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Η σιωπή
Ένα παιδί αγνοείται. Μια γυναίκα δολοφονείται. Κι ένας πατέρας θέλει να πάρει εκδίκηση.
Μια κρύα μέρα στο Ρέικιαβικ, ένα μωρό εξαφανίζεται από το καροτσάκι του. Στη θέση της μικρής του κόρης, ο πατέρας βρίσκει το πτώμα ενός άλλου παιδιού.
Έντεκα χρόνια αργότερα, ένα μεμονωμένο περιστατικό ιλαράς καταλήγει στον θάνατο ενός κοριτσιού. Ο πατέρας προσπαθεί να βρει τον φορέα του ιού για να πάρει εκδίκηση. Σε άλλο μέρος της πόλης, το διαμελισμένο και ακέφαλο πτώμα μιας γυναίκας εντοπίζεται σε ένα εγκαταλειμμένο αυτοκίνητο.
Στο έκτο βιβλίο της σειράς Χούλνταρ και Φρέιγια, οι ήρωες πρέπει να ενώσουν τις δυνάμεις τους για να εξιχνιάσουν μια δύσκολη υπόθεση. Κοινός παρονομαστής και των τριών υποθέσεων είναι το τείχος της σιωπής που περιβάλλει τους εμπλεκόμενους.
Το έκτο και τελευταίο βιβλίο της σειράς Χούλνταρ και Φρέιγια.
Μια κρύα μέρα στο Ρέικιαβικ, ένα μωρό εξαφανίζεται από το καροτσάκι του. Στη θέση της μικρής του κόρης, ο πατέρας βρίσκει το πτώμα ενός άλλου παιδιού.
Έντεκα χρόνια αργότερα, ένα μεμονωμένο περιστατικό ιλαράς καταλήγει στον θάνατο ενός κοριτσιού. Ο πατέρας προσπαθεί να βρει τον φορέα του ιού για να πάρει εκδίκηση. Σε άλλο μέρος της πόλης, το διαμελισμένο και ακέφαλο πτώμα μιας γυναίκας εντοπίζεται σε ένα εγκαταλειμμένο αυτοκίνητο.
Στο έκτο βιβλίο της σειράς Χούλνταρ και Φρέιγια, οι ήρωες πρέπει να ενώσουν τις δυνάμεις τους για να εξιχνιάσουν μια δύσκολη υπόθεση. Κοινός παρονομαστής και των τριών υποθέσεων είναι το τείχος της σιωπής που περιβάλλει τους εμπλεκόμενους.
Το έκτο και τελευταίο βιβλίο της σειράς Χούλνταρ και Φρέιγια.
About the author
Yrsa Sigurdardottir
46books2,748followersYrsa Sigurðardóttir is an Icelandic writer, of both crime-novels and children's fiction. She has been writing since 1998.
Her début crime-novel "Last Rituals" published in the US in 2007, and the UK in January 2008 was translated into English by Bernard Scudder, and is book 1 of the Thóra Gudmundsdóttir series.
Yrsa Sigurðardóttir graduated from high-school in 1983, finished a B.Sc. in civil engineering from the University of Iceland in 1988 and M.Sc in the same field from Concordia University in Montreal in 1997.
Yrsa now works as a civil engineer for the company Fjarhitun, as well as being a writer.
In 2000 the Icelandic department of IBBY (International Board on Books for Young People) awarded Yrsa for her book Við viljum jólin í júlí (We Want Christmas in July).
Yrsa lives in the Reykjavík suburb of Seltjarnarnes. She is married with two children.
Her début crime-novel "Last Rituals" published in the US in 2007, and the UK in January 2008 was translated into English by Bernard Scudder, and is book 1 of the Thóra Gudmundsdóttir series.
Yrsa Sigurðardóttir graduated from high-school in 1983, finished a B.Sc. in civil engineering from the University of Iceland in 1988 and M.Sc in the same field from Concordia University in Montreal in 1997.
Yrsa now works as a civil engineer for the company Fjarhitun, as well as being a writer.
In 2000 the Icelandic department of IBBY (International Board on Books for Young People) awarded Yrsa for her book Við viljum jólin í júlí (We Want Christmas in July).
