Michael Best

Generously rated at 3, but I am not tempted to read any others.

I was a little anxious when I saw that this book returned to within a few years of the period in which book 1 is set.

As it turned out, I need not have worried. I blooming loved this tale which, in fact is something of a prequel to book 1.

DNF.

To be read slowly, relished and cherished.

Nothing outstanding but I did rather enjoy reading this - the central voice was very clear. Although it turns into a murder mystery, there is also some interesting observation/commentary on the social changes in northern Iceland.

Possibly a 2.5.

This is an easy read. It began nicely, but the tale took a rather predictable path.

During my reading of the book, I never once felt I was actually being transported to the beginnings of the 16th century.

My e-book copy had a surprising number of typographical errors.

Began really well but gradually seemed to fall apart.

Playful and, in places, very funny.

Reading this for the first time in 2019, what to say?

I don't mind the dryness. I don't have a problem with the story telling in a rambling recall. However, the inherent gender, social, religious and racial bigotry is difficult to stomach.

Readable but nothing more.

The initial set-up had me hoping for a far deeper story than it is.

The repeated interruption of the narrative with bits of back story did not help.

This is a DNF for me.

This is my fourth Mock and I have been liking the series less with each book. Enough is enough.

I am not quite 50% through this book and it has been such an unpleasant struggle - my feeling is that the translation may not be helping, but that is not the cause of the heavy, plodding style.

Playful and, in places, very funny.

Would I have behaved better? Horribly disquieting.

In reading this I had to accept that it was written in the middle of WWII and understandably heavy on the patriotism.

I did find it an interesting way of telling the tale of a small sea skirmish - the actual action is minimal with the story concentrating upon the crew and the importance of the role of each and every crewman.

I enjoyed this, though it did take a slightly over-dramatic and less credible trip to Danzig.

This book was rather too much of a bawdy romp at times compared to the first.

The first I have read by this author. Reminds me of a cross between Mankell's Wallander (though less dramatic) and Nesser's Van Veeteren.

This is not a bad book, just a nothing book. It has a very predictable story arc, albeit an arc which is extended way beyond its merits.

I was bored after about 10%. Initially, I continued in the hope it was going to do something interesting. Thereafter, I carried on simply numbed by its lack of invention.

Possibly a 2.5.

Having enjoyed the first 2 Le Floch books, this one was rather disappointing with an underwhelming dénouement and the strange inclusion of a possession and exorcism.

This book was ok but, if it was not for the fact that I bought several of his books in a sale, I do not think I would be tempted to read another.

My first, possibly my last Japanese “locked-room” mystery. It was enjoyable enough, though in truth it had one classic piece of mis-direction, guess that you solve the mystery but the rest is rather superfluous.

The first Kadare book I read was The Siege. Nothing else of his I have subsequently read has entranced me as that book did. This came closest, but is a distant second.

A decent story, but I thought the pacing was excellent. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

A bit of a nothing story really.

I was left asking ‘why?”. Why the denouement, why did I bother reading the book?

I enjoyed reading this book, but it never enthralled me. The pacing in the second half of the book seems better but, perversely, I preferred the story arc in the first half.

As others have commented, the proof-reading for the ebook version is appalling. Though that really affected my reading enjoyment, I have not marked it down for that.