aware that several of these murders have connections back to him in some way. While some may see this killer as a vigilante, removing dangerous criminals from the world, Linna has a sense that this is not someone working for a greater good. He knows there must be a darker, uglier plan at work. This is book seven in a series, so by now, we know he’s right.
Linna must face a ghost from his past, a truly terrifying villain. Capable of incredible manipulation, even of skilled officers and investigators, this is a criminal with a darkness that may be unmatched in literature. Lazarus is not for the faint of heart. It is not the book to pick up if you just want to “try out” the genre. However, if you know you love dark and twisted, sometimes painful, and sometimes disturbing crime fiction, this book will hold you hostage.
It is recommended that you read the Joona Linna stories from Lars Kepler in order, but it is not absolutely necessary. If you have read a couple of the previous books, are familiar with the characters, and liked what you read, you will be just fine. While there may be references made to past events that you are unaware of, any information that is vital for you to have will be repeated or explained within Lazarus. By the same token, so much happens to so many characters within the events of Lazarus, someone who has read all the books in order and followed each of these characters, learning their individual backgrounds, will ultimately get more out of the story. For fans of Kepler, this is a ride you will not forget.
Lazarus is available from Amazon, Book Depository, and other good book retailers, like your local bookstore.
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Synopsis | Goodreads
Sweden’s most notorious serial killer.
Jurek Walter was shot and killed years ago. The police moved on and managed to forget the darkness that had tainted their lives.
Has come back from the dead.
But now someone is leaving a trail of broken bodies across Sweden and the clues all point to Walter. Detective Joona Linna is convinced his worst nightmare is becoming a reality: the man who tore apart his family has returned to finish the job.
He doesn’t just kill you. He buries your loved ones alive.
When Joona’s partner is taken – and locked inside an underground coffin – he finds himself with an impossible choice: leave her to die or walk into the trap set by the only man he ever feared.