Yrsa lives in the Reykjavík suburb of Seltjarnarnes. She is married with two children.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 164 reviews
February 23, 2024
This is one of my favourite crime series and I love the duo of Freyja and Huldar. I think you could read the book as a standalone and still really enjoy it, you'll just miss some of the background history of the lead characters. The storyline in relation to the crimes is quite complex with the connections only becoming clear right at the end; I quite liked this as I couldn't predict the outcome. I must admit though that there is a storyline involving a side character which felt a bit odd based on their history from previous novels so I'm intrigued to see where that goes in future novels as there was a lot of focus on that character.
Overall: happily recommend for any crime thriller fans.
Overall: happily recommend for any crime thriller fans.
June 3, 2022
The plot´s not bad (although unnecessarily convoluted),but to get there, you have to wade through endless rehashings of what the police know, silly asides-Freyja having the hots for Huldar in inappropriate moments-and pointless subplots.
This series´ first books were very good, but it´s going downhill.
This series´ first books were very good, but it´s going downhill.
September 6, 2022
The sixth novel of this series finds its two protagonists, police detective Huldar and child psychologist Freya working in same same building, yet still trying to keep their personal and professional lives separate.
However, when the headless dismembered female body is discovered in an abandoned car, they find themselves working the same case. A case which is somehow connected to one from eleven years earlier when a woman is found dead on a beach and her baby has disappeared. It soon turns out that there are secrets from the past which certain people wish to remain secret.
As much as I enjoyed the Thora Gudmundsdottir series and the standalones, I’ve found this series to be very hit and miss. The plots are often less than engaging and the secretive relationship between the two central characters is becoming somewhat tiresome. Even more ridiculous now that they work in the same building. This isn’t the worst in the series, although I do wish this talented author would move on to something else.
However, when the headless dismembered female body is discovered in an abandoned car, they find themselves working the same case. A case which is somehow connected to one from eleven years earlier when a woman is found dead on a beach and her baby has disappeared. It soon turns out that there are secrets from the past which certain people wish to remain secret.
As much as I enjoyed the Thora Gudmundsdottir series and the standalones, I’ve found this series to be very hit and miss. The plots are often less than engaging and the secretive relationship between the two central characters is becoming somewhat tiresome. Even more ridiculous now that they work in the same building. This isn’t the worst in the series, although I do wish this talented author would move on to something else.
April 11, 2023
What I liked about this book: the complicated plot and the way the subplots came together. What I liked less: the story starts out slow but at the end the developments follow faster and faster. There was also an unnecessary amount of references to Erla's pregnancy - so it was absolutely no surprise what happened in the end ;-).
For the careful reader it is soon clear what's going on here, at least with the baby(s). What happened with the murdered woman, and who she actually was, took me a little longer.
I enjoyed the book because of all the plotlines, and of course because it's written well. It's a fast read and Iceland is a fascinating place to read about.
For the careful reader it is soon clear what's going on here, at least with the baby(s). What happened with the murdered woman, and who she actually was, took me a little longer.
I enjoyed the book because of all the plotlines, and of course because it's written well. It's a fast read and Iceland is a fascinating place to read about.
January 22, 2024
The Fallout is now the 6th book in the Children’s House series by Icelandic crime author, Yrsa Sigurðardóttir. The series features two main characters, Huldar (likeable albeit heavily cliched, police detective) and Freya (child psychologist, now working for the police department). Huldar and Freya have a bit of a secret relationship happening.
I’ve found myself somewhat disappointed by this series from about book three onwards and while I thought this one showed a little more promise earlier on, sadly, it failed to deliver for me. The ending became quite convoluted and the heavy explanations required to resolve everything detracted from the whole reading experience.
I’m a bit frustrated by the lack of character development in both a Huldar and Freya and feel that so much more could be done with each of them. In some ways they continue to be minor characters to the plot and kind of support the storyline instead being an active part of it. Head of police, Erla, seemed to feature a fair bit in this instalment and quite frankly her character is unlikeable and quite silly in my opinion.
Sadly I can’t give this one anymore than three stars and if there are any further instalments to the series I’m not sure if I will bother with them which is quite disappointing for me.
I’ve found myself somewhat disappointed by this series from about book three onwards and while I thought this one showed a little more promise earlier on, sadly, it failed to deliver for me. The ending became quite convoluted and the heavy explanations required to resolve everything detracted from the whole reading experience.
I’m a bit frustrated by the lack of character development in both a Huldar and Freya and feel that so much more could be done with each of them. In some ways they continue to be minor characters to the plot and kind of support the storyline instead being an active part of it. Head of police, Erla, seemed to feature a fair bit in this instalment and quite frankly her character is unlikeable and quite silly in my opinion.
Sadly I can’t give this one anymore than three stars and if there are any further instalments to the series I’m not sure if I will bother with them which is quite disappointing for me.
March 4, 2021
First of all, the greatest crime committed here is the cover of the Norwegian edition...
It's a bit stupid, but it works. I've read far worse nordic noir. But what fascinates me about this formulaic series from Yrsa Sigurđardóttir is that we know she can do so much better! Better than this series and certainly better than this and the book that came before it. Is she writing them with one hand tied behind her back, just to pay the bills? One-book-a-year deal with her publisher? Has she become lazy? Ran out of good ideas?
I still sometimes scare myself at night when I think of her first horror, which I read late at night 8-10 years ago. Her stand-alones are amazing. Her Tóra series was captivating. Then came Huldar... WHYYY??? Time for a new series, Yrsa!
It's a bit stupid, but it works. I've read far worse nordic noir. But what fascinates me about this formulaic series from Yrsa Sigurđardóttir is that we know she can do so much better! Better than this series and certainly better than this and the book that came before it. Is she writing them with one hand tied behind her back, just to pay the bills? One-book-a-year deal with her publisher? Has she become lazy? Ran out of good ideas?
I still sometimes scare myself at night when I think of her first horror, which I read late at night 8-10 years ago. Her stand-alones are amazing. Her Tóra series was captivating. Then came Huldar... WHYYY??? Time for a new series, Yrsa!
February 15, 2025
Ωραία ιστορία,που όμως αφού την έσυρε από δω κι από εκεί, στο τέλος αναγκάστηκε να την κλείσει όπως όπως. Η αταίριαστη βιασύνη σε μια ιστορία που πήγαινε με πιο αργό ρυθμό, στοίχισε 2 αστεράκια...
3/5
3/5
October 25, 2024
Se este livro marca o fim da série Children's House, fico um bocado desiludida😔. Primeiro, porque vou ter saudades de Huldar, Freija, Saga e, até, Erla. Segundo, porque este livro não parece ser o fim; para ser o fim, tinha de ser mais repenicado, com mais pormenores sobre os nossos personagens e uma amostra do que serão as suas vidas a seguir.
Eu adoro estes personagens. Mais que dos enredos policiais, acho eu.
Sobre o enredo de A Consequência: mais uma vez, é uma história super triste... Não das mais tristes que a autora já escreveu, mas triste e tão trágica, com tantas vidas destruídas😪.
Claro que não percebi nada do que se passava. Cada capítulo novo trazia mais mistério e confusão. Tanta confusão que fiquei com um nó nas ideias😵.
O sarcasmo e humor (negro) de Yrsa Sigurdardottir são impagáveis. Adoro😅. Traz uma leveza bem vinda numa história de uma mulher desmembrada e cuja cabeça nem sequer está junto com o resto do corpo - macabro!😱 Também Erla, a super grávida e mal disposta chefe de Huldar proporcionou momentos divertidos (e aquele twist sobre ela?!😲).
O final foi surpreendente e a autora ainda guardou uma última revelação para as últimas páginas.
Eu precisava de mais, muito mais.
🗨"Haviam de se safar. Separados ou juntos. Juntos ou separados.
Esta noite, juntos, nitidamente. Um dia de cada vez."
Eu adoro estes personagens. Mais que dos enredos policiais, acho eu.
Sobre o enredo de A Consequência: mais uma vez, é uma história super triste... Não das mais tristes que a autora já escreveu, mas triste e tão trágica, com tantas vidas destruídas😪.
Claro que não percebi nada do que se passava. Cada capítulo novo trazia mais mistério e confusão. Tanta confusão que fiquei com um nó nas ideias😵.
O sarcasmo e humor (negro) de Yrsa Sigurdardottir são impagáveis. Adoro😅. Traz uma leveza bem vinda numa história de uma mulher desmembrada e cuja cabeça nem sequer está junto com o resto do corpo - macabro!😱 Também Erla, a super grávida e mal disposta chefe de Huldar proporcionou momentos divertidos (e aquele twist sobre ela?!😲).
O final foi surpreendente e a autora ainda guardou uma última revelação para as últimas páginas.
Eu precisava de mais, muito mais.
🗨"Haviam de se safar. Separados ou juntos. Juntos ou separados.
Esta noite, juntos, nitidamente. Um dia de cada vez."
March 14, 2020
Þessi bók náði mér ekki. Sakamálið náði einhvern veginn aldrei flugi og Huldar og Freyja eru orðin þreytt. Þeirra mál var reyndar ekki eins áberandi nú og í fyrri bókum en þá var alla vega þessi spenna og togstreyta á milli þeirra en nú skipti eiginlega ekki einu sinni máli hvað þeim finnst hvoru um annað. Og þessi flutningur Freyju yfir lögregluna heppnaðist ekkert svakalega vel. Ég mæli með að næsta bók fjalli annað hvort aftur um Þóru eða leiti á nýjar slóðir. Það var aldrei erfitt að leggja þessa bók frá mér þegar ég fór að sofa.
February 20, 2022
4,75*
Oh ik was zo content dat er een nieuwe was in deze reeks!
Heel graag gelezen!
Bijzonder spijtig dat dit het laatste deel is in de Freyja en Huldar serie.
Oh ik was zo content dat er een nieuwe was in deze reeks!
Heel graag gelezen!
Bijzonder spijtig dat dit het laatste deel is in de Freyja en Huldar serie.
April 29, 2022
This series of books has always had a deeply emotional core. Yes - that has often come with a ruck load of smile producing carnage and delightfully gruesome murder attached, but there is no denying that the issues that are confronted are thought provoking and often highly emotive. That is especially true of The Fallout which is, as ever, very timely and relevant and all too scarily plausible in parts. The murders may have come down a notch in terms of skin crawling darkness, but they are still a cut (or chop) above your average domestic homicide and all too frustrating for Erla, Huldar and the team to solve, in part because getting the identity of the victim is proving more than a little challenging.
I do love Huldar and Freyja as characters. They are two who I was drawn to from the very first book and their tumultuous relationship, has led to many a smile as i've read through the pages. Huldar is a fairly traditional cop, determined, but not ambitious, slightly squeamish which, given the kinds of cases he's been faced with over the course of the series still makes me smile, and totally fascinated and hopeful when it comes to his relationship with Freyja. Freyja is focused, kind, empathetic and someone who maybe protests a touch too much when it comes to Huldar's attentions. It's fair to say that they haven't had the most straightforward of friendships - a little stretching of the truth and a work demotion will tend to put a dampener on a blossoming romance - but there is no denying the chemistry between them and the will-they/won't-they element of the series has been a real draw. Then there is Erla, Huldar's boss, one time lover and a general pain in his rear but someone he does respect and who, despite her gruff exterior and no-nonsense attitude, also makes me smile. There is something about her directness which makes her a likeable if disagreeable character. And there are some comical moments and surprising revelations with regards to Erla, especially after the bombshell dropped last time around.
As for the story, it is very relevant in today's society, given the whole rise in challenge and debate over the vaccinations for Covid-19. This is not the premise of this book, but the whole aspect of the anti-vax movement and the potential impact of parents who choose or maybe even just neglect to get their children vaccinated. Add into that a shocking scene which opens the book and seems almost incongruous to the rest of the story for a while, and the scene is set for a very emotive story. Yrsa Sigurdardottir excels in wringing out every ounce of emotion from the book, making the characters individual collective stories so evocative that you cannot help but feel for them. The sense of loss is palpable but so is the anger and the central investigation for Huldar and co seems, at times, almost secondary to the course of the book, even though it is a vital part of the whole picture. Once again children are the key to everything, but in what context is very slowly and carefully revealed.
There is a lot of suspense and mystery in this book, but perhaps less an immediate sense of threat that in some of its predecessors. That's not a bad thing, and totally suits the tone and theme of the story. Pacing is just right and picks up in the exact spot where, as readers, we realise something catastrophic may be about to begin. It is a book packed with mystery - not least the first victim's identity - but with so many more questions beside, and a book that will make you think. For me, I know exactly which side of the debate I sit on with regards to vaccinations, but many opinions will differ, and often for very good reason. But the devastating impact of one quick decision cannot be denied and has overwhelming consequence for others, hence the very appropriate title of the book. The tone is pitched perfectly, melancholic, driven by the notion of family and children which has always been key, but with a mixture of lightheartedness and chilling atmosphere which kept me entirely pulled into the story.
And then the ending. Unexpected - to a point - there did come a time when I had an inkling but it's still a bit of a shocker seeing it in black and white. It's a turning point in many relationships in this book, leaving us with a kind of sense of hope, maybe a thawing of feeling between Freyja and Huldar, and a perfect place to leave the team. I've loved these books and loved getting to know Yrsa Siguardaottir's work. Can't wait to read more of her books in the future.
I do love Huldar and Freyja as characters. They are two who I was drawn to from the very first book and their tumultuous relationship, has led to many a smile as i've read through the pages. Huldar is a fairly traditional cop, determined, but not ambitious, slightly squeamish which, given the kinds of cases he's been faced with over the course of the series still makes me smile, and totally fascinated and hopeful when it comes to his relationship with Freyja. Freyja is focused, kind, empathetic and someone who maybe protests a touch too much when it comes to Huldar's attentions. It's fair to say that they haven't had the most straightforward of friendships - a little stretching of the truth and a work demotion will tend to put a dampener on a blossoming romance - but there is no denying the chemistry between them and the will-they/won't-they element of the series has been a real draw. Then there is Erla, Huldar's boss, one time lover and a general pain in his rear but someone he does respect and who, despite her gruff exterior and no-nonsense attitude, also makes me smile. There is something about her directness which makes her a likeable if disagreeable character. And there are some comical moments and surprising revelations with regards to Erla, especially after the bombshell dropped last time around.
As for the story, it is very relevant in today's society, given the whole rise in challenge and debate over the vaccinations for Covid-19. This is not the premise of this book, but the whole aspect of the anti-vax movement and the potential impact of parents who choose or maybe even just neglect to get their children vaccinated. Add into that a shocking scene which opens the book and seems almost incongruous to the rest of the story for a while, and the scene is set for a very emotive story. Yrsa Sigurdardottir excels in wringing out every ounce of emotion from the book, making the characters individual collective stories so evocative that you cannot help but feel for them. The sense of loss is palpable but so is the anger and the central investigation for Huldar and co seems, at times, almost secondary to the course of the book, even though it is a vital part of the whole picture. Once again children are the key to everything, but in what context is very slowly and carefully revealed.
There is a lot of suspense and mystery in this book, but perhaps less an immediate sense of threat that in some of its predecessors. That's not a bad thing, and totally suits the tone and theme of the story. Pacing is just right and picks up in the exact spot where, as readers, we realise something catastrophic may be about to begin. It is a book packed with mystery - not least the first victim's identity - but with so many more questions beside, and a book that will make you think. For me, I know exactly which side of the debate I sit on with regards to vaccinations, but many opinions will differ, and often for very good reason. But the devastating impact of one quick decision cannot be denied and has overwhelming consequence for others, hence the very appropriate title of the book. The tone is pitched perfectly, melancholic, driven by the notion of family and children which has always been key, but with a mixture of lightheartedness and chilling atmosphere which kept me entirely pulled into the story.
And then the ending. Unexpected - to a point - there did come a time when I had an inkling but it's still a bit of a shocker seeing it in black and white. It's a turning point in many relationships in this book, leaving us with a kind of sense of hope, maybe a thawing of feeling between Freyja and Huldar, and a perfect place to leave the team. I've loved these books and loved getting to know Yrsa Siguardaottir's work. Can't wait to read more of her books in the future.
December 16, 2022
Kemur verulega á óvart hvað þessi bók er mikið�.meh.
Söguþráðurinn áhugaverður og plot twists vissulega á sínum stað og mjög líkir öðrum sögum Yrsu. Síðasta blaðsíðan breytir allri sögunni eins og aðrar bækur hennar sem ég vanalega elska.
Það var bara eitthvað við þessa, hún var of löng og flókin. Það hefði mátt sleppa mörgum atriðum án þess að koma niður á sögunni.
Einnig fer það verulega í taugarnar á mér hvað Freyja var að farast úr greddu á óviðeigandi stöðum. Konan var ný búin að fara í gegnum svakalega hluti og fyrsta sem hún hugsar er þráin í Huldar.
Hefði viljað meiri baksögu á Erlu og barnsfaðir hennar, en mér grunaði þetta í smá tíma með engum rökum fyrir utan að þetta væri “týpískt.�
Söguþráðurinn áhugaverður og plot twists vissulega á sínum stað og mjög líkir öðrum sögum Yrsu. Síðasta blaðsíðan breytir allri sögunni eins og aðrar bækur hennar sem ég vanalega elska.
Það var bara eitthvað við þessa, hún var of löng og flókin. Það hefði mátt sleppa mörgum atriðum án þess að koma niður á sögunni.
Einnig fer það verulega í taugarnar á mér hvað Freyja var að farast úr greddu á óviðeigandi stöðum. Konan var ný búin að fara í gegnum svakalega hluti og fyrsta sem hún hugsar er þráin í Huldar.
Hefði viljað meiri baksögu á Erlu og barnsfaðir hennar, en mér grunaði þetta í smá tíma með engum rökum fyrir utan að þetta væri “týpískt.�
July 8, 2024
Fínasta afþreying en er samt alveg frekar disappointed að þetta séu lokin af sögu Huldars og Freyju. Ekkert endilega að ég vildi fleiri bækur heldur fannst svona “overarching plottið� sem er búið að vera gegnumgangandi í seríunni eiginlega ekki fá neitt pláss í þessari seinustu bok, sem meinar einhvernveginn engan sens? Plottið annars fint en sma erfitt að fylgja því a köflum, sérstaklega þar sem ég var að hlusta, kannski auðveldara í lestri.
September 22, 2023
Наистина ли е последна?!
November 1, 2024
Uma pessoa é encontrada desmembrada dentro de um automóvel.
Uma criança desaparece enquanto dorme no seu berço.
Há pessoas que são anti-vacinas.
Recorre-se a gravidez de substituição.
E no meio disto tudo estão Huldar, Erla e Freya com todas as suas questões por resolver!
Este livro agarrou-me do princípio ao fim e claro, nas últimas páginas ainda me deixou boquiaberta!
Adoro como Yrsa explora a mente humana neste que já é o seu sexto livro.
Parece que este é o último livro da saga Children's House e isso entristece-me pois há uma situação que eu gostaria de continuar a acompanhar e que ficou em suspenso no final deste livro.
Uma criança desaparece enquanto dorme no seu berço.
Há pessoas que são anti-vacinas.
Recorre-se a gravidez de substituição.
E no meio disto tudo estão Huldar, Erla e Freya com todas as suas questões por resolver!
Este livro agarrou-me do princípio ao fim e claro, nas últimas páginas ainda me deixou boquiaberta!
Adoro como Yrsa explora a mente humana neste que já é o seu sexto livro.
Parece que este é o último livro da saga Children's House e isso entristece-me pois há uma situação que eu gostaria de continuar a acompanhar e que ficou em suspenso no final deste livro.
September 16, 2024
Apesar de fã da autora e desta saga de livros, penso que este foi o menos conseguido de todos.
July 22, 2022
This is the concluding chapter in Yrsa Sigurðardóttir's renowned "Children's House" series and one of the best novels in the Huldar and Freya saga alongside The Legacy (#1) and The Doll (#5). The Icelandic author reminds us once again the reason why she has earned the title "Queen of Icelandic crime fiction" as she weaves a complex storyline featuring multiple plot strands which is narrated through the perspective of various characters who are all equally significant for the novel's plot. The Fallout is a first-class police procedural with some thriller sprinklings that make the story irresistible, a novel that will remain in your mind long after finishing reading partly due to its stark prose and partly because of the ever-topical themes which are explored in the course of the story. The most prominent motif of the novel is surrogacy and its consequences for the parties involved, a subject that has been a matter of heated debate during the last few years because of the growing number of individuals who choose this controversial way in order to become parents. Nevertheless, more relevant themes are put under the author's microscope such as the negation of a significant part of the population to get vaccinated against debilitating diseases that could become extinct if only people behave more responsibly in regards to the protection of public health, an issue that became prominent during the last two years of the Covid-19 pandemic leading to an ongoing discussion about the obligations of the citizens who vehemently deny vaccination. The tempo is even and after the first half, a sequence of twists turn the reader's initial assumptions upside down and force him to take a whole new look at the case in question which becomes increasingly enigmatic and mysterious.
To read my full review, visit
To read my full review, visit
August 18, 2022
I found it difficult to rate this book as there were aspects of it that I liked a lot and others that felt contrived.
The relationships within the investigation team were good as always but I didn’t manage to build much empathy with any of the main characters involved with the mystery, which is usually one of the strengths of this author. I also felt it was a shame that Freyja’s role has moved away from the Children’s House into a member of the police team. Whereas previous books had a child centred theme (bullying, abuse etc) this one was much more a standard police mystery where Freyja played a supporting role.
The reveal was also a little disappointing as it seemed to come at a rush and without any of the usual tense build up. However there was an emotional twist at the end which I thought was very well done. If this turns out to be the last in the series as rumoured I feel it probably would be the right decision as it is gradually running out of steam. Would have liked to have given it 3.5 stars.
The relationships within the investigation team were good as always but I didn’t manage to build much empathy with any of the main characters involved with the mystery, which is usually one of the strengths of this author. I also felt it was a shame that Freyja’s role has moved away from the Children’s House into a member of the police team. Whereas previous books had a child centred theme (bullying, abuse etc) this one was much more a standard police mystery where Freyja played a supporting role.
The reveal was also a little disappointing as it seemed to come at a rush and without any of the usual tense build up. However there was an emotional twist at the end which I thought was very well done. If this turns out to be the last in the series as rumoured I feel it probably would be the right decision as it is gradually running out of steam. Would have liked to have given it 3.5 stars.
June 28, 2022
The Fallout is another solid book in the Children's House series; however, I can't help but feel disappointed that it doesn't reach the heights of excellent books earlier in the series.
The best thing about these books is the returning characters - Huldar, Freyja and Erla (along with the lesser involved Lena and Gudlager). I enjoy reading about these characters' different personalities, relationships and storyline progression.
The murder mystery of this book was ok. It was clever and had a good ending, although I'm not sure I cared much about the conclusion. It was a standard police procedural which didn't evoke much emotion from me.
The best thing about these books is the returning characters - Huldar, Freyja and Erla (along with the lesser involved Lena and Gudlager). I enjoy reading about these characters' different personalities, relationships and storyline progression.
The murder mystery of this book was ok. It was clever and had a good ending, although I'm not sure I cared much about the conclusion. It was a standard police procedural which didn't evoke much emotion from me.
May 15, 2022
Update 05/12/2022 -UK edition is finally here!
Patiently waiting for the English translation...
Patiently waiting for the English translation...
February 21, 2022
Alweer een spannende en verrassende thriller!
Het kwam wel wat traag op gang maar eens de vaart en spanning erin zaten: wauw!
En wat ga ik ze missen: Huldar, Freyja en Erla.
Het kwam wel wat traag op gang maar eens de vaart en spanning erin zaten: wauw!
En wat ga ik ze missen: Huldar, Freyja en Erla.
October 1, 2022
I really wish I liked this more. Everyone recommends this author but I just struggled the whole way through
March 19, 2025
I’ve read almost every book written by Yrsa.
I liked this story and it’s a well written book. However, I found it a bit confusing at times and missing some important steps from one chapter to another.
I liked this story and it’s a well written book. However, I found it a bit confusing at times and missing some important steps from one chapter to another.
October 8, 2024
Ingenting overrasket meg, og jeg kjedet meg underveis. Hadde helt ærlig forventet mye mer, kanskje spesielt av stemningen. 2,5
April 9, 2025
Μου άρεσε πάρα πολύ, ήταν ωραίο δυνατό κλείσιμο της σειράς φρειγια χουλνταρ. η υπόθεση σε κρατάει μεχρι το τέλος! και ακόμα εκπλήσσομαι με το πως καθε φορά συνδέει όλα τα άσχετα στοιχεία και ανθρώπους που σου παρουσιάζει στην αρχη του βιβλίου. λατρεμένη Yrsa! θα μου λείψουν η φρεϊγια και ο χούλνταρ αλλά ανυπομονώ για επόμενα βιβλία της επίσης!!
April 15, 2025
Leste denne uten å ha lest de foregående i serien. Mange tråder som ble nøstet opp på ganske tilfredsstillende måte til slutt.
Neppe en bok jeg kommer til å anbefale videre, men god påskelesing!
Neppe en bok jeg kommer til å anbefale videre, men god påskelesing!
October 2, 2024
A despedida 💔
November 15, 2021
-11 years ago: A baby is stolen from the pram on the patio while her father is showering.
-5 months ago: The funeral of 10 year old Iris who passed away from the measles & her father becomes obsessed with finding out who she caught it from.
-Now: Plastic bags containing body parts are found in the trunk of a car.
At times formulaic and with trope takes by what came across as a token psychologist character. About 70 pages in, and I was left feeling I’d seen this useless profiling schtick at least 100 times before in mediocre crime dramas. Freyja as a character was being sold short and mainly used to drive the driveling romantic tension forwards as I have a hard time believing anyone would open that position at a police station if that was the work she provided (or is there a demand for psychologist fortune-cookie advice?)
Anywho, it’s still an alright read which hits close to home with themes of vaccine hesitancy & spread of illnesses to susceptible people who pay for that hesitancy with their lives mixed into the murder mystery.
A read fit for these imminent winter days when we find the hours of daylight growing short here in the north, -even if I struggle to see the point with certain characters.
-5 months ago: The funeral of 10 year old Iris who passed away from the measles & her father becomes obsessed with finding out who she caught it from.
-Now: Plastic bags containing body parts are found in the trunk of a car.
At times formulaic and with trope takes by what came across as a token psychologist character. About 70 pages in, and I was left feeling I’d seen this useless profiling schtick at least 100 times before in mediocre crime dramas. Freyja as a character was being sold short and mainly used to drive the driveling romantic tension forwards as I have a hard time believing anyone would open that position at a police station if that was the work she provided (or is there a demand for psychologist fortune-cookie advice?)
Anywho, it’s still an alright read which hits close to home with themes of vaccine hesitancy & spread of illnesses to susceptible people who pay for that hesitancy with their lives mixed into the murder mystery.
A read fit for these imminent winter days when we find the hours of daylight growing short here in the north, -even if I struggle to see the point with certain characters.
September 16, 2022
English version title: The Fallout. For some unknown reason ŷ used the Icelandic title.
I am long a fan of Yrsa and look forward to her new books. Her original protagonist, Thóra Gudmundsdóttir, got me started and I wish she had continued that series as well.
This was not my favorite of the series, but it seems like the most complex crime/solution of the lot. She wrote 6 Thora books and now this is #6 of Children's House, so I curious to see if she stops the series here. there is no indication of it as the ending leaves open the possibility of more to come.
All in the Children's House series involves children in some way. In this book, Freyja is assigned to work with and in the police department--which is a new twist that allows a better expansion of the characters in that environment.
I leave it to the reviewer Pros out there to say more. I would recommend reading the series in order also as Yrsa, thankfully, does not fill pages with previous backstories.
Recommended to those reading Nordic Noire 😊
As an aside, Icelandic names are really hard to properly pronounce. Yrsa provides a list of characters with a pronunciation guide. I don't even try; I just use my own made-up sounds.
I am long a fan of Yrsa and look forward to her new books. Her original protagonist, Thóra Gudmundsdóttir, got me started and I wish she had continued that series as well.
This was not my favorite of the series, but it seems like the most complex crime/solution of the lot. She wrote 6 Thora books and now this is #6 of Children's House, so I curious to see if she stops the series here. there is no indication of it as the ending leaves open the possibility of more to come.
All in the Children's House series involves children in some way. In this book, Freyja is assigned to work with and in the police department--which is a new twist that allows a better expansion of the characters in that environment.
I leave it to the reviewer Pros out there to say more. I would recommend reading the series in order also as Yrsa, thankfully, does not fill pages with previous backstories.
Recommended to those reading Nordic Noire 😊
As an aside, Icelandic names are really hard to properly pronounce. Yrsa provides a list of characters with a pronunciation guide. I don't even try; I just use my own made-up sounds.
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